Q: Shane Murray was hurt the second to last day of camp. The day prior, a wide receiver, of all things, was converted to LB, and instantly became the second-man on the depth chart and then was elevated to starter two days later. Wannstedt's had FOUR recruiting classes, he's a supposed to be a "defensive minded" coach, yet, here's Wannstedt, who has ZERO experienced, capable DEPTH at OLB. At this point of Wannstedt's illustrious tenure, should not he have built up much more experienced depth, particularly on defense?

Dan Louis, Norfolk, Va.

ZEISE: I agree to a point.

The fact that Austin Ransom - a former walk-on receiver -- is considered the best option when Murray went down is frightening. However, I'll point this out - Ransom at least had played safety for part of his career and the idea was they wanted someone to fill in there who understood and was capable of covering passes against Bowling Green's spread offense - so the move had as much to do with match-ups as anything.

The other thing is - and this seems to be a recurring theme - the fact that Ransom is a fifth-year senior who had played some in the past, made him more appealing because, well, you know the coach's conservative nature. He obviously didn't feel secure putting guys out there who hadn't played before - and that has less to do with his recruiting and development and everything to do with his philosophy.

One other thing - Brandon Lindsay was hurt during camp, Tristan Roberts didn't play very well during camp and Nate Nix is actually contemplating a move to defensive end because it is becoming evident he might not be quite good enough to play linebacker at this level. And those were three celebrated linebacker recruits. I definitely agree that this position is troublesome when you take a look at the depth, but in Wannstedt's defense it is about the only position where the depth is so thin - and I'm not sure if it is as thin as we're being told. Again, I think part of this has to be blamed on a philosophy of not wanting to put kids out there and let them learn by fire - some players just develop better that way. I think that might be the case with Elijah Fields (safety) and with Greg Williams - they are too talented not to play, they are the kinds of players who need reps and experience to really get better and the more they play, the better they'll become. But both, because they missed some assignments or didn't understand some coverages and whatnot, were held back until circumstances forced the coach's hand and they had to be put out on the field. It will be interesting now to watch both of those guys develop. Maybe the "lack of depth" is more about a "lack of opportunity" for some of the younger guys to "prove it" when the lights are on ...

Q: Why did Dave Wannstedt move Dorin Dickerson to tight end if the OLB position lacked depth?

Mark Schilajew, Huntingdon

ZEISE: Simple - because Wannstedt thought his talents fit better on offense after watching him for a year on defense and because, with Darrell Strong's eligibility expiring, he knew he needed a playmaking, H-back/receiver-type of tight end and Dickerson fits that role perfectly, particularly since he's bulked up and he's gotten so much stronger.

He is clearly their best tight end running with the ball after the catch (and heck, they ran a reverse with him last game - how many tight ends in the country have that play called for them)? It has been a good move -- and more importantly, when they made the move they had four redshirt freshmen linebackers they thought they would be able to count on and they had several other guys, like Nate Nix, who they thought were ready to step in. If you remember, this unit of linebackers was really good in the spring - so I'm not sure that I buy this notion that there isn't depth there. Again, it is all about opportunity with certain players, at least based on what I've observed.

Q: Aaron Berry has struggled fielding punts. If he continues to do so, any chance he would be replaced? If so, by who?

Mike Regan, Pittsburgh

ZEISE: I don't know that he has struggled per se. I know he lost the one in the sun and it rolled to the 2 or somewhere close to that - but he has at least caught the ball.

The problems have been the blocking - for whatever reason a constant with this coaching staff - up the field. I can't remember many punts where Pitt's punt returners have had much space to work with over the past three years. I don't know if it is because every team they play has punters who can kick the ball high and have great hang time (I suspect that is NOT the case) or if the Panthers don't do a good job of blocking the gunners and creating a cushion for the punt returners to run.

I also think on some of the punts, Berry has played too deep and has had to try and run up and catch punts and that's been more dangerous than it needs to be. I agree though, something needs to change. I'm just not sure changing the returner without changing the way things are blocked will do much.

As for who will be the punt returner if Berry can't do it - Aundre Wright, TJ Porter and Derek Kinder have all done it during practices as has Aaron Smith, so that would be the likely pool of guys to choose from.