April 17, 2008
Evan Royster, Soph., Tailback
Please describe the push that guys like Stephfon Green and Brent Carter give you during practice?
They are all really good running backs, so I always feel like I have confidence in my backs making me better. It's really making me improve my game and I think we are all really improving together.
Please describe the importance of Saturday to you? How important is that in the scheme of things?
I think it is really important to see how our team is starting off next year and what our depth chart is going to look like. I think it will give us a good chance to see what our quarterbacks are going to look like in a game situation and our offensive line. It will give everyone a chance to see how we're going to do.
For you, specifically, what does Saturday mean to you?
I feel like it's just a chance for me to show people that I can come out there and be a starting running back.
Along those same lines Evan, there has been so much talk and so much written about Stephfon Green breaking off long runs and everything. You yourself had a very good year last year. Does it bother you at all that people aren't talking about you?
Oh no, I never really thought of it like an insult to me. It's his first year actually being able to come out there and play so people are going to be talking about him. I'm sure Rodney (Kinlaw) felt the same way last year. Some people were talking about me a little bit after I started to play. It's just the same idea. You can't take it like they are insulting you by not talking about you.
Do you feel that you have something to prove then on Saturday so that maybe people will start talking about you over the summer?
To be honest, I don't care who they talk about. It's just a game, it's a chance for everyone to get out their and play. We have been working hard all spring. I don't think it really decides anything.
We've heard so much about this spread offense. Does the offense look different to you this year, and if so, where do you see yourself fitting in?
It's not so much spread. We might be running a little more shot gun, and a little more stuff you may see, like West Virginia runs, but we haven't change too much. We added a few things, but we are still keeping our base offense. They have got me out playing a little slot receiver and filling the backfield a lot. They are rotating me and Stephfon in at the slot. So hopefully, we will get a chance to see some playing time there.
At the one open scrimmage it looked like you guys were playing two tailbacks at the same time? Was I looking at that the right way with Brent Carter. Is that different from last year?
Yes, that is different from last year. Actually, last year we ran our package with our fullback in the game because Matt Hahn was a fullback/tailback. This year we are doing it with two tailbacks and that's when we work it out to the slot, me and Stephfon. We have a couple other plays like that.
What are the advantages of having two tailbacks?
It can confuse the defense a lot. If we have two threats in the backfield then the linebackers have two people to key on, they can't just key on the one back.
How does Stephfon complement you and how do you complement him and how can that be dangerous for defenses in the fall?
I think all our running backs really complement each other and Stephfon really brings a new aspect to the game with his speed. We saw it with our pro day. He was running sub :4.3 or so. I mean, he just brings a whole other aspect to the game. He opens things up for me and I can suck a defense in with inside running and he can break it outside.
Do running backs develop relationships with their linemen, particularly the inside guys that they might run through so much?
Develop a relationship...Well, we are all real close and we all know how each other plays. If we see each other outside of the field then we definitely say, "what's up?"
I'm more concerned with what's going on, on the field on a specific play?
With experience, we get a feel for how they play and how quick they are going to back. Our coaches often stress our timing and offensive line scheme so we really know where they are at all time.
Can you describe what you have seen from the two quarterbacks? You said that you may be running more shot gun like West Virginia might have thrown in there. How are those guys reacting to that and what have you seen from those two in the spring practice?
Both Pat (Devlin) and Daryll (Clark) are real good athletes. They are really adjusting well. It's kind of the offense that Daryll is meant to run. He's fast and he can move inside and stuff. He has actually become a much better pocket passer over the course of the spring. Pat is doing a good job as a pocket passer all the time. We'll see how they do in the spring game.
I was wondering if you could tell us specifically what you have learned from playing behind and with Rodney and Tony (Hunt). What did they impart on you?
Tony really showed me how to run up and down field. When I first got here I was running kind of hesitant, like side-to-side, trying to run away from people more. Now I'm not so hesitant and I'm actually low in my shoulder when I get inside. I think Rodney really taught me how to compete. Last year was really my first chance to compete for a spot and coming in here just really pushed me to get better and he showed me how to work hard.
How is your health now? You had a couple hiccups last year. Have you had any injury problems throughout your live seasons going back to high school or was last year kind of some isolated stuff?
I had a small MCL problem in high school. It only took me out a couple weeks but other than that I haven't had any real big problems. And the thing from last year; the ankle is fine now.
