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Old 03-26-2010, 01:08 PM   #11
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Jacobson's time has arrived

The time is now for Chris Jacobson, and he knows it. College football players only get so many chances before they are bypassed for the next big recruiting star coming through the ranks.

Jacobson was one of those big recruiting stars once upon a time. Three years ago, he was a can't-miss prospect from Keystone Oaks High School. He played in the Army All-American Game, had five stars next to his name on all of the recruiting websites and was billed as one of the top high school offensive linemen in the country.

Now, after three years filled with injuries and unsuccessful bids to earn starting jobs, Jacobson is -- finally -- 100 percent healthy and bent on seizing a starting job on Pitt's offensive line.

"I'm coming out here every day with a purpose to get better," said Jacobson, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound redshirt junior. "This is my fourth year, and it is my time. I've worked my butt off in the weight room with Buddy Morris. It's time to put my foot down and really be coachable, be physical and just hit people."

Jacobson could always do the latter. From a physical standpoint, he was ready to play when he was a true freshman, but not having a full grasp of the mental aspects of the game is what prevented him from earning the starting left guard position this past fall.

Jacobson competed with senior Joe Thomas throughout camp, but the coaches decided to start Thomas because he did not make as many mental errors.

"It was just stupid mistakes that shouldn't have been made that you want to kick yourself in the butt for," Jacobson said. "It was never the physical part. It was just some of the mental parts.

"But now the mental part is clicking. Now I look at some of the mistakes I made, and it's like, 'That's so easy. It all falls in like a puzzle.' "

Jacobson will fill one of three vacated spots on the offensive line in the fall. The Panthers also are looking for a new center and a new right guard.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt is hoping Jacobson can help anchor the retooled offensive line in the fall along with returning tackles Jason Pinkston and Lucas Nix.

"He's had a very good offseason," Wannstedt said. "When we came out of fall camp last year, we felt like Chris, from a physical standpoint, was there and ready to go, but Joe Thomas had been a four-year starter, and we came to the conclusion that both would play.

"We just thought Joe with his experience gave us a little better option at that time. And Joe stayed healthy for the most part. Chris' time is now. He knows it, and he's off to a good start."

Jacobson impressed the coaches Dec. 26 when he had to step in for an injured Thomas and start against North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. It was a gratifying experience for Jacobson, who had to battle back from a dislocated knee that prevented him from playing as a freshman and kept him hobbled in his second season.

"That was a great experience for me," Jacobson said. "It was exciting. I got to play with [center] Rob Houser and John [Malecki]. I got to get one game in with them before they left. It was a good experience.

"North Carolina had two draft prospects, and we all did great against them. At first, I was nervous, but I knew the coaches trusted me and that I could go out there and play."

Pitt is set with Jacobson, Pinkston and Nix as starters, but Wannstedt still needs to name starters at center and right guard.

Fifth-year senior walk-on Alex Karabin and redshirt freshman Jack Lippert are competing at center, and Greg Gaskins and Ryan Turnley are competing at right guard.



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10085...#ixzz0jJ7Qq8i5
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Old 03-26-2010, 01:10 PM   #12
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Cruz at Tight End

That Pitt tight end Mike Cruz even had one touchdown catch last season might seem impressive considering the two tight ends who were ahead of him.

Even Cruz described Nate Byham and Dorin Dickerson as "two of the best tight ends in the country" last year and said losing them both to graduation was a "huge, huge loss."

But without Byham and Dickerson ahead of him on the depth chart, Cruz, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound redshirt sophomore from Johnstown, has emerged as a leader this spring.

"This is Mike's third spring in the program, and he's starting to assume some leadership," Pitt tight ends coach Brian Angelichio said. "He's had a chance to sit and watch Nate and Dorin, and I think he understands that this is his time to assume some leadership, and that's good to see."

Cruz played in 11 games last season and found the end-zone on a 2-yard pass from Bill Stull -- Cruz's only catch of the year -- in a 41-14 rout of South Florida. Even though his playing time was limited, Cruz says the game experience was a tremendous help, especially now that he's taking the first-team reps at tight end.

"It was a huge loss losing two of the best tight ends in the country, and you really have some shoes to fill," Cruz said. "I feel like I need to step in and be a leader for the whole tight end group and for the offense. It's a huge, huge loss, but you can't dwell on who you lost. You just gotta step up and do your best."

Cruz now leads a Pitt tight end group with several new faces, including redshirt junior Andrew Devlin, who sat out last season after transferring from Virginia, and redshirt freshman Brock DeCicco.

