I don’t think anyone is surprised, that despite Coach Wannstedt’s hope, Pitt has no clear idea of who will be the projected starting RB going into the August training camp.
So far, not one has stepped up and all of the current tailbacks are in danger of being passed over by one of the heralded freshmen headed to campus in the fall.
“They have all proven they are tough guys,” coach Dave Wannstedt said of the tailbacks after yesterday’s practice. “But right now, in my mind, it is still an open competition. I don’t think anybody has jumped to the front and taken the job. They have all gotten better and I am not disappointed in any of them, but I wouldn’t walk in here right now and say ‘he’s the starting tailback.’
“I think we’re going to wait until all the freshmen get in here and go through the whole thing.”
As much as we can hope for a balanced offense, my feeling is that Pitt will end up using at least 3 different guys as the starting RB this season. I have nothing to base that on other than a gut instinct. I figure some injuries and inconsistent play — especially from the freshmen RBs — will force some shifting.
During yesterday’s scrimmage, watched by over 30 juniors that did not just include WPIAL kids, there was a partial officiating crew used. Big East officials will return in 2 weeks to update the coaching staff on changes in the rules, and re-educate Coach Wannstedt about the college officiating.
A good piece on Thomas Smith transitioning from Defensive End to Defensive Tackle.
Smith’s move from end to tackle is certainly an upgrade for the Panthers’ defensive line because they haven’t had a player of his athletic ability — not to mention his nasty demeanor — at tackle in a long time. The two players who started on the interior line last year — Dan Stephens and Vince Crochunis — were tough, hard-nosed players and hard workers, but Smith is quicker and more athletic than both of them.
But those two graduated and left a huge hole in the middle with very few experienced and viable candidates to fill it. Smith was an easy choice because he’s experienced and because there is enough depth at end, and thus coaches felt comfortable moving him to tackle.
Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said that Smith, who is 6 feet 4, 285 pounds, is a perfect fit for defensive tackle and was potentially the best tackle on the team last year as well. But he played end because he was too good not to play, and because Stephens and Crochunis were better suited for the middle.
Smith wasn’t quite fast enough on the end to help seal off runs to the sidelines, but he should provide a strong burst inside to penetrate on runs, and come up the middle at the QB. All part of Coach Wannstedt trying to get the speed on the defense.
Rashad Jennings gets the puff piece on his working hard to get in better shape while he got himself academically qualified. It helped that he had 2 older brothers who made it to the NFL to help show him what he has to do. Jennings is one of many players in the mix to get on the depth chart for running back.
