Pitt returns four of five starters on its offensive line that played well last year, so it's reasonable to say the Panthers should be very good up front.

But an offensive line is only as good as the weakest link and that's why all eyes are on center, where two players are battling for the open starting job.

Sophomore John Bachman, who is competing with senior Chris Vangas, said he believes the position is in good hands.

"Whether it is me or Chris, I promise you we will not be the weak link," said Bachman, a Moon High School graduate. "We're not even thinking like that. We're just pushing each other to get better every day and we're being pushed by [redshirt freshman] Scott [Corson] as well.

"Either one of us is more than capable of getting the job done, so it isn't a thing of where we are going to bring the team down."

The battle between Bachman and Vangas is a classic confrontation between a younger, more physically talented player (Bachman) and a crafty, older veteran who gets by as much on guts and grit as he does on his talent.

Vangas, at 6 feet 2, 295 pounds, is a natural center and has played the position his entire career.

Bachman (6-4, 285) is a converted tackle who is learning the position. He is also recovering from a broken ankle that forced him to redshirt last season.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said the two players have different qualities, but they both get the job done.

He expects the center competition to go deep into training camp.

"There's not a player that has all the intangibles more than Chris Vangas. The guy is a winner. He's a tough guy. He really is committed to this football team," Wannstedt said.

"John Bachman, on the other hand can run, he's an athlete, he's smart, he's quick, and he probably has more of the physical attributes. So, we have some real competition going on."

While Bachman may have more upside athletically than Vangas, he acknowledges he has a long way to go to where he is comfortable snapping the football and knowing what his assignments are on every play.

He played tackle in high school and has never played center.

But he was asked to move there this offseason because of his athletic ability and his size.

He said learning the calls for the pass protection and run blocking schemes is tough, but it is getting easier.

His progress has been slower than he'd like because he is still only about 80 percent recovered from his ankle injury.

"I need to have one more surgery in the offseason and then I'll be able to take some real strides with my health," Bachman said. "I don't want to use that as an excuse, though. I need to improve in every area and just develop confidence in what I am doing. I know it will come but sometimes it is frustrating because you want it all to come right now and it takes time to learn a new position. That's just reality."

NOTES -- Today is "Blue Chip" day at spring practice, which means the Panthers will be hosting a number of the top-rated high school players. Among those expected to attend are Gateway's Shayne Hale, Jeannette's Terrelle Pryor, Aliquippa's Jonathan Baldwin, Thomas Jefferson's Lucas Nix and Trinity's Andrew Sweat. ... The student body has been invited to today's practice. The past two seasons, the event has produced a big turnout. ... The Panthers will scrimmage about 100 plays. Both quarterbacks will be subject to hitting and tackling. Wannstedt said junior Bill Stull is slightly ahead of redshirt freshman Kevan Smith for the starting job.