Beh didn't look very good on that last clip. Dropped his head, stopped moving his feet and got in a really bad position.Thanks for the updates, Judge.
I noticed Sickels was going against Mahon and Beh at LT.
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Beh didn't look very good on that last clip. Dropped his head, stopped moving his feet and got in a really bad position.Thanks for the updates, Judge.
I noticed Sickels was going against Mahon and Beh at LT.
Beh didn't look very good on that last clip. Dropped his head, stopped moving his feet and got in a really bad position.
There must be something to Mahon moving to tackle. Different sets of eyes made this assessment. It also may mean that our interior OL is in better shape now.There was also another video from the same practice where Sickels completely smoked Beh for the sack. Mahon is very much in this thing for the LT position I'm guessing.
The problem with all of those skill players is that there is only 1 football, Allen, Sanders, Polk, Thompkins, Charles and Johnson are going to struggle for PT if not on ST. Do you think Thompkins days as PR are over?
There must be something to Mahon moving to tackle. Different sets of eyes made this assessment. It also may mean that our interior OL is in better shape now.
I normally leave these things alone but I agree that some of us seem to be coming up with a lot of conclusions based on a couple of isolated videos from the first week of camp.And in the video if our OL pancaked the DL then everybody would be say our DL is bad. Just a no win situation for the men in blue and white here in the Forum!
Isn't Givens the strongest guy on the team ? JF also said a lot of good things recently about White, another 3 technique DT. I think it's ideal to be building depth like this.It's usually not a good sign when you start a RS freshman at DT.
He could turn out to be a heck of a player. I just think it's going to take some time.Isn't Givens the strongest guy on the team ? JF also said a lot of good things recently about White, another 3 technique DT. I think it's ideal to be building depth like this.
I also recall at least one player saying Givens " could not be moved ". Maybe his technique is a bit raw, but you can't teach strength.
Yeah, and I think it can happen. We have options at DT in the 3 spot, which means Givens doesn't have to get thrown into the deep end right away.He could turn out to be a heck of a player. I just think it's going to take some time.
Ideally, we'd like to see a good rotation on the DL, esp. DT. It's maybe the most important position on the field to have depth and keep the legs fresh.Yeah, and I think it can happen. We have options at DT in the 3 spot, which means Givens doesn't have to get thrown into the deep end right away.
It's usually not a good sign when you start a RS freshman at DT.
The problem I have with this is we need a fast start to have a good year. I hope any competition is settled by Friday.I think the job is truly up in the air, and if I had to handicap it today I would go 51/49 Stevens. I think the 4 to 5 inch height advantage and Tommy being a little more of a vocal leader works to his advantage.
Have no rooting interest, like them both.
5 backs (Barkley, Sanders, Thomas, Allen, Andre) unless they've moved Thomas to LB. Which I would do.Franklin is smart. I was just thinking the other night, they should have Barkley be roommates with Sanders. Barkley has great work ethic, super team first guy. Sure enough....
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...ebrows-for-Nottany-Lions/stories/201608060057
“Every time I just watch him (Sanders), I’m just like, ‘Wow, I’m happy we’re on the same team now,’ ” Sterling Jenkins, a redshirt sophomore, said. “He was a pretty good high school player. We played him a few times. [Baldwin was] on the bad end of it. It’s cool to have him around, and I know that he’s doing well, and I know that the guys are impressed with him. So I’m proud of him in that sense.”
Barkley, who rushed for a freshman-record 1,076 yards, has taken on mentoring Sanders just as former Penn State running back Akeel Lynch did for him. He has given Sanders such advice as “take care of your body, be smart, don’t be a dumb freshman,” which means going to bed early, drinking enough water and stretching at night.
“Now we have four backs, [Sanders has a] really good chance of playing this year, whether it’s special teams or on the field as RB,” Barkley said. “And I’m roomies with him, so any questions he has with the playbook, every night before we go to sleep, I go over the playbook with him. And it’s even insurance for me, like, ‘All right, oh, I might have missed that.’ ”
No. Not with Laurent as the backup.Every time I see Gaia, I think he looks small. Wonder if McGovern sees the field at all this year.
No. Not with Laurent as the backup.
5 backs (Barkley, Sanders, Thomas, Allen, Andre) unless they've moved Thomas to LB. Which I would do.
Oh, I remember a couple of 2nd year DT's that played way back in 1977 that were a pretty good sign.....
Bruce Clark
Matt Millen
If any of our second year guys turn out to have the talent of those guys, no problem. The point is, they don't seem to be that level of talent, at least at this time.
