Now this is an awesome resource. The Helmet Project (via FanBlogs). An ongoing work in progress attempting to replicate and show the football helmets for all teams — pro and college. Right now the sight goes back to circa 1960. The Big East section has Pitt helmets going back to the mid-60s. Like This.

Cool place to click through.

Maybe Darrelle Strong would have had a chance to be a starting QB this year — simply by the odds that Palko and Getsy may both be mauled by opposing defenses. Judging by what the latest Walt Harris quote collection (PDF version) says, the line looks incredibly fragile and inexperienced.

Whatever is wrong with Guard Rob Frederick’s left foot, “It’s not day-to-day, it will be awhile.” That means Charles Spencer will have to get the hang of the position really fast. Plus Center Justin Belarski suffered back spasms today. He missed most of last season because of injuries.

Should be another fun day for the whole offense with tomorrow’s scheduled scrimmage.

Thomas Smith, a senior defensive end, comes in for today’s puff piece. He’s a tough guy, he knows how to play through and with pain, a bit of a throwback, a plain tough football player, a leader by example… Oh, you know the storyline.

Despite more injuries, the stories today were quite upbeat. The move of Darrell Strong from QB to TE seems to be the reason. Despite all the early talk about his strong arm, he can have a more immediate impact as a TE. Linebacker H.B. Blades, played on the same high school team as Strong, and had lots of positive things to say.

Zeise’s notebook leads with Strong moving to TE. Now for the bad stuff. Freshman RB Brandon Mason tore ligaments in his thumb. He will be out an undetermined period. At this rate, all Kirkely has to do to win the starting tailback job is not get hurt. Cornerback Josh Lay, who got a late start because of academic issues, will likely be out for a while with a hamstring injury. More dinged up defensive players — J.J. Horne and Kennard Cox. Harris was unhappy with the way the defense played, they lacked intensity.

Bendel’s notebook led the ailing left foot of Guard Rob Frederick. The positive, being that the X-rays were negative. Now he will have an MRI to see why it is hurting. Bendel thinks Mason won’t return from his thumb ligament surgery until late in the season, and will end up red-shirting. Kirkely looked good running the ball, but was it all him or did the defense let down.