Another week has gone by and that can only mean its time for another mailbag — a chance to answer your questions about Penn State sports.
This week was full of Penn State football news with a small dose of Ohio State getting in on the action.
What’s up with Haslett?
The hiring of Jim Haslett to take over some nonspecific tasks as a consultant seems to have made some fans a bit anxious. There is some underlying concern that his up and down tenure in the NFL makes him poorly suited for the job, or in some cases the assumption he is simply an assistant coach in waiting.
While any of those things could very well turn out to be true, because nothing is impossible, it isn’t very likely.
What I think helps understand the hire is James Franklin’s thirst for information. Penn State has hired a handful of firms since Franklin took the job and has essentially done so without any publicity. One firm to help prepare players (freshman-seniors) for the NFL process. Another firm to help analyze Penn State’s film and stats. Franklin has been eager to bring in ideas from the outside world anytime he can.
Haslett is the best of both worlds in this case. He is a coach with extensive experience and a coach from outside of the program who can bring different views to Penn State. If nothing else he’s a recruiting tool with Pittsburgh roots and NFL ties to boot.
The unknown is how Haslett’s voice will come into the equation during the season. That’s not to suggest there will be issues, but it’s hard to say if he is going to offer his opinions proactively or largely act as a sounding board when he’s needed. How that dynamic works between Haslett, Franklin and the rest of the staff will probably decide how well this all works out.
It’s not a a secret that Haslett’s career has seen its ups an downs, but sometimes a change of scenery will do wonders. But at face value the investment makes sense. The payoff is still to be determined.
Who do you see returning that makes the most improvement?
Considering that Penn State was one of the five youngest teams in college football last year there are a lot of options. The offensive front will improve but likely as a unit more than any one individual stepping up. If any player is going to make the most noticeable improvement it will probably be DaeSean Hamilton. Hamilton was one of Penn State’s best statistical players last season, but both he and Geno Lewis struggled at times. If Hamilton can get his consistency to match his numbers it will go a long way to help Penn State win games. Stats can be misleading, but the film isn’t.
On defense Nyeem Wartman-White, Austin Johnson and Carl Nassib are primed to make a big impact. While having a bigger role doesn’t automatically qualify as improvement, all three players ought to see their performances improve.
Who is a newcomer who will make the biggest impact?
Paris Palmer coming in to replace Donovan Smith at offensive tackle is the real question mark of the year. If Palmer can get his feet under him early he has a chance to be a key asset on the line. If he struggles it doesn’t mark the end of the season, but things might be more difficult to sort out. The biggest impact implies something positive, but in this case Palmer is the key to a lot of what Penn State will be able to do. That’s not to say it’s all up to him, but if he plays well that’s huge.
Practically speaking, Mark Allen and Nick Scott will both make their mark on the running back position behind Akeel Lynch. Right now it’s a coin flip as far as who that might be.
Will the offensive line have a breakout player?
With another year under his belt Angelo Mangiro has the size to make a run at being Penn State’s marquee linemen. Someone like Brian Gaia will need to step up as well to help Mangiro’s cause.
Is Ohio State really that good?
Yes. The Buckeyes might have one of the most interesting story lines in the country with a three quarterback race. But with a stout defense and possible Heisman candidate running back Ezekiel Elliot in the fold it’s hard to see who will stop the Buckeyes in the Big Ten. Ohio State has three quarterbacks who can start and unless all of them struggle the Buckeyes are still the favorite to with the conference.
Have a question? Send a tweet to @Ben_Jones88, write on our Facebook wall or hit the email button down below.
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