The loss of running back Kevin Collier is the latest setback for the Panthers, but at least like injured receover Derek Kinder, he's at a position of great depth. I would think not much will change without Collier other than there will be more carries for LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling. I know Shane Brooks will play some at tailback. Coach Dave Wannstedt said Coller's injury means it is less likely Henry Hynoski will be redshirted, but if fullback Conredge Collins, Brooks, McCoy and Stephens-Howling all stay healthy, Hynoski is likely to be redshirtted. There is no reason to play him and waste a year if all four of those guys are available.
Q: How has Bill Stull looked at practice compared to the other quarterbacks of the past?
Jim Bowser, Freeport
Zeise: That's a tough question, to compare players who aren't much alike. To be honest, Rod Rutherford and Tyler Palko had more similarities than either has similarities with Stull. He is a different kind of quarterback than those two. He has improved greatly since the beginning of camp and he seems to have a good command of the offense. The key for him will be getting off to a good start and finding his confidence quickly. If you remember, it all clicked for both Rutherford and Palko in their second or third career starts.
Q: During the spring, you said the four biggest question marks on this team were LB, QB, center and RB. Does this still hold true? And also, you were really down on the linebackers in April, do you still feel the same way?
Steve Morrow, Friendship
Zeise: They are all still questions because the players manning those positions are first-year starters (with the exception of running back, which I will address in a moment). However, after watching camp I'm convinced Pitt can win with Bill Stull as the starting quarterback and that the linebackers will be at the very least serviceable and on some level, productive. I am also convinced LeSean McCoy is the real deal, so Pitt's running back spot is in very good shape. To me, center is a still the big question because coaches won't really commit to one yet. Chris Vangas has, at times, played very well, at others struggled and he has increasingly shared his reps with Mike McGlynn has McGlynn has gotten healthy. And actually, I honestly believe this to be true -- the offensive line is the key to the entire season and is the biggest question mark for a lot of reasons. If the line is good or at least competent, the Panthers will win seven or eight. If the line struggles, Pitt will struggle to win six.
Q: What is Tyler Palko's status with the Saints and is there any chance he makes the team?
Patrick Herward, Edgewood
Zeise: He is still fighting for that third-string job, and from what I've read in the New Orleans papers it seems like he is going to make the team. You never know until it actually happens, so just keep your fingers crossed if you are a Palko fan and hope he finishes this evaluation period before final cuts.
Q: If LeSean McCoy becomes the starting tailback, could we see LaRod Stephens-Howling returning kicks again?
John Fetrow, Reading
Zeise: I suppose anything is possible, but the coaching staff has beefed up the number of athletic playmakers so I can't see why they would make the move. Durability has been a concern with Stephens-Howling so I'm not sure the coaches would want to risk getting him injured, even if he falls behind McCoy on the depth chart, which I don't see happening, in the near future at least. Lowell Robinson was a heckuva a kick returner last year and I think Aundre Wright has similar abilities.