Depth Chart

[bdgan]

Some interesting things on the depth chart posted on this site:

• RB has Allen #2, Scott #3, and Thomas #4. Obviously doesn't include kids not yet on campus.
• Palmer listed as starting OT in spite of his struggles this spring.
• Rheiner is not listed. I assume he wasn't on campus when this was published.
  
• Beh 2nd team OT behind Nelson but only 277 lbs.
• Godwin & Thompkins both ahead of Lewis at WR.
• Barney 3rd team DT behind A. Johnson & A. White. If that's true maybe he should RS.
• Haley starting at CB at only 5'9".
• Thompkins listed as first team PR.
• Walker, Haley, Lynch, and Lewis listed as KR. I hope we don't see Lynch back there. He's probably going to carry the load at RB.

Any thoughts on Haley? He looked really fast as KR in the first few games last year but not so much after that. He also had 2 critical fumbles (MD & ILL). Obviously a lot of pressure on a freshman.

 

[BBrown]

Some interesting things on the depth chart posted on this site:

• RB has Allen #2, Scott #3, and Thomas #4. Obviously doesn't include kids not yet on campus.
• Palmer listed as starting OT in spite of his struggles this spring.
• Rheiner is not listed. I assume he wasn't on campus when this was published.
  
• Beh 2nd team OT behind Nelson but only 277 lbs.
• Godwin & Thompkins both ahead of Lewis at WR.
• Barney 3rd team DT behind A. Johnson & A. White. If that's true maybe he should RS.
• Haley starting at CB at only 5'9".
• Thompkins listed as first team PR.
• Walker, Haley, Lynch, and Lewis listed as KR. I hope we don't see Lynch back there. He's probably going to carry the load at RB.

Any thoughts on Haley? He looked really fast as KR in the first few games last year but not so much after that. He also had 2 critical fumbles (MD & ILL). Obviously a lot of pressure on a freshman.

I think you might be right in saying that it isn't a "recent" depth chart.
I think the RB position will see a lot of movement once everyone gets on campus.
Not surprised that Godwin and Thompkins are ahead of Lewis, (edit) As Alphabets pointed out below I think its a matter of "focus" for Lewis.
I'm not concerned with Haley's height as a CB.
Not sure what will happen on kick returns. I wasn't impressed with Haley in that area but in all fairness to him he didn't get any (and I mean ANY) help
from his blocking buddies.
His fumble at the MD game was on him and it cost us the game.
The fumble at the Illinois game I put on the coaching staff. The weather was nuts and Jack Ham said before the ball was even kicked that
the staff had them positioned too deep with how strong the wind was. If he saw that from the booth minutes before the kickoff then someone
from the staff either in the booth or on the field should have noticed it as well.
Think about this for a second, if we get anything out of the kick return game last year we win 2 more games. Thats not even mentioning
the erratic punting that INMO cost us at least 1 game.
Its why Special Teams is my 2nd biggest concern after the O-line. And again JMO I think we will be ok on the O-line. So Special Teams
may be my #1 concern.

 

[Alphabets]

I don't believe Godwin and Thompkins have more game experience than Lewis. They may have leaped over him on the depth chart, but do not have more experience.

Lewis has great hands, it seems he is a bit inconsistent though.

 

[BBrown]

I don't believe Godwin and Thompkins have more game experience than Lewis. They may have leaped over him on the depth chart, but do not have more experience.

Lewis has great hands, it seems he is a bit inconsistent though.

You are correct I got Thompkins mixed up with Daesean Hamilton and now re-thinking it I don't think either Godwin or Hamilton have that much more game time than Lewis. I'll edit my other post.
Thanks for the correction.
Def. right about Lewis being inconsistent or maybe losing "focus" at times.
He (Lewis) has a chance to be very good if he wants it.

 

[Alphabets]

You are correct I got Thompkins mixed up with Daesean Hamilton and now re-thinking it I don't think either Godwin or Hamilton have that much more game time than Lewis. I'll edit my other post.
Thanks for the correction.
Def. right about Lewis being inconsistent or maybe losing "focus" at times.
He (Lewis) has a chance to be very good if he wants it.

He does, but his time is running out with the competition he now faces at WR. When ARob left, Lewis was basically the main man. Zanaletto was there and an unknown kid named Thompkins. Now, the kids have really stepped up with more freshmen coming in as well. If he's going to make a statement, this has to be the year.

