If you weren't able to catch James Franklin's weekly radio show, just wrapped up a few minutes ago, I paraphrased the topics of discussion and his responses, below. Just let me know if anything needs to be elaborated on and I'll try to provide more clarity.
Best game to date:
Played really well in all three phases. Played better offensively in bowl game. Have played more dominant on defense. Probably most dominant performance in special teams. But best overall all together. Herb Hand and OL have bounced back well after that first game. Then obviously the emergence of the young talent has been exciting.
Developing cohesion among protection:
Is seeing that. The more reps and ability to solve problems together is making things better. Being able to run on third down has been good. Seeing growth there. Still have to develop that next wave. Two-deep is redshirt freshmen that aren’t ready yet. They have to continue to grow so that they don’t have to move all the parts around when someone goes down.
Challenges of SDSU defense:
Not a big fan of SDSU defense. Great uniforms, he’ll admit. But their defense, typically as OL and coaches, you put people into categories. Three-down, four-down, bear, whatever, and there are rules associated with that. They blitz almost 70 percent of the time, and on top of that, they don’t line up in sets. Defense will just be walking around, and at the snap, they come running and blitzing from every direction. You have to know who you are responsible for. It can be chaotic. You crease them for big plays sometimes, but they’ll get you too because they’ll come free on gaps. Offenses use those rules. These guys take chances. They’ll run two players through a gap to exploit you. High risk, high reward.
Running the ball/Using H-Back/Recruiting fullback:
They won’t recruit a fullback. They’ll use an H-Back. Have true freshmen tight ends right now. Don’t want to recruit fullback that can only play fullback. If you make mistake there, you can’t play them anywhere else. If you get a tight end that has some flexibility you can create some problems. If you’re an h-back that can line up as slot, in backfield, on wing, it makes it difficult for defenses to figure out how to treat the tight end. All the tight ends currently on the team have played WR in high school. Starting to get these guys from the day they step on campus to go against DE and they’re able to embrace blocking. Chance Sorrell went from high school wideout to offensive tackle.
Adam Breneman return:
Doesn’t talk about injuries. “We’ll see.” He’s doing great in school, is very well respected. Hopes he’s ready. But they don’t know. Have hoped that multiple times and it just hasn’t happen. He saw the last three games of 2013 and would love to have that piece. Nobody wants him back more than Franklin and his teammates.
Austin Johnson performance:
Thought AJ and Nassib would have big years this year. AJ moves like he’s 270. He’s smart, has played a lot of football. Sean Spencer has done a great job with them. Two-deep on DL so can keep those guys fresh. Thinks Nassib and AJ and Zettel are going to continue to have strong years, and as year goes on will start to see Sickels do some big things as well.
Weather impacting game-planning/hurting passing game:
It does impact it. Obviously, the way the first game played out with protection, that has affected how they’ve called the past couple games. The weather has as well. Teams that typically do things, they’re different in the rain. It’s also starting to open playbook and be more aggressive as time goes on. Doesn’t know if this will be the week for it because of how SDSU plays. Wants to keep streak alive of no sacks and few hits on the QB. The environment on Saturday was unbelievable. Stripe-Out was awesome as well. That so many stayed the whole game, it was a great example of what makes this place so special.
SDSU RB:
He’s basically their offense. He rushed for 1,800 yards last year. Not big, he’s quick, but still has ability to break tackles. He’s been very productive. A traditional pro-offense. Bob Toledo’s offense. They’ll line up with a fullback and will try to run the ball down your throat over and over with nakeds and play action. D has played well against that style traditionally. Run around QBs have caused some trouble, but traditionally have played well against these offenses.
Reshuffling WRs and fluidity with Hack:
The guys you’re seeing moved around on depth chart are all playing anyway. Isn’t concerned about timing. Not even really a change for them. Whether you’re starting or No. 2, they’re the only guys Hack is throwing to every day in practice. Going to play wideouts the same way DLs and DBs play. Knows some things need to improve, but choosing to play this way on offense. It’s amazing, you get excited in the summer doing 7-on-7 and doing exciting things, but that’s not how the game works. After game one, everyone wants Penn State to run the ball. Now they run it two weeks and everyone wants Penn State to throw it. Will do it, and no one wants to be more balance than coaches, but it’s going to come in time.
