Sorry for deadzone day. I had some major offline issues, including settling matters from a house fire from nearly three-years ago.
I have been dreading this point. When Spring Football would rear it’s head. I have to be honest. I’m just do not think I’m going to have the time for doing much other than link fests. Between all Pitt basketball and FanHouse responsibilities for the NCAA Tournament, it’s either family or football. Considering the wife makes more money than me, I need to stick with family.
Spring practice starts on Thursday. Wonder what the main subjects could be?
Dave Wannstedt has a substantial “to-do” list when Pitt starts spring football practice Thursday.
For openers, the Panthers need to find a replacement for middle linebacker Scott McKillop, the Big East defensive player of the year. And they’re looking for someone to carry the load at running back because LeSean McCoy is NFL bound and LaRod Stephens-Howling is gone.
Then there’s the matter of picking a starter from a three-way competition at quarterback under new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr., who replaces Matt Cavanaugh, now coaching quarterbacks for the New York Jets.
I’m not sure how much of a debate at QB. It’s really about the running back depth chart and MLB.
Fifth-year senior Steve Dell, a 6-foot-1, 225-pounder whose career has been hampered by knee problems, is the only returning player with experience at middle linebacker and will take the majority of first-team repetitions.
What gives Wannstedt confidence that Pitt can fill in for McKillop is the return of Adam Gunn, who was granted a sixth season by the NCAA, from a season-ending neck injury and fifth-year senior Shane Murray from a torn ACL. Although both players will be restricted from full-contact scrimmages this spring, they will move inside to add depth and experience.
“I’m kind of excited,” Wannstedt said, “to see how all of these guys compete.”
The same goes for tailback, where Pitt lost both its starter, McCoy, and top backup, LaRod Stephens-Howling. Redshirt sophomore Shariff Harris (6-1, 225) should open camp as the starter, but is expected to be pushed by redshirt freshman Chris Burns and January enrollee Dion Lewis, who complement his power game with their speed and cutback styles.
“I hope we have one guy who comes in and dominates,” Wannstedt said, “but I know we have two or three guys who can play.”
Pitt also has to replace its starter at fullback after the graduation of Conredge Collins, and redshirt sophomore Henry Hynoski is the frontrunner for that position with competition coming from converted tailback Kevin Collier. The Panthers will add incoming freshmen Kevin Adams, Jason Douglas, Raymond Graham and Jason Hendricks to the mix in the fall.
There will be more tomorrow, to be sure, but Pitt had its pro day today.
LeSean McCoy did fine, but nothing to make himself standout from the crowd of running backs.
LaRod Stephens-Howling showed good conditioning and had solid speed, but tweaked his hamstring. That limited his agility drills. He probably won’t get drafted, but he has great chances of catching on for special teams in returns.
In a pot porrui of the rest: Derek Kinder ran fine, Rashaad Duncan is actually going to graduate on time even as he trains and prepares, C.J. Davis is going to get drafted as a Center, Scott McKillop expects to be a second-day draftee
