From the desk of Jim Snyder
My Fan Page
Rivals.com is in the process of launching My Fan Page. For those of you familiar with MySpace.com it is similar concept. This allows our subscribers to set up their own page. You can put up your own pictures and video. You can set up a buddy system with fans or similar interests. This should be rolled out during a holiday period so I am sure we can expect some bugs but it might also give you time to build your own page.
The Big East and bowl games
The Big East Conference has placed five teams in bowls. The conference is still trying to rebuild its national image so piling up as many wins as possible is very important. The Big East will be favored in all five games. On Saturday South Florida will play East Carolina in the PaPaJohn’s.com Bowl at 1:00 pm on ESPN2. South Florida is a 4 ½ to 5-point favorite. It will be interest to watch how the Big East schools do on the field and how many fans they bring with them to the bowl. You can follow your Bowl Pick’em selections on the upper left hand side of the site (in gold).
A disappointing loss
Pitt traveled to Oklahoma City as a 2-point underdog and lost in double overtime. Pitt has been beaten on the boards and at the foul line the past two games. The Panthers are going to have to do some soul searching to see who is willing to help Aaron Gray on the boards. The first guy to step forward and help with the rebounding should get more playing time. Who would have imagined Pitt would miss Carl chasing down long rebounds.
Dead Period
We have been in a Dead Period this week. This limits contact by coaching staffs to allow teams time to practice and play in bowl games without other schools gaining an unfair advantage. Pitt coaches can not visit players nor entertain them on campus during this period. Contact is limited but not impossible. The Dead Period will end January 4, 2007.
The Pitt staff plans on entertaining a group for official visits the weekend of January 12th. The Pitt basketball team will be playing Georgetown at the Pete on Saturday night. It will give them a chance to show off campus life.
Our Christmas Wish List
Pitt has 19 commitments now that Barron Collier’s Greg Williams is on board.
Both Greg Williams and Xavier Stinson may have some work to do in the classroom.
Greg Williams and Shariff Harris are both 6’ 2” tall have good speed. I would start them out at running back. If it does not workout redshirt them and move them to defense. In both cases this is about upgrading team speed.
In theory there is room for four more. Here is our Christmas wish list.
1) LeSean McCoy
2) Tony Tucker
3) Moe Williams
4) Tyson Butler
There are several others we would not mind seeing move up and ending up under Dave Wannstedt’s Christmas tree.
1) Chris Drager from Thomas Jefferson HS
2) Bryan Williams from Valley Forge
3) Derek Moye from Rochester, Pa.
4) Jabaal Sheard from Hollywood Hills, Fla.
We show that Pitt has a half dozen players scheduled to visit on January. They are:
Dom DeCicco (committed)
John Fieger (committed)
Max Gruder (committed)
Henry Hynoski (committed)
LeSean McCoy
Aundre Wright (committed)
It would not surprise us to see a few names added to this list depending upon feedback they receive from those that have already visited Pitt.
Last weekend Pitt had visits from Bo Williams and Jordan Bernstine. Both prospects are four-star players with in-state offers. You knew it would be tough. Pitt was getting their fifth and final visit. You had to take the chance. Florida is on a roll right now. The same day they landed Bo Williams they also stole five-star quarterback John Brantley from Texas. Brantley had previously committed to Texas. Brantley’s recruitment drove Bo Williams’ commitment to the back pages in Florida.
Tony Greco interviewed Jim Maitlandthis week. He is the big fullback that blocked for Bo Williams at Northeastern High School in Florida. Earlier in his career he was an offensive guard and a linebacker. Maitland is still waiting for test scores. He would commit to Pitt in a heartbeat if he gets a qualifying score and if Pitt has room for him at the inn. He says he has a Pitt offer.
One of our subscribers asked Chris Peak about handicapping Pitt’s chances of landing LeSean McCoy or Bo Williams. Chris responded that Pitt had a better chance of landing McCoy. We still feel that way.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas from all of us at the Pantherlair!
