 |
|
PITTSBURGH
PANTHERS |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 9
|
------RETURNING
STARTERS------
|
DEFENSE
- 7
|
|
|
KEY
LOSSES
|
| OFFENSE:
Rob Petitti-OT, Justin Belarski-C, Matt Maiers-OG |
| DEFENSE:
Dan
Stephens-DT, Vince Crochunis-NT, Malcolm Postell-WLB,
Tyrone Gilliard-SS |
|
 |
|
|
|
Linebacker
|
|
H.B.
Blades and Clint Session are one-and-two
on the team tackle list. Blades is
likely to become an All-American before
his time as a Panther is done.
|
|
|
|
|
Defensive
Tackle
|
|
The
LBs may be good, but the big bodies
in the middle occupying blockers have
moved on. If Pittsburgh wants to compete
for another Big East title, they must
solidify the base of the DL.
|
|
|
 |
|
QB
Tyler Palko
|
|
LB
H.B. Blades
|
|
|
|
|
|
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic
gauge for listing players that departed and players that
received the most playing experience (consistent starters).
NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing
personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers,
injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates.
Their coverage will begin with our full 2005 Preseason
Preview due out this coming spring. |
|
PITTSBURGH
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players
|
|
OFFENSE
|
| QB |
Tyler
Palko-Jr |
.. |
| FB |
Kellen
Campbell-Sr |
Justin
Acierno-Sr |
| TB |
Raymond
Kirkley-Sr |
Tim
Murphy-Sr (FB) / Marcus Furman-Sr |
| WR |
Greg
Lee-Jr |
.. |
| WR |
Joe
DelSardo-Jr |
.. |
| TE |
Erik
Gill-Sr |
.. |
| OT |
.. |
.. |
| OG |
Charles
Spencer-Sr |
.. |
| C |
.. |
.. |
| OG |
John
Simonitis-Jr |
.. |
| OT |
Mike
McGlynn-So |
Dale
Williams-Sr |
| K |
Josh
Cummings-Sr |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
| DE |
Charles
Sallet-Jr |
Azzie
Beagnyam-Sr |
| DT |
.. |
.. |
| NT |
.. |
.. |
| DE |
Thomas
Smith-Sr |
.. |
| SLB |
H.B.
Blades-Jr |
Brian
Bennett-Jr |
| MLB |
Clint
Session-Jr |
.. |
| WLB |
J.J.
Horne-Sr |
.. |
| CB |
Darrelle
Revis-So |
.. |
| CB |
Mike
Phillips-So |
Bernard
Lay-Sr |
| SS |
.. |
.. |
| FS |
Tez
Morris-Sr |
Jemeel
Brady-So |
| P |
Adam
Graessle-Jr |
.. |
|
QUICK
ANALYSIS
|
|
The
city of Pittsburgh is opening a new roller coaster
at Kennywood. It's called "The Panther Rides
Again". Get on, but who knows whether it
goes up or down more. Two seasons ago, this team
received rave preseason reviews with names on
the roster such as Rutherford, Miree and Fitzgerald.
The following 2004 projections were not so ravenous
with the new faces. Now, the Panthers (are set
to) accumulate their first ever BCS invitation.
To no surprise, they bring most of '04 back and
find themselves in the midst of such projections
once again. The new sheriff in town, QB Tyler
Palko, came on strong at the close of his first
fall campaign. Palko did something alone that
Rutherford and Fitzgerald couldn't do together
when they ran the ride - turning the tables on
Notre Dame and WVU with fourth quarter heroics.
His cause could be helped if someone outside of
junior Greg Lee offered some form of a threat
to an opposing secondary. But the trio of senior
RBs, especially now with Tim Murphy healthy, will
keep the box full so that needed WRs can quickly
develop. The NFL watch is on for linebacker H.B.
Blades (son of former NFL player Bennie Blades)
as he leads the team in tackles, TFLs and interceptions
in just his second season. Head coach Walt Harris
has left for Stanford, and it's been said that
a few insiders (Tony Dorsett) have longed for
his resignation. Maybe some of the aforementioned
did not live in the Steel City for the 1990's
stretch that saw Pitt attend one bowl in a decade
and process only one record above .500. Yenz can
make my sandwich with cole slaw and fries on top,
please.
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|
