Offensive line taking steps forward

The first two weeks of spring practice for the Pitt football team have been owned by the… The first two weeks of spring practice for the Pitt football team have been owned by the defense.

With a strong core of returning players and new guys stepping into roles, the defense has attacked the quarterback and plugged hole after hole that has opened up for the running backs.

But Pitt’s banged-up and inexperienced offensive line is making steps in the right direction. And with the help of offensive line coach Tony Wise, the steps being made are only getting bigger.

Wise, who was the assistant offensive line coach for the Panthers in 1977 and 1978, is back at Pitt and looking to build upon a line that struggled this spring.

New to the job at Pitt, Wise is still getting used to his players. And on the other end, his players are still getting used to him.

Coming off a two-year stint as offensive-line coach with the NFL’s New York Jets, Wise was named to the same position at Pitt in January. This is the seventh coaching stop for Wise where he’s working with Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt.

Wise has coached professionally with the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and the Jets. At the collegiate level, he’s been to Oklahoma State, Syracuse, University of Miami and others.

Now with Pitt, he’s doing his best to patch up any of the problems with the offensive line. And although the line has struggled, Wannstedt and Wise both said they have confidence in their players and are seeing improvements every day.

One of those players who’s stood out to both coaches is junior-college transfer Robb Houser, who enrolled at Pitt in January.

Wannstedt pointed out Houser on several occasions last week and again Tuesday, saying the 6-foot-2-inch center has been one of the most consistent players on the offensive line.

“Robb Houser is doing some nice things at center,” Wannstedt said before Tuesday’s practice at Pitt’s South Side practice facility.

And after the praise from Wannstedt, Houser didn’t fail to impress once again.

Playing with the first-team offense, Houser had a good day of practice.

But he said while he feels he’s improving every day, the biggest transition for him has been the speed of the game at this level.

“The game is a whole lot faster,” said Houser, who transferred from Butte Community College in California.

“You’ve got to think faster, you’ve got to know your stuff and, while doing all of that, you’ve still got to come off the line 100 miles per hour.”

Wise said Houser and the rest of the offensive line are benefiting from facing Pitt’s defensive line, which Wise said could be one of the best in the country.

“It’s helping him tremendously [playing against the defensive line],” Wise said. “They can run so well that you have to be able to move and stay on your feet and give effort. Having that challenge every day is good.”

Houser agrees.

“I’d rather go against one of the top defenses in the nation every day in practice,” he said. “That way once I’m in the game, I’ve seen the best. I don’t think there’s anything we can do to get any more prepared.”

While playing against a talented line might be key, Wannstedt said part of the reason the offensive line has been struggling is because it’s not completely healthy.

Pitt sophomore Jason Pinkston, who started Pitt’s first three games last year before injuring his shoulder in a loss to Michigan State, is recovering and on his way to full-strength.

Along with getting healthy, the line also has some players shifting roles.

Junior Joe Thomas, who played right guard the past two seasons, is transitioning to right tackle, where he’s isolated and has no help on the outside. Wannstedt said he’s seen improvement out of Thomas and the offensive line in general but still needs to see more before he knows any more answers about where the team stands.

More of those answers could come this weekend when the Panthers have another intra-squad scrimmage. After that, they’ll have two more days of practice before the Blue-Gold game at Heinz Field April 19.

Then, there will be the summer to improve.

And as hard or long as the road to success might be for the offensive line, Wise said he’s happy with the way his guys are improving and is glad to be back coaching in college.

“It’s been very enjoyable,” Wise said. “We have a lot of fun out here. Our guys are having a lot of fun. That’s what it’s supposed to be like.”