Awesome. CBS is sending Bill Raftery and Verne Lundquist up to Boston to continue stalking Pitt.

The truly obsessed and early arrivers can go watch Pitt practice on Wednesday from 2:10 – 3 pm at the TD Banknorth Garden. Xavier practices at noon.

For lots of good stuff, make sure you pop over to the Cat Basket. They are actually paying attention to the football team and have some breakdowns by unit.

Sunseri is in a really bad position for a young quarterback in that he is perceived as a solution to our QB problems because he isn’t Bostick or Stull.

Sadly true.

A couple stories on Adam Gunn and his 6th year.

Kevin Gorman has a notebook dump of Pitt’s first practice — no pads, so Wannstedt is complaining. Of note, as expected Greg Cross is playing WR (sigh).

New OC Frank Cignetti is more animated than Matt Cavanaugh.

Nate Byham is on the preliminary watch list for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award.

Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball. Linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage are also eligible.

The candidates earned a place on the preliminary watch list by earning All-American honors or by being named to their respective all-conference first team as selected by the conference’s head coaches. The Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List will be updated prior to the start of the 2009 season in order to identify those players who have been selected as preseason honors candidates.

Forty-seven players were named to the Rotary Lombardi list. Byham was one of only two tight ends selected, reinforcing his status as one of the country’s best at his position.

Byham is presently sitting out spring practice as he recovers from offseason surgery.

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

Everyone knew it was coming, so to the surprise of no one, Bill Stull was “officially” named the starting QB. The real question is about the back-ups and who gets a redshirt.

On the second and third QBs:

“We don’t have an order, that’s going to be the challenge. We can’t work five quarterbacks but we have got to plan for that. We’ll work through it; the scrimmage today will help us in how we stack the quarterbacks around Billy. We’ll definitely redshirt one, possibly two.”

Kevan Smith has already used his redshirt, so it’s not him. Greg Cross is technically a possibility, but that would waste the whole wildcat package with LeSean McCoy so that would be highly, highly unlikely. That leaves freshman Tino Sunseri and Pat Bostick. Obviously Sunseri is going to be redshirted.

Bostick is still up in the air. I figure the plan is to hope Stull stays healthy, and unofficially have Bostick as the redshirt guy unless Stull were to get hurt and forced to miss at least one game. If Stull gets banged up and has to come out for a series or even a quarter, the coaches would take a chance with Smith and Cross to get the job done.

Again, it’s the conventional wisdom and completely logical. I see nothing that would suggest Coach Wannstedt and OC Cavanaugh are going against it.

There was one injury by the end of training camp that effects the starters.

[Starting Weak-side LB Shane] Murray came out on crutches at Wednesday’s scrimmage — which concluded Pitt’s training camp — and Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt said the redshirt junior is “day-to-day” with a strained right knee.

“We’re going to keep him off it through the weekend and see where he’s at the first of the week,” Wannstedt said of Murray. “Hopefully, the first of the week he’s feeling better and we can get him back with the team. It’s all a matter of whether he gets back to feeling that he can practice.”

If Murray isn’t ready for the season opener against Bowling Green on Aug. 30 at Heinz Field, the Panthers might have to choose between Ransom and Roberts as a replacement. Both, like Murray, are converted safeties.

Long-term, Tristan Roberts is likely going to be a starter at the WILL, but he is only a redshirt freshman and still learning. Ransom is a fifth-year senior with experience all over the field (mainly special teams), and a very smart, tough player. A former walk-on who has moved up the depth chart by doing everything right.

“He’s a very good tackler. He’s aggressive. That was proven by the things he did on special teams,” linebackers coach Joe Tumpkin said. “We’re just looking at the best situation to help our team become better, and we felt that moving him over to the linebacker spot gives us some added depth and makes us a lot better because of the depth. Him being older, him being mature and him having been in game situations is going to help him naturally see things quicker than the other guys.”

Ransom got the attention of defensive coordinator Phil Bennett while playing safety this past spring to provide depth, and his aggressive style and solid tackling technique prompted his move back to defense.

“At the end of spring, I looked at my production chart and he was like one in four: every fourth play he made a play,” Bennett said. “He runs a 4.5, he’s 215 pounds and if you watch him, he’s like a little buzz-saw out there. Wherever the ball is, he’s there. I think it made Tristan better. We’re starting to develop something we didn’t know we had.”

It’s always cool to see former walk-ons become key members of a team. Not just get rewarded with a scholarship, but earning spots on the two-deep because he’s maxing out his effort and potential.

Then there’s the offensive line. I think it’s getting past the point of just sending messages to Joe Thomas. There have just been too many mentions by Coach Wannstedt throughout the camp.

One is that Wannstedt hesitated to name junior Joe Thomas the starter at right tackle, leaving the door open for freshman Lucas Nix. Thomas likely will get the nod, but it’s far from over.

“We’ve got some real healthy competition going on in that offensive line,” Wannstedt said. “Pretty soon here, in the next couple days, by the first of the week, we’re going to have to name a starting group. But Lucas is going to play. Whether he’s a starter or not will be determined. But he’s going to play.”

Nix is a blue-chipper and no question, he was probably going to crack the 2-deep this year regardless of Coach Wannstedt’s most fervent wishes to redshirt. It is frustrating, though, that he already is in contention to start. Thomas has simply not shown much improvement since his freshman year. It makes me wonder whether he really showed flashes then, or it was it another reflection of how much worse the line was a couple years ago.

So anyone really believe it will be anything but Bill Stull as the starter, Kevan Smith and Greg Cross as the back-ups and Pat Bostick getting a redshirt? Neither do I.

Although redshirt junior Bill Stull has taken almost every first-team snap, Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said the Panthers won’t name a starting quarterback until after Wednesday’s scrimmage — the third of training camp.

“Once we finish up on Wednesday, we’ll evaluate the film and then finalize our depth charts at every position,” Wannstedt said.

Bostick getting a redshirt still seems like the likely course of action.

Q: How does Pat Bostick’s mechanics look this year? And how about his arm strength?

