The Offensive Line is working hard to be cohesive and not be the weak link on the team this year.

“We’re going to be more successful than last year,” said junior right tackle Mike McGlynn, who reported to camp in the best shape of his career. “That’s not a stretch. Who am I kidding? We didn’t have a good last year. This year, we’re going to work to be a unit and have a successful year.”

It isn’t just talk. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt addressed the run offense and run defense as two main areas of concern before training camp, and the Panthers have shown that the offense is well ahead of the defense during 11-on-11 drills.

The experience of the group is a primary reason for the improvement. Senior right guard John Simonitis is entering his fourth year as a starter and McGlynn his third, while Villani and sophomore left guard C.J. Davis now have a full season behind them. The only question is at left tackle, where sophomore John Bachman is battling junior-college transfer Jeff Otah for the starting job.

There’s enough stability that freshman Joe Thomas, who has earned rave reviews from coaches in camp, will make the two deep but not be forced into starting duties.

The story almost makes me optimistic about the O-line. Cynicsm and the past few years, however, has me thinking about reserving judgment for a few games.

Part of the reason for the hesitancy is that the O-line is only going up against Pitt’s D-line. Not exactly a stiff test at this point. Still a major concern.

The Panthers worked that offensive play extensively, and the offensive line controlled the defense more times than not with redshirt sophomore Brandon Mason, sophomore LaRod Stephens-Howling, redshirt freshman Shane Brooks and freshman Kevin Collier running wild.

“The offensive line did a great job, and it all starts up front with them,” Mason said. “They came out and punched the defense in the mouth, and that’s how it all starts. They gave us some good blocks, but we have a lot of talent in the backfield that can go out and do our thing.”

Wannstedt wasn’t pleased with the overall intensity level, but he was happy that the running game showed some improvement.

“I thought we ran the ball better today for the first time and made some strides there, but we have a lot of work to do with our run defense,” Wannstedt said. “That’s an area where, if we’re going to be an improved team, we need to obviously run the ball better and we need to stop the run better. We’re working a lot of people in there to get the right mix.”

Mix, blend, puree. Whatever. The D-line is going to need to be better very soon. Less than 3 weeks to opening night.