With all the off-the-field stuff and the injury with Sean Lee, has that been a distraction this spring or has this team been pretty focused on practice?
We have been real focused. Obviously, the loss of Sean is a huge loss and everyone was down about it for a day or two, but once we got it off our mind, we got back to practice and we kept working hard.
I remember you were kind of wide-eyed at the Blue-White Game last year because it was your first time playing in front of that sort of crowd. How much more comfortable are you with the whole day, now having gone through it?
Well, I guess you can say I'm used to playing in front of a big crowd now and I'm not so nervous any more. I can go into a game a lot more relaxed and not with all those nerves, shaking and everything like that.
Evan, with not knowing the starting quarterback, have you taken a larger leadership role or how do you kind of envision yourself taking on a larger leadership role in the fall?
I really stick to the running backs. I'm not much of a leader of the team, but I really try to help the running backs a bit. I really just try to set an example. I'm not a loud person; I just like to lead by example.
Do you see yourself as a 20 to 25 carry a game running back, and in this offense will you need to be or given the opportunity to be?
I think I can be. Yeah, I think I am capable of doing it. With the way our offense is going to be done this year, I see myself as more in the 15 to 20 range. It doesn't bother me at all because they have me coming out of the backfield a lot. They are still giving me a chance to play and get in the game. It doesn't bother me that I'm not a 20 to 25 carry back now, but maybe (I will be) in the future.
You were asked earlier about your relationship with the offensive linemen. A guy like Tony really excelled behind a veteran line in 2005 and this one has close to three years of experience playing together, the entire offense. How will the veteran offensive line affect the entire offense this season?
They know everything they need to do and all the blocking patterns. And as long as they know their assignments and everything like that, you can't really go wrong with that. And A.Q. (Shipley) and Rich (Ohrnberger) and Gerald Cadogan) are all great offensive linemen, so I think we'll do just fine.
Daryll Clark, Sr., Quarterback
Do you think that you are capable of being the starting quarterback?
I am very confident in my ability that I can bring to the table. And I'm pretty proud of what I have done so far this spring. I think it's been very productive and I think that I've gotten better. You have to owe some of it to the competition that was brought to the table. Pat Devlin and Paul (Cianciolo) they're both great guys and they both have a good amount of capabilities to help this team. And it only brings out the best in you when you have someone as good as Pat, as good as Paul, competing against you. I'm very confident that I can run this team and be successful.
The perception of you out there is that you're a good running quarterback. Can you win games with your arm?
Absolutely. I feel like I can. That is one thing I am trying to silence. I want to silence all of the critics who see me being a runner first. Now, I can run, don't get me wrong, and that's what you guys are saying. Most of the plays that I was in last season were running plays and I think I maybe had two or three pass plays in the heat of the game. Not when the reserves were in. But come Saturday, and hopefully at the start of this season, that perception of me just being a runner will change.
What do you think that the team, or maybe specifically the offense, needs to accomplish in the spring? What can you accomplish as an offense in 15 practices?
I feel like all we have to do is just stay together as a unit and focus on what the task is at hand and that is winning football games and taking one game at a time, as it should be, and grinding away at each practice and taking everything as seriously as possible. Once we take care of that, and we have been doing that, and that's why I feel like this spring has been very productive. I think we have the capability of being a very good team this year. We have a chance to be something special. We have a good offense. I think we have one of the toughest defenses in the nation. And when you put it all together and stack it up...
Pat Devlin |
What is the one thing that Pat Devlin does that you stand back and say, "I wish I could do that as well as he does?"
I like Pat's confidence a lot, because the kid can make plays. He's a very smart player, he knows what they're giving him on defense and he does have the capability of picking them apart. I feel like the things that he does I have the capability of doing them as well. He does make a lot of good throws, but at the same time I make good throws as well. That's a pretty tough question, I do like his confidence and I do like what he brings to the table, but he makes plays and so do I.
How important is Saturday for you as a quarterback in your progress? Is it important for you to go out and do something in particular or show people something or show the coaches?
I think it is very important for the coaches and as well as myself. If I am able to go out there, compete and do well, it's just another confidence booster letting me know that I can play with the best. I will most likely be up against our No. 1 defense and our No. 2 defense. And our defense is pretty tough. I feel that if we can produce against them in front of a pretty bring crowd that will be important for me as far as morale-wise and confidence-wise. This is important for me. I'm nervous as of right now. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. And this will be real important. As far as the coaches go this is just to see where we stand.
