Question on OL

[psu skp]

With Mahon hurt, not sure why the coaches might have to burn Fries' redshirt. Don't we have enough OTs like Brosnan or Beh or Shuman or Jenkins that we could put in there? Are they all really that bad that a true freshman is the answer to our OT depth?

 

[sluggo72]

With Mahon hurt, not sure why the coaches might have to burn Fries' redshirt. Don't we have enough OTs like Brosnan or Beh or Shuman or Jenkins that we could put in there? Are they all really that bad that a true freshman is the answer to our OT depth?

I doubt they burn Fries RS,#77 looked really good in place of Mahon, 77 played all but 4 plays I think. Beh is in WitSec so you wont see him, I think if I had to I'd play 64 in at OT in an emergency, he looks like he could be a player

 

[Obliviax]

With Mahon hurt, not sure why the coaches might have to burn Fries' redshirt. Don't we have enough OTs like Brosnan or Beh or Shuman or Jenkins that we could put in there? Are they all really that bad that a true freshman is the answer to our OT depth?

how bad is Mahon?

 

[psu skp]

I think Mahon has a sprained ankle type injury. They would be smart to keep him out vs Indiana & Rutgers unless he's truly 100%. We will need him vs Sparty & for when we go Bowling. Right now we have literally nobody behind Palmer & Wright (officially).. but we've certainly got to have somebody we can switch over.

 

[Raffycorn]

I imagine that if Mahon can't go, we'll see Palmer on the left and Wright on the right. If either one of those guys get hurt, that's when things get tricky. It's possible that Fries is just the best option out of the players available, which I suspect speaks more highly of his readiness than it does about the talent of the other guys on the roster.

Beh has been suspended and isn't dressed for game day. Jenkins is eligible, but by all accounts isn't ready to contribute even though he's on schedule in his development. Sorrell and Brosnan are mysteries, but it's possible that neither of those guys will pan out at this level - I'm beginning to suspect that they were brought along by the staff purely as depth pieces for the decimated OL depth when they all came over from Vanderbilt. They're both still young, though, so who knows.

 

[psu skp]

Sorrell has left the team; he has given up football due to injuries, sadly.

Lack of depth on the OL is my primary concern going forward right now. Hopefully somebody will step up. I'm also a bit concerned about OL depth for next year. I think it is likely that one of our many DT will be tried out at G in the spring (Thrift, Shelton, Jordan, maybe even Iyke).

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Oh.... was Fries status announced or is this just a fan rumination? .... Mirage? .... What is Mahons status? hmmmmm

 

[gogolion]

Oh.... was Fries status announced or is this just a fan rumination? .... Mirage? .... What is Mahons status? hmmmmm

In Franklin's post-game press conference he said if another tackle got hurt and couldn't play they may have had to put Fries in. That is what all this is based on.

 

[psu skp]

Well, yes gogolion, that and the current depth chart

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

In Franklin's post-game press conference he said if another tackle got hurt and couldn't play they may have had to put Fries in. That is what all this is based on.

Yes. Well, did we miss something.....did another one get hurt?

Look.... Fries redshirt will be burned as a backup if needed. Your other assumptions seem hysterical to me....a sign of the times perhaps. But let me ask you this, who filled in for Mahon in the Iowa game and how did they perform?

 

[THEEHMANN]

If Fries is that good, why not burn the redshirt and give him valuable pt. If he's that skilled chances are he would leave after his junior year as did Wisnewski.

 

[psu skp]

Look.... Fries redshirt will be burned as a backup if needed. Your other assumptions seem hysterical to me....a sign of the times perhaps. But let me ask you this, who filled in for Mahon in the Iowa game and how did they perform?

Chasz Wright filled in for Mahon and played fairly well. No offsides or penalties and he looked pretty good overall. Since the only other OT's on the depth chart are Mahon and Fries, I was merely wondering who will probably be in the two-deep if BM sits out the Indiana game.

 

[lockhavenlion3]

I imagine that if Mahon can't go, we'll see Palmer on the left and Wright on the right. If either one of those guys get hurt, that's when things get tricky. It's possible that Fries is just the best option out of the players available, which I suspect speaks more highly of his readiness than it does about the talent of the other guys on the roster.

Beh has been suspended and isn't dressed for game day. Jenkins is eligible, but by all accounts isn't ready to contribute even though he's on schedule in his development. Sorrell and Brosnan are mysteries, but it's possible that neither of those guys will pan out at this level - I'm beginning to suspect that they were brought along by the staff purely as depth pieces for the decimated OL depth when they all came over from Vanderbilt. They're both still young, though, so who knows.

thought i read that sorrell was injured and may not play again.

 

[bjf1991]

If Fries is that good, why not burn the redshirt and give him valuable pt. If he's that skilled chances are he would leave after his junior year as did Wisnewski.

Uh.........who left the lid of the "nut bag" jar?

Freshman.......Sophomore........Junior......Senior

That's it!

