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Friday, October 12, 2001

Q: It is apparent that Penn State receivers have no confidence. Is this due to the fact that the receivers coach is not very good?

Warren Quinn of Pottsville.

FITTIPALDO: What gave it away, Warren, the dropped passes or their penchant for falling down after catching a pass. The dropped passes have been a problem since the beginning of last season, but they might have hit rock bottom against Michigan last week. Three different receivers dropped passes to start the game, and that was only the tip of the iceberg.

It's kind of hard to blame receivers coach Kenny Carter, though. He has been on the job only since the spring. He took over for Kenny Jackson, who left over the off-season to become receivers coach for the Steelers. I have to believe coaching has very little to do with their problems, which seem to be contagious and mostly mental.

Q: What does Joe have to do to stop highly prized recruits from prime recruiting areas such as Ohio, New Jersey-New York, Maryland and Virginia from attending other schools?

Richard Goldfarb of Holland

FITTIPALDO: Perhaps Penn State fans are spoiled because Paterno dominated recruiting for such a long period of time. College football is cyclical, and Penn State and Paterno did almost the impossible by avoiding a down cycle during his first 34 seasons. And don't just blame Paterno for the recruiting troubles of the past few years. Give credit to Virginia Tech, Pitt and Michigan. Virginia Tech, under Frank Beamer, has developed one of the most consistent programs in the country. Running back Kevin Jones, perhaps the nation's best high school player a year ago, chose the Hokies over Penn State. Pitt, despite its troubles this season, has improved greatly under Coach Walt Harris, who has signed highly sought-after players such as Dustin Picciotti, Rod Rutherford and Tyler Palko. One unknown consequence of joining the Big Ten has been how Michigan has become popular among high school players in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other Penn State recruiting areas. Wolverines Coach Lloyd Carr has lifted more players from under the nose of Paterno than Harris, including four who are freshmen this season -- Scott McClintock (Belle Vernon), Dan Simelis (Montour), Marlin Jackson (Sharon) and Tim Massaquoi (Parkland). He also won the battle for junior linebacker Victor Hobson, a south Jersey native who attended St. Joe's Prep High in Philadelphia.

It's hard to stay on top forever, Richard. And the constant losing, which is exacerbated by national television appearances as Paterno chases the Bear, and Paterno's age are not helping matters. Still, Paterno and Lions likely will have a top 20 or top 30 recruiting class nationally in February. Penn State fans are used to better, but it might not ever be the way it was.

Q: It seems like Joe Paterno has stated he was going to "take a step back" and evaluate the program from top to bottom about five or six times over the last season and a half. How many steps back can be taken? Most fans would rather see a step forward. Does Paterno have some "secret weapons" he is not playing because of his seniority system?

Chris Mohney of Du Bois

FITTIPALDO: The "taking a step back" approach is the evaluation process of younger players who may or may not be ready to contribute to the program. During the off week, Paterno said he is contemplating a major influx of new players, and at what cost to the program such an approach would take. He said there are some young receivers he has been slow to play because they haven't beaten out the older players in practice. But he is seriously considering playing them now because the older players have not produced in games. One player could be redshirt freshman Gerald Smith, a converted defensive back. Another could redshirt freshman Ryan Scott.

But, Chris, if they're not good enough to beat out the veterans in practice, I don't know if that's a very good sign. Perhaps change in this instance, though, would be a positive.

Q: Penn State appears to have lost the ability to recruit highly talented high school football stars with athletic ability and speed. Are there any outstanding candidates who could replace Joe Paterno and help turn this ailing program around?

Woody Gill of Chadds Ford

FITTIPALDO: I'm sure there are plenty of talented candidates out there who are capable of turning Penn State around, but that doesn't mean any are going to get the chance. Paterno has not given any indication he is tiring of coaching, and he has three years remaining on his contract. Your point about recruiting speed is well-taken. The ESPN Gameday crew of Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso singled out team speed as one of the major downfalls of the program. Herbstreit said they had "thick ankles" while Corso said it appears they are "running in sand." Speed at linebacker seems to be the most immediate concern. Former walk-ons Dave Benfatti and Tom Williams are technically sound but slow and unable to run down plays.

Q: I hear a lot about Penn State players being "mediocre and of limited character and leadership." I am reminded that these are the very attributes Joe has always sought. Are these qualities not insisted upon anymore or are they not available?

Who is the best college coach who might be interested in Penn State. While attending North Carolina State (also graduated from Penn State), I only lost two bets in the NC State-PSU games (of the 14 played). Both times NC State was coached by the man who is now working magic at South Carolina. What do you think?

Tom Stammely of Raleigh, N.C.

FITTIPALDO: Perhaps Penn State became too good at recruiting. Allow me to explain. Paterno has signed many top-of-the-line recruits in recent years. Guys who were wanted by every program in the country. These All-Americans sometimes don't possess some of the intangibles all programs need. It seems Penn State is missing those nose-to-the-grindstone overachievers. Dealing with the players, it seems they, on the whole, are too nice. They seem to be lacking some tough guy mentalities, someone who will challenge everyone in the program. Maybe an emphasis on recruiting some nastier players with an attitude is a premium in the coming years.

As for the Lou Holtz possibilities, Tom, he is definitely working magic with the Gamecocks. They were terrible before he got there. But he will be 65 in January. I do not believe he is a possibility, mostly because Joe has given no hint that is thinking of leaving. Yet.

Q: Discussion on local sports talk radio is that Nick Saban is being considered to replace Joe Paterno next season. Is there any substance to the rumor?

Pat Holleran of East Lansing, Mich.

FITTIPALDO: That's the first I've heard of any rumor of an outside person replacing Paterno, but I'm sure as Penn State continues to slide other names will pop up as well. Interestingly, Saban's name seems to come up quite often in these parts when the rumor mill starts. Saban, who grew up in Fairmont, W.Va., had his name mentioned a few years ago when it was rumored Don Nehlen was going to step down at West Virginia. Nehlen didn't step down until after last season, and Saban was long gone to LSU. Let's take it easy on the rumors until Joe at least hints about stepping down.

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