"I definitely learned a lot watching Nate and all the older guys," DeCicco said. "Now, I'm just coming out, learning from Cruz and trying to learn and compete. It's making us all better right now."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_673447.html
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Old 03-31-2010, 06:44 AM   #13
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Dr Saturday On Pitt

Double that sentiment when you consider the flashing sirens next to the names of the dueling heirs apparent, sophomore Tino Sunseri and junior Pat Bostick, who both come with obvious issues -- Sunseri didn't get any significant time as the top backup last year, and Bostick got just enough time as a freshman starter in 2007 for fans to balk at the prospect of watching any more. Thrown into the fire after a season-ending injury to Stull, Bostick lobbed up 13 interceptions to eight touchdowns, including a pair of picks in the earth-quaking win at West Virginia in the season finale, a grueling upset the defense dragged across the line in spite of it all. Bostick didn't win any friends when he came on to throw three picks against Notre Dame in his only start of 2008, either, though it turned out to be another big road win, too. On the other hand, as a once-touted fourth-year junior, he has had plenty of mistakes to learn from, which may still trump Sunseri's inexperience when it comes down to it.

What's the Same. The new QB will have no complaint with the support staff, headed by the best individual running back (Dion Lewis) and receiver (Jonathan Baldwin) in the conference. Lewis ran away with the attention as the classic undersized, overlooked underdog made good as conference rushing champ in his first season, but Baldwin looks like the man with a future, courtesy of his lanky, NFL-ready frame and eerily familiar body control on long balls:


http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday
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Old 04-02-2010, 04:18 PM   #14
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Graham-Pitts other RB

Coach Dave Wannstedt called Graham "the star of spring practice," saying he has improved. "Ray Graham's probably had as many exciting plays as anybody out there. He's really come on."

Some in Graham's position might have transferred to see more playing time. But he said he is committed to Pitt, what he called a "program on the rise."

And he appreciates his role, saying he loves the competition between the Panthers' top running backs. But he is not sure if he will ever catch Lewis, last season's Big East Conference offensive player of the year and rookie of the year.

"I don't know," he said. "Dion's pretty good."

Coming to Pitt was an adjustment for Graham, a New Jersey native. Before last fall, he had never studied a playbook and spent a lot of time early in the season learning Pitt's plays and schemes. And he was not used to a hectic college schedule that had him waking up at 5:30 a.m., in class by 8 and on the practice field for a couple hours in the afternoon.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10092/1047344-142.stm
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Old 04-05-2010, 03:02 PM   #15
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Pittsburgh

Pitt's offense looked sharp, scoring two touchdowns in the first 10 plays of a full-squad scrimmage. Tino Sunseri finished 13-of-18 for 129 yards and four touchdowns to solidify his spot as the No. 1 quarterback, while Pat Bostick was 10-of-14 for 122 yards and a score.

Mike Cruz, Greg Cross, Mike Shanahan and Jonathan Baldwin all had touchdown catches. Dion Lewis ran for 64 yards on nine carries.

The defense was hamstrung by a wrist injury to end Jabaal Sheard, who will have to wear a cast. Dom DeCicco missed the scrimmage with a foot problem, and reigning Big East co-defensive player of the year Greg Romeus didn't play much.


http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast
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Old 04-07-2010, 01:00 PM   #16
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WR Shanahan behind Baldwin

Shanahan, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound sophomore, was the leading receiver in Pitt's first scrimmage of the spring Saturday with four receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.

"I like watching basketball still, but I don't miss playing it that much," he said. "I just love playing football."

His father, Mike, played college basketball at IUP; uncle Brian Shanahan played at Duquesne; and two others uncles, Robert and Jerry Shanahan, played at Pitt-Johnstown and IUP, respectively.

The younger Mike Shanahan visited Vermont, Bucknell and Akron and seemed destined to continue the family tradition until his senior football season at Norwin went so well that he reconsidered. Now his family is all about football.

"They might actually have more fun with it than me sometimes," Shanahan said. "They like to travel to the away games. They're all going out to Utah [for the season opener.] They're just excited to be a part of it."

Chances are that when the Sept. 2 season opener at Utah rolls around Shanahan will be the starter opposite Jon Baldwin. After being slowed early last season with a broken hand, Shanahan came on late and earned two starts against South Florida and North Carolina.

For the season, he had 15 receptions for 211 yards. He set careers highs for receptions (five) and yards (83) in the bowl game victory against North Carolina.

"He gained a lot of experience last year," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "He started off with a real good camp, but then he broke a bone in his hand, which really put him behind. But he battled back into contention. That speaks volumes about the type of competitor he is. It would have been easy for him to say, 'I'm a redshirt freshman, there goes this year.' He was on the scout team and worked his way through. And when his number was called, he took advantage of it."

Shanahan developed into a reliable target. His 13-yard reception on third-and-7 against North Carolina helped to set up Pitt's winning field goal in the final minute.

Shanahan's role in the offense might be labeled as a "possession" receiver because, as Wannstedt notes, Shanahan has the ability to hurt teams that underestimate his athleticism.

