Big East: Gus Mustakas
Biggest shoes to fill in the Big East
- Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati: The Bearcats aren't exactly hurting at wide receiver with Armon Binns, D.J. Woods and USC transfer Vidal Hazelton around. Still, someone must replace Gilyard's leadership and knack for making the big play at crucial times. What might be even more difficult to replace is Gilyard's production on special teams. The two-time Big East special teams player of the year was always a threat to score on kickoffs and punt returns. And hopefully someone will step in Gilyard's role as the best quote in the entire conference.
- Tim Brown, WR, Rutgers: Brown may not have received a ton of attention nationally, but he was vitally important to the Scarlet Knights. The speedster averaged 20.9 yards per catch and amassed 1,150 receiving yards and nine touchdowns as the team's only true deep threat. With a still very young receiving corps surrounding Tom Savage, Rutgers will need to find someone who can stretch the field the way Brown did.
- Mick Williams, DT, Pittsburgh: The 2009 co-defensive player of the year in the conference, Williams was a wildly disruptive force in the middle of that Panthers defensive line, as well as an inspirational leader. With fellow senior tackle Gus Mustakas also gone, Pitt needs more production from backups Myles Caragein and Chas Alecxih, among others.
- Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers: McCourty was an underappreciated gem for the Scarlet Knights, a lockdown cornerback who also was seemingly everywhere on special teams. He was the leader of the secondary. Guys with his skills don't come around that often.
- Reed Williams, LB, West Virginia: The Mountaineers had to deal with Williams' absence for most of 2008 and at times this past season because of various injuries. But it was clear that they were a different team whenever Williams was healthy. A smart player (he's the 2009 Big East football scholar-athlete of the year ) who anchored the defense at middle linebacker, Williams was like a coach on the field.
- George Selvie and Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida: Say what you will about Selvie's dwindling production, but opposing offense still always had to account for him. And Pierre-Paul ascended to star status in his one year on campus. Combined, the two produced 26 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2009. The Bulls now need the next wave of pass-rushers to emerge, with former stud recruit Ryne Giddins one possible candidate.
Romeus was co-defensive player of the year in the Big East this past season, sharing the honor with teammate and defensive tackle Mick Williams. He had eight sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss this season, and one offensive coordinator told me that Romeus was the hardest guy in the league to prepare for.
There aren't many specimens like Romeus. He's 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds with a ton of speed and athleticism. He played basketball until late in his high school career. Romeus is still a bit raw because of that and can use another year of development under Dave Wannstedt and Greg Gattuso.
Had Romeus left -- and he would have almost certainly been a first-day NFL pick -- the Panthers would have had to replace three-fourths of their starting defensive line, which was the best in the Big East. Williams was a senior, as was fellow tackle Gus Mustakas. Instead, Romeus will team with senior-to-be Jabaal Sheard to form the most fearsome pair defensive ends in the league in 2010. Pitt will still have to field new starters on the interior line, but Myles Caragein played well as a sophomore and the talent is there from Wannstedt's strong recruiting efforts.
With Romeus, Sheard, offensive player of the year Dion Lewis and supremely talented receiver Jonathan Baldwin back, Pitt will have the strongest core of returning stars in the Big East next season. While they still have some other major holes to fill, namely at quarterback, cornerback and on the O-line, the Panthers will have to be strongly considered among the favorites to win the league.
Star-studded defensive lines collide in Pitt-USF game
One of the most interesting debates you could have in the preseason about the Big East was trying to figure out which team had the better defensive line between Pittsburgh and South Florida.
 |
|
| George Gojkovich/Getty Images | |
| Greg Romeus (91) and Mick Williams (95) have led a stout Pitt defensive line. |
The debate could be settled this Saturday, when South Florida takes on the Panthers in Heinz Field. Fans will be treated to two defensive lines stacked with pass-rushing menaces and future pros.
"I think there are a lot of similarities," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "One is the scheme, because we're both 4-3 teams. And we both turn our D-linemen loose, if you will. We play aggressively with those guys up front."
Both lines feature top candidates for the Big East defensive player of the year award, including South Florida defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul (8.5 tackles for loss) and George Selvie (three sacks) and Pitt defensive end Greg Romeus (seven sacks) and tackle Mick Williams (11.5 tackles for loss). Jabaal Sheard, Romeus' counterpart at the other end spot, continues to be one of the more underrated players in the league.