ZEISE: Better, much better, but still not where they need to be. He still has that hitch, though it isn’t as pronounced as it was last year, and he has a quicker release and throws the ball with more zip, too. That progress has been a good sign that if he takes a redshirt this season and spends it in the weight room, conditioning with Buddy Morris as well as working with Matt Cavanaugh on his mechanics and footwork, that he’ll come back next year really ready to play at the level he needs to in order to give the Panthers a chance to win big. And that is why he is going to redshirt, because coaches believe he can use some more seasoning.

Bostick has been the second-best QB in the camp, by all accounts. A little more consistency than Kevan Smith. His potential and the actual growth from last year to this year, make it less likely the coaching staff will “waste” a year of his eligibility as a back-up if they can avoid it.

So what about right tackle and Joe Thomas. He’s struggled, in camp and Coach Wannstedt came out and said that Lucas Nix will be seeing time as a freshman.

On Lucas Nix:

“I think he’s going to have to play, and not that I’m dissatisfied with the play of the right tackle, but we have to get more consistent there, Lucas has the ability to deliver and I think the competition between him and Joe Thomas is good.”

Sure enough, on Monday…

One day after Dave Wannstedt sent a message that the right tackle job was up for grabs by raving about freshman Lucas Nix, the Panthers inserted the 6-foot-6, 300-pounder from Thomas Jefferson into the starting lineup.

Nix split first-team repetitions with junior Joe Thomas in today’s second session, and the Pitt coach said it was both a reward for Nix and a warning sign to Thomas that his job isn’t safe.

“Joe Thomas was a little bit inconsistent and we’ve got to make sure that everybody understands that we have to prove ourselves every day we come onto this field,” Wannstedt said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a senior or a freshman or who you are.”

And if that wasn’t enough of a message to Thomas, there was this.

On the offensive line’s progress:

“I thought offensively today might have been the best set of practices we have had. We blocked well, caught well, ran well and threw well today.”

Hint, hint, hint.

That said, Joe Thomas will start the season as the starting right tackle. You know Wannstedt doesn’t like to start freshmen at most positions. Probably more so on the offensive line. I can see Nix taking the job, though. Thomas may have slimmed down, but he is still struggling.

Jonathan Baldwin is a different story with starting.

Q: Do you see Jonathan Baldwin starting any games this year?

ZEISE: An interesting question. The early answer would be not unless there is an injury to someone ahead of him — but only because there are veteran players ahead of him that aren’t likely to lose their starting jobs. Also, for all the talk of his circus catches — and they are amazing, don’t get me wrong — the fact remains that he has a long, long way to go to become a consistent and refined receiver. He still needs to work on his route running, his blocking and all of the little things that separate the good ones from the great ones. There is no question he is the most physically gifted of all of Pitt’s receivers and he will certainly see the field and probably get a lot of playing time, particularly in the red zone. But unless there is an injury I don’t see him moving ahead of any of the current starters.

See, I can see him starting a game later in the season without injuries. I can see him being the #3 receiver very soon. There’s also a cheating way to win this. All it takes is for Pitt to come out in the opening drive with a 4 wide receiver set. You know Baldwin would be in that group as a deep threat. I can see Pitt at least lining up like that… and then handing the ball off to McCoy.

Some may call it a double-standard, or some sort of unfair treatment. Really, it just makes sense even if Coach Wannstedt won’t admit directly that he is trying to protect the first teamers from too much wear and risk of injury.

Although Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt was steadfast in saying he won’t lighten up their camp to prevent injuries, the Panthers are taking preventive measures to protect some players. LaRod Stephens-Howling, for example, has ceded second-team reps to Shariff Harris and Chris Burns some days.

After banging their shoulders Wednesday, tight end Nate Byham and weak-side linebacker Shane Murray returned to practice this morning.

Receiver Cedric McGee, however, injured his left ankle in practice and had to be carted off. McGee made a nice one-handed catch during drills.

A half-dozen others spent time on the stationary bikes or pulling a weighted sled, including tailback Kevin Collier, safety Irv Brown, tackle Ryan Turnley, cornerback Buddy Jackson and tight end John Pelusi.

You know guys like Collier, Jackson and Pelusi definitely don’t want to be unable to practice. They are falling further on the depth chart when they can’t show how they match up talent-wise. More importantly for Pitt’s coaching staff, the injured players can’t show or get the reps in the system so that they won’t make mistakes.

The guys who are starters and/or know the system, however, are in a different place. Middle Linebacker Scott McKillop doesn’t see much action in camp. Which is good since he rarely misses much of it in the actual games.

“I only got to play like 12 plays,” McKillop said, shaking his head. “And, on one, I missed that tackle, it bothers me because I should have made it.”

McKillop, the Panthers’ All-American middle linebacker, isn’t perfect, but that little post-scrimmage exchange offers a good indication that perfection is what the fifth-year senior strives to achieve. That drive is a major reason he went from a little-known reserve to one of the nation’s best defenders in one season.

“There is a right way to do things and a wrong way,” McKillop said. “I have just always believed that, no matter what I have done — you do things the right way, you do them the way they’re supposed to be done and you work hard until they are perfect. And in sports there is no such thing as perfect, you can always be better, you can always improve and you can always learn something, every single day.

“That’s why I was so frustrated the other day after that scrimmage. I understand why I am playing limited plays. Coaches talked to me about it, and they are right — we don’t need me to get injured in camp. But, at the same time, it goes against my nature to sit out, and I don’t like it. I feel like every play, every rep in drills, is an opportunity to get better and I’m missing out on those chances to improve myself.”

Love the work ethic. Stay on the sidelines. Stay healthy.

Of course another good reason for McKillop to get less work, is so the guys behind him can learn.

In fact, none of the six players battling for the three backup spots — redshirt freshmen Greg Williams, Max Gruder, Tristan Roberts and Brandon Lindsey, redshirt sophomore Nate Nix and redshirt junior Steve Dell — has started a game. That group has logged a total of 26 games — and 17 of those appearances have been by Dell, mostly in special-teams roles.

