4-1-Zoo: Sunseri playing off experience, offseason work

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Pitt coach Todd Graham has his players wearing shirts that read "pay the price" on the front and "keep the change" on the back.

"Pay the price" means working to Graham's high expectations for Pitt football — he bluntly says he expects a Big East championship and appearance in the BCS National Championship Game. That appearance would be a big change from disappointing seasons under former coach Dave Wannstedt — "keep the change."

The focal point of that change is quarterback Tino Sunseri, who will lead Pitt's offense through arguably the biggest shift of offensive schemes in program history. No longer will the Panthers' offense resemble the ones you see every Sunday in the NFL.

Rather, Pitt will operate out of the shotgun and snap the ball every 15 seconds, adopting many of the techniques that have made spread offenses so successful and popular throughout college football.

It's safe to assume Sunseri had a busy summer preparing for the upcoming season.

"I wanted to make sure my foot quickness was there, that I was doing drops every day, that I was stronger," Sunseri said. "I felt last year that I was very weak going in to the season, and in the season I wasn't physically strong enough. I really devoted myself in to the weight room and made sure that I got strong enough to where, maybe stepping in to the pocket I would be able to shed a tackler and pick up some yards or be able to extend the play and be able to make a throw down the field.

"I wanted to make sure I was working as hard as I can so that I could make those runs and make those throws in the crucial times in the game. I feel like I've done that this summer."

Sunseri threw for 2,572 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2010, but he and the team went through inconsistent stretches. He threw two interceptions as the Panthers got off to a 1-2 start, punctuated by a 31-3 drubbing at home to Miami.

However, in his next five games Sunseri threw nine touchdowns to just two interceptions and 1,152 yards as Pitt went 4-1. Then in the final four games of the regular season he threw for just three touchdowns and four interceptions as Pitt went 2-2 to finish an underwhelming 7-5 on the year.

While Pitt's record wasn't completely a result of Sunseri's play, more consistency could have helped. This summer he said he put in the work as both an athlete and a leader in order to provide a higher level of play behind center in 2011.

"I have to go out there and I have to be the vocal leader, I have to be the standard," Sunseri said. "Not necessarily the standard that people can uphold. I have to be the standard above everybody else. I embrace that. I took that upon myself and understand what I need to do.

"I'm gonna make sure I keep doing that throughout the summer. I kept on getting better and better and I feel that I'm at that role now. I feel like I can keep getting better each and every day."

Coach Graham has taken notice.

"The one thing that I have been very impressed with is just how much stronger coach Griswold has gotten Tino Sunseri," he said. "Tino has actually done work but he has been getting stronger and has put a lot more velocity on his ball. "

Graham added after practice on Wednesday that "the most positive thing today was how efficient Tino is being in the new system. "

Efficiency is going to have to come quick for Pitt, which has one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country. Week 3 features a trip to Iowa to play the Hawkeyes, followed by a visit from Notre Dame to Heinz Field in Week 4.

Utah, which beat the Panthers in overtime, 27-24, to start 2010, visits on Oct. 15 as well.

Sunseri's teammates have expressed only confidence in their quarterback, though, and have little doubt he'll be ready to go come Week 1.

"As a quarterback, you definitely have the toughest job," running back Ray Graham said. "You have to know everything (about) what's going on. Starting from last year and leading up to this year, I think he's doing very well. He's a leader."

Sunseri feels the same, expressing confidence in himself and the rest of the team. It could be, as Graham says, because he's paying the price.

"I'm the ultimate voice. It's always going to be positive," he said. "I'm the one that never wants to discourage, I want to encourage. I'm going to make sure that everyone's enthused and if we stall, 'It's fine. We're gonna get the ball back and we're gonna try and make a drive. Our defense can hold 'em.'"

And it all starts in just 18 days. That change is coming pretty soon.

"The only expectations that we have," Sunseri said, "is getting our minds right for Buffalo."

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Chris Gates | Area 4-1-Zoo Blog
Twitter.com/Chris_Gates
Chris.Gates@cbsradio.com