Does McGovern at LG mean Bates is second team now ? Or has he moved to C / RG ?Since I wrote that, they've had McGovern at LG.
Another Psychic?? How do you know "they don't seem" as good as those guys. They have not played in a game yet. The coaches do know, as they have seen and analyzed every practice rep. We should know by mid season. But we don't know anything yet.
The fact that CJF is not out offering every potential DT in sight for addition to the 2017 class is an indicator (at least to me) that he is pretty satisfied with the 9 DT's that are now practicing for the 2016 season, none of whom graduate after the 2016 season.
Does McGovern at LG mean Bates is second team now ? Or has he moved to C / RG ?
"Don't seem" doesn't sound terribly definitive to me, although it must to you. Clark and Millen were much lauded high school players, certainly compared to our current crop. It's no disrespect to our current guys to suggest that maybe, just maybe, there might be a difference between Clark and Millen, and them, at least at the beginning of their careers.
Your skin is way too thin. But if it insults you somehow for me to suggest that our current young DT's have had a lower profile to this point than some other previous players, well, so be it.
"Don't seem" doesn't sound terribly definitive to me, although it must to you. Clark and Millen were much lauded high school players, certainly compared to our current crop. It's no disrespect to our current guys to suggest that maybe, just maybe, there might be a difference between Clark and Millen, and them, at least at the beginning of their careers.
Your skin is way too thin. But if it insults you somehow for me to suggest that our current young DT's have had a lower profile to this point than some other previous players, well, so be it.
I know JF mentioned in his recent PC that some starters could become backup's. After two rough OL years, we've got to put some better athletes on the field or at least raise the level of the previous starters. I just hope we can minimize the musical chairs that has gone on when a guy gets dinged and has to sit.Its fluid. Last I saw detailed it was Bates RG, McGovern LG. I think Bates and Nelson are locks to start. Think Mahon beats out Beh at LT. What is up in the air are the vets Dowery and Gaia vs McGovern and Menet for the other two spots. Can one or both of the rookies break through? Good news is they are making a serious push. Wonderful sign of their eventual ceilings.
Also promising that Limegrover said this class of offensive linemen just might be the best in America.
"Don't seem" doesn't sound terribly definitive to me, although it must to you. Clark and Millen were much lauded high school players, certainly compared to our current crop. It's no disrespect to our current guys to suggest that maybe, just maybe, there might be a difference between Clark and Millen, and them, at least at the beginning of their careers.
Your skin is way too thin. But if it insults you somehow for me to suggest that our current young DT's have had a lower profile to this point than some other previous players, well, so be it.
Here ya go, @TJ.That's a classy thing to say.
Link?
Here ya go, @TJ.
“I’ve got to give the staff credit, because it’s as good of a freshman recruiting class on the offensive line that you’ll see anywhere,” Limegrover said. “Anybody touting their 2016 offensive linemen, I’ll put that group of four up against any of them. Connor, Will Fries, obviously Michal Menet and Alex Gellerstsedt."
https://bwi.rivals.com/news/limegrover-talks-development-of-psu-s-freshman-ol
The problem I have with this is we need a fast start to have a good year. I hope any competition is settled by Friday.
he looks like Randy Moss the way he throws that hand up!Check out some of incoming 4* Frosh #6 TE (247) Danny Dalton's circus catches in his highlight video.
He may have been seriously under the radar for other guru services who had him as a 3*. Those services may not have seen this New England sleeper. Besides the #6 TE, Dalton was also ranked #1 in MA by 247, who apparently did catch on, after he got offers from Bama and Neb. The fact that Franklin may have also been attracted by his inline and pulling blocks make him a guy fans may want to follow more closely, as he develops.
Interesting that PSU may be known for it's gang of tall receivers including Jessy James and now Dalton as part of it's gang.
Maybe it's not just coach speak when CJF is saying Steven's is making ground and still doesn't know who the starter is. According to Dienhart he believes Tommy is going to win the job. After Trace's almost perfect performance in the Spring Game, who really saw this coming? As a lot of us agree on, they will both see a lot of snaps during the season.Football tour notebook: Fun takes from Penn State football practice
By Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer - 1 min ago
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The fifth stop on the annual BTN summer football tour had us in State College, Pennsylvania, to check out James Franklin’s third Penn State team.
Always one of the most accommodating stops on the tour, the Nittany Lions never fail to impress.
On this day, the team practiced at beautiful Beaver Stadium, and, as detailed below, Franklin was on his game.
