Penn State University
Lions May Tweak Tradition To Take Advantage Of Strengths
By Steve Sampsell

Pass-happy, press defense-dominated Penn State?

Through 116 seasons of college football, and especially the most recent 37 during the Paterno Era, neither pass-happy offenses nor pressing man-to-man defenses have defined the Nittany Lions.

This season, though, especially the early games, a slight change might be appropriate.

With apparent strengths at quarterback, receiver and linebacker, the Nittany Lions need to build on those positives to continue their recent rebound. In the 20 games since the team's meltdown, a 16-game, 11-loss stretch in 2000 and 2001-Penn State has compiled a 14-6 record.

While that's not quite its traditional standard, Penn State has started winning again. It just might need a few adjustments, and some patience, to get back to the level the program established for much of the past three decades.

"We are going to be OK, but it's going to take us a while to be really good," coach Joe Paterno said. "We have some problems, and the offensive line would be the one that I worry the most about. We should be all right with the kicking game and the whole bit, we're just going to struggle for a while."

With quarterbacks Zack Mills and Michael Robinson returning, and with the balanced receiving corps led by Tony Johnson, the team has offensive weapons. Should some running back emerge to carry the ball consistently, Penn State's offense might have enough firepower to put points on the board-even behind an offensive line with just two returning starters.

In general, change provides an apt storyline as Penn State enters the season.

While it's hard to imagine change associated with a program that's had one coach while the United States has had eight Presidents, and a program that's had the same uniforms almost forever, some key changes will impact the Nittany Lions this season.

Personnel moves top the list. Gone from last season are running back Larry Johnson and most of the offensive and defensive lines. The underappreciated line helped Johnson rush for more than 2,000 yards and the defensive front conrolled the line of scrimmage as the Nittany Lions crafted a plus-14 turnover margin last season.

As Paterno indicated, the offensive line might be the important area of concern. His starting quarterback thinks that, too.

"We're going to have some bad days, especially with our young offensive line," Mills said. "They're growing up and getting more confident, but things take time."

According to Paterno, the offensive line might boast decent depth, with as many as seven players able to contribute, but the challenge remains finding a reliable, standout core of contributors who can work together and build consistency. The added challenge of taking the field without a proven running back makes the line all the more important.

While both the offensive and defensive lines must rebuild, Paterno believes the job should be easier on defense. Those expected to shoulder key duties include ends John Bronson and Lavon Chisley and tackles Tamba Hali and Levi Brown. All four might not start, but they figure to rotate regularly on the field, as Bronson and Hali did last season.

Penn State's defense faces some high expectations, too. Even minus standouts Anthony Adams, Michael Haynes and Jimmy Kennedy, six starters return from a unit that allowed 17.4 points per game, the lowest by a Nittany Lion defense since 1998.

Linebacker U. has another decent group at the position, led by senior Gino Capone in the middle and athletic Derek Wake outside. As the line works to hold its own early in the season, the linebackers must provide leadership and results. This would give the line time to fully develop and make the job of the backfield easier, especially if Penn State can force opponents to be a bit more one dimensional by limiting the running game.

Still, Penn State needs a replacement for its record-setting runner, Johnson, and hopes to avoid its own one-dimensional problem. None of the candidates at tailback boast much experience and Paterno seems wary of using a tailback-by-committee approach, which was part of the reason for the team's struggles in 2000 and 2001.

"We have some kids who might eventually be good enough," Paterno said. "Right now I wouldn't tell you we have 'a' tailback. We have a lot of tailbacks, but we don't have a guy I can tell you is the one guy."

With the guaranteed change in the backfield, receiver Tony Johnson may become a more integral part of the offense. He has already altered his approach, moving away from his usual low-key demeanor and slightly more toward the aggressive approach regularly displayed by his departed brother. Also, with receiver Bryant Johnson (no relation) gone to the NFL, the team's remaining offensive player with that surname has shoes to fill.

"He's a great competitor," Paterno said. "(Last season) I think he knew that Bryant Johnson had a place, he had a place, his brother, Larry, had a place and now he knows that he has a different place. That's the way he's practiced."

An aggressive approach might be an important practice for the entire team. While any long-term move to a pass-happy offense or a pressing defense seems unlikely, Paterno and his staff have the team close to the level it needs for continued success. That's not something they want to change, and aggressiveness might be the key.

Steve Sampsell is a freelance writer located in State College, PA.