And that doesn’t even include the two true freshmen — Gateway graduate Shayne Hale and Clairton graduate Manny Williams — who are more than likely headed for redshirts but could work their way onto the two-deep spot at some point this season.

Pitt linebacker’s coach Joe Tumpkin has his work cut out in trying to sort out the depth chart as well as trying to get enough of the reserves ready to play so that the starters — seniors Adam Gunn and Scott McKillop and redshirt junior Shane Murray — are able to get some rest in games.

Nate Byham may be being pushed at TE by Dickerson more than we realize if he was back out there on Thursday.

After recovering from a left knee injury he suffered last season, the Franklin native dislocated his right shoulder during practice Wednesday.

“It will be all right,” Byham said during a phone interview.

A John Mackey Award preseason candidate for the nation’s best tight end, Byham said he was injured while pass-blocking in practice.

“I was taking on a bull rush and when I punched out, it kind of popped out to the side a little bit,” Byham said. “It went right back in. It’s all right now.”

You know. Rub some dirt on it. Walk it off. It’ll be fine.

Other than blocking schemes, I’m not sure how much time Pelusi will see this year. Dickerson seems to be thriving at the TE spot.

Q: I’ve not read much on Dorin Dickerson lately. Does he look to have a solid future at TE? Any regrets on his part for coming to Pitt. I think they’ve misused him to a certain degree.

ZEISE: Dorin is doing very well. I think he’s found a home at tight end. He is obviously very good at catching passes and running after the catch. It has taken him a little longer than a lot of people thought it should take, but a lot of that wasn’t fair. He got hurt his first year and last year was learning a totally new position. He seems to be very happy at Pitt and he also seems to be happy in his new role. It won’t shock me if he leads the tight ends in receptions.

In Gorman’s blog/practice notes from yesterday’s afternoon session, this was the bit I really liked reading.

Speaking of Kinder, he’s starting to look like himself again.

Kinder has shown some speed in camp this week, and it looks like it just might be a matter of him trusting his knee.

“I don’t know if he got more work, but he got more balls thrown to him today,” Wannstedt said. “So far, so good. He’s coming on. Saturday will be another stepping stone for him, and we’ll keep progressing until opening day.”

It also seems that the coaches are tinkering with the O-line regarding the depth chart. It may be just to give reps in different combos or it could be that some players have made more progress.

Left guard C.J. Davis missed the afternoon session, and was replaced on the first-team offense by fifth-year senior Dom Williams. Redshirt freshman John Fieger moved to the second-team offense at left guard.

It’s possible that Williams is ahead of redshirt freshman Chris Jacobson for the job as the “swing” guard, or first guard off the bench. Or it could be a troubling sign for redshirt junior John Bachman, who started three games at right guard last season but has been running with the third-team, behind starter John Malecki and Jacobson.

Then again, maybe Pitt is feeling like it has enough depth to elevate the backups at each position in case of an injury. If that’s the case, Williams would step in for Davis and Jacobson for Malecki, but Bachman would be buried on the depth chart.

Unfortunately for Bachman, I think he is getting passed on the depth chart.

Finally, with a couple ACL tears this week, there’s the usual concern and questions regarding why. The sad thing is, this is no longer an uncommon thing in college football training camp. It seems rare that any training camp goes by without at least one player having an ACL tear. Whether it is the non-stop conditioning of players in the modern era and the improved equipment — such as cleats that hold to the turf better rather then giving a bit on a hard plant and pivot. They just happen.

Coach Wannstedt wants you to know that the team’s overall physical condition is excellent.

On the condition of his team halfway through camp:

“To run as much as we did after two practices today at this point, I think that’s an indication they’re in great shape. I think everyone knows the great job that Buddy Morris and James Smith do, it makes a difference. I think a lot of teams come to camp to get in shape for the season; we come to camp to get ready for the season — not to get in shape — but to get ready. We’re one step beyond that.”

Honestly, no 1-A BCS program comes to camp to get in shape anymore. Not a one. Well… maybe Duke.

I think the attention Jonathan Baldwin has gotten along with Dorin DIckerson playing at tight end has led to something of a fascination in the media with Pitt’s receiving corps. For an offense that at best will have a slight tilt to the running game as far as play-calling, the WRs and TEs seem to be getting a lot of pixels.

[Wide Receivers Coach Bryan] Bossard isn’t worried yet because there are still three weeks before the season and he believes Kinder and Porter will be healthy by then. And he also has some talented freshmen — Aundre Wright and Jonathan Baldwin in particular — who are making a strong case for playing time as they take advantage of their increased reps.

“I feel very good with the older four guys,” Bossard said. “They’ve been in battles and played in games. Right now I am trying to get Derek back into it, he is getting smoother and we’re just trying to be smart with him. But beyond that — Aundre has stepped his game up. He’s playing faster now and he’s been impressive. And Jonathan Baldwin is a talent. He is big, fast and strong, he’s got great upside, but he has a lot to learn and that’s my job, to teach him.”

..

With those two in the group and a healthy Porter and Kinder, the Panthers would have a six-man rotation with a good mix of speed (Wright), physical toughness (Kinder, McGee), size (Baldwin, Turner) and athleticism.

Plus the tight ends are looking for the ball.

“Dorin is becoming a good blocker,” Angelichio said. “He’s in there, battling. He can definitely do it. He works as hard as anybody.”

Angelichio said the Panthers probably won’t run a lot of two-tight ends sets this season – there are too many other talented skill players in the offense.

But the group gives quarterback Bill Stull a reliable target over the middle. Last season, Pitt tight ends combined to catch 49 passes for 584 yards and four touchdowns.

“I think we are going to be a major role in this offense,” Byham said. “We are having the tight ends do a lot of things. A lot of moving around. They are really putting us into the offense. We’re really getting some love this year.”

And Byham got a little love this week in a Pitt press puffing release.

