2017 LB depth chart

[LionIze]

Do I have this correct?

Starters – Cabinda, Bowen, Farmer/Brown
Back-ups – Brown/Farmer, Thomas, Cooper, Jarvis Miller ?, Toney?, B. Smith?
True Frosh – Rivers, Faison-Walden, Franklin

We are already somewhat thin at this position. If the question marks are indeed question marks, and if none of the freshman are ready, then we are scary thin.

Thoughts/insight on this?

 

[PennSt8er]

I still have my eligibility. And I weigh about 200. So let's do this walk on style. I did graduate in the 80s though.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Do I have this correct?

Starters – Cabinda, Bowen, Farmer/Brown
Back-ups – Brown/Farmer, Thomas, Cooper, Jarvis Miller ?, Toney?, B. Smith?
True Frosh – Rivers, Faison-Walden, Franklin

We are already somewhat thin at this position. If the question marks are indeed question marks, and if none of the freshman are ready, then we are scary thin.

Thoughts/insight on this?

What does Safety look like? If Allen leaves, we lose both starters. Apke I guess would be one of them?

 

[SR108]

Do I have this correct?

Starters – Cabinda, Bowen, Farmer/Brown
Back-ups – Brown/Farmer, Thomas, Cooper, Jarvis Miller ?, Toney?, B. Smith?
True Frosh – Rivers, Faison-Walden, Franklin

We are already somewhat thin at this position. If the question marks are indeed question marks, and if none of the freshman are ready, then we are scary thin.

Thoughts/insight on this?

You are correct sir, this has been a position of neglect.

 

[21Guns]

My guess for the starters: Cabinda, Bowen, Brown. Farmer remains a situational player. After that, it's anyone's guess, but you would have to believe at least one of the true freshmen are going to need to be green lighted.

 

[LionIze]

What does Safety look like? If Allen leaves, we lose both starters. Apke I guess would be one of them?

My guess would be Nick Scott at 1 spot, and Apke/Monroe/Petrishen battling for the other spot

 

[21Guns]

My guess would be Nick Scott at 1 spot, and Apke/Monroe/Petrishen battling for the other spot

Ayron Monroe has impressed the staff and they really like what they see there. MacPearson has skills. John Petrishen can play the game too.

28 has all the talent in the world but hasn't quite harnessed it yet, next year could be the year he puts it all together.

I'd REALLY like Allen to come back though.

 

[SR108]

Ayron Monroe has impressed the staff and they really like what they see there. MacPearson has skills. John Petrishen can play the game too.

28 has all the talent in the world but hasn't quite harnessed it yet, next year could be the year he puts it all together.

I'd REALLY like Allen to come back though.

Allen needs one more year to work on coverage and/or ball skills. Maybe they could put twenty pounds on him and make him a linebacker.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Allen needs one more year to work on coverage and/or ball skills. Maybe they could put twenty pounds on him and make him a linebacker.

He's a monster in run support but yeah, seems to have a few issues in pass coverage.

 

[21Guns]

Allen needs one more year to work on coverage and/or ball skills. Maybe they could put twenty pounds on him and make him a linebacker.

EXACTLY how I feel. I think the longer this drags out, the better the chances he returns and I hope like hell he returns.

 

[artsandletters]

Ayron Monroe has impressed the staff and they really like what they see there. MacPearson has skills. John Petrishen can play the game too.

28 has all the talent in the world but hasn't quite harnessed it yet, next year could be the year he puts it all together.

I'd REALLY like Allen to come back though.

You complained many times that Apke (28) was slow (champion sprinter) and useless. Sudden change of mind? Please don't respond because you feel sorry for me.

 

[psuro]

Is Vranic still around? He was the JC kid who showed up for spring ball. Think he got hurt in the game though.

