Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Walt Harris: Seeking answers. Click photo for larger image. LOOKING AHEAD Game: Pitt at South Florida in the first game of 2004 When: Sept. 6 Where: Tampa Burning questions: Pitt football 2004

Pitt coach Walt Harris has rehearsed his remarks and is ready to answer the question he'll undoubtedly be asked dozens of times the next three weeks:

What about the Panthers' quarterback situation?

"Both guys are very competitive, both are well versed in our system and neither has much experience yet," Harris said last week about sophomores Luke Getsy and Tyler Palko. "And before you ask, no, I have no idea which one is ahead and haven't seen enough from either to make a decision."

Well, that about covers it.

Any more questions?

Actually, yes, because Harris and his coaching staff have far more pressing concerns as the Panthers open training camp today.

The battle at quarterback -- given the pedigree of the players involved, their local ties and Harris's reputation for creating and then perpetuating quarterback controversies -- is going to dominate the headlines. But that position should be in good hands regardless of who wins the job.

"I'm not worried really, except for the experience factor," Harris said. "That is the only position where we don't have anyone who has really played. But those two guys are into it, they have both learned our system better than anyone since Pete Gonzalez and both have shown they can play well. So we feel very good about both guys and are confident either can get the job done."

Harris' confidence doesn't extend to cornerback, running back and the offense line. He is optimistic, of course, but realizes plenty of work will need to be done in training camp.

The offensive line, which was very inconsistent last year, has two returning starters -- left tackle Rob Petitti, an All-American candidate, and right guard Jon Simonitis. Right tackle also seems to be in capable hands as freshman Mike McGlynn had a strong spring and likely will emerge as the starter.

Center and left guard are trouble spots. Justin Belarski and Rob Frederick, two injury-prone players without much experience, are battling at center, along with freshman Chris Vangas. Frederick is in the mix at left guard with Matt Maiers, but coaches counting on Charles Spencer, a recycled defensive lineman, being a quick study and can win the job.

"We think our line will be better, but you can never tell," Harris said. "[Frederick] and Justin need to stay healthy and Rob Petitti can play better than he did last year as well. The key may be Charles, who we think has the potential to be an outstanding offensive lineman."

With the line blocking better, the running game should improve, but Jawan Walker or Ray Kirkley has to step up and become a legitimate threat at tailback.

Walker is blessed with natural ability and has the potential to be a true star, but his attitude and work ethic are not good. He was reportedly a conscientious objector to offseason workouts and his work habits have not endeared him to his teammates.

Harris said neither player has shown signs of being capable of replacing last year's starter Brandon Miree.

"I'll be honest, I am not feeling very good about [tailback] right now, not at all," Harris said. "Both those guys need to improve and in a hurry. Replacing Brandon Miree will be a challenge because he is the best runner we've had since I've been here. Kevan Barlow was a better athlete at that position, but Brandon was the best runner.

"We need one of those guys, or, hopefully, both, to really improve and run as hard and as consistently as Brandon did."

One other position crucial to the Panthers' success is cornerback.

Josh Lay is the most experienced -- and probably the most athletically gifted -- of the corners, but he has yet to prove he can play the position at a consistently high level. Still, Harris expects Lay to have a big season and is more concerned with the other spot and the overall depth at the position.

Other than sophomore Reggie Carter, who played in four games last year, none of the other cornerbacks have experience.

"I don't like having so little experience at corner because that is such a hard position to learn and it is crucial to our defense's success, but that's where we are," Harris said. 'We are certainly very young at corner, but we have talent and that's a good start."

The defense did not perform well last season, but some of that can be attributed to a lack of experience. But Harris believes many of the problems can be attributed to coaching and scheme. He plans to be more involved with the defensive staff than he had been in the past.

"We learned a hard lesson last year," said Harris, who broke into the profession as a defensive coach. "We simplified a lot of what we are doing on defense because we made a lot of mistakes. We asked a lot of guys to do things that they weren't capable of doing and it hurt us. This year, we are going to be far more simple. We are going to play to our player's strengths, and that alone ought to make us a better defensive team. We still have to play better than we did, but I think a more simple defense will help."