You think Coach Wannstedt felt beleagured offensive tackle Joe Thomas needed some encouragement? His play has been considered weak, and there’s a lot of suspicion he’ll be losing any starting job within the first few weeks of the season to a freshman. On top of that, he helped get the starting QB a bunch of bruised ribs. So, it’s time to throw a little positive reinforcement his way.

On the offense line progress:

“The biggest issue is still bringing the offensive line together. I will recognize (Jason) Pinkston and (Joe) Thomas — both played well in the scrimmage. Offensive line is an area where we have to be good to have success on offense.”

Injuries don’t seem to be piling up the same way as last year. And certainly it isn’t as bad as what Florida is facing at the moment. Still, there are a number of injuries that have an effect on who is practicing.

What the Panthers appear to need most is to avoid injuries. Tight end John Pelusi has missed two days of practice with a sore shoulder, and weak-side linebacker Shane Murray and tight ends Nate Byham and John Pelusi both left practice yesterday wearing ice wraps around their shoulders.

While the injuries have yet to test Wannstedt’s patience, they are challenging the Panthers’ depth. Dorin Dickerson, who played outside linebacker last season, was suddenly taking first-team reps at tight end with only a pair of freshmen, Mike Cruz and Justin Virbitsky, behind him.

That doesn’t even count Saddler, who was competing for a job on kick and punt returns before twisting his knee in a special teams drill prior to the scrimmage.

Saddler is having an MRI and was on crutches yesterday. Not good signs.

Ultimately the depth chart gets affected.

Kevin Collier also left practice during individual drills with an unknown injury, and is in jeopardy of being bypassed on the depth chart by not only redshirt freshman Shariff Harris but [Chris] Burns.

The same could be said for redshirt freshman cornerback Buddy Jackson, who has been out with groin/hamstring troubles. Expected to compete with Jovani Chappel for the starting boundary corner job, Jackson instead has lost out to Ricky Gary as the third corner and could be losing ground to freshmen Ronald Hobby, Jarred Holley and Antwuan Reed, who are splitting second- and third-team reps.

Andrew Taglienetti is seeing more action behind Eric Thatcher at free safety as Irv Brown has been out with an injury. Collier has been struggling to crack the depth chart the last couple years and the injuries sure have not helped.

Coach Wannstedt is stuck in that area of trying to figure out which players are legitimately not able to or just should not be pushing through the pain and those who he thinks may need to be prodded.

On the mental aspect of the game being just as tough as the physical part:

“Everyone is hurt and beat up right now. If you let your mind control your body you have a tendency to be soft and think that you can’t go on and when you have that mind frame you can’t get better. As coaches this is when you build that mental toughness and you push them to develop that chemistry of a football team.”

That or break their spirits, leaving them disheartened shells of their former selves with the disturbing self-awareness that they are weak-hearted. Shambling through the rest of their miserable lives just trying to find moments of happiness or perhaps just oblivion from the aching pain in their soul.

Over the weekend was the big feature on defensive coordinator Phil Bennett. Not about his defensive philosophies or the standard fare of players talking about new attitude and how much they like playing for the guy. This was the personal side with how he lost his 1st wife to being struck by lightening and the importance of work (coaching) and family kept him going.

In a rare move of actual promotions, Pitt actually sent out an e-mail yesterday promoting the story. Even more, they had links to a video of DC Bennett talking about getting the defense ready. If they actually embraced the last couple years of internet video, they’d have links to allow the embedding rather than having to launch it separately. That’s more on the CSTV system that operates the Pitt website and this stuff, though. They are still using Windows Media Player.

There’s also a video montage of the practice from Saturday. Not much to really take from it other than seeing Jonathan Baldwin make a spectacular one-handed leaping grab. He’s wearing #82, but trust me, there is no confusing his presence.

Another weekend feature was on the drudgery of players going through training camp.

It’s one that is based on precision, as every minute is accounted for during camp from the time the players awake by 6 a.m. until their 10:30 p.m. curfew. Sleep becomes a precious commodity, and the sound of the whistle an annoying way to wake up.

“I set my alarm clock one minute before and one minute after they blow the whistle,” said senior left guard C.J. Davis, in his fourth training camp. “I hate the whistle. Sometimes, it’s hard because you get out of practice and feel like you just laid down and then you hear that whistle at the crack of dawn.

“The days are long, but the nights go fast. It always feels like we don’t get enough rest. Our strength coaches say that too much of anything is not good for you, so I’ll have to take their word for it.”

…

Before they know it, they will put in a 15-hour day at Duratz Athletic Building filled with meetings, practice and more meetings.

I’m assuming there’s food.

You have to wonder how much the news of Doug Fulmer’s latest season ending injury helped dampen the players enthusiasm for a scrimmage. The takes from the reporters and coaches was that it was an average performance at best.

General scrimmage impressions:

“It was solid work. I thought there were enough game-changing plays on both sides of the ball. I was hoping for a little bit more. From the veteran standpoint, we decided to hold LaRod Stephens-Howling and Bill Stull. They both could have gone. If we would have played a game today, they both would have played. We limited LeSean McCoy. He had 11 carries, averaged six yards a carry. I was very pleased with him, except his one turnover. I’d like to say it was an outstanding day of football, but we turned the ball over. He ran good, he made guys miss. Chris Burns looked good, the returners looked good, and all the running backs. Jonathan Baldwin made three great plays. He made two by the sideline. Unfortunately, both of them were out of bounds. It’s pretty evident that we need to find a way to get him ready to go. He has a chance to help us. Andrew Taglianetti keeps showing up from a defensive standpoint. We’re going to start working him on special teams. He can really help us in that area. Overall, solid scrimmage. We didn’t get anyone really hurt today, but we have a lot of work to do.”

Coach Wannstedt kept using the word solid, which might also be interpreted as “uneventful.” There were some issues with the Center exchange, that seems to be attributed to Robb Houser getting a little too hyped.

“It’s unfortunate,” Wannstedt said. “We’ve had no problems the whole training camp. In fact, I commented that this has been the least quarterback-center exchange problems we’ve had since I’ve been here. We haven’t had them. That kind of took the wind out of everybody’s sails, including me.”

