It's now being reported that Stevens had told his father he was going to "explore his options" if he was not named the starter after spring practices were over. Obviously he feels he's sacrificed a lot for Franklin and Penn State and feels he's proven enough in 4 years to demonstrate it's his turn to run the offense.
Usually I don't agree with kids feeling entitled to a job, but this is a special case where the kid has done absolutely everything asked of him while waiting his turn. It was insinuated that he feels a bit betrayed because he could have had surgery early on last season, but chose to ride it out because the team needed him ready if Trace went down. Now, because of that decision he is sitting around watching Clifford take his reps and the coaches are still not committing to him as the starter next year.
I've got to say, as much as this kid sacrificed I think he deserved to be named the starter. Franklin could always move on to Clifford if Stevens didn't produce on the field. Of course, if Franklin feels Clifford is obviously better than that's a different story altogether... but nothing he's said indicated that's the case
It's now being reported that Stevens had told his father he was going to "explore his options" if he was not named the starter after spring practices were over. Obviously he feels he's sacrificed a lot for Franklin and Penn State and feels he's proven enough in 4 years to demonstrate it's his turn to run the offense.
Usually I don't agree with kids feeling entitled to a job, but this is a special case where the kid has done absolutely everything asked of him while waiting his turn. It was insinuated that he feels a bit betrayed because he could have had surgery early on last season, but chose to ride it out because the team needed him ready if Trace went down. Now, because of that decision he is sitting around watching Clifford take his reps and the coaches are still not committing to him as the starter next year.
I've got to say, as much as this kid sacrificed I think he deserved to be named the starter. Franklin could always move on to Clifford if Stevens didn't produce on the field. Of course, if Franklin feels Clifford is obviously better than that's a different story altogether... but nothing he's said indicated that's the case
Would you suppose other players, in particular the receivers would have influence here, in support of one qb or another? I can’t imagine so but I gotta think they talk.
I still believe Stevens is the better QB and he should be the starter but if Clifford beats him out come fall then so be it. Let the best man play...no exceptions. I would hope Stevens would stay and fight it out. My favorite players on the team are the ones that give us a better chance to win.
It's now being reported that Stevens had told his father he was going to "explore his options" if he was not named the starter after spring practices were over. Obviously he feels he's sacrificed a lot for Franklin and Penn State and feels he's proven enough in 4 years to demonstrate it's his turn to run the offense.
Usually I don't agree with kids feeling entitled to a job, but this is a special case where the kid has done absolutely everything asked of him while waiting his turn. It was insinuated that he feels a bit betrayed because he could have had surgery early on last season, but chose to ride it out because the team needed him ready if Trace went down. Now, because of that decision he is sitting around watching Clifford take his reps and the coaches are still not committing to him as the starter next year.
I've got to say, as much as this kid sacrificed I think he deserved to be named the starter. Franklin could always move on to Clifford if Stevens didn't produce on the field. Of course, if Franklin feels Clifford is obviously better than that's a different story altogether... but nothing he's said indicated that's the case
I’m sorry but the coaching staff has to be objective and do what is best for the team. As much as Stevens has been a team guy, if Clifford is the best option, the coaching staff owes it to the entire team to play him. We complained last year that Parsons was better than Farmer and he should just play him. We can’t have it both ways. Play the best players. This is big boy college football. This happens all the time. Just happened at Clemson and Bama recently. Not the exact same scenario, but similar with the upperclassman losing the job to the underclassman.
I agree 99. With the crap that went on with Hack I don’t think James Franklin will ever put himself in that position again and you can’t blame him. Best players play...period! I just happen to think Stevens is better right now but I might change my mind come fall time.
I agree 99. With the crap that went on with Hack I don’t think James Franklin will ever put himself in that position again and you can’t blame him. Best players play...period! I just happen to think Stevens is better right now but I might change my mind come fall time.
I don't think he is going to be here in the fall for us to find out Brother.
I wasn’t thinking navylion lol. If he decides to stay. I hope he has a change of heart
Tommy made his own choices and knew the possible consequences. Personally I don't see how anyone can possibly say hes the best one when we haven't seen the kid play. we've seen as much of him as we have Clifford.
