Spring Camp News Thread....
- Thread starter Judge Smails
- Start date
There was a time late last season when Penn State freshman, now soon-to-be sophomore, Connor McGovern was readying to slide over from his starting spot at right guard to tackle. In the event that Chasz Wright went down, McGovern would take his place.
Wright, however, remained upward, and Penn State's offensive line has since largely returned to health. Yet McGovern is still on the move this spring. Only he's not sliding right. He's going left.
At his first press conference of the spring Tuesday, Nittany Lions coach James Franklin announced that after much deliberation within the staff, McGovern will be opening spring practices at center. McGovern started nine of Penn State's final 10 games last season at right guard and took snaps in every one but the team's trip to Rutgers, which he sat out with an injury. The Larksville, Pa., native was originally recruited as a center.
"We have changed it kind of, probably three or four times as a staff, and basically, what we've ended with, is that you know, we want to get as many returning starters on the field as possible," Franklin said. "So the best way to do that is by moving a guy like Connor McGovern in there to center."
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Andrew Callahan @ACallahan_247
JF: McGovern and SImpson at center to start spring practices. Menet and Miranda will also rotate in.
12:14 PM - 21 Mar 2017
Zach Simpson will back up McGovern in the middle, as he did last season for the graduated Brian Gaia, who remains around the building as he prepares for a potential pro career. Simpson did not see any game action in 2016, so Penn State will also have redshirt freshman Michal Menet and true freshman Mike Miranda making snaps in practice.
"They are both guys that have done it before in practice," Franklin said of McGovern and Simpson, "and we feel like we can go out and practice well right from day one with those guys."
Ultimately, McGovern's move is far from permanent, as Franklin is requiring each of his centers to be able to kick out to guard when needed. While McGovern is now penciled in as the first-team center, he more accurately stands as one piece of a continually evolving offensive line.
"Typically your centers and guards need to be interchangeable and your tackles usually are just a different body type, you know, different type of athlete. I think Coach Limegrover has done a really good job. We have been forced in our past to be interchangeable just based on numbers, where now we're doing it just to make sure that we can kind of get the best five on the field or the best two-deep, best ten in the two-deep situation," Franklin said.
"So that's how we're going to start spring ball, but I'm not sure necessarily finish that way. We'll just kind of see."
Wright, however, remained upward, and Penn State's offensive line has since largely returned to health. Yet McGovern is still on the move this spring. Only he's not sliding right. He's going left.
At his first press conference of the spring Tuesday, Nittany Lions coach James Franklin announced that after much deliberation within the staff, McGovern will be opening spring practices at center. McGovern started nine of Penn State's final 10 games last season at right guard and took snaps in every one but the team's trip to Rutgers, which he sat out with an injury. The Larksville, Pa., native was originally recruited as a center.
"We have changed it kind of, probably three or four times as a staff, and basically, what we've ended with, is that you know, we want to get as many returning starters on the field as possible," Franklin said. "So the best way to do that is by moving a guy like Connor McGovern in there to center."
Follow
Andrew Callahan @ACallahan_247JF: McGovern and SImpson at center to start spring practices. Menet and Miranda will also rotate in.
12:14 PM - 21 Mar 2017
Zach Simpson will back up McGovern in the middle, as he did last season for the graduated Brian Gaia, who remains around the building as he prepares for a potential pro career. Simpson did not see any game action in 2016, so Penn State will also have redshirt freshman Michal Menet and true freshman Mike Miranda making snaps in practice.
"They are both guys that have done it before in practice," Franklin said of McGovern and Simpson, "and we feel like we can go out and practice well right from day one with those guys."
Ultimately, McGovern's move is far from permanent, as Franklin is requiring each of his centers to be able to kick out to guard when needed. While McGovern is now penciled in as the first-team center, he more accurately stands as one piece of a continually evolving offensive line.