 

[Philly Lion]

If you take a serious look at the roster for 2017 you will see that PSU will be paper thin at linebacker and at safety. Jarvis Miller was moved from safety to linebacker when they were dropping like flies but I have to believe that he gets moved back to safety. Ayron Monroe played sparingly in 2016 so he has little experience. The same can be said of Nick Scott, who last played safety in high school. Yes, he got into a few games but it was in limited action. Petrishen redshirted in 2015 and was injured for all of this season. Troy Apke is not a full-time Division I starter, or at least he has not shown himself to be so far. He can fill in here and there but if you watch the defense when he plays, it sags. There are some SERIOUS issues at safety if Marcus Allen leaves. Even if he stays there are still some talent/depth concerns. The staff cannot, in good conscience, go back and ask Koa Farmer to move to safety again. I am guessing that incoming freshman Jonathan Sutherland gets placed in the group of safeties. Losing the verbal commitment of safety Derrick Pitts hurt.

Just like at safety, there are issues again linebacker. You will have Bowen and Cabinda as two of the three starters but who is the 3rd? Farmer is not a starting linebacker in the B1G, not yet. He needs A LOT more practice and game time before he could be counted on to start. Cam Brown weighs about 150 pounds and is a liability at the point of attack due to his weight. USC ran right at him when Bell went down as they knew that he could not hold the point of attack. You will get Jake Cooper back but I think he is at best an average linebacker. That might have to do though. Yes, you may get Vranic back but is he anything more than just depth at the LB spot? I am going to assume that Dylan Rivers will NOT redshirt as they are going to need him this fall. I do not know what is going to happen with Brelin Faison-Walden and Braylin Franklin. The former starts his PSU career next weekend and I am going to guess that one of those two ends up at safety and one at linebacker. They are both hybrids- much like Koa Farmer.

The bottom line: The Lions will be strong at defensive line and will be fine at cornerback but there are going to be serious concerns at linebacker and safety.

 

[dclionsfan]

Apke will play but isn't that good. He hits with his head down and whiffs a lot. Look fornwade to play

 

[bjf1991]

If you take a serious look at the roster for 2017 you will see that PSU will be paper thin at linebacker and at safety. Jarvis Miller was moved from safety to linebacker when they were dropping like flies but I have to believe that he gets moved back to safety. Ayron Monroe played sparingly in 2016 so he has little experience. The same can be said of Nick Scott, who last played safety in high school. Yes, he got into a few games but it was in limited action. Petrishen redshirted in 2015 and was injured for all of this season. Troy Apke is not a full-time Division I starter, or at least he has not shown himself to be so far. He can fill in here and there but if you watch the defense when he plays, it sags. There are some SERIOUS issues at safety if Marcus Allen leaves. Even if he stays there are still some talent/depth concerns. The staff cannot, in good conscience, go back and ask Koa Farmer to move to safety again. I am guessing that incoming freshman Jonathan Sutherland gets placed in the group of safeties. Losing the verbal commitment of safety Derrick Pitts hurt.

Just like at safety, there are issues again linebacker. You will have Bowen and Cabinda as two of the three starters but who is the 3rd? Farmer is not a starting linebacker in the B1G, not yet. He needs A LOT more practice and game time before he could be counted on to start. Cam Brown weighs about 150 pounds and is a liability at the point of attack due to his weight. USC ran right at him when Bell went down as they knew that he could not hold the point of attack. You will get Jake Cooper back but I think he is at best an average linebacker. That might have to do though. Yes, you may get Vranic back but is he anything more than just depth at the LB spot? I am going to assume that Dylan Rivers will NOT redshirt as they are going to need him this fall. I do not know what is going to happen with Brelin Faison-Walden and Braylin Franklin. The former starts his PSU career next weekend and I am going to guess that one of those two ends up at safety and one at linebacker. They are both hybrids- much like Koa Farmer.

The bottom line: The Lions will be strong at defensive line and will be fine at cornerback but there are going to be serious concerns at linebacker and safety.

