From the desk of Jim Snyder
The message boards revisions
Rivals.com gives the subscriber two ways to view the message boards. It is your choice. Quite frankly we think they put more calories, manpower and money into developing the Topic view but it is your choice.
Here is our suggestion. Try both. Pick the one you like. After that go to User Optionsin gold on the upper left hand side of the message board header to select the one you like best. The pull down menu is titled Display by. You can choose the Site default, Thread view or Topic view. Your choice.
The default setting for the Pantherlair is a Thread view. It has been that way since the beginning of the site. It is also how the West Virginia, Michigan and Penn State sites have their default settings so we are slow to make changes on this end. Please try both and select the one you like best. Maybe somewhere down the road we will take a poll of our subscribers to see which ones you prefer but we would like to allow everyone to have an opportunity to try both before going down this road.
One other hint. At the link marked Resources which is just above the blue border on the message boards there is a list of features you can use on the message boards. How to change your password, how to add an Avitar, how to add a signature, how to change to a Hybrid view, ect. If you are a heavy user you might want to check these out.
Technical issues
Rivals.com is trying to rebuild their entire network while at the same time keeping it up and operating. It is a huge undertaking and we still have a long way to go. We had several technical issues to battle through this week and the technicians are addressing them as best they can while still trying to keep moving forward.
We have had some subscribers indicate that they are having trouble see the photo slide shows. Make sure your computer is using Adobe 9.0. Some of you may still be on 6.0. Here is a link to the latest Adobe Shockwave Player to update your computer.
http://www.adobe.com/products/shockwaveplayer/
Rivals Radio
This morning Rivals Radio will have Woodland Hills football coach George Novak. His team plays nationally ranked Pittsburgh Central Catholic tonight at the Wolverina in Turtle Creek. I spent yesterday afternoon watching video of the Wolverines first three games. Central better get them tonight because Woodland Hill figures to be very tough come playoff time. Coach Novak will be on between 7:30 and 7:45 AM.
Rivals.com will have a video crew at the Woodlands Hill-Central game tonight so we should see video highlights next week.
At 11:15 AM EST Findlay kicker Brandon Walker is scheduled to announce his decision on Rivals Radio. You can find a link to rivals Radio under Quick Links.
Some coaches who may be on the hot seat
Here are a few coaches who had better start putting some wins together fast or there could be job openings before the year is out.
Virginia (1-3) Al Groh, North Carolina (1-2) John Bunting, Miami (1-2) Larry Coker, Duke 0-3 Ted Roof and NC State (1-2) Chuck Amato. The only thing that might save one or two of these ACC coaches is that many play each other so someone has to win.
Add to this list Illinois (1-2) Ron Zook, Stanford (0-3) Walt Harris, (How can you lose 37-9 to Navy in your home opener?) and Mississippi State (0-3) Sylvester Croom.
A few thoughts on Michigan State
When Coach Wannstedt called for a quick kick when leading 10-0 in the first half many around me did not like the call but maybe the staff knew that 10 points was not going to be enough to win this game. Unfortunately the offense squandered field position and Michigan State marched back down the field to kick a field goal to make it 10-3. The momentum had changed. Who knows what would have happened if Pitt had gone up 17-0?
Later in the fourth quarter fans around me were asking when basketball started. They felt some consolation that Pitt had a nationally ranked basketball program and did not have to wait until next year as they felt was the case in football.
Prior to the start of the season we felt Pitt could go 8-4 this year and go to a bowl. The effort against Michigan State was very disappointing but we think the Panthers still have a good chance to go 7-5 or 8-4 and get back to a bowl. This is still a very young team. Virginia was not as good as we thought. Michigan State might be better. They certainly were on Saturday at Heinz Field. A veteran quarterback exploited the young Pitt defensive front.
The game with The Citadel comes at the right time. This young team needs a win to regain their confidence right now. The next three games figure to be tougher tests.
Football recruiting recap
Pitt already has 11 verbal commitments and has a limited number of scholarships to give. They have Gateway’s Aaron Smith and Baldwin’s Jason Hargrove taking “grayshirts”. Both will go on scholarship in January and these two will count against the 85 scholarship limitation.
This morning kicker Brandon Walker is expected to announce on Rivals Radio if he will go to Pitt or Louisville. He will announce at 11:15 EST on the Big East Blitz. At one time I thought he was a heavy Pitt lean but I have to think this one will go to the Cardinals. He talked about maybe coming to Pitt this weekend but has decided to announce without taking another visit.
