OK, so maybe I'm recycling headlines. But as part of its College Football Preview supplement, The New York Times profiled Penn quarterback Keiffer Garton, calling him "one of the rare dual-threat starting quarterbacks in a league in which pocket passers are about as standard as ivy-covered walls."
Weak simile aside, Garton's story is pretty familiar to anybody who followed the Quakers closely last season: He began the year as an afterthought, the No. 3 QB; was thrust into the spotlight when starter Rob Irvin and ostensible No. 2 Kyle Olson both got hurt; and in his first start, led the Red and Blue to a dramatic 14-9 win over Princeton. He used his legs -- 54 attempts, 316 net yards (5.9 per carry), three rushing touchdowns -- and right arm (41-for-68, 388 yards, 1 touchdown and five interceptions) effectively enough to be annointed starter heading in to the 2009 campaign.
To anybody who has ever met Garton, the Times' reference to his "clear blue eyes" is spot on. And the last few paragraphs reveal a little more of the rising junior's personality; apparently, he nearly committed to Air Force and is at time envious of his close friends playing at the University of Colorado and Pac-10 schools.
In a brief sidebar which, best I can tell, is not available online, the Times says the Ivy League race is "wide open," predicting that the Penn's trip to Harvard on Nov. 14 "could go a long way to determining this year's Ivy champion." Also a nice dig at the Big Green: "[A]t Dartmouth, it will take very little to view this year as a step forward. The Big Green was 0-10 in 2008."
Meanwhile, in other Ivy QB news, Chris Pizzotti -- the elite Harvard signalcaller who graduated from this spring -- saw his first NFL preseason action last night. The boxscore does not show it, because he did not throw a pass, but Pizzotti played one series (a three-and-out) for the Jets against the Giants at the Meadowlands. The Jets had signed Pizzotti as an undrafted free agent, cut him on Aug. 15 and re-signed him on Aug. 21 after first-year coach Rex Ryan felt he did not give the 23-year-old a sufficient opportunity to claim the third-string job. Still, Pizzotti is a very long shot to make the team out of camp.
Tags: Football, harvard football, Ivy League, penn football
An RSS feed of The Buzz is available
August 30th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
David
Interesting report, although once again you guys are regurgitating
info that was found elsewhere.
When can we expect you guys to do some real reporting rather
than cobbling together links from other media outlets?
Come up with your ows material!
Your readers are still awaiting the "investigative" piece on the inner
workings of the Athletic Deparment.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
FOJL, maybe you can volunteer your time, which you seem to have in abundance, and teach everyone how to be a journalist?
August 31st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Hey Steve
Some constructive criticism for youngsters such as David "Ben" Gurian-Peck and Noah "Zach" Rosenstein is healthy.
Offering words of encouragement is one of the founding principles of
our Dear Leader, Benjamin Franklin.
Lastly, all good Lubins know a little bit about moving on. Not everyone
is cut out for Stanford.
September 1st, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Patronizing you definitely are, FOJS; constructive? That may be a stretch.
September 1st, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Steve - Offering feedback to these aspiring scribes is not akin
to what you imply as "patronizing".
Further, as part of the Quaker tradition, I would expect these
young men to uphold their moral creed, promote positive
decision making among their friends, and lastly, follow
the "Proceed as Way Opens" doctrine.
I would like to point you to several good reads on this topic
Bacon, Margaret H., The Quiet Rebels: The Story of the Quakers in America
Smith, Robert Lawrence, A Quaker Book of Wisdom
Hamm, Thomas D., The Quakers in America
I appreciate your time on this matter.
As would these fine young men.
FOJL
PS - coming soon http://www.friendsofjonlubin.com
PPS - also under consideration http://www.lubinsportsjournal.com
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:19 am
Steven
There is a major difference between your interpretation ("patronizing") and my willingness to provide these young men with feedback to further enhance their journalistic careers. I think your quick judgement is somewhat callous, although I appreciate the concern.
Your comments seem to contradict the true "Quaker" mandate we
all should adhere as per Benjamin Franklin.
Just some food for thought.
Time's yours.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
FOJL, "these young men" haven't solicited your consultation to improve their journalistic skills or prospects, have they? If they haven't, then you are being extremely presumptuous, and arrogant.
In any case, what's your background as a journalist that qualifies you to be so didactic? Why not come clean, as a Penn Alum, with your compelling journalistic resume?
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
FOJL & Mr. B -
Both of you have made your valid points, and from one ardent Penn fan to another, let's please leave it at that.
EN
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Steven
By putting their bylines in print (as well as their headshots, which in some cases are quite striking, to be honest), these fine young men are, by definition, soliciting input, feedback, and various forms of criticism.
I tactfully object to the term "didactic" as the objective is to engage these youngsters to maximize their full potential - socially, academically, and professionally.
Further, as part of the Quaker tradition, I would expect these
young men to uphold their moral creed, promote positive
decision making among their friends, and lastly, follow the “Proceed as Way Opens” doctrine.
I would like to point you to several good reads on this topic
Bacon, Margaret H., The Quiet Rebels: The Story of the Quakers in America
Smith, Robert Lawrence, A Quaker Book of Wisdom
Hamm, Thomas D., The Quakers in America
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
This "FOJL" character makes some very astute points.
From what I can gather, he is challenging these "young men"
to be the best they can be.
And accepting feedback or criticism is part of the Quaker Spirit!
Go Penn! Beat Princeton!
-harvey
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Is that the objective of "The Buzz," FOJL? To "engage these youngsters to reach their full potential"?
I wasn't aware that this was "The Buzz's" purpose and the responsibility of all posters, such as yourself, and me. But now that you've edified me, I'll have to make sure that all my posts, going forward, endeavor a contribution to the personal development of "these fine young men."
Perhaps I've misunderstood this whole situation, and "The Buzz's" staff is indeed fortunate to have your mentorship.
In the final anaylsis, I want to believe that you are really kidding about all of this, FOJL; that you are just caricaturing arrogance; that this is your schtick. Alas, I'm becoming afraid that you're not?
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Steven
Your words in this case, seem to be focused in the singular manner, rather than the overall collegiate experience.
"To engage these youngsters to reach their full potential”?
That, my friend, is the purpose/objective of the overall University experience.
Many youth these days are coddled and things are provided to them which they did not earn. We all know about the "silver spoon" theory. Being involved at our beloved institution offers new challenges. Some things which came in easy in High School (i.e. in tony Elkins Park, PA) will not come as easily to these men. In such a dynamic environment, these boys will learn other cultures (such as Asian, Indian, African, and Native American).
What a joy to be exposed to such rich offerings and perspectives!
Academia will not offer a cop-out either. What was once an "A paper" in High School, could easily turn into a "C+ Paper" in the Wharton School, or the fine Annenberg School.
Thus in this context , learning to deal with defeat, frustration, and criticism is part of the overall mission of this wonderful environment.
Perhaps it is not part of the Buzz or the DP.
But as stewards (or stakeholders, if you prefer that noun) of the University from a long-term viability point, we should encourage these men to reach their maximum potential. And to that extent, there should be a willingness to accept criticism.
After all, Ben Franklin would have it no other way!
FOJL
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Bravo to "FOJL" !
Well said !
Go Penn! Beat Princeton!
-harvey
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Harvey, I'm rereading "Of Mice And Men." Does the character Lennie mean anything to you?
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 pm
By the way, really good post from David Gurian-Peck. Way to go, David.
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:59 am
A bit miffed by the comment by Becker. But nonetheless, his input
is valued here
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:50 am
Harvey, no axe to grind. A sense of humor's paramount. Thanks!