LOS ANGELES -- For defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, it's likely at least another three years before he would have any shot of succeeding Joe Paterno as head coach. With Paterno's latest three-year extension, Bradley endured another round of questioning today about his standing as the supposed head coach in waiting who may have to wait forever until he's the top guy.

Bradley, like he always says, was adamant that he's not disappointed that he may have to keep on keeping on. "I’ve never worried about that," he said. "I’ve said that lots of times. It’s not going to define me if I don’t get to be a head coach. I think everybody makes a bigger deal about that."

Bradley said that he had been contacted by programs about openings, but he declined to get into specifics.  "This year I’ve been contacted by a lot of folks, but I’ve always been reluctant to talk about it because I don’t think it’s fair," he said.

As far as the 52-year-old Bradley is concerned, he's got a good job at a good place and his career won't be define if he never becomes a head coach. "I’d be OK with that because I’m in a great place," Bradley said. "I enjoy what I do. I like the people I work with. I enjoy the way Coach Paterno lets us coach. We have a lot of things that he always us to do. He lets us be ourselves."

I'll have more on this story in tomorrow's paper.

LOS ANGELES -- Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley and four defensive players met with the media today. A few newsy items came out of the press conference. For one, backup linebacker Bani Gbadyu was left home for what the team has termed academic reasons. Wide receiver Jordan Norwood sprained his ankle during practice, according to cornerback Lydell Sargeant. The extent of the injury and whether Norwood can play Thursday is unknown.

Defensive end Aaron Maybin was supposed to partake in today's interviews but was left back. Safety Mark Rubin came in his place. Maybin wore a second team jersey yesterday and is in Paterno's doghouse again. Joe often does this to motivate players, but Maybin apparently missed Friday's Disneyland event and is paying for it. Center A.Q. Shipley and guard Rich Ohrnberger were also running with the second team offensive line yesterday. The fifth-year seniors were late for a team breakfast.

That's all for now. I'm off to write for tomorrow's paper.

LOS ANGELES -- The fun in LaLa continues. Here's a rundown on the stories, tidbits in this morning's paper:

-- Here's a feature on Southern Cal quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has embraced his Mexican heritage and likewise has been embraced by L.A.'s Mexican-American community.

-- USC has an unorthodoxed methodology regarding its practices. It's all generated by the eternally-youthful Pete Carroll. Penn State, on the other hand, is the direct opposite. We have Joe Paterno to thank and curse for that.

-- Carroll, by the way, is the topic in my e-mail conversation with Bob Ford and Phil Sheridan.

-- With Pat Devlin gone and Paul Cianciolo now the backup, Penn State's offensive options have dwindled. Wide receiver Derrick Williams has been taking snaps and Carroll, for one, expects to see the Lions run him in the "The Wildcat."

-- Here's what Paterno did yesterday and what I expect him to do today:

What Joe did yesterday: Joe held a staff meeting with his coaches in the morning, ran practice in the afternoon, and attended Lawry's Beef Bowl, a Rose Bowl tradition for the teams at a local eatery.

What Joe might do today: Joe, with his new hip, might climb the hill to the iconic "Hollywood" sign and say, to no one in particular, "I remember when this thing read: 'Hollywoodland.' "

LOS ANGELES -- Day two of my Rose Bowl adventure is a mish-mosh of activity. Because Penn State closes its practices, I'm heading over to Southern Cal to do a few stories for tomorrow's paper. I'm anxious to see the kind of access I get as opposed to what Penn State offers. The Lions had staff meetings this morning and are currently on the field practicing now. Five players -- some of the more unheralded ones -- will be available to the media later today at the team hotel. The Lions will then attend Lawry's Beef Bowl. It's an annual event that features, well, lots of beef and eating. The Lions go tonight. USC goes tomorrow. I won't be able to attend. I'll be writing like a madman for tomorrow's edition.