While both lines have some big guys -- Bulls tackle Terrell McClain is 6-foot-3, 306 pounds, and Williams and fellow Pitt tackle Gus Mustakas are strong as oxen -- both lines share preferences for speed over size. Selvie, for example, was a high school center who has worked most of his career to put on weight, while Romeus was a slender high school basketball player who has bulked up to 270 pounds.
 |
|
| Cliff Welch/Icon SMI | |
| South Florida's Jason Pierre-Paul has 8.5 tackles for loss this season. |
One major key to the game will be how both offensive lines hold up under the massive pressure. Pitt has allowed only six sacks in seven games, ranking 13th in the FBS in that statistic. But its O-line has not seen a D-line as fearsome as South Florida's yet.
The Bulls have given up 11 sacks in six games, but Cincinnati had four in last week 34-17 win in Tampa. B.J. Daniels' scrambling ability probably has saved at least a half-dozen or more additional sacks. Still, this unit came into the year as the team's biggest question mark.
"We were supposed to be the weakest link of the team," center Sampson Genus said, "and so far, we're doing pretty well."
I asked Romeus if he and his teammates were looking at this week as a chance to prove they have the Big East's best defensive line. He chuckled.
"We went into the season wanting to be the best in the conference and the country," he said. "That's something we're trying to accomplish every week, regardless of who we're playing."
Yet there's no getting around the fact that Saturday's game will provide a feast for those who like watching the trenches.
"I think it's going to be a defensive game, and obviously it starts up front," Romeus said. "Whichever D-line comes up big will have a big sway in who ends up winning the game."
Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
- Syracuse needs to find more balance in its offense, Donnie Webb writes in the Syracuse Post-Standard.
- Pitt's Gus Mustakas says the defense has been sloppy in practice, which may be leading to the Panthers' breakdowns in games, Ralph Paulk writes in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- The Charleston Daily Mail's Mike Casazza looks at how West Virginia offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen calls a game.
- Being unranked might be the best thing for South Florida right now, Martin Fennelly writes in the Tampa Tribune.
- Greg Schiano is still unsure of Tom Savage's status, Keith Sargeant writes in the Home News Tribune.
Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
On the series before he suffered a career-ending knee injury, Matt Grothe sprained his shoulder so bad that he wouldn't have played this week anyway, Brett McMurphy reports in the Tampa Tribune.
"We were up 21-0 and I was going to get on the head phones and tell Chico [offensive coordinator Mike Canales in the press box] that I don't want to go back in because my shoulder hurts," Grothe said. "But then our defense made a big play [forcing a punt], and I was like, 'No, I'll go back in for one more series.'
"The rest was history."
Grothe also says he thinks he'd been playing with a partially-torn ACL for the past two years.
- Rutgers safety Joe Lefeged returns to his home state of Maryland two years after his controversial helmet-to-helmet hit on a Terrapins quarterback, Tom Luicci writes in The Star-Ledger.
- Isaiah Pead seemed destined to go to Ohio State, but Cincinnati is sure glad he didn't, Bill Koch writes in the Cincinnati Enquirer.
- Pitt's Gus Mustakas has recovered from a knee injury, and the defensive tackle is playing the best football of his career, Ralph Paulk says in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- UConn's offensive line is leading the way, Desmond Conner says in the Hartford Courant.
- West Virginia's Jarrett Brown says he sees passing as just "a long handoff," Mike Casazza writes in the Charleston Daily Mail.
- Red has meant stop for Louisville in the red zone this season, C.L. Brown writes in The Courier-Journal.
- The Syracuse Post-Standard's Donnie Webb examines three small moments that led to Syracuse's victory over Northwestern.
Fields, Pitt defense face challenges this week and beyond
Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
When Pittsburgh's scout team simulates Navy's offense for the Panthers defense, it does so without a ball.
That reinforces to each Pitt defender that he must tackle his man and not try to anticipate where the ball will be pitched. That's a key in trying to slow down the Midshipmen's confusion-causing triple-option attack.
"Everyone has a responsibility," defensive lineman Gus Mustakas said. "When you get in trouble is when somebody tries to be a hero."
Pittsburgh's veterans should be familiarized with the Navy offense by now as the two teams will meet for the third straight year Saturday at Heinz Field. Navy won at Pitt 48-45 two years ago, but the Panthers rolled to a 42-21 victory in Annapolis last season.
Pitt did a good job of stuffing the run last year and should be in good shape this week with a stout but fast defensive line. It may actually be the Navy passing game that Dave Wannstedt's team has to worry about.
Midshipmen quarterback Ricky Dobbs completed 9 of 13 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns while nearly leading his team to an upset at Ohio State in Week 1.
"Just when you think you've found a comfort zone and you really get up there and stop the run is when they throw it," Wannstedt said. "They truly put a lot of pressure on you and in particular on your defensive backs. They've got to play the pass, but you need them up there to stop the run."
