Offensive line big on talent, lacking experience

The work of the offensive line begins instantly with the snap of the ball, whether it’s… The work of the offensive line begins instantly with the snap of the ball, whether it’s creating an open hole for the running back or giving the quarterback time in the pocket, among other things.

For the line to be most effective, everybody needs to work together as one, blocking their assignments and fending off the defenders.

But the ability to work in unison comes with time, and unfortunately for Pitt, its offensive line at the start of the 2005 campaign will be one of its most inexperienced groups on the field. This could make for some uncertainties on offense.

“We’ve got a group that I believe has made major strides from the first day of spring practice, but it’s a work in progress and we’re still trying to put the thing together a little bit,” first-year head coach Dave Wannstedt said.

After losing the highly talented Rob Pettiti – who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2005 NFL draft – to graduation, the line has just one returning full-time starter from the previous season: John Simonitis.

Simonitis, a redshirt junior from Dallas, Pa., has started 19 games in his career as a Panther and will look to lead the young offensive line.

“His experience will be an asset for him and our entire line this year,” offensive line coach Paul Dunn said on PittsburghPanthers.com. “We are counting on him getting better and better and believe that he will.”

Joining Simonitis with experience of his own is redshirt sophomore Mike McGlynn, who started eight games last season.

McGlynn earned a starting position at right tackle after winning the Ed Conway Award for the second-consecutive year, which is awarded annually to the team’s most improved player.

Now considered a veteran of the offensive line, McGlynn looks to become a leader of the group. He has seen much of the same improvement Wannstedt has and expects the line to be ready.

“We’re just going to keep getting better,” McGlynn said. “You’re never to a point where you can’t get better. It’s a grind right now and everyone is beat up and sore, but we’ve got to push past that.”

Expected to join Simonitis and McGlynn on the starting offensive line are junior Joe Villani, senior Charles Spencer and freshman Dominic Williams.

Spencer is the most experienced of the group. One of the more versatile players on the roster, he switched from defensive tackle to offensive guard last season, and earned an all-Big East selection for his efforts.

This season, coaches have moved him to left tackle to fill the void left by Pettiti, where he has impressed all of the coaches.

“We’re expecting big things from Charles,” Dunn said. “He is a tremendous athlete and very strong.”

Villani saw action in all 12 games last year, primarily on special teams, while Williams redshirted as a true freshman last season and will see the field for the first time in 2005.

“We just don’t have the luxury of having kids who have played together the last couple years,” Wannstedt said. “You like that because it always helps every position, but particularly the offensive line.”

Wannstedt, a former offensive lineman himself at Pitt, believes that even with all the inexperience playing against them, his line will get things rolling for both the passing and rushing attack.

“I think any offensive lineman would assume run the ball, and our guys aren’t tailor-made for one specific thing,” he said. “We’ve got as much confidence throwing it as we do running the ball. And they’ve demonstrated they can do both.”