LOS ANGELES -- Yesterday, as you can imagine, was quite hectic, so I couldn't post the happenings at the opening Rose Bowl media event at Disneyland. But here's a rundown of what we had in this morning's paper, which pretty much sums up yesterday. Joe Paterno and his captains were introduced at the event and their newness made an impact despite the fact that everyone thinks the Lions have no shot against the Trojans.

Paterno is still up in the air over where he will be come game time. He was still walking very gingerly, however.

I had a little fun with yesterday's event at Disneyland, where everyone is just so happy. It makes an east coaster like me almost want to puke.

In Talkin', Bob Ford, Phil Sheridan and I discuss the Pat Devlin situation.

And finally, here's our whimsical take on what Paterno is doing out here:

What Joe did yesterday: Joe showed up for a Rose Bowl media event at Disneyland and didn’t seem the least bit peeved by the whole thing. Some considered this a miracle.

What Joe might do today: Joe might appear on MTV’s The Hills. He might be caught gossiping about how he can’t believe Heidi is still going out with Spencer (That creep!). He might then hit a posh, advertised club in West Hollywood and do his best to avoid the paparazzi.

Whew. That's it. I guess they don't want me out here doing anything else but working.

I'm about to board my flight to Los Angeles and an assortment of questions enter the old noggin before I'm to embark on my first extended stay in SoCal. Will today's press event at Disneyland with Penn State and Southern Cal coaches and captains be as cheesy as I anticipate? Will Joe Paterno bark at a photographer or will he ride the tea cups? Is Pete Carroll really that young looking or is the botox? Will the Trojans arrive wearing fatigues? How often will the 1987 Fiesta Bowl be mentioned this week? Which Penn State player will I see sloshed in West Hollywood at 3 a.m. on New Year's Eve? How many celebrities will I spot? Paterno doesn't count. Where does Jessica Biel live? Does getting arrested for stalking mean mandatory jail time? How many references to film can I pack into my stories? What studio will purchase my life of Paterno screenplay? Who will play JoePa? Is Al Pacino too obvious a choice?

Back with more upon my landing.

The Inquirer (that means me) is upping its Penn State football coverage as the Lions get ready to play Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl. So here's a story on the multi-talented A.Q. Shipley, Penn State's all-American -- in more ways than one -- center. Here's a little ditty we call "Talkin'" with yours truly exchanging e-mails with general columnists Bob Ford and Phil Sheridan. Here's some early predictions on the game from some other scribes across the country. And here's a feature on USC coach Pete Carroll from the Orange County Register.

As expected, former Penn State quarterback Pat Devlin committed to Delaware, a source close to Devlin told The Inquirer today. Devlin, along with his parents, Mark and Connie, visited the Newark campus this weekend and gave coach K.C. Keeler his pledge upon the conclusion of the visit. Devlin, a former high school all-American at Downingtown East, transferred out of the Penn State two weeks ago after a season as the backup to Daryll Clark.

Because he's transferring to a Division I-AA school, Devlin will have two years of eligibility as opposed to just one had he moved to a Division I-A program. The sophomore is expected to be enrolled at Delaware by Jan. 5 and early enough to participate in spring practice. Check tomorrow's newspaper for more.

Today was the last day Penn State players could arrive in Los Angeles as the Lions begin preparations for the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. Many of the players returned to their homes last week after finals before flying out of their nearby airports. There was a light practice today and then the team gets to work tomorrow. Of course, there will be some leisure time and the players should have an opportunity to explore a city most of them have never been to, as I detailed in this morning's story.

A short programming note: I leave for Los Angeles the morning of the 26th. I'll have daily blog updates from the land of "Spiedie" (That's for all you "Hills" fans) leading up to the 95th Rose Bowl along with my usual newspaper output (lead story and notes). So check back regularly as Lion Eyes gives you access to all the goings on surrounding the Rose Bowl. It should be fun, even if the game ends up a stinker.