Coverage for punting:
Has been really pleased. Charles Huff went on a crusade this summer, visiting NFL clubs, going to a clinic in Louisiana, and even brought some people in this summer. Obviously, all these guys that have been recruited the past few years, have more depth and speed and that’s showing up on punt coverage. Actually was really good last year, but weren’t punting it far last year. The combination of doing both this year has been good. Kickoff, Joey Julius is putting the big toe on it. Kicking it through the end zone or deep enough, and guys are blazing down the field. Then on kickoff return, they’re bringing them out and almost breaking them. Playing fast, aggressive and with confidence.
Do recruits understand depth issues and trajectory of the program:
The results show that the recruits understand it. Have the fourth-ranked class in the country. Also speaks that young people see they have an opportunity. Other places have been recruiting well for past 10 years. The people that don’t understand it is the media, and some fans. When they think of Penn State they think of 1982 or 1986. Haven’t been that in a long time. Going to get back there soon, and they’re excited about it. Think about everything this place has been through. You can’t just come out of that and jump back into 1986. Last year was really they’re first recruiting class. Just imagine this time next year, two years and three years down the line. Have to capitalize on the momentum they’re building. Everyone needs to take a deep breath, have some patience, and they’ll get there.
This week at practice:
Thursday practice has been a bit of an adjustment. Not on the field long. Out there 12-15 periods, and want it full speeds. IN the past, Thursday is more of a walk-through. But he doesn’t want that here. Wants everyone to get the timing. If you don’t go full speed, you’re not going to have timing for the game. This was one of the best Thursdays they’ve had in doing that. In their mind, they modify what they do on how they’ve done things in the past. Today, it was more up to their own expectations. Chip Kelly has modified their practice schedule, and they try to do a modified schedule themselves.
Best game to date:
Played really well in all three phases. Played better offensively in bowl game. Have played more dominant on defense. Probably most dominant performance in special teams. But best overall all together. Herb Hand and OL have bounced back well after that first game. Then obviously the emergence of the young talent has been exciting.
Developing cohesion among protection:
Is seeing that. The more reps and ability to solve problems together is making things better. Being able to run on third down has been good. Seeing growth there. Still have to develop that next wave. Two-deep is redshirt freshmen that aren’t ready yet. They have to continue to grow so that they don’t have to move all the parts around when someone goes down.
Challenges of SDSU defense:
Not a big fan of SDSU defense. Great uniforms, he’ll admit. But their defense, typically as OL and coaches, you put people into categories. Three-down, four-down, bear, whatever, and there are rules associated with that. They blitz almost 70 percent of the time, and on top of that, they don’t line up in sets. Defense will just be walking around, and at the snap, they come running and blitzing from every direction. You have to know who you are responsible for. It can be chaotic. You crease them for big plays sometimes, but they’ll get you too because they’ll come free on gaps. Offenses use those rules. These guys take chances. They’ll run two players through a gap to exploit you. High risk, high reward.
Running the ball/Using H-Back/Recruiting fullback:
They won’t recruit a fullback. They’ll use an H-Back. Have true freshmen tight ends right now. Don’t want to recruit fullback that can only play fullback. If you make mistake there, you can’t play them anywhere else. If you get a tight end that has some flexibility you can create some problems. If you’re an h-back that can line up as slot, in backfield, on wing, it makes it difficult for defenses to figure out how to treat the tight end. All the tight ends currently on the team have played WR in high school. Starting to get these guys from the day they step on campus to go against DE and they’re able to embrace blocking. Chance Sorrell went from high school wideout to offensive tackle.
