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Spring Preview: Defensive line

  • http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/Spring-preview-of-Penn-State-defensive-line-121014

    There is one big name on the Penn State defensive line entering the spring but plenty of other players who could put themselves in good position for the fall.

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    Follow me on Twitter @jeffrice247 jrice@247sports.com

    Jeff Rice ●

  • It's interesting because Jones is seen as having a relatively disappointing season, which he did, which makes next season much more of an unknown. However, I feel like his junior season was about on par with Devon Still's junior season - except Still managed to break out in the bowl game, which Jones didn't have. I'm hopeful Jones will follow a similar path of starting to break out his senior season.

    We really hadn't had a pass rusher like Barnes in a number of years, and the D seemed to benefit from it.

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    psubills62 ●

  • Jones is the "next man up" in LJ's system. I think he follows in the footsteps of Alford, Odrick, Ogbu, Still, and Hill in having great senior seasons. We really need someone to stepup at the one-tech though, so Jones can play the three-tech and showcase his skills.

    Stanley will be missed, but Zettel and Olaniyan are prototypical seven-tech DEs.

    Barnes will be interesting to watch this year. He is no longer an unknown to opposing teams, and he won't have Hill and Jones drawing attention away from him. On the flipside, he has more experience and has grown into his frame.

    Cambria Nittany

  • I'm watching Zettel. Dude plays like he wants he wants to kill somebody. Glad he's on our team!

    "You can take bowl games and you can take external things from people, but you can't take a warrior's heart."

    fullback dive

  • Yea, I don't see a guy like Odrick, Still or Hill who can really pressure the QB and get into the backfield consistently on the roster--hopefully one emerges that we're unaware of. But if those tackles can be strong against the run and not get pushed around, then our ends will do more damage and pick up the slack. I'm never worried that our D-Line will be weak under LJ Sr., but this will be his biggest test in a while.

    GRS154

  • Cambria Nittany said...

    Jones is the "next man up" in LJ's system. I think he follows in the footsteps of Alford, Odrick, Ogbu, Still, and Hill in having great senior seasons. We really need someone to stepup at the one-tech though, so Jones can play the three-tech and showcase his skills.

    Stanley will be missed, but Zettel and Olaniyan are prototypical seven-tech DEs.

    Barnes will be interesting to watch this year. He is no longer an unknown to opposing teams, and he won't have Hill and Jones drawing attention away from him. On the flipside, he has more experience and has grown into his frame.

    Jones is a solid 1-tech for passing downs though. He won't blow things up like the other guys you listed (I still remember Illinois trying to block Alford in 06, they held him on every play and still could do nothing to stop him), but he doesn't really have to do anything other than shoot the gap and eat up two blockers. Then you have 3 good to great defensive ends in one-on-one matchups. I'm just praying for no more than one significant injury between Jones, Zettel, Barnes and CJ this year.

    An Actual Lion

  • I'd like to see Barnes' speed and Zettel's intensity on the field together when it counts.

    DCPSU84819

  • If Jones can increase his production in the tackles department and Zettel steps up, I think we will be fine. However, we have very limited depth. Hoping to stay injury free!

    Btw, I predict Curtis Cothran will turn some heads and will be further along than Garrett Sickels early on.

    This post was edited by Yuengling on 3/13/2013 at 10:41 AM

    Yuengling ●

  • fullback dive said...

    I'm watching Zettel. Dude plays like he wants he wants to kill somebody. Glad he's on our team!

    Me too! Zettel was great out of the back up role last year and seemed to be in the backfield constantly. Another year in the system will make him even more of a threat getting to the QB and RB.

    CharlestonLion ●

  • Yuengling said...

    If Jones can increase his production in the tackles department and Zettel steps up, I think we will be fine. However, we have very limited depth. Hoping to stay injury free!

    Btw, I predict Curtis Cothran will turn some heads and will be further along than Garrett Sickels early on.

    I will second that about Curtis Cothran!!thumbsup

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    MoparMan

  • Really really interested to see how this line performs this year with its strength being switched from the tackles to the ends. First time in a while that has been then case. Obviously Deion Barnes is a star . Depending on how you view Jack Crawfords decline in production, it really has been since Maybin in 2008 that we've had a legit star at DE. Deion seems to have all the tools and drive to match. But Zettel is going to crush it. I'm not sure there's enough hype around this guy. He was an Army All American with an offer from USC. This is a JJ Watt in the making. Barnes and Zettel can't both be doubled so I look for us to thrive in obvious passing situations. Can't wait to seem some strip-sack highlights, Tamba Hali style!

    IronLion05

  • DCPSU84819 said...

    I'd like to see Barnes' speed and Zettel's intensity on the field together when it counts.

    I was working under the assumption that they would be the starting ends. Barnes seems like a natural pass rushing end and Zettle a natural strong side guy.

    spud358

  • I want a NIKE #18 jersey so bad.... Barnes and James....... OMG

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    PENN STATE FOREVER

    philafan ●

  • If they stay healthy, the DE rotation of Barnes, Zettle and CJ will be really good. Barnes will be improved, I expect Zettle to turn into a beast and CJ should be a solid 3rd guy to keep the other two fresh.

    Sloepoke20 ●

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