The Panthers' defensive backs have been drawing lots of attention, and the wrong kind, in the past few days. They gave up 433 passing yards to Buffalo in Saturday's 54-27 win. Included in those numbers were a 54-yard touchdown and a 67-yard score.
Wannstedt said he's "not in a panic state" over his secondary problems, and that last week's breakdowns came as a result of some missed tackles and overrunning of plays. Still, the defensive backfield took a hit when starting safety Andrew Taglianetti suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
That means Elijah Fields will have to step forward at safety. Fields, a junior, has long been considered one of Pitt's most naturally talented players, but he has also been in and out of Wannstedt's doghouse for much of his career. He was widely assumed to be the starter this year but got beaten out by Taglianetti.
Pitt didn't make Fields available to the media this week, as Wannstedt said he wanted him to focus on his upcoming assignment. Fields got off to a good start last week with seven tackles and an interception against Buffalo.
"Elijah has gone through a lot here at Pitt," Wannstedt said. "Now he's got another opportunity, and I do believe he will take advantage of it. He understands that this is an important time of season for us, and a lot of people are depending on him."
In the first two weeks, opposing offenses have tried to neutralize Pitt's outstanding defensive line with quarterback rollouts and quick three step-drops. It's clear that the book on how to beat the Panthers is get into that secondary before the pressure comes.
"We're going to get a lot of that this year," Mustakas said. "We can't let that frustrate us and start trying to do too much. We have to stay calm, and the five-step drop stuff will come."
The pass coverage concerns need to be addressed, because good passing teams like Cincinnati, Notre Dame and West Virginia still loom on the schedule. And even Rutgers might be more proficient in that area as Tom Savage continues to develop.
That's for down the road, though. Pitt's focus this week has to be on stopping the often tricky Navy offense, both on the ground and through the air.
Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
Greg Romeus managed to wolf down four lobsters and had thoughts about many more at last week's Big East clam bake before the buffet line ran out of crustaceans.
"I could have definitely kept going," he said.
Big East offensive linemen already know what a terror the Pittsburgh defensive end can be when he's got a full head of steam. Now here's a scary thought for them: Romeus should be much better this year.
 | |
| Matt Cashore/US Presswire | |
| Pitt's Greg Romeus hopes to improve on the 7.5 sacks he recorded last season. |
As a sophomore, the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder registered 7.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in his first year as a starter. But he wasn't all that happy with the way he played.
For one thing, Romeus had to deal with nagging back pain throughout the year. That has since been rectified, thanks to minor surgery in the offseason.
"I don't want to use it as an excuse, but it affected my pad level and things like that," he said. "Now I'm a lot stronger and I'm able to bend better. I think it will make me better on the pass rush."
And though his size and athleticism belies it, Romeus still didn't really know what he was doing all the time on the field last year. The former basketball player didn't get involved with organized football until his senior year of high school. After three years of coaching (he redshirted his first season), Romeus is now starting to feel like he understands the nuances of the game.
"I couldn't even get in a stance when I first got here," he said. "I think I've improved, but I've still got so much to learn. I made a lot of mistakes last year and there were a lot of things I messed up that I shouldn't do again this year."
He and fellow junior Jabaal Sheard (5.5 sacks, 10.5 TFLs in '08) form the most imposing pair of defensive ends in the league. Romeus said he and Sheard push each other every day in practice, talking smack about who can get to the quarterback first and most often.
With those two, senior tackles Mick Williams and Gus Mustakas and plenty of depth behind them, Pitt ought to have the most formidable and experienced defensive line in the Big East, with the possible exception of South Florida.
"We're going to go out and work hard to try and get better every day," Romeus said. "But I think we can have one of the best defensive lines in the country.
Catching up with Pitt defensive coordinator Phil Bennett
I've written in this space before that I think Pittsburgh could have the best defense in the Big East this year.
But what does the man in charge of that defense think? I had a chance to catch up with Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Bennett this week to talk about the coming season, how he'll replace Scott McKillop and the wonders of having the fabulous last name Bennett. (OK, I made that last part up.)
 | |
| George Gojkovich/Getty Images | |
| Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Phil Bennett says the key to the Panthers defense is the secondary. |
Phil Bennett: You look at our front four, and I see great potential. I think losing (Rashaad) Duncan hurts us, but we've got some guys, with Greg Romeus, Jabaal Sheard and Mick Williams. And I'm looking for Gus Mustakas to really come back. You know, he basically played on one leg last year, and he had a good year. Right now he's healthier than anytime since I've been here
Obviously losing Scott McKillop is tough, but I like some things Steve Dell does. I'm anxious to watch Adam Gunn. I think Greg Williams has grown a year, and I'm excited about Max Gruder. In our last six games last year, I really thought we were a top 10 defense.