LB and S are likely to big the biggest question marks going into spring.

That said - compared to last year at this time.....the number of "question marks" is relatively minimal (and the number of "exclamation points" is much greater )

 

[mcruny42]

Well staff might be looking at Wade at Safety based on his comments, I guess Miller depends on what the staff thinks is a bigger need LB/S. What about Anthony Johnson? I thought I remember him being one of the bigger sized DB recruits

 

[21Guns]

If you take a serious look at the roster for 2017 you will see that PSU will be paper thin at linebacker and at safety. Jarvis Miller was moved from safety to linebacker when they were dropping like flies but I have to believe that he gets moved back to safety. Ayron Monroe played sparingly in 2016 so he has little experience. The same can be said of Nick Scott, who last played safety in high school. Yes, he got into a few games but it was in limited action. Petrishen redshirted in 2015 and was injured for all of this season. Troy Apke is not a full-time Division I starter, or at least he has not shown himself to be so far. He can fill in here and there but if you watch the defense when he plays, it sags. There are some SERIOUS issues at safety if Marcus Allen leaves. Even if he stays there are still some talent/depth concerns. The staff cannot, in good conscience, go back and ask Koa Farmer to move to safety again. I am guessing that incoming freshman Jonathan Sutherland gets placed in the group of safeties. Losing the verbal commitment of safety Derrick Pitts hurt.

Just like at safety, there are issues again linebacker. You will have Bowen and Cabinda as two of the three starters but who is the 3rd? Farmer is not a starting linebacker in the B1G, not yet. He needs A LOT more practice and game time before he could be counted on to start. Cam Brown weighs about 150 pounds and is a liability at the point of attack due to his weight. USC ran right at him when Bell went down as they knew that he could not hold the point of attack. You will get Jake Cooper back but I think he is at best an average linebacker. That might have to do though. Yes, you may get Vranic back but is he anything more than just depth at the LB spot? I am going to assume that Dylan Rivers will NOT redshirt as they are going to need him this fall. I do not know what is going to happen with Brelin Faison-Walden and Braylin Franklin. The former starts his PSU career next weekend and I am going to guess that one of those two ends up at safety and one at linebacker. They are both hybrids- much like Koa Farmer.

The bottom line: The Lions will be strong at defensive line and will be fine at cornerback but there are going to be serious concerns at linebacker and safety.

We REALLY need Marcus Allen to come back. As I have said before. As far as the other safety spot, I have no idea who they play, because Golden was on the field 90 percent of the time. We will have issues at safety as far as experience, but I think we have the TALENT there.

At linebacker, the more I look at it, the more I think that 2 of the 3 incoming freshmen will need to be green lighted. Remember though, we are looking through a prism of a freaking perfect storm of injuries that occurred this year at linebacker. No, I am not going to jinx it, but even if we are bit by injuries again at LB in 2017, it is safe to say that the freak situation of 2016, will not happen again. Still, we are thin. Jan Johnson has given up football to concentrate on wrestling. WW and Bell are gone. And only Toney is a possibility as far as redshirt freshmen, and he wants to play defensive end. That leaves a running back(Thomas), and 4 linebackers. Include the walkon Vranec and you have six linebackers: Brown, who needs to gain 20 pounds, Bowen, Cabinda, Farmer, Cooper, and Vranec. Unless you are going with only 6 eligible linebackers, either somebody gets green lighted, or somebody gets moved.

