When was the last time you liked PSU's 2 deep at offensive line?

[Judge Smails]

My take...

1st Team

LT - Mahon (RS Sr)
LG - Bates (RS Soph)
C - Menet (RS Fr)
RG - McGovern (Soph)
RT - Wright (RS Jr)

Mahon was named ProFootballFocus' top offensive tackle two separate weeks before going out with an injury. Bates made several All Freshman teams and was outstanding stepping in at LT. Menet was one of the top interior line recruits two years ago and was a 5 star on Scout. McGovern was really good 2nd half of the year at a true frosh starter. Wright was a huge surprise, going to be a battle at that spot between he and Fries.

2nd Team

LT - Fries (RS Fr)
LG - Gonzalez (RS Soph)
C - Miranda (Fr)
RG - CJ Thorpe (Fr)
RT - Nelson (RS Sr)

Coaching staff spent weeks on conference calls with 21 Guns going back and forth whether to pull his redshirt. Gonzalez started the 2nd half of the year and was solid. Franklin raves about Miranda, he apparently went under the radar, got a ton of big time offers late but never wavered. A killer. Thorpe went to All American practices and stoned top defensive tackles all week. Nelson was our best offensive linemen before going out with knee injury. Hope to see him come around as season goes on.

3rd Team

LT - Jenkins (RS Soph)
LG - Beh (RS Jr)
C - Simpson (RS Soph)
RG - Brosnan (RS Jr)
RT - Gellerstadt (RS Fr)

 

[sluggo72]

1982

2017 at worse Beh is the third OT (not third string, #3 in any pecking order)

 

[LaJolla Lion]

94

 

[sluggo72]

94

I think in 94 our starters were as good as we've had, I don't think our back ups were as good, no knock, just imo. That's why I choose 82, I think we had 9 guys who could start, and who we could win with. The question was about the 2 deep.

 

[royboy]

Love it, and only 2 Seniors in Smail's top 10 (which seems about right to me)

 

[bjf1991]

My take...

1st Team

LT - Mahon (RS Sr)
LG - Bates (RS Soph)
C - Menet (RS Fr)
RG - McGovern (Soph)
RT - Wright (RS Jr)

Mahon was named ProFootballFocus' top offensive tackle two separate weeks before going out with an injury. Bates made several All Freshman teams and was outstanding stepping in at LT. Menet was one of the top interior line recruits two years ago and was a 5 star on Scout. McGovern was really good 2nd half of the year at a true frosh starter. Wright was a huge surprise, going to be a battle at that spot between he and Fries.

2nd Team

LT - Fries (RS Fr)
LG - Gonzalez (RS Soph)
C - Miranda (Fr)
RG - CJ Thorpe (Fr)
RT - Nelson (RS Sr)

Coaching staff spent weeks on conference calls with 21 Guns going back and forth whether to pull his redshirt. Gonzalez started the 2nd half of the year and was solid. Franklin raves about Miranda, he apparently went under the radar, got a ton of big time offers late but never wavered. A killer. Thorpe went to All American practices and stoned top defensive tackles all week. Nelson was our best offensive linemen before going out with knee injury. Hope to see him come around as season goes on.

3rd Team

LT - Jenkins (RS Soph)
LG - Beh (RS Jr)
C - Simpson (RS Soph)
RG - Brosnan (RS Jr)
RT - Gellerstadt (RS Fr)

If Mahon can come back fully healthy - and that's a big IF - the left side of the PSU O Line may be as good as any in the country.


Isn't that a nice idea

 

[BBrown]

My take...

1st Team

LT - Mahon (RS Sr)
LG - Bates (RS Soph)
C - Menet (RS Fr)
RG - McGovern (Soph)
RT - Wright (RS Jr)

Mahon was named ProFootballFocus' top offensive tackle two separate weeks before going out with an injury. Bates made several All Freshman teams and was outstanding stepping in at LT. Menet was one of the top interior line recruits two years ago and was a 5 star on Scout. McGovern was really good 2nd half of the year at a true frosh starter. Wright was a huge surprise, going to be a battle at that spot between he and Fries.

