PITTSBURGH — Dave Wannstedt's second spring as football coach at Pittsburgh is a whole lot different than his first.

Last year, Wannstedt returned to his alma mater and inherited a program ranked in the preseason polls and coming off a winning season.

This year, the Panthers have the same expectations, but plenty of work to do following a 5-6 season.

The Panthers opened their second spring camp under Wannstedt on Monday with more confidence and renewed enthusiasm.

"Everybody's comfortable now, and everybody knows what's going on," middle linebacker H.B. Blades said. "Last year, everybody was feeling each other out, but we know what everybody else can do now.

"And that way, we can go out and make everybody else better. And we know what the coaches expect from us, so nothing surprises us now."

Blades is entering his fourth season as a starter. Last year, he led Pitt with 67 solo tackles and 121 total stops. He is the unquestioned defensive leader.

On offense, quarterback and fifth-year senior Tyler Palko leads the way.

"I think, as a player becomes a veteran, his biggest confidence in a leadership role comes in his speaking on and off the field," defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said.

"Players like H.B. and Tyler always lead by how they play and how they perform, "Rhoads said. "But when they get to that age in their careers when they're 100 percent comfortable in what they're doing, they don't mind speaking up and kicking somebody in the tail or even grabbing them by the facemask if that's what it takes."

While Blades appeared to make a seamless transition from outside linebacker to the middle, Palko struggled with the new offense under Wannstedt and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh after flourishing in the second half of the previous season under Walt Harris.

Palko completed more than 56 percent of his passes for nearly 2,400 yards and 17 touchdowns with nine interceptions. But he struggled in three straight losses to open the season, and Wannstedt's once-promising return to his alma mater fizzled in a 1-4 start.

"It's going to be easier for everybody, because the system isn't as new," Palko said. "But on offense, you're continually learning. It's not like we have guys in their 14th year here ... It's a constant learning process of your reads and continuing to progress through the offense so you can master it.

"It's going to be a little easier, because it's not so foreign, and we're all speaking the same language now. We might be at step one or two, but it's going to be a continual learning process for everybody on offense."

Notes: Three players expected to start in the fall will not take part in Pitt's spring workouts. OLB Brian Bennett (knee), SS Mike Phillips (ankle) and DL Gus Mustakas (shoulder) are all coming off surgery and will practice on a limited basis, but not take part in scrimmages. ... The Panthers will be in pads for their third practice session Thursday.