The good news is that snapping hadn’t been an issue with Houser, who looks to have a good grip on the starting job. He hasn’t spent much time snapping to Bostick, who filled in for Bill Stull with the first-team offense. And after the early jitters, Houser didn’t have any more problems.

…

Wannstedt wasn’t satisfied with the first scrimmage in general.

“I thought that, overall, it was OK,” he said. “It was solid work. I didn’t think that there were enough big plays, enough game-changing plays on both sides of the ball. I was hoping for a little bit more. …

“We have a lot of work to do. Thank God we don’t play this week.”

Frankly after the first scrimmage and only a week of practice I’d be more nervous if the coaches declared the team ready.

It also had an effect with Bill Stull sitting out the scrimmage to let the sore ribs heal a bit more.

It was just a shot to the ribs. It was just a shot to the ribs.

The play Stull got hurt on, however, was exhibit A of what continues to be the Panthers top area of concern – right tackle as junior Joe Thomas was pushed back into Stull by defensive end Jabaal Sheard. Thomas needs to play more consistently than he has and he needs to improve in a hurry or else he could find himself sitting behind either redshirt freshman Jordan Gibbs or freshman Lucas Nix.

Wannstedt said after practice that the right tackle spot is “wide open” which is not where you want to be with such a critical spot less than three weeks from your opener.

At the start of camp, Thomas said all the right things and looked better conditioned. It’s telling, though, when Pinkston was moved to left tackle despite being out of shape and never playing on the left side — admitting that he is struggling with the footwork — seems to have things settled. Thomas is probably more comfortable and has trained on the right most of his HS and college time, but is struggling.

Just about everyone — including me — believes Pat Bostick will be redshirted this year if Stull does not get hurt. It just makes too much sense based on the eligibility of the players at the position and what Bostick needs in terms of development.

That said, while I’m bothered that Greg Cross is not making as much progress, it is very positive to read that Bostick has really come along in camp.

On Pat Bostick possibly getting a redshirt:

“I’m sure that could be an option but our biggest concern right now is what gives this football team the best chance to win. It’s a long season and we’re only in the first week of camp so I haven’t given it much serious thought just yet.”

On the quarterback competition:

“It still is a battle. Pat’s right there but both quarterbacks (Stull and Bostick) are playing well right now. It’s between those two; I think they have separated themselves from the rest. (Greg) Cross has his package of plays and (Kevan) Smith is still learning and working hard. (Tino) Sunseri is a freshman and I have been very pleased with him. He has a chance to be a good player for us.”

Of course, the other explanation is that Wannstedt giving Bostick a little public positive reinforcement. He could be making sure Bostick knows he has a shot not to be redshirted and to stay focused on preparing and learning in camp.

The defense continues to make the strong showing in practices.

Senior nose tackle Rashaad Duncan terrorized offensive linemen during the 5-on-5 rush drills. On one play, the 6-foot-2, 295-pound Duncan enervated senior guard C.J. Davis on the way to the tackling dummy.

Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Myles Caragein continued to be virtually unstoppable during the rush drills. In the 11-on-11, the Keystone Oaks High School product stuffed tailback Kevin Collier behind the line of scrimmage, while freshman Tony Tucker swooped in to force a fumble.

And the linebackers look to be solid.

Middle linebacker Scott McKillop is even better than advertised. Let me say that again — Scott McKillop, the one getting all the accolades, might actually be underrated. He is the smartest football player on the defense — maybe the team. He’s tough, he knows his position and he is a much better athlete than people give him credit for. The other thing is that Adam Gunn has become an excellent linebacker as well and Shane Murray always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Aliquippa’s Brandon Lindsey is another player who looks like he is getting better and better.

So far in camp, all the defensive attention has been on the D-line and a secondary battle. Very little talk about the linebackers, despite McKillop’s presence and the fact that Pitt is pushing him for national attention.

In terms of pixels and ink, there are two players among the Pitt receiving corps that have gotten the most attention. Freshman WR Jonathan Baldwin and junior TE Dorin Dickerson. That really didn’t change over the weekend.

Dickerson has been solid in practice, but receives extra attention in part because this is his third position in three years. That makes him an intriguing story as a player the reporters know, constantly taking a new challenge.

“It fits his physical stature very well,” Wannstedt added. “He’s a good enough blocker and he can run against the linebackers as opposed to the defensive backs. I expect him to have an excellent year. He has enough talent to be a difference maker.”

Thanks to spending his freshman year on offense, Dickerson already knows offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh’s playbook.

“That’s not a problem. I remember all the plays from my freshman year and it’s still the same concepts,” Dickerson said.

Dickerson has been showing enough, that despite the now healthy Nate Byham (and John Mackey watchlist candidate) and John Pelusi, Dickerson is right there for major playing time.

On the competition at tight end:

“I’ll tell you the tight ends, it’s between (Nate) Byham, (Dorin) Dickerson and (John) Pelusi. In my mind we have three starters, and I think any one of those guys can line up and start and we can win with any of the three.”

Expect at least 2-TE sets this season.

Q: Will the tight ends be more involved in the offense?

ZEISE: I’d say yes if for no other reason than I think the passing game will be a lot better than it was last year with Stull taking over at quarterback. Also, I think coaches see that Dorin Dickerson and Nate Byham are match-up nightmares for most linebackers and are looking for ways to get both into open space. I’m not saying these two will combine to catch 100 passes, but I could see both getting somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 to 35 which would be about five or six per game.

Honestly, I keep waiting for more passes to the TEs. I mean, the one thing you can say that Cavanaugh did well as OC for the Baltimore Ravens was utilizing TEs and making use of Todd Heap. Again, no excuses this year.

As for Baldwin, every practice report seems to include mention of Baldwin making some great catch or just showing that he has more talent than those trying to cover him.

Freshman receiver Jonathan Baldwin added to his growing list of circus catches, leaping high for a one-handed catch in double coverage on the left sideline.

