Pitt had its final practice yesterday in preparation for the annual Blue-Gold spring football game, and Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt felt the same way about this spring as he does every other one.

"We need about 15 more of these [practices], that's what we need," Wannstedt said. "I'm sure every coach around the country would say that, but that's where we are at. I thought overall, outside of one or two days when we were not emotionally and mentally in it, we had a productive spring.

"I thought we've for the most part accomplished our goals and objectives that we set out to this spring and we have a better feel for how our depth chart will look.

"I think we also have gotten a chance to get the new coaches coming in a good opportunity to get acquainted with the players and the players acquainted with them and their style. That is all good stuff."

Wannstedt said the tough part about spring practice is that it progressively builds up to a meaningless exhibition and then the players get the next three months off.

He said for young players, and he used redshirt freshman corner Buddy Jackson as an example, this is the point where they are ready to compete for a starting job because of the knowledge gained in the past four weeks.

Jackson, competing with junior Jovani Chappel for the starting corner spot opposite Aaron Berry, and others like him will basically have to start over when training camp begins in August.

That's why the Blue-Gold game at 6 p.m. tomorrow at Heinz Field is an important part of the coaches evaluation heading into the offseason. It stands as somewhat of a final exam for the players who are trying to break into the starting lineup or make the two-deep.

"It is basically the third scrimmage we have during the spring, and we have always said that there is a little more emphasis in terms of grading scrimmages from a mental mistake aspect and from an effort standpoint," Wannstedt said.

"This will be graded by the coaches, and if you start comparing guys and two guys are close, then this definitely can be a determining factor as to who is at the top of the depth chart at a given position."

One position up for grabs at the start of the spring has begun to sort itself out. Redshirt junior Bill Stull will go into the offseason as the starting quarterback.

That's not much of a surprise because Wannstedt has said all along that Stull has been ahead of the other quarterbacks, but yesterday he went one step further and said if the Panthers had to play a game this weekend, "Bill would start."

And perhaps more telling is the fact that Stull is the only quarterback who will wear a red (non-contact) jersey in the Blue-Gold game.

The other three scholarship quarterbacks -- Pat Bostick, Kevan Smith and Greg Cross -- will be subject to live hitting. Wannstedt said it is for precautionary reasons because Stull is coming off a thumb injury. But the fact that he is the likely starter next season was a part of that decision.

Even though Stull is in the lead, Wannstedt said all four quarterbacks have played well this spring, Stull just has been the most consistent.

"I have been pleased with them all. They all bring a little something, they have all improved," Wannstedt said. "I think Billy's arm is stronger, Pat has lost weight and his arm is stronger, Kevan has had a good solid spring.

"I came out of last spring not feeling good about either quarterback," Wannstedt said of the competition between Stull and Smith last year. "I thought both were just OK, but I'd feel better about all four of these guys."

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NOTES -- The spring game is being built around a lot of university sponsored activities. The day kicks off with an autograph session with current players and coaches at 4 p.m., followed by an autograph session with a number of former Panthers in the NFL, such as Darrelle Revis, Tyler Palko, Charles Spencer and Ruben Brown. ... There is also a Fan Fest, complete with game day activities, live music and entertaining and a pep rally, which will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. ... Parking for the game in Gold Lots 1 and 2 is $5. ... The game will also be broadcast on both the NFL Network and WPCW with Bob Pompeani doing the play-by-play and Wannstedt serving as the color analyst.