why not move Nelson to left tackle ?

[Ranger Dan]

ive read that if Palmer or one of the other guys (sorrel?) aren't cutting it, then they might move Nelson to left tackle. If this is a possibility then why wasn't Nelson practicing at LT all spring and summer?

Your LT is supposed to be your key pass protector, and I'd think we'd want someone with a little experience. Is this a situation where LT and RT are that different from a body type/size or athleticism standpoint? I'm sure that coach Hand and CJF know more than I do, but it seems kinda obvious.

Is it a case where my suggestion is preventing a worst case scenario, as opposed to working towards a best case scenario?

 

[ejb25]

I think our coaching staff has considered that option. They had no problems moving Nelson to LT last year when Smith was injured. So I think the easy answer is that Palmer is better than Nelson at LT.

 

[psu1969a]

ive read that if Palmer or one of the other guys (sorrel?) aren't cutting it, then they might move Nelson to left tackle. If this is a possibility then why wasn't Nelson practicing at LT all spring and summer?

Your LT is supposed to be your key pass protector, and I'd think we'd want someone with a little experience. Is this a situation where LT and RT are that different from a body type/size or athleticism standpoint? I'm sure that coach Hand and CJF know more than I do, but it seems kinda obvious.

Is it a case where my suggestion is preventing a worst case scenario, as opposed to working towards a best case scenario?

Citation please on where you have read about Palmer and Sorrel!

 

[tboyer]

If Palmer just can't play, Nelson to LT is probably the move. But you want to avoid that for a bunch of reasons. 1) If Palmer mostly needs experience -- well he won't get experience not playing. 2) Nelson has practiced at RT and people should be at their best position 3) Moving people around is toxic to an OL because communication between guards and tackles is critical. 4) The readiness of one of the redshirt freshman tackles, Sorrell or Brosnan, is a factor in this as well. 5) There are things that can be done to help out a tackle on the left side. You offer the tackle help anyway when the other team has a great pass rusher on that side.

But I think if Palmer is playing LT now in practice, it means that is the plan. He has physical talent, he has 2 years of post high school experience, he's gained the weight he needed to. He is probably PSU's best option, and if he just needs time, well that's what they need to give him.

The other thing I keep telling myself to reassure myself -- last year, the 44 sacks -- that will not happen this year. Just no way. Last year was a freakish year because of the almost unbelievable lack of depth on the OL. They had to play true freshmen all over the place, they lost the leader of the unit to injury, and they had to move around a lot. It was like a perfect storm of OL badness.

It could still be pretty bad this year but the badness will be more in a normal range. The group is still very young, but it's a good group of athletes, they have depth, they're in football condition, they're not relying on true freshmen. It's not going to be pretty early -- the comments on BTN kind of underscore that. But a lot of teams are not very good on the OL at this point. There is stll time to improve.

 

[bjf1984]

ive read that if Palmer or one of the other guys (sorrel?) aren't cutting it, then they might move Nelson to left tackle. If this is a possibility then why wasn't Nelson practicing at LT all spring and summer?

Your LT is supposed to be your key pass protector, and I'd think we'd want someone with a little experience. Is this a situation where LT and RT are that different from a body type/size or athleticism standpoint? I'm sure that coach Hand and CJF know more than I do, but it seems kinda obvious.

Is it a case where my suggestion is preventing a worst case scenario, as opposed to working towards a best case scenario?

You need a RT
You need a LT

Nelson's best position is RT
Palmer's best position is LT

I think it is really that simple
Now that we at least have some "bodies"......the less "robbing Peter to pay Paul", the better

If Palmer flames out..... Next man up (fwiw, I think Sorrell will eventually be a really good one, I just hope he isn't forced into duty too early)

 

[Ranger Dan]

Citation please on where you have read about Palmer and Sorrel!