The 4th Year is your Senior Year (unless you get "held back".......which may explain your confusion )

 

[83wuzme]

Fries may have to play at this point. If his RS is burned, so be it. He might have to RS at some point due ro injury anyway.

 

[21Guns]

Fries may have to play at this point. If his RS is burned, so be it. He might have to RS at some point due ro injury anyway.

Correct. At this point you are ranked in the top 9 maybe in the nation of the BCS rankings. At this point, if you need to, you burn a redshirt.

You'll live to redshirt another day. Winning is more important than one redshirt.

 

[sluggo72]

Correct. At this point you are ranked in the top 9 maybe in the nation of the BCS rankings. At this point, if you need to, you burn a redshirt.

You'll live to redshirt another day. Winning is more important than one redshirt.

See I disagree while I agree winning is very important, why do this at this time of year, especially since it is probably an emergency situation we have 73 & 77 so if one of them go down go with Jenkins as it would most likely be just to get you through one game. Do something creative, move 66 out to tackle and bring in 53, remember it's just to get you though the rest of one game. Train 64 at tackle, he's a big good looking kid that's played well on ST
I really don't think 70 is hurt that bad but I don't know. But he did play another several plays after he was hurt

 

[21Guns]

See I disagree while I agree winning is very important, why do this at this time of year, especially since it is probably an emergency situation we have 73 & 77 so if one of them go down go with Jenkins as it would most likely be just to get you through one game. Do something creative, move 66 out to tackle and bring in 53, remember it's just to get you though the rest of one game. Train 64 at tackle, he's a big good looking kid that's played well on ST
I really don't think 70 is hurt that bad but I don't know. But he did play another several plays after he was hurt

I think we need the O line this Saturday. IU's defense is better than advertised and we need all hands on deck. I disagree with you because I think the very reason, or at least part of the reason for the improvement as a whole, has to do with Grover being able to teach these kids ONE position, instead of 3. That shuttle and slide over philosophy doesn't work. Yes, I realize Mahon moved to RT, but he moved from tackle to tackle, this year, rather than guard to tackle or tackle to guard.

If not burning the shirt is the only thing on earth that matters, then yes, I suppose you put 53 in if anyone goes down, guard OR tackle, but they've been having this conversation on Fries now for over a month...I don't think they deliberated even that long over Bates.

 

[sluggo72]

I think we need the O line this Saturday. IU's defense is better than advertised and we need all hands on deck. I disagree with you because I think the very reason, or at least part of the reason for the improvement as a whole, has to do with Grover being able to teach these kids ONE position, instead of 3. That shuttle and slide over philosophy doesn't work. Yes, I realize Mahon moved to RT, but he moved from tackle to tackle, this year, rather than guard to tackle or tackle to guard.

If not burning the shirt is the only thing on earth that matters, then yes, I suppose you put 53 in if anyone goes down, guard OR tackle, but they've been having this conversation on Fries now for over a month...I don't think they deliberated even that long over Bates.

Bates wasn't ever going to r/s imp once he showed up early went thru a spring and get use to the college game. It's not like we need a starter we only perhaps need a back up
Fwiw I think Mahon will be ready to go

 

[royboy]

Bates wasn't ever going to r/s imp once he showed up early went thru a spring and get use to the college game. It's not like we need a starter we only perhaps need a back up
Fwiw I think Mahon will be ready to go

Bates did redshirt.

Do you mean McGovern?

 

[sluggo72]

Bates did redshirt.

Do you mean McGovern?

Yes sorry

 

[21Guns]

Bates wasn't ever going to r/s imp once he showed up early went thru a spring and get use to the college game. It's not like we need a starter we only perhaps need a back up
Fwiw I think Mahon will be ready to go

Agree on 70. I think he'll be a go.

 

[auxgym]

Seems to me Beh should have some say.......as to whether he burns his red shirt.

 

[21Guns]

Seems to me Beh should have some say.......as to whether he burns his red shirt.

Beh is suspended. Are you talking about Fries? Fries will play if Franklin says play.

I can't wait to hear the crying if Fries is called on and leads the way with a solid performance in a close win..."But his redshirt, his redshirt!!!!!" We're DOOOMED, his precious redshirt!

How is Connor McGovern's redshirt coming along right about now? Did we need him this year?

 

[GregInPitt]

Seems to me Beh should have some say.......as to whether he burns his red shirt.

Beh won't have much say at this point, as he was redshirted his first year on the team, 2014, and at this point seems to be suspended. If he was not suspended he would be the player that would play and keep Fries from potentially wasting a year of eligibility by playing in just a few games...........

 

[dclionsfan]

Word on beh is he probably would be starting from game one if not for the suspension.

 

[sluggo72]

Word on beh is he probably would be starting from game one if not for the suspension.

seeing how he started the spring game, I would say you are probably right,and if wasn't, he would probably be rotating with someone. I don't think his suspension is academic in nature, and I don't think it is for violation of 'team rules', like a bad attitude or something. Anybody want to chime in?

