It’s time once again for another installment of the War Room. As will always be the case, we begin the session with the one ground rule we have for those of you who might be new to “Between Fifth and Forbes.” All information reported in the War Room MUST stay right here! That’s the way this deal works. Sometimes the information is sensitive enough that it simply can not be repeated beyond the confines of this room. This is a special feature for premium subscribers only.
The reason this information is posted on our premium board, “Between Fifth and Forbes,” is to ensure that it stays exclusive to the Panther Nation. This will only work if each of you helps make it work – let’s not have any problems! Anyone who violates this rule or our trust will be blacklisted immediately from Pantherlair.com – no excuses, no exceptions.
From the Desk of Jim Snyder
Conference Chatter
The Big East Conference school representatives met in Newark, New Jersey this week and voted to stay with the basketball only schools. The Newark Star Ledger reported they would ask all to sign and agreement that calls for a $5.0 million exit fee and the loss of revenues during any lame duck period. This is in line with our understanding. They will ask everyone for a five-year commitment. This appears to keep them on track to invite Louisville, Cincinnati, DePaul and Marquette.
The ACC is trying to get Judge Samuel J. Sterrazza to throw the case out essentially arguing that it does not belong in a Connecticut court. We do not think they will be successful. On the other hand we thought the national “Do not call” list was a good idea. I signed up for it, but someone found a judge that disagreed. If the case stays in the state of Connecticut there is a good chance that the ACC will ultimately blink and try to settle out of court. Some sort of standstill agreement may be needed to give the new Big East time to grow as a conference. We think this may happen, but you never know for sure. The judge should rule sometime this month.
A Possible Basketball Lineup
The last we heard there is “no deal” in place regarding the conference alignment, but there is an interesting proposal on the table. The 16-team league would be divided into an East and West division. This would help cut down travel costs.
Pitt, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Louisville, Cincinnati, Marquette and DePaul would be in the West division. One other team would be added, probably Villanova.
Syracuse, UConn, St John’s, Providence, Georgetown, Boston College, Seton Hall and Rutgers would be in the East division.
Here is the kicker. They might play an 18-game conference schedule so each school can play four teams on the other side each year. This would mean in a two-year span you would play everyone in the league and over a four-year span every team would visit your arena. We like it, but what a brutal schedule. The upside is it opens up a lot of good TV games.
Quite frankly we love this proposal. It is so tough that a school’s out of conference schedule has to be very weak. Pitt could still play Duquesne and Penn State on a rotating home and away basis. They could schedule Robert Morris and St. Francis at home each year. The remaining games would all be with either be Cupcake College or the Little Sisters of the Poor University. These games would all be played at the “Pete.”
A number of posters have expressed concern that Pitt would not be playing teams on the East Coast often enough, but they assumed a 16-game conference schedule. If the 18-game proposal goes through it will help solve this problem. You would have two road trips to the East Coast every year plus the Big East tournament in Madison Square Garden. You would also have a trip to Philadelphia each year to play Villanova.
The RPI Index of the new Big East rises dramatically by taking out Virginia Tech, Miami and substituting Louisville, Marquette, Cincinnati and DePaul. The conference would also get greater television exposure in Chicago, Cincinnati, Louisville and Milwaukee. You will not be giving up much exposure to the East because many of the Pitt games will find themselves on television on the East Coast.
At this point this is just a proposal, but we like it.
Why Don’t the Football Schools just leave?
There are many reasons. Some are morality issues. Some do not want to dump on the basketball only schools as was done to them by the ACC. There are also numerous financial issues. There is the matter of an exit fee (currently $1-2 million per school). There is the contract with Madison Square Garden and the existing television contracts. One of the big drivers, however, has to do with units due the Big East Conference from the NCAA basketball tournaments. The football schools earned many of these units and some do not want to leave several million dollars on the table by simply leaving the Big East. As indicated by the meeting in Newark these issues have resulted in a decision to stay with the basketball only schools.
