It’s the middle of the June and that means two things.
Penn State football isn’t doing much, neither is Penn State basketball or Penn State hockey.
And as a person who covers all three teams that can pose a bit of a problem in the dead of the offseason. But a tried and true remedy to that issue: mailbag. I’ll be answering fans’ questions about their favorite teams. At this point everyone wants the season(s) to get here. The coaches, the fans and even the media.
So every Thursday from now until mid-August I’ll address your burning questions and throw in one of my own for you to answer in a poll.
It may not always be serious, but it should help get everyone to the start of fall and the beginning of another season of sports.
@KJK425: Give us an in depth report on DeAndre Thompkins and his future role on the PSU football team.
Thompkins is an interesting receiving prospect for Penn State. Last year James Franklin started out by singing his praises, mainly his speed but then things never really came together and it was a redshirt year for the freshman.
Penn State’s receiving corps has a lot of returning talent this year which makes it hard to say exactly where Thompkins fits into the equation. The good news is that he’s on the same career path as DaeSean Hamilton who benefited greatly from a redshirt year. It’s hard to imagine Thompkins being left out of the mix in 2015, but how much he is involved will be partially his doing and partially how well his counterparts play. In the end Franklin’s love for Thompkins’ speed is only part of the equation.
@bdk711: Tell us all the whole situation about why Geno Thorpe is transferring.
In a world where players and coaches spend so much time together, clashing personalities and approaches to the game can be hard to overcome. Chambers and Thorpe are both keeping their relationship between those who need to know, so any speculation is just that — speculation.
@ScottPhilips17: Does a rising tide truly float all boats, is Franklin’s recruiting success helping other PSU sports in recruiting?
I don’t think it’s purely by chance that Penn State teams schedule big recruiting weekends when Penn State football has an important game. Football, for better or worse, drives the athletic department and in turn the image of the department goes as football goes. Certainly the women’s volleyball team doesn’t need football to win national titles, but it’s hard to say no to what a packed Beaver Stadium brings to the table.
It’s hard to say a bad Penn State football team is going to hurt Penn State basketball recruiting, but everyone benefits when football is hitting on all cylinders.
@whattheheckmann: Throw in your pick for the U.S. open.
Have to go with Jordan Spieth this week. It’s a hard ask for someone to win back-to-back majors but nobody has been hotter than Spieth this year. Add in the fact he is putting the ball well and that will be key on a hard and fast course. Rory Mcllroy will be a popular pick but he has missed some cuts as of late and has yet to win on a course quite as hard and fast as the one he’ll be playing this week. As always, Phil Mickelson will find himself in the mix by the time the weekend comes, especially at the elusive US Open. A wild card pick: Ricky Fowler.
Meanwhile I’ll be sitting on my couch rooting for Tiger to make the cut.
@HelsBells1123: How much improvement can we really expect from the offensive line this year?
It’s reasonable to assume that a season of playing together, even if struggling along the way, is a positive in the long run. The key will be how fast the unit can get on the same page as Paris Palmer works on the end. The offensive line has experience but it wouldn’t be a shock to see a few new faces getting reps this year.
Something to remember, the more time this unit plays in the system, the less thinking, and the more playing, it can do. The less your players have to think the better. The offensive line is a year or two from being where it needs to be, but it should be better. How much better is the question that will likely determine the season.
@mpopek: What sport at Penn State deserves to have more attention paid to it by both local and regional fans?
It’s hard to say that a team that has won five national titles in a few short years is not paid attention to, but Penn State’s women’s volleyball team is a pretty exciting squad to watch. I’m not in the business of cheerleading for Penn State athletics, but I’ve rarely found that team to be a boring.
Have a question? Shoot me a tweet at @Ben_Jones88 or an email at benjonescom@gmail.com
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