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Penn State's Franklin pleased with improvement at defensive end

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - A lot of uncertainty hung over the Nittany Lions before spring practice began last month. For coach James Franklin, the loss of both starting defensive ends was a major concern. But now, with the Blue-White game less than a week away, those question marks are gone for the second-year coach.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - A lot of uncertainty hung over the Nittany Lions before spring practice began last month. For coach James Franklin, the loss of both starting defensive ends was a major concern. But now, with the Blue-White game less than a week away, those question marks are gone for the second-year coach.

Not only have the defensive ends been playing with good technique and fundamentals, Franklin said after practice Saturday, but they've also shown great confidence.

He said Carl Nassib and Garrett Sickels have continued to impress. But two other players have recently caught Franklin's attention.

"Curtis Cothran and Torrence Brown to me are exciting," Franklin said of the redshirt sophomore and redshirt freshman. "Those two guys, for young guys who haven't played, they are flashing some really exciting things."

While Franklin praised the improvement on defense, he was realistic about areas where the team still needs to improve.

He said he was pleased with the offensive line's growth - particularly their improved communication - but the group still has a long way to go.

"There's confidence mentally, but now we've got to get them to play more aggressive, because they're not thinking," Franklin said. "They're not thinking about their assignment. They're not thinking about their technique. They're just coming out and playing fast."

Other question marks for Franklin include depth at running back, the open left tackle spot, and depth at tight end, where Adam Breneman remains limited as he returns from a knee injury that cost him last season.

And, while Franklin confirmed that next Saturday's Blue-White game will see the addition of kicking and punting contests, he seemed frustrated with the team's punting.

"It's not where I think it needs to be," he said. "I think our snapping and our punting from the time the season ended to now hasn't progressed the way I think it should progress, so we've got to look at what we're doing there and make some changes."

When it comes to leadership, Franklin said he sees a number of players stepping up and filling the void left by linebacker Mike Hull.

And Franklin likes it better that way.

"There's never enough leadership. There's never enough people I can hold accountable," he said. "Not only for what's going on in the weight room, what's going on in the locker room, but, more importantly, what's going on Saturday night."