The down side of staying with the basketball only schools is you must divided revenues with a larger number of schools. This is not a good idea in the current TV rights fee climate. In many ways ESPN has moved into a powerful position and is able to dictate rights fees in many cases. There was a report this week that ESPN is offering the ACC less money than last time around. This appears to be true. The Big East can also expect to take a haircut for the loss of Miami and Virginia Tech. There was a reopen clause in their existing agreement. This deflationary pressure on rights fees could have colleges scrambling for ways to make up the shortfall. An extra BCS game may be added. Some may look at a conference playoff game.
It is never over until it is over
As we have witnessed with the ACC expansion these deals are never really done until the conference presidents come to an agreement and take a vote. You can really only discuss likely scenarios and items that are being discussed. As Yogi Berra once said, “It isn’t over until it is over.” Hopefully they can hold this together until the Big East presidents meet on November 4th.
Reporters have a very difficult time covering this type of story, as happened this week in the Charlotte Observer. They often end up with egg on their face. This is like watching Congress at work. Until they actually vote you are never really sure. You an only report what is likely to happen based on conversation with a few of the participants.
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Early this year we spoke to one of our “birdies” close to the Virginia Tech program. We were told that Virginia had never tried to block Virginia Tech from joining the ACC and in fact would push for their inclusion this time around. North Carolina and Duke always blocked prior attempts over the years. We then deduced that both Syracuse and Boston College would go to the ACC for fear of being left behind. It never occurred to us the ACC did not have the votes to pull the whole thing off.
Kudos to a Cavalier
Kiski Area beat Latrobe 14-0 this past week in a Quad South contest. In this game Scott McKillop became the all-time tackler at Kiski Area history with 274 career tackles. He also blocked a punt. Scott has given Pitt a verbal commitment.
Offensive Line Banged Up
Backup guard Matt Maiers has been lost for the season with a torn ACL. Pitt needs to get Justin Belarski and Rob Frederick back to prevent them from becoming very thin on the offensive line. Both centers have been suffering with foot stress fractures.
What is the Difference between Recruiting in New Jersey and Florida?
Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano was an assistant at Miami. He has recruited in both New Jersey and Florida. At this week’s Big East press teleconference he was asked by a reporter to compare the two states. He was also asked about the speed in Florida. Is there really such a thing as Florida speed?
Coach Schiano’s response: In the state of New Jersey we had 41 players sign with Division 1 schools last year. The state of Florida I think had 361. I think there are fast kids everywhere. I think there are big kids everywhere. I just think there are more of them in the state of Florida then in some of the states up here. When you look at the top 10 or 15 of them I think they are all very similar.
Reporter: What do you attribute to Florida, Texas and California in terms of sheer numbers?
Coach Schiano: I think it is a lot of things and I don’t know if I have the answer for that. I think one of the things is the sheer importance and emphasis that is placed on the game of football in those states. One of the things that Florida and Texas have is spring football. If you look at just that factor, a young man that goes through his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, they get 60 more practices than a player up in New Jersey or New York State or in an area like that. So that is a whole season’s worth of practice that these kids have. So they are one year ahead as far as development goes. I think all those things come into play and obviously the weather is a factor, kids are outdoors more. Having lived there for two years you just tend to be out of doors more just doing things. In the north when it gets cold in the wintertime there is not as much of an opportunity for young kids to be outdoors doing athletics.
Former Pitt Coach is in Deep Trouble
Former Pitt Head Coach Jackie Sherrill has been the head coach at Mississippi State for 13 years, but this could be his last one. Last year he went 3-9 and the wolves were howling all summer in the Deep South. The Bulldogs are off to a 0-4 start after a beating by LSU by a score of 41-6 this past weekend. The stadium in Starkville, MS was nearly empty in the fourth quarter. Mississippi State has a good group of freshmen and sophomores, but weak junior and senior classes. The only question now seems to be when he will be relieved, not if he will be gone.
From the desk of Harry G. Psaros
Defensive Line Recruiting
The University of Pittsburgh will soon have to replace four outstanding senior defensive linemen: Claude Harriot, Vince Crochunis, Jake Holthaus and Dan Stephens. Coach Harris and staff have been actively recruiting several blue-chip prospects. Rugged defensive lineman Craig Bokor from Hopewell High School has already been added to the Panthers Class of 2004. Bokor is a powerful 280-pound lineman with the frame to carry an additional 10 to 20 pounds of muscle.
