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Today Pitt practiced in shoulder pads for the first time, which means we are getting closer to watching actual football and only then will we really know who is doing what. Until then it is a lot of projecting and conjecture, but Saturday that will all end as the team goes into full pads.

That being said there have been some impressive players thus far:

• Defensive tackle Mick Williams -- "unblockable" is how he has been described -- and that's by some offensive linemen.....

• Tailback LeSean McCoy -- Imagine a player with this kid's talent -- who finally knows what the heck he is doing and where he's supposed to be headed every play. It is scary, actually.

• Middle linebacker Scott McKillop -- When your best player is also your hardest worker, it has an impact.

• Defensive end Greg Romeus -- How much can we say more about this guy? Watching him go through bag drills is pretty amazing, much less when he blows by whatever tackle has the misfortunes of trying to block him.

• Offensive guard John Malecki -- As offensive line coach Tony Wise said to me the other day "he could be a decent player on [defense], over here [on offense], he has a chance to be a superstar."

• Cornerback Jared Holley -- Clearly a big-time talent with a big future.

Q: It has been widely documented that the 08 season will be contingent upon the performance of the o-line. But the line must face arguably the best defense in the nation. How much of their poor performance has to do with facing an awesome defense every day in practice?

Mark Schilajew, Huntingdon, Pa.

ZEISE: I will concede that some of the struggles of the line in the spring were due to injury and the defense being so good. So far in camp, however, even though they haven't gone in full pads and at full speed, it appears as if the line is going to struggle again. And some of that is the defensive line being so good but a lot of it is inexperience and the fact that these guys haven't played a lot together as a unit. That's why I would expect (and Pitt fans should hope) that as this unit plays together (once the starting five is sorted out) it will get better and better, and it should because this group is talented. The problem is that is not a guarantee. You never know how long it takes for linemen to develop and for the chemistry to develop between them. We know there is talent, we know it will get better with experience but we don't know how fast the learning curve will be.

Q: In your opinion, which freshman have the best chance of seeing significant playing time?

Dave Yochum, Severn, Maryland

ZEISE: Well, truthfully, Kevin Harper might be the one who has the most impact because he could be the kick-off specialist for this season before taking over as the full-time place-kicker next season. And if he kicks it as far as he did in high school and as consistently as he did in high school, opposing teams will be starting their drives at their own 20 an awful lot. Next I'd say look at the depth chart -- receiver Jonathan Balwdin is now a much more important player given that Derek Kinder is still working his way back and is not really close yet and Maurice Williams is no longer with the team. Beyond that, I don't see anyone else who definitely will play this year. Cameron Saddler could help in the return game. Lucas Nix could get into the rotation at either guard or tackle, depending on how some of the upper classmen play. He could and hopefully will redshirt. One interesting player is Jarred Holley, the corner from Easton Area. He is one of those kids who could burst on the scene and just take a position by storm, he's that good. I've been really impressed by him, but again, he's not at a position where there is a lot of need right now.

Q: How has John Malecki looked at offensive guard? Even with the depth at D-line I am still concerned about this move. He was a beast on the d-line.

Bob Podomnik, Jefferson Hills, Pa.

ZEISE: If you go back to top and look at what I wrote, you'll see I couldn't disagree more. The defensive tackle position is fine -- and he would have a hard time getting a lot of playing time there, particularly with Mick Williams and Tommie Duhart and Gus Mustakas and Rashaad Duncan all playing as well as they are. He is going to be a beast as an offensive guard. Tony Wise -- the line coach -- said his toughness, his intensity, his fearlessness, his physical play have all rubbed off on the other guys on the line -- he's a fighter and he loves to hit people and block people. This staff gets criticized for moving people around and sometimes justifiably so but not in this case. This was the absolute right move for both Malecki and the team.

Q: I realize that it's still early but can you give me a brief report on the wide receivers?

Larry Harris, Baton Rouge, La.

ZEISE: Well, like I said, suddenly this is a position where there are some real concerns because of depth. Derek Kinder ran the first day of practice and this much was clear (1) he doesn't have his burst and his quickness back (2) he isn't ready to start making cuts and stopping and starting and (3) he still is behind in terms of just being healthy enough to play the position at as high of a level as he can. As a result, there are only three experienced receivers on the roster who are ready to go -- two when you consider T.J. Porter is walking around in a boot to protect his injured toes -- which means some of the younger kids, like Aundre Wright, Baldwin and Aaron Smith, need to get ready to play and in a hurry. The group has talent, just not as much experience as you'd like and that's why this camp is so critical for the young guys like Baldwin.