Saw an article on Black Shoe Diaries on the OL, and it got me thinking. For some reason, every year I see a lot of "he can play inside or outside", "he's versatile", or "he can play multiple positions" when it comes to the OL under James Franklin. I never saw that under Paterno, nor do I see it with Alabama and Saban. Paterno, Saban, and others would slot guys into a position and that's where you played. There wasn't this "he can play center but if our guard gets injured he can move over there too" type stuff.
Could this be why our line seems always confused on who to block? At this point, it's frustrating to me to constantly see a depth chart that has our starting tackle as the backup guard, with our starting center as the #2 tackle. Why? Just pick a damn position for them and teach that position. Stop trying to make players jack of all trades.
Seriously wondering if you guys have seen this as well? Like, why is it impossible to get a 2/3 deep roster of offensive lineman? Why do we always have to have this weird position swapping?
Add that into the nonsensical LB rotation we once had, and the RB rotation craziness... and it seems like Franklin just can't get out of his own way on certain things. He can't make a decision and just stick with it sometimes, to the team and players detriment IMO.
I believe it was Levy Brown that played a position in high school and Paterno put him at OT when he got to Penn St and his dad flipped out because he wanted him to play the same position he played in high school. My point is like you said Roam, Joe put you at a position and that’s what you played but I’m sure there was exceptions. It may not have been levy brown but I remember it happenin. My memory ain’t as good as it once was 😂
Definitions matter
Can play=can man the position, no performance standard
Can play at a top 10 Div 1 level....different.
We can all play, by the minimum standards many want to fill jobs at I could play in the NBA.
Saw an article on Black Shoe Diaries on the OL, and it got me thinking. For some reason, every year I see a lot of "he can play inside or outside", "he's versatile", or "he can play multiple positions" when it comes to the OL under James Franklin. I never saw that under Paterno, nor do I see it with Alabama and Saban. Paterno, Saban, and others would slot guys into a position and that's where you played. There wasn't this "he can play center but if our guard gets injured he can move over there too" type stuff.
Could this be why our line seems always confused on who to block? At this point, it's frustrating to me to constantly see a depth chart that has our starting tackle as the backup guard, with our starting center as the #2 tackle. Why? Just pick a damn position for them and teach that position. Stop trying to make players jack of all trades.
Seriously wondering if you guys have seen this as well? Like, why is it impossible to get a 2/3 deep roster of offensive lineman? Why do we always have to have this weird position swapping?
Add that into the nonsensical LB rotation we once had, and the RB rotation craziness... and it seems like Franklin just can't get out of his own way on certain things. He can't make a decision and just stick with it sometimes, to the team and players detriment IMO.
I believe you hit the nail with your head, Roam. What you're saying makes a heck of a lotta sense! This can very well be the cause of our Oline problems.
JoePa played quite a few guys at a different position than they played in HS, but like you said, he didn't move them around once he decided where they would fit best on his team.
Paterno emphasized fundamentals of football. Don't miss tackles, square your hips, hold the football tight. That's not being taught now. You can't be trying experimental plays when the game is on the line. sending the QB out on the field as a receiver is a bunch of bologna too.
