Clawing Back
By Joe Giardina

Dave Wannstedt's first season as the head coach at the University of Pittsburgh was supposed to be a memorable one.

Was it ever.

The new coaching staff was supposed to push the program over the edge and into the elite. Instead they struggled to a lackluster 0-3 start on their way to their first losing season since 1999. But even with early loses to Notre Dame, Nebraska- and worst of all, Ohio-the season was not a complete loss. It was nothing pretty, but the team managed to go 5-3 the rest of the way, the type of finish the coaches hope will carry over into the 2006 season.

Pitt welcomes back 13 returning starters, including their team leaders in QB Tyler Palko and LB H.B. Blades. No one enjoyed losing last year but these two seniors despised it the most. With the exception of Palko, the Panthers offense will have a notably different look than last year. Gone are WR Greg Lee and several others, leaving a slew of unfamiliar and unproven names to take over the skill positions. Junior WR Derek Kinder has all the makings to be the new go-to receiver. A mix of redshirt and true freshmen could contribute immediately-especially Cedric McGee, Oderick Turner and Dorin Dickerson. Elijah Fields, another freshman, could also fit into the receiver mix but the coaching staff might be pushing him towards the other side of the ball.

The real question on offense comes at running back, where the transfer of Rashad Jennings will hurt. A year ago Wannstedt promised a power running game. But it is hard to imagine that game plan with LaRod Stephens-Howling in the backfield. He is talented and athletic but at 5'7", 165 pounds he's not able to carry the ball 25-plus times a game consistently.

The Panthers may have someone who fits the Wannstedt power running game in freshman Kevin Collier-but for now, he is buried on the depth chart. Expect the 5'10", 185 pound New York native to be given every opportunity to win the starting job throughout the season.

The offensive line, however, may have taken a step back. The unit was less than impressive last season and now, minus two-time All Big East left tackle Charles Spencer, they will be searching for answers. The good news is that Wannstedt is bringing in smaller, more athletic linemen; as opposed to the massive but un-athletic bodies that former coach Walt Harris liked to recruit. The bad news is that help may still be a couple years away.

On paper, there are a lot of negatives about the Panthers' offense-only six returning starters; musical chairs on the line; inexperience at wide out and question marks in the back field-but for one more year the Panthers will have No. 3 lining up under center.

Coaches know what they have in Tyler Palko - a proven leader and winner with more than 5,000 career passing yards and more than 40 touchdowns in two seasons. But what is most important, and what you won't find in the stats, is that he is a veteran quarterback who is in his second season under offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh. The offense seemed to have a better grasp of the system this spring, so a healthy improvement should be expected.

While the offensive line had trouble preventing penetration last season, the d- line had just as much trouble creating it. But even with their inability to create pressure, the defense still boasted a top-notch secondary, especially at cornerback. They have shoes to fill with the loss of long time starters S Tez Morris and especially CB Josh Lay, but they have depth. All-American Darrelle Revis lines up on one side for at least one more season. At linebacker, senior H.B. Blades will be rejoined with former partner Clint Session and several others including Derron Thomas, Brian Bennett and speedy converted safety Tommie Campbell.

The success of the defense-especially against the run-may come down to the ability of the d-line to keep blockers off Blades and company, who simply cannot make plays if they constantly have to fight through traffic to find the ball.

2005 was a season with grand expectations and unfulfilled hope. Expectations aren't nearly as high now and that might have a positive swing to it. The longer the Panthers and their young playmakers can stay under the radar, the more chances they'll have to learn, and perhaps, shock a few teams.