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