Penn State 2019 Season articles

[Richard the LIONhearted]

They are going to have to watch Hamler's reps. I imagine he will take all of the punt and kickoff returns in the big games, and get spot duty in the other games.

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So I am wondering if subscribing to the athletic to get A. Snyder's commentary is worth it, I know this was already discussed on the board. She seems to think deeply about issues. I really have enjoyed PennLive's CFB coverage for years, but I will be dammed if I pay 1 cent to read that now and they go paywall on Aug 26th.

 

[Obliviax]

Franklin stated that the OL was a major point of emphasis this offseason. TE Coach Bowen has been working in tandem with Limegrover to figure some things out - Bowen was the OL coach at UMD at one point. Staff also brought in a handful of NFL consultants to look at scheme, playcalling, etc. to see how else they could improve line play.

well, the news out of the mini-scrimmage is that the DE's were all over our young QBs. Great DEs, weak OTs or some combination thereof?

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Alright, what am I missing here?

Penn State football practice, Aug. 14, 2019
Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons fields a kickoff during practice on Aug. 14, 2019. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

 

[Judge Smails]

Alright, what am I missing here?

Penn State football practice, Aug. 14, 2019
Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons fields a kickoff during practice on Aug. 14, 2019. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Parsons will be the up man like Koa Farmer and Jonathon Thomas last year. Lead blocker, takes the kickoff if it is short.

 

[Judge Smails]

So I am wondering if subscribing to the athletic to get A. Snyder's commentary is worth it, I know this was already discussed on the board. She seems to think deeply about issues. I really have enjoyed PennLive's CFB coverage for years, but I will be dammed if I pay 1 cent to read that now and they go paywall on Aug 26th.

It will be so sweet if every word David Jones writes goes behind a paywall.

 

[Judge Smails]

Blue Band made their annual appearance in Lasch. Haven't seen video yet.

For the glory of old state....

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Parsons will be the up man like Koa Farmer and Jonathon Thomas last year. Lead blocker, takes the kickoff if it is short.

 

[BobPSU92]

So it sounds like OL is set, but still needs improvement.

Are we ever going to be set on the offensive line?

 

[Judge Smails]

Beaver Stadium makes Sports Illustrated's Top 10 College Football Stadiums

The Greatest Stadiums in College Football History
By Bobby Sullivan
August 12, 2019
What makes a great college football stadium? The best-of-the-best have the perfect mix of location, history, scenery, traditions, technology and, of course, fans who provide ultimate home-field advantage. In honor of college football's 150th anniversary, here are the top 10 stadiums in the sport's history.

Beaver Stadium, Penn State
Capacity: 106,572
There’s only one stadium on this list that can pack in more fans than Beaver Stadium, and there are few more intimidating sights for opponents than when the Nittany Lions hold their annual “white out.” Penn State’s student section is often regarded as one of the best in the country, and you’re sure to hear plenty of “We Are Penn State” chants on any trip to State College.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Darkwa looks like a robot, what a specimen. If it clicks during his career watch out.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

well, the news out of the mini-scrimmage is that the DE's were all over our young QBs. Great DEs, weak OTs or some combination thereof?

Eh probably a combination of both, right? We have an argument for the best DE group in the country, and we're breaking in a RS FR left tackle. Fries on the other hand...let's hope he figures it out this year.

And I wonder if Limegrover is feeling a little pressure going into this season? Year 4 and it still seems like the OL is a work in progress.

 

[Richard the LIONhearted]

Eh probably a combination of both, right? We have an argument for the best DE group in the country, and we're breaking in a RS FR left tackle. Fries on the other hand...let's hope he figures it out this year.

And I wonder if Limegrover is feeling a little pressure going into this season? Year 4 and it still seems like the OL is a work in progress.

How about the news that pro consultants have been brought in and that T-Bow is helping out with OLine coaching? Sounds dicey. Sounds like Franklin expects a lot more there.

 

[Nittanygrad93]

well, the news out of the mini-scrimmage is that the DE's were all over our young QBs. Great DEs, weak OTs or some combination thereof?

News flash...those DE’s are going to be all over everyone’s QB’s (young or old). It’s only going to help our QB’s get through progressions quicker and our OT’s will improve because of them!

 

[Obliviax]

Eh probably a combination of both, right? We have an argument for the best DE group in the country, and we're breaking in a RS FR left tackle. Fries on the other hand...let's hope he figures it out this year.

And I wonder if Limegrover is feeling a little pressure going into this season? Year 4 and it still seems like the OL is a work in progress.

 

[Saquon4President]

Darkwa looks like a robot, what a specimen. If it clicks during his career watch out.