2nd Team

LT - Fries (RS Fr)
LG - Gonzalez (RS Soph)
C - Miranda (Fr)
RG - CJ Thorpe (Fr)
RT - Nelson (RS Sr)

Coaching staff spent weeks on conference calls with 21 Guns going back and forth whether to pull his redshirt. Gonzalez started the 2nd half of the year and was solid. Franklin raves about Miranda, he apparently went under the radar, got a ton of big time offers late but never wavered. A killer. Thorpe went to All American practices and stoned top defensive tackles all week. Nelson was our best offensive linemen before going out with knee injury. Hope to see him come around as season goes on.

3rd Team

LT - Jenkins (RS Soph)
LG - Beh (RS Jr)
C - Simpson (RS Soph)
RG - Brosnan (RS Jr)
RT - Gellerstadt (RS Fr)

Center is the only position that I'm "concerned" with and thats just because of the lack of playing time.

 

[BBrown]

94

Agree. 81 or 82 is a close second.

 

[LionDeNittany]

Definitely this season

 

[Fac]

Definitely this season

Play nice now.

 

[Obliviax]

My take...

1st Team

LT - Mahon (RS Sr)
LG - Bates (RS Soph)
C - Menet (RS Fr)
RG - McGovern (Soph)
RT - Wright (RS Jr)

Mahon was named ProFootballFocus' top offensive tackle two separate weeks before going out with an injury. Bates made several All Freshman teams and was outstanding stepping in at LT. Menet was one of the top interior line recruits two years ago and was a 5 star on Scout. McGovern was really good 2nd half of the year at a true frosh starter. Wright was a huge surprise, going to be a battle at that spot between he and Fries.

2nd Team

LT - Fries (RS Fr)
LG - Gonzalez (RS Soph)
C - Miranda (Fr)
RG - CJ Thorpe (Fr)
RT - Nelson (RS Sr)

Coaching staff spent weeks on conference calls with 21 Guns going back and forth whether to pull his redshirt. Gonzalez started the 2nd half of the year and was solid. Franklin raves about Miranda, he apparently went under the radar, got a ton of big time offers late but never wavered. A killer. Thorpe went to All American practices and stoned top defensive tackles all week. Nelson was our best offensive linemen before going out with knee injury. Hope to see him come around as season goes on.

3rd Team

LT - Jenkins (RS Soph)
LG - Beh (RS Jr)
C - Simpson (RS Soph)
RG - Brosnan (RS Jr)
RT - Gellerstadt (RS Fr)

Since before HACK was quarterback (sorry, couldn't resist)!

 

[Fac]

1982

2017 at worse Beh is the third OT (not third string, #3 in any pecking order)

What was Mahon's injury? I never did hear.

 

[sluggo72]

What was Mahon's injury? I never did hear.

we do know he hurt his knee/ankle in a game. Now why he went to hospital and all of that, I never have heard what it is.

 

[Judge Smails]

1982

2017 at worse Beh is the third OT (not third string, #3 in any pecking order)

I don't bet, but if I did, I'd put good money against that being the case.

 

[sluggo72]

I don't bet, but if I did, I'd put good money against that being the case.

ok either way we are all hoping for the best!

 

[novaclassof90]

If Mahon and Nelson come back totally healthy, I gotta believe that Franklin is going to give them every chance to be the #1 Tackles. Wright or anyone else we need to soundly beat them out for those jobs.

1994 was best Oline I have ever seen at PSU. They just destroyed people in both the passing and run games. The line that sent LJ to 2K yards was pretty darn good too.

 

[garw]

I generally agree with your first 2 lines. I will be surprised if Beh is still here next year. I would not be surprised st this point if Brosnan stays. Why hasn't Jenkins developed into a dominant player?

 

[Judge Smails]

I generally agree with your first 2 lines. I will be surprised if Beh is still here next year. I would not be surprised st this point if Brosnan stays. Why hasn't Jenkins developed into a dominant player?

Jenkins has always been a project. He has an NFL left tackle body and athleticism. Question is can he put it together. I've heard he is an extremely bright and intelligent person with many varied interests. Not sure how important football is to him.

 

[bjf1991]

If Mahon and Nelson come back totally healthy, I gotta believe that Franklin is going to give them every chance to be the #1 Tackles. Wright or anyone else we need to soundly beat them out for those jobs.

1994 was best Oline I have ever seen at PSU. They just destroyed people in both the passing and run games. The line that sent LJ to 2K yards was pretty darn good too.

