Pittsburgh
Sports Report May 2004 |
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| Backroom
Buzz The key for WVU will be fifth-year senior QB Rasheed Marshall. The Brashear grad will play behind an experienced offensive line and throw to one of the nation's top receiving corps. Chris Henry is a Biletnikoff Award candidate. The junior uses his strength to establish separation from the defender. John Pennington showcased some acrobatic leaps and great hands. Keep an eye on Eddie Jackson, a Washington-transfer. In addition, blue-ship recruit Brandon Barrett joins the group this fall. Senior Kay-Jay Harris was the most impressive runner this spring - great cut-back ability and impressive bursts. Jason Colson battled a bad ankle and was less than impressive. The o-line is not terribly athletic, so quick fronts may give them fits in pass protection. But with explosive skill players at receiver and in the backfield, if Marshall holds up his end this can be a juggernaut of an offense. Defensively, playmakers Pac-Man Jones and Jahmile Addae return to the secondary. The line, especially Ernest Hunter and Warren Young, pushed people around in the Gold-Blue game. Redshirt freshman linebacker Marc Magro showed an impressive ability to lay the wood. Pitt Season On The Line This is a team full of question marks. The offense has position battles everywhere, and not many were resolved this spring. Both quarterbacks - Luke Getsy and Tyler Palko - struggled. Neither was able to show much due to an offensive line decimated by ineptitude and injuries. Pitt's weakness in 2003 appears to have grown even weaker. Granted, All-Big East tackle Rob Pettiti was out, along with three others - but Pettiti is the only difference-maker among the missing. Unless dramatic improvements are made, this is a problem area that could threaten to derail Walt Harris' rebuilding project before it even gets off the ground. Walk-on WR Joe Del Sardo got a lot of reps because of injuries and could work his way into the rotation. While Ray Kirkley ran hard this spring, both he and Jawan Walker will likely tire of getting hit behind the line. It was hard to get a feel for the defensive line, but ends Azzie Beagnyam, Thomas Smith and Charles Sallet showed impressive speed. At linebacker, expect Clint Session to make significant improvements. In the secondary, coaches expect corner Josh Lay to finally have his break-out season. Lions' OL Stacked The biggest improvement for the Penn State offense looks to be the line - four of the five starters were blue-chip recruits out of high-school. The middle of the line, though, was not all that impressive in the spring game, often getting pushed back at the point of contact. If this group gels, it could be a catalyst for a surprising season in Happy Valley. Senior WR Ryan Scott stood out this spring and looks as if he'll work his way into the two-deep. Converted DE John Bronson is pushing for time at TE - his hands need work, but he is big, fast, and can get open. Paterno did not rule out the senior playing some on both sides of the ball. Former Parade All-American running back BranDon Snow has been moved to middle linebacker and had an excellent spring. DL Tamba Hali was moved outside and looks like apass-rushing threat. Freshman Elijah Robinson was an imposing figure at tackle. The secondary has some quality athletes despite losing several key performers last season. |
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