Tommy made his own choices and knew the possible consequences. Personally I don't see how anyone can possibly say hes the best one when we haven't seen the kid play. we've seen as much of him as we have Clifford.
And so did Franklin, and this is the consequence. If 4 years of seeing a kid play isn't enough time to make a decision on him, then this is what you get.
And 99, I never said Stevens should play if he wasn't the best. In fact, I went out of my way to say otherwise... The last line of my post is "Of course, if Franklin feels Clifford is obviously better than that's a different story altogether... but nothing he's said indicated that's the case"
Honestly, I just feel they have led this kid on. Keep saying he was so close to Trace, he did things better than Trace, yet you can't just name him the freaking starter? WTF is the holdup? If he was really that close to Trace why is he not starting? Makes zero sense unless Franklin thinks Clifford is better and just doesn't want to announce it.
It's now being reported that Stevens had told his father he was going to "explore his options" if he was not named the starter after spring practices were over. Obviously he feels he's sacrificed a lot for Franklin and Penn State and feels he's proven enough in 4 years to demonstrate it's his turn to run the offense.
Usually I don't agree with kids feeling entitled to a job, but this is a special case where the kid has done absolutely everything asked of him while waiting his turn. It was insinuated that he feels a bit betrayed because he could have had surgery early on last season, but chose to ride it out because the team needed him ready if Trace went down. Now, because of that decision he is sitting around watching Clifford take his reps and the coaches are still not committing to him as the starter next year.
I've got to say, as much as this kid sacrificed I think he deserved to be named the starter. Franklin could always move on to Clifford if Stevens didn't produce on the field. Of course, if Franklin feels Clifford is obviously better than that's a different story altogether... but nothing he's said indicated that's the case
I’m sorry but the coaching staff has to be objective and do what is best for the team. As much as Stevens has been a team guy, if Clifford is the best option, the coaching staff owes it to the entire team to play him. We complained last year that Parsons was better than Farmer and he should just play him. We can’t have it both ways. Play the best players. This is big boy college football. This happens all the time. Just happened at Clemson and Bama recently. Not the exact same scenario, but similar with the upperclassman losing the job to the underclassman.
Except when Bama and Clemson lose players they are still competing for NC's!
Franklin said he would be having 1 on 1 discussions with each player at the conclusion of spring practice. I wonder what he said to Stevens. I tend to agree with Roam. Stevens paid his dues and did everything he could for the best of the team. He earned the right to be the starter. If he doesn't produce you replace him! That seems like such a logical course of action that I can't believe Franklin didn't go that route. Could there be something else involved that we aren't aware of?
Franklin said he would be having 1 on 1 discussions with each player at the conclusion of spring practice. I wonder what he said to Stevens. I tend to agree with Roam. Stevens paid his dues and did everything he could for the best of the team. He earned the right to be the starter. If he doesn't produce you replace him! That seems like such a logical course of action that I can't believe Franklin didn't go that route. Could there be something else involved that we aren't aware of?
For whatever the reasons, too many PS players are entering the portal! According to several on this board 2019 is supposed to be "their year." If anyone still has that same degree of confidence considering the latest if Stevens leaves is really over indulging in the fruit punch! Another point, who's to say that Franklin/PS won't experience the same high exodus of players in 2020.
Franklin said he would be having 1 on 1 discussions with each player at the conclusion of spring practice. I wonder what he said to Stevens. I tend to agree with Roam. Stevens paid his dues and did everything he could for the best of the team. He earned the right to be the starter. If he doesn't produce you replace him! That seems like such a logical course of action that I can't believe Franklin didn't go that route. Could there be something else involved that we aren't aware of?
So would Franklin be doing the kid a favor by telling him he is the starter and then pulling him during the season if it isn’t going well? Thus using up his last year of eligibility? Or would the stand up thing to do be tell him it’s still an open competition, but it is going to be tough to beat out Clifford at this point? If I am Stevens or his parents, I want the truth up front so that I can explore all options.
Tommy made his own choices and knew the possible consequences. Personally I don't see how anyone can possibly say hes the best one when we haven't seen the kid play. we've seen as much of him as we have Clifford.
