ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

	AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
	Safety Anthony Scirrotto led Penn State in interceptions the past two seasons.

Here's the second half of my interview with Penn State senior safety Anthony Scirrotto:

You have a lot of experienced guys coming back on defense. What are your expectations for the group?

Anthony Scirrotto: We're expecting big things. We have a lot of guys coming back up front, a lot of guys in the secondary have a lot of experience, and we have some great linebackers. If we put it all together and work hard this camp, we're going to be a really good team.

With Sean [Lee] not there, does that change anything you do schematically? It seemed like every year Penn State has had a linebacker get 120-plus tackles.

AS: I don't think so. It's tough to say because I don't know exactly what the coaches are thinking. It's hard to fill in for a guy like Sean, but we have young guys working hard and getting ready to play. They know he's not going to be there. That's their role. They have to be ready to play. And Sean's done a great job of coaching up the guys, too.

How has Sean done with his rehab?

AS: Sean's doing great, rehabbing really hard. His leg looks good. He's doing a great job with the guys. He's out every time we run, every time we practice. He's out there coaching the guys up. Just doing what a leader should do.

Who are some of the young guys people haven't heard of around the league who could step up on defense?

AS: Josh Hull, Chris Colasanti, two linebackers who are really good. A lot of people are going to be surprised by them this year, how well they do. We have some guys in the secondary like Drew Astorino and Chaz Powell, great athletes as redshirt freshmen. They should be getting some good playing time this year. And the D-line speaks for itself.

There's been a lot of buzz this spring about [running back] Stephfon Green. What was it like going against him in the spring?

AS: He's doing really well. He's getting bigger and stronger. He's always been fast. He's a hard worker, a great athlete. He's going to have a great career here.

What's the secret to getting interceptions? You've led the team the last two seasons.

AS: At this point, it's just breaking down film and seeing the weaknesses of the offense. Leaning and anticipating a little better, you get all that from watching film and paying attention during practice and scout team.

I was talking to Eric Decker from Minnesota the other day, and he's playing baseball and football there. Do you ever think about baseball, what it would be like if you went that route?

AS: No, not really. Since I've gotten here, I just wanted to always focus on football. I knew if I wanted to get to the next level playing football, that I'd have to work really hard. I've never thought about playing while I've been here. We did watch the College World Series this past year and a lot of guys were like, 'Why didn't you play baseball? Why didn't you enter the draft?' It all comes down to I loved playing football a lot better than playing baseball.

Does your personality fit football a little better?

AS: Exactly. There's nothing more exciting than getting prepared for a football game, especially here at Penn State. When I played baseball, I was excited when we first started, but then the seasons are so long and you play so much that it just becomes the same thing over and over again. And I get bored really easily. In football, you're working hard throughout the week, practicing and getting prepared to play one game.

There's so much speculation about coach [Joe] Paterno and his future. As players, does it become a distraction?

AS: I don't think we really concern ourselves with it. I don't really understand why people ask us because we honestly have no idea. We don't see the coaches much throughout the summer. They're out recruiting or doing camps or taking a break here and there. We don't really know what's going on upstairs, to be honest. But coach Paterno, he's the coach here and I believe he's always going to be the coach here. When he decides he's ready to be done, he'll let everyone know. He's still really into it and really wants to be the coach here.