From the desk of Chris Peak
Players on fire
Darrell Strong is really starting to play like the beast that he can be. While the coaches have often bemoaned his inability to excel at blocking, it’s undeniable that he has the best hands on the team. Someone on these boards likened him to the Predator a few weeks ago. I really like that comparison: he’s bigger than human (like the Predator), his running style is non-human (like the Predator), and he’s got braids (like the Predator). Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Strong’s game is the way he combines all of his strengths: he knows how to use his body both to get open and to make space after he catches the ball. He now has eight catches, but they all have come in the last three games, culminating with his 5 for 41 effort against Rutgers. It seems like the coaching staff has made a commitment to getting the ball in his hands
Darrelle Revis has also been playing very well, which should come as no surprise. While his three interceptions are just what was expected, Revis has come alive as of late in his other duties: returning punts. Entering the Rutgers game, he had returned 10 punts for a total of 71 yards. Against the Scarlet Knights, Revis returned four for 116 yards, including returns of 41, 45, 11, and 19 yards. He is now averaging 13.4 yards per return, a number that ranks 20th nationally. Revis, a star player on both sides of the ball at Aliquippa, said earlier this week that he enjoys punt returning as an opportunity to make plays. He may get more chances, as he was seen this week running some pass routes with the wide receivers during practice. Head coach Dave Wannstedt cautioned: “Keep your eye on 25 (Revis). That’s for Pitt fans and Cincinnati.”
Finally, perhaps the most impressive player to catch fire lately has been wide receiver Derek Kinder. Kinder had 6 catches for 84 yards through the first four games before Rutgers hosted his coming-out party. Last Friday he caught 10 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. The whole game was a career high for the true sophomore. Ideally, those numbers will translate into an increased confidence level and maybe even a bit of swagger. Derek is a shy young man and one who doesn’t seem capable of raising his voice if his life depended on it. But perhaps a big game like he had against Rutgers (he hadn’t caught more than two passes in any game this season) will light a fire under him and he will realize that he can be just as much of a threat as Greg Lee. Will anyone ever say Biletnikoff Award candidate Derek Kinder? Probably not, but he can have a whale of a season this year and a great career if he plays to his full potential.
Getting an edge
There has been a lot of talk on this board, basically extending back to training camp, about what kind of talent Dave Wannstedt inherited from Walt Harris. Some have said Wannstedt took over a superior team that won 8 games and earned a BCS bowl bid. Other have said that the 2004 Panthers were extremely flawed and the team backed its way into the Fiesta Bowl. The truth is probably somewhere in between; fortunately for Pitt fans, Wannstedt is finding out where that fine line really is.
As this season has progressed, Dave Wannstedt has been watching as the players he was told would be the stars and carry the team have failed and floundered. Do we need to name names here? Probably not, but we all know who was expected to keep the team afloat through the period of adjustment. So far, they haven’t. The only players Wannstedt was told he could count on that have produced up to snuff have been H.B. Blades, Darrelle Revis, Josh Lay, and Josh Cummings (despite his injury and the blocked field goals).
Wannstedt is figuring that out. That’s why in recent weeks we’ve seen Darrel Strong catching more passes. That’s why we’ve seen Steve Buches get a lot of playing time. That’s why we’ve seen the trick plays that have appeared over the past three games. Both the onside kick and the fake punt are all attempts to get an edge. If your top players aren’t doing what needs to be done, you search out replacements. In the meantime you do whatever you can to give your team all the extra edge that you can come up with. The trickeration won’t stop until players are doing their jobs consistently, week in and week out. Anything to get an edge.
From the desk of Jim Snyder
Some things I think I think
Pitt is off to a very disappointing 1-4 start. I am not sure that this is what Pitt athletic director Jeff Long had in mind when he sent the Big East Coach of the Year packing for the West Coast. We have joked that if Pitt went 3-8-1 this year you would see Jeff Long on a bridge somewhere. Things sure can change in a hurry.
Pitt was a ranked No. 23 in the country prior to the start of the season. This was largely because they returned most of their key starters and had a total of 17 starters back from last year’s 8-5 team. We ran our unscientific poll and most of our readers that took the time to vote thought Pitt would win 9 or more games this year. Quite frankly we were more than a little skeptical on that prediction. We thought this looked more like a 7-4 team but got caught up in the hype and predicted an 8-3 record.
