Over the years, guys like Keith Dorney, Jeff Hartings, Sean Farrell, and Mike Munchak anchored solid offensive lines at Penn State, lines that paved the way for Franco Harris, John Cappiletti, Curt Warner, Ki-Jana Carter, and others.  In most of the Paterno years, the Lions were run first, run second, and throw when you have to. 

Still, the lines generally provided at least adequate pass protection. 

The game was changing, though, and for the past decade at least, Penn State’s offensive lines have more often than not struggled to be big enough, strong enough, quick enough, athletic enough, and have the right schemes to matriculate the ball down the field.

Bill O’Brien’s new offense worked pretty well last season, and the line generally did its part, perhaps better than expected.  Yet, with at least one key loss, questions hover over this unit, which more than any other, may hold the key to how good Penn State’s offense is in 2013.

All-Big Ten center Matt Stankiewitch is gone, as is starting right tackle Mike Farrell.  It looks like fifth-year senior Adam Gress, who was the third tackle last year, will move into Farrell’s slot, with returning starter Donovan Smith on the left side.  John Urschel was decent at guard, and returns along with other guard starter Miles Dieffenbach.  This pair may not win many awards, but appears to be at least adequate.

That leaves center.  It looks at this point as if Ty Howle is leading the competition.  He’s a bit of a fire plug at 6-0, and right around 300.  Whether that height is a negative or helps him get leverage is debatable.  But, Urschel and Gress this week told reporters they think Howle is the guy for the job.

While acknowledging the loss of Stankiewitch will be felt, Urschel said he thinks Howle is underrated and can get the job done.  As a fifth-year guy, he knows the other guys on the line, and has the benefit of this being the second year in O’Brien’s system. 

None of Penn State’s projected O line starters is listed at above 310 pounds, and a couple may even be a bit under 300.  Smallish compared to the Wisconsin behemoths that populate the Big Ten.  But, if O’Brien wants to rely on varied sets and quickness, then smaller may be the way to go.

Seeing what O’Brien coaxed out of Matt McGloin last season, you have to believe he’ll find a way to make a six-foot, sub-300 pound center work if that’s what he has available.

Coach Bill O’Brien’s first official depth chart is out for Saturday’s opener against Ohio University.

The chart shows O’Brien’s stamp on the offense, which is likely to look very different from what Nittany Lion fans have seen for almost a half century.  Famed for his use of the two-tight end set with the New England Patriots, O’Brien is bringing that to Penn State.

Senior Gary Gilliam and sophomore Kyle Carter are the two starters, and if the Patriots are any guide, we can expect to see a number of balls going each of their ways Saturday.  Bill Belton is the starting running back, with Derek Day a surprise at number two at this position.  Michael Zordich is listed as the fullback, but three wide receivers are also listed as #1 on the depth chart.  Along with numerous two-tight end sets, it’s likely the fullback won’t be used that much.

All four starters are gone from last year’s secondary, so the new group will no doubt  be the focus of opposing offensive coordinators’ game plans, at least until this group proves their mettle.  The good news on defense is the D line should be okay, and the linebackers, despite the transfer loss of Khari Fortt, should still be pretty good.

Of local interest, Central’s Kyle Baublitz is on the second team depth chart at his new position of defensive tackle, and Dallastown’s Ben Kline is #2 at an outside linebacker spot, behind Michael Mauti.

For PSU faithful, the kickoff that couldn’t get here fast enough has almost arrived.

In Bill O’Brien’s new world of Penn State football, it is clear some new faces will have to get used to big time college football in a hurry if this season is to be a success.

Through both graduation and losses due to the NCAA sanctions, offensive skill positions and the defensive backfield will be manned by entirely new players.

Silas Redd’s departure for USC has thrust high school quarterback and former PSU back up receiver Bill Belton into the starting tailback role.  Belton has promise, and if the O line can do a decent job, he may be okay.  I wouldn’t expect much more at least this year.  Curtis Dukes is apparently emerging as the #2 runner.  This guy is a bruiser and could be a good change of pace back from Belton.

Shawney Kersey is hurt, and hopefully will be back for the opener next Saturday.  In the meantime, it looks like Allen Robinson and freshman Trevor Williams may have to be the go to guys here.