 

[21Guns]

Well staff might be looking at Wade at Safety based on his comments, I guess Miller depends on what the staff thinks is a bigger need LB/S. What about Anthony Johnson? I thought I remember him being one of the bigger sized DB recruits

My guess is John Reid is moved to safety and Lamont Wade takes the other corner.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

If you take a serious look at the roster for 2017 you will see that PSU will be paper thin at linebacker and at safety. Jarvis Miller was moved from safety to linebacker when they were dropping like flies but I have to believe that he gets moved back to safety. Ayron Monroe played sparingly in 2016 so he has little experience. The same can be said of Nick Scott, who last played safety in high school. Yes, he got into a few games but it was in limited action. Petrishen redshirted in 2015 and was injured for all of this season. Troy Apke is not a full-time Division I starter, or at least he has not shown himself to be so far. He can fill in here and there but if you watch the defense when he plays, it sags. There are some SERIOUS issues at safety if Marcus Allen leaves. Even if he stays there are still some talent/depth concerns. The staff cannot, in good conscience, go back and ask Koa Farmer to move to safety again. I am guessing that incoming freshman Jonathan Sutherland gets placed in the group of safeties. Losing the verbal commitment of safety Derrick Pitts hurt.

Just like at safety, there are issues again linebacker. You will have Bowen and Cabinda as two of the three starters but who is the 3rd? Farmer is not a starting linebacker in the B1G, not yet. He needs A LOT more practice and game time before he could be counted on to start. Cam Brown weighs about 150 pounds and is a liability at the point of attack due to his weight. USC ran right at him when Bell went down as they knew that he could not hold the point of attack. You will get Jake Cooper back but I think he is at best an average linebacker. That might have to do though. Yes, you may get Vranic back but is he anything more than just depth at the LB spot? I am going to assume that Dylan Rivers will NOT redshirt as they are going to need him this fall. I do not know what is going to happen with Brelin Faison-Walden and Braylin Franklin. The former starts his PSU career next weekend and I am going to guess that one of those two ends up at safety and one at linebacker. They are both hybrids- much like Koa Farmer.

The bottom line: The Lions will be strong at defensive line and will be fine at cornerback but there are going to be serious concerns at linebacker and safety.

What about Castro-Fields? Is he comparable to Pitts? I think there is a decent chance we could land him. Or, Ford, if there is room and Wade can get him to flip. Ford absolutely decked someone in the UA game last weekend. Kid is a baller and has great size.

Clip of Ford's hit from the UA game...

 

[bjf1991]

My guess is John Reid is moved to safety and Lamont Wade takes the other corner.

 

[Crimson Lights]

Do I have this correct?

Starters – Cabinda, Bowen, Farmer/Brown
Back-ups – Brown/Farmer, Thomas, Cooper, Jarvis Miller ?, Toney?, B. Smith?
True Frosh – Rivers, Faison-Walden, Franklin

We are already somewhat thin at this position. If the question marks are indeed question marks, and if none of the freshman are ready, then we are scary thin.

Thoughts/insight on this?

Cooper desperately needs a RS year to prepare for Cabinda leaving. Penn State plays a 4-3, so the 3 starting LBs will be Cabinda, Bowen, Farmer, with Cameron Brown, Brandon Smith, and Shaka Toney/Rivers as #2. Not sure which Thomas you mean.

 

[21Guns]

Cooper desperately needs a RS year to prepare for Cabinda leaving. Penn State plays a 4-3, so the 3 starting LBs will be Cabinda, Bowen, Farmer, with Cameron Brown, Brandon Smith, and Shaka Toney/Rivers as #2. Not sure which Thomas you mean.

Can't afford to redshirt anyone outside of the true incoming freshmen, not without a position change.

 

[Philly Lion]

I think the excitement and euphoria of the 2016 season may mask what are some serious talent and or depth issues at both linebacker and safety.

Most likely, the only incoming linebacker that is going to see time will be Dylan Rivers. I guess that it is possible that Brelin Faison-Walden could make the depth chart since he is coming in early but I tend to believe that he is going to redshirt. The question remains though as to whether he even stays at LB.

