With the youth and depth and DE; does anyone think it would make sense to move Simmons to OLB.
if so do you feel he could make the transition ?
if so do you feel he could make the transition ?
Simmons to LB next year?
- Thread starter Beaver-Stadium
- Start date
I think that would be a dumb move. He’d have spent 2 years developing as a DE, and then you’d waste a year while he learns the LB position. He seems like he still needs physical development but the potential is there
Though all your points are valid, I just look at the quality of depth and DE and seeing more of a need at LB and looking at his build and skill set, looks like more of a match at LB. Reminds me a little of Jerome Hayes.
I have more trust in the coaching staff as to whom plays where than the many lamebrains on this board, and I include myself in the latter group.
He seems to be one of those uber athletic tweeners, like a Cameron Wake... get him on the field and tell him what responsibilities he has and then let him make plays. It won't matter what position
I definitely could see that. I think he is athletic enough to play linebacker.
One thing that is evident....Franklin has a backup plan for his backup plan. That applies to recruiting, developing talent and hiring a staff.....as well as where he eats breakfast. I'm sure anything we have thought of, He has already entertained that thought and a million more.
Agree 100%. Think when you come in as a freshmen at 220 like he did; it would be a more natural transition to get up to 240-250 to play OLB then it would to get up to 260-275 to play DE.
The need at LB will be greater next year, so I thought that could make sense to look at in the off season.
The poster above is correct as well about just getting the best players on the field regardless of position.
I have not seen lamebrain used in a sentence in 20 years. Good work OTL!
I recall this was discussed last year given Simmons size and the perceived thinness at LB. And frankly, I had the same concern about being thin at linebacker moving ahead as you. So, just checked and Simmons is up to 250 lbs in his second year. I also checked and see PSU has nine returning scholarship LBs returning in 2018 (if I counted correctly) and three coming in the 2018 recruiting class. There are eleven scholie DB's returning next year and four committed for the 2018 class. Again if my counting is correct, there are 13 DL on scholie with three commits for 2018 with maybe another two, at least, on the line. Given the extensive rotation on the DL Pry likes to use, and with the frequency he uses five DB's and two LB's, looks like Franklin is managing the numbers reasonably and my concern was unwarranted.
From Andrew Callahan at pennstate.247 The current DE group is young and talented
https://pennstate.247sports.com/Art...-snap-counts-vs-Michigan-Koa-Farmer-109308036
Complete snap counts for Penn State’s defensive players against Michigan as charted from the press box. Brief analyses of each position group also provided. Penalties not included.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
Shareef Miller — 46 of 70
Ryan Buchholz — 30 of 70
Shane Simmons — 16 of 70
Shaka Toney — 16 of 70
Yetur Gross-Matos — 13 of 70
Analysis: Buchholz’s playing time took a small hit with Kevin Givens moving out to defensive end on a few select series and the Wolverines’ infrequent use of three and four-wide receiver sets (AKA obvious passing downs that could call on Buchholz to kick inside). Toney took snaps on all but one of Penn State’s final six series. Colin Castagna did not see any defensive action for the first time since the Iowa game.
https://pennstate.247sports.com/Art...-snap-counts-vs-Michigan-Koa-Farmer-109308036
Complete snap counts for Penn State’s defensive players against Michigan as charted from the press box. Brief analyses of each position group also provided. Penalties not included.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
Shareef Miller — 46 of 70
Ryan Buchholz — 30 of 70
Shane Simmons — 16 of 70
Shaka Toney — 16 of 70
Yetur Gross-Matos — 13 of 70
Analysis: Buchholz’s playing time took a small hit with Kevin Givens moving out to defensive end on a few select series and the Wolverines’ infrequent use of three and four-wide receiver sets (AKA obvious passing downs that could call on Buchholz to kick inside). Toney took snaps on all but one of Penn State’s final six series. Colin Castagna did not see any defensive action for the first time since the Iowa game.
Not sure why depth and numbers at LB comes up regularly going into 2018. We lose our top 2 MLB's in Cabinda and Smith. But return all of the OLB's, with Bowen, Farmer, and Brown all having starting experience and shown considerable talent, and Miller also looking like a contributor for 2018. It would not be surprising to see one of the current listed above OLB's as the starting MLB in 2018. Cooper may also be back (and maybe not....), as well as Johnson, that have significant playing time. Additionally, 3 LB's that redshirted in 2017, Franklin, Faison-Waldon, and Brooks, will be competing for playing time in 2018, and we have 3 incoming true freshmen LB's for 2018.
As mentioned above, CJF and Pry rotate more at DE than at LB. Playing 2 DE's, we seem to rotate more DE's during a game than we do LB's, playing 3 LB's in the base defense.
Not returning for 2018
40 Jason Cabinda LB SR/SR 6-1/234 Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central
47 Brandon Smith LB RS SR/SR 6-0/231 Winfield, Pa./Lewisburg51 Jason Vranic LB SR/SR 6-0/222 Wheatfield, N.Y./Niagara-Wheatfield
Returning for 2018, and on the 2017 roster:
36 Jan Johnson LB JR/SO 6-2/234 Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin
25 Brelin Faison-Walden LB FR/FR 6-1/212 Greensboro, N.C./Grimsley
7 Koa Farmer LB SR/JR 6-1/237 Lake View Terrace, Calif./Notre Dame
44 Brailyn Franklin LB FR/FR 6-2/204 Arlington, Texas/Battlefield (Va.)
50 Max Chizmar LB FR/FR 6-2/221 Mars, Pa./Mars Area
33 Jake Cooper LB JR/JR 6-1/234 Doylestown, Pa./Archbishop Wood
6 Cam Brown LB SO/SO 6-5/227 Burtonsville, Md./Bullis School
9 Jarvis Miller LB JR/SO 6-2/222 Suffield, Conn./Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby
43 Manny Bowen LB JR/JR 6-1/226 Barnegat, N.J./Barnegat
45 Joe DuMond LB SO/SO 5-11/241 Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep
13 Ellis Brooks LB FR/FR 6-1/235 Mechanicsville, Va./Benedictine College Prep
39 Frank Di Leo LB JR/SO 5-9/222 Elmhurst, Ill./Saint Ignatius College Prep
Similar threads