Seriously! And this dude hasn't yet been Galted. I don't think there was ever any plan to get him on the field before [at least] year 3.

Can you imagine him in 2+ years? Already 6'5'' 292... I am envisioning a 6'5 325+ mountain of muscle. IDK who is supposed to block that.

 

[tboyer]

Remember how one year PSU played Virginia and Michael Haynes (senior and future 1st rounder) took D'Bricksaw Ferguson (redshirt freshman and future 1st rounder) to school?

Mr. Walker has to learn the position. I'm sure it will not be pretty at times this fall. The other new starters -- Fries, Miranda, Thorpe -- I'm less worried about since they're all third/fourth year in the program. But still it just takes time.

Certainly this "news" is exactly what should be expected the 2nd week of August.

well, the news out of the mini-scrimmage is that the DE's were all over our young QBs. Great DEs, weak OTs or some combination thereof?

 

[djr4rebs]

well, the news out of the mini-scrimmage is that the DE's were all over our young QBs. Great DEs, weak OTs or some combination thereof?

Our DEs are being hyped as a top 5-10 group in the nation. If they weren't performing well in practice, it would probably not be a good sign.

Unless you are going to hype our OTs similarly, it's expected.

 

[Raffycorn]

Yeah, it’s one of the best and deepest DE groups in the country. If the offensive line was doing well against them, then it’d be a massive statement. I don’t think this offensive line is going to go up against a better front seven than the one they’ll practice against every day.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Obliviax]

Our DEs are being hyped as a top 5-10 group in the nation. If they weren't performing well in practice, it would probably not be a good sign.

Unless you are going to hype our OTs similarly, it's expected.

Agree...but I think tOSU's and UM...and probably Iowa's, are plenty good as well.

 

[RickinDayton]

Our DEs are being hyped as a top 5-10 group in the nation. If they weren't performing well in practice, it would probably not be a good sign.

Unless you are going to hype our OTs similarly, it's expected.

Additionally, defense is normally ahead of offense @ this point in camp. Offense just now getting to the 'installs' according to CJF.
Interesting note: Yesterday, Jeff Brohm, Purdue HC said his defense was performing better than his offense @ this time. I assume that is pretty much the norm across the nation. Hopefully we hear more positive news late this week & into next week. Final week will be game prep for opener. 3 more weeks and we shall all begin to see what type of progress has been made.

 

[GreggK]

Have you seen Parson's high school running back video? Yes, Franklin is doing it.
The problem will actually be that Parsons will want to be the lead back and he will need to learn he isn't.

 

[Raffycorn]

I understand people immediately thinking of Gerald Hodges, but there are a whole bunch of differences between the two situations. Parsons is a significantly better athlete than Hodges, first of all, and we’ve run out guys like Farmer and Thomas for years now to do the thing that we’re going to ask Parsons to do with not unsuccessful results. It’s going to be fine.

 

[ChiTownLion]

Some good pics in here. Luketa really looks lean.

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Yes, Luketa looking good.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

I understand people immediately thinking of Gerald Hodges, but there are a whole bunch of differences between the two situations. Parsons is a significantly better athlete than Hodges, first of all, and we’ve run out guys like Farmer and Thomas for years now to do the thing that we’re going to ask Parsons to do with not unsuccessful results. It’s going to be fine.

Franklin and staff seem to put an emphasis on this position on the return team. If everyone remembers, Thomas (vs. Indiana '18) and Farmer (vs. OSU '17) had game-breaking returns out of that position. Teams are going to be shy about kicking to Hamler, so having an athlete back there with speed (and who can block) could pay off on pooch kicks and squibs.

 

[tboyer]

I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens with ST -- coverage and returns. Great ST requires expertise and presumably they have that with Lorig, and it also requires enough team depth that they can put top tier players (starters if necessary) on special teams. I just hope they do everything they can coaching-wise to prevent injuries. I recall an early game in 2016 when PSU lost both Bell and Wartman on kickoff coverage (sloppy clips by the other team, I think it was Temple)

I understand people immediately thinking of Gerald Hodges, but there are a whole bunch of differences between the two situations. Parsons is a significantly better athlete than Hodges, first of all, and we’ve run out guys like Farmer and Thomas for years now to do the thing that we’re going to ask Parsons to do with not unsuccessful results. It’s going to be fine.

 

[Obliviax]

I understand people immediately thinking of Gerald Hodges, but there are a whole bunch of differences between the two situations. Parsons is a significantly better athlete than Hodges, first of all, and we’ve run out guys like Farmer and Thomas for years now to do the thing that we’re going to ask Parsons to do with not unsuccessful results. It’s going to be fine.

parson's was also a RB in high school

 

[Raffycorn]

parson's was also a RB in high school

Also true - though I looked it up and Hodges was a quarterback in high school and rushed for 700 yards from the QB spot, so it wasn’t like he was totally unfamiliar with carrying the ball. Parsons definitely put up better numbers running the ball, though.

