Spencer moving farther down the line to left tackle

There are a number of myths about offensive linemen. Some say linemen are the hardest working… There are a number of myths about offensive linemen. Some say linemen are the hardest working players on a football team, some say they are the smartest players, while some say they are the least athletic.

Whether or not any of these myths are true, the success of an offense begins with the play of the line, and the success of Pitt’s big men up front in 2005 will begin with one of its biggest players.

At 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, Charles Spencer was a second team All-Big East selection in 2004 as a left guard — his first season on the offensive side of the ball after playing two years as a defensive tackle.

But for his upcoming senior season, Spencer is moving outside to the tackle position, where Pitt hopes he will be able to anchor the running game while still protecting the edge for quarterback Tyler Palko in the passing game.

“I’m enjoying it,” Spencer said of the move. “It’s the first time I’ve had an opportunity to be out there on an island by myself and test my athletic ability, my footwork and my hand-eye coordination.”

By moving Spencer outside, Pitt hopes that he will be able to replace an Associated Press third-team, All-American in Rob Petitti, beside whom Spencer thrived playing in 2004.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do up to this point in time,” offensive line coach Paul Dunn said. “He’s got a great attitude, and I think he’ll do a great job out there.”

While it is often assumed that the five offensive line positions are essentially the same, there are fundamental differences in each position, from the assignments on each play to the technique required to play them.

“Protecting the quarterback’s edge is probably the toughest thing because you get fast guys out at the tackle position who get wider than what you get at guard or center,” Dunn said.

“[It’s] not having that support from the center,” Spencer cited as being the biggest adjustment. “I hate to give up a sack, so it’s not having that inside support from the center.”

The Pitt coaching staff has faith that Spencer will be able to make the transition as smoothly as the one he made last year — a move that went so well that Spencer was named the team’s Co-Most Improved Offensive Player along with tight end Erik Gill in 2004.

Head coach Dave Wannstedt pointed out that Spencer had the advantage of a full spring to work on his new position, as opposed to last year, when the move wasn’t made until fall practice began.

With junior John Simonitis and sophomore Mike McGlynn returning on the right side of the line, the center and left guard positions will be filled during spring practice. That leaves Spencer to lead as the only returning senior starter — possibly the only senior starter at all — on the offensive line.

“His leadership has got to come up by making plays,” Dunn said. “I’m a firm believer that you lead by example, and when you turn the film on and see him making blocks, that’s how leadership, in my mind, comes to the forefront, and I think Spencer will do that.”

As Wannstedt and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh bring in a run-oriented offense different from former head coach Walt Harris’ vertical passing game, the group Spencer will lead is going to be a far cry from the Pitt offensive lines of the last decade.

With six practices and the Blue-Gold game remaining, Spencer has two weeks to keep improving at tackle while the rest of the line continues to gel. But if he is to succeed Petitti as a first team All-Big East tackle, it will probably be for his run-blocking prowess rather than the pass blocking that Petitti excelled at — a direct result of the new offense being installed this year.

“[We] just need to work on the attitude. You can’t take a play off, because those guys are coming full-speed every snap, so you’ve just got to want to do it every snap,” Spencer said, summing up the new mindset for the line. “We’re definitely getting more physical and the coaches are emphasizing the running game. We’re definitely trying to be the most physical group on the team.”