"He's a big guy who, because of his basketball skills, can position you," Wannstedt said. "If they're going to double-team Baldwin and leave Shanahan one-on-one, the guy covering him is going to have to go up and be able to make a play on the ball, or [Shanahan] is going to beat you."

Even though he excelled in the role of short-yardage receiver last season, Shanahan does not like being labeled a possession receiver. He said offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti has a plan to use all of his skilled receivers.

"It turned out last year that I was making third-down conversions. The big plays were going to Jon," Shanahan said. "I think that's just how it worked out. Coach Cignetti knows our strengths and weaknesses. He will utilize us the best he can. If it works out like that again, it will. If not, I'll be making big plays, too



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10097...#ixzz0kRFiABOU
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Old 04-13-2010, 01:21 PM   #17
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Pitts secondary work in progress

The Panthers have been without safeties Andrew Taglianetti and Dom DeCicco, who were in the starting lineup during last year's season opener against Youngstown State. And that's been compounded some by the absence of Jason Hendricks, who's slated to be a key backup at safety.

If that isn't enough, Hafley has to decide on who will replace cornerbacks Aaron Berry and Jovani Chappel. The likely starters are Ricky Gary and Antwuan Reed, but Buddy Jackson is bidding for a No. 1 spot.

The picture isn't nearly as clear at the safety positions. With the exception of Jarred Holley and Todd Gilchrist, Hafley hasn't had much to work with this spring with the injured Taglianetti and DeCicco watching from the sidelines.

Taglianetti, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game against Buffalo last season, is expected to be ready for preseason training camp. DeCicco, who had 88 tackles and tied for the team lead with three interceptions, has missed the entire spring with a foot ailment.

Taglianetti and DeCicco have spent most of the spring tutoring their young backups. And Holley, who stepped into the starting lineup ahead of an inconsistent Elijah Fields after Taglianetti was injured, enters his sophomore season with high expectations.

"Those guys (Taglianetti and DeCicco) are always talking about different formations and making suggestions," Holley said. "Whatever the coaches come up with, we'll be comfortable with."

Holley and Gilchrist, a former walk-on, are expected to start the spring game. But Pitt has a thin depth chart, which includes a former quarterback (Kolby Gray), an ex-kicker (Pat Costello) and Marco Pecora, all of whom are still adjusting to their new roles.

"I've been trying to take advantage of my chances," said Gilchrist, who had three tackles Saturday. "I'm doing whatever I can to make plays and get the system down. Some things are new to me, but as long as I keep working everything should be good."

Yet, a confident Hafley isn't sweating the fact that Pitt will dress only one experienced safety for the spring game.

"Taglianetti and DeCicco are good players, but we've got some pretty good players on the field right now, and their all getting better," Hafley said after Saturday's scrimmage. "You can only be concerned about the guys that are out there

://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/college/s_676102.html
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Old 04-22-2010, 02:03 PM   #18
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Updated Depth chart-Pitt

For those of you that are interested, here is the most updated depth chart now that spring is over.

It will obviously remain this way until training camp starts. There aren't many surprises but I do think there are some interesting notes:

1.) Greg Williams has hung on to his starting job - for now. Dave Wannstedt made it clear that Tristan Roberts is charging hard and so this will be a competition worth watching in the fall. Williams has ability but in two years he has yet to develop consistency and it appears as if Roberts has a renewed focus and is ready to play at a high level.

2.) Ricky Gary missed most of the spring with an injury and now he has some ground to make up as Saheed Imoru is listed as the starter at corner opposite of Antwuan Reed. That should be another good battle to watch though regardless of who wins it, the other will become the third corner and play a lot anyway.

3.) As we have suspected the back-up offensive line is, how do we say, a little underwhelming. It is clear that the starting five need to stay healthy because I don't know how many of those guys on the second string are ready to play.