Check out some of my fun takes from Saturday’s practice:
Most impressive player: LB Nyeem Wartman-White is 6-1, 248 pounds of athletic fury who looks primed for a big senior season send-off.
Top specimen: RB Saquon Barkley has legs that look like tree trunks and an overall physique that is NFL-ready.
Loudest coach: It can’t be anyone but James Franklin, a walking, talking dervish of energy who knows just one speed: fast. Gotta love his excitement and energy.
Impressive newcomer: Connor McGovern. The true freshman is 6-5, 310 pounds and could push to start at a guard spot.
On the rise: QB Tommy Stevens is making a push for the starting job. He’s 6-4, 215 pounds with a strong arm and nice feet. He is perfect for this offense.
Best drill: Always love to watch pass-rush/pass-blocking matchups between the defensive and offensive lines. Great energy. And good hitting.
Nagging question: Is the offensive line better?
Under the radar: The “Twin Towers” at wide receiver, in Irvin Charles and Juwan Johnson. Each is 6-4 and showed nice ball skills today. The redshirt freshmen could be formidable.
Number: 82, times Christian Hackenberg was sacked the last two years. That was 12 more times than any other player in the last two seasons.
***
NOTES
The QB race is interesting. Most felt the job was Trace McSorley’s to lose. Well, Tommy Stevens is closing the gap. James Franklin has said he’s in no rush to name a starter. This is going to be interesting. Each signal-caller is a nice fit for what the Nittany Lions want to do as a runner and a passer. I have a feeling Stevens may be the guy when it’s all said and done.
Penn State has two former Big Ten assistants. Ex-Minnesota offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Matt Limegrover is the Nittany Lions’ o-line coach. Former Illinois defensive coordinator Tim Banks is Penn State’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
**Bolded section is a mess. Nelson is at RT, Mahon is at LT - J.S.**
The offensive line needs to make strides after being a weakness in recent years. Former Minnesota offensive coordinator/o line coach Matt Limegrover is now in State College. One revelation this August: Andrew Nelson has been moved from left to right tackle. He had just moved to the left in the spring. Nelson looks solid at left tackle—but could move again. And Brendan Mahon was the right tackle when I watched practice. Derek Dowrey and Ryan Bates were the No. 1 guards, while Brian Gaia was the center. Keep an eye on true freshmen Connor McGovern and Michal Menet. Each is advanced for their age and could be factors at guard. They ran with the second team today. Still, this unit is a work in progress.
When James Franklin arrived in 2014, there was only one scholarship offensive tackle amongst the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. There were only nine scholarship offensive linemen that year. But depth is improving. Still, this is just the second season that Penn State will have 85 scholarship players since the sanctions came down in 2012.
Penn State has a nice collection of running backs. Heck, it may be the best in the Big Ten. Saquon Barkley is a stud, while Mark Allen and Andre Robinson are small, tough runners. And true freshman Miles Sanders is drawing plenty of praise. These guys will be fun to watch in the Nittany Lions’ new up-tempo spread attack.
John Reid and Grant Haley are slated to start at corner slots. Keep an eye on Zech McPhearson, a true frosh. Penn State has focused on recruiting a mixture of tall corners who can hit and shorter ones who can matchup with opponent’s speedy receivers. This could be a nice secondary. I love safety Marcus Allen. Position coach Tim Banks says they have worked on improving his coverage skills.
This receiving corps is as good as advertised with the likes of DaeSean Hamilton, Gregg Garrity, Saeed Blacknall and Chris Godwin, who is the headliner. Brandon Polk and DeAndre Thompkins could make moves. Redshirt freshmen Juwan Johnson and Irvin Charles are called the “twin towers,” as each are 6-4. Each made some nice catches the day we watched practice.
The defensive line has potential. And it has something to prove with Carl Nassib, Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel gone. Tackle Parker Cothren is looking good and needs to lead. Garrett Sickels could be a bellwether off the edge. Evan Schwan was limited on this day, but he must play a big role at end. The tackles lack experience but Kevin Givens could be a good one. The guy is an active force on the interior.
The linebackers are good—one of the best sets in the Big Ten, perhaps. Nyeem Wartman-White, Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda for a nice triumvirate. The return of Wartman-White is huge. He was injured in the first game in 2015 against Temple and missed the rest of the season. He had 75 tackles in 2014 and has 21 career starts. This unit should help improve a run defense that ranked just eighth in the conference a year ago after allowing 151 yards per game. 5 of the team’s top 6 tackles at that position return, led by Jason Cabinda and his 7.7 tackles per game.