 

[CappyToCJF]

Some interesting things on the depth chart posted on this site:

• RB has Allen #2, Scott #3, and Thomas #4. Obviously doesn't include kids not yet on campus.
• Palmer listed as starting OT in spite of his struggles this spring.
• Rheiner is not listed. I assume he wasn't on campus when this was published.
  
• Beh 2nd team OT behind Nelson but only 277 lbs.
• Godwin & Thompkins both ahead of Lewis at WR.
• Barney 3rd team DT behind A. Johnson & A. White. If that's true maybe he should RS.
• Haley starting at CB at only 5'9".
• Thompkins listed as first team PR.
• Walker, Haley, Lynch, and Lewis listed as KR. I hope we don't see Lynch back there. He's probably going to carry the load at RB.

Any thoughts on Haley? He looked really fast as KR in the first few games last year but not so much after that. He also had 2 critical fumbles (MD & ILL). Obviously a lot of pressure on a freshman.

My thoughts:

• Thomas sat out most of the Spring practices with an injury. Once Fall practice begins those that are healthy will determine the depth chart based on practice performance. Reports on Thomas from last year were very positive, and this Spring Scott seemed to rise to the top in Thomas' absence. I (unlike many here) expect a true freshman RB to play this year IF they come in and show them self to be a gamebreaker in the fall practices. Maybe not playing in the first game or two but then breaking into the rotation. Blocking skills are necessary for the every down backs, but if you have a home run hitter you still can get him touches that will help the offense. Most think of Barkley as the potential freshman to play, but Robinson is no slouch.
• Palmer started in the B/W game and he must be the best we have. He'll get better with more reps and I look for (hope for) him to add significant strength/weight over the summer.
• Rheiner has not practiced so why would he be listed.
• Beh was and is likely light. But he's athletic and it is what it is. OL will not yet be a 2 deep of Juniors and Seniors so until it is we will have 2nd team players that aren't really quite ready.
• Lewis had some big games last year and I look for him to straighten out his practice habits and concentration and start this year as well. We'll see.
• I would like it if Barney could redshirt as it would help the 2016 team. We need the true frosh DT from Wisky to come in this Fall and be ready to play as a backup.
• Haley looks plenty big enough. Is he skilled enough in coverage. We'll see. The Steelers took a 5' 8.5" CB in the 2nd round of this year's draft and expect him to cover Megatron.
  
• It would be great if Thompkins is a real live PR guy. I can't remember when we had one, but I know it was pretty long ago and the man with the thick glasses was the coach then.
• It would also be great to have a real live threat at KR. Haley was the best of a bad lot last year. Maybe someone like Barkley can step in and take a couple to the house.
• I agree with those that say special teams needed the biggest upgrade. With the players that redshirted last year getting onto the special teams, and some of last years kids maturing, we can expect some upgrades in the coverage and return areas. But will that be offset by poor place kicking and continued less than average punting? The tie breaker can be much better returners, but who will they be? Thompkins and Barkley? I haven't guessed right on the returners in 5+ year......
• Yes Haley had pressure as a returner. So did Blair Thomas, but Blair was up to the task. That's for CJF to figure out.....

 

[mmp121]

Some interesting things on the depth chart posted on this site:

• RB has Allen #2, Scott #3, and Thomas #4. Obviously doesn't include kids not yet on campus.
• Palmer listed as starting OT in spite of his struggles this spring.
• Rheiner is not listed. I assume he wasn't on campus when this was published.
  
• Beh 2nd team OT behind Nelson but only 277 lbs.
• Godwin & Thompkins both ahead of Lewis at WR.
• Barney 3rd team DT behind A. Johnson & A. White. If that's true maybe he should RS.
• Haley starting at CB at only 5'9".
• Thompkins listed as first team PR.
• Walker, Haley, Lynch, and Lewis listed as KR. I hope we don't see Lynch back there. He's probably going to carry the load at RB.

Any thoughts on Haley? He looked really fast as KR in the first few games last year but not so much after that. He also had 2 critical fumbles (MD & ILL). Obviously a lot of pressure on a freshman.

The depth chart has a date in the upper right corner:

Last Update: 4/27/2015

That should explain alot of your concerns. It was updated post BW Game.

