Pitt defensive line coach Greg Gattuso said yesterday that the best part of his heralded unit isn't that it is loaded with talented players and veterans or that it has lots of interchangeable parts.

The thing that makes Gattuso smile the most is that, despite all the hype and headlines, his linemen remain hungry and eager to learn.

As long as that continues, he said, game days will take care of themselves.

"I've been very, very pleased with their effort," Gattuso said. "I think that complacency is a danger now that these guys are getting a little older and feeling a little more confident, but their effort has been outstanding. Right now, we have four tackles who have played and started a lot of games, and they are all having a good camp.

"I think one of the things we've found is the best motivator is competition and depth, and, right now, they are all pushing each other, so you can't help but be pleased with what we've seen so far."

The depth is a testament to the recruiting emphasis the staff has placed on building a big-time defensive line since Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt arrived after the 2004 season. Wannstedt consistently said his top priority would be to rebuild the line, and he certainly has delivered.

"I've always thought that you have no chance to play great defense unless you have guys up front who can make plays," Wannstedt said. "I think when you look at where our guys came from, very few of them played defensive line before they got here. I think that philosophy -- finding fast, athletic kids and making them defensive linemen -- gives us the quickness and athleticism that we need in this scheme to be effective."

The defensive tackle rotation includes redshirt junior Mick Williams, junior Tommie Duhart, senior Rashaad Duncan and redshirt junior Gus Mustakas. Pitt has two more talented tackles in redshirt junior Craig Bokor and redshirt freshman Myles Caragein.

At defensive end, Pitt has two fine players in redshirt sophomore Greg Romeus and sophomore Jabaal Sheard. The Panthers also have redshirt junior Doug Fulmer, though he is limited because he is coming off an injury, and the highly touted redshirt freshman Tony Tucker along with a tough guy in redshirt sophomore Tyler Tkach.

Gattuso said the Panthers likely will use a rotation of four tackles and three ends once the season begins.

"I don't know who is going to end up the starters, though Mick Williams has really been playing at a high level right now," Gattuso said. "But I can put any of these guys in and feel good about it. The one thing I will say is I've talked to Jabaal Sheard about how he needs to increase his effort and how he needed to become more coachable, and he's responded well. He's working harder. I've never worried about his talent or his instincts, it is the fundamentals and techniques and, if he keeps working on those things, he'll be a starter and a great player for us."

NOTES -- Fulmer (knee) and receivers Derek Kinder (knee) and Cam Saddler (toes) sat out for the second day in a row. ... Tight end Nate Byham was sick in the morning but practiced in the afternoon session. ... Tight end Mike Cruz took a big hit from linebacker Tristan Roberts and sat out the rest of practice with ice on his back.

Paul Zeise can be reached at pzeise@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1720.