For Penn State players and coaches alike, there's a balance between the distracting and the relaxing at the Outback Bowl. Some enjoy the mandatory team activities; some tend to avoid the optional ones.

Offensive tackle and co-captain Levi Brown said he didn't mind them and added there weren't many distractions at the Orange Bowl. Defensive end Tim Shaw, on the other hand, worried there might be too many this season.

"Hopefully, we get a day off, and I'll get to play golf," Shaw said. "But I think a lot of that stuff can be a distraction. I heard that there was stuff scheduled even up until like two days before the game, and I kind of questioned that -- I'm not going to be out walking around two days before the game, I'm going to be resting up."

There's at least one activity for every day after the Dec. 26 arrival time, although the team plans on traveling to Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 23. Among the activities: Team Night at Tampa Bay Lightning, Beach Day, Players Hospital Visit, Players Night at Gameworks, Team Outing at Busch Gardens, etc.

And while kicker Kevin Kelly said he looked forward to the weather more than anything, he acknowledged there's a lot more the team's expected to do compared to last year.

But that's not to say the Nittany Lions will be spending more time on the beach than the practice field. Joe Paterno initially estimated his squad would only practice six times in Tampa, but director of branding and communications Guido D'Elia said that number would likely increase.

"Normally, we would go down earlier, but finals are so late this year," D'Elia said.

Most players looked at the Outback Bowl activities as part of the experience, rather than as an added incentive (or as a hindrance, in some cases). Safety Anthony Scirrotto said it was basically a business trip and looked forward to the bowl game.

"It's all about the experience," he said. "I'm kinda looking forward to going to Busch Gardens with the team, and there's another beach thing -- but when we're not doing that, we're working our butts off to get ready for that game."

Since the Lions are playing in a New Year's Day game, they won't be able to celebrate Christmas with their families. But D'Elia said they have a few traditions to get them through the holiday.

Penn State usually elects a player to dress up as Santa Claus -- A.Q. Shipley received that "honor" last season -- and the team then exchange gifts and eats dinner.

This season, Brown informed Shipley he'd be doing it again.

"He fits the role well," Scirrotto said with a smile.

Shipley may not be former defensive tackle Anthony Adams ("Adams was voted the all-time best Santa and has yet to be unseated," D'Elia said), but it should still be an interesting way to cap off Christmas -- and begin the long Outback Bowl itinerary.