Tight end Gary Gilliam has also been hurt.  But, with the departure of Kevin Haplea, Gilliam will have to do the job in O’Brien’s offense, which favors tight ends.  Either sophomore Kyle Carter or freshman Jesse James (gotta love that name) will need to fill the shoes in the other TE spot in the two tight end sets O’Brien likes.

Adrian Amos looks like the leader of the new defensive backfield.  This area is also hit by injuries, with Malcom Willis and Jacob Fagnano still trying to get healthy.  Best news for this group is the front seven should be pretty good.

One thing’s for sure.  September 1 should be one interesting day in Beaver Stadium.

Pre-season practice is finally here, and Coach Bill O’Brien and the Nittany Lion football players can finally focus their attention on the field.

There will still be off field issues to confront, for sure, but at least the players can think mostly about learning the new offensive and defensive systems, competing for playing time, and upcoming opponents.

So, how will the defections of some key players impact the team?

It’s hard to say the loss of star running back Silas Redd won’t hurt.  Bill Belton would have been a perfect change of pace guy while he learned the position–he was a high school QB and wide receiver last year.  Now, he’s the guy at tailback.

That puts more pressure on the passing game, hit by the loss of top receiver Curtis Drake.  Which means other guys have to step up, O’Brien’s tight end emphasis needs to pay off (the loss of Kevin Haplea hurts here), and Matt McGloin needs to be precise in the short passing game to move the sticks.

All of which are possible.  If the offensive line is decent, an open question but also a good possibility, then the running game should be enough of a threat to help take some heat off McGloin.  The New England Patriots under O’Brien’s offense were good at matriculating the ball down the field, to quote the late Hank Stram, and in my view, that’s never a bad offensive philosophy.

If you can grind out two or three long, time consuming touchdown drives, that keeps the ball out of the other guys hands.  Penn State used to do that with the running game.  Now, they’ll need to do it with the short, controlled passing game.

More on the defense and special teams (hurt by the loss of Anthony Fera) later.

Running back Silas Redd is on the watch list for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding college football player (what’s the Heisman for?), and linebacker Gerald Hodges is on the list for the Bednarik Award, for the country’s best defensive player.

Putting aside for a minute there as many awards as bowl games, the fact these two Penn Staters are on these lists says national observers believe there is talent on the field as Bill O’Brien takes over.

There are questions, too.  Can Matt McGloin get the job done under a new, more complicated system?  Who will be the go-to receivers?  Can the O line perform at the level needed?  Will the two-tight end system work?

On defense, the front seven should be solid, and people should not overlook the return of Michael Mauti from his second major injury.  This guy has NFL talent, and this is his last chance to show both that talent and that he can stay healthy through a season.  With that to prove, Mauti could be a terror.

The secondary is a trouble spot, with no starters and very little experience returning.  But, a good front seven, by slowing opponents’ running games and putting consistent pressure on the QB, can cover a lot of mistakes in the defensive backfield.

Questions there are, but hope, too, as the 2012 Nittany Lions prepare for the opening of pre-season practices in a month.

After Penn State’s spring game, Coach Bill O’Brien said he didn’t put a lot of stock in seniority in deciding who gets playing time, but that whoever earns it would be in there.

His first depth chart, released today, shows he means it.

Sophomore Allen Robinson is ahead of senior Shawney Kersey at wide receiver.  Sophomore Donovan Smith is ahead of senior Nate Cadogan at left tackle.  Soph Kyle Carter is at the top of the “F” tight end spot ahead of junior Kevin Haplea in what could often be a two tight end set.

Michael Zordich is the only fullback listed, as O’Brien may just phase that position out. 

The defensive front seven looks solid with many veterans, and the return of Michael Mauti at outside linebacker.  Central York’s Kyle Baublitz is listed at second team D tackle and Dallastown’s Ben Kline as Mauti’s back up.

Other than Stephon Morris the defensive backfield is filled with unfamiliar names–though Malcom Willis and Adrian Amos did see some playing time last year.  That will be an area of concern.

Many changes are not doubt to come, but O’Brien seems to be telling his guys nobody is safe just because you have been here a while or had the spot last year.