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The Lions should be better

JoePa are top questions for Nittany Lions

Here's a positionbyposition look at the Nittany Lions:When we last saw Matt McGloin, he was throwing five interceptions in the Outback Bowl loss to Florida. When we last saw Rob Bolden, he was standing on the sideline.

Bolden requested a release from his scholarship, which was turned down by Paterno in January. He's staying for now, but his future plans will depend on what happens this spring.

Paul Jones, who was redshirted last season, is the darkhorse in the race. He starred in last year's BlueWhite Game.

McGloin saved Penn State's season in 2010, sparking a secondhalf resurgence with his gunslinger mentality before imploding against Florida.

Then there's the forgotten wholesale jerseys man, Kevin Newsome, who's still with the team. He also might transfer at the end of the semester. If he stays, it doesn't appear that he'll play quarterback.

Running back

Although Penn State lost Evan Royster, its alltime leading rusher, the position appears to be in good hands.

Silas Redd averaged nearly 6 yards a carry as a freshman and won over many Lions fans with his burst of speed. Remember, though, he has never rushed 20 times in a game. How effective will he be as a starter?

Brandon Beachum, a junior who returns after ACL surgery, and Curtis Dukes, a 61, 237pound sophomore, will back up Redd.

Penn State also can use speedsters Curtis Drake and Devon Smith in the backfield.

At fullback, Joe Suhey and Michael Zordich complement each other.

He has 15 touchdown catches in his career, including one against LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson in the 2010 Capital One Bowl. Peterson is expected to be one of the top picks in the NFL draft next month.

Moye and Justin Brown, who had a strong season but a rough bowl game, are big and fast. Throw in Drake, Smith, Shawney Kersey and Brandon MosebyFelder and you have one of the top groups in the country.

Tight end, however, was a weakness in 2010 after Andrew Szczerba suffered a back injury that sidelined him all season. Freshmen Kevin Haplea and Garry Gilliam, and converted linemen Nate Cadogan and Jonathan Stewart filled in for him and combined for just five catches for 63 yards.

The Lions should be better here with Haplea gaining a year cheap jerseys of experience.

John Urschel could be the leading candidate at Wisniewski's spot at right guard. Johnnie Troutman, who has spent time cheap nfl jerseys in Paterno's doghouse, is expected to start at left guard.

At center, Blue Mountain product Matt Stankiewitch and Ty Howle will battle to replace Doug Klopacz, a oneyear starter. Stankiewitch was poised to see playing time in midseason before he contracted mono and missed the final seven games.

Quinn Barham and Chima Okoli, who replaced the injured Lou Eliades in midseason, will return at tackle. Barham and Okoli helped Penn State limit opponents to 12 sacks, the secondfewest in the Big Ten.

DeOn'tae Pannell, who has started games, could push Barham and Okoli, along with Mike Farrell and Eric Shrive.