Let’s take a look at several prospects that currently rank the Panthers “high” on their list of schools:
• Kenny Love Jr. (6’ 4” 275) from the Pennington School in Pennington, NJ. The Panthers currently lead for his services. Love almost verbally committed over the summer. Clemson, Michigan State and Nebraska will provide the Panthers stiff competition in the future. All three schools are in close contact and attempting to usurp Pittsburgh on the top of Love’s list. Kenny is a powerful player with speed to match (4.9 forty-yard dash). Rumor has it that Love will remind many of former Panthers Frank “The Tank” Moore (brother of current middle linebacker Lou Moore).
• Nhemie Theodore (6’ 3” 285) from Irvington, NJ. The Panthers and Virginia Tech Hokies currently lead for this powerful defensive tackle. Nhemie registered 60 tackles (25 for a loss) and eight sacks as a junior. Boston College, Maryland, Iowa, Rutgers and North Carolina State are also heavily involved. Theodore is known as a stout run stopper with size and strength.
• Alex Barrow (6’ 4” 240) from Dublin Coffman High School in Columbus, OH. Barrow is a raw physical specimen. He is known as an explosive edge rusher and a disruptive force. Alex registered 44 tackles and three sacks as a junior. Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State and Northwestern appear to be his top five schools. Some scouts have projected Barrow as an athletic defensive tackle, while others envision him at the strong side defensive end position. He has a build similar to current Panther defensive end Claude Harriott. Alex will soon be attending the Panthers next home game against Notre Dame.
• Brandon Daniel (6’ 4” 250) from Ely High School in Pompano Beach, FL. The University of Pittsburgh ventured to Ely High School last year to land Clint “The Hitman” Session. Session has since become one of the most talked about players on the Panthers roster. His bone jarring hits are memorable. Coach Harris and staff are hoping that Clint can recruit as good as he can tackle. Daniel and Session are close friends. Brandon also happens to be one of the top defensive end prospects in the nation. He will make an official visit on November 28th. Virginia Tech and Kansas State appear to be the Panthers main competition.
• Jariette Buie (6’ 3” 230) from Armwood High School in Seffner, FL. Buie is an athletic and powerful defensive end. One of the top defensive prospects in the Tampa area, he is capable of running a 4.6 forty-yard dash and bench pressing nearly 400 pounds. Pittsburgh, Iowa, Central Florida, Florida and Florida State are at the top of his list. Word has it that the Panthers and Iowa Hawkeyes may have the inside track. Jariette registered 60 tackles and five sacks as a junior.
From the Desk of Chuck Palla
No Off Week Here
This being an off week for the Panthers certainly does not mean the coaching staff has an off week from their recruiting responsibilities. A little birdie told me that Coach Dino Babers paid a visit to the Mid-Atlantic area on Wednesday to check on several prospects whom Pitt has a strong interest in signing come next February. Coach Babers paid visits to Gonzaga College HS to check on WR Douglas Dutch (6-2 180 4.38), WR Derrick McPhearson (6-2 190 4.38) at DeMatha Catholic HS, DE Derrick Harvey at Eleanor Roosevelt HS in the Washington, DC area. He also journeyed up to Baltimore to check out two players at the Gilman School, RB Jerry Jones (6-2 220 4.5) and LB Nathan Hummel (6-0 220 4.6). He was also heading down to South Carolina.
During his visit to DeMatha Catholic, he left a very positive impression with Coach Bill McGregor, a Pittsburgh native, with his demeanor and positive personality. Coach McGregor feels that Dino would have a very favorable effect on area recruiting for the Panthers. Bill left me with the impression that the Panthers should end up with a player or two this year and beyond.
Note to Pantherlair.com Fans: The staff at Pantherlair.com works diligently to bring you the best information regarding University of Pittsburgh football and basketball recruiting in addition to our game coverage. Thousands of Panther fans visit our site on a daily basis. We have received a tremendous amount of e-mail thanking us for our efforts. If you like our site, please feel free to tell other Pittsburgh fans about us. “Spread the word”, and let us add to our ever growing online family of Panther fans.
