There are so many fresh faces to break into the starting lineup this year at Penn State. Unlike last season, though, don't expect those new guys to be freshmen.
A season after Derrick Williams and Justin King burst onto the scene as impact rookies from Week 1, coach Joe Paterno is looking to get last year's inexperienced backups some seasoning to fill the holes left by the departure of 13 starters -- seven on defense and six on offense.
Paterno said he returns "a good solid squad, so the opportunity for freshmen might not be as prevalent."
"That solid squad needs to play," Paterno said before dining with die-hard fans and athletic boosters at a Camp Hill hotel.
Paterno scoffed at the idea that he had changed his tune last year on playing time for freshmen, harking back as far as 1974 and the contributions from wideout Jim Cefalo as proof that he has relied on first-year players in Happy Valley.
But the highly touted Williams and King stepped in right away last year to give the offense a burst of speed and playmaking ability on the outside, a feature that had been sorely lacking in previous seasons. Another freshman, Jordan Norwood, turned into a reliable, sure-handed receiver, and redshirt freshman Deon Butler led the team with nine touchdown catches.
Some analysts have rated this year's freshman class as one of the best in the nation.
"They may be better than what we have, and they have to prove that," Paterno said about the freshmen.
"I don't think we need to prove anything by playing freshmen again," Paterno added. "We've got to play the best kids we got. (Williams and King) just happen to be outstanding athletes."
One of the most-watched newcomers will be junior Anthony Morelli, who sat for much for his first two seasons at Penn State and last year watched as Michael Robinson guided the team to a Big Ten title and the Orange Bowl.
Morelli impressed, for the most part, during his first-team debut at the spring game in April. Paterno predicted "big-time" performances for Morelli, though "he'll have some problems early. ... But once he gets his feet under there, he'll be good. Certainly, he has the ability."
Elsewhere, four new starters must be broken in on the offensive line to go with the only returnee, solid left tackle Levi Brown. There will be three new starters on the defensive line, and all four of last year's starters must be replaced in the secondary.
The coach said he doesn't plan to stray from the base defense of four linemen and three linebackers, although he had mentioned in spring practice that he might look at a 3-4 alignment.
The speedy King, who played both offense and defense last season, figures to play just cornerback this season. Two top backups last year, Tony Davis and Donnie Johnson, are likely to play more prominent roles.
Paterno says he's been working hard since Penn State completed its dramatic resurgence with an Orange Bowl win in January, studying up on the first few opponents of 2006. But saying "I told you so" to naysayers isn't his style, he said.
A beach vacation is in the works, but don't expect to see him at the new baseball field next to Beaver Stadium anytime soon. The Class-A State College Spikes make their debut on June 20, and the school's baseball team moves into the new digs next season.
Paterno has said that he isn't a fan of that arrangement. "I don't think there should be a professional team on campus," he said. "Unfortunately no one ever asked me. They just went ahead and did it."
A season after Derrick Williams and Justin King burst onto the scene as impact rookies from Week 1, coach Joe Paterno is looking to get last year's inexperienced backups some seasoning to fill the holes left by the departure of 13 starters -- seven on defense and six on offense.
Paterno said he returns "a good solid squad, so the opportunity for freshmen might not be as prevalent."
"That solid squad needs to play," Paterno said before dining with die-hard fans and athletic boosters at a Camp Hill hotel.
Paterno scoffed at the idea that he had changed his tune last year on playing time for freshmen, harking back as far as 1974 and the contributions from wideout Jim Cefalo as proof that he has relied on first-year players in Happy Valley.
But the highly touted Williams and King stepped in right away last year to give the offense a burst of speed and playmaking ability on the outside, a feature that had been sorely lacking in previous seasons. Another freshman, Jordan Norwood, turned into a reliable, sure-handed receiver, and redshirt freshman Deon Butler led the team with nine touchdown catches.
Some analysts have rated this year's freshman class as one of the best in the nation.
"They may be better than what we have, and they have to prove that," Paterno said about the freshmen.
"I don't think we need to prove anything by playing freshmen again," Paterno added. "We've got to play the best kids we got. (Williams and King) just happen to be outstanding athletes."
One of the most-watched newcomers will be junior Anthony Morelli, who sat for much for his first two seasons at Penn State and last year watched as Michael Robinson guided the team to a Big Ten title and the Orange Bowl.
Morelli impressed, for the most part, during his first-team debut at the spring game in April. Paterno predicted "big-time" performances for Morelli, though "he'll have some problems early. ... But once he gets his feet under there, he'll be good. Certainly, he has the ability."
Elsewhere, four new starters must be broken in on the offensive line to go with the only returnee, solid left tackle Levi Brown. There will be three new starters on the defensive line, and all four of last year's starters must be replaced in the secondary.
The coach said he doesn't plan to stray from the base defense of four linemen and three linebackers, although he had mentioned in spring practice that he might look at a 3-4 alignment.
The speedy King, who played both offense and defense last season, figures to play just cornerback this season. Two top backups last year, Tony Davis and Donnie Johnson, are likely to play more prominent roles.
Paterno says he's been working hard since Penn State completed its dramatic resurgence with an Orange Bowl win in January, studying up on the first few opponents of 2006. But saying "I told you so" to naysayers isn't his style, he said.
A beach vacation is in the works, but don't expect to see him at the new baseball field next to Beaver Stadium anytime soon. The Class-A State College Spikes make their debut on June 20, and the school's baseball team moves into the new digs next season.
Paterno has said that he isn't a fan of that arrangement. "I don't think there should be a professional team on campus," he said. "Unfortunately no one ever asked me. They just went ahead and did it."
