Aug. 17, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Practicing with a two-deep across all positions on both sides of the ball pays big dividends in how a team is able to prepare for a season.
It's a type of practice environment the Nittany Lions weren't able to create last season at this time.
But what a difference a year has made for the team's development. Head coach James Franklin talked at great length during the offseason about what a two-deep could do for the growth of the team.
"It helps in so many ways that I don't think a lot of people realize," said Franklin. "It's not just how much it helps at practice, but it's getting to the games fresh. We had to cut everything back (last year). Now, you can get so many more guys reps that we will learn so much more about the team by watching film. The fact that we have a legitimate two-deep at most positions and a three-deep at some positions, I think it will allow us to do a lot of different things from a preparation standpoint. And it's going to help guys get ready at a number of positions that were maybe a challenge last year."
Look no further than the special teams units.
Simply put, more depth on the overall roster means more competition for spots on Penn State's special teams units. And thanks to the depth, special teams coordinator Charles Huff is expecting to see a step forward from the units in 2015.
"The more depth you have the more competition you have and the more options you create," said Huff. "You are able to spell guys when you need to in a game. And what it allows you to do in practice is create more game-like reps to be able to evaluate guys a little better."
Live special teams play has been an integral part of training camp, and it's something the team couldn't do last year at this time.
"The first time we did it live, it was in a game," said Franklin. "Now we have more depth, so we're able to do some of those things (at practice)."
Consistency is paramount all positions on special teams. Take an inside look at a day within the special teams units during training camp.
The Nittany Lions participated in their first two-a-day of camp on Monday.
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