One Pittsburgh sports writers wrote that no one could have seen this collapse coming although the beating that Pitt took in the Fiesta Bowl last year might have been an early warning sign. Last year Pitt won several close games that could have gone either way (i.e. Furman, Notre Dame, Boston College and West Virginia). This year Pitt has lost three close games that could have gone either way. It doesn’t take much to turn wins into losses.
Dave Wannstedt is fond of saying this year. “We are what we are. It is what it is.” What they are right now is not a very good football team.
There is plenty of blame to go around and the finger pointing has started in earnest. Alums and the parents of players are pointing their fingers at the coaching staff. The coaches are quietly blaming the players. Believe me this is a team effort. Base solely on talent levels Pitt should be no worse that 3-2 right now. With a little luck they might be 4-1 if they had not centered the ball of the holders helmet on the late field goal try at Nebraska. Pitt was out coached in the Ohio University game and the first half of the Rutgers game. Period.
Teams will continue to blitz Pitt until they figure out how to handle the blitz. Players must make their reads. Coaches must help them with the play calling selections. It is easy to point your fingers at the offensive line but the blitz often outnumbers in the interior linemen. If each player does not pick up someone Tyler Palko will eventually be injured. Coaches can help by calling screens, draws, quick slant and flair passes to the backs. If all else fails run the spread offense. It is a part of the Pitt offense. I asked Coach Wannstedt about the play calling against the blitz and he said the ultimate answer is to beat the other team deep a few times. He is right. The trick is to pick up the blitzers to give Palko a little time. Matt Cavanaugh and Dave Wannstedt must put their players in a position where they have the best chance to succeed.
When teams go south the injuries often seem to pile up and that is exactly what is happening to Pitt right now. The Panthers have lost safety Mike Phillips and linebacker Brian Bennett for the season. Both were expected to play key roles this year. A backup tackle Jerald Robinson has a congenital spinal problem, which has ended his career. A leg injury to fullback Kellen Campbell may end his season.
Last weekend against Rutgers the top eight running backs (tailbacks and fullbacks) were all hurt to some degree. Rashaad Jennings was hurt late in camp and has yet to fully recover. He was supposed to be the featured back this year. He is scheduled to play this weekend against Cincinnati. He would be a huge boost if he is really healthy this time and they had a healthy fullback to put in front of him. One could argue the best performance by a back last week was by 3rd string fullback Jason Arcieno who had a cast or wrap on his left hand. Ugh!
The Pitt players and coaches will have to slowly dig themselves out of a very deep hole. It probably won’t happen until they figure out how to handle the blitz. This is still very young team. Dave Wannstedt has said, “We have to coach them up.” Most of the current players will be back next year. You have no choice but to work with this young team until they get better.
Pitt went into the season with a punter and a kicker who were preseason All-Big East selections. Special teams should have been a strong point. However, Pitt has fumbled two kickoffs, allowed a 70+ yard punt return and hit the holder in the head on a field goal try. A projected strength has actually hurt them. Pitt needs better special teams play and must learn how to handle the blitz on offense for things to get better.
UConn looked just awful against and average Miami of Ohio team. Pitt is a 12-½ point favorite. The Panthers and the Bearcats are both struggling. It could get down to which team has a little success early on to help build a little confidence. Both teams are head cases right now. Pitt has far better talent but if you have paying attention nothing is a sure thing right now. We will take Pitt by a score of 17-14 but remember this is for amusement only. You bet on this game at your own risk.
In recent years the football program has been open to the media but the basketball program is another matter. Ben Howland started a practice of banning the media from practices. This time of year players are going through informal workouts. In theory the coach cannot attend. Jamie Dixon recently banned the media from these workouts. Coach Dixon have a little mercy and open things up a little.
Some recruiting talk
Dave Wannstedt has said on several occasions he will finish with a top ten recruiting class this year. This has often caused reporters to pause, wonder and scratch their heads. Rivals.com will release their first team rankings at Noon on Tuesday. I think their plan is to update them once a week.
Pitt already has verbals from 17 recruits. We think they have a good shot a keep most of them and maybe all of them. One of them told us the loss to Rutgers was “good news” because it meant he had a shot at early playing time. He caught himself and corrected his statement by saying it might not be good for Pitt but it might be good for him personally.