Adam Breneman return:
Doesn’t talk about injuries. “We’ll see.” He’s doing great in school, is very well respected. Hopes he’s ready. But they don’t know. Have hoped that multiple times and it just hasn’t happen. He saw the last three games of 2013 and would love to have that piece. Nobody wants him back more than Franklin and his teammates.
Austin Johnson performance:
Thought AJ and Nassib would have big years this year. AJ moves like he’s 270. He’s smart, has played a lot of football. Sean Spencer has done a great job with them. Two-deep on DL so can keep those guys fresh. Thinks Nassib and AJ and Zettel are going to continue to have strong years, and as year goes on will start to see Sickels do some big things as well.
Weather impacting game-planning/hurting passing game:
It does impact it. Obviously, the way the first game played out with protection, that has affected how they’ve called the past couple games. The weather has as well. Teams that typically do things, they’re different in the rain. It’s also starting to open playbook and be more aggressive as time goes on. Doesn’t know if this will be the week for it because of how SDSU plays. Wants to keep streak alive of no sacks and few hits on the QB. The environment on Saturday was unbelievable. Stripe-Out was awesome as well. That so many stayed the whole game, it was a great example of what makes this place so special.
SDSU RB:
He’s basically their offense. He rushed for 1,800 yards last year. Not big, he’s quick, but still has ability to break tackles. He’s been very productive. A traditional pro-offense. Bob Toledo’s offense. They’ll line up with a fullback and will try to run the ball down your throat over and over with nakeds and play action. D has played well against that style traditionally. Run around QBs have caused some trouble, but traditionally have played well against these offenses.
Reshuffling WRs and fluidity with Hack:
The guys you’re seeing moved around on depth chart are all playing anyway. Isn’t concerned about timing. Not even really a change for them. Whether you’re starting or No. 2, they’re the only guys Hack is throwing to every day in practice. Going to play wideouts the same way DLs and DBs play. Knows some things need to improve, but choosing to play this way on offense. It’s amazing, you get excited in the summer doing 7-on-7 and doing exciting things, but that’s not how the game works. After game one, everyone wants Penn State to run the ball. Now they run it two weeks and everyone wants Penn State to throw it. Will do it, and no one wants to be more balance than coaches, but it’s going to come in time.
Coverage for punting:
Has been really pleased. Charles Huff went on a crusade this summer, visiting NFL clubs, going to a clinic in Louisiana, and even brought some people in this summer. Obviously, all these guys that have been recruited the past few years, have more depth and speed and that’s showing up on punt coverage. Actually was really good last year, but weren’t punting it far last year. The combination of doing both this year has been good. Kickoff, Joey Julius is putting the big toe on it. Kicking it through the end zone or deep enough, and guys are blazing down the field. Then on kickoff return, they’re bringing them out and almost breaking them. Playing fast, aggressive and with confidence.
Do recruits understand depth issues and trajectory of the program:
The results show that the recruits understand it. Have the fourth-ranked class in the country. Also speaks that young people see they have an opportunity. Other places have been recruiting well for past 10 years. The people that don’t understand it is the media, and some fans. When they think of Penn State they think of 1982 or 1986. Haven’t been that in a long time. Going to get back there soon, and they’re excited about it. Think about everything this place has been through. You can’t just come out of that and jump back into 1986. Last year was really they’re first recruiting class. Just imagine this time next year, two years and three years down the line. Have to capitalize on the momentum they’re building. Everyone needs to take a deep breath, have some patience, and they’ll get there.
This week at practice:
Thursday practice has been a bit of an adjustment. Not on the field long. Out there 12-15 periods, and want it full speeds. IN the past, Thursday is more of a walk-through. But he doesn’t want that here. Wants everyone to get the timing. If you don’t go full speed, you’re not going to have timing for the game. This was one of the best Thursdays they’ve had in doing that. In their mind, they modify what they do on how they’ve done things in the past. Today, it was more up to their own expectations. Chip Kelly has modified their practice schedule, and they try to do a modified schedule themselves.