Rivals released their JUCO ratings this week and Tommie Duhart (6’ 4” 285) received a four-star rating and was ranked No. 19 in the country among JUCO prospects. He visits Pitt the weekend Pitt plays Toledo. Chris and I both interviewed him this past week. We would be very surprised if he did not commit when he makes his official visit although I guess in recruiting there is no sure thing but this could be as close as it gets. Duhart spent two weeks in Pittsburgh this summer and made an official visit the last time he committed so he very familiar with Pitt and has seen the place on a number of occasions.
Pitt is chasing a half dozen wide receiver candidates. Erie’s Mo Williams may take his official visit this weekend. He wants his mother to be in Pittsburgh when he visits and she has some conflicts. If she can not make it he will push it back to next weekend when Tommie Duhart and Jordan Mabin are scheduled to visit. We talked to Mo last night and will have an article later today.
In addition to Mo Williams Pitt is chasing Valley’s Toney Clemons, Naples’ Matt Clements, Rochester’s Derek Moye and Floridian Darian Williams. All of these have scholarship offers. One other that is also still in the mix is Milford Academy’s Aundre Wright. This week they rated prep prospects and he was given a three-star rating. Mike Farrell was talking to the Milford coaching staff this week and they told him they thought he was committed to Pitt. However we do no think he has an offer yet although he is being heavily recruited by Pitt. You will recall Wright played for City League champs Perry the past few years. He came to Pitt on an official visit in January but was not offered at that time.
Mike Farrell published an article this week regarding the release on some of the prep school ratings. He talked to the Milford coach who said running back LeSean McCoy is still committed to Miami. McCoy you may recall tried to flee Milford Academy this summer to go to a military school in Virginia and when that did not workout he showed up late to Milford. McCoy is not the No. 1 running back on his prep team. Their No. 1 back is Craig Cooper who also happens to be verbally committed to Miami. Rumors continue to swirl on the internet about McCoy. Who knows maybe McCoy is worried about going to Miami and once again being second banana to Craig Cooper. In the latest rankings Cooper was given a five-star rating while McCoy was given four-stars (although the pair are the top two running backs in the prep school rankings).
Basketball recruiting summary
Pitt has commitments from three players so far for the Class of 2007. Darnell Dodson (6’ 6 ½”), Bradley Wanamaker (6’ 3 ½”) and Gary McGhee (6’ 10”) have all given verbal commitments to the Pitt staff. Aaron Gray, Levon Kendall and Doyle Hudson will all be graduating after this season so bring in some more height would certainly be a good idea. Pitt has two scholarships to give for 2007.
Aaron Pogue (6’ 9’) from Dayton, Ohio will make his visit this weekend. Rivals reports that Ayodele Coker (6’ 10” 245) from South Kent Prep will visit next weekend. This is the school that sent Pitt freshman Gilbert Brown. There have also been reports that Pitt has visited at least three junior colleges looking at big men. Rivals has reported Pitt has been evaluating Landrel Brewer (6’ 9”), Desmond Hendrix (6’ 7”) and Cassin Diggs (6’ 10”). They are all listed in the database. Hendrix committed to LSU yesterday but it does show you Coach Dixon is also checking out the junior college ranks.
Jerry Myer also reported that Jamie Dixon made an in-home visit to see Anthony McClain (6’ 10”) who played for the DC Assault. He lists Pitt among his favorites but reportedly could wait until the late signing period.
There are reports that Pitt also continues to talk to Schenley’s DeJuan Blair but that he might not make a decision until the late signing period. We have not had an opportunity to talk to him this past week.
One guard that Pitt continues to chase is Chris Wright. He is also being recruited by NC State, Georgetown and Wake Forest. Chris committed to NC State before Herb Sendek left for Arizona State. We have talked to him and his father a number of times but don’t get much beyond we do not do interviews at this time. He has been burnt on the first comment and apparently wants to go slow the second time around. He does not look like he would fill a short term need but would be a terrific prospect in the long-term.
Official visits
We have put links up under Football Recruiting and Basketball Recruiting to help you track when prospects are making their official visits. This is an ever changing list which you should refer to from time to time. Sometimes even Pitt does not know for sure until a day or two before the visit.
The War Room is targeted towards our premium customers. We ask that all information reported in the War Room MUST stay right here! That’s the way this deal works. When this information is repeated outside of the Between Fifth and Forbes forum it only cheapens the price of yours and every other die-hard who have purchased premium services. The War Room is one of our more popular features...thank you all for keeping the information on this board.
