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PSU's future "franchise" players

  • In the NFL, teams often identify core, or "franchise" players that they want to build around. Obvious examples are Calvin Johnson, Tom Brady, Ray Lewis (younger days), Patrick Willis, etc. Another one that might be not as well known is Louis Delmas on the Lions.

    The rest of the rosters are usually filled with capable players who are decent, but replaceable if necessary. Guys who have roles on the team, whether it's depth, special teams, decent starter, leadership, etc.

    From players who are currently on the team, who would you identify as future franchise players in 2013 and beyond? I say only current team members because the recruiting class is not signed yet, and we kind of know who the leaders on the 2012 team are.

    Barring potential, I'd say:
    Donovan Smith
    Angelo Mangiro (usually ~2 core players on the OL)
    Allen Robinson
    DaQuan Jones
    Silas Redd (if he stays in 2013)
    Deion Barnes
    Khairi Fortt
    Adrian Amos

    Some notes: QB is usually on the list. I didn't deem any of them franchise players currently. If PJ makes strides, he could become one.

    Usually there's around one at each position (total of around 10, I'd say), and a couple on the OL and DL each. The talent level on the team obviously isn't stellar, so just have to make do.

    There's a number of players that I'd deem pretty good or has good potential to be a franchise player (e.g. Jesse James), but aren't irreplaceable for our team.

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    psubills62 ●

  • I think Hack is their hope for Franchise QB. It's tough to expect any of the existing guys to ascend to that level in such a short period of time.

    If we're thinking a little more 'future tense': Lynch, Lewis, Smith, Barnes, Pollard, and Lucas would be my potential list.

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    tdiddy

  • tdiddy said...

    I think Hack is their hope for Franchise QB. It's tough to expect any of the existing guys to ascend to that level in such a short period of time.

    If we're thinking a little more 'future tense': Lynch, Lewis, Smith, Barnes, Pollard, and Lucas would be my potential list.

    Forgot about Lynch. I'd definitely put him up there.

    Lucas is an interesting addition - any particular reason you see him as a franchise guy? Can agree with the others.

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    psubills62 ●

  • Fortt, full of potential, may never crack the starting line up.

    How is Mike Hull doing?

    Spulv400

  • I will throw in Wartman. Gonna be a beast

    LBU59 ●

  • psubills62 said...

    Forgot about Lynch. I'd definitely put him up there.

    Lucas is an interesting addition - any particular reason you see him as a franchise guy? Can agree with the others.

    He's a real physical specimen, and is only scratching the initial surface of his capabilities. Like Amos, he was an incredible steal so late in the cycle. I can't say that I've seen a 'flash' on film to bring about this notion...just an instinct I suppose.

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    tdiddy

  • LBU59 said...

    I will throw in Wartman. Gonna be a beast

    Wartman was certainly one I considered. Had him on there until I put Fortt down instead.

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    psubills62 ●

  • psubills62 said...

    Wartman was certainly one I considered. Had him on there until I put Fortt down instead.

    I would say Belton over Lynch. Still got a lot of guys at linebacker that can fill in, I'm hopeful for Wartman though. At receiver, I could see Kenney/Kersey stepping out once Justin Brown is gone. Since Gilliam is applying for a sixth year already, I don't see why he wouldn't be a leader at the tight end position. Seems like a real man child out there on the field. Other than that, I mainly agree with everyone else's picks. It hard to go wrong with this group and how they've been responding to the new era.

    NitLionsGo

  • I also hope that they redshirt Hack and get him a full year of work with OB and Fisher in practice, unless he's just unbelievably that good.

    NitLionsGo

  • HACK AB SMITH AMOS BARNES LEWIS

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    Roaringlion

  • NitLionsGo said...

    I would say Belton over Lynch. Still got a lot of guys at linebacker that can fill in, I'm hopeful for Wartman though. At receiver, I could see Kenney/Kersey stepping out once Justin Brown is gone. Since Gilliam is applying for a sixth year already, I don't see why he wouldn't be a leader at the tight end position. Seems like a real man child out there on the field. Other than that, I mainly agree with everyone else's picks. It hard to go wrong with this group and how they've been responding to the new era.

    Frankly, I really like Belton. The problem is, I don't see him as a guy to build around. He plays an important role, but I still think he's mainly a role player.

    I'll be very interested to see how BOB uses Belton though.

    Gilliam might be a leader at TE, but 1) he doesn't have the 6th year yet, and 2) leaders are more of role players than core players.

    I hope you're right with Kenney and Kersey. I have higher hopes for the former than the latter.

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    psubills62 ●

  • Speaking of Hack, Elite 11 Finals start today. Good luck to Hack.

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    tdiddy

  • I know it was the BW game, and I know he is a TE, but Jesse James impressed me as a stud TE.

    kjc15600 ●

  • psubills62 said...

    Frankly, I really like Belton. The problem is, I don't see him as a guy to build around. He plays an important role, but I still think he's mainly a role player.

    I'll be very interested to see how BOB uses Belton though.

    Gilliam might be a leader at TE, but 1) he doesn't have the 6th year yet, and 2) leaders are more of role players than core players.

    I hope you're right with Kenney and Kersey. I have higher hopes for the former than the latter.

    Agree. I also think Belton is going to surprise a lot of people this year at running back. He's surprisingly shifty, and after this year, I hope an argument can be established for him as a feature back. Either way, the compliment he brings to Redd's talents are awesome. Defensive will have to be able to handle both of them.

    NitLionsGo

  • tdiddy said...

    Speaking of Hack, Elite 11 Finals start today. Good luck to Hack.

    Anyone know if/when it will be televised?

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    “We need to keep this (expletive) together,” Mauti and Zordich to Hill

    psujmc1992 ●

  • I'll go with Donovan Smith.

    As flashy as the skill position players are with their speed, skills, moves, etc., I'm a firm believer that games are won and lost in the trenches. Having a lynchpin on the OL and DL is HUGE in overall success on any team, IMO.

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    PSUjosh11

  • Hack attack.

    Also sickels from 2013 if I was choosing 1 from each side of the ball.

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    I guess I should warn you, if I turn out to be particularly clear, you've probably misunderstood what I've said.

    psu2013

  • Belton is the first guy missing from bills' original list that came to mind for me as well. I think we will see a lot of 2 back sets this year, a lot of Belton in motion into the slot. McGloin's comments about how much more comfortable he is now with reading defenses, changing coverages, etc. made me very happy. I know that he's officially a RB now, but I hope to see him get a lot of work in the slot as well. If he hadn't been moved to RB out of necessity, I think he would have been #1 on the depth in the slot by Sept. 1, even if Moo Moo was still on board. Kid needs the ball in his hands. That's obvious.

    beck881psu

  • psujmc1992 said...

    Anyone know if/when it will be televised?

    ESPN is splitting it into 2 parts. First part to air Aug 7, second part Aug 14.

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    tdiddy

  • I spoke to "B on B" (a Belton nickname apparently) at Lift for Life about these continued suggestions that "he will spend a lot of time in the slot". He said he has not spent a single play there this spring and summer as the slot is a pure WR position. Rather, he expects to see a lot of short passes, bubble screens, swing passes, etc. out of the backfield. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what a slot receiver does as opposed to a receiving RB. They are not the same and expecting to see BB line up in the slot ... Has not happened yet and no plan to do so.

    abluestreak

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