Starting linebackers: Cabinda (Sr/Sr), Bowen (Jr/Jr) and ????
Potential linebackers for the third spot: Cameron Brown (So/So), Koa Farmer (Sr/Jr), Dylan Rivers (Fr/Fr), Jake Cooper (Jr/Jr) and Brandon Smith (GS/Sr).
Second-team linebacker: Brelin Faison-Walden (Fr/Fr)

You cannot expect that Jonathan Thomas (Sr/Jr), a former running back, will be able to do anything to contribute meaningful minutes, tackles, etc. Jason Vranic is in the same boat.

If Marcus Allen (Sr/Sr in 2017) leaves, then there will be a severe talent and experience shortage at safety.
Starting safeties: Ayron Monroe (Jr/So) and Apke (Sr/Sr)
I pencil Monroe and Apke in there simply because they have the most experience.
Potential second-team safeties: Jarvis Miller (Jr/So), John Petrishen (Jr/So), Jonathan Sutherland (Fr/Fr), and Brailyn Franklin (Fr/Fr).

You can slice this any way that you want but the two positions are going to paper-thin on talent and depth in 2017. Someone mentioned Shaka Toney (So/Fr in 2017) but he has expressed a desire to play defensive end and I think that is where the staff has him slated.

The suggestion that CB T.J. Johnson (So/Fr) could be moved to safety makes sense. I could see that happening during spring practice as he is 6' 2"/180 but may even be a little bigger by August. I cannot see the value in moving John Reid (Jr/Jr) to safety and Lamont Wade (Fr/Fr) is too short (5' 9") and too inexperienced to jump in at safety.

I think teams will attack PSU deep at every opportunity this fall due to the lack of talent and experience at safety. I like Cameron Brown but I do have some worries about whether he can put on enough weight to play 40-50 snaps a game.

 

[artsandletters]

I think the excitement and euphoria of the 2016 season may mask what are some serious talent and or depth issues at both linebacker and safety.

Most likely, the only incoming linebacker that is going to see time will be Dylan Rivers. I guess that it is possible that Brelin Faison-Walden could make the depth chart since he is coming in early but I tend to believe that he is going to redshirt. The question remains though as to whether he even stays at LB.

Starting linebackers: Cabinda (Sr/Sr), Bowen (Jr/Jr) and ????
Potential linebackers for the third spot: Cameron Brown (So/So), Koa Farmer (Sr/Jr), Dylan Rivers (Fr/Fr), Jake Cooper (Jr/Jr) and Brandon Smith (GS/Sr).
Second-team linebacker: Brelin Faison-Walden (Fr/Fr)

You cannot expect that Jonathan Thomas (Sr/Jr), a former running back, will be able to do anything to contribute meaningful minutes, tackles, etc. Jason Vranic is in the same boat.

If Marcus Allen (Sr/Sr in 2017) leaves, then there will be a severe talent and experience shortage at safety.
Starting safeties: Ayron Monroe (Jr/So) and Apke (Sr/Sr)
I pencil Monroe and Apke in there simply because they have the most experience.
Potential second-team safeties: Jarvis Miller (Jr/So), John Petrishen (Jr/So), Jonathan Sutherland (Fr/Fr), and Brailyn Franklin (Fr/Fr).

You can slice this any way that you want but the two positions are going to paper-thin on talent and depth in 2017. Someone mentioned Shaka Toney (So/Fr in 2017) but he has expressed a desire to play defensive end and I think that is where the staff has him slated.

The suggestion that CB T.J. Johnson (So/Fr) could be moved to safety makes sense. I could see that happening during spring practice as he is 6' 2"/180 but may even be a little bigger by August. I cannot see the value in moving John Reid (Jr/Jr) to safety and Lamont Wade (Fr/Fr) is too short (5' 9") and too inexperienced to jump in at safety.

I think teams will attack PSU deep at every opportunity this fall due to the lack of talent and experience at safety. I like Cameron Brown but I do have some worries about whether he can put on enough weight to play 40-50 snaps a game.

I wouldn't underestimate Lamont Wade.

 

[Philly Lion]

I wouldn't underestimate Lamont Wade.

