Not sure if this will just be an experiment, motivation tool or the major overhaul.
Wannstedt said H.B. Blades — who started at strongside linebacker last year, led the team in tackles and earned first-team All-Big East honors — is being moved to middle linebacker to compete for a starting job there.
Reserve middle linebacker Derron Thomas, who has impressed coaches this spring and was pushing for a starting job in the middle, has been moved to strongside linebacker and could be the starter there.
And on the weak side, Brian Bennett has moved slightly ahead of J.J. Horne for the starting job, although Wannstedt said the two will continue to split time.
That means Clint Session, the starter at middle linebacker last season, could be headed to the second team, although the changes are on a trial basis. Session has blazing speed and is a superior athlete who can deliver big hits, but he has had a tendency to overrun plays and miss tackles.
Blades is not as athletic as Session, but is a more complete player, has better fundamentals and is a better tackler. Earlier this spring, linebackers coach Curtis Bray hinted the change could be coming when he talked about the need for more consistent tackling at middle linebacker.
“We’re constantly evaluating personnel,” Wannstedt said yesterday. “H.B. is furthest along of all the linebackers. The good thing about our scheme is that the positions are interchangeable.”
If the changes hold, the Panthers’ starting linebackers would be Bennett (weak), Blades (middle) and Thomas (strong), with Horne and Session as the primary backups. But Wannstedt stressed that the moves might not be permanent and said he just wants to get a look at Blades in the middle.
I’m thinking this might be more about creating flexibility. Making sure the players are more familiar and comfortable on other places on the line, and able to play elsewhere if the situation or injuries demand it. Mostly, though, I think this is about motivation.
I don’t think you seriously move Blades out of the position where he clearly excels and has potential to get better. I think this is about getting Session to wake up and not just look for the hit. To not just rely on his athleticism, but think and actually tackle.
Just to put a knot in everyone’s stomach at practice, Palko took a hit.
If one episode could symbolize the rugged tenor of spring practice, it occurred Tuesday afternoon when redshirt sophomore Chris McKillop roared around right end, knocked quarterback Tyler Palko to the grass and sent new coach Dave Wannstedt into a rage.
This was one hit Wannstedt didn’t want to see.
First off, quarterbacks are off limits for anything but tags. Secondly, Palko — who hates the fact that he is barred from contact — is the team’s star player.
Palko initially appeared to be injured. Wannstedt lit into the hyper-aggressive McKillop, who has quickly worked his way up to first-team defensive end.
“What are you doing!” the coach yelled. “What are you doing! Chris, I can’t believe that! Was that a tag? What are you doing!”
The storm passed quickly. Palko was fine.
From all accounts, Wannstedt hadn’t roared like that all spring. But make no mistake, his commanding presence makes for a radical departure from his mild-mannered predecessor, Walt Harris.
As kicker Josh Cummings put it, “Coach Wannstedt is a much more efficient and enthusiastic speaker.”
In some sadder, but not unexpected news, Princell Brockenbrough is done playing WR at Pitt. I thought his chances were slim when the Cal WR was unable to get a 6th year of eligibility. Turns out the Brockenbrough never applied because his doctors said he should never play football again because of his perpetually injured left knee. Brockenbrough has earned his degree and will be returning home to Richmond, VA. Good luck.
In some other stories, Coach Wannstedt is the subject of a long article in the Rocky Mountain News. There’s the usual stuff about relating to his coming home and another pro coach going to college. But, overall it is a good piece.
“His Pittsburgh background is very important in that part of the world,” former Alabama coach and ESPN analyst Bill Curry said when Pittsburgh hired Wannstedt. “In some places, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, but there it does. . . .
“People there have a religious devotion to football, and it’s important to have (a local coach) with a high pedigree. And Dave has it.”
I think Wannstedt is a good hire, and I had initial doubts, but I think Curry absolutely nails it. It isn’t so much that he went to Pitt that matters. It’s that he’s from the ‘Burgh to most people.
On the recruiting side, it looks like Pitt and Wannstedt made an impression on another Junior a week ago.
Churchville-Chili’s Kevin Collier has become a hot commodity.
The University of Pittsburgh has offered the All-Greater Rochester running back a football scholarship, and while he sounds thrilled with the idea of playing for new Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt, Collier plans on making five official visits to Division I suitors before making a decision.
Boston College, Connecticut, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Syracuse and Wisconsin also are “highly interested,” in the 5-foot-10, 190-pound junior, according to his coach, Paul Dick. Collier rushed for 1,724 yards and scored 20 touchdowns last fall. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry without fumbling the ball all season.
“This feels good,” Collier said of the interest shown by recruiters. “It lets me know I have a future in front of me if I play my cards right. I know (the recruiting process) will have its ups and downs, but right now I’m excited.”
That’s how Dick described the sentiment of Pitt’s coaching staff during Collier’s April 2 visit at the Panthers’ “Elite Bluechip Recruit Day.” Collier was one of 31 players invited to tour the campus and football facilities, Dick said. Collier’s parents, Kevin Sr. and Angela, also were there.
“Wannstedt grabbed us and put us on a separate bus with him,” Dick said. “He sat with Kevin just about the rest of the day, really courted him. (Pitt) has come out and really let him know they want him.”
…
He also visited SU this month during its recent “Junior Recruit Day,” but Pitt “seemed like home,” Collier said.
Irondequoit native David Walker called Syracuse, his alma mater, home for the past 10 years. But after the off-season coaching change at SU, Walker joined Pitt in January. He met Collier at a clinic in Rochester last year, Dick said, but it was Collier’s appearance on a highlight videotape of top players that has launched his status as a big-time recruit. The video, which Dick said included 38 clips of Collier runs, was produced by the National Recruiting Center.
5 months to go. 5 months to go. 5 months to go.
