Is the running game showing major signs of improvement or is it that the run defense is still highly suspect. Or is it somewhere in between? I’d love to know the answer, but despite an apparently spirited final scrimmage I have my questions.

On Shane Brooks’ performance in the scrimmage:

Shane Brooks – he earned his scholarship today. He did a nice job. We held LaRod Stephens [-Howling] today [out of the scrimmage]. We held him and [Darrelle] Revis and [H.B.] Blades and [Clint] Session for most of it. We wanted to get a good look between [Shane] Brooks, [Kevin] Collier and Dorin Dickerson. And we basically told them all, hey, it’s up in the air. Go after the job. Shane came out today. The thing that he did today that was impressive, he put the ball on the ground early and then he bounced back. I mean he didn’t go in the tank and lose his confidence, and he came back stronger than when he started. The thing that’s a little bit deceiving about him is he can run on the perimeter which he showed today. He’s little bit deceiving. Everybody thinks of him as a between the tackles type of runner, but he has a little bit more shake on the outside than what anybody really gives him credit for. They’re all [running backs] going to play. We’re going to need them all before the year’s out. That’s for sure. [Shane Brooks has] got good hands. That’s an area all of our running backs need to improve on because for the type of team we’re going to be, we’re going to need to get the ball out quick and Tyler [Palko] will do that. I thought Tyler had a good day. He was nine-for-eleven. He made good decisions, but we didn’t come up with any big plays. But he can’t control that. We’ve got to get the ball into the hands of our backs and receivers and tight ends and those guys will make plays.

On the depth at running back:

[Shane Brooks] is going to play a ton. If we were playing tomorrow, he’s second team behind LaRod. We’ll take a look at the tape. He might be as good as short yardage and goal-line runner as we have.

On who stood out on the defense:

Starting off, I thought Gus Mustakas up front really made some plays. Doug Fulmer – I think he’s kind of got comfortable with that right defensive end spot and made some big plays. Even one or two of the passes that Tyler [Palko] threw way at the end, he was right there in the quarterback’s face. I thought Fulmer made some plays. Gus made some plays early which is what we need – our defensive linemen to rise up. I forgot about Tommie [Campbell]. Him and Fulmer set the tempo for the scrimmage. On the offensive drive, not only does [Tommie] cause the fumble, but he recovered it. Then he comes up with a sack later. He’s more comfortable every day at that spot. Think about this. He hasn’t played in a game yet at linebacker. So he’s going to be better every week as time goes on.

Shane Brooks ran wild. Which is good for the offense, and helps with the depth chart. He definitely feels confident.

Brooks bulked up to 225 pounds after last season, and the Panthers believed he would be their power back. But he lost some weight after the spring workouts and checks in a 212 pounds.

“I just spent every day in the weight room with Coach (Mike) Kent, going hard with lifting on the bench, the squat and a lot of running,” Brooks said. “I think it was a little bit natural for me, too, because I have strong legs.

“I’m much more comfortable at this weight.”

And he feels confident and that he has earned his spot.

Several times against the watered-down defense that was minus starters Darrelle Revis (hamstring), Mike Phillips (ankle), H.B. Blades and Clint Session (resting), Brooks slammed into the line for a first down on third-and-short. He had a 25-yard run, but he did most of his damage inside.

“If we need a yard, then I can get the yard,” Brooks said. “And when we’re on the goal line, I can punch it in. So, I think I pretty much solidified myself in that position. And on Saturday night (against Virginia), when it’s third-and-one, I want to go in there.”

While Palko was effective and efficient. He also appeared to be harried and hurried.

Palko was 9-for-11 for 66 yards, while Bill Stuff was 5-for-9 for 67 yards. There were no touchdown passes. But the key to the offense Wednesday was the running game.

* Even though some top defensive players were absent, several others were able to shine. Sophomore defensive tackle Gus Mustakas made some plays early, including dropping Collier behind the line and sacking Palko for lost yardage, while sophomore Tommy Campbell continued to show improvement at weak-side linebacker with a forced fumble and a recovery, as well as several big solo tackles.