My Fan Page
Rivals.com is in the process of launching My Fan Page. For those of you familiar with MySpace.com it is similar concept. This allows our subscribers to set up their own page. You can put up your own pictures and video. You can set up a buddy system with fans or similar interests. This should be rolled out during a holiday period so I am sure we can expect some bugs but it might also give you time to build your own page.
The Big East and bowl games
The Big East Conference has placed five teams in bowls. The conference is still trying to rebuild its national image so piling up as many wins as possible is very important. The Big East will be favored in all five games. On Saturday South Florida will play East Carolina in the PaPaJohn’s.com Bowl at 1:00 pm on ESPN2. South Florida is a 4 ½ to 5-point favorite. It will be interest to watch how the Big East schools do on the field and how many fans they bring with them to the bowl. You can follow your Bowl Pick’em selections on the upper left hand side of the site (in gold).
A disappointing loss
Pitt traveled to Oklahoma City as a 2-point underdog and lost in double overtime. Pitt has been beaten on the boards and at the foul line the past two games. The Panthers are going to have to do some soul searching to see who is willing to help Aaron Gray on the boards. The first guy to step forward and help with the rebounding should get more playing time. Who would have imagined Pitt would miss Carl chasing down long rebounds.
Dead Period
We have been in a Dead Period this week. This limits contact by coaching staffs to allow teams time to practice and play in bowl games without other schools gaining an unfair advantage. Pitt coaches can not visit players nor entertain them on campus during this period. Contact is limited but not impossible. The Dead Period will end January 4, 2007.
The Pitt staff plans on entertaining a group for official visits the weekend of January 12th. The Pitt basketball team will be playing Georgetown at the Pete on Saturday night. It will give them a chance to show off campus life.
Our Christmas Wish List
Pitt has 19 commitments now that Barron Collier’s Greg Williams is on board.
Both Greg Williams and Xavier Stinson may have some work to do in the classroom.
Greg Williams and Shariff Harris are both 6’ 2” tall have good speed. I would start them out at running back. If it does not workout redshirt them and move them to defense. In both cases this is about upgrading team speed.
In theory there is room for four more. Here is our Christmas wish list.
1) LeSean McCoy
2) Tony Tucker
3) Moe Williams
4) Tyson Butler
There are several others we would not mind seeing move up and ending up under Dave Wannstedt’s Christmas tree.
1) Chris Drager from Thomas Jefferson HS
2) Bryan Williams from Valley Forge
3) Derek Moye from Rochester, Pa.
4) Jabaal Sheard from Hollywood Hills, Fla.
We show that Pitt has a half dozen players scheduled to visit on January. They are:
Dom DeCicco (committed)
John Fieger (committed)
Max Gruder (committed)
Henry Hynoski (committed)
LeSean McCoy
Aundre Wright (committed)
It would not surprise us to see a few names added to this list depending upon feedback they receive from those that have already visited Pitt.
Last weekend Pitt had visits from Bo Williams and Jordan Bernstine. Both prospects are four-star players with in-state offers. You knew it would be tough. Pitt was getting their fifth and final visit. You had to take the chance. Florida is on a roll right now. The same day they landed Bo Williams they also stole five-star quarterback John Brantley from Texas. Brantley had previously committed to Texas. Brantley’s recruitment drove Bo Williams’ commitment to the back pages in Florida.
Tony Greco interviewed Jim Maitlandthis week. He is the big fullback that blocked for Bo Williams at Northeastern High School in Florida. Earlier in his career he was an offensive guard and a linebacker. Maitland is still waiting for test scores. He would commit to Pitt in a heartbeat if he gets a qualifying score and if Pitt has room for him at the inn. He says he has a Pitt offer.
One of our subscribers asked Chris Peak about handicapping Pitt’s chances of landing LeSean McCoy or Bo Williams. Chris responded that Pitt had a better chance of landing McCoy. We still feel that way.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas from all of us at the Pantherlair!
