Running Back
As a true freshman, LaRod Stephens-Howling led the team in their rushing-by-committee approach. A small, quick juker-type, Stephens-Howling eventually went down to an ankle injury, and this poses questions as to his durability in this run-first offense if he is a workhorse. But his speed and toughness are there when called upon. Pittsburgh lost three 225+-pounders (two to graduation, Jennings transferred), so the “thunder” to compliment LaRod’s “lightning” will now be sophomore Brandon Mason and RS frosh Shane Brooks. Mason is a step quicker than Brooks, while Duquesne-local Brooks is 230lbs so he may see more reps in two-RB formations as a FB/decoy. Soph Conredge Collins is the slated FB, and this Miami-native knows the system well after his redshirt was pulled and he became an important part of the backfield in ’05. Collins has speed (4.53) to go with his bruising style, and also has the prep résumé to warrant getting many more carries than the modest amount likely planned. This unit has the potential to “carry” Pitt far, so hopefully the coaching staff can put together play-calling that makes the most of their deep talent pool here.

Receiver
Every two years, Pitt loses its primary deep threat, and this time Greg Lee realized his role lacking and vacated for the NFL. This means a new deep threat has to be found, and between junior Derek Kinder and former walk-on Joe DelSardo, the Panthers have the weapons needed. DelSardo has been an overachiever and proves he can do anything asked of him. Kinder has the size of Lee, and seems to have those sticky hands fans love. Cedric McGee and Oderick Turner, both RS freshmen, are prep track stars (McGee in the triple-jump, Turner as a high jumper) who also have the height to win those long throws. Super speedy Terrell Allen, proven on special teams, should often see status in three-WR sets. This area has the talent to thrive, but needs to have more intermediate and deep balls tried – not only for their production, but to keep DBs from crowding the box which stifles the running game.

Tight End
This is an area which could provide the deep threat spoken of above. Senior Steve Buches is big enough to be an every-down TE, for he pushes DLmen as well as he goes over the middle to distract safeties. But ex-WR Darrell Strong has the size, proven numbers and the speed to truly burn defenses. These two guys need to be utilized in two-TE sets, which will aid both offensive dimensions.

Offensive Line
Four returning starters here should make last year’s marginal offensive numbers finally become more consistent and productive. The inside looks the best with senior Joe Villani calling the blocking sets from his center slot. Villani has yet to truly replace Pettiti, but should use hard lessons learned to his advantage. John Simonitis at right guard is an athlete who also has 300+lbs. (325 to be more precise) with which to push. Simonitis has started 30 games over the last three campaigns, more than any other player on the roster. These two seniors, along with sophomore left guard C.J. Davis, comprise a huge inside presence that has to improve for Pitt to get its running legs underneath them, the only way Wannstedt’s schemes can begin to work. Davis started as a true frosh, so his upside this year looks promising. Junior Mike McGlynn is a starter since midway through the ’04 season, and still is consistently (working on) improving his game, and it has shown even this past spring. He makes the right side the obvious strongest side, which leaves only the left tackle slot to worry about. John Bachman was the backup in ’05 and should step up with his quickness to secure the other outside spot, but nothing is in stone here. Save Bachman, this is a lumbering two-deep crew that seems to lack the speed to recover when beaten, a key factor as to why the Panthers had such a low average per carry (3.2) and why an elusive guy like Palko was sacked 30 times in ’05. Something has to give or they will again drag the running game down in today’s realm of faster bigmen lining up opposite them.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Promises under the new coaching staff didn’t exactly change much, besides taking the bulk of the decisions away from Palko, which turns out to be more harm than help. Wannstedt and OC Matt Cavanaugh told foes they would run it first, and they must have listened when looking at Pitt’s meager ground numbers. The talent is there at RB once again, but the linemen seem to be too big to truly pull and/or get downfield after their initial contact. And with Greg Lee moving on, no true deep threat exists, though the WRs have the talent to do anything asked of them. Cavanaugh has to establish the ability to stretch the field – if not, the box will again be stacked, so when one play works, then the next is blown up at its inception. Palko needs to again be put in position to make plays, so giving him the room for improvisation (like he proved he can do in 2004) is key. If there are no changes from last campaign’s approach, expect the same results – an offense ranked nationally in the bottom third (82nd in ’05).

Linebacker
This area is loaded with talent, and the Panther defense starts and pivots around MLB H.B. Blades. Blades makes our first-team all-American squad for good reason - he is everywhere and anywhere the play goes, with 4.5 speed leading to great coverage ability. Sustaining a block on him is rarely seen. This senior will lead the front seven to better overall production just due to foes just trying to avoid his presence, an impossibility (especially seeing how he led the conference in tackles). Classmate Clint Sessions is going to have his own standout campaign after 2005 saw him hindered by leg injuries. Also a speedy Floridian (Pompano Beach) like Blades, SAM Sessions strong career proves that when teams try to run away from Blades, he assuredly makes the play. The third starter from the 2003 recruiting class is junior Derron Thomas, who has more size and is therefore often a highly productive fifth down lineman. Thomas will be the only new starter. Unlike his brother, Scott McKillop has remained a valuable part of the LB corps, and backs up Blades so there is little drop off if the all-American is ever out. McKillop killed in spring drills. Brian Bennett and Adam Gunn (two blocked kicks) are two quality backups that represent the assured depth Pitt truly has here.

Defensive Back
With two all-conference guys departed, Pitt’s third one from ‘05, junior CB Darrelle Revis, returns to secure one side of the field. Revis’ nine pass breakups and team-leading four INTs say much, but he is also capable of making solo tackles on any play as he is left on his own island to produce. Kennard Cox look to secure the other corner, and the junior has the size to take on big WRs, but so does soph Kelvin Chandler, who is even taller and a step quicker. Ball-hawking SS Sam Bryant is a fifth-year senior who will be relied upon heavily due to the other newbies finding their way(s). Bryant is great as eighth man in the box and reads plays well. Mike Phillips started the first three games in ‘05 at strong safety until he snapped his ankle, so he is the best candidate to slide into the vacant FS slot. This junior has been productive (at CB) when in the lineup, so there will be little lull in the secondary’s ability to play tightly as a unit. Jameel Brady, a backup at either safety slot, hits like “a concrete post”, says DC Paul Rhoads. “He’s a wall”, and is one of many backups just waiting for reps (five DB recruits in this year’s class are at least three-star prospects). The Panther’s No.2 pass defense won’t likely be quite as highly ranked this campaign, but strong number (like 2005’s 10 TDs) will be reproduced and the entire D has an ample safety net upon which they can rely.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Like in 2005, this crew has the ability to hold foes for 60 full minutes to the bare minimum, but consistency (from game to game) has to be the goal so they can improve Pittsburgh’s record. The four games in which they allowed opponents 30+ points were all losses. Otherwise, the Panther stoppers intimidated everyone else to rank 30th in scoring allowed and 31st overall (the rest of their foes never scored more than 20). The weak link, their 94th ranked rushing defense, looks like it can drastically improve, therefore improving everything Pitt will do on D. Blades, the McKillop brothers, Sallet, Sessions and the rest of the front seven assure this. The secondary is built around third-team all-American Revis, and is still deep and strong (even with major departures). It has been a stalwart, steadily improving to where 2006 looks like it can be another campaign the DBs will again excel. With an unproven offensive scheme that could again stumble, this D will be heavily leaned upon, early and often, to keep Pitt over .500.