A couple of weeks ago Coach (Joe) Paterno said that Jay (Paterno) wanted to get you into action more last year and it just didn't happen. Do you feel like that you've gotten enough game experience to really give you an edge over the competition?
Well, I feel like it could have been a little bit more. I feel like the time that I did get was pretty productive. Going by what he said, that Coach Joe, saying he should have played me a little more, I kind of feel good about that. But, obviously he felt one way at one time and he felt a different way another. So with the time that I got in, I felt that I did pretty decent and helped out the team. I feel that Saturday and the start of the fall, I'll be pretty confident if I am named the starter.
Are you starting to see big changes in the offense as early as now? Is it a kind of an offensive system that resembles what you were in during high school?
My junior year and senior year in high school our offense changed to a spread type offense, so it's kind of similar in some ways. Last year we were pretty spread as well, we just didn't have a lot of option packages. We just put a little trick and trade into the offense this spring. We threw an option package into the spring to see how it pans out. And it's been going well so far and I'm pretty comfortable with what we're running right now.
Just about every guy that's started at quarterback at Penn State has had the physical tools to do the job, but it's a pretty demanding position mentally. There's a lot of criticism, a lot of pressure. How do you see yourself dealing with a lot of the things that go with being the Penn State QB and growing into that position like those before you have you have?
Well, it's tough. It will be real tough. I asked that question to Anthony Morelli and I asked that question to Michael Robinson. They said it comes with the territory, one of the things that you are going to have to do - is that there will be negatives and there will be positives. And I will feed off of the negatives for inspiration, but you can't dwell on a bunch of negative things. There's a lot of things that will be said to you that will be so bad that they may hit you to the point where it may hurt, but you can't let that get to you. Being a leader is one of the most important things that comes with being a quarterback and I feel like I have that tool. Now, I haven't faced the worst from media and what people have to say about this football team and myself. But I have a feeling that if and when that comes, I'll be able to handle it.
Earlier, you were saying the perception that you fight is that you are a runner and not a passer and it's the opposite with Devlin. The perception is that he is a passer and not a runner. Is it equally misconstrued of him? Can he also run as well?
He's pretty elusive. I'll give that to him. He's not slow. He can hop out of the pocket whenever he gets a chance. So, I would say he is a passer more than a runner.
Sean Lee was talking about how he was pursing you when he hurt his knee. What play was actually being run? If you could take us through that from your perspective on when it happened to Sean.
The play kind of happened really fast. We had vertical route called and then the outside linebacker came off the edge of the blitz and I guess Sean got real close to him and hitting him in the rib and I guess when he pulled up and his knee went the other way and he got hurt pretty bad. I think the result of that play is that I threw it away before Sean got to me. I really didn't know he hurt himself until the end of practice.
How are you going to try and calm yourself down on Saturday so you are not over-anxious and maybe play out of character from the way you normally play?
I do the same thing. I approach practice the same way. Even though it's way more mild than it is when you're playing at Beaver Stadium in front of a lot of people. With all of these things going through your mind before game time, I think that's what makes a good quarterback. Some guys are very excited; everyone has a different way of getting prepared for games. As a quarterback, you have to bottle all that excitement and all that nervousness up and put it into one box and focus. You can't be all over the place. You have to be the most under control player in the game. This will be my first big test. I project that I'll be taking the first snap. My heart will be pumping, but that's just something that I'll have to deal with. Just take it one play at a time like I do every day.
What are your feelings on a two quarterback system and that possibility?
If the coaches decide to go with a two quarterback system it's obvious that they see something that will benefit the team more than just having one. I'm a team player and if that's what they want to do, then I'm all for that. Now in my mind, I'm pretty sure that all the other quarterbacks on the team, they want to run the offense themselves. I'm almost positive that's what goes through every quarterback's mind. But if the coaches feel that we are in better shape with a two quarterback system, then so be it. As long as we're winning games.
How would you describe your relationship off the field with Pat?
On and off the field, we're pretty cool. I'll call him sometimes to go watch film and he'll call me sometimes to go and watch film. We're pretty good friends. On the field, he'll ask me "what did I miss?" and I'll ask him "what did I miss?" or what I should have done. Because he has a pretty sharp eye of the game, as well as I do, and we just feed off another. We're competing but we're helping another at the same time.