But for us to take the next step, I think (the key) is the secondary, even though we had the most interceptions since 1996 last year. We've got to get the best of Aaron Berry. Dom (DeCicco) came on so well last year, and I was so proud of him. We've got to find a replacement (for Eric Thatcher), and it will be a big battle between Elijah Fields and Andrew Taglianetti. I was very pleased in the spring with our other corner spot, with Jovani Chappel and also Antwaun Reed. So I think we can develop some things back there. Earlier in the year, we gave up too many plays, but I really felt we got better.
Each year brings a new chemistry. I've done this for 32 years, and I've been a coordinator for most of it, and I like the way these kids work. These guys, they have no other agenda but football, and I think Dave (Wannstedt) has done a wonderful job of managing this team. I just think, in a nutshell, we can be better than we were last year on defense.
It seems like Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard have been around a long time, but they're only now juniors. Do they still have a lot of potential for improvement?
PB: No question. Greg last year played with a sore back. Jabaal, it was his first year of playing; he only played 26 plays the year before. And Jabaal has a great sense of pride and is a true competitor. Just judging from this spring, the way he carried himself, it really excited me. I just think the sky's the limit with him, and with a healthy Greg Romeus. These guys know how to work, and it's important to them.
Replacing Scott McKillop, the 2009 Big East defensive player of the year, is no easy task. Do you feel like you have the personnel to at least account for most of his production?
PB: We're hoping. But you know, as the 49ers are finding out, and I've talked to some of their coaches, he was a pretty special player and still is. But between Steve Dell, Adam Gunn and a young man named Dan Mason we've got on campus that we're very excited about ... You know last year, a week before season, our linebacker situation (was up in the air) with Gunn and (Shane) Murray going down, and everybody was going, 'Oh, what's wrong?' And who would have thought that Austin Ransom would be, in my mind, one of the best linebackers in the Big East.
I think Max Gruder is primed for a big year. I think Greg can get better. We have some young guys behind them, like Tristan Roberts. Shane Murray is back, and I'm anxious to watch him. That's one of the things about camp that you know going in. McKillop and Thatcher are gone and who's going to pick it up. To me, all of them have to pick it up. We have to see a better Romeus, a better Sheard, a better Mick Williams.
I would think Aaron Berry also has to be one of those leaders, too, right?
PB: No question. I've been very fortunate in my career to have coached some great corners. His feet are as quick as Terrence Newman's, and I don't say that lightly. I think Aaron knows it's time and he's got to become more consistent. He's worked hard this summer and he knows what he means to this team.
He had some issues this spring and was suspended for the final couple of practices. Do you think he's got everything in order now?
PB: I do. Everybody says this, but if you've ever heard or watched me, you know I'm pretty tough on them. I'm demanding. I just think Aaron learned some lessons, as we all have, and I think we're fixing to see him step up and have the type of year that we all think he's capable of having.
I know it's early, but do you see any incoming freshmen who might earn their way into some playing time this year?
PB: I mentioned Dan Mason, and we'll give him a look. We've got a young man named Jason Hendricks that we'll look at. But it's just too early. I think Dave will tell you this, that hopefully our program is to a point where, no, we wouldn't be counting on any of them to play as freshmen. But there are variables that happen, and you have to deal with them, so we'll just have to wait and see.
You can't build a great defense without an outstanding defensive line. If you don't have run-stuffers or the ability to pressure the quarterback with your front four, then good luck.
Which Big East teams are feeling good about their trenches and which are looking for answers heading into spring practice? Let's take the temperature.
Feeling great:
• Pittsburgh: The Panthers might have the league's best pair of defensive ends in Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard. Losing nose tackle Rashaad Duncan hurts, but Pitt still has Mick Williams and Gus Mustakas to plug the middle. This was one of the Big East's best defensive lines in 2008 and should be just as good if not better in '09.
• South Florida: The Bulls should have the deepest and most talented defensive line in the league this season. Getting George Selvie back for his senior season was huge; he commands so much attention at defensive end that it opens up opportunities for everyone else. He's got a lot of help, too, with Terrell McClain, Sampson Genus, Aaron Harris, Cory Grissom and Keith McCaskill in the middle and Craig Marshall at end, plus incoming players like Jason Pierre-Paul and Ryne Giddens. This group has a chance to be among the best in the nation.
• West Virginia: The Mountaineers have very few holes to fill on defense, though they must replace one starter up front in their 3-3-5 alignment. Either Julian Miller or Larry Ford should be able to step in for Doug Slavonic, while Chris Neild and Scooter Berry are back along an underrated defensive line.