This post was edited by TNPanther on 10/3 7:18 AM
This post was edited by TNPanther on 10/3 7:20 AM
The reason this information is posted on our premium board, “Between Fifth and Forbes,” is to ensure that it stays exclusive to the Panther Nation. This will only work if each of you helps make it work – let’s not have any problems! Anyone who violates this rule or our trust will be blacklisted immediately from Pantherlair.com – no excuses, no exceptions.
From the Desk of Jim Snyder
Conference Chatter
The Big East Conference school representatives met in Newark, New Jersey this week and voted to stay with the basketball only schools. The Newark Star Ledger reported they would ask all to sign and agreement that calls for a $5.0 million exit fee and the loss of revenues during any lame duck period. This is in line with our understanding. They will ask everyone for a five-year commitment. This appears to keep them on track to invite Louisville, Cincinnati, DePaul and Marquette.
The ACC is trying to get Judge Samuel J. Sterrazza to throw the case out essentially arguing that it does not belong in a Connecticut court. We do not think they will be successful. On the other hand we thought the national “Do not call” list was a good idea. I signed up for it, but someone found a judge that disagreed. If the case stays in the state of Connecticut there is a good chance that the ACC will ultimately blink and try to settle out of court. Some sort of standstill agreement may be needed to give the new Big East time to grow as a conference. We think this may happen, but you never know for sure. The judge should rule sometime this month.
A Possible Basketball Lineup
The last we heard there is “no deal” in place regarding the conference alignment, but there is an interesting proposal on the table. The 16-team league would be divided into an East and West division. This would help cut down travel costs.
Pitt, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Louisville, Cincinnati, Marquette and DePaul would be in the West division. One other team would be added, probably Villanova.
Syracuse, UConn, St John’s, Providence, Georgetown, Boston College, Seton Hall and Rutgers would be in the East division.
Here is the kicker. They might play an 18-game conference schedule so each school can play four teams on the other side each year. This would mean in a two-year span you would play everyone in the league and over a four-year span every team would visit your arena. We like it, but what a brutal schedule. The upside is it opens up a lot of good TV games.
Quite frankly we love this proposal. It is so tough that a school’s out of conference schedule has to be very weak. Pitt could still play Duquesne and Penn State on a rotating home and away basis. They could schedule Robert Morris and St. Francis at home each year. The remaining games would all be with either be Cupcake College or the Little Sisters of the Poor University. These games would all be played at the “Pete.”
A number of posters have expressed concern that Pitt would not be playing teams on the East Coast often enough, but they assumed a 16-game conference schedule. If the 18-game proposal goes through it will help solve this problem. You would have two road trips to the East Coast every year plus the Big East tournament in Madison Square Garden. You would also have a trip to Philadelphia each year to play Villanova.
The RPI Index of the new Big East rises dramatically by taking out Virginia Tech, Miami and substituting Louisville, Marquette, Cincinnati and DePaul. The conference would also get greater television exposure in Chicago, Cincinnati, Louisville and Milwaukee. You will not be giving up much exposure to the East because many of the Pitt games will find themselves on television on the East Coast.
At this point this is just a proposal, but we like it.
Why Don’t the Football Schools just leave?
There are many reasons. Some are morality issues. Some do not want to dump on the basketball only schools as was done to them by the ACC. There are also numerous financial issues. There is the matter of an exit fee (currently $1-2 million per school). There is the contract with Madison Square Garden and the existing television contracts. One of the big drivers, however, has to do with units due the Big East Conference from the NCAA basketball tournaments. The football schools earned many of these units and some do not want to leave several million dollars on the table by simply leaving the Big East. As indicated by the meeting in Newark these issues have resulted in a decision to stay with the basketball only schools.
The down side of staying with the basketball only schools is you must divided revenues with a larger number of schools. This is not a good idea in the current TV rights fee climate. In many ways ESPN has moved into a powerful position and is able to dictate rights fees in many cases. There was a report this week that ESPN is offering the ACC less money than last time around. This appears to be true. The Big East can also expect to take a haircut for the loss of Miami and Virginia Tech. There was a reopen clause in their existing agreement. This deflationary pressure on rights fees could have colleges scrambling for ways to make up the shortfall. An extra BCS game may be added. Some may look at a conference playoff game.