Dave Wannstedt is a very good recruiter. He has the gift of gab and knows his product. He knows the importance of recruiting. He knows how to recruit.
Gerald Robinson’s medical condition and the dismissal of Allen Richardson opens up two more scholarships. You have to believe that by the time we get to Letter of Intent Day in February they will find a way to give out 25 scholarships this year. Keep in mind that offensive lineman Kevin Hughes is already enrolled at Pitt as a part-time student so Pitt really has 18 verbals right now. A couple of lineman on offense and defense would be a good fit. Pitt also needs a defensive back or two.
There were reports that defensive back Javoni Chappel had committed to Purdue. Then there were confusing reports about his scheduled visit to Pitt this weekend. So we call and he said he did not know what was going on. He wanted to come to Pittsburgh on Saturday but Pitt recruiting coordinator Greg Gattuso has not made arrangements with his coach. He sounded like he wanted to come but he has not heard from the Pitt coaches in over a week. I am not sure how to interpret this one. You would think with Darrin Walls on his way to Notre Dame you would be looking for defensive backs.
We have a report from Baldwin’s Cart Kelly that he is still receiving phone calls from Pitt, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Penn State, Boston College, Iowa and Wisconsin. It would not surprise us if one of those came through for him.
Harry has reports on a number of basketball prospects today. Harry reports that Ekpe Udoh (6’ 9 ½”) will visit Pitt next weekend.Allan Wallace (6’ 7”) from the Bronx is in visiting this weekend.
This one is for Country Western fans. Some of you may have notice Allison Alderson who does some of the AMP pieces for Rivals.com. Allison is a former Miss Tennessee and was recently selected by Nashville Lifestyles magazine as one the 35 beautiful people in the Nashville area. She is in good company Faith Hill is also on the list. Allison Alders recently married singer Jay DeMarcus from the Country Western group Rascal Flatts.
Chris Peak will be on WEAE-AM, the ESPN station, at 1:00 PM on Saturday to talk a little Panther football prior to the Cincinnati game.
Players on fire
Darrell Strong is really starting to play like the beast that he can be. While the coaches have often bemoaned his inability to excel at blocking, it’s undeniable that he has the best hands on the team. Someone on these boards likened him to the Predator a few weeks ago. I really like that comparison: he’s bigger than human (like the Predator), his running style is non-human (like the Predator), and he’s got braids (like the Predator). Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Strong’s game is the way he combines all of his strengths: he knows how to use his body both to get open and to make space after he catches the ball. He now has eight catches, but they all have come in the last three games, culminating with his 5 for 41 effort against Rutgers. It seems like the coaching staff has made a commitment to getting the ball in his hands
Darrelle Revis has also been playing very well, which should come as no surprise. While his three interceptions are just what was expected, Revis has come alive as of late in his other duties: returning punts. Entering the Rutgers game, he had returned 10 punts for a total of 71 yards. Against the Scarlet Knights, Revis returned four for 116 yards, including returns of 41, 45, 11, and 19 yards. He is now averaging 13.4 yards per return, a number that ranks 20th nationally. Revis, a star player on both sides of the ball at Aliquippa, said earlier this week that he enjoys punt returning as an opportunity to make plays. He may get more chances, as he was seen this week running some pass routes with the wide receivers during practice. Head coach Dave Wannstedt cautioned: “Keep your eye on 25 (Revis). That’s for Pitt fans and Cincinnati.”
Finally, perhaps the most impressive player to catch fire lately has been wide receiver Derek Kinder. Kinder had 6 catches for 84 yards through the first four games before Rutgers hosted his coming-out party. Last Friday he caught 10 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. The whole game was a career high for the true sophomore. Ideally, those numbers will translate into an increased confidence level and maybe even a bit of swagger. Derek is a shy young man and one who doesn’t seem capable of raising his voice if his life depended on it. But perhaps a big game like he had against Rutgers (he hadn’t caught more than two passes in any game this season) will light a fire under him and he will realize that he can be just as much of a threat as Greg Lee. Will anyone ever say Biletnikoff Award candidate Derek Kinder? Probably not, but he can have a whale of a season this year and a great career if he plays to his full potential.