Some questions:
• Connecticut: The Huskies lost a pair of senior defensive ends and dynamic disrupters in Cody Brown and Julius Williams. The good news is that defensive tackles Kendall Reyes and Twyon Martin played well as redshirt freshmen last season, and Lindsey Witten has shown in the past that he's a capable defensive end. UConn just needs to find a playmaker or two.
• Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights lost two major contributors up front with the graduation of end Jamaal Westerman and tackle Pete Tverdov. But there are plenty of experienced players here, and if huge recruits Antwan Lowery and Isaac Holmes can pitch in this season, Rutgers should be just fine on the D-line.
Big questions:
• Cincinnati: The Bearcats don't have any returning starters on the line, which was one of their main strengths in 2008. Plus, they're likely going to switch to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Bob Diaco. This spring will be all about finding guys who are ready to play and who can fill those roles in the new alignment. Look for Curtis Young and Ricardo Matthews to be among those fighting for time.
• Louisville: Three starters are gone, leaving a whole host of question marks for the Cardinals. They seemed to be playing four defensive tackles at times last season but hope a healthy Rodney Gnat and true sophomore Greg Scruggs can add speed to the edge. Steve Kragthorpe has also added some junior college transfers to the mix to help depth. Who will start there is anyone's guess right now.
• Syracuse: This unit was thrown into limbo with the news last week that star tackle Arthur Jones needed surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. There's no timetable yet for his return. If he's not at full strength to begin the season, then Syracuse's defense takes a huge hit. The defensive line already was dealing with the loss of two starters from 2008.
Pitt defensive line reaching its potential
Pittsburgh defensive line coach Greg Gattuso thinks his unit has barely scratched the surface of its potential. He tells his players all the time that they haven't accomplished anything yet.
If so, that could be bad news for the rest of the Big East. The Panthers' defensive line is arguably the best in the league right now, especially the way it has played the past few weeks.
Pitt ranks third nationally in sacks, with 17 through five games. After a shaky start to the season, the defensive line dominated the fourth quarter against Iowa, the second half at Syracuse and most of the game versus South Florida. The scary thing is, this group is still learning and figures only to get better.
"They're starting to come on right now," Gattuso said. "It took them a little bit of time, but overall they've played pretty positive of late. I think we've got a higher level we can reach."
The two starting defensive ends, Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard, are basically "puppies," Gattuso said. Romeus is a redshirt sophomore who never played football before his senior year of high school. His football coach noticed Romeus on the basketball court and asked him to come out for the defensive line. His understanding of the game is just starting to catch up with his raw athleticism.
"When I first got here, I couldn't even get in a stance," Romeus said. "But coach never gave up on me, and we watched a lot of film together. Now that I'm a starter, I'm getting more reps and working more on my technique and footwork."
Sheard is a true sophomore who moved into a starting role this season. Gattuso said the two are figuring new things out each week, but both are quick learners who can adjust to different tactics during the game.
Neither Sheard nor Romeus is especially big for his position; Romeus is 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, while Sheard goes 6-foot-4, 240. But both run the 40-yard dash in the 4.6 or 4.7 range. That's part of Pitt's philosophy of speed over size up front. Nose tackle Rashaad Duncan is the biggest defensive lineman at 295 pounds, while tackles Mick Williams and Gus Mustakas are each about 280.
"I haven't been the strongest guy, but as a whole defensive line, speed is our biggest thing," Sheard said. "We really work on our speed and getting off the ball."
Their lack of size can sometimes leave them seriously outweighed, like they were against Iowa's massive offensive line. But the Panthers rotate seven or eight players on the line and place a heavy emphasis on conditioning.
"We might be at a little bit of a disadvantage early, but we feel like that by the end of the game our conditioning will kick in and hopefully control the fourth quarter," Gattuso said.
That's what happened in the Iowa game, when Pittsburgh rallied for a comeback win as its defense shut out the Hawkeyes in the fourth quarter. The defensive line led the way by repeatedly beating Iowa's 300-pounders.
"That game definitely boosted our confidence," Romeus said. "It came down to the defense having to make stops in the end, and we did. I think all of us as a defensive line have gotten better. We're definitely starting to mature."
The Panthers' defensive line controlled the action in last week's 26-21 upset at South Florida, holding the Bulls to two offensive scores and paving the way for four sacks of Matt Grothe.
Like the team as a whole, the defensive line has come a long way since the season-opening loss to Bowling Green. The scary part for the rest of the Big East is, the unit is nowhere near its peak.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
