Pitt Panther Prowl

PITT FOOTBALL: SPRING GAME PREVIEW II

One day until we fans get to see the 2008 version of the PITT Panthers in action. I’m looking forward to the trip over from Maryland, meeting new friends from the message boards and getting a feel of what we can expect going into training camp.

All this, of course, is tempered by the fact that the annual Blue & Gold Game as it’s formally called is nothing but an exhibition in its broadest terms. The coaching staff will use it to try to winnow down the roster names into a workable two-deep lineup so that they can spend the three months over the break formulating strategy and game plans based on the expected personnel.

Early next week I’ll post what I think our best two deep will be, and then later in the summer we can see just how much I don’t know. This much I do know – we won’t be seeing much of McCoy or Stull tomorrow. Wannstedt has publicly stated that he’ll play them for a series or two and pull them for protection. It is a good decision and personally, I wouldn’t be disappointed at all if they sit on the bench all evening. Stull will wear the red jersey as a signal not to be hit as Wannstedt has named him the starting QB for 2008, but the other three QBs will be at the mercy of the defense – literally it seems due to the way our offensive line has played lately.

Actually, reports out of camp are less critical now of the OL than they have been the first three weeks of camp. Whether that is the case of an improvement in play or the reporters getting sick of saying the same things over and over I’m not sure. I think it’s a little of both.

Two of the more interesting position battles have be split between offense and defense. On the O side Shariff Harris has been impressive, running with both power and speed. A kind of amazing note here is that Harris has gone from 190 pounds when recruited to 225 pounds under Buddy Morris’ workout program. Huh. I did the same thing, gained 35 pounds, in the course of a year back in 1981. That was due to getting married and eating actual food instead of bar snacks, not as much fun as working out I suppose, but just as healthy for me in the long run. Now I spend all my time wondering how I can get rid of 35 pounds. Anyway, I digress. Harris is quickly overtaking Kevin Collier as the third string RB behind McCoy and Stevens-Howling. I think it’s less due to Collier’s play as it is the coaching staff wanting a big power runner to insert when needed. Collier is built as a smaller speed back and the two players in the lineup ahead of him are that style of runner also. Too bad really, as Kevin Collier worked hard to come back from the wrist injury that kept him out last season and deserves some playing time.

Also on the offense we’ll have a chance to watch Mo Williams get lots of work. He has emerged as a playmaker and quickly is becoming a lead candidate to start at WR. Dorin Dickerson has been impressive also; every day brings an article about his consistent play in his new TE position. Since both Nate Byham (whose Grandfather says Nate’s knee is doing well) and John Pelusi are coming of surgeries we’ll see DD lined up as a TE. I hope we see just a glimpse of this new H-Back set, but I don’t think so. But just seeing Dickerson involved and carrying the ball will be satisfying for this fan.

On defense, Dom DeCicco and Elijah Fields have played well enough to allay the fears we have at the Safety. The problem is (and it might be a good problem in the long run) that neither has really moved ahead of the other to assume the starter’s role across from senior Eric Thatcher. Fans call for both to play, but in my opinion we won’t see that until mid-season if at all. Coach Bennett’s defense has the Safety position calling the defensive sets and DW wants an experienced upperclassman doing it. Makes sense to me, and I’m confident in Thatcher’s abilities to do so. And, let’s not forget that Thatcher can lay wood on the opposing receivers also – some of the hardest hits we have seen out of PITT defenders in the past few years came from him. I can envision all three safeties in an informal competition to see who gets the most knockdowns during the season. We do need to keep our eyes on the Sherod Murdock situation as his absence – which might be a long or possibly a permanent one – leaves a void at the backup position at Safety.

While we are at it, defense has another battle going on at defensive back with Buddy Jackson and Jovanni Chappel vying to play opposite Aaron Berry. Both will get lots of snaps I think and it’ll be fun to watch.

So, off to Pittsburgh early tomorrow. Hope to see you at the game and let’s all wish for some exciting plays and no injuries.