Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Panthers football coach Walt Harris instructs his players during a practice at the team's South Side facility. Click photo for larger image.

Pitt football players vying for open positions will have one of their final chances of the spring to make an impression on coaches today when the Panthers have a 100-play scrimmage at their indoor facility on the South Side.

"We're planning on taking a look at everyone," Harris said. "We want to see who on both sides of the ball is executing and who is doing the things we've worked on all spring."

The quarterbacks will, as usual, be under the most scrutiny, as Harris continues his quest to find a starter. He said Luke Getsy and Tyler Palko will get significant time with the first-team offense and will alternate snaps with the second team.

But running with the first team could prove to be hazardous to their health given the state of the offensive line.

The line, which wasn't exactly the second coming of the Hogs of the Washington Redskins fame to begin with, has been pieced together because of injuries.

Starting right guard John Simonitis is healthy and participating in spring, but the other four positions are being filled by freshmen, career backups and/or journeymen.

Harris said the line's lack of stability has been a major problem this spring, particularly in evaluating the quarterbacks and running backs.

"The line was a weakness of last year's offense in both protecting the passer and creating running lanes,'' Harris said. "And right now nobody has earned a starting job along the line based on what we've seen so far. We feel like we have two good running backs, but we need to get them started and give them a chance. We haven't been able to do that a lot this spring."

In addition to the injuries on the line, Greg Lee and Princell Brockenbrough, both slated to start at receiver, aren't playing because of injuries. That means the first-team offense will not be close to full strength.

Still, Harris is optimistic that the scrimmage will be valuable.

"Anytime there are a lot of spots up for grabs, it creates competition," he said. "We need to see whether or not we can get everyone in the right place and play smart, physical football, which we have not done consistently enough this spring. So we're treating this as if it were a game in the way we approach and prepare for it."

Harris said it will be hard to get a lot done on offense because the defense is ahead of the offense, which has been evident in drills.

NOTES -- The scrimmage today is closed to the public. ... Junior Marcus Furman, who has been nomadic since he arrived, is on the move again. Furman was switched from cornerback to his original position, running back. Harris said Furman's health -- he had hip surgery last year -- was the reason for the change. "All of the cutting and backpedaling seemed to be making his hip condition worse," Harris said. "We think he'll be much better served by running straight forward and cutting at his own will." Harris said Furman will also return punts and kicks. ... The Panthers have two practices next week and then wrap up spring practices with the Blue-Gold spring game at 1 p.m. next Saturday at Heinz Field. Tickets are $5 (under 12 and Pitt employees or students are free) but parking in Gold Lot 1 is free starting at 11 a.m.