"Typically your centers and guards need to be interchangeable and your tackles usually are just a different body type, you know, different type of athlete. I think Coach Limegrover has done a really good job. We have been forced in our past to be interchangeable just based on numbers, where now we're doing it just to make sure that we can kind of get the best five on the field or the best two-deep, best ten in the two-deep situation," Franklin said.
"So that's how we're going to start spring ball, but I'm not sure necessarily finish that way. We'll just kind of see."
Sam - Koa Farmer, Jarvis Miller and Brelin Faison-Walden
Mike - Jason Cabinda and Brandon Smith
Will - Cam Brown and Manny Bowen
Mike - Jason Cabinda and Brandon Smith
Will - Cam Brown and Manny Bowen
Simpson (#64) played on special teams last season. I recall it was the kickoff return team.
Several good articles, Judge. Thanks. The fog is burning off. Things are clearing up.
He lettered last season. Not bad for a walk on RS Fr.
I know his folks. Good people. It would be great news for his family if he could get a scholarship
Was there any news on Mahon's status ? Sorry if this was discussed earlier......
Thanks Judge. I seldom post, but appreciate all your updates.
Miles Sanders, now a "grown ass Man" at 224.
interesting ... Mahon has been infinitely better at tackle than he was at guard
I think they want their surest thing at LT. That's Bates right now.
Yes and also extra point kick. I don't remember if he did on FG kick but most likely
He was also a RS Soph or younger when he played guard. He also wasn't surrounded by much talent or experience. He was a year older and surrounded by more talent and experience (and a mobile Qb) when playing tackle.
With another year under his belt, and surrounded by experienced, talented players, I think he can make an outstanding guard.
With another year under his belt, and surrounded by experienced, talented players, I think he can make an outstanding guard.
We will see and obviously nothing is set in stone (or even remotely close to set in stone ) in March. And I completely trust JF and Limegrover.
But he was brutal as a guard.
"What are your priorities and goals for spring practice?"
"Team spring objectives: No. 1 is 100% effort on every play. Every person in the program, from snap to whistle.
"No. 2 -- the most competitive environment in college football. Every play is the Super Bowl.
"No. 3 -- offensive ball security, defensive ball disruption. We were undefeated in the games where we won the turnover battle.
"Those are the three main deals."
"I try to think about what are we doing to differentiate ourselves," Franklin said. "For example, everybody is doing morning workouts. So how are we different? For us to just think well, we're working hard...so, well, if you just work hard that equals success? That's not how life works, as we know. It does give you a chance. That's the minimum ingredient, to work hard."
http://www.statecollege.com/news/co...es-franklins-spring-practice-message,1471513/
I will admit I was getting skeptical with some of the early loses, but we are so lucky to have this guy as the leader of the program. He just gets it.
"What are your priorities and goals for spring practice?"
"Team spring objectives: No. 1 is 100% effort on every play. Every person in the program, from snap to whistle.
"No. 2 -- the most competitive environment in college football. Every play is the Super Bowl.
"No. 3 -- offensive ball security, defensive ball disruption. We were undefeated in the games where we won the turnover battle.
"Those are the three main deals."
"I try to think about what are we doing to differentiate ourselves," Franklin said. "For example, everybody is doing morning workouts. So how are we different? For us to just think well, we're working hard...so, well, if you just work hard that equals success? That's not how life works, as we know. It does give you a chance. That's the minimum ingredient, to work hard."
http://www.statecollege.com/news/co...es-franklins-spring-practice-message,1471513/
Pics from first day of practice...
Miles Sanders
Trace McSorley
Barkley
Irv Charles
http://www.gopsusports.com/blog/2017/03/spring-practice-no-1-in-pictures.html
Miles Sanders
Trace McSorley
Barkley
Irv Charles
http://www.gopsusports.com/blog/2017/03/spring-practice-no-1-in-pictures.html
dear lord, look at size of Barkley's legs .... that is insane
