When Pitt shakes out the spot at right tackle, the other will likely see time at other spots along the line — likely at left tackle. Jason Pinkston and Joe Thomas are both trying to claim the spot, and both seem to have to get over mental blocks more than physical.

It isn’t Pinkston’s rust that worries the Pitt coaches, but his excess baggage. The 6-4 Pinkston played at 289 pounds last season but is now 310 after missing time following the death of his mother, Martha, of breast cancer on May 15. She was 48.

“It’s so hard to deal with. Every day, you’re going through something,” Pinkston said. “I didn’t want to do anything. I didn’t want to come around, see anyone, talk to anyone. Everyone would call and say, ‘You’ll be all right.’ I’d say, ‘You don’t understand.’ She was there for everything. She hated watching me play but she went (to games to show support) for me. I always catch myself thinking about her. She’s on my mind all the time.”

After being named to The Sporting News’ Big East All-Freshman team in 2006, Thomas lost his starting job first to McGlynn and then John Bachman before regaining it for the season finale. After returning to tackle – where he starred at Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward High – Thomas knew a change was necessary after struggling this past spring against Pitt’s speedy defensive ends.

“It was big-time just a realization that this team is really young and I’m one of the older guys now. I’ve got to grow up and show a little leadership and get out of the childish age,” said Thomas, who claims to be quicker since slimming down from 315. “Now, I’m using that as big-time motivation in moving out to right tackle. Freshman year, I proved myself. I gained doubters last year. I let people down. I wasn’t playing up to where I should have been and let myself get sloppy.”

See, Pitt does have an offensive lineman that comes in at over 300 pounds.

Thomas’ struggles against the faster DEs is part of why he isn’t playing left tackle anymore. Instead, the job appears to belong to redshirt freshman Jordan Gibbs. Thomas has slimmed down and is saying the right things, but he does have to back it up.

Which lends credence to what Coach Wannstedt said about new OL Coach Tony Wise not feeling bound to older players and no depth chart. Gibbs was solid in the spring practices and regularly went up against DE Greg Romeus.

“I would say that the most important thing was that Jordan had himself 20 days of continuous practice (in spring drills) and didn’t miss one snap, one single drill. He was there the whole time, and he did very, very well against guys that were good players,” Pitt offensive line coach Tony Wise said. “I said, ‘There’s no reason to disrupt this.’ With Jason coming back, even though he’s played, he’s coming back from injury and having no spring practice, I think it’s important that we let Jordan stay there and let Joe and Jason fight it out. If Jason does a great job, boom, we put him over.”

Gibbs in claiming the left tackle starting spot already jumped senior Chase Clower.

I think Pinkston can still grab the left tackle starting spot. It will take, however, showing the coaches that he has his motivation back and either shedding the weight or showing he it isn’t as much of an issue.

The quotes from Pinkston, though, don’t suggest that he is there. Understandably, it sounds like the loss of his mother is not something he can compartmentalize at this point.