And so did Franklin, and this is the consequence. If 4 years of seeing a kid play isn't enough time to make a decision on him, then this is what you get.
And 99, I never said Stevens should play if he wasn't the best. In fact, I went out of my way to say otherwise... The last line of my post is "Of course, if Franklin feels Clifford is obviously better than that's a different story altogether... but nothing he's said indicated that's the case"
Honestly, I just feel they have led this kid on. Keep saying he was so close to Trace, he did things better than Trace, yet you can't just name him the freaking starter? WTF is the holdup? If he was really that close to Trace why is he not starting? Makes zero sense unless Franklin thinks Clifford is better and just doesn't want to announce it.
You may have answered your own question with your last sentence.
Franklin said he would be having 1 on 1 discussions with each player at the conclusion of spring practice. I wonder what he said to Stevens. I tend to agree with Roam. Stevens paid his dues and did everything he could for the best of the team. He earned the right to be the starter. If he doesn't produce you replace him! That seems like such a logical course of action that I can't believe Franklin didn't go that route. Could there be something else involved that we aren't aware of?
So would Franklin be doing the kid a favor by telling him he is the starter and then pulling him during the season if it isn’t going well? Thus using up his last year of eligibility? Or would the stand up thing to do be tell him it’s still an open competition, but it is going to be tough to beat out Clifford at this point? If I am Stevens or his parents, I want the truth up front so that I can explore all options.
It has nothing to do with "truth" if he's the starter and then doesn't produce. Then that is on Stevens, not Franklin. If Stevens was named the starter and then failed to play well, Franklin didn't lie to him if he pulls him for someone else. He would have gave him the opportunity, that's all any play can ask for.
Again, I don't know what else you need to see from Stevens at this point. The coaching staff has had 4 years to see what he can do. As I said before, if they think Clifford is better that's one thing... but this "Stevens is the "presumed" starter but I'm not naming a definitive one yet" stuff is nonsense in my opinion.
Franklin is trying to hedge his bets IMO, when he should just get it over with and name the guy already.
Tommy made his own choices and knew the possible consequences. Personally I don't see how anyone can possibly say hes the best one when we haven't seen the kid play. we've seen as much of him as we have Clifford.
And so did Franklin, and this is the consequence. If 4 years of seeing a kid play isn't enough time to make a decision on him, then this is what you get.
And 99, I never said Stevens should play if he wasn't the best. In fact, I went out of my way to say otherwise... The last line of my post is "Of course, if Franklin feels Clifford is obviously better than that's a different story altogether... but nothing he's said indicated that's the case"
Honestly, I just feel they have led this kid on. Keep saying he was so close to Trace, he did things better than Trace, yet you can't just name him the freaking starter? WTF is the holdup? If he was really that close to Trace why is he not starting? Makes zero sense unless Franklin thinks Clifford is better and just doesn't want to announce it.
You may have answered your own question with your last sentence.
If that's really the case, then Franklin is wrong for leading Tommy on. If he really believes Clifford is better, then he shouldn't have been saying Stevens was the presumed starter entering Spring camp. It's really hard to believe that Stevens or Clifford did anything in 20 spring practices to make them reconsider that much. All after Stevens took a hit for the team and waited until the bowl game to get surgery
All I can figure is that the seriousness of Tommy's injury must have been more than what we all realized. Clifford had the entire 2018 season to develop and the practice time was very crucial even if he didn't play much during the season. It sounds as if he has bulked up and had plenty of off season and spring practice team vs what Tommy had. I personally would have liked to see Tommy as the starter, but if Clifford progressed and closed the gap, then I think you go with the guy that gives you the best chance to win.
In this case, I don't think there was THAT much distance between Stevens and Clifford to begin with. Stevens has more confidence, but Clifford will gain ground with a couple of games under his belt. Penn State has a good offense returning, they need some more work, but I think Clifford will develop quickly and become a good QB and lead this team. If Tommy is not a 100%, I don't think it is fair to the rest of the team to play him. I know its only football, but a lot of the returning players have their sights on more than a second tier bowl game this year. A Part of me feels Tommy stuck it out and earned the right to be the starter. But if he is not healthy, that has to factor in.