 

[Judge Smails]

Word on beh is he probably would be starting from game one if not for the suspension.

Not at all what I've heard.

 

[hagberg]

seeing how he started the spring game, I would say you are probably right,and if wasn't, he would probably be rotating with someone. I don't think his suspension is academic in nature, and I don't think it is for violation of 'team rules', like a bad attitude or something. Anybody want to chime in?

Please don't. Speculation serves no good purpose, and I'd be suspicious of any "inside information" unless Beh himself came onto the board.

 

[psu skp]

Just hate to see a RS being burned for potentially only a handful of plays. That happened to Dave Szott back in the day, would have loved to have had him available for the 1990 season. Even Pancoast could probably be a serviceable tackle vs Hoosiers to give Palmer a spell.

 

[sluggo72]

Just hate to see a RS being burned for potentially only a handful of plays. That happened to Dave Szott back in the day, would have loved to have had him available for the 1990 season. Even Pancoast could probably be a serviceable tackle vs Hoosiers to give Palmer a spell.

iirc PP played every snap vs Iowa, so I doubt he would need a spell. I think Wright may have as well, other than the first 3-4 plays Mahon played. Since those 2 are good to go, and we just really need a bail out tackle (this is supposing Mahon can not play, which I am not sure of), I'd come up with another solution than burning a kids RS for as you mentioned a handful of plays. I'd train 64 at both tackles this week, kid plays on KO return and moves pretty well. check out his block on the opening KO, thats tough to do for a big guy.

 

[lionlurker]

If Fries is that good, why not burn the redshirt and give him valuable pt. If he's that skilled chances are he would leave after his junior year as did Wisnewski.

Wisniewski did not leave after his junior year. He played 4 years.

 

[Norm Petersin]

Wright looked good, I think they hold off on Fries unless there is another injury

 

[83wuzme]

Wright was a bit if a surprise. A lot of people thought he'd never see the field in meaningful game time. I recall a 2016 practice video of him matched up with Shane Simmons in pass protection and started to wonder if he was a late bloomer. Maybe.

 

[KnightWhoSaysNit]

Wright was a bit if a surprise. A lot of people thought he'd never see the field in meaningful game time. I recall a 2016 practice video of him matched up with Shane Simmons in pass protection and started to wonder if he was a late bloomer. Maybe.

Wright still doesn't move all that well laterally, but he can hold his own in run blocking or a straight bull rush. I think he can be beaten rather easily on the edge by a defensive end with speed. This should not be a surprise given his huge size. I thought he should be a guard, for now, until his lower body catches up. We really need some linemen who can move well for the OT spots. Hopefully they are just wearing red shirts.

So what did you see in the clip with Simmons? It isn't clear to me what you're saying in your post about Wright's progress.

 

[21Guns]

Mahon is in Hershey hospital in stable condition. Jesus, prayers for the family. Get well Brendan.

 

[tboyer]

Wright looked good, I think they hold off on Fries unless there is another injury

I don't see the panic yet. Palmer and Wright are fine.

The question is -- what if they lose ANOTHER tackle. It may be McGovern moves outside and Dowrey or Gonzalez comes in to play guard. They have better depth at guard than tackle. They could also have Gaia play guard and bring Laurent in as center.

We have no idea of the permutations, but the coaches have been working on this for a while and I'm sure Limegrover is preparing them for possible adjustments this week.

Again, right now they have 5 starters for Indiana who can certainly do the job physically, and they can fill in RT without having to disturb the interior of the line which is performing so well right now. Palmer is playing so much better. Wright is very inexperienced but he can make up for that with tremendous size and strength.

Indiana's defense hasn't been great this year -- gave up 27 to Rutgers. Indiana's offense is very tough but PSU's defense should be able to keep up with them for the most part.

 

[BBrown]

Sorrell has left the team; he has given up football due to injuries, sadly.

Lack of depth on the OL is my primary concern going forward right now. Hopefully somebody will step up. I'm also a bit concerned about OL depth for next year. I think it is likely that one of our many DT will be tried out at G in the spring (Thrift, Shelton, Jordan, maybe even Iyke).

Depth is ok for now but will be better next year.
Only movement I see from the DT might be Jordan to the TE position but even thats iffy depending on how Danny Dalton does
and how Nick Bowers recovers.

 

[BBrown]

Fries may have to play at this point. If his RS is burned, so be it. He might have to RS at some point due ro injury anyway.

If burning Fires RS will help us get to the 9 and or 10 win point then I'm all for it.
Finishing strong is going to send a huge message to recruits and that will only help.

 

[sluggo72]

If burning Fires RS will help us get to the 9 and or 10 win point then I'm all for it.
Finishing strong is going to send a huge message to recruits and that will only help.

I agree with this, but if all we need is someone to fill in while somebody has an equipment issue, I would not want to burn a RS for that.

 

[BBrown]

I agree with this, but if all we need is someone to fill in while somebody has an equipment issue, I would not want to burn a RS for that.

yea I'm talking injury or something like that, not someone missing a play or 2.