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CHICAGO — James Franklin has no problem with criticism of his still-in-progress offensive line. On Friday, he even asked for it.

“I think our offensive line has a chip on their shoulder,” Franklin said to a full room of reporters when he took the big stage during Big Ten media days. “I think they worked like that all offseason.

“So, yeah, I would really appreciate if any of you guys are willing to write some nasty article about them to continue to motivate them to continue to push them throughout the season.”

“Yeah, he knows how to motivate,” senior center Angelo Mangiro said with a laugh. “He knows that gets under my skin. Because I know how hard we work. Those are my guys.”

Hey, it’s a nice turnaround from the past three seasons at the annual summer kickoff event in Chicago.

Unlike his predecessor, Bill O’Brien, Franklin was answering mostly football questions rather than wringing hands about sanctions on Friday.

“We’re coming into this season with nothing floating over our head,” Franklin said. “They have the ability to be able to chase their dreams at the very, very highest level. So really, really excited.”

In the way of that pursuit, however, is narrowing the gap between the Nittany Lions’ offense and a defense that was among the best in the country a year ago.

Outside of quarterback Christian Hackenberg, the Lions have some work to do on that side of the ball when training camp begins next week.

“To me, the storyline is the same as it was last year,” Franklin said. “I told everybody our concern wasn’t with Christian Hackenberg, it was all the pieces of the puzzle around Christian.”

So it goes this summer, as the Lions are hoping to shore up an offensive line that lost left tackle Donovan Smith to the NFL and is looking for progress from returning starters Mangiro, Brian Gaia, Andrew Nelson and Brendan Mahon. Lackawanna College transfer Paris Palmer — who Franklin singled out as the “number one junior college offensive tackle in the country” on Friday — worked in Smith’s old spot during the spring.

Franklin’s hope is that the added experience from those four will help make a difference in 2015, along with a more robust competition in camp.

Penn State has a few more options this time around. Scranton Prep grad Kevin Reihner transferred in from Stanford and will push for a job in the interior. The Lions redshirted four freshman linemen a year ago who should be able to contribute more in practice.

That, Franklin said, will help give the quarterbacks more time to throw in practice. Which gives more quality reps to young wide receivers, which gives more quality reps to young defensive backs.”

“The value that they’re going to bring in the way we’re going to be able to practice … is going to have as big of an impact as anything,” Franklin said.

“When you have to reduce practice reps to keep people healthy, it just has an effect. You’re talking about that effect over three years. So being able to go back to more of a traditional model and the way we’re going to practice (is important).”

And when the season opener does roll around against Temple on Sept. 5, the Lions hope it will add up to a calmer Hackenberg, one with fewer bruises. Which may end up being the key to the entire 2015 campaign.

Hackenberg was sacked as much as anyone in the country a year ago yet somehow managed to take every meaningful snap of the season.

Painful memories. But ones that Franklin believes can spur growth this summer for both the quarterback and the offensive line.

“I think going through it is never fun, but I do think that they will be better because of that experience,” Franklin said. “I also feel that way about Christian Hackenberg. I think the mental and physical toughness that he showed last year in the long run is really going to help him.”

Penn State coach James Franklin has questions about his offensive line, but prefers those to sanction-related issues.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Big-Ten-Media-Day-Foo_Sopr-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgPenn State coach James Franklin has questions about his offensive line, but prefers those to sanction-related issues.

By Derek Levarse

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VIDEO

To see video of Penn State head coach James Franklin address the media during Big Ten media day, visit the online version of this story on timesleader.com.

Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse

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