Has it been just as important for you to develop as a leader and a vocal guy in the huddle?
Yeah. I think I've been more vocal than I've ever been before. I owe a lot of that to Coach Joe Paterno drilling it into my head that I have to become a vocal leader in order to be the quarterback. That is a must and when I speak I'm confident in what I say because I feel that is the thing that is best for the team at a certain time. And I feel confident when I get the play from the coaches and go to the huddle and everyone is looking at me I have a great feeling that all the players in the huddle respond to me. I think the leadership steps that I took were pretty good this spring.
You were taking most of your reps with the first team last Saturday at the Coaches Clinic and Pat took all of his with the second team. Is it okay to infer that you have a little bit of an edge right now?
I take it that's what the coaches see. Or you know it's something that the coaches wanted to see how I did with the Ones and Ones only. I don't really know, I'm just doing what I'm told. I'm working hard and I'm getting better I'm competing. Doing everything that I'm told and like I've said, the rest is up to the coaches.
How big of a difference is it taking snaps from the first team rather than the second team?
I think it's a little bit different, with the guys that are up front and the veteran receivers. I think it makes a difference because with the offensive line, they've been around and they've been together, they've drilled and they do a little bit better of a job with communicating. With the wideouts, those guys, not to disrespect the other players that haven't been playing, but those guys know how adjust on the line. And it all comes with repetition. They've been around. They've played for two different quarterbacks so they know what's going on. I feel that it's a level of experience that's different with the number ones and number twos.
Pat Devlin, Soph., Quarterback
Do you think that you are capable of being the starting quarterback?
I think I'm making the right decisions. I haven't made all the right decisions so far this spring and I think that just comes along with going against the first team defense. I'm getting used to all the new guys that I'm throwing to so, I think that I need to make the right read on the field and throw the ball well.
You've been waiting for the past two years. How patient have you been and how difficult has it been to spend so much time on the sidelines?
It's tough. You might get a little rusty. It's tough sitting there for two years but, I was able to learn from Anthony (Morelli), and hopefully, I'm a better quarterback for it.
If it comes down for it would you be comfortable with the coaches using two quarterbacks?
Yea, if it comes down to it and it's what the coaches want to do, that's what I'm here to do. We've done a lot of Darryl taking to reps, I take two reps, swapping back and forth and sprinting just to see how it worked out.
In what areas do you feel you've made the most improvement this spring?
It has probably been getting used to the guys. We did a lot of throwing in the winter and some guys weren't able to get there because they had class or lifting. I think just getting used to the guys is what I have gotten better at-leading them and just making reads on the field. Everything is so much faster than when you're running with a scout team. It's a lot different. There is a lot more speed, and I think I've gotten a lot better making reads.
Deon Butler said a couple weeks ago that you can be like a Brett Favre in the huddle-that you have a leadership presence. Is that something that came with you when you came here or did you have to work to get to that point?
I don't really know how to answer that. I just step into the huddle-if you're the quarterback you're going to be touching the ball on every play and the guys need to have someone in there who they know is going to lead them to the end zone.
How tough was sitting out these past couple years? Did you ever consider transferring?
No, I've always been very happy with my choice. Back in high school I sat my freshman year and that was tough but you get used to it. It was great learning from Anthony and learning everything that he did.
What are the biggest differences between you and Darryl?
I really don't think there is that much of a difference. I think we are both good quarterbacks and Darryl makes some good reads. I don't think there really is much of a difference.
How beneficial has it been for you to have several good receivers, particularly Derrick Williams, who you can throw the ball to?
It's been great. The veteran wide receivers really help out, mostly in the film room. We watch film and they point out something small that I wouldn't have picked up on before. They are a great help with the preparation and once we get out there on the field if they see something, they come over to me and tell me, "We should do this. We should do this," so the veteran wideouts have been great. Like you said, Derrick is such a versatile guy, we can put him almost anywhere on the field and he's willing to do anything for the team. He's great.
Can you talk about how important Saturday [Blue and White] is for you?
It's important for me to go out there and do the right thing. Make the right reads and do the things that I'm supposed to be doing. I know all the other guys will be doing that. It's just practice No. 15. It's not anything huge.
Is it hard for you to been seen at number two behind Darryl right now?
