Hostetler, however was a rather skilled quarterback in his own right. He lost the starting job to Blackledge during that 1980 season, transferred to West Virginia, sat a season (as NCAA rules dictate) behind Oliver Luck (who in turn sired another great Quarterback named Andrew), and eventually became the leader of a highly skilled West Virginia team, amassing an 18-6 record as a two-year starter there, and playing in classic games against Boomer Esiason, then at Maryland, and Florida State. In 1998, he was inducted into the West Virginia Hall of Fame.
Hostetler's career in the NFL was markedly different from Blackledge's. He was a third round pick in 1984, but didn't start a game until 1988. For the second time in his life he played the back-up to a skilled, game-managing signal caller, until getting his chance following a Phil Simms' broken foot in 1990. That year, Hostetler led the Giants through the playoffs to a Super Bowl victory, taking over the starting job the following year, and eventually winding up on the Raiders, making the Pro Bowl in 1994. In his NFL career, Hostetler through for more than 16,000 career yards, while Blackledge through for just over 5,000. Proving, as it turns out, there is life after losing your job to a fellow Penn State quarterback with seemingly inferior skills.
- - - -
Pat Devlin was going to be the quarterback of the future. The highly touted, highly recruited kid from Downingtown East High School on the far eastern side of the state was tall, fast enough to maneuver around the pocket (and outside of it), and could throw the ball a country mile. He, like all young, highly recruited quarterbacks, was going to return the program to greatness. He had a winning attitude, was going to be a skilled quarterback in the NFL, and seemed to be cut from the Joe Flacco mold, which includes any quarterback taller than 6'2, with some bulk, who can move and throw the ball around a bit. Unfortunately, Pat Devlin showed up in Happy Valley right around the same time that a kid named Daryll Clark decided to figure out how to lead a team. Clark could move, he could throw the ball, he could lead a team, and he had that decided air of confidence that 21-year old men need if they are going to lead eleven of their peers out of the huddle.
We know the story from here, Clark won the starting job in the 2008 season, leaving Devlin to lick his sore wounds, became one of the most storied quarterbacks in Penn State history (just wait until time makes you realize just how good that guy was), leading Penn State to the Rose Bowl during the 2008 season, and another 11-2 record during the 2009 season. The NCAA's decision to grant Clark an additionaly year of eligibility during the 2009 season, led Devlin to seek out a new school, eventually winding up at Delaware like the man from whose mold he seemed cut. He chose Delaware so he would not have to sit out a year, and over the next two years would throw for over 4,000 yards, raising his potential NFL stock to that of a projected third round (and possibly higher) pick. Meanwhile, the man who took his job starting for the Lions, went undrafted and now plays for the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. Proving, once again, that there is life after losing your job to a fellow Penn State quarterback with seemingly inferior skills.
- - - -
But there's a second story here, and it's the one that prevents Penn State from ever being a so-called "cradle of quarterbacks." You see, Penn State has always preferred confident game-managers to quarterbacks with those prototypical quarterbacking skills. Generally, this has turned out to be the right decision. Blackledge led the team to a National Championship, Clark led them to a Big Ten Championship, and a 22-4 record. Penn State won a National Championship with John Schaffer in 1986. (Yes! That John Schaffer of well-known Goldman Sachs fame!) For as much as we mock the "moxie", it turns out that throughout the years, the "moxie" has been the deciding factor when Penn State has had two quarterbacks to choose between.
At the beginning of the 2005 season, Michael Robinson had the "moxie" while Anthony Morelli possessed the more traditional skills. It turns out that State likely made the right decision that year. As it is, Penn State is consistently looking for the re-birth of a Kerry Collins, and has no desire to find a Dan Marino, a Peyton Manning, or a Vinny Testaverde. Penn State is looking for a quarterback who possesses not only those prototypical skills, but also the confidence, "moxie" and game-managing skills that ultimately lead to wins. The greatest offense in the history of Penn State football (and arguably NCAA football) was led not by a quarterback with shockingly remarkable skills, but by a quarterback with great skills and undeniable "moxie," because "moxie" is the only thing that can lead a comeback when you're down 21-0 at Illinois.
- - - -
Rob Bolden was going to be the quarterback of the future. The highly recruited kid out of Detroit had all of those traditional skills that made a great quarterback; mobility, a strong-arm, and vision to see the field. Unfortunately, Rob Bolden came to Penn State right around the same time Matt McGloin decided to add a little bit of talent (if only the smallest amount) to his highly touted leadership skills. We don't know the story from here, unfortunately, but there are two potential endings. Rob Bolden will either become a fiend in the film room and weight room, start showing some academic prowess, and begin leading the back up team with his own brand of quiet leadership. Or he will decide to lick his wounds, refuse to put forth the extra effort and set himself back a year. Bolden will either learn from this year's ostensible failure (if you can in fact call losing the starting job during a true freshmen year a failure), grow up and gain real confidence, and not cocky arrogance, gaining the starting job by October at the latest. Or, he will decide to transfer, and become a great quarterback on another team.
Either way, Rob Bolden will be successful. He can prove, once again, that there is life after losing your job to a fellow Penn State quarterback with seemingly inferior skills. The question is, will he do it here? Or will he do it somewhere else? If he winds up learning his lessons, gaining that moxie and game managing skills, and using the remarkable talent he already has, we're in for the most exciting few years I can remember. If he doesn't, I still say we're in for some exciting years (look at Blackledge and Clark!), but they won't be nearly as great as if he stays.
But hey, what do I know?
No comments:
Post a Comment