Another day, another spring practice wrapped up for Pitt. The Panthers practiced indoors again today and, per NCAA rules, were in only helmets and jerseys. Here are a few notes on the day at practice...

- Once again, as expected, it was mostly Tom Savage taking reps with the first team during team drills today. He made some nice throws but also had a couple of passes that should have been intercepted during team work and skeleton drills. The biggest adjustment Savage has to make this spring is reading defenses and making quick decisions on the fly. He didn't really have to do that as a scout team quarterback this season, so this spring he has to get re-adjusted mentally to making those reads in the pocket.
"Last year, even in the camp, I wasn't taking too many reps," Savage said. "[I was] just trying to take as many mental reps as I can. But now I'm out there seeing the reads and seeing the looks, so it helps a lot."
This is somewhat new territory for Chad Voytik, too, and you can tell that both guys are a little tentative during team drills in these early practices. They seem to be focused more on making good reads and safe decisions, rather than showing off their arm (though both of these guys have shown pretty impressive velocity so far in camp).
"It's really too early to tell," Pitt coach Paul Chryst said. "I think they've done a good job of working in the offseason, understanding things. They're not nearly where we want them to be, but they shouldn't be. I'm not disappointed or anything, but certainly a long ways to go."

- Juantez Hollins took all of the first team reps at right tackle today after TJ Clemmings got the nod yesterday. I'll have more on the offensive line in tomorrow's paper, but coach Jim Hueber was pretty honest in his assessment that Clemmings is still a work in progress as he transitions from defensive end to offensive line.
"Honestly, I thought maybe with the time that we spent getting ready for the [bowl] game, we would have been a little further along than we are," Hueber said.
My take is that Clemmings still needs to beef up a little bit more to be completely effective along the offensive line, and that's what he's got the entire spring and summer to do. This is the position, though, where if neither guy seizes the job during spring camp, Dorian Johnson could be very much in the mix when he arrives in the fall.

- The depth are a little bit limited due to injuries, but Trenton Coles has been getting most of the work as the third cornerback on the first team. This is with Cullen Christian (calf sprain) and Jahmahl Pardner (ACL recovery) sidelined due to injury, but Coles is an intriguing player with his height and speed. He's reportedly the fastest guy on the team, and at 6-foot-3, certainly has the potential to be a weapon on defense.

- Spoke to Eric Williams after practice about his transition from linebacker to safety. He played safety in high school, so it's mostly just getting re-acclimated to the position. He looks a little bit slimmer than he did last season and he said he trimmed down a bit for the switch. The coaches came to him asking if he'd be interested in the move and, after some brief thinking on it, he decided to go ahead.
"The biggest difference would be just recognizing more on the field," he said. "Looking at it as more of a full-field perspective, and not just zoning in on my keys."
While Pitt is certainly deeper at linebacker than safety, I don't think the coaches would have made the move if they didn't think Williams would make an impact at his new position, so I expect to see him on the field plenty at safety this year.
One interesting note is that he said the team has been using more zone coverage concepts so far in spring practice under new defensive coordinator Matt House. Former DC Dave Huxtable employed almost exclusively man-to-man looks, so it'll be worth tracking that change.

- Also on the defensive side of the ball, Pitt looks like it's been mixing things up a little bit more in terms of formations. They haven't shown much new stuff in team drills, but in unit work the defense has even shown a couple of 3-4 looks. With all the depth and versatility Pitt has at linebacker, this seems like a natural move to mix in some 3-4 looks. It also helps them move around Aaron Donald, the defense's best individual weapon, and get him good matchups.

- The starting defense remained the same as yesterday. Looks like Deaysean Rippy and Bam Bradley are vying for the backup Sam linebacker spot now behind Anthony Gonzalez. Down the road, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of those guys challenge for the starting job, based solely on their athleticism.

- Gonzalez dropped a couple of interceptions in team drills today. There's no real takeaway there, but it did happen.

The team has this week off for spring break before reconvening Sunday, March 17. Chryst said he was optimistic the team would use the week off in a positive way to go over the playbook and get ready before they return and get set to practice in pads after the break.
"There's two ways we can go with that," Chryst said. "We can lose ground or we can gain ground because they've had it, it's in their hands, and they've taken advantage of the time. So, like a lot of this game, it ultimately ends up in their hands."

Pitt held its annual pro day today, and 12 former Panthers worked out for NFL scouts at the school’s indoor practice facility on the South Side. It was an informal interview process afterwards, so we don’t have numbers on all the guys that worked out. But here’s a run down of what I was able to get from talking to the guys there. Obviously the big number is Ray Graham's 40-yard dash time. He didn't have that available right away, but I'm working on tracking down his number. Also, keep in mind that all these times are unofficial and self-reported.

RB Ray Graham: 5'9", 197 lbs...40-yard dash: N/A...Bench press: DNP...Vertical jump: 32"...Broad jump: N/A
Notes: Graham said he wasn't sure what caused his slow 4.8-second 40-yard dash time in Indianapolis, just noting that "those lasers have good eyes." Graham spoke afterwards about how he wanted to show scouts today that he was "more quick than fast," in addition to improving on the 40-yard dash time.

WR Cam Saddler: 5'6", 167.5 lbs...40-yard dash: 4.52 sec...Bench press: 7 reps...Vertical jump: N/A...Broad jump: N/A
Notes: Saddler said his main goal coming into pro day was to impress people with his shuttle times, which he felt like he did (though he didn't have exact numbers). "Especially my three-cone," he said. "Because I felt fast as hell doing that." He was a bit disappointed to check in at 5-6, which was an inch or two shorter than what he was usually listed as, but that's not really surprising. His best bet to make the NFL is as a return guy, and the easiest way to do that is with impressive times.

OL Ryan Turnley: 6'5½", 304 lbs...40-yard dash: 5.2 sec...Bench press: 15 reps...Vertical jump: 30"...Broad jump: 9'1"
Notes: Turnley wanted to show off his athleticism Wednesday. Scouts aren't going to be blown away by his bench press numbers and brute strength, but he's hoping the film speaks for itself. "I just wanted to show my athletic ability because I’m not one of the big, burly offensive linemen," he said "When they see the film, they’ll show me getting after guys." Turnley was one of five Pitt players who went and trained with former Pitt strength and conditioning coach Buddy Morris in Buffalo (along with Chris Jacobson, Mike Shanahan, Hubie Graham and Tino Sunseri).

OL Chris Jacobson: 6'1½", 302 lbs...40-yard dash: 5.1 sec...Bench press: 26 reps...Vertical jump: 27"...Broad jump: 8'
Notes: Jacobson said he got to Morris' facility weighing in around 311 pounds, but Morris insisted that he get down closer to 300 before pro day. He said he even beat some of his running goals Wednesday. The biggest thing Jacobson was hoping to show today was that the knee injury that cut short his 2011 season was completely healed. He said it nagged him a little bit at the beginning of the year this season, but got better as the year went on. Jacobson said he was disappointed in his bench press, and that he hoped to get into the 30s. He played in the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game in Tuscon, Ariz., and played mostly center while he was down there. He though that, plus his guard film from Pitt might improve his chances on draft day or catching on as a free agent. When asked what his plan was from now until draft day, Jacobson said, "Right now, I’ve been on a strict diet for the past eight weeks, so now I’m going to go get something to eat."

TE Mike Shanahan: 6'4⅜", 241 lbs...40-yard dash: 4.69 sec...Bench press: 18 reps...Vertical jump: 30.5"...Broad jump: 9'6"
Notes: As you can see by his position, Shanahan said that he plans to try and make the NFL as a tight end. While other guys were losing weight with Morris, he gained about 10 pounds from the end of the season. This seems like a good move given his frame and body type. "I think that gives me my best shot," Shanahan said. "I kind of knew it was going to happen. I think I can be effective." 

K Kevin Harper: 5'9¾", 179 lbs...40-yard dash: 4.67 sec...Bench press: 12 reps...Vertical jump: DNP...Broad jump: DNP
Notes: Pretty impressive measurables for a kicker from Harper. After the drills were over, he did kickoffs for six scouts that chose to stay and watch. He said most of his kicks went through the end zone. Harper did not do field goals since he didn't have a snapper or holder. Harper has been invited to the NFL Super Regional Combine April 6 in Dallas. To get there, he went to the NFL Regional Combine in New York and connected on five consecutive field goal attempts from 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 yards. Last year, only six kickers were invited to the Super Regional Combine, including Rams sixth-round draft pick Greg Zeurlein.

DE Shayne Hale: 6'4", 261 lbs...40-yard dash: N/A...Bench press: N/A...Vertical jump: N/A...Broad jump: N/A
Notes: Hale's most impressive attribute is probably his wingspan, which he said checked in at 81" today. He also said the increased playing time he got towards the end of this season helped him get some tape to show NFL scouts. "I was a guy that went in on certain downs, but it gave me actual tape to be there for a season and show what I can do."

Those are all the players I was able to track down as they left the facility. The other guys who participated were DB Jarred Holley, QB Tino Sunseri, TE Hubie Graham and DB Andrew Taglianetti.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, Pitt’s first spring practice is in the books. The Panthers practiced for three hours and 20 minutes indoors, without pads, this afternoon. Here are some notes from Paul Chryst’s press briefing this morning as well as the practice itself...

- Chryst said he does not have a timetable for naming a starting quarterback. His answer was “Labor Day.” Tom Savage got most of the early first-team reps in practice today, with Chad Voytik mixing in more with the first team at the end. I don’t expect Chryst to make a decision on this any time soon, but I still think Savage has the inside track (here's a link to the story I wrote for today's paper). He showed his strong arm on a couple of throws today, and the height difference between him and Voytik is striking. Obviously a long way to go here, so let’s not overreact too much one way or another.

- Here are guys who are OUT indefinitely for spring practice: DB Brendon Felder (right foot), LB Shane Gordon (neck), DB Jason Hendricks (right toe), WR Brandon Ifill (left knee).
The following players will miss or be limited the first week: QB Trey Anderson (sick), QB Tra’Von Chapman (groin), DL Devin Cook (right foot), LS Pat Quirin (sick)
DB Jahmahl Pardner and OL John Guy will also both be limited for the time being as they recover from injuries last season.

- Chryst said linebackers Nicholas Grigsby and Dan Mason would be out indefinitely to take care of some off-the-field issues. Grigsby’s must have been something simple because he joined the Panthers about halfway through today’s practice. He didn’t take part in any of the team activities, but did go through position drills.

- As far as position changes, Eric Williams moving from linebacker to safety is the most significant, since he played in every game for the Panthers last year (and was one of the only linebackers to do so). Jason Hendricks is out indefinitely this spring with a foot injury, so Williams will get a chance to establish himself in the defensive backfield. He’s listed at 6-3, 215 pounds, which would seem to be good size for a safety, and looked pretty fluid at the position in the first day, though without pads it can be hard to tell.

- Here’s how the first-team offensive line looked today: Adam Bisnowaty (LT), Cory King (LG), Gabe Roberts (C), Matt Rotheram (RG), TJ Clemmings (RT). Juantez Hollins, off of his suspension, also got work with the first team at right tackle. I’ll have more on the offensive line later this week. They may not have a ton of depth or experience, but they have some flexibility and potential with a lot of guys.

-With Cook out, David Durham, a transfer from Ohio State, worked with the first team at defensive end. Aaron Donald, Tyrone Ezell and Bryan Murphy rounded out the unit.
As far as linebackers, the first team was Todd Thomas (Will), Mike Caprara (Mike) and Anthony Gonzalez (Sam). Eric Williams and Ray Vinopal were with the first unit at safety, and Lafayette Pitts and K’Waun Williams at corner.

- Ejuan Price, who sat out last year, worked in with the second team at linebacker, and lined up in a couple of different spots. It’ll be interesting to see how he fits into the mix when everyone’s healthy, but this is his chance to stake a claim. As for the redshirt freshman, Deaysean Rippy looks like he’s the backup to Gonzalez at the Sam spot right now.

-The staff made the team run sprints for almost 30 minutes at the end of practice today, making them go again each time someone false started. At one point, Devin Street gathered the team together to implore some discipline to finish the drill.

That’s all for now. Pitt will return to the practice field Thursday. Tomorrow is the Panthers’ pro day, and I’ll be over there to try and glean some relevant info from the guys participating. I’ll be doing spring chats at some point over the next few weeks, but the exact dates are TBD. Until then, you can follow me on Twitter @SWernerPG and I’ll try to answer as many questions there as I can.

Well, here we are. Pitt kicks off spring football for the 2013 season tomorrow. It seems like just yesterday I was frantically scrambling for wifi in the Legion Field press box. How the offseason does fly by...

Anyways, there are obviously plenty of storylines to look at over the next few weeks of spring practices, and we’ll certainly get to those. For now, though, let’s just do a position-by-position breakdown of what we’re looking for from the Panthers this spring.