A healthy Joe Newton makes OSU dangerous

Cliff Kirkpatrick
Corvallis Gazette-Times

CORVALLIS — Joe Newton still remembers the days in the Oregon rain on steep, slippery slopes working alongside his father on the family tree farm in Roseburg.

Newton learned the ins and outs of the forestry business as a child. It wasn’t easy with the long hours in the wilderness and a fear of spiders, but he found planting trees and working with herbicides to help the trees grow fascinating.

He appreciates the order to nature and how it works. He felt at home timber cruising, studying the land, and calculating the value of property because it fit together nicely.

“Joe helped on the family tree farm for a long time, and still does when he can,” said his father, Daniel Newton. “We did it together as a family, and he was a big contributor. It partially explains his work ethic. He always wants to do things right. He likes it when everybody plays by the rules. He likes order and doesn’t mind putting in the work to get to the next level.”

That’s a perfect description of the starting senior tight end for the Oregon State football team on and off the field. He’s dedicated to the game, the team and the forest.

He enters his final five months at OSU with renewed excitement. The 6-foot-7, 256-pounder’s life was in disarray last year because of a lower left leg injury that kept him out of action all season.

“That hurt him mentally and physically,” Daniel Newton said. “But what impressed me is how he approached it. He was patient in his recovery, and did what he needed to do. He was back to the old Joe soon. This was his biggest test of his life, and I’m proud of the way he handled adversity and success.”

Frustration from watching the Beavers struggle in the red zone without him last season motivates Newton for this one. The offense wasn’t as potent without him catching passes in the red zone, and blocking.

He could have directly helped the team win a few of the close games, which would have sent the Beavers to a bowl game.

OSU moved the ball in the middle of the field, but struggled with its red zone offense last season.

No touchdowns were scored by a tight end. Newton caught 19 passes for four touchdowns in 2004 from within the opponent’s 20-yard line.

“The offense will run similar to last year,” Newton said. “We’ll have a few more routes in for the tight ends, but overall it should look the same. I’d loved to be heavily involved in the offense, and I think there’s a good chance of that.”

After Newton healed, he returned to practice in the spring, and wasn’t slowed by the injury. He spent most of his summer in Corvallis training, and he says the left leg is stronger than the right one after all the extra work.

Newton also mixed in an internship for a private landowner west of Corvallis, working as a forester. He was on his own making the land as productive as possible.

“It was a busy summer, but it was fun,” Newton said.

The month-long fall camp is two days old, and he’s still going strong. Newton’s already practiced two more days than last year. He was hurt hours before the first workout doing agility drills.

“I’m really excited to play seriously again,” Newton said. “I’m sure this month will go by quickly, and I’m ready. My expectations are to be able to contribute the same as the last time I played. I want to do what I’m asked to do. I’m just really excited to be back, and I’m looking forward to playing again.”

Newton is considered by many preseason publications as one of the top 10 tight ends in the country. That respect comes from what he accomplished as a freshman and sophomore. He didn’t even play the position until his freshman year at Roseburg High.

He’s again on the watch list for the John Mackey Award, which goes to the top player at his position at the end of the season. The NFL Draft Countdown Web site rates him as the third-best tight end available in next year’s draft.

“Joe’s a tremendous player,” senior safety Sabby Piscitelli said. “He brings so many attributes. Going against Joe every day makes us better players. And then having him makes us better. We are looking forward to having him back.”

Newton’s career numbers are some of the best at his position in school history with 69 receptions and eight touchdowns. One more score and he ties the OSU record for TDs by a tight end, held by Tim Euhus (2000-03).

While the Beavers, scouts and fans wait for Newton to dominate like predicted, he’s not stressing about his performance or what it could lead to. He’s a laidback person at work and at play.

“I don’t think like that,” Newton said of facing pressure to produce. “I just have to play normally. I don’t put added pressure on myself. It’s something that’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I’d love to play in the NFL, but the team success will determine that.”

Newton isn’t worried because wherever life goes he’ll be happy. He graduates after this term with a degree in forest management, is engaged and ready to begin a professional career.

But not until after seeing where a football career takes him.

“It is an exciting time,” Daniel Newton said. “It’s fun. It’s going to be a lot of fun for him. We just hope he’s successful at whatever he does.”