PSR Showdown
Will Anthony Morelli live up to the hype?

Quarterback Savant
By Mark Madden
ESPN-Radio

Hollywood Henderson got it right. Terry Bradshaw WAS so dumb that he couldn't spell "cat" if you spotted him the C and the A.

But Bradshaw was a quarterback savant. Maybe the only book Bradshaw ever perused was the Steelers playbook, but he had that particular tome nailed. When Bradshaw lined up behind center, his extraordinary gridiron instincts enabled him to rise to heights experienced by only a select handful.

Was Bradshaw one of a kind?

Penn State had better hope not.

When he reneged on Pitt to go to Happy Valley, Morelli called his new school "the University of Penn State." He's not real bright. Morelli's arm is NFL-caliber. It has been since his days at Penn Hills High School. But again, he's not real bright.

But now, with Penn State lacking depth at QB, Morelli is locked in at the starting job. He has a ton to work with, including a host of great wide receivers led by Derrick Williams. Morelli could fire a football through a car wash without it getting wet.

But is Morelli vocal enough to assume the leadership role a quarterback must? Is Morelli smart enough to make decisions on the fly the way a QB has to?

Morelli's intelligence (or lack thereof) is the elephant in Penn State's locker room. No one wants to talk about it, but it is undeniably a potential negative factor. It's unpleasant to question the mental capabilities of a 21-year-old, but this is big-time college football, and Morelli's life takes on a very much merciless tint as of Sept. 2, when the Nittany Lions open their season at home against Akron.

Morelli is more qualified for his job than Jay Paterno is for his. But Paterno, Penn State's quarterbacks coach, is charged with Morelli's development. Uh-oh. Morelli's high school stats were solid but not overwhelming. They definitely didn't live up to his arm's capabilities. He never got Penn Hills to a WPIAL championship game.

Morelli's high school legacy is that of workout warrior. Amazing in camps, where sheer arm strength counts most. But in games, where thinking quick means just as much as raw talent, Morelli was average most nights.

That's probably how it will turn out at Penn State, too. A lot of average games, and a career that falls short of the hype.

Mark Madden hosts sports talk on ESPN Radio 1250 weekdays from 3-7.

Second Coming
By Paul Alexander
Fox Sports Pittsburgh

Anthony Morelli left Penn Hills as one of the most hyped quarterbacks in Pittsburgh high school football history. Not since Dan Marino had the WPIAL seen a stronger right arm.

Walt Harris and Pitt had the gifted quarterback locked up. But then everything got strange. Morelli had a change of heart and called Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley and said he wanted to be a Nittany Lion.

After two seasons with precious little playing time, Morelli will finally break the huddle for the Lions. So we wait and see.

One thing is absolutely certain: there has never been a quarterback at Penn State with a better arm. A classic dropback passer, he can make every throw. He is athletic enough to buy time and keep plays alive. His performance in the Blue/White game reminded many of Todd Blackledge and Kerry Collins, big armed quarterbacks that led the Lions to great heights. With one of the best receiving corps in college football, the potential for an explosive passing game is immense.

Yes, this will be a huge jump for Morelli. It is not how you throw the ball, but where you throw it and when. It will take time for the game to slow down and Morelli will struggle with reads and checkdowns. An inexperienced offensive line will add to his growing pains.

But at some point all of that will change. It says here that Morelli has too much talent and touch not to emerge as a big time quarterback. Offensive coordinator Galen Hall installed an offense that suits his talent. His deep-ball ability will help spread the field; and with Derrick Williams, Jordan Norwood and Terrell Golden running routes, someone will always be open.

Yes, Morelli will struggle. But each and every game should get him closer to being the quarterback most envisioned when he took over at Penn Hills.

And yes, it has been amazing to hear local fans do a complete 180 on Morelli. After he gave Pitt a verbal commitment three years ago, Penn State fans said he was just too dumb to be a big time quarterback. Now that's the Pitt fans' mantra.

But by the time we start breaking down Penn State for the 2007 season, Anthony Morelli will be a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Paul Alexander is an anchor and reporter for FSN Pittsburgh.