Getting an edge
There has been a lot of talk on this board, basically extending back to training camp, about what kind of talent Dave Wannstedt inherited from Walt Harris. Some have said Wannstedt took over a superior team that won 8 games and earned a BCS bowl bid. Other have said that the 2004 Panthers were extremely flawed and the team backed its way into the Fiesta Bowl. The truth is probably somewhere in between; fortunately for Pitt fans, Wannstedt is finding out where that fine line really is.
As this season has progressed, Dave Wannstedt has been watching as the players he was told would be the stars and carry the team have failed and floundered. Do we need to name names here? Probably not, but we all know who was expected to keep the team afloat through the period of adjustment. So far, they haven’t. The only players Wannstedt was told he could count on that have produced up to snuff have been H.B. Blades, Darrelle Revis, Josh Lay, and Josh Cummings (despite his injury and the blocked field goals).
Wannstedt is figuring that out. That’s why in recent weeks we’ve seen Darrel Strong catching more passes. That’s why we’ve seen Steve Buches get a lot of playing time. That’s why we’ve seen the trick plays that have appeared over the past three games. Both the onside kick and the fake punt are all attempts to get an edge. If your top players aren’t doing what needs to be done, you search out replacements. In the meantime you do whatever you can to give your team all the extra edge that you can come up with. The trickeration won’t stop until players are doing their jobs consistently, week in and week out. Anything to get an edge.
From the desk of Jim Snyder
Some things I think I think
Pitt is off to a very disappointing 1-4 start. I am not sure that this is what Pitt athletic director Jeff Long had in mind when he sent the Big East Coach of the Year packing for the West Coast. We have joked that if Pitt went 3-8-1 this year you would see Jeff Long on a bridge somewhere. Things sure can change in a hurry.
Pitt was a ranked No. 23 in the country prior to the start of the season. This was largely because they returned most of their key starters and had a total of 17 starters back from last year’s 8-5 team. We ran our unscientific poll and most of our readers that took the time to vote thought Pitt would win 9 or more games this year. Quite frankly we were more than a little skeptical on that prediction. We thought this looked more like a 7-4 team but got caught up in the hype and predicted an 8-3 record.
One Pittsburgh sports writers wrote that no one could have seen this collapse coming although the beating that Pitt took in the Fiesta Bowl last year might have been an early warning sign. Last year Pitt won several close games that could have gone either way (i.e. Furman, Notre Dame, Boston College and West Virginia). This year Pitt has lost three close games that could have gone either way. It doesn’t take much to turn wins into losses.
Dave Wannstedt is fond of saying this year. “We are what we are. It is what it is.” What they are right now is not a very good football team.
There is plenty of blame to go around and the finger pointing has started in earnest. Alums and the parents of players are pointing their fingers at the coaching staff. The coaches are quietly blaming the players. Believe me this is a team effort. Base solely on talent levels Pitt should be no worse that 3-2 right now. With a little luck they might be 4-1 if they had not centered the ball of the holders helmet on the late field goal try at Nebraska. Pitt was out coached in the Ohio University game and the first half of the Rutgers game. Period.
Teams will continue to blitz Pitt until they figure out how to handle the blitz. Players must make their reads. Coaches must help them with the play calling selections. It is easy to point your fingers at the offensive line but the blitz often outnumbers in the interior linemen. If each player does not pick up someone Tyler Palko will eventually be injured. Coaches can help by calling screens, draws, quick slant and flair passes to the backs. If all else fails run the spread offense. It is a part of the Pitt offense. I asked Coach Wannstedt about the play calling against the blitz and he said the ultimate answer is to beat the other team deep a few times. He is right. The trick is to pick up the blitzers to give Palko a little time. Matt Cavanaugh and Dave Wannstedt must put their players in a position where they have the best chance to succeed.
When teams go south the injuries often seem to pile up and that is exactly what is happening to Pitt right now. The Panthers have lost safety Mike Phillips and linebacker Brian Bennett for the season. Both were expected to play key roles this year. A backup tackle Jerald Robinson has a congenital spinal problem, which has ended his career. A leg injury to fullback Kellen Campbell may end his season.
