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Monday, April 08, 2002

By Shelly Anderson, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Knowing the receiving corps would be inexperienced and a little thin this spring, the Pitt staff did what a lot of coaches do. It went looking for walk-on help.

The Panthers didn't have to look far to find someone.

J.B. Gibboney, a redshirt sophomore place-kicker who hopes to become the starter this year, impressed Coach Walt Harris and offensive coordinator/receivers coach J.D. Brookhart with his speed and moves during winter conditioning in February.

They asked, Gibboney said yes, and now the 5-foot-9, 165-pound graduate of Huntingdon High School is a two-way player. He's using his hands and his feet.

For spring practices, anyway.

"I like wide receiver," Gibboney said. "I haven't done it in three years, since high school, but it's fun and it's a great experience for me. If we go on away games and someone gets hurt, I'd be an extra guy to have there that knows what's going on."

The only concern would be getting hurt by making a mistake and leaving himself open to a hard hit by a larger defender, but he doesn't think that will happen.

"I think I'm picking up everything pretty well," Gibboney said. "I'm a lot smaller than everybody, so it's a smaller target to hit, so I'm not worried about getting hit. But I've been hit before.

"As long as it doesn't affect my kicking, I'm not worried about it. Kicking is my No. 1 thing."

Gibboney has not attempted a field goal or extra point in college but hopes to replace Nick Lotz, who was the starting kicker as a senior last fall. It behooves him to wow the coaches at his real position now, before freshman David Abdul arrives in the fall. Abdul is a scholarship kicker from Massillon Washington High School in Ohio.

"Now it's my chance," Gibboney said. "I can't worry about [Abdul]. The best player will win. I'm confident in my abilities."

Number game

When Pitt assigned Monroe Weekley uniform No. 10 last fall upon his arrival from Aliquippa High School, it was a meaningful gesture.

It was one way for the Panthers to assure the freshman they were serious about keeping him at linebacker despite his burgeoning size. Linemen wear higher numbers.

After a redshirt season, Weekley is still wearing No. 10, still at linebacker.

"They're keeping their word, and I kept my word to play linebacker as best I could," he said.

Weekley, 6 feet 3, at first was reluctant to divulge his weight. "I have put on a few pounds, but it hasn't hurt me for now.".

Then he relented and said he is at 250. That's the same weight at which he was listed last fall.

He needn't worry. Harris doesn't seem to think Weekley is about to force a move to the line.

"He's got a lot of room for growth," Harris said. "Up top, he can pack it up there. And he's got real big legs. He's got a good body type.

"More importantly, though, he's real enthusiastic about playing linebacker."

Weekley is contending with another redshirt freshman, Mike Jemison, for the No. 2 middle linebacker spot behind returning starter Gerald Hayes.

Quick hits

Plans for parking for the spring-ending Blue-Gold Game Saturday at Heinz Field should be announced early this week. There also is a Pirates game that afternoon. ... Weather conditions have forced Pitt to practice indoors for 11 of their first 12 practices this spring. ... The Panthers, who open the season Aug. 31 against Ohio University, have the second-longest winning streak in Division I football. They closed the 2001 season with six victories, including one in the Tangerine Bowl. Miami has the longest winning streak in the NCAA at 22 games.