Pitt's defensive linemen were tipping over heavy tractor trailer tires up and down the field after practice yesterday at the UPMC South Side complex as assistant head coach Greg Gattuso offered encouragement.

The more the players grunted and groaned, the more Gattuso motivated them.

"It was for punishment, for being undisciplined," he said later.

---

Looking ahead

• What: Blue-Gold game.
• When: 6 p.m., April 19.
• Where: Heinz Field.
• TV: NFL Network.

---

"We were doing some things that were unacceptable. We train exactly the same way in the fall and the spring. They have to be accountable for the way they practice."

Greg Romeus, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound redshirt sophomore end, understood the method behind Gattuso's madness in March.

"He holds us to a high standard," Romeus said, with a smile. "The more he disciplines us, the more we'll work harder and the more we'll be better."

Romeus blossomed late last season and was considered one of the most improved players on the team. Although he didn't start, Romeus was second on the team with 11.5 tackles for loss and tied for second with four sacks. He also was named to All-America freshmen teams by the Football Writers, CollegeFootballNews.com, The Sporting News, Rivals and Scout.

"I've been challenging him not to settle for being just a good player," Gattuso said of Romeus, who didn't start playing football until his senior year in high school in Coral Springs, Fla.

"He has a great talent. He's getting a lot of new experiences every time he's on the field. He had mental busts earlier in the year, but a big step happened for him as the end of the year. He starting to grow some confidence and is reaching for the stars a little bit."

Romeus spent most of his high school days reaching for the basketball rim until the football coach spotted him and explained that at 6-5, he could have more potential in football than basketball.

"I enjoy playing football more because it's a more aggressive game and more of a team sport," Romeus said. He laughed.

"I like to hit people."

Romeus, who redshirted as a freshman, became a hit with his coaches once he started to grasp the nuances of the defense midway through the season. He always had the physical skills, but he needed time to learn the techniques involved with playing college football.

"I feel like I'm adapting more to being a football player," he said. "Things aren't as shaky as they were at the beginning of last year. I can play faster now. I just want to learn more every day."

Romeus' playing time should increase this season because the defensive line has been depleted by the departure of ends Joe Clermond and Chris McKillop.

"We see it as a rotation with everybody getting time," Romeus said. "I don't want to set myself up and say that I expect to start. We're all going to play."