I really don’t think there is any other way to read this report on how the wide receivers are doing. Derek Kinder looks solid in his spot, but it seems no one else has really made a claim, though Joe DelSardo seems to have the #3 WR slot.
Early in the spring it looked as if redshirt freshman Oderick Turner was a lock to earn a starting job, but he has had an inconsistent spring and was passed — at least temporarily — by fellow redshirt freshman Cedric McGee.
There is also senior Joe DelSardo, who is actually the team leader in career receptions, and was a starter as a sophomore before losing his job to Kinder three games into last season. DelSardo has excellent hands, is a great route-runner and understands the offense better than any of the other receivers.
One other player who has been competitive is sophomore Marcel Pestano.
“We’re still waiting for that one player at receiver to step up, but it hasn’t happened yet,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “The guys have been doing a good job, but we have been looking for one of them to step up and be the guy. We have some options. I think Joe DelSardo has done a good job and there are a lot of ways we can use him, he’ll be an intricate part of what we do.”
The spot appears to be Dorin Dickerson’s to lose. I mean when Derek Kinder is stressing the run-blocking aspect of his WR teammates, that’s not a good sign.
“We are always going to put the ball in the air, but we really focused on run-blocking, on being more physical. We always hear references to [Steelers receiver] Hines Ward, how tough he is and how tough we have to be. Even if we’re not as tough, we’ve got to put on that face like we’re going to go in there and take on those linebackers or we won’t play.”
Vital and important, I know, but not one of those things you expect to talk about when you don’t have a clear depth chart at the WR positions, and that really hasn’t changed.
Tight End Darrell Strong gets a puff piece from the AP. Now at tight end, it’s good to talk about improved blocking skills.
Wannstedt said Strong is vastly improved since last season.
“He’s blocking the powers and the sweeps, and that’s been the best thing to happen to him,” Wannstedt said. “But we’ll see what happens this summer when Pelusi comes back and Nate Byham comes in. Then, we’ll sit back and look at our tight end position and see what we can do.”
Until then, Strong will continue to work hard.
“For me, the improvement from last year would be that I got a lot bigger in the offseason,” Strong said. “This year, I’m probably going to be more of a blocking tight end than a receiver. I lost a lot of body (fat) and put on muscle.”
Strong’s increased size, strength and blocking ability could help take his game to another level.
“Right now, I feel confident that this can be a breakout season for me,” Strong said. “I feel better and a whole lot more comfortable with everything that we’re doing on offense, and they want me on the field a whole lot more than they did last year. I’m not just on the field to catch the ball. I can be in there to block, too, so I’m a better overall tight end.”
Good.
