Redshirt junior defensive end Greg Romeus had the luxury of being the ultra-talented young player on the Pitt defense last season and was able to play without huge expectations.

The same can be said for his bookend partner on the other end of the line -- junior Jabaal Sheard -- as both players were thrust into starting roles for the first time.

But after a season when Romeus and Sheard finished as anchors of one of the nation's top defenses, neither can hide from the expectations.

And that's OK with both because they have each other to lean on.

"It is definitely different," said the 6-foot-6, 270-pound Romeus, who was named second-team All-Big East last season. "So we know that we are held to a higher standard. At the same time, we know that as hard as we go is hard as everybody else is going to go, so we have to set the tempo, but that is a good thing.

"The key is, they can't really double-team either of us, and if they run to [Sheard's] side I'll make plays, and if they run to my side he'll make the plays. It helps us both a lot because they'll have to pick and choose how they want to block us."

Romeus is rated as one of the top defensive ends in the country and is listed as one of the top defensive line prospects in next year's NFL draft even though he has another year of college eligibility.

At the other end of the line, Sheard, who is 6 feet 4, 260 pounds, is every bit as fast and quick as Romeus and probably a little more refined as a player.

Romeus made 51 tackles last season, led Pitt with 7 1/2 sacks and was second with 15 1/2 tackles for loss, while Sheard made 45 tackles, 10 1/2 tackles for loss and 5 1/2 sacks. The two started all 13 games and were major reasons why the Panthers were able to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks in a variety of ways.

Defensive line coach Greg Gattuso said Romeus and Sheard are extremely talented but that they are different in a lot of ways and that is why they complement each other so well.

"Their experience level alone will help take them to the next level," Gattuso said. "I've always believed that with defensive linemen it takes into the third year of playing before a player is really ready to reach [his] potential and they are both in their third year and ready to reach their potential.

"I think Jabaal is more athletic and more instinctive, and Greg is just a physical giant. And they both play very hard and they are very coachable."

Gattuso said Romeus got most of the attention from opposing offenses early last season because he is so big and athletic, and Sheard took advantage of that, but by midseason the two switched roles.

Sheard, who missed camp yesterday because of a knee injury, was not available for comment per Pitt's media policy on injured players. But Romeus spoke for both of them when he said that they will be expected to make a lot of big plays and that he believes they are up to the challenge.

Romeus noted that he is challenged every day by practicing against one of the best tackles in the Big East -- left tackle Jason Pinkston, who is his roommate.

"I'd say he is definitely one of the top three tackles I've played against because he is such an athletic big body," Romeus said. "So he's giving me a great look every single day and that's really pushing me to be better because it is great competition."

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NOTES -- Redshirt sophomore running back Shariff Harris was suspended for two weeks for disciplinary reasons. Harris was battling with three other players for a spot in the tailback rotation. ... Defensive end Tony Tucker missed his third day due to personal reasons. ... Safety Elijah Fields (foot), tight end Nate Byham (headaches) and defensive tackle Mick Williams (shoulder) all returned to practice. The Panthers were still without tackle Lucas Nix (leg infection), tight end Dorin Dickerson (hamstring), wide receiver Cedric McGee (hamstring), linebackers Tristan Roberts (shoulder) and Greg Williams (shoulder), and Sheard (knee). ... The best position battle at camp is at left guard where redshirt sophomore Chris Jacobson and senior Joe Thomas have split reps throughout camp. At this point head coach Dave Wannstedt said it is too close to call. "We're going to split reps with them on Saturday [in the second scrimmage] and then make a decision," he said. ... Freshman Dan Mason (Penn Hills High School) has made a strong case to be the backup to Adam Gunn at middle linebacker.