Pitt's offensive line is a work in progress.

The Panthers' problem is there just aren't enough healthy bodies in that unit to put in the work needed to make some progress.

And that's not good news because the offensive line, a unit that lost three starters to graduation, likely holds the key to the season.

Coach Dave Wannstedt said he isn't worried yet about the offensive line because there is a lot of time until the season starts, but the situation has made it tough to get a clear evaluation of the offense in general and, more specifically, the quarterbacks.

Coming into the spring, the starting offensive line that was penciled in was (from left tackle to right tackle) redshirt sophomore Jason Pinkston, fifth-year senior C.J. Davis, junior Robb Houser, junior John Malecki and junior Joe Thomas.

But Pinkston and Davis have been limited to minimal contact while they recover from surgery, and two players that would be serious contenders as primary backups, redshirt freshmen Chris Jacobson and Dan Matha, are on limited duty.

That unit could become very good as all seven of those players -- along with incoming freshman Lucas Nix -- have talent, but outside of Davis, a fourth-year starter, they have limited experience. One other key reserve, redshirt junior John Bachman, has struggled for the second consecutive spring to convert to center, so he is working some at guard and tackle as well.

"You take a look at that group with Pinkston, Jacobson, C.J. Davis and Matha, that is four guys who are starters or should be competing for starting jobs," Wannstedt said.

"All of them are limited, so we were a little bit thin to begin with because of graduation and we are a little bit thin because of injury, but all of these guys are working hard, and [offensive line coach] Tony [Wise] is doing a nice job with them. He likes the group, so we'll come together."

Wannstedt singled out the large group of redshirt freshmen -- John Fieger, Greg Gaskins, Jordan Gibbs and Wayne Jones -- as the most in need of work, particularly since that group will be counted on to provide depth.

"Those guys are going to need every full-speed situation we can put them in between now and the season," Wannstedt said. "Like I said, they have done really well when they are coming off the ball in drills and hitting bags and doing that stuff, but, when they have to line up over a Mick Williams or a Greg Romeus and have to block them, that is where we will find out who gives us a chance to play and who doesn't."

It hasn't helped that they have had to play against a defensive line that might be the Panthers' deepest and most talented in decades.

Houser, who was recruited from Butte Junior College specifically to fill the hole at center, has gotten off to a good start.

"The one guy I have been very pleased with is Houser, he really has been the most consistent player at center, so it is clear that was a good signing for us."

NOTES -- Tomorrow will be the first scrimmage of the spring. Wannstedt said he is anxious to see the team play live for the first time. "There is no substitute for playing the game and doing live scrimmage work," he said. ...Wannstedt also said junior Bill Stull has the early edge at quarterback because he has been the most consistent. "Billy is back healthy and his thumb is strong," Wannstedt said. "He has clearly picked up where he left off when he was injured."