Do you need a citation for Palmer and Sorrel working at left tackle? This has been common knowledge. I think it was from the BTN visitors that Nelson would move to LT as part of a reshuffling if Palmer or someone else couldn't do the job at LT.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

If Palmer just can't play, Nelson to LT is probably the move. But you want to avoid that for a bunch of reasons. 1) If Palmer mostly needs experience -- well he won't get experience not playing. 2) Nelson has practiced at RT and people should be at their best position 3) Moving people around is toxic to an OL because communication between guards and tackles is critical. 4) The readiness of one of the redshirt freshman tackles, Sorrell or Brosnan, is a factor in this as well. 5) There are things that can be done to help out a tackle on the left side. You offer the tackle help anyway when the other team has a great pass rusher on that side.

But I think if Palmer is playing LT now in practice, it means that is the plan. He has physical talent, he has 2 years of post high school experience, he's gained the weight he needed to. He is probably PSU's best option, and if he just needs time, well that's what they need to give him.

The other thing I keep telling myself to reassure myself -- last year, the 44 sacks -- that will not happen this year. Just no way. Last year was a freakish year because of the almost unbelievable lack of depth on the OL. They had to play true freshmen all over the place, they lost the leader of the unit to injury, and they had to move around a lot. It was like a perfect storm of OL badness.

It could still be pretty bad this year but the badness will be more in a normal range. The group is still very young, but it's a good group of athletes, they have depth, they're in football condition, they're not relying on true freshmen. It's not going to be pretty early -- the comments on BTN kind of underscore that. But a lot of teams are not very good on the OL at this point. There is stll time to improve.

And let's be brutally honest - Hack was responsible for his share of the sacks, too. Hopefully he'll have a better year than last year.....or my 10-2 prediction will go down the tubes.

 

[psuken]

ive read that if Palmer or one of the other guys (sorrel?) aren't cutting it, then they might move Nelson to left tackle. If this is a possibility then why wasn't Nelson practicing at LT all spring and summer?

Your LT is supposed to be your key pass protector, and I'd think we'd want someone with a little experience. Is this a situation where LT and RT are that different from a body type/size or athleticism standpoint? I'm sure that coach Hand and CJF know more than I do, but it seems kinda obvious.

Is it a case where my suggestion is preventing a worst case scenario, as opposed to working towards a best case scenario?

Not athletic enough has been the reason given.

 

[NJPSU]

Not athletic enough has been the reason given.

By who? Never heard that.

 

[21Guns]

It has become clear to me, and I think it has been clear to everyone else, that Franklin never intended on playing anyone else, other than Paris, at left tackle.

It's called "coachspeak" and Joe did it masterfully, and James is in the same school.

We'll be alright. Not great, but alright....

 

[HazletonLion]

I believe Palmer will do his job, he may get blocking help from a
TE or back when necessary,but his frame should win most of the battles . The best counter if they dog left, is sweep right or Hack
has quicker decisions to make, he sure has better receivers this year.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

We'll be alright. Not great, but alright....

Alright is my goal for the OL. We get to alright, we win a boatload of games this season. With the QB, the RB's and receivers we have, don't need to have Jeff Hartings and Bucky Greeley level performance. Just be alright.

 

[psu1969a]

Do you need a citation for Palmer and Sorrel working at left tackle? This has been common knowledge. I think it was from the BTN visitors that Nelson would move to LT as part of a reshuffling if Palmer or someone else couldn't do the job at LT.

IF BTN's Winkin, Blikin, and Nod said it must be true.

 

[Brazillm10]

Do you need a citation for Palmer and Sorrel working at left tackle? This has been common knowledge. I think it was from the BTN visitors that Nelson would move to LT as part of a reshuffling if Palmer or someone else couldn't do the job at LT.

I think today's scrimmage is going to be critical for Palmer. The staff can't wait much longer if shuffling the line is in the cards. I've heard that eventhough Franklin called him out last Wednesday, Paris is improving with each practice.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

IF BTN's Winkin, Blikin, and Nod said it must be true.

There is a lot of truth to that. If Gerry DiNardo knew anything other than how to LOSE, he'd be coaching, not watching other people do it.