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Week two of Pitt's football camp is in the books and the depth chart is starting to come together. This week Kennard Cox (cornerback) and Tommie Campbell (linebacker) likely have won starting spots on defense. On offense, left tackle has been claimed by Jeff Otah and Oderick Turner has grabbed the open receiver spot. Gus Mustakas is going to get one of the defensive tackle spots as well. The only open starting spot is the other defensive tackle position, a competition between the oft-injured Mick Williams and Corey Davis. The other 21 spots have, at least for now, a starter in place.

Placekicker is still up in the air, and David Abdul's status is still unknown because of a heart condition.

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Q: I have not heard much about Darrell Strong. How is he fitting into the offense?

Jon Fetrow, Birdsboro, Pa.

Zeise: Darrell is quietly having a productive camp and he will be the second tight end behind Steve Buches this season. He will be used in a lot of passing situations because he is a better receiving option than a lot of the receivers right now. In fact, don't be surprised if you see three tight end formations -- with Buches, Strong and freshman Nate Byham -- being utilized as much in the passing game as three wideouts. It is clear those three are among the surest hands on the team and coaches have been trying to find ways to get all three into the game at the same time.

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Q: Do you expect Conredge Collins to make an impact this year?

Ben Hardesty, Ohio Township

Zeise: Yes, but only because he is going to be on the field a lot because the Panthers will use plenty of two-back sets. Collins is a fullback, but he is a good ball carrier and he catches passes out of the backfield well. He is struggling some with the blocking duties his job requires, but he is trying. A key will be how much he is used when the Panthers go one back. He is a talented enough runner that he can be that guy, but protecting the passer is often the assignment of the back in that formation so he has to improve. Still, he is the starter and there aren't many options behind him.

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Q: How are the young offensive linemen looking in camp?

Brian Jackson, Cheasapeake, Ohio

Zeise: Joe Thomas might be the first guard off the bench because he's played so well. He has been as good as advertised and will play a lot because he is one of the six or seven best linemen already. Craig Bokor has made a nice transition from defensive tackle to offensive guard and is running with the second team. Coach Dave Wannstedt said yesterday he is excited about Bokor's future. Those are really the only two younger linemen on the roster. Jeff Otah, a junior college transfer, still has to master the mental things a left tackle in this offense must know, but physically he is impressive and continues to improve each day.

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Q: Do you think coaches will regret moving Elijah Fields to safety given the lack of playmakers at wide receiver?

Dave Bubeck, Verona

Zeise: No. There is nothing that says they couldn't use him there some down the road if necessary. Coaches to a man say he is a potentially great wide receiver but he's a first round draft pick waiting to happen as a safety. Physically, he is ready to play right now and he is the kind of player who loves to hit, so safety fits his talents perfectly. Once he learns what he is doing, he is going to be very, very good. The problem at receiver isn't talent, it is that they are all young and still learning. Fields would be right there making mistakes with them because he's only a week or two into his first training camp as well.

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Q: Don't you think it is unusual to have two players AWOL with "excused absences" for personal reasons the first week of camp? Is this yet another sign of Wannstedt's players' coach mentality coming out again?

Will Miller, Burke, Va.

Zeise: No. I think there are plenty of freshmen all across the country who, at this point, would like to quit or who have contemplated it. Football is a hard sport and camp is not fun. It is a business in many ways now and only the strongest, mentally and physically, survive. All of these guys go from being high school stars to just another number trying to make their bones and earn some respect and a position. Some kids struggle with that adjustment and when you add the fact that some have never been away from home it is not a surprise that these situations occur.

As for Wannstedt's allowing the two young freshmen a few days to ponder their future, that's a tough call, but what can he do? If he runs those two guys off he'd never be able to recruit another kid again because his opponents would say "look how insensitive they are -- he doesn't care enough to help nurture his young players but we will." So, he is somewhat at their mercy. By giving them a few days to think about things, he gave Pitt its only chance of keeping them both. I think most coaches across the country would have had to come to a similar conclusion. You have to remember these guys are being trusted by parents to take care of all of these young kids. In the NFL, the two would have been cut but those are men and, in many ways, college football coaches are still dealing with boys.

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Q: What is your impression of Pitt's kicking game so far?

Dave Olson, Lititz, Pa.

Zeise: Well, the punting seems to be in good hands as senior Adam Graessle looks a lot like he did during his sophomore year when he was All-Big East. He is punting well and he looks like he is quicker getting the ball off, which was an issue last year. He also is kicking off well. The placekicking, well, let's just say this: As a Pitt fan you don't want to see Pitt trailing Virginia by two points with less than 20 seconds to play and the field goal unit trotting out to try and win the game with a 40-yarder. That's not to say the three kids can't make it -- all have been good at some times --- but it is to say none have any experience and they have not fared well when put under pressure. I think Conor Lee and Dan Hutchins combined to make only 2 of 6 field goals in a recent scrimmage. This is clearly an area where the Panthers must get better.

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Q: What are the prospects for Kevin Collier to move to fullback?

Todd Minor, Maryland

Zeise: Very little chance of that happening. Collier is a tailback and that's where he'll play.

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Q: If Palko gets hurt, what kind of shape do you think the offense will be in?

David Bryant, Natrona Heights

Zeise: Well, you be the judge. Back-up Bill Stull has yet to take a snap from center because he has a splint on one of his fingers. He is able to do some passing from shotgun but, for the most part, has not gotten any work in the offense. After him, the other option is Kevan Smith, a true freshman who is talented but extremely raw. He has never really been coached to be a quarterback before so he has a long, long way to go before he is ready to play. So to answer your question, it could be a tough grind if Palko is hurt.

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Q: Why has the passing offense struggled so much in camp so far?

Jeff Cumpson, Hershey

Zeise: It is a combination of things. One is the growing pains a passing offense, especially one with as many new parts as Pitt's, must go through in order to get on the same page and develop a rhythm and some chemistry between all of the components. Palko has one healthy receiver -- Derek Kinder -- who he has worked with in the past, so everything is new with all of the wide outs. It is just going to take some time for every one to settle down and settle into their roles. I wouldn't worry too much about it yet.