Panthers players started howling when the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Baldwin showed off his 40-inch vertical jump by soaring above safety Elijah Fields and cornerback Jarred Holley.

“Jonathan Baldwin made a catch today that, I think, let everybody know that he plans on competing,” Wannstedt said.

Which, in turn makes him the subject of other stories, even as he sticks to the tried and true cliches.

“I’m just trying to work hard in training camp,” he said. “I’m not looking farther than this right now. Just continue to work hard. Whatever happens to please the coaches happens.”

Wannstedt hasn’t discussed Baldwin’s future, saying it’s still too early in camp to discuss the freshmen, but the coach seemed willing to leave open the possibility that Baldwin could begin the season without a redshirt.

“I think the big decision for us is who we are going to put on the field when we get the entire team together: an extra back, tight end or receiver?” Wannstedt said. “We have some choices at all positions. How much these young kids will have an opportunity, I think it’s just too early to tell yet.”

RRRIIIGGGHHHHTTTT.

Assuming no injuries, it would be a huge shock not to see Baldwin on the 2-deep by week 3. I’m hedging just because I think Coach Wannstedt would put the older players ahead of him on the official depth chart initially out of respect. Even if he didn’t actually stick to the chart when it came time for substitutions.

Sticking with the receivers, we are still waiting for Derek Kinder to show he’s healthy. He’s frustrated as well after having to sit for a few more days.

It felt good to go out and run around, coach limited me some but he wanted me to get back into the swing of things and it felt really good,” said Kinder, who said he is close to 100 percent. “I just needed some rest for my knee after that first practice, my knee just wasn’t used to those long practices. As soon as I get a few two-a-days under my belt and get used to all the running and pounding my knee is going to take, I hope by next week I’ll be all right.

“I feel good cutting, but I need to get back to where I was before. I’m still waiting on that first hit, I hope it comes soon, maybe tomorrow.”

Kinder said it was frustrating to have to sit out the past few days after working so hard to get back from the injury, but he understands the rehabilitation process on an injury such as his can be as long as two full years.

On Sunday, Kinder did actually participate in contact drills. No clear word on how much contact he actually took.

Oderick Turner hasn’t gotten attention in camp from the media, but it seems he is handling things rather well.

Oderick Turner capped one of his best practices in some time with a punctuation mark, catching a 23-yard pass from Bill Stull on third-and-25 pass and – after LeSean McCoy converted a fourth-and-2 – a corner fade in the end zone to end the day.

Turner is quickly developing into Stull’s favorite target, and took a step toward regaining the starting split-end job by showing off skills that points put on the scoreboard.

More importantly, the offense responded to adversity and took an important win over a defense that has been dominant at times. That was certainly the case in third-down drills.

After sacks by Tommie Duhart and Jabaal Sheard, Stull found Turner on a square-in pattern for a big gain. Then Stull lobbed a scoring pass to Turner, who jumped over Jovani Chappel and Eric Thatcher for the catch in the left corner of the end zone.

Gorman speculates that Wannstedt has been judicious in his praise of Turner, in part because Turner is compteing against Cedric McGee for the starting spot, and that McGee is a favorite of Wannstedt’s for his blocking and arguably being a harder worker.

I would also suggest that it is a little psychological. Turner seems to respond better when he isn’t  the focus. He struggled as the #1 receiver last year with Kinder out. Coach Wannstedt hasn’t really singled out Turner one-way or another up until today’s practice. Instead just letting Kinder play.

Geez, a couple days worth of stories have piled up as the practices have progressed. As that happens, things become a little clearer on the depth chart.

On the O-line, as late as Friday, the coaches were talking like Jason Pinkston wouldn’t make it to 1st team on the depth chart until much later in the training camp.

“He is a guy who last year was slated as a starter and started a few games before his shoulder injury took him out of the lineup and he had to sit out,” Cavanaugh said of Pinkston.

“He is a little behind the eight ball because he missed so much time and wasn’t able to practice all spring, but I think he gets the message right now that he is working with the second unit and he has to work his way up to that first unit.

“Ideally, he’ll come on and start dominating people like he can and get back into the starting lineup.”

Well, it didn’t take long at all for Jordan Gibbs to give way to Jason Pinkston at Left Tackle . Gibbs will be the primary back-up, very likely playing at both tackle spots, but it is telling that Lucas Nix is already playing behind Thomas at RT.

Nix, of course, was one of the top offensive linemen recruits in the country. As much as Coach Wannstedt loves to redshirt freshmen — especially for the lines — and there were rumors all spring and summer that Nix will be academically shaky (which would be another reason to redshirt him so he can get better acclimated to the student side without as much athletic pressure); that Nix is already looking to be on the 2-deep after only a week.

Starting Friday — after Wannstedt criticized them publicly — the QBs responded.

…but the offense looked drastically different today.

For one, the quarterbacks actually had time to finish their drops and spot receivers. For another, they actually completed the majority of their passes. And, for the most part, the receivers caught those passes. Some even found their way into the end zone.

…

We mentioned Sunseri’s TD passes in the morning post, so let’s start with Bostick. I’ve noted that his physique has been radically altered, and it’s certainly had a positive affect on his footwork. His arm is still suspect, but Bostick makes up for it with his smarts and soft touch.

He’s moving better in the pocket, and ran one nice play-action fake to find freshman receiver Mike Shanahan for a 20-plus-yard gain. Bostick also threw a scoring pass. More on that later.

At the end of practice, during the two-minute drill, a Bostick pass bounced off the hands of Shanahan and into those of middle linebacker Max Gruder for an interception to end the day.

And Coach Wannstedt appropriately praised them afterwards.