At 5' 9" Lamont Wade is not going to be able to step in and start at safety in 2017. It is just not going to happen. I think there needs to be some concern with Wade at how well he is going to be able to cover 6' 2' wide receivers while giving up 5 inches. Wade is not Superman.

 

[PennStateTurf2002]

I don't see John Reid ever leaving Corner. He and Haley will stay at CB, Wade will be the nickel, maybe get a look at safety. Look for a bigger corner like Garrett Taylor though, he could get a look at safety for sure.

 

[bdgan]

The bottom line: The Lions will be strong at defensive line and will be fine at cornerback but there are going to be serious concerns at linebacker and safety.

Our DTs s/b good but not great
LB could be a big problem
Safety could be a problem if Allen leaves.

IMO PSU could have one of the best offensive teams in the B1G but only middle of the pack on defense.

 

[PennStateTurf2002]

Other then Taylor, we have a couple other big corners who could move to free safety. AO or Campbell as well.

 

[artsandletters]

At 5' 9" Lamont Wade is not going to be able to step in and start at safety in 2017. It is just not going to happen. I think there needs to be some concern with Wade at how well he is going to be able to cover 6' 2' wide receivers while giving up 5 inches. Wade is not Superman.

More of Wade is too short. There's a long list of excellent vertically undersized DBs. In another sport, Muggsy Bogues, at 5'3", had a 14 year NBA career playing against really tall men. Special exception, I know.

Wade is a football player. He'll manage his height well, I trust.

 

[ftlpsu]

Anyone have an update on Cam Browns current weight?

 

[artsandletters]

Anyone have an update on Cam Browns current weight?

Or Shaka Toney's weight. And has Lamont Wade gotten any taller since he signed?

 

[21Guns]

I think the excitement and euphoria of the 2016 season may mask what are some serious talent and or depth issues at both linebacker and safety.

Most likely, the only incoming linebacker that is going to see time will be Dylan Rivers. I guess that it is possible that Brelin Faison-Walden could make the depth chart since he is coming in early but I tend to believe that he is going to redshirt. The question remains though as to whether he even stays at LB.

Starting linebackers: Cabinda (Sr/Sr), Bowen (Jr/Jr) and ????
Potential linebackers for the third spot: Cameron Brown (So/So), Koa Farmer (Sr/Jr), Dylan Rivers (Fr/Fr), Jake Cooper (Jr/Jr) and Brandon Smith (GS/Sr).
Second-team linebacker: Brelin Faison-Walden (Fr/Fr)

You cannot expect that Jonathan Thomas (Sr/Jr), a former running back, will be able to do anything to contribute meaningful minutes, tackles, etc. Jason Vranic is in the same boat.

If Marcus Allen (Sr/Sr in 2017) leaves, then there will be a severe talent and experience shortage at safety.
Starting safeties: Ayron Monroe (Jr/So) and Apke (Sr/Sr)
I pencil Monroe and Apke in there simply because they have the most experience.
Potential second-team safeties: Jarvis Miller (Jr/So), John Petrishen (Jr/So), Jonathan Sutherland (Fr/Fr), and Brailyn Franklin (Fr/Fr).

You can slice this any way that you want but the two positions are going to paper-thin on talent and depth in 2017. Someone mentioned Shaka Toney (So/Fr in 2017) but he has expressed a desire to play defensive end and I think that is where the staff has him slated.

The suggestion that CB T.J. Johnson (So/Fr) could be moved to safety makes sense. I could see that happening during spring practice as he is 6' 2"/180 but may even be a little bigger by August. I cannot see the value in moving John Reid (Jr/Jr) to safety and Lamont Wade (Fr/Fr) is too short (5' 9") and too inexperienced to jump in at safety.

I think teams will attack PSU deep at every opportunity this fall due to the lack of talent and experience at safety. I like Cameron Brown but I do have some worries about whether he can put on enough weight to play 40-50 snaps a game.

