Tyler Palko

• Five former Pitt players who are now members of the Arizona Cardinals visited the Panthers at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex on Thursday before their preseason game against the Steelers at Heinz Field. All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Gerald Hayes, quarterback Tyler Palko, running back LaRod Stephens-Howling and secondary coach Teryl Austin took turns speaking to Pitt players. "Ever since I've been back here, I've been trying to bring alive our great tradition. That's one thing we have here that a lot of schools don't have around the country," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "Those are the guys that made this program. It was awful nice of them to come by and spend a little time, and they all said something to our team. Hopefully, it sticks with a few guys and makes a difference with a couple guys."

• Wannstedt said he was "pleased" with the placekicker competition between Kevin Harper and Dan Hutchins and called it "a good problem."

"They both kicked the ball well today," Wannstedt said. "It's going to be a tough decision, but it's going to be a good decision either way because we have two guys that can do it."

• Sophomore Andrew Taglianetti replaced redshirt junior Elijah Fields at free safety with the first-team defense because of what Wannstedt termed an "internal issue" involving Fields on Wednesday. "Elijah will be back working with the first group," Wannstedt said. "He hasn't started yet. He hasn't done anything. We're being very demanding on these players. It's not just what happens on the field."