You mean you weren’t aware that the football team started practicing this Wednesday? Wow, it’s almost as if we forgot Penn State is a football-centric school.

Though the soonest we’ll get to see the 2009 version of the squad will be the Blue-White Game on April 25, there are still some storylines worth following. Here are your first half week of practice Quick Hits:

Current Mood: Angry

Apparently Joe Paterno still hasn’t gotten over the Nittany Lions’ loss to USC in the Rose Bowl. After coaching  hundreds of games, it’s somewhat surprising that he’s still angry after three months. Then again…

“The way we lost … especially in the first half, we didn’t play like we had all year,” said [Linebacker Sean] Lee, referring to USC’s 31-7 lead at halftime. We were a better team than we showed.”

Scratch what I just said. I’m still angry about the way we lost. [PennLive]

We Can’t Wait Either

Speaking of Lee, the standout linebacker is back from his season-ending injury from last spring, and “can’t wait” to start this season. If you remember, Lee did a little coaching from the sidelines last Fall – which will undoubtedly make the already talented linebacker a little better than we remember him. He’s going to be a key leader of a young defense with big shoes to fill. [Big Ten Network]

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Though I’m sure that there will be no shortage of analysis of the current depth chart in the months to come, Black Shoe Diaries got a head start in pointing out the holes in the roster that need be filled. Wide receiver jumps out immediately:

This spring the most likely candidates to fill in the first team receiver roles are a walk on, a converted quarterback, a converted safety, and a of sophomore that hasn’t shown much to date.

Just breathe into a paper bag and buy into Sean Lee’s optimism. The rest will take care of itself. [Black Shoe Diaries]

[Photo Courtesy Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau]