2004 Statistics

Running Back
As stated, this is now the bread-and-butter. Everywhere Dave Wannstedt goes, he runs the ball to set up the pass. Now, he fine tunes the nation's 105th-rated ground game (97 per game), one that also only got 10 TDs as well as 2.6 per try (112th). Senior Raymond Kirkley is the tip of Pitt's iceberg of backs, with so much girth below that each is capable of sinking any unsuspecting defender in his way. Interchangeable TB/FB Tim Murphy will also get his numbers up as the Panthers use the run to physically punish and wear down opponents. Depth (Brandon Mason) here is strong, with highly anticipated incoming Miami-native Conredge Collins (Rivals.com No.3 rated FB) looking to use his own size and speed to secure an oft-used spot in this committee. We think he will, and that this Panther dimension rises quickly under new RB-coach Dave Walker to become one of the nation's top 30 units.

Receiver
OK, it's pretty simple here. Second-team NC.net all-American Greg Lee stretches the field, not only taking double-teams for an average of 19+ yards per his 68 catches (5th in I-A for total receiving yards), but also darting over the middle when needed. Lee enters his junior year with the mantle that he inherited from Larry Fitzgerald as the top Panther WR well in-hand. Even marked, Lee gets the ball, but will share more this year with the others. Locally-produced junior Joe DelSardo is smaller, yet tighter physically (goes underneath fearlessly), and his walk-on grit and leadership have made him invaluable. Senior RB Marcus Furman sees a pass close to half of the time when in, and close to a third of Pitt's catches were to RBs, a trend sure to continue to help get these offensive wheels quickly turning. The depth here is undeveloped, but exists in good size and numbers; only early injuries to Lee and/or DelSardo could derail this unit's ability to contribute.

Tight End
Don't listen when other online publications say Erik Gill is just a blocker. His catch totals and four TDs go along with mammoth stature to make him a premier TE. Central-Catholic's Steve Buches (also 4 TDs) is too a great blocker as well as a 6'4" target, making Pitt's two-TE formations a match-up nightmare for foes. A HUGE advantage here for Pitt, so to speak, and a perfect fit for Wannstedt's run-oriented scheme(s).

Offensive Line
Paul Dunn comes in from Kentucky as the fix-it guy, with impressive stops at Syracuse and Kansas State, to give promise to this defective part. The job he is going to have to do - with three returning starters whose emphasis has been on size and not (so much) speed - will be a challenge. Ex-coach Walt Harris didn't necessarily recruit for mobility, so it will be another year until two Wannstedt classes can begin to replace the logy. For now, there is enough for Dunn to work with so that the improvements can take hold as those inheriting the positions will see enough action to develop. Senior converted-DT Charles Spencer, the anchor and leader here, might move to tackle, and center Vangas then moves to guard, making openings that can work with who is coming. Improvements will assuredly occur before fall, from either the upperclassmen or (eventually) them. Cavanaugh will have enough savvy in the game-plan so this position can grow without too much pain/repercussions…in other words, lots of between-the-tackle running. Realistically, expect what was the weakest link to remain so, but not be such a liability anymore.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Pittsburgh has recently struggled here, seemingly wasting great talent on unbalanced efforts that never allowed the offense's potential to be fully seen. Well, the new sheriff has a plan to take what weapons they already have and methodically attack the other guys with basic fundamentals and just out-"execute" them. Discipline will reign supreme, though the ability for Palko to roll out or just take it himself is always a possibility Cavanaugh will promote. The experience Cavanaugh, Wannstedt, and Dunn bring back to their alma mater will be noticeable as each fulfills their destiny to collectively right the Panther's ship. There are enough ball-handling weapons, so it is really only the line that has to take strides in spring and summer ball for this to be a juggernaut. Nine of eleven starters returning, along with plenty of experienced backups and coaches who have this much connection and/or (pro) tenure, mean field general Palko will just have to be himself now to become a better manager of the game and therefore increase Panther wins.

Linebacker
Two juniors bolster this group to well buoy its immediate prospects. Second-team NC.net all-American H.B. Blades carries on the family tradition (son of ex-NFLer Bennie, nephew to Al) as a ball-hound who is seemingly in on every play. Fellow-Floridian Clint Sessions also resonates his name throughout stadium loudspeakers, with announcers constantly confirming #17's high level of play. Sessions drops back well, and J.J. Horne rounds the weakside out strongly. Depth has both experience and intensity, with speed and hitting power-galore on this crew. Look for stunting and LBs lining up as down-linemen (Corey Davis) with so much talent and versatility.

Defensive Back
Pitt finished ranked pretty low (100th) for pass defense, but their much better efficiency ranking (58th) shows what we know already - that this young bunch is budding with enough talent to make foes worry about their ball-hawking abilities with every pass. Cornerbacks for the Panthers may collectively be the best in the nation. Senior Josh Lay helped Darelle Revis and Mike Phillips (both then freshmen) to fly up the learning curve, with all three ending ranked amongst the I-A leaders in passes defended last campaign. Corners with ability are coming out of the Monongahela, and the islands they can be left upon make foes take risks (Pitt had 17 INTs) or get sacked in the blitzing onslaught. The safeties have experience. Senior Tez Morris typifies this bunch - he stresses tackling and zone-coverage in his repertoire. This area is weaker, with passes allowed to get through, though with little YAC. Physical is what Wannstedt will prosper here, so any new schemes Paul Rhoads now gets from coach will improve the performances of those available.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
There is a new approach with Wannstedt. Speed will bump most positions up, in both where they line up and their respective responsibility with each assignment. LBs will often be down-linemen, and hard-hitting DBs will be shuffled/dispatched in nickel- and dime-packages - both of these moves in an effort to mix assignments up so as to make it impossible for offenses to match up and/or know what/when to expect blitzes. Accordingly, seemingly "down" linemen will drop back as coverage guys race to the line. Pitt already swarmed with instinct, and Wannstedt's two National Championships (Miami) and one Super Bowl ring assure us that this defensive mastermind will shore up any loose ends and make his intimidating, physical approach breath through every player. The offenses' ability to make the play-clock work for them this time will only add to the D's impact. In turn, look for the line to improve enough so that they hold their own, and the back-seven can then create complex schemes that capitalize on their speed and sticky fingers. But when they do blitz, the CBs are good enough to employ bump-and-run (36% third-down conversion rate) as they limit the deep threat. Battle scars under Harris make for great results through a vindication of sorts - struggles are behind them and potential here will soon be fully reached.