Opening Statement:

“The best thing between this morning and afternoon was quarterback play overall, and they all played, with Billy Stull and Pat [Bostick], both up in the 80 percentile as far as completions, and that’s where they both should be in my opinion when we’re out here practicing and not scrimmaging. I think both guys responded the way you’d like them to. Kevan Smith was better today, Greg Cross, and I’ll tell you, Tino Sunseri made two throws this morning that were as good as any throws we’ve had from starters. I was real encouraged how the quarterbacks as a group responded after the first few days. That gives us a chance to have an upbeat practice. There were no interceptions, except at the end and that was a tipped pass. No mistakes. We got rid of the ball quick and that helps the practice go smooth. Tomorrow we go with the entire team. No practice in the morning, full practice in the afternoon and I would expect another surge of energy now that we are all back together. I look forward to that. We’ll have some live stuff tomorrow, a live inside drill for sure. This will be my 34th first day of pads, live inside drill.”

…

On the factors that led to the improved quarterback play today:

“I think it’s a combination of them responding, blocking a little better. The plays that we put together probably gave them a little better chance to be successful. [Jonathan] Baldwin made some plays today, [Mike] Shanahan made some plays today, [Cameron] Saddler made some plays. It was good to see. That’s three outstanding freshman receivers. That’s a unique group right there.”

I think Coach Wannstedt knows that the O-line (at least right now) looks average at best. For LeSean McCoy, that should be more than enough for him to have a bigger year. While even average would be a step-up from the past couple of years, I don’t think Wannstedt wants to let the QBs be able to use that as an excuse.

As for the defensive side, it just keeps reading that there is such depth all over the place (well, maybe not as much as safety, but even there it looks strong).

— Although the starting safety jobs are being held down by Eric Thatcher at free and Dom DeCicco at strong, Wannstedt didn’t rule out the possibility that we’ll see DeCicco and Fields together at times.

“Elijah is such a good coverage guy, we’re talking about using him in some nickel and dime situations to get both of those guys on the field,” Wannstedt said. “Most definitely.”

— The inside-run drill saw Belle Glades products Tommie Duhart and Rashaad Duncan lined up next to each other inside, and they wasted no time blowing up a play to drop McCoy for a loss.

Pitt has such depth at defensive tackle that you might see the Panthers go big (Duhart and Duncan), small (Mustakas and Mick Williams) or a combination (Duncan and Williams or Duhart and Mustakas). And that’s not even counting Caragein and Bokor.

— Nate Nix made a big hit to break up a pass intended for fullback Henry Hynoski, and Nix is an intriguing position. He could stay at weak-side linebacker, where he is contending with redshirt freshmen Tristan Roberts to back up Shane Murray, but it wouldn’t come as a shock to see him move to defensive end to add depth now that Fulmer is hobbled.

…

— Defensive end Ty Tkach came around the left side to drop Stephens-Howling from behind for a loss. After spending the spring at tight end for depth reasons (Byham and Pelusi were injured and Dickerson was new to the position), Tkach is another end taking advantage of his increased reps with Fulmer out.

…

— One twist to the second-team defense was that the linebacker corps consisted entirely of redshirt freshmen, with Max Gruder in the middle flanked by Lindsey at strong-side and Roberts at weak-side. That might have just been for Pitt coaches to get a look at them behind a veteran line.

The other combinations we’ve seen include Steve Dell at middle, with Nix at weak-side and Greg Williams at strong-side. It will be interesting to see how the competition plays out, especially with Gateway All-American Shayne Hale in the mix in the middle.

You get the feeling Coach Wannstedt, DC Phil Bennett and the rest of the defensive staff just start to get a little silly in the late-night meetings when it comes time to discuss who plays where and when and all possible permutations. They’ll just throw some things out there and see what happens.

So much activity in the first week of training camp. So many stories to mention. Just need to get them out of my browser tabs.

The secondary has lots of battles going on for starting positions. Senior Eric Thatcher appears set at free safety.

It was a battle in spring drills and it is still raging as Dom DeCicco and Elijah Fields are trying to get the starting strong safety position.

The mix of experience and his ability to grasp the defense is what sets DeCicco apart, [Secondary Coach Jeff] Hafley said.

“Dom covers a lot of ground,” he said. “He’s very physical, he’s a great tackler and he’s an intelligent football player. He’s a young kid right now, he’s only really been playing college football for one season, but he’s pretty intelligent back there. That’s a position where he’s got to be a leader and he’s got to be a quarterback. He brings those intangibles to the defense.”

Fields also brings an important aspect to the Panthers defense. He lettered as a freshman in 2006, appearing in eight games on special teams, before redshirting last fall.

“I think I just have to learn the defense inside and out and make plays, do what I usually do,” Fields said. “(Dom and I) are both like the same size, with my speed, covering ability and closure to the ball and stuff like that, I think I’ve got a good shot.”

“Everybody kind of says the same thing, he’s a super athlete,” Hafley said of Fields. “He can run, jump, he’s physical, he’s got the size you want, he’s got great coverage skills and he’s learning the game. He’s done a nice job, he had a great offseason and we’re really hoping he becomes a part of it this year.”

DeCicco has the advantage of getting a year of practice and playing special teams, while Fields had to sit all of last year due to a suspension. I expect this one to get a lot more attention deeper into camp, and the final decision to come late.

Then there is cornerback. Aaron Berry isn’t going anywhere at field cornerback, but at the boundary position and determining the depth chart, it seems up in the air. Jovani Chappel came into the training camp at the top of the chart on that side, but that was definitely written in pencil.

Buddy Jackson has already gotten some early mentions by Coach Wannstedt, and his athleticism is a big reason why.

Jackson, a 6-foot-1 redshirt freshman from Plantation, Fla., runs the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds, has a standing broad jump of almost 11 feet and sports a 41-inch vertical leap. He can dunk a basketball with two hands — after doing a 360-degree spin in the air — and ran the 100-meter dash in 10.4 seconds in high school.

…

News of Jackson’s 40 time and other numbers began to circulate and as the summer wore on he began getting offers from programs in the SEC, ACC and even the Big 12.

Jackson stuck with his commitment to Pitt because it was the first school to give him a shot and because he said Pitt “just felt like home to me.” Coaches are hoping his knowledge of the position and football ability can match his physical ability sooner rather than later for Pitt, which is ranked 19th by Sports Illustrated in the magazine’s preseason poll being released today.

