Anthony Morelli has more than his share of detractors among fans and the media, the latter producing a running commentary by coach Joe Paterno that a week ago included the offer to send a box of chocolates to anyone writing something nice about his quarterback.
Paterno owes Gil Brandt a box of chocolates for what he had to say about Anthony Morelli, the senior who will play his final home game for the Lions on Saturday against Purdue.
Brandt, senior personnel analyst for NFL.com, had said before the season he saw Anthony Morelli as a middle-round draft pick. Brandt hasn't changed that view.
"I think he's a player," Brandt said Wednesday. "The question you have to ask yourself is: Did he lose the Ohio State game, or did Ohio State win the game?"
Brandt's view is that the second is the accurate assessment.
"To me, this guy's got raw tools. He's got a strong arm. He's accurate. He's a confident guy," Brandt said. "I still think that he'll be that second-day guy, and I think he'll have a chance to surprise some people."
Brandt, a former longtime personnel man for the Dallas Cowboys, told a story of the team's needing better linebacker play and coach Tom Landry's deciding the best path was to develop it within the organization.
"I think that's it with Anthony Morelli," Brandt said. "I think the guy is good, and I think that somebody will get a hold of the guy and he'll do well.
"I just know what they do at Penn State. They get the pick-of-the-patch guys because a lot of guys come through their camp. Four years from that are they still the better players? Sometimes, yes, Sometimes, no. But they get good players and good character guys. Historically, that combination will find a way to be successful"
Anthony Morelli had been anticipating this Senior Day game in the wake of the 37-17 loss to No. 1 Ohio State, expecting it to be an emotional day.
Speaking of his career, which has seen him go 15-7 as a starter, Anthony Morelli said, "It's had its ups and downs. Playing quarterback is not easy."
It's particularly tough at Penn State, where the criticism of quarterbacks is as traditional as the generic uniforms.
Anthony Morelli was scheduled for his weekly teleconference yesterday, but it was canceled.
These have been terse affairs at times, like when someone asked Anthony Morelli last week whether he was disappointed that his career was winding down and he hasn't put up Dan Marino-like numbers.
Anthony Morelli, who ranks in the top six at Penn State in career passing yards, completions and attempts, countered that he never said he would, even though Marino is his favorite quarterback.
"I feel I made a great choice," Anthony Morelli said of playing at Penn State. "It's all about winning."
Paterno has made it a point to be supportive of Anthony Morelli with the media. This week was no exception.
The coach quickly shot down a question of whether he would play backup quarterback Darryl Clark more in remaining games to prepare for 2008.
"I don't think that would be fair to Anthony Morelli," Paterno said. "I think Anthony Morelli has done a good job. Anthony Morelli is certainly not the reason we haven't won a couple of ball games, so I think you've got to be careful what you do there."
Paterno became expansive on the subject.
"He hasn't always had the top cast of characters around him, outside of the wideouts," the coach said.
Later, Paterno added: "I think he'll go on to the next level and play. I really do. I think he's got the arm, he just needs to get a little bit more comfortable. We've played a couple of teams in the last couple of years that just slaughtered him. We didn't pass protect well enough and the whole bit."
Despite all that, Paterno said, "I hope he's enjoyed it, and I hope he'll have some success afterwards."
Notes: Brandt continues to project senior linebacker Dan Connor as a first-round draft pick, but as he said before the season, he believes underclassmen, such as junior cornerback Justin King, do better when they play the additional year in college.
