Saturday’s practice was also a day for recruiting.
Pitt coaches got what they hope is a glimpse of the future when Manheim Central quarterback Pat Bostick, who is one of the Panthers’ top priorities in recruiting for next year, visited practice and spent most of his time with three of Pitt’s incoming recruits, West Allegheny’s Dorin Dickerson, Duquesne’s Elijah Fields and Gateway’s Aaron Smith. At one point, Bostick tossed a football on the sideline with the three future wide receivers. … Bostick was one of a large group of junior prospects to visit Pitt yesterday as part of the Panthers’ annual “Blue Chip day.”
Apparently what they saw was the defense control.
Pitt’s defense dominated yesterday in the Panthers’ final scrimmage before the Blue-Gold spring game Saturday at Heinz Field.
The Panthers’ defensive line overwhelmed the offensive line and rendered the offense virtually powerless. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt heaped praise on his defense and the line, which has been scrutinized and criticized this spring.
“We didn’t get much of anything done on offense today. We didn’t make many first downs” Wannstedt said. “This was by far the best the defense has looked all spring. We’ve been making progress with our defensive line and the guys are starting to really move around well. They are starting to grasp the concepts of making plays — they are not just out there to take up blocks.
“To play this scheme effectively, our down guys have to be playmakers. I was encouraged.”
Not good news with regards to Pitt’s O-line. Not unexpected. Defense is usually in better shape than offense in the spring. It is a good confidence thing, though, for the D-line that is undersized, but faster than before.
That’s why former linebackers Chris McKillop and Charles Sallet are Pitt’s starting defensive ends, Doug Fulmer is a key backup and safety Tommie Campbell, among the fastest Panthers, recently was moved to outside linebacker during spring practice at the UPMC Sports Complex.
“There’s not one thing that you can coach about speed other than getting it in the right place and heading in the right direction,” Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said. McKillop is listed at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, while Sallet is 6-foot, 235 and Fulmer is 6-3, 210. Campbell is 6-2, 190.
“If you’re explosive, then giving up 20 pounds doesn’t necessarily mean that much in a matchup,” Rhoads said.
Of course that actually means you need to have an aggressive defense, not the read-and-react/bend-don’t-break style that Rhoads has been pushing since coming to Pitt. Will Rhoads actually let the defense do that come actual games? Or will he fall back to his “don’t give up the big play, just let them get 4 to 7 yards at a time” philosophy. That is the question.
Gattuso and defensive ends coach Charlie Partridge primarily have been schooling their linemen on fundamentals. With better technique, and an infusion of speed, the defense could be much better.
But what happens when a power offense is across the line? That could be a bad matchup.
“Fundamentals?” You mean like actually tackling rather than just hitting? Tell me that isn’t just some crazy dream.
Final piece is a puffer on TE Darrell Strong having the “lightbulb” go on.
Strong has perhaps the best hands on the team, but he admitted he wasn’t interested in becoming a good blocker last year. He didn’t improve much in that area and played almost exclusively in passing situations.
In the offseason, after thinking things through, he has had a change of heart and attitude. That has left the Panthers with potentially a dominant player who can play in every situation.
“This offseason it just clicked for me. I got a lot bigger, a lot stronger and lost a lot of body weight,” Strong said. “I feel like I’ve become a better blocker this spring and that’s my number one goal. I want to be a dominant blocker. My heart is in it, I want to be a true tight end. I don’t just want to be a H-back or a glorified receiver. I want to be a tight end and I feel like a true tight end.
“My days as a receiver are over and so are my days as a quarterback. I’m a tight end now and I know I can be a great blocker as well as do the things I’ve always done catching passes.”
Strong has worked hard on his blocking and has had plenty of opportunities to test his newfound skills.
Strong should have every opportunity to win the starting TE job over Senior Steve Buches and incoming Freshman Nate Byham.