Last weekend against Rutgers the top eight running backs (tailbacks and fullbacks) were all hurt to some degree. Rashaad Jennings was hurt late in camp and has yet to fully recover. He was supposed to be the featured back this year. He is scheduled to play this weekend against Cincinnati. He would be a huge boost if he is really healthy this time and they had a healthy fullback to put in front of him. One could argue the best performance by a back last week was by 3rd string fullback Jason Arcieno who had a cast or wrap on his left hand. Ugh!
The Pitt players and coaches will have to slowly dig themselves out of a very deep hole. It probably won’t happen until they figure out how to handle the blitz. This is still very young team. Dave Wannstedt has said, “We have to coach them up.” Most of the current players will be back next year. You have no choice but to work with this young team until they get better.
Pitt went into the season with a punter and a kicker who were preseason All-Big East selections. Special teams should have been a strong point. However, Pitt has fumbled two kickoffs, allowed a 70+ yard punt return and hit the holder in the head on a field goal try. A projected strength has actually hurt them. Pitt needs better special teams play and must learn how to handle the blitz on offense for things to get better.
UConn looked just awful against and average Miami of Ohio team. Pitt is a 12-½ point favorite. The Panthers and the Bearcats are both struggling. It could get down to which team has a little success early on to help build a little confidence. Both teams are head cases right now. Pitt has far better talent but if you have paying attention nothing is a sure thing right now. We will take Pitt by a score of 17-14 but remember this is for amusement only. You bet on this game at your own risk.
In recent years the football program has been open to the media but the basketball program is another matter. Ben Howland started a practice of banning the media from practices. This time of year players are going through informal workouts. In theory the coach cannot attend. Jamie Dixon recently banned the media from these workouts. Coach Dixon have a little mercy and open things up a little.
Some recruiting talk
Dave Wannstedt has said on several occasions he will finish with a top ten recruiting class this year. This has often caused reporters to pause, wonder and scratch their heads. Rivals.com will release their first team rankings at Noon on Tuesday. I think their plan is to update them once a week.
Pitt already has verbals from 17 recruits. We think they have a good shot a keep most of them and maybe all of them. One of them told us the loss to Rutgers was “good news” because it meant he had a shot at early playing time. He caught himself and corrected his statement by saying it might not be good for Pitt but it might be good for him personally.
Dave Wannstedt is a very good recruiter. He has the gift of gab and knows his product. He knows the importance of recruiting. He knows how to recruit.
Gerald Robinson’s medical condition and the dismissal of Allen Richardson opens up two more scholarships. You have to believe that by the time we get to Letter of Intent Day in February they will find a way to give out 25 scholarships this year. Keep in mind that offensive lineman Kevin Hughes is already enrolled at Pitt as a part-time student so Pitt really has 18 verbals right now. A couple of lineman on offense and defense would be a good fit. Pitt also needs a defensive back or two.
There were reports that defensive back Javoni Chappel had committed to Purdue. Then there were confusing reports about his scheduled visit to Pitt this weekend. So we call and he said he did not know what was going on. He wanted to come to Pittsburgh on Saturday but Pitt recruiting coordinator Greg Gattuso has not made arrangements with his coach. He sounded like he wanted to come but he has not heard from the Pitt coaches in over a week. I am not sure how to interpret this one. You would think with Darrin Walls on his way to Notre Dame you would be looking for defensive backs.
We have a report from Baldwin’s Cart Kelly that he is still receiving phone calls from Pitt, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Penn State, Boston College, Iowa and Wisconsin. It would not surprise us if one of those came through for him.
Harry has reports on a number of basketball prospects today. Harry reports that Ekpe Udoh (6’ 9 ½”) will visit Pitt next weekend.Allan Wallace (6’ 7”) from the Bronx is in visiting this weekend.
This one is for Country Western fans. Some of you may have notice Allison Alderson who does some of the AMP pieces for Rivals.com. Allison is a former Miss Tennessee and was recently selected by Nashville Lifestyles magazine as one the 35 beautiful people in the Nashville area. She is in good company Faith Hill is also on the list. Allison Alders recently married singer Jay DeMarcus from the Country Western group Rascal Flatts.
Chris Peak will be on WEAE-AM, the ESPN station, at 1:00 PM on Saturday to talk a little Panther football prior to the Cincinnati game.