* And redshirt freshman defensive end Doug Fulmer consistently harassed the quarterbacks from the right side.

“(Fulmer) has gotten comfortable with that right defensive end spot,” Wannstedt said. “He made some big plays. Even one or two of the passes that Tyler threw away at the end, he was right there in his face.”>

Wannstedt’s comments after the scrimmage are pretty clear that the starters on the D-line are still very much up in the air. That is less than reassuring.

Here’s a multiple shocker story. Did you know:

• BCS schools pay big money to very bad teams to come to the BCS school’s home stadium for a beating.
• That the patsy schools make a ton of money that funds the football program and a lot of the rest of their athletic department.
• That the price/demand keeps going up.
• That the addition of the 12th game in college football is all about making more money for schools.

Expect some variation of this story to appear multiple times each year. The first time I read a variation of this story was in the Wall Street Journal in 1998. The only thing new is the 12th game stuff.

Chris Dokish said this was coming, and sure enough, it’s official.

University of Pittsburgh head men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon announced on Wednesday the appointment of former Pitt star Brandin Knight as Program Assistant/Video Coordinator.

Knight’s appointment completes Dixon’s staff which consists of assistant coaches Mike Rice, Pat Sandle and Orlando Antigua, along with director of operations David Cox. In addition to other duties, Knight will serve as the chief video contact for the men’s basketball program and assist in the monitoring of academic progress.

“Brandin will be a tremendous asset to our program and we are extremely fortunate to have his assistance,” Dixon said. “Brandin was an outstanding role model for our players at the University of Pittsburgh and he was instrumental in turning our program around. He knows what we are trying to accomplish.”

The story is also out on the AP Wire.

No question it will be a good place for Brandin Knight to start if he is interested in being a coach one day. No doubt, it’s another public relations coup for Pitt basketball and Jamie Dixon with the hiring of one of Pitt’s most popular players.

What the rest of the media horde saw at practice.

The offense showing up was the big thing.

After encountering Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt’s wrath Monday, the offense “showed a little bit of character” Tuesday by responding with an inspired practice.

“That’s what it’s going to take,” Wannstedt said. “It’s a team effort. We’re not good enough to go out and beat anybody with one phase.”

Dale Grndic agrees that the offense looked much better. Helps when the O-line shows up to give running room and time to throw.

TB LaRod Stephens-Howling had several runs for first downs on sweeps, as well as between the tackles to show his versatility. With Brooks having another good day, freshman Kevin Collier looking better all the time and Dorin Dickerson working his way into the lineup Pitt’s RB situation appears to be better than it was last season.

…

RB Shane Brooks had several big runs Tuesday, including some between the tackles, but he also bolted around right end for a 20-yard gain as right guard John Simonitis and right tackle Mike McGlynn caved in the defense on that side.

The line battles continue.

McGlynn straightened up DE Joe Clermond. Simonitis got the better of DT Corey Davis. NT Rashaad Duncan, who moved up to the first group Tuesday, beat C Joe Villani. DT Gus Mustakas slipped past OG C.J. Davis, but LT John Bachman held off DE Doug Fulmer for a while until his speed paid off.

Aaron Berry had a good day that everyone took note of.

Freshman cornerback Aaron Berry had an outstanding practice. He read a pass play and intercepted Bill Stull, then partially blocked a Dan Hutchins field goal attempt, causing it to bounce off the left upright.

Mick Williams has been a big question mark after his concussion. Which was initially missed, and thought only to be having some migraines. This article suggests his problems are not to be taken lightly.

Sometime during the opening two practice sessions, or maybe even during pre-camp workouts, he apparently suffered a concussion. He has been debilitated by migraines and vomiting ever since and has not been able to get back on the field or do conditioning work on the side.

Tuesday, Wannstedt said an MRI to determine if Williams has more severe head trauma was negative.

So far, it’s been a mystery to everyone.

Everyone is hoping for some big things from Williams this year. He  was redshirted and spent the past year working very hard at his conditioning and learning.