It is never over until it is over
As we have witnessed with the ACC expansion these deals are never really done until the conference presidents come to an agreement and take a vote. You can really only discuss likely scenarios and items that are being discussed. As Yogi Berra once said, “It isn’t over until it is over.” Hopefully they can hold this together until the Big East presidents meet on November 4th.
Reporters have a very difficult time covering this type of story, as happened this week in the Charlotte Observer. They often end up with egg on their face. This is like watching Congress at work. Until they actually vote you are never really sure. You an only report what is likely to happen based on conversation with a few of the participants.
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Early this year we spoke to one of our “birdies” close to the Virginia Tech program. We were told that Virginia had never tried to block Virginia Tech from joining the ACC and in fact would push for their inclusion this time around. North Carolina and Duke always blocked prior attempts over the years. We then deduced that both Syracuse and Boston College would go to the ACC for fear of being left behind. It never occurred to us the ACC did not have the votes to pull the whole thing off.
Kudos to a Cavalier
Kiski Area beat Latrobe 14-0 this past week in a Quad South contest. In this game Scott McKillop became the all-time tackler at Kiski Area history with 274 career tackles. He also blocked a punt. Scott has given Pitt a verbal commitment.
Offensive Line Banged Up
Backup guard Matt Maiers has been lost for the season with a torn ACL. Pitt needs to get Justin Belarski and Rob Frederick back to prevent them from becoming very thin on the offensive line. Both centers have been suffering with foot stress fractures.
What is the Difference between Recruiting in New Jersey and Florida?
Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano was an assistant at Miami. He has recruited in both New Jersey and Florida. At this week’s Big East press teleconference he was asked by a reporter to compare the two states. He was also asked about the speed in Florida. Is there really such a thing as Florida speed?
Coach Schiano’s response: In the state of New Jersey we had 41 players sign with Division 1 schools last year. The state of Florida I think had 361. I think there are fast kids everywhere. I think there are big kids everywhere. I just think there are more of them in the state of Florida then in some of the states up here. When you look at the top 10 or 15 of them I think they are all very similar.
Reporter: What do you attribute to Florida, Texas and California in terms of sheer numbers?
Coach Schiano: I think it is a lot of things and I don’t know if I have the answer for that. I think one of the things is the sheer importance and emphasis that is placed on the game of football in those states. One of the things that Florida and Texas have is spring football. If you look at just that factor, a young man that goes through his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, they get 60 more practices than a player up in New Jersey or New York State or in an area like that. So that is a whole season’s worth of practice that these kids have. So they are one year ahead as far as development goes. I think all those things come into play and obviously the weather is a factor, kids are outdoors more. Having lived there for two years you just tend to be out of doors more just doing things. In the north when it gets cold in the wintertime there is not as much of an opportunity for young kids to be outdoors doing athletics.
Former Pitt Coach is in Deep Trouble
Former Pitt Head Coach Jackie Sherrill has been the head coach at Mississippi State for 13 years, but this could be his last one. Last year he went 3-9 and the wolves were howling all summer in the Deep South. The Bulldogs are off to a 0-4 start after a beating by LSU by a score of 41-6 this past weekend. The stadium in Starkville, MS was nearly empty in the fourth quarter. Mississippi State has a good group of freshmen and sophomores, but weak junior and senior classes. The only question now seems to be when he will be relieved, not if he will be gone.
From the desk of Harry G. Psaros
Defensive Line Recruiting
The University of Pittsburgh will soon have to replace four outstanding senior defensive linemen: Claude Harriot, Vince Crochunis, Jake Holthaus and Dan Stephens. Coach Harris and staff have been actively recruiting several blue-chip prospects. Rugged defensive lineman Craig Bokor from Hopewell High School has already been added to the Panthers Class of 2004. Bokor is a powerful 280-pound lineman with the frame to carry an additional 10 to 20 pounds of muscle.