PITT POST-SPRING DRILLS 2-DEEP

OFFENSE

SPLIT END

87 Mike Shanahan* SO* 6-5 220

14 Greg Cross SR* 6-2 215

LEFT TACKLE

77 Jason Pinkston*** SR* 6-4 305

68 Jordan Gibbs* JR* 6-7 295

LEFT GUARD

54 Chris Jacobson* JR* 6-3 290

62 Fernando Diaz FR* 6-2 275

CENTER

61 Alex Karabin** SR* 6-1 290

72 Jack Lippert FR* 6-4 250

RIGHT GUARD

60 Greg Gaskins* JR* 6-4 285

75 Ryan Turnley* SO* 6-6 305

RIGHT TACKLE

52 Lucas Nix** JR 6-6 300

78 Cory King FR* 6-6 315

TIGHT END

85 Mike Cruz* SO* 6-5 270

47 Andrew Devlin JR* 6-6 255

QUARTERBACK

12 Tino Sunseri* SO* 6-2 210

19 Pat Bostick** JR* 6-3 225

TAILBACK

28 Dion Lewis* SO 5-8 195

34 Ray Graham* SO 5-9 185

FULLBACK

27 Henry Hynoski** JR* 6-2 260

23 Kevin Adams FR* 6-1 205

FLANKER

82 Jon Baldwin** JR 6-5 225

5 Cameron Saddler* SO* 5-7 170

DEFENSE

LEFT DEFENSIVE END

97 Jabaal Sheard*** SR 6-4 260

46 Shayne Hale* SO* 6-4 250

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

98 Chas Alecxih** JR* 6-5 275

96 Justin Hargrove* JR* 6-4 265

NOSE TACKLE

94 Myles Caragein** JR* 6-2 275

45 Tyler Tkach** SR* 6-3 280 OR

50 Tyrone Ezell FR* 6-4 270

RIGHT DEFENSIVE END

91 Greg Romeus*** SR* 6-6 270

35 Brandon Lindsey** JR* 6-2 240

SAM LINEBACKER

55 Max Gruder** JR* 6-2 230

36 Manny Williams* SO* 6-1 225

MIDDLE LINEBACKER

40 Dan Mason* SO 6-0 225

58 Shane Gordon FR* 6-1 225

WILL LINEBACKER

38 Greg Williams** JR* 6-3 240

32 Tristan Roberts* JR* 6-1 235

CORNERBACK

22 Antwuan Reed** JR 5-10 190

21 Buddy Jackson** JR* 6-1 180

FREE SAFETY

18 Jarred Holley* SO* 5-10 175

25 Jason Hendricks FR* 6-0 190

STRONG SAFETY

31 Dom DeCicco*** SR 6-3 230

41 Andrew Taglianetti* SO* 5-11 190

CORNERBACK

2 Saheed Imoru JR 5-10 190

26 Ricky Gary*** SR* 5-9 175

SPECIALISTS

PLACEKICKER

30 Dan Hutchins* SR* 5-11 190

39 Kevin Harper* SO* 5-10 170

PUNTER

30 Dan Hutchins* SR* 5-11 190

92 Matt Yoklic FR* 6-2 210

KICK RETURNER

5 Cameron Saddler* SO* 5-7 170 AND

34 Ray Graham* SO 5-9 185

29 Chris Burns* SO* 5-11 195 AND

9 Jason Douglas FR* 5-7 170

PUNT RETURNER

3 Aaron Smith* JR* 6-0 180

5 Cameron Saddler* SO* 5-7 170

http://community.post-gazette.com/bl...s/default.aspx
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Old 05-05-2010, 07:33 AM   #19
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Spring Wrap Up

Spring answers

1. Tino time: This spring ostensibly brought a quarterback competition, but Tino Sunseri began it as the No. 1 guy and held off a challenge from Pat Bostick to remain in that role. The sophomore has a good arm, solid mobility and a strong understanding of the game. Even though he's never had much significant college experience, Pitt feels comfortable with him under center.

2. Reed and react: The Panthers were looking for someone to step up at cornerback, and Antwuan Reed did just that. The junior had been confined mostly to a special teams and backup role his first two years but shined in his chance to run with the first team. He should be a starter in the fall.

3. More playmakers: Pitt was already blessed to have Dion Lewis, Jonathan Baldwin and Mike Shanahan. This spring saw Ray Graham excel alongside Lewis at tailback and former quarterback Greg Cross push for playing time at receiver. Add in impressive young wideout Devin Street, and offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. has a lot of options and flexibility.


Fall questions

1. Department of the interior: The offensive line is solid at the tackle spots, but Pittsburgh left the spring with lingering questions at center and right guard. Alex Karabin is trying to hold onto the job at center, but he's been a four-year walk-on for a reason. The Panthers will either have to explore some shuffling around or hope their current players improve this summer to keep the interior stout. The backups on the O-line need work, too.

2. Tight end turnover: Arguably the two best tight ends in the Big East called Heinz Field home last year as both Dorin Dickerson and Nate Byham got drafted last month. Replacing them and what each did so well -- Dickerson a versatile and speedy pass catcher, Byham a tough-nosed blocker -- won't be easy. Mike Cruz appeared to be the best all-around option on the roster this spring.


3. Weakside linebacker strength: Two-year starter Greg Williams held onto his job in the spring, but just barely. Tristan Roberts made a strong charge for the role and earned coach Dave Wannstedt's praise, while Williams has struggled to play up to his physical talent. This is a competition worth watching in the fall.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast/post...-spring-wrap-2
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Old 07-13-2010, 10:01 AM   #20
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espn_bigeast Pitt's hopes and concerns - http://es.pn/9RTssj
about 2 hours ago via API
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