Pitt Football: 7 Items on the Summer 'to-Do' List

The Pittsburgh Panthers are coming off a very disappointing 2010 season and are looking to improve since parting ways with head coach Dave Wannstedt. 

The Panthers brought in Todd Graham to take over as head coach, and with his new system and new attitude, Pitt looks to become the BCS Bowl Contender they were at the beginning of last season.

Here are seven items on the Panther's summer to-do list that will turn them into the team they wanted to be at the start of last season. 

Implement Todd Graham's Spread Offense

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Tino Sunseri #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers calls a play in the huddle during the game against the Miami Hurricanes on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Todd Graham will be bringing in a new spread offense to use at Pitt, and it is important for the Panthers to get comfortable with it before the season starts.

Graham's offense ranked fifth in yards per game and sixth in points per game in the FBS at Tulsa and dominated opponents, averaging about 505 yards and 41 points per game.

This offense should work well Graham's first season and will only get better after a few years of recruiting.

The Panthers need to get their offense back on track if they look to once again contend for a BCS Bowl birth, and the new spread offense will help them to do that.

Turn Tino Sunseri into a Dominant Spread Offense Quarterback

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Tino Sunseri #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Tony Sunseri had a solid season last year for the Panthers, throwing for around 2500 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Graham's new offense should mean better statistics for the QB and more explosive plays.

The Panthers need to turn Sunseri into an expert of their new offense and allow for him to run the show if they are going to contend this year.

Sunseri has a couple of nice offensive weapons in place around him, and there is no doubt this year's Panther offense should be better than last seasons. 

Turn Devin Street into the Great Wideout He Can Become

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

University of Central Florida offensive linemen set to block against Pitt Oct. 13, 2006 in Orlando. Pitt led at half time 38 - 0. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Devin Street as a get body for a wide receiver. At 6' 4" 190 pounds and a 40 yard dash time between 4.4 and 4.5, Street has the potential to become a great receiver at Pitt.

The new spread offense will only help Street turn into the statistical beast he should become, and a big jump in production from him shouldn't be surprising.

Pitt's offense will need a new force since Jonathon Baldwin left to the NFL, and Street has the potential to fill the void left by him.

With some hard work and good coaching, Devin Street could become dominant by the end of next season.

Implement the New 3-4 Defense

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 02: Mick Williams #95 of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates a defensive stop during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on October 2, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo

Graham will also bring in a new style of defense, and his 3-4 scheme should work very well for the Panthers.

The 3-4 defense gets after the quarterback, and Pitt's sack numbers should improve as well as their tackle for loss statistics.

Development of the new defense this summer should greatly improve the Panthers overall and should help bring them back to contention. 

Turn Brandon Lindsey Loose

Brandon Lindsey will dominate in the new 3-4 defense Pitt.

Lindsey lead the team in sacks and tackles for loss last season, and once he understands the philosophies of his new coach's defense, he will only get better.

Lindsey has to be the force on defense Pitt needs, and with a productive year from him, Pitt could have one of the best defenses in the Big East this season. 

Get Tougher

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: The Pittsburgh Panthers celebrate a 19-17 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels after their game on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Pitt Panthers had an extremely disappointing season last year for many different reasons, but most disappointing teams have problems with mental and physical toughness.

This summer, Pitt players need to learn an entire new offensive system, but they also need to learn how to get tough.

A long summer of workouts and practice can do a lot for a team X's and O's wise, but they can also develop mental toughness that will help them when adversity strikes during the season.

Pitt needs to get better football wise this summer, but also intangibles wise and in football, intangibles can make all the difference.

Develop an Identity Under Todd Graham

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 11: The new University of Pittsburgh head football coach Todd Graham speaks to the media during a press conference at the University of Pittsburgh Panthers South Side training facility on January 11, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylv

One of the most important things a new coach can do his first summer with a team is set an example for the get-go.

Todd Graham needs to develop an identity for his team and turn Pitt back into the contenders they were a year ago.

Graham needs to set the tone in practice so this team can develop into the group he wants them to become, similar to what he did at his past coaching jobs that were very successful.