Nick Scott can play safety. Damn good athlete and a baller.

 

[bjf1991]

At 5' 9" Lamont Wade is not going to be able to step in and start at safety in 2017. It is just not going to happen. I think there needs to be some concern with Wade at how well he is going to be able to cover 6' 2' wide receivers while giving up 5 inches. Wade is not Superman.

Where is he gonna' play then?

Height is much less of any issue at S than at CB

(not that his height would preclude him from playing either)

Personally, I'd expect the most likely spot for him as a freshman is at "nickle corner"......were the variety of assignments and packages would be more limited (not "simple"....but more limited than as a three-down S)

 

[Philly Lion]

Where is he gonna' play then?

Height is much less of any issue at S than at CB

(not that his height would preclude him from playing either)

Personally, I'd expect the most likely spot for him as a freshman is at "nickle corner"......were the variety of assignments and packages would be more limited (not "simple"....but more limited than as a three-down S)

There seems to be this feeling that because Lamont Wade got away with playing corner at 5' 9" in high school that he is just going to step in, start at cornerback and be a lockdown player at that spot. I listen to the Keystone Sports Network podcasts and Ross Tucker, a former NFL player, expressed some concern about Wade's ability to play at the same level at PSU- at least right away. The panel that he was speaking with agreed. I am sure that he could fit in quite well as the nickel cornerback this fall but to just assume that he is going to be a shutdown corner right off the bat is asking a bit much for a 5' 9" player.

How many 5' 9" safeties are there in the B1G? Please do not get me wrong, I am very glad that Wade is going to play for PSU and I am not trying to downplay his talent but I get the impression that people are expecting superior play from him next season and that may be unfair to him. Lamont Wade is not going to be able to solve the talent/depth issues that will exist at safety in 2017.

I think that we have to accept that the PSU defense will have some holes . . . nothing to be ashamed of as other teams will have holes too. As someone in this thread said earlier, the offense is probably going to have to carry the load. There has just been a lack of talent coming in at safety and linebacker over the past few years and we all know the reasons for that. You could only do so much with the restrictions the coaching staffs were working under and it will take a little time to even out the talent distribution. I would be willing to give up one or two of the defensive linemen on the roster for a quality safety (or two).

 

[Obliviax]

My guess would be Nick Scott at 1 spot, and Apke/Monroe/Petrishen battling for the other spot

I understand Petrosham ? Got hurt but he should be back.

 

[21Guns]

There seems to be this feeling that because Lamont Wade got away with playing corner at 5' 9" in high school that he is just going to step in, start at cornerback and be a lockdown player at that spot. I listen to the Keystone Sports Network podcasts and Ross Tucker, a former NFL player, expressed some concern about Wade's ability to play at the same level at PSU- at least right away. The panel that he was speaking with agreed. I am sure that he could fit in quite well as the nickel cornerback this fall but to just assume that he is going to be a shutdown corner right off the bat is asking a bit much for a 5' 9" player.

How many 5' 9" safeties are there in the B1G? Please do not get me wrong, I am very glad that Wade is going to play for PSU and I am not trying to downplay his talent but I get the impression that people are expecting superior play from him next season and that may be unfair to him. Lamont Wade is not going to be able to solve the talent/depth issues that will exist at safety in 2017.

I think that we have to accept that the PSU defense will have some holes . . . nothing to be ashamed of as other teams will have holes too. As someone in this thread said earlier, the offense is probably going to have to carry the load. There has just been a lack of talent coming in at safety and linebacker over the past few years and we all know the reasons for that. You could only do so much with the restrictions the coaching staffs were working under and it will take a little time to even out the talent distribution. I would be willing to give up one or two of the defensive linemen on the roster for a quality safety (or two).

We will see.

I won't underestimate the number one cornerback recruit in the nation, who everybody wanted, and the number 9 overall recruit. Go ahead if you like.

