Northwestern running back Justin Jackson and from corse178's blog
CHICAGO -- Penn State coach James Franklin sees an improved team in Happy Valley -- and a program that cant escape the shadow cast by the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. Discount Ecco Shoes Online .Franklin made some pointed comments about negative recruiting against the Nittany Lions, saying there are issues that need to be addressed possibly at the conference level.I think theres a fine line to that, he said at Big Ten Media Days on Monday. I think some things need to be addressed. I do think theres a line you do not cross. But I guess in some ways thats the nature of the beast. I think some people are going to look for weaknesses and try to take advantage of those. But to me, there is a line that you do not cross. Well see how that whole thing plays out. There is a time and a place for everything.Franklins comments came in the wake of recently disclosed allegations from men who have accused Sandusky of sexual abuse that raised fresh questions about what his fellow Penn State assistant coaches might have seen or known before his November 2011 arrest -- and why they have largely kept quiet. The allegations have also raised questions about just how far back late coach Joe Paterno became aware of the situation.Negative recruiting happens all over the country. Everyone is dealing with it, Franklin said.But other programs arent dealing with a situation like this one. Franklin said Nittany Lions coaches probably have to answer more tough questions than any other staff, particularly on the recruiting trail.When reports surface, he said he calls recruits as well as their families and coaches to answer questions they might have about the direction of the program.And he made a point to say Monday that it is headed in the right direction. Now that they are free of sanctions and back to the full 85 scholarships, Franklin insisted the Nittany Lions are ready to make a jump after going 7-6 and making bowl games each of his first two seasons.Theres very few programs that would have been able to come through what weve come through with the type of success that weve had, two bowl games in a row, he said. Never had a losing season through the challenges. So theres positives there to build on.But can he lead the Nittany Lions back toward the top of a conference with no shortage of big-name coaches.Michigan in particular has huge expectations after regaining its swagger and going 10-3 in Jim Harbaughs first season.We have big hopes, Harbaugh said. Weve got big dreams. Weve got lofty goals. And all those are achievable. And they have to be worked for. You can accomplish anything if the work is realized. And those things have to be earned. So we are in the position right now to work to get the things we want. Thats the fact. Thats the mentality. Thats the attitude.Wolverines tight end Jake Butt sees a team with no major weaknesses.Weve got an experienced offensive line, weve got an experienced run game, weve got a proven run game, he said. We have a defense that we know we can trust. Weve got special teams that we know are going to put us in great positions. Theyre all little pieces of the puzzle that come together.While Ohio State lost 16 starters, J.T. Barrett is returns for his junior season with a 15-2 record and the knowledge that he is the No. 1 quarterback after losing out to Cardale Jones last year and then replacing him.Barrett and Iowa cornerback Desmond King -- the 2015 Thorpe Award winner as the countrys top defensive back -- highlighted the preseason all-Big Ten selections on Monday.Barrett was selected to the East Division team along with Michigan defensive back Jabrill Peppers, Michigan State defensive lineman Malik McDowell, Ohio State linebacker Raekwon McMillan and Penn State running back Saquon Barkley by a media panel. Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard and King, Northwestern running back Justin Jackson and linebacker Anthony Walker, and Wisconsin running back Corey Clement were the West picks. Cheap Ecco Shoes Online . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. Ecco Shoes Online Sale . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. http://www.wholesaleecco.com/ . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. MOHNTON, Pa. -- Rain and persistent mist forced NHRA officials to cancel qualifying Friday in the Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.Two rounds of qualifying are set for Saturday in the third event in the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Ecco Shoes Clearance Sale. ' ' '
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