You know, when I first walked into The Penn it was Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016.
I was barely 18 and weighed no more than a buck-thirty.
I thought I knew a lot about the world then.
I didn’t.
No, I was just a kid who dreamt big and knew writing was at the core of those dreams.
I had never written a true journalistic story.
I had never used AP Style or conducted an interview.
But strangely enough, for some reason when I walked through that door, the one that you can still hear opening from a mile away, I knew I was home.
Little did I know, that not only were two of my future best friends there as members of the editorial staff, but the girl I would fall in love with over the next three and a half years was also there, sitting at the writers’ table – probably as anxious as I was about the whole thing.
I wanted to take a story that day. I wanted to try and show that I was legit.
I wasn’t.
But by the time I had finally dug up the courage to take one, there was only a single story remaining – one about a jazz-funk band coming to play a show at a local dive.
Fast forward three and a half years.
I sit here on the brink of my college graduation, still writing for The Penn.
It feels as if I have come full circle in just a short time.
Following my first semester writing for The Penn, I was promoted to lead culture writer. And at the end of the spring semester, it turned into the position of culture editor.
Less than a year later, I was the paper’s editor-in-chief (EIC), leading the transformation of The Penn from its historic print version to an all-digital format.
With the help of some amazingly talented individuals, we were able to completely redesign The Penn.
Now fully equipped with a digital issue, podcasts, news and comedic videos, all compiled into a newsletter and a website, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that The Penn is now the gold standard for collegiate media as a whole in Pennsylvania.
Following my time as EIC, I took a summer internship with the IUP Student Co-Op, the nonprofit of which The Penn is an entity.
By the time this fall, my final semester at IUP rolled around, I was back again at The Penn. This time, I was working on the advertising side of things as the sponsorship coordinator in addition to writing this weekly column and producing a podcast.
Overall, some people might say that I wasted valuable time of my college experience by spending so much of it at a newspaper that in a week I’ll leave behind.
But I can whole-heartedly say those people would be wrong.
Because of The Penn not only do I feel like I can do anything I set my mind too. But The Penn has also given me friends and a love that will last a lifetime.
It has allowed me to become one with both the IUP and Indiana communities. And isn’t that what college is really all about?
Whether it likes it or not, The Penn will always be a part of me now as it truly has been one of the most influential components of my life.
Thank you to all those who came before me, helped me along my journey and those who in the future will work hard to maintain not just The Penn itself, but the spirit and love within it.
Now, let’s get to it.
Quarterback I’d Start this Week:
Carson Wentz (Philadelphia): There you go, Philadelphia fans, are you finally happy? After a trio of spots on my sit list this season, I’m finally saying go ahead and start Carson Wentz this week.
Look, it hasn’t been a great season for both Wentz, QB12 on the season, and the struggling 5–7 Eagles.
However, he has most of his weapons back healthy, and he’s facing the New York Giants on Monday Night Football at Lincoln Financial Field. The Giants’ defense continues to struggle, allowing an average quarterback rating of 101.70, and you have to think the Eagles will show up in a primetime game following an embarrassing loss to the Dolphins in Week 13.
Quarterback I’d Sit this Week:
Sam Darnold (New York Jets): On the surface, the overall numbers tell you that Sam Darnold should be a smash play against the Miami Dolphins who allow the second-most points allowed to opposing quarterbacks.
But Darnold wasn’t great in Week 9 when he faced Miami, producing only 12.5 fantasy points.
With the fantasy football playoffs upon us and so much on the line, I would advise playing Darnold only if you truly are desperate at the position.
Running Back I’d Start this Week:
James White & Sony Michel (New England): Well, it doesn’t get any easier than this one. Kansas City, the Patriots Week 14 opponent allows more fantasy points to opposing running backs than any other team.
The Patriots, who have struggled on offense as of late, will probably come out with a run-heavy game plan to keep the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’ hands and to combat the weather in Fox Borough – Favoring Sony Michel.
And if the Patriots do find themselves trailing to the Chiefs, this should also be favorable to pass-catching back James White, who is coming off a 37.7 fantasy point performance.
Running Back I’d Sit this Week:
LeSean McCoy & Damien Williams (Kansas City): Darrel Williams is now on IR. Damien Williams is still banged up. And LeSean McCoy, RB35, has been serviceable at best this season.
With the Patriots the No. 1-ranked team against the ground game, it’s not worth risking your season on a Kansas City running back.
Instead, maybe check out some potential streaming candidates at the position like Miami’s Patrick Laird or Minnesota’s Alexander Mattison.
Wide Receiver I’d Start this Week:
Alshon Jeffery (Philadelphia): Wow, two Eagles on my start list. This better get me some brownie points with not just Philadelphia fans, but the in-laws, too.
But in all seriousness, Jeffrey has been great when out there this season – averaging 13.6 fantasy points per game. Also averaging nearly nine targets per contest and probably going to be covered by Janoris Jenkins who’s been constantly burned this season, I like Jeffrey a lot in this one.
Wide Receiver I’d Sit this Week:
Mohamed Sanu Sr. (New England): Hopes were high that Mohamed Sanu Sr. was going to be great in this New England offense following his 24.1 fantasy point performance in Week 9.
However, he’s accumulated a total of only 18 yards on five receptions since then.
Because the Chiefs have been so fair at covering receivers so far this season (tied for fourth), hopes are not high for the former-Falcon this week.
Mix in the possible run-heavy game plan and he’s all but unplayable this week.
This column was originally featured at ThePenn.org December 5, 2019.
If you have a feel-good story that you would like to share for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of “Start, Sit & Seth,” please reach out.
And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.