Jackson doesn’t shy away from contact, so that also helps him. Freshmen Ronald Hobby and Jared Holley have also been noticeable in the position battles. It is crowded back there with Chappel and Ricky Gary as well.

Good problem to have.

Yesterday was the scolding day for the quarterbacks.

“I have not been happy with our quarterback play. I would like to think we would be a bit farther along than what we have shown. We have not shown the execution that I would like to see. Our expectation for these guys is a little higher than where we are at right now. We did inside run drills today and with both groups the defense did get the better of the offense. However, I have never been a part of a good team anywhere in the first couple days where the defense is not ahead of the offense at this point.”

Effect of the quarterback play on the defense:

“No, the decision making and execution is there. It’s on them to perform better and be more efficient.”

On how the quarterbacks will respond to the challenge:

“They will respond fine. It’s only practice three but we hold that position highly and if we’re going to play well they have to play well.”

Of course that last comment strikes me as somewhat conflicting to Coach Wannstedt’s general view that a QB for his squad just needs to manage the game. An implication that the QB just needs to be competent and avoid mistakes.

The defense dominated in the first day of pads at practice, as expected. Still, Paul Zeise has not been impressed by the QBs so far.

Bill Stull got things started on the wrong foot this morning with an inconsistent session but you have to figure he’ll get it together as he is a smart kid, a tough kid and he is generally an accurate passer. The guys behind him, however, I’m not so sure.

Kevan Smith has struggled with his accuracy and consistency going back to the spring. Pat Bostick still needs to develop some arm strength and his accuracy has seemingly gotten worse, not better. And Greg Cross, while he is capable of being a nice change of pace, needs to show he can beat someone with his arm as well as his legs or the Wildcat will become just another goofy formation with a predictable — and thus ultimately not successful — outcome.

Again, it is early, but so far the struggles of the quarterbacks — struggles which have not gone unnoticed by the head coach — have begun to be a bit of a developing storyline.

Though, when the QBs do start to get it together, it already looks like they will have a very helpful target.

Bossard, Pitt’s new receivers coach, exchanged stunned looks with offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh as both watched with amazement a feat of incredible athleticism.

“There was no spoken word, but we were both saying the same thing,” Bossard said. “I thought that ball was eight feet out of bounds.”

At 6-foot-5, 222 pounds, with 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash and a 40 1/2-inch vertical leap, Baldwin is challenging the dimensions of the playing field and the Panthers’ passing game as a downfield threat who provides a big target in the end zone.

The word redshirt has not and will not be spoken in conjunction with Jonathan Baldwin.

It hasn’t helped the QBs, that the defensive line manhandled the offensive line. The D-line apparently looks strong and deep.

“I’ve been very, very pleased with their effort,” Gattuso said. “I think that complacency is a danger now that these guys are getting a little older and feeling a little more confident, but their effort has been outstanding. Right now, we have four tackles who have played and started a lot of games, and they are all having a good camp.

“I think one of the things we’ve found is the best motivator is competition and depth, and, right now, they are all pushing each other, so you can’t help but be pleased with what we’ve seen so far.”

…

Gattuso said the Panthers likely will use a rotation of four tackles and three ends once the season begins.

“I don’t know who is going to end up the starters, though Mick Williams has really been playing at a high level right now,” Gattuso said. “But I can put any of these guys in and feel good about it. The one thing I will say is I’ve talked to Jabaal Sheard about how he needs to increase his effort and how he needed to become more coachable, and he’s responded well. He’s working harder. I’ve never worried about his talent or his instincts, it is the fundamentals and techniques and, if he keeps working on those things, he’ll be a starter and a great player for us.”

And don’t forget about players who redshirted last year.

Myles Caragein dominated the afternoon practice like no other, in both one-on-one and team drills. He used a spin to beat right guard John Bachman almost untouched, then flipped to the other side and beat left guard Josh Novotny.

Caragein also was disruptive against the run, stopping Harris at the line on one play and beating Bachman to hit Harris behind the line of scrimmage on another. Caragein is capable of playing inside or outside on the defensive line, and it’s just a matter of Pitt coaches figuring out how to use him.

Of course, the question that always is there at this time of year. Is the defensive line really that good, or is the offensive line struggling?

Q: It has been widely documented that the 08 season will be contingent upon the performance of the o-line. But the line must face arguably the best defense in the nation. How much of their poor performance has to do with facing an awesome defense every day in practice?

ZEISE: I will concede that some of the struggles of the line in the spring were due to injury and the defense being so good. So far in camp, however, even though they haven’t gone in full pads and at full speed, it appears as if the line is going to struggle again. And some of that is the defensive line being so good but a lot of it is inexperience and the fact that these guys haven’t played a lot together as a unit. That’s why I would expect (and Pitt fans should hope) that as this unit plays together (once the starting five is sorted out) it will get better and better, and it should because this group is talented. The problem is that is not a guarantee. You never know how long it takes for linemen to develop and for the chemistry to develop between them. We know there is talent, we know it will get better with experience but we don’t know how fast the learning curve will be.

Apparently O-line Coach Tony Wise, is very high on John Malecki on the offensive line.

Q: How has John Malecki looked at offensive guard? Even with the depth at D-line I am still concerned about this move. He was a beast on the d-line.

ZEISE: If you go back to top and look at what I wrote, you’ll see I couldn’t disagree more. The defensive tackle position is fine — and he would have a hard time getting a lot of playing time there, particularly with Mick Williams and Tommie Duhart and Gus Mustakas and Rashaad Duncan all playing as well as they are. He is going to be a beast as an offensive guard. Tony Wise — the line coach — said his toughness, his intensity, his fearlessness, his physical play have all rubbed off on the other guys on the line — he’s a fighter and he loves to hit people and block people. This staff gets criticized for moving people around and sometimes justifiably so but not in this case. This was the absolute right move for both Malecki and the team.

Just a day past 3 weeks until we start to see for ourselves about all of this.