Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1518105
A P R I L 2 0 2 4 6 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M injury compounded the schematic is- sues that the offense failed to overcome, resulting in its late-season collapse. With Barkley and Hurts in the back- field, the Philadelphia offense could get back to what it did so well during its Super Bowl run. The Eagles are also known for hav- ing one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and will be near the top of those lists again this year, even with the re- tirement of All-Pro center Jason Kelce. While Kelce has bowed out, the team re-signed standout left guard Landon Dickerson to a four-year extension to keep the core of the line intact. The offense will have a new look next season with Moore taking over follow- ing stints with the Chargers and Cow- boys. He knows how to handle All-Pro running backs, as evidenced by his work with Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas. Barkley is eager to get underway with his new team. "The point I'm at in my career, to be able to get a fresh start is good," he said. "It's something new. Different excite- ment. I feel like a rookie all over again. Some new team meetings, some new strength [staffers], new locker room — everything. But also, being around some talented guys, especially on the offen- sive side of the ball. You've got Jalen, you've got A.J., DeVonta, tremendous offensive line. I feel like I'm a special player and I feel I've still got a lot left and I've got a lot to prove. I just can't wait to get on the field with those guys and prove it and show it to the world." PENN STATE FREE AGENCY TRACKER As of March 20 Saquon Barkley wasn't the only Nittany Lion to change teams during the league's free agency period. Three Penn Staters had moved on as of late March, while two more were still mulling their options. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos is now a mem- ber of the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. Gross-Matos spent his first four NFL seasons in Carolina, after having been selected by the Pan- thers in the second round of the 2020 draft. But after enduring four losing seasons in Charlotte, in- cluding a 2-15 finish in 2023, Gross-Matos wanted to play for a more successful franchise. He signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Niners. "I'm extremely excited," said Gross-Matos, who had a career-best 4.5 sacks last year. "I haven't had much [team] success to this point, and I'm excited to be a part of it, to see what that culture is like." In San Francisco, Gross-Matos will reunite with a former Penn State teammate, Kevin Givens, who is set to return in 2024 after signing a one-year contract. The backup defensive tackle has been with the Niners since making the team as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He's played in 57 games and made 13 starts. Tight end Mike Gesicki has moved on to Cincin- nati after one season in New England. The seventh- year pro inked a one-year, $3.25 million pact with the Bengals. Gesicki is coming off a disappointing season with the Patriots in which he caught 29 passes for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns. Before that, he spent five seasons in Miami, the team that selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft. Gesicki said that one of his former Penn State teammates, tight end Nick Bowers, played a role in his choice. Bowers had spent time on the Bengals' practice squad and praised the franchise in their conversations. Another key factor was the opportunity to team up with one of the league's best passers in Joe Burrow. "When you've got No. 9 at quarterback, that is a place I want to go," Gesicki said. "That's something I'm really looking forward to." Defensive tackle Daquan Jones re-signed with the Buffalo Bills, landing a two-year, $16 million deal. Jones has been in the league since 2014 and has been with the Bills since 2022. Another former Penn State defensive tackle, PJ Mustipher, has headed to Philadelphia on a one- year contract. Entering the league as an undrafted free agent last year, Mustipher spent time with Denver and New Orleans. He was credited with 4 tackles in four games with the Saints. Offensive tackle Donovan Smith and defensive tackle Austin Johnson were both still exploring their options. Smith won the second Super Bowl ring of his career while starting at left tackle for Kansas City last year; Johnson spent the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. — Matt Herb Barkley, Franklin Cite 'Misinterpretation' Amid Tampering Probe Saquon Barkley's arrival in Philadelphia was not without controversy. When asked at a March 12 press conference to comment on his former player's decision to join the Eagles, Penn State coach James Frank- lin recounted a conversation he'd had with Barkley. Franklin said Barkley told him about an exchange with Philadelphia general manager Howard Roseman regarding the advantages of returning to the state where he had played his college football. "For him now to come back and be able to play within the state, in Philadelphia, he said that was one of the first things that Howie said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch," Franklin said. "[It wasn't just about] the Philadelphia Eagles, but obviously the connec- tion with Penn State and the fan bases as well." Franklin's comment attracted the attention of NFL officials; teams aren't allowed to talk directly with players during the league's 52-hour negotiating period. If a player has an agent, the team must go through the agent. The Eagles could lose draft picks or be fined if the league were to rule that they tampered with Bar- kley. Philadelphia has denied doing anything improper, and at his introduction on March 14, Barkley said all contact with the team during the negotiating period had been via the appropriate channels. "Coach Franklin, I think, kind of misinterpreted that," Barkley said. "The truth was that the sales pitch [had to do with] Penn State, how many Penn State fans are Philadelphia Eagles fans. But that was through my agent, and my agent told me that. It happens. I'm going to let Philly handle that." Talking to reporters after one of Penn State's spring practice sessions on March 19, Franklin ex- plained that he had misspoken at his earlier presser. "I had a 10-minute conversation with Saquon, and I just assumed and connected dots that weren't there," he said. "All those conversations went through his agent." — Matt Herb Franklin said he "connected dots that weren't there" in characterizing Barkley's contract talks with Philadelphia. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER