Previewing the 2003 Panthers: The Defensive Line
8/18/2003
Three starters and nine lettermen return from last year's formidable front.
Insight Bowl Defensive MVP Claude Harriott
|
With three of four starters back and a total of nine returning lettermen, Pittsburgh?s defensive line will have the experience and depth needed to keep up its productive ways of last season.
A combination of quick, hard-hitting ends and strong, bruising interior linemen makes the unit difficult to block and keeps opposing quarterbacks on their heels. The defensive line accounted for 21 of the team?s 30 sacks in 2002 and nine of the Panthers? 18 fumble recoveries.
Leading the way is fifth-year senior end CLAUDE HARRIOTT, a Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Ted Hendricks Award and Rotary Lombardi Award candidate. Harriott (6-4, 255) emerged as one of the nation?s biggest playmakers at the defensive end position with a team-high 9.5 sacks and 21 tackles for losses in 2002. With a nose for the ball and an aggressive style of play, he ranked second in the nation with seven forced fumbles. The Insight Bowl?s Defensive Most Valuable Player, Harriott finished the season with seven tackles versus Oregon State, including four for losses and two sacks.
Backing Harriott up at the end spot will be senior MALCOLM PINDER (6-1, 235), an Ed Conway Award recipient for his marked improvement during spring practice. Pinder saw action in two games last season and recorded two tackles but his outstanding speed has pushed him up the depth chart for 2003. He will also see time opposite Harriott at the rush end position to give the Panthers a swarming attack from both sides.
Also returning at the end position is sophomore VERNON BOTTS (6-4, 255), who should gain valuable experience playing behind Harriott and Pinder.
The battle to replace the graduated Brian Guzek at the rush end position will continue in the fall between THOMAS SMITH (6-4, 275) and ANDY ALLEMAN (6-4, 260). Smith, a junior, emerged from the spring as the leader for the starting nod. He played in 12 games in his first active season last year and recorded 10 tackles, including two for losses and one sack. Smith also showed a nose for the football with one forced fumble and one fumble recovered.
Alleman lettered as a true freshman last year, playing mostly on special teams. He will see plenty of time on the line as a sophomore this year. Sophomore RON IDOKO (6-2, 260) provides depth at the rush position.
Incoming freshman prospects at defensive end include KYLE SMITH (6-5, 240) and MICHAEL HEARN (6-5, 235).
?We?re expecting big things out of Claude Harriott and need him to continue making big plays,? defensive ends coach Charlie Partridge said. ?We have healthy competition at the rush position and a good mix of speed, strength and talent. We?re going to get to the quarterback.?
The interior down linemen have a pair of starters returning in nose tackle VINCE CROCHUNIS (6-4, 290) and defensive tackle DAN STEPHENS (6-2, 295). Crochunis thrived in a starting role last year. He led the Panthers with three fumble recoveries and also had 71 tackles, nine tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks. Stephens has been a fixture in the starting lineup for most of the last two seasons and should be ready for his biggest year to date. He had 52 tackles last year, including five TFLs and 1.5 sacks. Crochunis and Stephens are both seniors with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Senior JAKE HOLTHAUS (6-1, 285) is capable of providing solid relief work at both the nose and defensive tackle positions. Also providing quality depth at nose tackle are junior CHARLES SPENCER 6-5, 320), who showed great potential while providing spot duty last year, and sophomore ERIC FRITZ (6-3, 295).
Also backing up Stephens will be juniors KEVIN HARRIS (6-5, 285) and TROY BANNER (6-3, 295). Harris, who began the 2002 season at end before switching to tackle, played in nine games to letter last year. Banner took off from active duty during the ?02 campaign after playing as a true freshman in 2001 when injuries depleted the defensive front.
?We have an improved interior defensive front because the talent level has risen,? defensive tackles coach Bob Junko said. ?Vince and Dan have played a lot of football here and six guys on the depth chart have been on the field. They know what it?s like to be in the arena and in the trenches. It?s a good group because they stick together and feed off of each other.?
