No doubt because he once again has his health and because this time of the year always brings out the optimistic side, Joe Paterno was in great spirits today when he met with the media to discuss spring practice.

The usual room where Paterno's press conferences in the Lasch Building are conducted was being used, so the 32-minute question and answer session shifted to a room off the building's academic wing.

Director of branding Guido D'Elia told Paterno on his way in the room was probably about as close as most of the assembled reporters ever got to a study hall, and the 82-year-old coach took it one step further.

"This is probably the closest you've ever been to studying," Paterno said as he sat down.

Later, when Paterno took it upon himself to praise Ed DeChellis after no one brought up the basketball team, Paterno ended sharing his NIT memories by standing up to demonstrate an under-handed free-throw attempt to show how basketball was played when he participated.

Among the news and notes to develop ...
* Linebacker Sean Lee is practicing at middle linebacker now, though neither last year's captain nor Paterno committed to that spot being where Lee will start the 2009 season. Lee, who missed last season with a torn ACL,, said he will be held out of contact drills this spring as a precaution.

* Paterno walked around briskly and without a limp as he is fully recovered from hip replacement surgery.
He spent parts of last season getting around in a motor cart, but he spent the first day of spring practice Wednesday on his feet.
"I was a little concerned about whether I'd need a little help at practice but I went a couple hours the other day with no problems whatsoever," Paterno said Friday.

* Paterno also said he intends to be on the field this season instead of coaching from the press box.

* Paterno addressed Larry Johnson's decision to stay for the first time, saying he told Johnson he could be a head coach someday without being a defensive coordinator. He referenced Jim Caldwell, who jumped to Wake Forest as a head coach after serving as Penn State's quarterbacks coach for seven years. Caldwell is now the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

* Paterno said defensive tackle Jared Odrick, who was recently charged with disorderly conduct, is not in trouble for the incident but will be if future incidents arise.
"Right now, he's OK," Paterno said. "You only get so many shots, though."

* In a huge shocker, Paterno dodged questions about his newest contract, saying he "hasn't even read the thing" and he was completely unaware of the clause in the contract that could shorten or extend the deal even existed.
"I was more concerned about a lot of other things besides Joe Paterno," he said cryptically.

* Doug Klopacz (ACL), Stephfon Green (ankle), Brent Carter (ACL) and Jerome Hayes (DE) will see limited action in the spring because of their injuries. Paterno also said one other scholarship player will be limited, though he couldn't think of the name. Evan Royster and Dennis Landolt, who both left the Rose Bowl with injuries, are fully healthy.

* He supported the decision of both Maurice Evans and Aaron Maybin to go pro. Paterno said he wanted Evans to wait one more year but thought differently after talking with Evans' mother.

Check Monday's Collegian for a full recap.

-- JL

The latest Penn State football roster was released last week at www.gopsusports.com.

There are a few number changes to note.

Your Deon Butler jerseys have become Brandon Beachum jerseys.

Beachum, a reserve tailback has switched his number from '25' to '3'. Beachum wore '3' during his tenure at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio.

Wide receiver/return man Chaz Powell has inherited '2' from the now departed Derrick Williams. Powell wore '12' before dropping the one for the upcoming season.

Navorro Bowman, who has been called LaVorro by some for his close relationship with former Lion Great LaVar Arrington, will wear the number his mentor made famous. Bowman has swapped his '18' for Arrington's '11' which was previously worn by defensive back Tony Davis. Walk-on QB Matt McGloin also sports 'snake eyes'.

The 'Italian Stallion' (as his high school coach Al Fracassa calls him) Chris Colasanti will wear '48' this season after previously wearing '53'. Colasanti wore '48' when he played under Fracassa at Brother Rice High School in Michigan. '48' was vacated by Maurice Evans who left the Lions early after last season.

A pair of safeties have switched to numbers Penn State fans will be more familiar with in the defensive backfield. Cedric Jeffries has switched from '29' to '7' previously worn by safety Anthony Scirrotto while Nick Sukay has swapped his '26' for Lydell Sargeant's trusty '10'.

Offensive lineman DeOn'tae Pannell has traded in his '75' for '50'. The 'five-oh' became available when Mike Lucian graduated after last season. Pannell wore '50' while at Groves High School in Michigan.

Tight end Mark Wedderburn will wear lucky No. 13 this season. Wedderburn previously wore '86'.

As for incoming freshman. There are a few notable number choices.

Quarterback Kevin Newsome will wear '12'. Current San Francisco 49er captain Michael Robinson was the last quarterback to wear '12' for the Nittany Lions.

Defensive back Gerald Hodges will wear '6'.

Offensive lineman Ty Howle will wear '53'.

Kicker Anthony Fera will wear '29'.

VACANT NUMBERS

'9', worn by former Lion safety Mark Rubin is not currently in rotation. Look for this hot single digit to be taken by a new recruit in the fall.

Running back/defensive back numbers '23', '24' and '25' are not currently being worn by any Lions.

Former Lion captain Josh Gaines' '47' is available as is A.Q. Shipley's '57'.

'58', '62', '63', '64' and everyone's favorite '69' are still hanging in the equipment room, unspoken for.

Incoming offensive linemen will get to pick between the available '75' and '76'.

A wideout or tight end might want to scoop up '86' or '89'.

Some big numbers are also available for the taking. '90', '93', '96' and '97' are all without players to wear them.

-TJ