If Mahon is healthy, no one is going to beat him out for his job

 

[21Guns]

LT: Mahon
LG Bates
C: Menet
RG: McGovern
RT: Nelson

In case of injury, if either guard goes down, Gonzo at guard, Bates slides to left tackle. If Nelson goes down, Wright to right tackle. If Menet goes down, McGovern slides to center, Gonzo to guard.

Will see playing time: Wright, Gonzales, Jenkins, Brosnan, Fries.

 

[Judge Smails]

LT: Mahon
LG Bates
C: Menet
RG: McGovern
RT: Nelson

In case of injury, if either guard goes down, Gonzo at guard, Bates slides to left tackle. If Nelson goes down, Wright to right tackle. If Menet goes down, McGovern slides to center, Gonzo to guard.

Will see playing time: Wright, Gonzales, Jenkins, Brosnan, Fries.

Nelson tore his ACL mid October? You think he'll be 100% 10 months later and taking first team reps when camp opens? That seems unrealistic.

 

[PSU20]

Nelson tore his ACL mid October? You think he'll be 100% 10 months later and taking first team reps when camp opens? That seems unrealistic.

IIRC that LB for Michigan did the same with a torn ACL in Oct a couples years back, and was going full speed in Aug. He started opening day game in early Sept. and was all over the field. The announcers were even commenting about his speed and mobility so soon after the ACL tear. It can be done but every circumstance is different, and Nelson has had prior knee problems.

 

[Judge Smails]

IIRC that LB for Michigan did the same with a torn ACL in Oct a couples years back, and was going full speed in Aug. He started opening day game in early Sept. and was all over the field. The announcers were even commenting about his speed and mobility so soon after the ACL tear. It can be done but every circumstance is different, and Nelson has had prior knee problems.

With Chasz Wright available and how well he played in 2016, just seems like JF will take the conservative approach and bring Nelson along slowly. Why wouldn't you?

 

[mOOse_44]

Nelson tore his ACL mid October? You think he'll be 100% 10 months later and taking first team reps when camp opens? That seems unrealistic.

Exactly. While the big boys are slamming weights around this off season, Nelson can barely do some light PT. He's way behind and it will be tough for him to see meaningful playing time in 2017.

 

[bdgan]

My take...

1st Team

LT - Mahon (RS Sr)
LG - Bates (RS Soph)
C - Menet (RS Fr)
RG - McGovern (Soph)
RT - Wright (RS Jr)

Mahon was named ProFootballFocus' top offensive tackle two separate weeks before going out with an injury. Bates made several All Freshman teams and was outstanding stepping in at LT. Menet was one of the top interior line recruits two years ago and was a 5 star on Scout. McGovern was really good 2nd half of the year at a true frosh starter. Wright was a huge surprise, going to be a battle at that spot between he and Fries.

2nd Team

LT - Fries (RS Fr)
LG - Gonzalez (RS Soph)
C - Miranda (Fr)
RG - CJ Thorpe (Fr)
RT - Nelson (RS Sr)

Coaching staff spent weeks on conference calls with 21 Guns going back and forth whether to pull his redshirt. Gonzalez started the 2nd half of the year and was solid. Franklin raves about Miranda, he apparently went under the radar, got a ton of big time offers late but never wavered. A killer. Thorpe went to All American practices and stoned top defensive tackles all week. Nelson was our best offensive linemen before going out with knee injury. Hope to see him come around as season goes on.

3rd Team

LT - Jenkins (RS Soph)
LG - Beh (RS Jr)
C - Simpson (RS Soph)
RG - Brosnan (RS Jr)
RT - Gellerstadt (RS Fr)

Best OL quality and depth in a long time assuming Mahon & Nelson return healthy. Barkley could run for 2,000 yards.

Of course it's possible that those guys will be less than 100% in September. It's also possible that a player like Beh will transfer.

I share your enthusiasm for the freshmen but I don't expect them to be stars right out of the gate.

 

[trz103]

Definitely this season

As embarrassing as this video is I don't think there's a player that improved more under Limegrover than Brian Gaia

 

[uPBRmeASAP]

Best OL quality and depth in a long time assuming Mahon & Nelson return healthy. Barkley could run for 2,000 yards.