I don't see it that way. Going into the spring, Coach (Patenro) told me that Darryl had a little more experience than me but I think it all comes down to whoever makes the best reads, the right reads and whoever is doing the right things with the football.
Sean Lee, Sr., Linebacker
How did you injure yourself?
It was a simple cut-a move I've done a million times before. I was just a little overextended and I felt a pop. If you can ever imagine what an ACL would feel like tearing, that's exactly what it felt like. I walked off the field and was like, "I tore my ACL" before a doctor even came over. The doctor came over and asked what was wrong and I told him I tore my ACL. I knew right away.
You knew right away it was going to be bad. What was going through your mind then?
I was in shock. I was like, "I can't believe I tore it! I can't believe I tore it!"-and on a simple play like that. I was confused and I was bummed. I was disappointed.
It was just a cut, no tackle?
Yes. I was a little overextended and I tried to cut to get to the quarterback, and I tried to cut real quick. There was no contact at all. I can't believe it happened on a play like that, but what can you do about it now?
Who are we going to be looking at to step-up and take over that linebacker spot?
We've got a ton of guys-guys who really haven't had a chance to play because we've had so much talent. I don't think it's going to be a problem at all. We've got Josh Hull who has stepped in and played great all spring. Chris Colasanti, a young, tough kid who's worked really hard, Nate Stupar...a ton of kids. Tyrell Sales who played last year. There are so many guys that are ready to play that it's not going to be a problem at all.
Have you talked to Paul Posluszny? He went through something similar to what you're going through right now.
Yea, I've talked to him twice. He is going to be up here for the game this weekend. He's been really supportive. He's talked to me about how he felt with his knee injury and how he got through it.
What advice did Posluszny give you that you could share with us?
To keep working hard because there's not much you can do about it. I'm trying to look for a reason for why it tore. [Asking myself] "Was there something I could have done to prevent it?" He said, "Sometimes, stuff like that happens and you can't prevent it. All you can do it just work hard and continue to try to be the person you were."
What are you going to be doing throughout the season? Will you still be hanging out around the team?
Yes. I'm going to try to help out in any way possible to help us win. If it's by helping the linebackers see what I see or just trying to tutor them a little bit. Coach (Ron) Vanderlinden does such a wonderful job with the linebackers, so anything I can do to help him help prepare the linebackers is what I'll try to do.
Did you talk to Jerome Hayes or Devon Still? They are guys who have had ACL tears. Is it kind of a mixed blessing that you've had guys with this kind of injury so recently that you know exactly what you're going to go through?
It's great to have guys like that telling you they've gone through the exact same experience that you've gone through. They've been unbelievable supportive. We're all in there in the morning doing rehab and working out together. They are way ahead of the process (compared to me) but they have been great and they are going to be a valuable resource in the future. When my knee is killing me, I can talk to them and see how they felt when they were going through it.
After the shock wore off, what bothered you the most?
The thing that bothers me the most is that it was such a simple play that I hurt my knee on. It's not even like it got rolled. Really, it's so simple that you're surprised that you could tear it on a play like that. But after it wore off I was thinking of all the positives. I was thinking "I'm blessed to have another year left." I really don't have a reason to complain because there are guys like Matt Hahn who worked unbelievably hard and tore it half way through his senior year. You have guys like Brennan Coakley who tore his ACL twice. A guy on the basketball team, Geary Claxton, had his senior year cut short because of his ACL, and I still have another year. I was thinking about all the positives. I have to work really hard, and I'll be back.
What do you think it will be like for you when you're not on the field the first game?
Oh, yea. When we come that point, I'll bet you my knee is going to feel pretty good and I'll feel like I can run a little bit. But there is going to come a point where maybe if we are struggling a little bit I'm going to want to run into the locker room and put pads on and get out there, but I know I can't, so it's going to be extremely frustrating.
When are you going to have the surgery? Is the injury isolated to the ACL?
It was just the ACL which is good news for recovery. I think I'm going to have the surgery in late April, about two weeks from now.
Is your thought that you will redshirt and come back the year after (2009) or is there a slight possibility that you might go into the NFL draft?
No, I'm coming back. I walked into the locker room the practice after I tore it and I was icing my knee by myself thinking, "I want to play another game with Coach Paterno. I want to play another game in this stadium." I couldn't see myself not doing it, so I'm definitely going to try to be back.