Paterno looks for leadership

By JAMES REESER
Collegian Sports Writer

Last season, quarterback Kerry Collins, running back Ki-Jana Carter and center Bucky Greeley assumed valuable leadership roles in the Nittany Lions' perfect season. But entering the 1995 campaign, the question reamains: Who will replace Collins and company as leaders?

"Our biggest concern is our leadership," Lion Coach Joe Paterno said at a news conference yesterday as his team prepares to open spring practices on March 25. "I don't think we have the kind of leadership like we did last year at this time."

Another primary concern is getting the right people in the right positions, especially at quarterback, where Paterno wants a confident leader by April 22 for the Blue-White Game.

The frontrunner is redshirt junior Wally Richardson.

"He's very similar to Kerry," Paterno said. "He's got the same kind of strong arm. He's a tough kid physically. And I think he can give us the same kind of things that Kerry did."

One concern with Richardson last season was that he looked unsure of himself when he came into the game, and he also appeared to shuffle his feet.

"He needs to get his reps," Paterno said. "It's correct he did move around a little too much, but I think he was afraid of getting a sack or throwing an interception."

With the loss of Collins and 10 other starters, Richardson will need to fill not only the quarterback role, but assume leadership as well.

"I think the squad likes Wally and how he works," Paterno said. "He gets the kids to throw with him and he gets the secondary to work with him. Wally's got everything in place."

Richardson is ready to assume the position of starting quarterback and team leader.

"I'm taking it all in stride," Richardson said. "I'm excited about the possibility of being the starter and I feel confident that I can become a leader. I just want to do my job and have a good spring practice."

Paterno said redshirt freshman quarterback Mike McQueary is a good backup and will press Richardson. Freshman tight end Doug Ostrosky is also working out at quarterback.

"I don't know how (Ostrosky) looks because I'm not allowed to watch him practice (until March 25)," Paterno said, "but the kids are saying he is doing all right."

Redshirt junior Mike Archie is expected to fill the big shoes of Carter at tailback. But Archie will have tough competition at one of the deepest and most talented positions on the team.

"Archie is going to have to hustle," Paterno said. "He's got guys like (Stephen) Pitts and (Ambrose) Fletcher nipping at his heels."

Last season, the secondary was hit hard by injuries. Heros Cliff Dingle, Clint Holes and Kim Herring -- who also played free safety -- all missed games because of injuries and will not take part in spring practice. Paterno said he was unsure if they will be ready for the fall.

On offense, starting guards Jeff Hartings and Marco Rivera are both injured. Hartings (knee) is expected to participate in drills, but Rivera (shoulder) won't practice.

Paterno also updated the status of 6-foot-7, 330-pound lineman Floyd Wedderburn, a casualty of Proposition 48, which lists academic eligibility requirements for freshmen athletes. Paterno said Wedderburn is ineligible for spring practice, but he will be eligible to play in the fall.

"He's doing well academically," Paterno said. "I'm hoping the layoff hasn't hurt him too much."

As the season approaches, Paterno remains optimistic and is eager to begin the new season.

"We have to put last season behind us," Paterno said, "because we got a new team."