This post was edited on 9/22 8:16 AM by Jim Pantherlairif(GetAdminCookie() != 0) {document.write(' (Revisions[/URL])');}
The message boards revisions
Rivals.com gives the subscriber two ways to view the message boards. It is your choice. Quite frankly we think they put more calories, manpower and money into developing the Topic view but it is your choice.
Here is our suggestion. Try both. Pick the one you like. After that go to User Optionsin gold on the upper left hand side of the message board header to select the one you like best. The pull down menu is titled Display by. You can choose the Site default, Thread view or Topic view. Your choice.
The default setting for the Pantherlair is a Thread view. It has been that way since the beginning of the site. It is also how the West Virginia, Michigan and Penn State sites have their default settings so we are slow to make changes on this end. Please try both and select the one you like best. Maybe somewhere down the road we will take a poll of our subscribers to see which ones you prefer but we would like to allow everyone to have an opportunity to try both before going down this road.
One other hint. At the link marked Resources which is just above the blue border on the message boards there is a list of features you can use on the message boards. How to change your password, how to add an Avitar, how to add a signature, how to change to a Hybrid view, ect. If you are a heavy user you might want to check these out.
Technical issues
Rivals.com is trying to rebuild their entire network while at the same time keeping it up and operating. It is a huge undertaking and we still have a long way to go. We had several technical issues to battle through this week and the technicians are addressing them as best they can while still trying to keep moving forward.
We have had some subscribers indicate that they are having trouble see the photo slide shows. Make sure your computer is using Adobe 9.0. Some of you may still be on 6.0. Here is a link to the latest Adobe Shockwave Player to update your computer.
http://www.adobe.com/products/shockwaveplayer/
Rivals Radio
This morning Rivals Radio will have Woodland Hills football coach George Novak. His team plays nationally ranked Pittsburgh Central Catholic tonight at the Wolverina in Turtle Creek. I spent yesterday afternoon watching video of the Wolverines first three games. Central better get them tonight because Woodland Hill figures to be very tough come playoff time. Coach Novak will be on between 7:30 and 7:45 AM.
Rivals.com will have a video crew at the Woodlands Hill-Central game tonight so we should see video highlights next week.
At 11:15 AM EST Findlay kicker Brandon Walker is scheduled to announce his decision on Rivals Radio. You can find a link to rivals Radio under Quick Links.
Some coaches who may be on the hot seat
Here are a few coaches who had better start putting some wins together fast or there could be job openings before the year is out.
Virginia (1-3) Al Groh, North Carolina (1-2) John Bunting, Miami (1-2) Larry Coker, Duke 0-3 Ted Roof and NC State (1-2) Chuck Amato. The only thing that might save one or two of these ACC coaches is that many play each other so someone has to win.
Add to this list Illinois (1-2) Ron Zook, Stanford (0-3) Walt Harris, (How can you lose 37-9 to Navy in your home opener?) and Mississippi State (0-3) Sylvester Croom.
A few thoughts on Michigan State
When Coach Wannstedt called for a quick kick when leading 10-0 in the first half many around me did not like the call but maybe the staff knew that 10 points was not going to be enough to win this game. Unfortunately the offense squandered field position and Michigan State marched back down the field to kick a field goal to make it 10-3. The momentum had changed. Who knows what would have happened if Pitt had gone up 17-0?
Later in the fourth quarter fans around me were asking when basketball started. They felt some consolation that Pitt had a nationally ranked basketball program and did not have to wait until next year as they felt was the case in football.
Prior to the start of the season we felt Pitt could go 8-4 this year and go to a bowl. The effort against Michigan State was very disappointing but we think the Panthers still have a good chance to go 7-5 or 8-4 and get back to a bowl. This is still a very young team. Virginia was not as good as we thought. Michigan State might be better. They certainly were on Saturday at Heinz Field. A veteran quarterback exploited the young Pitt defensive front.
The game with The Citadel comes at the right time. This young team needs a win to regain their confidence right now. The next three games figure to be tougher tests.
Football recruiting recap
Pitt already has 11 verbal commitments and has a limited number of scholarships to give. They have Gateway’s Aaron Smith and Baldwin’s Jason Hargrove taking “grayshirts”. Both will go on scholarship in January and these two will count against the 85 scholarship limitation.
This morning kicker Brandon Walker is expected to announce on Rivals Radio if he will go to Pitt or Louisville. He will announce at 11:15 EST on the Big East Blitz. At one time I thought he was a heavy Pitt lean but I have to think this one will go to the Cardinals. He talked about maybe coming to Pitt this weekend but has decided to announce without taking another visit.