“I was kind of a slow learner when I got here, and a guy like Rashaad jumped on it a lot quicker than I did,” Williams said. “So, he got a chance to play a lot quicker. But I don’t have any regrets about that or any hard feelings. I’m happy that I took the redshirt, because I’m a better player now.

“I think I improved in a lot of areas. My overall technique, I’m stronger and faster, and I don’t second-guess myself now. I don’t have to think so much when I’m out there. I can just go out and make plays now, and that’s what we need to do on the defensive line.”

Williams improved his bench press to a maximum of 370 pounds, and he can squat 565 pounds. So, his strength has increased a great deal as well, but he also is much quicker. He gives the line an added dimension, along with Mustakas, of speed. Duncan and Davis are more stout. The same holds true for newcomers Jason Pinkston, John Malecki and Mackenzie Mathews.

As much as he and the coaching staff want him out there, he needs to be held out until he is all the way back. Concussions are scary, and if they happen too close together, that can just be it for good with playing.

Okay, folks. Tomorrow I’m heading to Pittsburgh for the FanFest. Just look for the short, bald guy lugging a laptop and a camera. I’m sure I’ll stand out.

I’m hoping to get in early. Maybe get to the campus if I have time. I plan to stay overnight then leave some time in the late morning for a special trip down to Morgantown.

I need to find some places with free wi-fi, so I can squeeze in a little blogging when time permits. Specifically on the North Side, South Side and in Oakland. I know the Beehive offers it on the South Side. In Oakland there’s Panera and I think Kiva Han. I just like to have options. Anyone know of some other places?

Also, if I end up with a late start, I may just go straight to the North Side and avoid the later traffic issues. So if there’s anyplaces on the North Side with free wi-fi let me know. Right now, it seems the city is blanketed by a pay-to-use company. Admittedly I’m tempted to pay the $5 just so I can have a beer and post at Penn Brewery before fan fest.

It’s Pitt day in Akron. Well no but the local paper takes note that David Abdul will not play football again. It notes that Abdul might try to petition the NCAA for one more year of eligibilty. It is unfortunately unlikely. The NCAA rarely grants 2 years of medical redshirts. Of course it’s the NCAA, so predictability and logic are not necessarily tied to their decision making.

Jordan Mabin gets a profile in the paper as well. They don’t mention Northwestern’s interest in him, but trust PSR on this sort of thing. Mabin plays running back mostly, and has exceeded 1000 yards three straight years. He is, though, being recruited by most as a cornerback.

Pitt, Indiana and Cincinnati have moved to the front of his list — and those three see him as a defensive back.

“I love running back. I like to score and like to put points on the board,” said Mabin, a first-team all-district choice as a sophomore and second-team selection as a junior. “But I think because of my size, cornerback may fit me better. I like that, too. I like to hit people.”

Boedicker, whose team has eight starters back on offense and six on defense, said he believes Mabin is destined to play cornerback in college.

“He understands that. He just wants to play college football,” Boedicker said. “As a defensive back, he has great hips and has the ability to redirect. He is a good cover guy, with great instincts.”

Perhaps the only disappointment for Mabin on the recruiting trail has been the lack of an offer from Louisville, where his father, Howard Mabin, and his godfather, ex-Brown Frank Minnifield, played.

“I got letters from them (Louisville), but that was it,” Mabin said. “It doesn’t get to me. I have learned to live with it.”

Louisville isn’t even listed as being interested in him, and hopefully it will stay that way. (I was wrong in speculating he was hoping for more interest in Ohio St. it would appear.)

Another fluffy “Blue Chip Chat,” this time with Pitt commit DE Myles Caragein.

THE SKINNY: He wears more hats than just a stellar football player, as he is one of the best wrestlers in the WPIAL and also carries a 3.8 grade point average.

COLLEGE TALK: Committed to Pitt. Also considered Iowa, Purdue, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Stanford and Northwestern.

Caragein is a national winner in Greco-Roman Wrestling.

Joe Flacco who bailed on Pitt at an awkward point, has been named the starting QB of the Delaware Blue Hens.