Penn St.'s Posluszny anxious to play again

The standout linebacker is recovering from a knee injury.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- All-American linebacker Paul Posluszny likes to dish out hits -- the wide-eyed, steam-coming-out-of-the-nostrils kind of hard hits that can send a running back crumpling to the turf.
For now, that will have to wait until the fall. While recovering from a knee injury, Posluszny is limited to little more than bumping chests with Penn State teammates during spring practice.
"I'm starting to get a little bit antsy," Posluszny said Monday.
He understands, though, why coaches have been cautious. As a junior last season, Posluszny won awards as the nation's best defensive player and linebacker in helping lead an experienced Nittany Lion defense that played an integral part in getting the team to the Orange Bowl in January.
It was in that game, a 26-23 thriller over Florida State, that Posluszny had to be carted off the field after sustaining two partially torn ligaments in his right knee. Thoughts of leaving school early to enter the NFL draft disappeared soon afterward.
So the hard-nosed captain called "Pos" or "Puz" by teammates is back in his familiar blue-and-white No. 31 jersey. No pads for Puz this spring, though he has been fitted with a black brace on his right knee.
"If they really wanted me to, I really know I could practice," Posluszny said about his coaches' desire to limit him. "As far as the knee feels, it feels great. Good to go."
Leadership role
He's trying to make the most of the situation. Already a captain, Posluszny said he's trying to take a more vocal leadership role, especially since coach Joe Paterno must replace seven starters.
Three defensive line starters are gone, including All-American Tamba Hali, along with the entire starting secondary.
Linebacker figures to be the strength of the defense, with starters Posluszny, Tim Shaw and Dan Connor all returning.
Posluszny said he's pleased with how the revamped defense looks so far in practice, but he knows the linebacking trio must step up.
"When it really comes down to it, we will have to make more big plays," he said. "This year, that's got to be us. It has to be a senior. We need to be dependable when the game is on the line."
Meantime, Posluszny watches when the contact portion of practice starts. He might stand behind Sean Lee, the man who is standing in for him, to make sure Lee is doing things correctly or to refresh his memory on where he needs to line up when he finally does take the field in a real game.
He's been reviewing game tapes of last year to pick up mistakes that he might need to correct.
His restlessness has him joking with his coaches sometimes to get him suited up.
"I know in the long run, the smart thing to do is relax and make sure the things heal completely and go with it," he said.
"To sit out is the hardest thing."
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