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Q: What redshirt freshman offensive lineman do you see making the biggest impact?

John Venturella, Harwick

Zeise: It is hard to say because it is hard to judge what the depth chart will look like once everyone is back. Let's assume the starters (from left tackle to right) are Jason Pinkston, C.J. Davis, Robb Houser, John Malecki and Joe Thomas. If that happens, none of the redshirt freshmen will be asked to start. But tackle Jordan Gibbs and either John Fieger or Chris Jacobson at guard will make the two-deep.

Q: With all the talk about Brandon Lindsey, Max Gruder and Tristan Roberts at linebacker, how do you see Shayne Hale fitting into this mix?

Kevin Oleksa, Johnstown

Zeise: Exactly how you'd hope every freshman does -- by having to work hard in order to earn his way on to the depth chart. It also depends on Hale; if he comes in weighing 250 or more he'll be putting his hand on the ground and moving up to defensive end. If he comes in at 240 or below, he'll get a chance to battle with Max Gruder and Steve Dell at middle linebacker. But like I had said in previous Q&A, none of these freshmen are being relied on to make an impact this year and that's way you'd like it.

Q: What are your early impressions of the new coaches on the staff and how are the players reacting to them? Has Dave Wannstedt changed his approach to coaching because of the new staff members?

Brian Hurley, Allentown, Pa.

Zeise: Wannstedt is now more involved with the special teams. Tony Wise is described by the players as more of a teacher than the previous offensive line coach. Phil Bennett seems to be a high-energy, fiery guy as does the new linebackers coach Joe Tumpkin. And the new receivers coach, Bryan Bossard, seems to pretty easy-going guy with a good sense of humor who the players really like a lot. But much like last year with the hiring of Buddy Morris, I can't make a judgment as to how much of an impact new assistant coaches have until the season starts and we see the team playing games. In the case of Buddy Morris, for instance, he's been here more than a year and it is easy to see the difference in the fitness level, conditioning and strength of this team, and in particular the upperclassmen who had worked with the previous strength staff, so it is easy to make the case that yes, that was a good hire. I can't make a case either way on any of these other guys yet because they haven't done anything yet.

Q: Your outlook and optimism for the upcoming season really has me excited. What games do you have circled on the 2008 schedule as being the ones that will define the season and the direction this program is headed in?

John Morrison, Ogdensburg

Zeise: Clearly the Notre Dame and Iowa games will be important because Pitt really needs to get through the non-conference slate 4-1 to have a chance to get to nine wins and that means beating one of those teams. I also think that the Panthers need to make sure they beat Louisville and Rutgers here and win at Syracuse and Cincinnati because those are three games this team is too talented to lose. That would get them to eight wins and the rest of the games would be gravy as they'd be underdogs in all four but they'd would have a real chance to win at least two of them. Again, a lot can happen between now and then and you can't take anything for granted, but I think Pitt fans should expect nothing less than 8-4.