I wish the best for Tommy. If he stays and plays, then I hope he starts and stays healthy.
With the studs that James Franklin is bringing in it’s going to be a dawg fight to get playing time. I personally think it’s a great thing. Clifford looked pretty dang good in the spring game and his numbers would’ve been better had we caught the dam ball. Best players play baby!
statecollege.com has reported that Stevens has entered the transfer portal. Read into it what you want.
For psumark.
If you have followed this board and the former posters to Pennlive, you should know that we read everything into anything. Our opinions are often unfounded, our speculation without a source and our comments often resemble an amoebic response to light. Sometimes the opinions are based on anti PSU sentiment. Some of those are genuine, others put forth to get attention because nobody speaks with he poster in real life. Anyway, trust me, we will read fiction and provide unfounded speculation into the announcement that TS has entered the transfer portal.
some of these responses are hilarious. who among you heard that Franklin told Stevens he will start? RFLMAO! in all my years I've never heard a coach say "stick around, you'll start your sr. season." lol! never. Demand truth? of what? "you'll have your shot" will me the most the staff has told him. His shot wasn't good enough obviously.
"but this "Stevens is the "presumed" starter but I'm not naming a definitive one yet" stuff is nonsense in my opinion." "Stevens has more confidence, but Clifford will gain ground with a couple of games under his belt." Confidence based on what? You have spoken to both? How do you know this?
"If that's really the case, then Franklin is wrong for leading Tommy on" Led him on how? Did you actually hear JF tell him he'll be the starter? I've never heard it.
"Stevens paid his dues and did everything he could for the best of the team. He earned the right to be the starter." HOW? By staying at PSU? While injured? How do you "earn" the right without battling for it and winning?
Here's what we really know:
Franklin has praised Stevens.
Franklin has never said he will start
Franklin always says every position is up for grabs, you have to earn it.
Everything else you all have said is supposition and opinion spun out of control with assumptions.
Obviously Stevens hasn't shown he's the definitive choice. Many coaches notorious for not naming a starter until the first game or week of.
MROB said joe handed him the ball and told him this is your team but I don’t know when he did it. It may have been at the end of the 04 season or spring 05 I can’t remember but I liked it regardless because it showed he had confidence in MROB.
Franklin said he would be having 1 on 1 discussions with each player at the conclusion of spring practice. I wonder what he said to Stevens. I tend to agree with Roam. Stevens paid his dues and did everything he could for the best of the team. He earned the right to be the starter. If he doesn't produce you replace him! That seems like such a logical course of action that I can't believe Franklin didn't go that route. Could there be something else involved that we aren't aware of?
So would Franklin be doing the kid a favor by telling him he is the starter and then pulling him during the season if it isn’t going well? Thus using up his last year of eligibility? Or would the stand up thing to do be tell him it’s still an open competition, but it is going to be tough to beat out Clifford at this point? If I am Stevens or his parents, I want the truth up front so that I can explore all options.
Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I'm not saying Franklin should lead Stevens on or lie to him. Based on his past statements about how close Stevens & Trace were and current statements about how close Stevens and Clifford are, as well as Stevens' contributions to the program, he has earned a shot at starting. I'm saying Franklin should tell him you're the man. However, as with any other player, if you want to keep the job, you have to produce!
I don’t get it. Of course I’m not paid $5M a year to be a Div 1 head coach but, from my novice standpoint yes, Stevens did stick around, yes he paid his dues but so did/does every other member of that team. What is so wrong with having competition for the starting job no matter what position on the team? Why would the head coach need to name a starter so early in the year when there are other viable/capable players trying to prove themselves as capable to start. Stevens might be the better quarterback but then again Clifford might have really progressed. I would think if it was so cut and dry about who was undoubtedly the #1 front runner, that the conversation would have been had whether divulged or not to the media or public. I feel that given Stevens recent and past injuries and layoff from practicing if I was the coach I would be weighing all my options to put the best person in a position to benefit the team as well as setting the individual up for success.
Also, I can’t ever recall Franklin or any other PSU coach saying that Stevens was the #1 or presumed starter in any article or interview.
But what do I know, like I said I am not a football coach. I will trust the coaches judgement and let the process play itself out.
