Pitt secondary coach Chris Ball has coached and watched several great cornerbacks, and the one common thread was their confidence in their abilities.

And they usually weren't shy talking about their game, either.

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FanFest

• What: Annual Pitt football fanfest during which fans can get autographs beforehand and then watch the Panthers practice.
• When: 6:30 p.m. tomorrow.
• Where: Heinz Field.

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That's why he believes in Pitt's starting corners, Aaron Berry and Kennard Cox -- they believe in themselves.

"I call it swagger, some say that kind of confidence in yourself is cocky," Ball said. "But it isn't about being rude or disrespectful or not giving your opponents respect -- the bottom line is to play that position, where you are out on an island and usually with the responsibility of covering a great athlete, you better be confident in your own ability and you better be mentally tough because you won't survive if you aren't.

"Both Aaron and Kennard have that swagger."

Cox is a fifth-year senior and a returning starter. He had 51 tackles last year and had an excellent season in coverage, which is saying a lot because most teams tried to avoid throwing at Darrelle Revis, who was a first-round draft choice of the New York Jets in April.

Ball said Cox can be even better year this year because of his experience and because he had a great offseason working with strength and conditioning coach Buddy Morris.

"He's improved his athleticism, his speed, his quickness, he's stronger," Ball said, "I think overall he's a much better player now than he was even in the spring, and as one of the veteran guys on the team, his leadership is going to be invaluable for us. The thing I like the most about him is he's never acted like he didn't have to work hard even though he had his starting job pretty locked up."

Ball said Berry can expect to be the one under fire and intense scrutiny this season because he is a first-year starter and is stepping into Revis' old position on the wide side of the field.

Berry, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, is not as big as Revis but he is fast, is an excellent athlete and excels in man-to-man coverage. He knows he has big shoes to fill and that he will be on the hot seat, particularly early in the season.

"Coach Ball is always telling me, 'They're going to be coming at you every game,' " Berry said. "I know that and I like that. I want to be the guy who they think they can go at because that gives me a lot more chances to make plays. I want it on my shoulders like that and if I didn't I shouldn't be out there. I have always played with a lot of swagger, but that's just my personality as well."

Ball said he has never been around a player as competitive as Berry, which is why he has responded well the few times he has gotten beat at practice.

"Every good corner is going to get beat from time to time," Ball said. "The great ones don't lose confidence in their ability and they use it as a challenge. That's how Aaron sees it -- when he's gotten beat, he takes it personally, he wants to win so bad he comes back the next play even harder."

NOTES -- Coach Dave Wannstedt is in search of a kicker, going so far as to place a help wanted ad for the position in The Pitt News. Kickoffs have been moved back from the 35 to the 30-yard line this year, which means it will take a strong leg to get it into the end zone for a touchback. And the Panthers don't have anyone capable of doing it. Last year, punter Adam Graessle handled kickoffs, but he graduated and place-kicker Conor Lee isn't a kickoff specialist. Wannstedt said he also is going to call soccer coach Joe Luxbacher to see if he has any players capable of handling the job. "Anyone that wants to try out and has a strong leg should give us a call," Wannstedt said. "We really need to find someone because with the kickoffs moving back, that's going to be a big factor in the field position battle." ... Wannstedt gave the players the morning off -- they went to the movies to see "Rush Hour 3" -- and he said it was evident at practice. "Today was probably the first one where we didn't come out and practice with the same intensity and effort. I guess that's what happens when you go to a movie, but they deserved a break."