Of course it's possible that those guys will be less than 100% in September. It's also possible that a player like Beh will transfer.

I share your enthusiasm for the freshmen but I don't expect them to be stars right out of the gate.

Quite frankly, the o-line played better after the Nelson injury. When he was healthy, the only good performance I saw by the o-line was against Maryland in the 1st half.

Nelson may be talented, but his chronic knee problems have held him back and I don't see him as one of the best 5, barring an Adam Brenneman miracle.

 

[bmw199]

I don't know how long Bates will be here (has enough years out of high school to leave after next year) but Franklin is building a line that will keep this team competitive for years to come regardless of much else. It used to be a running theme that our best breakthrough years would only happen when we could put together strong offensive lines. Well now that is every year.

 

[PSU.:.]

No way Wright will beat out Nelson if he's healthy
Mahon and Nelson at tackle position will be fantastic

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Looking forward to seeing Miranda. Gonna bring some Broadway sass to the line!

 

[masterbaker65]

My take...

1st Team

LT - Mahon (RS Sr)
LG - Bates (RS Soph)
C - Menet (RS Fr)
RG - McGovern (Soph)
RT - Wright (RS Jr)

Mahon was named ProFootballFocus' top offensive tackle two separate weeks before going out with an injury. Bates made several All Freshman teams and was outstanding stepping in at LT. Menet was one of the top interior line recruits two years ago and was a 5 star on Scout. McGovern was really good 2nd half of the year at a true frosh starter. Wright was a huge surprise, going to be a battle at that spot between he and Fries.

2nd Team

LT - Fries (RS Fr)
LG - Gonzalez (RS Soph)
C - Miranda (Fr)
RG - CJ Thorpe (Fr)
RT - Nelson (RS Sr)

Coaching staff spent weeks on conference calls with 21 Guns going back and forth whether to pull his redshirt. Gonzalez started the 2nd half of the year and was solid. Franklin raves about Miranda, he apparently went under the radar, got a ton of big time offers late but never wavered. A killer. Thorpe went to All American practices and stoned top defensive tackles all week. Nelson was our best offensive linemen before going out with knee injury. Hope to see him come around as season goes on.

3rd Team

LT - Jenkins (RS Soph)
LG - Beh (RS Jr)
C - Simpson (RS Soph)
RG - Brosnan (RS Jr)
RT - Gellerstadt (RS Fr)

I prefer Mahon at RT. Thought he was a little to inconsistent at LT. His play drastically improved when he moved to RT.

 

[bjf1991]

I prefer Mahon at RT. Thought he was a little to inconsistent at LT. His play drastically improved when he moved to RT.

There are - of course - two parts to that "question"

One is "where might Mahon be best suited"........
The other is, "what alignment gives you the best 5 man unit"

If indeed Mahon is "better" at RT - and he may or may not be, I believe he only played two games at RT last year (OSU and Purdue - then got hurt first series against Iowa, IIRC)........you can only make that move if you have someone capable of playing LT at a proficient level.


I think that while Mahon could very well be better suited as a RT......BUT, I feel completely confident that he did - and would - more than hold his own as a LT - - - - - - and I am not sure if PSU currently has anyone else ready, who could be counted on to perform well at LT

I certainly don't see either Wright of Nelson coming anywhere close to what Mahon did at LT.....and the "next guy" in line would probably be Jenkins or Fries, who haven't yet really had a shot to show what they might be capable of. The other option involves juggling around the entire line - by moving Bates back out there for 2017, which I think he can do - but that then "robs Peter to pay Paul", because Bates was playing like an All-B1G guy at LG last year.

Bottom line, if he's healthy, I can't see a "five man unit" that is a better goup, than a unit that includes Mahon at LT - - - - - - barring some previously "untried" guy (Fries? Jenkins?) turning out to be an absolute monster out there

 

[21Guns]

Nelson tore his ACL mid October? You think he'll be 100% 10 months later and taking first team reps when camp opens? That seems unrealistic.

Most ACL's now take less than 12 months to fully heal due to advanced medical techniques.

