2006 Statistics

From day one of the Wannstedt-Cavanaugh era, loudly trumpeted promises of establishing the run as the centerpiece of the offense have been heard. But so far, that promise has only meant a scant improvement – in 2005, the Panthers ranked 93rd with 117 rushing yards per game, and in ’06, they were 78th with 123 per game. And neither year has seen rashes of injuries or sub-par backfields, so what gives? In their third year as the organizers of this offense, this campaign can accept no excuses as this regime’s own recruits are now in the majority. Junior tailback LaRod Stevens-Howling has that proven burst that effectively scats him through holes and around corners. True fullback Conredge Collins contributes not only physically, but also with his soft hands. But the guy we think needs more touches is soph Shane Brooks, whose combination of size and shiftiness should make him more popular (every down back) due to how his presence doesn’t telegraph what kind of play Pitt is running. Also more of a hybrid is incoming LeSean McCoy – using these two can help to stem the predictability factor that elicited the team’s marginal 3.9 ypc average. The optimistic version of replacing Tyler Palko: establishing the immediate passing worth of their new starter at quarterback will go a long way toward improving the ground game. The glass half-empty version: if the running game struggled so with the nation’s No.4 passer under center, what could happen now with three unestablished diamonds-in-the-rough, all still far from being mistake-free in just practice, probably keeps all of Western Pennsylvania up at night. Incumbent Bill Stull is a local junior who has a solid grasp of the offense after being Palko’s understudy for two years and gets the penciled-in start due to this. More physically gifted, RS frosh Kevan Smith has struggled with consistency (center exchange) but just needs to see the field more to iron out his kinks. But it is Lancaster’s Pat Bostick, this year’s No.6 pro-style recruit, who makes the future so unpredictable. Stull will start, but he will be on a short leash before the other Panthers get their chances to continue the Marino-Cavanaugh-Palko legend. The receivers are established – physical senior Derek Kinder leads a young, experienced corps that features an all six-foot-plus two-deep. Freshman All-American Oderick Turner started and produced right away, but T.J Porter (finally committed to fulfilling his potential) and solid junior Marcel Pestano made it a three-way race for the other starting receiver slot with their strong spring showings. The TE-tandem of senior Darrell Strong and last year’s No.7 prospect Nate Byham will often be seen together since this is likely Pitt’s top offensive unit (as it is helped/complimented by the depth at receiver). Now all the new QB needs is time to throw to this arsenal of snarlers, and senior hulkster Jeff Otah at left tackle really helps there. With a right-handed QB for the first time in four years, former JUCO-transfer Otah won the most improved player tag (Ed Conway Award) this spring, and versatile classmate and vocal leader Mark McGlynn, though tagged for his 32nd-straight start (opposite Otah), could move anywhere play is lacking once his shoulder heals. Jason Pinkston faired extremely well in McGlynn’s place, making true soph guard Joe Thomas expendable if his inconsistencies haven’t been smoothed out by September. With solid insider C.J. Davis a fit at center if need be, the improvements to the line seem real enough to think that overall improvements can eventually happen. What this offense needs from a schematic standpoint is more creative play-calling that will keep foes from crowding the box. Ergo, expect lots of passing early both to help sort out the QB conundrum and keep defenses honest.

Coordinator Paul Rhoads enters his eighth season at the defensive helm, but his ‘06 showing has some wishing he had been replaced. The Panthers dropped from 31st in 2005 to 87th in 2006 in total defense, and even worse was the drop from 94th to 107th in run stopping with last year’s senior-laden front seven. Well, many of those seniors were accordingly displaced by capable backups who are a year older, and who now need to be a year wiser and that much better for Pitt to gain more wins. Big end Joe Clermond is the prime example – he was all-conference as a sophomore with 16.5 tackles-for-loss out of his 48 total. Freshman Greg Romeus’ impressive spring means he should challenge starting workman senior end Chris McKillop for reps. On paper and in measuring toughness, the tackles seem formidable (Mustakas had a huge spring), but size issues may again spell disaster inside against any bigger, quicker offensive counterparts (Louisville, WVU, USF). Two four-star recruits join the line this fall – the youth amongst the two-deep could make for volatile times, either good or bad. Still, the biggest project has been filling all three holes at linebacker, which is why Rhoads moved his specialty from helping the DBs (his efforts made them a top unit) over to rebuilding the corps and helping the entire front seven. Last year’s group only saw MLB Blades play to his potential, so his understudy, Scott McKillop (younger brother of Chris), has his work cut out. Heady-determined Shane Murray seems to have the SAM slot – for now – with his gutsy style, and toughie Adam Gunn has seen very little spiking in his efforts. But neither seems to command their positions, leaving room for two capable wanna-be’s - extremely athletic, Imperial-native (ex-QB/RB/WR/DB) Dorin Dickerson and ex-scout team terror Nate Nix - to play their way into the starting lineup. All of these new faces can actually far exceed their predecessors as a group, playing together to make their whole effort worth much more than the sum of their parts. Miami-native Kennard Cox should have a better season as the established senior corner, making super fast soph Aaron Berry the new guy likely to be picked on. Berry showed in limited action last year he has the wares to be as good as first round NFL pick Revis. Likely nickel Jovani Chappel is a bruiser who can secure the corner on runs well, making him an ideal fifth DB. Head hunter Eric Thatcher, like strong safety compliment Mike Phillips, has returned from 2006’s ankle injury (Thatcher’s was season-ending) more determined and more vocal than ever. These two will be leaders on this young defense, though injuries to either/both would mean very green subs. This has the looks of an improved bunch, as does every area on D. Regardless, with a master defensive coach like Wannstedt running the show, something has to give before the shortcomings on this side of the ball travel all the way back to coach Dave.