Rivals released their JUCO ratings this week and Tommie Duhart (6’ 4” 285) received a four-star rating and was ranked No. 19 in the country among JUCO prospects. He visits Pitt the weekend Pitt plays Toledo. Chris and I both interviewed him this past week. We would be very surprised if he did not commit when he makes his official visit although I guess in recruiting there is no sure thing but this could be as close as it gets. Duhart spent two weeks in Pittsburgh this summer and made an official visit the last time he committed so he very familiar with Pitt and has seen the place on a number of occasions.
Pitt is chasing a half dozen wide receiver candidates. Erie’s Mo Williams may take his official visit this weekend. He wants his mother to be in Pittsburgh when he visits and she has some conflicts. If she can not make it he will push it back to next weekend when Tommie Duhart and Jordan Mabin are scheduled to visit. We talked to Mo last night and will have an article later today.
In addition to Mo Williams Pitt is chasing Valley’s Toney Clemons, Naples’ Matt Clements, Rochester’s Derek Moye and Floridian Darian Williams. All of these have scholarship offers. One other that is also still in the mix is Milford Academy’s Aundre Wright. This week they rated prep prospects and he was given a three-star rating. Mike Farrell was talking to the Milford coaching staff this week and they told him they thought he was committed to Pitt. However we do no think he has an offer yet although he is being heavily recruited by Pitt. You will recall Wright played for City League champs Perry the past few years. He came to Pitt on an official visit in January but was not offered at that time.
Mike Farrell published an article this week regarding the release on some of the prep school ratings. He talked to the Milford coach who said running back LeSean McCoy is still committed to Miami. McCoy you may recall tried to flee Milford Academy this summer to go to a military school in Virginia and when that did not workout he showed up late to Milford. McCoy is not the No. 1 running back on his prep team. Their No. 1 back is Craig Cooper who also happens to be verbally committed to Miami. Rumors continue to swirl on the internet about McCoy. Who knows maybe McCoy is worried about going to Miami and once again being second banana to Craig Cooper. In the latest rankings Cooper was given a five-star rating while McCoy was given four-stars (although the pair are the top two running backs in the prep school rankings).
Basketball recruiting summary
Pitt has commitments from three players so far for the Class of 2007. Darnell Dodson (6’ 6 ½”), Bradley Wanamaker (6’ 3 ½”) and Gary McGhee (6’ 10”) have all given verbal commitments to the Pitt staff. Aaron Gray, Levon Kendall and Doyle Hudson will all be graduating after this season so bring in some more height would certainly be a good idea. Pitt has two scholarships to give for 2007.
Aaron Pogue (6’ 9’) from Dayton, Ohio will make his visit this weekend. Rivals reports that Ayodele Coker (6’ 10” 245) from South Kent Prep will visit next weekend. This is the school that sent Pitt freshman Gilbert Brown. There have also been reports that Pitt has visited at least three junior colleges looking at big men. Rivals has reported Pitt has been evaluating Landrel Brewer (6’ 9”), Desmond Hendrix (6’ 7”) and Cassin Diggs (6’ 10”). They are all listed in the database. Hendrix committed to LSU yesterday but it does show you Coach Dixon is also checking out the junior college ranks.
Jerry Myer also reported that Jamie Dixon made an in-home visit to see Anthony McClain (6’ 10”) who played for the DC Assault. He lists Pitt among his favorites but reportedly could wait until the late signing period.
There are reports that Pitt also continues to talk to Schenley’s DeJuan Blair but that he might not make a decision until the late signing period. We have not had an opportunity to talk to him this past week.
One guard that Pitt continues to chase is Chris Wright. He is also being recruited by NC State, Georgetown and Wake Forest. Chris committed to NC State before Herb Sendek left for Arizona State. We have talked to him and his father a number of times but don’t get much beyond we do not do interviews at this time. He has been burnt on the first comment and apparently wants to go slow the second time around. He does not look like he would fill a short term need but would be a terrific prospect in the long-term.
Official visits
We have put links up under Football Recruiting and Basketball Recruiting to help you track when prospects are making their official visits. This is an ever changing list which you should refer to from time to time. Sometimes even Pitt does not know for sure until a day or two before the visit.
The War Room is targeted towards our premium customers. We ask that all information reported in the War Room MUST stay right here! That’s the way this deal works. When this information is repeated outside of the Between Fifth and Forbes forum it only cheapens the price of yours and every other die-hard who have purchased premium services. The War Room is one of our more popular features...thank you all for keeping the information on this board.
This post was edited on 9/22 8:16 AM by Jim Pantherlairif(GetAdminCookie() != 0) {document.write(' (Revisions[/URL])');}
