Penn State offensive line creating challenges, opportunities: Notes

Penn State head coach James Franklin has been forthright about the program’s reality throughout the spring.

Though not necessarily delving into the who and why, always reticent to discuss injuries, the Nittany Lions’ offensive line is “thin” this spring. A storyline that has elicited mentions at nearly every weekly media availability, it again took center stage Wednesday.

Welcoming the media for a small portion of practice, then interviews afterward with Franklin, the head coach struck two tones regarding the issue.

We’ll start there as we examine the news, notes, and observations to emerge from Wednesday’s session:

Penn State coach James Franklin press conference:

1) Penn State’s offensive line challenges

The first question of the night more or less forced the issue. Asked his thoughts about the program’s first scrimmage last Friday night (missed our notes? they’re here), Franklin said individual performances were difficult to evaluate given the team’s circumstances along the line.

“I think I’ve mentioned you guys before, we’re thin on the O line,” Franklin said. “So, we had to be creative.”

And what shape did that creativity take?

According to Franklin, the normal progression of running live reps for the ones, twos, and threes was disrupted. Saying they have just one offensive line right now, based on availability, Franklin noted that they would have a series, do special teams work and give the offensive line a break in the interim, and then resume with second-team work. 

Allowing the offensive line to rest during each special teams break, Franklin said the approach delivered the best of an otherwise inopportune set of circumstances.

“I was pleased with the work that we were able to get done. We got great film,” Franklin said. “And, the O-linemen that are going are getting great work and their attitudes have been good. So that’s been positive.”

How it impacts the Blue-White Game on April 23 remains to be seen, but Franklin said Wednesday he’s determined to leave their options open. 

2) … on the other hand

For as detrimental as Penn State’s offensive line might be in some respects, Franklin’s other insight sounded an optimistic tone.

Already down to 11 total offensive linemen on campus this spring, even a few absences have limited the program to six or seven healthy options at times at the position. 

But, according to Franklin, the limitations haven’t diminished the quality of work available to Penn State’s other position groups. 

“The other thing that I think we’ve done a pretty good job of being creative is, what you have to be careful is that it doesn’t limit the development of a bunch of other positions,” Franklin said. “When one position is challenged from a depth perspective, it makes it hard to practice the way you want to practice. And then other units and other positions get impacted by it. So, I think we’ve managed it pretty good.”

Pointing out that at least one key addition, Hunter Nourzad, won’t arrive until this summer, Franklin said quick development would be essential. 

But in the meantime, the opportunities that have arisen for Penn State’s available offensive linemen have been well-utilized.

Within that construct, Franklin predicted progress up front, both this spring and for the 2022 season ahead.

“I know the guys that are getting reps have done a nice job, and we’re playing physical. I’ve been impressed with our commitment to the running game,” Franklin said. “We’ve done a good job of emphasizing that to take some of that off of Sean. 

“There’s gonna be some situations like the Cotton Bowl, where maybe he missed a couple of throws and you want to take some pressure off him and then run the ball. I think we’ll put ourselves in a better position to do that this year at times.”

3) The song remains the same

In February, Franklin lauded what transfer Mitchell Tinsley had already brought to the program.

In March, he repeated the sentiment at the program’s pre-spring practice press conference.

Wednesday, when asked about Tinsley’s transition into the program and the value he’d brought, Franklin was unequivocal.

“I just think his maturity stands out. He’s refined in terms of how to run routes, very consistent catching the ball, he’s steady Eddy,” Franklin said. “He’s what you’d expect from a veteran who, I don’t know, was in the top 10 in receiving yards in the country. They’ve already had to get like 1,400 yards receiving last year in an offense that threw it every single down. I think it was illegal to run the ball. But, he still had great production. 

“That shows up, and I think this spring was really important for him to lay a foundation. And then I think this summer will be huge, not only from an offensive perspective but also, I just think our strength and conditioning program and our speed program that he’s going to be involved with this summer, I think will be impactful for him.”