 

[KnightSlayer]

What are people expecting from Garrett Taylor? First year as a starter and he puts up 71 tackles, 3 INTs, 7 PBU. From the video in this thread, he said he was at 175lbs - 10% body fat. He is now 181lbs - 7% body fat. How significant is that for a guy his size? He says he feels quicker and faster. Anyone predicting a big year for him?

 

[Raffycorn]

What are people expecting from Garrett Taylor? First year as a starter and he puts up 71 tackles, 3 INTs, 7 PBU. From the video in this thread, he said he was at 175lbs - 10% body fat. He is now 181lbs - 7% body fat. How significant is that for a guy his size? He says he feels quicker and faster. Anyone predicting a big year for him?

I think he was really good last year and he’ll be better this year. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him end up on one of the all-conference teams, and think he’ll get drafted in the middle rounds.

 

[ChiTownLion]

 

[Judge Smails]

The top 5 NCAA longest active non-losing season streaks are:

• Oklahoma: 20 seasons
• LSU: 19 seasons
• Wisconsin: 17 seasons
• Penn State: 14 seasons
• Oklahoma State: 13 seasons

 

[grinagrin]

How about the news that pro consultants have been brought in and that T-Bow is helping out with OLine coaching? Sounds dicey. Sounds like Franklin expects a lot more there.

And rightfully so.

 

[Locolion]

well, the news out of the mini-scrimmage is that the DE's were all over our young QBs. Great DEs, weak OTs or some combination thereof?

Oh no, not another year of crappy O line play. Our achilles heel

 

[Judge Smails]

Prye said DT Mustipher had the best summer of any defender.

 

[Richard the LIONhearted]

Bobby Flo on KSN:

Summary from Wed night's practice~

*PS is looking more like a team that can challenge throughout games with much greater depth than simply riding their 1st and 2nd starters too much and then ending up out of gas late in games (see O$U in 2017). This is the 1st time Flo has really seen this during his time covering the team

*Flo has not seen a lot of Shorter in the last two weeks (gulp)

*TaQuan Roberson looks to be the 3rd QB right now

*Cadean at Tackle

*Defense KILLED the O in redzone drills, O could do NOTHING

*More discussion about Taylor at safety. A lot of chatter on GT right now from multiple sources (not just Flo)

 

[NJPSU]

Bobby Flo on KSN:

Summary from Wed night's practice~

*PS is looking more like a team that can challenge throughout games with much greater depth than simply riding their 1st and 2nd starters too much and then ending up out of gas late in games (see O$U in 2017). This is the 1st time Flo has really seen this during his time covering the team

*Flo has not seen a lot of Shorter in the last two weeks (gulp)

*TaQuan Roberson looks to be the 3rd QB right now

*Cadean at Tackle

*Defense KILLED the O in redzone drills, O could do NOTHING

*More discussion about Taylor at safety. A lot of chatter on GT right now from multiple sources (not just Flo)

What does “has not seen a lot of Shorter” mean? Does that mean literally not seeing him on the practice field or not seeing him making catches?

Also doesn’t the media see about 1% of practice so not sure how he can make that statement?

 

[Richard the LIONhearted]

What does “has not seen a lot of Shorter” mean? Does that mean literally not seeing him on the practice field or not seeing him making catches?

Also doesn’t the media see about 1% of practice so not sure how he can make that statement?

It means in the 12 mins of drills that he saw for the WR group where each and every other WR was in drills, Shorter was not.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Bobby Flo on KSN:

Summary from Wed night's practice~

*PS is looking more like a team that can challenge throughout games with much greater depth than simply riding their 1st and 2nd starters too much and then ending up out of gas late in games (see O$U in 2017). This is the 1st time Flo has really seen this during his time covering the team

*Flo has not seen a lot of Shorter in the last two weeks (gulp)

*TaQuan Roberson looks to be the 3rd QB right now

*Cadean at Tackle

*Defense KILLED the O in redzone drills, O could do NOTHING

*More discussion about Taylor at safety. A lot of chatter on GT right now from multiple sources (not just Flo)

Doesn't sound promising for the offense.

 

[Raffycorn]

Doesn't sound promising for the offense.

I think that depends on how you view the defense. If you believe (like I do) that this is going to be one of the best defenses in the country this year, then it makes sense for the offense with a new QB to struggle a bit against this defense, at least in the early going and especially in the red zone where there’s less room to navigate.