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. Ray Nitschke Packers Jersey .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. LaDarius Gunter Womens Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Dave Robinson Womens Jersey .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. http://www.packersproshopfootball.com/Youth-Ha-Ha-Clinton-Dix-Elite-Jersey/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ron Rivera stressed a few years ago that he wanted the Carolina Panthers to become relevant in the NFL.Put a big checkmark in that box.Behind NFL MVP Cam Newton, the Panthers have become a hot ticket in the Carolinas and neighboring states -- more so than ever. Following a third straight NFC South championship and a trip to the Super Bowl, fans are abuzz about the Panthers heading into 2016 season hoping the franchises first Vince Lombardi Trophy is close.The Panthers sold out all 60,000 tickets -- they were available for free online -- in a matter of hours for their annual Fan Fest practice, which was held Friday night at their downtown stadium.Yes, were talking about practice.This week the team shattered its yearly training camp attendance record at Wofford College -- and the camp isnt even half over. Through their first seven practices the Panthers attracted nearly 80,000 fans to their practice facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, about a 90-minute drive from their home base in Charlotte.When you have sustained success it creates more and more momentum, Panthers President Danny Morrison told The Associated Press. People around the country and certainly in the Carolinas have seen a very unselfish team -- a team that loves playing football. And we have a lot of unique individuals.Few are unique as Newton, one of the more excitable, confident and entertaining quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL.The sixth-year quarterback has become a polarizing figure to some who dont particularly enjoy his elaborate touchdown celebrations or the way he bolted off the podium after Carolinas 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. But hes become the most popular athlete the Charlotte area has ever known.Newton immediately captures the crowds attention when he steps on the field at Bank of America Stadium.Near the end of practice, he made like an orchestra conductor for the crowd as he led the wave. Moving his arms, he got fans to do it in slow motion, extra fast and backward. He even had the wave going in two different directions, all thhe while smiling from ear to ear. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Jersey. Fans responded to his energy with a chant of MVP.Nothing Cam can do surprises me anymore, said fullback Mike Tolbert with a laugh.Luke Kuechly is much more reserved than Newton, but no less loved in the Carolinas. When No. 59 makes was shown on the stadiums videoboards, the crowd roared Luuuuuuke!When you have individual stars like we have that only adds to the excitement around training camp, Morrison said.Rivera said the players have been overwhelmed by the amount of fan support this summer. The team drew more than 22,000 fans for its first night of practice at Wofford College as optimistic fans anticipate a return to the Super Bowl -- albeit with a different outcome.We love the support because it brings a lot of energy and the players feed off that energy, Rivera said. The tempo goes up and guys get really competitive.The teams support has steadily increased since 2013, when the Panthers won the first of its three straight NFC South titles. Before that, the Panthers had never been to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.My first year I came in here you could find a seat anywhere in the stands. Now its a packed house, so thats great, said fourth-year defensive tackle Star Lotulelei.Morrison said the metrics the team uses to measure its growth in popularity -- including social media, TV ratings and attendance -- suggest interest in the team is at an all-time high.Along with winning, Morrison also attributes the growing fan base to what he calls second generation fans.The Panthers entered the league as an expansion team in 1995, so it has taken some time to establish a fan base. But with the team headed into its 22nd season, many of the young fans who grew up watching the Panthers have now become adults and are raising their children as fans.Certainly that is making a big impact, Morrison said.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys AuthenticWholesale Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaNFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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