 

[LundyPSU]

Depth chart is meaningless at this point. I recall that Haley had the fastest 40 time on the team. Although, he didn't appear that fast on the field. Not sure where Thompkins falls on the 40 time and interested in what Polk adds when he gets on the field. Overall, the team needs to upgrade speed across the board.

 

[jrd23psu]

I thought Thompkins was moved to CB last year? Am I mistaken? In any event, I know he played both in high school and I think he could be an explosive receiver. I think the defensive backs has a lot of talent and some decent depth, too. I really like Allen at safety. I think the kid is a playmaker.

 

[Obliviax]

Joe used to use the depth chart to motivate gifted players that weren't practicing hard. Perhaps there is some of that in there.

The O-line's depth is, again, awful.

Lots of 5-9 corners in the NFL. Buster Skrine is 5-9 and just signed with the Jets for 4 years at $25m.

kick and punt returns were awful last year, largely due to lack of depth. I think that will be better with the influx of WR and DB's this year.

I think I read that Lewis played much of last year injured (may have been Hamilton) and that affected his performance. Lewis has all of the tools so his fall in the chart may be due to the use of the chart as a motivational tool.

 

[psuguy04]

I thought Thompkins was moved to CB last year? Am I mistaken? In any event, I know he played both in high school and I think he could be an explosive receiver. I think the defensive backs has a lot of talent and some decent depth, too. I really like Allen at safety. I think the kid is a playmaker.

Yes, you are mistaken.

 

[jrd23psu]

Yes, you are mistaken.

I don't know why I remember seeing that, but he's obviously a WR at this point considering he's listed as a #1 on the depth chart.

 

[LundyPSU]

Joe used to use the depth chart to motivate gifted players that weren't practicing hard. Perhaps there is some of that in there.

The O-line's depth is, again, awful.

Lots of 5-9 corners in the NFL. Buster Skrine is 5-9 and just signed with the Jets for 4 years at $25m.

kick and punt returns were awful last year, largely due to lack of depth. I think that will be better with the influx of WR and DB's this year.

I think I read that Lewis played much of last year injured (may have been Hamilton) and that affected his performance. Lewis has all of the tools so his fall in the chart may be due to the use of the chart as a motivational tool.

Agree, O-line is still worrisome. Still think this will take a couple of years. Secondary seems strong in terms of talent and depth (rare for PSU), just need to perform. Excited about Campbell, Allen, and others. Hamilton had a bad hamstring much of the season. Lewis seemed to lose focus and was inconsistent, but seems to have the physical tools to be good.

 

[21Guns]

I believe we have a two deep now with respect to the offensive line, which is an upgrade over last year. It isn't "major" progress, but improvements with regard to the offensive line, do not happen in one year. It took FIVE years of a perfect storm of bad breaks, poor recruiting at the end of Joe's life during his last 3 years, then the sanctions, then kids leaving, then O'Brien ignoring it, for it all to come to what was the low-water mark of last year.

We're very, very, young, but this year will be slightly better than last year, and next year will be slightly better than this year.

Where we have to win these games this year, is on defense AND on special teams: Unlike the offensive line, the special teams have NO excuse this year. We have more athletes, and there isn't any reason to put out a kickoff or a punt team full of walk ons, because we have enough scholarship speed players to do it, so no excuse. This of course doesn't include our kicker or punter, but I am speaking of our return and coverage units.

 

[BBrown]

Unlike the offensive line, the special teams have NO excuse this year. We have more athletes, and there isn't any reason to put out a kickoff or a punt team full of walk ons, because we have enough scholarship speed players to do it, so no excuse. This of course doesn't include our kicker or punter, but I am speaking of our return and coverage units.

You and I are in complete agreement on this but I will also add the kicker and punter. We need improvement and consistency out of (whomever) the punter will be.

 

[dawgduice]

I think ALL are concerned with the OL. If Palmer can add about 20 lbs I think he will be pretty good. As for the rest, all are more experienced, bigger and stronger. Depth is a bit better than last year, not good but better. I just hope they play 25% better than last year. I do not think that unreasonable. Plus the first 6 games "should" give the line even more time to get "better". I still think we can win 9-10 games and be a decent team.

 

[21Guns]

Very interesting that we have Thompkins starting at the third receiver slot...

I think all five will play in most possessions, dependent on down and distance...I'd like to see a strong second option develop, in addition to DaeSean...that might end up being Godwin, or it might just end up being Carter or Breneman.