The one big problem with the partial transcripts from Coach Dave Wannstedt’s post-practice press conferences is that the context is not really there. We get the base topic, but not how the actual question was phrased and any follow-ups and how serious to take each response in comparison. The risk is in reading too much into it. Especially from one practice to another. We tend to key in on the parts that we want.

For example, I am scared to death regarding Center. Robb Houser has already nailed down the starting spot as a JUCO transfer. The issue becomes, who is second on the depth chart? The Media Guide lists redshirt sophomores Alex Karabin and Jared Martin. Redshirt freshman Wayne Jones — who dropped from 340 to 315 under Buddy Morris’ program — was moved to center from right guard. So this is what I took great interest in reading.

We moved Wayne Jones to center. We have not put the ball on the ground with these young guys.

A couple little sentences. Of course it doesn’t tell me who else is taking snaps, and while the issue of fumbling snaps is important considering what a debacle it was last training camp with John Bachman trying the center position and Pitt looking for someone, anyone to challenge Chris Vangas became something of a joke, it’s still one part.

That’s where it becomes very important to have the reports and blog posts from the beat reporters. Kevin Gorman helps on this one.

“I don’t know how many guys he’s blocked or how many assignments he’s executed correctly but we have not put the ball on the ground with those young guys,” Wannstedt said. “A year ago at this time, I think we were averaging like four fumbles on the ground a day because of young kids and inexperience. That has not happened, and that has been very encouraging.”

As usual, my obsession with what is happening with the offensive line has me keying on those stories first.

The starting line in camp is redshirt freshman Jordan Gibbs at left tackle, senior C.J. Davis at left guard, junior Robb Houser at center, junior John Malecki at right guard and junior Joe Thomas at right tackle.

Redshirt sophomore Jason Pinkston, who might be the most physically gifted lineman on the team, likely will work his way into the lineup at one of the tackle spots. But he is coming off an injury and isn’t in top shape yet.

Pinkston has worked some with the first-team offense in the early part of camp, but Wise said yesterday that if the Panthers were playing a game this weekend the starting tackles would be Thomas and Gibbs.

“It is still Joe because Jason missed the entire spring, and so we have to be intelligent and say it is Joe, and Jordan Gibbs had every snap in the spring,” Wise said. “Now it us up to Jason to have a good preseason, and we need to figure out is he a left or a right tackle. But it is on Jason, he needs to [say] ‘I’m healthy, I’m committed.’ There is no doubt about Jason’s ability, it’s does he want to be great now.”

Beyond the starters and Pinkston, there are some interesting developments for backup spots.

Redshirt freshman guard Chris Jacobson, who was one of the top linemen in the country as a senior in high school, and heralded freshman Lucas Nix are pushing their way up the depth chart at guard, even though senior Dom Williams has been a starter at times in his career. Also, Wayne Jones and Jared Martin are battling for the backup center spot in a competition that likely will go the distance.

While Nix came in as a tackle, he’s playing at guard because that’s where Pitt’s depth is less, according to the story. It also fits with Coach Wannstedt’s philosophy that offensive linemen should be able to play multiple positions on the line to give Pitt the best talent and flexibility on the depth chart.

Of course the first couple days of practice have been with a helmet and t-shirt. So, judging much on the lines beyond technique and footwork is somewhat dubious.

After two days of practicing in helmets only, Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt is looking forward to seeing his players don shoulder pads for the first time in today’s two sessions. Wannstedt said the Panthers can accomplish just about everything but tackling. “Now, the run game becomes real,” Wannstedt said. “Out here, we’re saying, ‘Don’t hit anybody. Don’t hurt anyone.’ We go full-speed now, with pads on. We’ll be able to truly start separating. I don’t think a whole lot will change with the receivers and defensive backs, but it will change drastically with the linemen.”

Back to Gorman’s blog post — and I write from the assumption that all of you go and read the each one in full since there is just too much on too many areas to do it justice; really it’s just chock full o’ nuggets and observations from the practice — was his ending note.

Just an observation after years of covering both Pitt practices and college football recruiting: The Panthers are so deep and strong at almost every position that even talented walk-ons like Cafaro and defensive lineman Chas Alexcih – who might have had a legitimate shot at playing time in past years – are going to have a hard time seeing the field other than special-teams situations.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that players who were highly recruited but didn’t play as true freshman for one reason or another are buried on the depth chart. If nose tackle Craig Bokor had been academically eligible out of Hopewell, he might have a chance to be a three-year starter (like Duncan) but instead is battling for third-string reps. A head injury forced Baldwin’s Justin Hargrove to take a greyshirt, and he’s now behind Romeus, Sheard and Tony Tucker at defensive end.

That should send a message to the starters that no job is safe.

Obviously that is just exciting to read about actually having more depth and talent than ever. Contrawise, it also suggests that there may be some transfers coming out of that same issue. Maybe not until after the season, but there are some players that will likely be frustrated by this.

Heck, I never even got to the early practice report, blog post from Gorman.

Have we mentioned how good Mick Williams looks?The words Tony Wise used to describe the Pitt defensive tackle on one play in Wednesday’s morning practice were within PG-13 ratings but still not fit for print. Williams literally manhandled one side of the offensive line during a team drill — and this was during the non-contact portion of camp.

He so thoroughly dominated the session that Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt rewarded Williams with a ride off the outdoor practice fields in his golf cart, dropping him off at the door.

Other things of note, Aaron Smith looked very good it seems at WR for T.J. Porter. Smith is another player that seems crunched by position changes and the numbers. He tends to be forgotten, but he might get to use this window.

Kevin Harper has a very strong leg, but his accuracy is an issue. Which isn’t very surprising.