 

[21Guns]

As embarrassing as this video is I don't think there's a player that improved more under Limegrover than Brian Gaia

There were still issues with snaps. Nearly every game included one or two bad shotgun snaps. One of those cost Penn State 7 points against Wisconsin. It underscored how huge of a comeback win that was, that we were able to overcome that. 72's play improved, however, under Limegrover. Limegrover turned 72 from a liability, into an asset, on most downs in which he was able to deliver an accurate snap.

The center position will be upgraded this year, significantly.

 

[Marylovesthelions]

My take...

1st Team

LT - Mahon (RS Sr)
LG - Bates (RS Soph)
C - Menet (RS Fr)
RG - McGovern (Soph)
RT - Wright (RS Jr)

Mahon was named ProFootballFocus' top offensive tackle two separate weeks before going out with an injury. Bates made several All Freshman teams and was outstanding stepping in at LT. Menet was one of the top interior line recruits two years ago and was a 5 star on Scout. McGovern was really good 2nd half of the year at a true frosh starter. Wright was a huge surprise, going to be a battle at that spot between he and Fries.

2nd Team

LT - Fries (RS Fr)
LG - Gonzalez (RS Soph)
C - Miranda (Fr)
RG - CJ Thorpe (Fr)
RT - Nelson (RS Sr)

Coaching staff spent weeks on conference calls with 21 Guns going back and forth whether to pull his redshirt. Gonzalez started the 2nd half of the year and was solid. Franklin raves about Miranda, he apparently went under the radar, got a ton of big time offers late but never wavered. A killer. Thorpe went to All American practices and stoned top defensive tackles all week. Nelson was our best offensive linemen before going out with knee injury. Hope to see him come around as season goes on.

3rd Team

LT - Jenkins (RS Soph)
LG - Beh (RS Jr)
C - Simpson (RS Soph)
RG - Brosnan (RS Jr)
RT - Gellerstadt (RS Fr)

On the way to adding road grader U to our titles.

 

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

My take...

1st Team

LT - Mahon (RS Sr)
LG - Bates (RS Soph)
C - Menet (RS Fr)
RG - McGovern (Soph)
RT - Wright (RS Jr)

Mahon was named ProFootballFocus' top offensive tackle two separate weeks before going out with an injury. Bates made several All Freshman teams and was outstanding stepping in at LT. Menet was one of the top interior line recruits two years ago and was a 5 star on Scout. McGovern was really good 2nd half of the year at a true frosh starter. Wright was a huge surprise, going to be a battle at that spot between he and Fries.

2nd Team

LT - Fries (RS Fr)
LG - Gonzalez (RS Soph)
C - Miranda (Fr)
RG - CJ Thorpe (Fr)
RT - Nelson (RS Sr)

Coaching staff spent weeks on conference calls with 21 Guns going back and forth whether to pull his redshirt. Gonzalez started the 2nd half of the year and was solid. Franklin raves about Miranda, he apparently went under the radar, got a ton of big time offers late but never wavered. A killer. Thorpe went to All American practices and stoned top defensive tackles all week. Nelson was our best offensive linemen before going out with knee injury. Hope to see him come around as season goes on.

3rd Team

LT - Jenkins (RS Soph)
LG - Beh (RS Jr)
C - Simpson (RS Soph)
RG - Brosnan (RS Jr)
RT - Gellerstadt (RS Fr)

When was the last time PSU signed the two best LBs in the State like JMFF did this past week?

 

[WPB_lion]

As embarrassing as this video is I don't think there's a player that improved more under Limegrover than Brian Gaia

All Limegrover had to do was to tell Gaia to open his eyes. He drove our lineman at least 5 yards out of the play.

 

[dclionsfan]

If Noah Beh gets his crap together we heard he's probably our best ot

 

[sluggo72]

There were still issues with snaps. Nearly every game included one or two bad shotgun snaps. One of those cost Penn State 7 points against Wisconsin. It underscored how huge of a comeback win that was, that we were able to overcome that. 72's play improved, however, under Limegrover. Limegrover turned 72 from a liability, into an asset, on most downs in which he was able to deliver an accurate snap.

The center position will be upgraded this year, significantly.

Did limegrover do that or did 72 do that ??

 

[artsandletters]

When was the last time PSU signed the two best LBs in the State like JMFF did this past week?

Lavar, North Hills and Ron Graham from Penn Hills in '97.

But I'm just a Villanova guy who doesn't know anything about PSU FB, right Miles?