James Franklin is set to talk to the media at 12:40 for the first official press conference of the 2015-16 season. With Temple on the schedule this Saturday and the depth chart only an hour old there will be plenty to go over. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg and linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White are schedule to speak following Franklin.
Here are the bullet points.
- Franklin notes that while Penn State has more or less dominated the series against Temple, the games are getting closer and closer. Says that you have to respect how the program has continued to improve over the years.
- Franklin says that Penn State/teams in general, can go from good to elite when they can force turnovers.
- In terms of Adam Breneman, Franklin says that he has some things to overcome on the field but alluded to the notion that he is not entirely healthy. What next is for Breneman remains to be seen.
- Franklin says that when you make a list of all the things you want in a receiver that Chris Godwin is the kind of player you check off all the boxes for.
- “I feel much better about it.” Franklin on how the offense and Hackenberg are meshing this preseason. “He looks so much more comfortable.” Says that leadership on both sides of the ball has helped as well as getting a lot of young talent back with experience under their belt.
- Franklin notes once again that the line has really helped Paris Palmer’s development. Has made it easier for him to get up to speed.
- Special teams kick is charted every single time there is a kick. Helped the coaches make a decision. Charted and took notes on over 250 kicks. Franklin says Joe Julius has a slight, slight edge.
- Franklin says that Julius has the leg to kick from anywhere but can make/miss from anywhere at just about the same rate. Wants to see him have a more consistent start and finish to his kicking routine.
- Franklin says that linebackers have to work as a group to replace Mike Hull, not wait for one player to fill that kind of role all on his own. Overall he has been pleased with that unit. Says Nyeem Wartman-White is much larger than Mike Hull which makes him a different kind of player. Thinks that in a way that could make the unit more stout.
- “We have three we feel really good about” Franklin on the tight ends. Hoping not to burn a redshirt.
- “Relaxed” is the word Franklin would use to describe Hackenberg in the offense.
- “I don’t know, I can’t speak on that.” Franklin says when asked if Breneman will be back this season.
- Franklin feels that the tight ends are more physically prepared and much more “bought in” into the pass protection aspect of the offense.
- “It helps this year, but it was painful last year.” Franklin says laughing, asked about younger players getting to play so early in their careers.
- Franklin wants to clone Carl Nassib. Says the team is tired of hearing about how good he is.
- Franklin says that John Donovan will stay in the booth and Ricky Rahne will come down to the sideline. Had not been the case last year. Wanted to give Hackenberg someone to talk to in person, but wanted Donovan to see the field. “I don’t think there is any doubt that the best place to call a game is from the booth.”
- Franklin says that none of the four freshman who are playing this year have any deficiencies.