Let’s take a look at several prospects that currently rank the Panthers “high” on their list of schools:
• Kenny Love Jr. (6’ 4” 275) from the Pennington School in Pennington, NJ. The Panthers currently lead for his services. Love almost verbally committed over the summer. Clemson, Michigan State and Nebraska will provide the Panthers stiff competition in the future. All three schools are in close contact and attempting to usurp Pittsburgh on the top of Love’s list. Kenny is a powerful player with speed to match (4.9 forty-yard dash). Rumor has it that Love will remind many of former Panthers Frank “The Tank” Moore (brother of current middle linebacker Lou Moore).
• Nhemie Theodore (6’ 3” 285) from Irvington, NJ. The Panthers and Virginia Tech Hokies currently lead for this powerful defensive tackle. Nhemie registered 60 tackles (25 for a loss) and eight sacks as a junior. Boston College, Maryland, Iowa, Rutgers and North Carolina State are also heavily involved. Theodore is known as a stout run stopper with size and strength.
• Alex Barrow (6’ 4” 240) from Dublin Coffman High School in Columbus, OH. Barrow is a raw physical specimen. He is known as an explosive edge rusher and a disruptive force. Alex registered 44 tackles and three sacks as a junior. Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State and Northwestern appear to be his top five schools. Some scouts have projected Barrow as an athletic defensive tackle, while others envision him at the strong side defensive end position. He has a build similar to current Panther defensive end Claude Harriott. Alex will soon be attending the Panthers next home game against Notre Dame.
• Brandon Daniel (6’ 4” 250) from Ely High School in Pompano Beach, FL. The University of Pittsburgh ventured to Ely High School last year to land Clint “The Hitman” Session. Session has since become one of the most talked about players on the Panthers roster. His bone jarring hits are memorable. Coach Harris and staff are hoping that Clint can recruit as good as he can tackle. Daniel and Session are close friends. Brandon also happens to be one of the top defensive end prospects in the nation. He will make an official visit on November 28th. Virginia Tech and Kansas State appear to be the Panthers main competition.
• Jariette Buie (6’ 3” 230) from Armwood High School in Seffner, FL. Buie is an athletic and powerful defensive end. One of the top defensive prospects in the Tampa area, he is capable of running a 4.6 forty-yard dash and bench pressing nearly 400 pounds. Pittsburgh, Iowa, Central Florida, Florida and Florida State are at the top of his list. Word has it that the Panthers and Iowa Hawkeyes may have the inside track. Jariette registered 60 tackles and five sacks as a junior.
From the Desk of Chuck Palla
No Off Week Here
This being an off week for the Panthers certainly does not mean the coaching staff has an off week from their recruiting responsibilities. A little birdie told me that Coach Dino Babers paid a visit to the Mid-Atlantic area on Wednesday to check on several prospects whom Pitt has a strong interest in signing come next February. Coach Babers paid visits to Gonzaga College HS to check on WR Douglas Dutch (6-2 180 4.38), WR Derrick McPhearson (6-2 190 4.38) at DeMatha Catholic HS, DE Derrick Harvey at Eleanor Roosevelt HS in the Washington, DC area. He also journeyed up to Baltimore to check out two players at the Gilman School, RB Jerry Jones (6-2 220 4.5) and LB Nathan Hummel (6-0 220 4.6). He was also heading down to South Carolina.
During his visit to DeMatha Catholic, he left a very positive impression with Coach Bill McGregor, a Pittsburgh native, with his demeanor and positive personality. Coach McGregor feels that Dino would have a very favorable effect on area recruiting for the Panthers. Bill left me with the impression that the Panthers should end up with a player or two this year and beyond.
Note to Pantherlair.com Fans: The staff at Pantherlair.com works diligently to bring you the best information regarding University of Pittsburgh football and basketball recruiting in addition to our game coverage. Thousands of Panther fans visit our site on a daily basis. We have received a tremendous amount of e-mail thanking us for our efforts. If you like our site, please feel free to tell other Pittsburgh fans about us. “Spread the word”, and let us add to our ever growing online family of Panther fans.
This post was edited by TNPanther on 10/3 7:18 AM
This post was edited by TNPanther on 10/3 7:20 AM