 

[21Guns]

I understand Petrosham ? Got hurt but he should be back.

If Allen leaves Apke will open the season as the starter. I think he's closer to the light coming on, than others do...he improved throughout the season, and I think he is going to make plays.

 

[doublehaul]

Our coaches dealt with a lot worse on both sides of the ball this year. I have
confidence in them to figure it out.

 

[artsandletters]

There seems to be this feeling that because Lamont Wade got away with playing corner at 5' 9" in high school that he is just going to step in, start at cornerback and be a lockdown player at that spot. I listen to the Keystone Sports Network podcasts and Ross Tucker, a former NFL player, expressed some concern about Wade's ability to play at the same level at PSU- at least right away. The panel that he was speaking with agreed. I am sure that he could fit in quite well as the nickel cornerback this fall but to just assume that he is going to be a shutdown corner right off the bat is asking a bit much for a 5' 9" player.

How many 5' 9" safeties are there in the B1G? Please do not get me wrong, I am very glad that Wade is going to play for PSU and I am not trying to downplay his talent but I get the impression that people are expecting superior play from him next season and that may be unfair to him. Lamont Wade is not going to be able to solve the talent/depth issues that will exist at safety in 2017.

I think that we have to accept that the PSU defense will have some holes . . . nothing to be ashamed of as other teams will have holes too. As someone in this thread said earlier, the offense is probably going to have to carry the load. There has just been a lack of talent coming in at safety and linebacker over the past few years and we all know the reasons for that. You could only do so much with the restrictions the coaching staffs were working under and it will take a little time to even out the talent distribution. I would be willing to give up one or two of the defensive linemen on the roster for a quality safety (or two).

It's best to wait and see regardless of what Tucker or anybody else says about Wade. You think this is the first time Wade has had to listen to mouth pieces go on about his short- ness? He's a player that tens of other colleges would love to have signed. We'll see. I am very optimistic about Lamont Wade's football future but wtf do I know.

 

[ftlpsu]

In speaking from both a Defensive football coach's and fan's perspective, we all want an unbelievable OFFENSE (we have that now and a stout & stingy DEFENSE. Our D has some challenges and we have some strengths, you all have done an amazing job pointing out both the strengths and weaknesses for each position via our current and incoming roster.

With that said, I am not so concerned for this fall and don't see the same thing happening last fall even if there are a few injuries-we will be that much better. Our Defensive Line being are best unit IMHO will be improved, more guys to rotate, stronger, faster and more experienced in the middle. We have a few very experienced cover Corners, I mean that is huge and as a DC you can do a lot when you have that luxury. Our LB corp albeit thin right now will work itself out, and those DTs will make the back ups look better than they do on paper right now. While we run a strong 4-3 primarily I don't see us staying in that Base D most of our games as opponents will be chasing points due to our explosive O. The Safety position yes is a little more tricky for multiple reasons. Let's start with Allen and the FS spot-if he stays, great we know what we got and the communication/synergies between he and the other 2 units (LBs/CBs) will be even stronger. Yes he needs to improve his ball hawking skills-lot of time to do this. We will find a suitable replacement for the SS spot that Golden manned so well this year (my favorite 16' D-player)-lot easier to work with, teach and scheme for only 1 spot that is new-we will be fine if Allen stays-maybe he can switch to SS? If he leaves than we have 2 spots to fill, which we all feel is the bigger issue. Now you have a lot to think about, players to choose from, decisions to make etc.

Still not worried, cuz Coach Pry will get better too, its easy for him for multiple reasons. He has more experience as PSU's DC, he knows more about what he's got in his current players. He knows there abilities and he knows his own weaknesses after the recent game. I am confident that he will scheme around our current perceived weaknesses with certain positions and it is still out on how dire those weaknesses will be

We will go to the Rose Bowl again at a minimum and perhaps have a shot at the playoff if we handle our business very confident in those predictions...WE ARE!