Eric Thatcher has a constant reminder of how lucky he is to be playing football.

Thatcher, Pitt's starting free safety, looks down at his right arm, rubs over his four-inch scar and remembers the day when he almost lost the limb in a freak accident at his grandmother's home in Cincinnati.

It was June 23 2004, a few weeks before Thatcher was to report to Pitt for his first training camp. He was horsing around with his aunt when he slipped and put his arm through a storm door.

Blood gushed from his arm as he ran from the home to get help. Before he could reach a neighbor's front door, he collapsed. Luckily, a stranger driving by stopped and tied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding until the paramedics arrived.

"I always think about that," said Thatcher, a 5-foot-9 195-pound fifth-year senior who has grown into one of Pitt's top defenders. "I was a split second from not even having an arm and football being over. To sit here and look at my arm ... The only time I don't think about it is when I'm on the field. That's my peace, being out there on the field when I don't have to think about it."

Thatcher redshirted that season and bounced back fine from the career-threatening injury. By the time he was a sophomore, he had earned a starting position. But, after starting the first five games in 2006, Thatcher sustained a fractured ankle during practice and had to miss the rest of the season.

"I was finally in a groove and starting to have fun," Thatcher said. "And then, boom, the ankle injury happened."

Thatcher has gone through more than his share of physical hardships and mental anguish at Pitt, but dealing with those injuries has given him a perspective and outlook that serves him well.

"He's been through some adversity and has had to persevere," secondary coach Jeff Hafley said. "Anytime someone battles through injuries and comes out on top, I think it makes you not only a better person but a better football player.

"It makes you a little hungrier at times. I look in his eyes at practice now and I've never seen him so focused and so hungry. He has a purpose this year. He has a different look in his eyes, a different swagger."

Thatcher started all 12 games last season after missing the final seven of his sophomore season because of the ankle injury. He was fourth on the team in tackles and had one interception and one fumble recovery.

But statistics don't tell the story of Thatcher's value. It's easy to be overlooked on a defense that includes All-American linebacker Scott McKillop and sophomore defensive lineman Greg Romeus.

Thatcher is unheralded, but his role cannot be underestimated. As the free safety and most-experienced defensive back, Thatcher is responsible for aligning the defense on every play.

"You talk about him being under the radar," Hafley said. "He's under the radar until there's a deep crossing route and he makes a big hit. People who play us know who Eric Thatcher is. I know [the media] likes to talk about some of our other guys, but he's a leader back there.

"At that position, there is so much that goes into it from a mental standpoint. He's the quarterback of the defense. He makes the calls, get us lined up. We need a guy like that back there, and we're very fortunate to have him."

Being the quarterback of the defense is especially important in a year when experience at the other secondary positions is almost non-existent. The only other returning starter is junior Aaron Berry at cornerback. The two players battling for playing time beside Thatcher at strong safety are Dom DeCicco and Elijah Fields, neither of whom has made a college start.

"It's a position where you don't always get the accolades because you're not going to have 120 tackles or 15 sacks," Hafley said. "You're going to be the guy who lines us up and gets us in the right position. Because of that, we make the right play. Someone else might get the tackle or get the pick. But it wouldn't happen without him.

"Eric has improved, and this could be a breakout year for him. Having said that, I thought he had a really good year last year. If he keeps doing those things, we're going to be a great defense."

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NOTES -- The Panthers practiced once yesterday in helmets and shoulder pads. Coach Dave Wannstedt backed off because the team is scrimmaging this morning and because he put them through two physical practices Thursday. ... Wannstedt reported no serious injuries heading into the scrimmage and was hoping everyone would be able to participate. ... The starters will play about 30 plays apiece in the scrimmage.