That seems to be the question Chris94 has brought up on Panther Digest recently. And anyone who has read Panther Digest long enough will tell you, this is not the first time Chris has brought it up...and it won't be the last. But that is what makes him one of the best posters on Scout.com. He's opinionated, and he isn't afraid to defend his opinion on a few key topics that he feels strongly about.
The Dawg obviously has a ton of respect for his fellow moderator's opinion that Pitt should beef up it's out of conference schedule as much as possible. It's one we have debated for some time now. My stance has generally been not to make the schedule too difficult year in and year out, especially since it could be perceived as a knee jerk reaction to offset a supposedly weak conference schedule. Although the Big East might still have a lot to prove, the conference has proven in the last two years that it certainly is head and shoulders about any current non BCS conference (like the MWC or WAC) that might have had it's eye on moving up and taking it's place with the other big boys in major college football when the defections of Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College supposedly crippled the conference.
So with the Big East's place in the BCS secure (at least for now) its time to consider the question strictly on the basis of how it affects the Panther program alone. If you asked me whether Pitt should schedule USC in the next two years, I would have to say absolutely not. But if we are looking at 2009, I say go for it. As many have said on the thread above, who knows how good USC will be three seasons or more from now. What we all know is that the Trojans will still be recognized as one of the best and most storied programs in college football. And that alone is worth pursuing a series with them. The national exposure and respect of playing one of the major programs, especially the biggest program in college football out West, is well worth the potential beat down the Panthers could receive if USC is still a top 5 team and Pitt is still treading water at .500. Somehow I doubt that would be the case, but if it is true, Coach Wannstedt will be a lame duck head coach at that point anyway, so the loss would be a mercy nail in the coffin for fans anyway.
But if Pitt is back to being a routine bowl bound team, a game against the Trojans could really put the spotlight back on Pitt football. That is especially true if the game ends up being close or even better, if the Panthers find a way to win.Either way, it would be an exciting event for all Pitt fans and tremendous exposure nationally for the program.
And those are two benefits that never go out of style.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
May 03, 2007: Paul Rhoads Perspective
It’s become quite easy to target Paul Rhoads as the catch all excuse for what has been wrong with the Pitt Panther defense the last few years. The Dawg has to admit that he is just at fault as everyone else in Panther Nation. And as the defensive coordinator, he deserves a lion share of the blame, especially when the porous run defense is taken into consideration.
But underneath the obvious failures there are so very strong indicators that Paul Rhoads has been enough of a contributor to remain defensive coordinator underneath Dave Wannstedt…at least for one more season. This might be shocking to many Pitt fans, but let me explain.
We’ve all heard the excuses about how the program has had a dearth of talent on defense since the last season of note for the defense, 2002. At closer look, that might be a little but of an overstatement. Yet, if that were as true as many Pitt fans would like to believe than the NFL scouts have a lot of explaining to do.
That’s because, despite the drop in defensive efficacy, Pitt’s defense has been able to get quite a few players drafted into the next level since 2002. Pitt fans only have to look to the draft this weekend for immediate proof. Despite having a quite potent offense in 2006, not one offensive player was drafted this year. The closest was quarterback Tyler Palko. But even this warrior, who dazzled Pitt fans with his tenacity and aggressive play, ended up being overlooked for all seven rounds of the draft this weekend. He ended up signing as a free agent, which was not a bad alternative once it became available that no team was interested enough to make him a pick in the first five rounds of the draft.
Yet, as Palko watched his stock drop out of the draft, three of his teammates were drafted. And all three played on the defensive side of the ball. Darrelle Revis went in the first round, 14th overall, to the New York Jets. This was a no brainer, as Revis was easily one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. From the moment he stepped on the field his Freshman year, Revis just looked and played like a first rounder. And despite being told he wasn’t a first round selection by many rival fans, Pitt fans knew that when the scouts looked past the lack of All American selections (mainly due to not ever being passed on by rival teams) they would see the pure talent, skill, and professionalism in Revis that they had in his three years as a Panther.
But Revis was not the only Pitt Panther selected in the 2007 NFL Draft. Pitt had a linebacker that was an All American in 2006 who also was expected to be drafted as well. He was drafted, but not before another shocking development saw his close teammate go first. No one doubted that Big East defensive player of the year H.B. Blades would be drafted. Many even suspected Blades would not be drafted until the 2nd day of the draft. And indeed, he was selected in the sixth round by the Washington Redskins. But Blades was shockingly not the only Pitt linebacker selected in 2007. Clint Session was also drafted, a surprise pick of the Indianapolis Colts. Not only was he drafted, but he was taken almost two rounds ahead of his much higher touted All Amercian teammate at the end of the fourth round.
So where does this leave Pitt fans? They’ve been told by the current coaching regime for two plus years now that the talent has been depleted, especially on the defensive side. It’s been a catch all excuse for why the defense has been particularly bad the last two-three years. With three defensive players drafted this year and several in the past few years, it’s becoming harder to believe that was the case.
More importantly, it shows why Paul Rhoads is still on the coaching staff. His recent defenses may not have been able to reach the high levels of the 2002 unit, but he does recruit (and than coaches up) legitimate NFL talent. Many of his former players now play in the NFL, despite not having a dominant defense for some time. And when you look at the position Rhoads actually coaches, it becomes even clearer. Shawntae Spencer, Josh Lay, Torrie Cox, Ramon Walker and now Revis learned their positon in the defensive backfield under Rhoads and all were drafted into the NFL. Couple that with current NFL linebackers like Gerald Hayes. J.J. Horne and now H.B. Blades and Clint Session and Rhoads has proven he can spot and nurture defensive talent.
Unfortunately, the Achilles’ heel of the defense, its front line, is where Rhoads has had the least amount of success. Rhoads may still have his job because his defenses have been stout against the pass the last few years, but he’ll need to drastically improve the run defense if he wants to keep it past 2007. And the first step might be to actually develop some talent on the defensive front line. For all the NFL success Rhoads has had with his back seven, only one DL, Claude Harriot, has even been drafted in Rhoads tenure as Pitt defensive coordinator.
To be fair, Rhoads has some other defensive lineman make the NFL. But unfortunately Charles Spencer and Andy Alleman play on offense now, and Alleman only made it after transferring to Akron and being converted to offense by former Pitt assistant coach J.D. Brookhart. But both players prove that the talent has been there, but that it’s up to Paul Rhoads and Dave Wannstedt to nurture it.
Because if they don’t, the calls for a coaching regime change in Oakland will only become louder and louder…no matter how many linebackers and defensive backs they put in the NFL come this time next year.
But underneath the obvious failures there are so very strong indicators that Paul Rhoads has been enough of a contributor to remain defensive coordinator underneath Dave Wannstedt…at least for one more season. This might be shocking to many Pitt fans, but let me explain.
We’ve all heard the excuses about how the program has had a dearth of talent on defense since the last season of note for the defense, 2002. At closer look, that might be a little but of an overstatement. Yet, if that were as true as many Pitt fans would like to believe than the NFL scouts have a lot of explaining to do.
That’s because, despite the drop in defensive efficacy, Pitt’s defense has been able to get quite a few players drafted into the next level since 2002. Pitt fans only have to look to the draft this weekend for immediate proof. Despite having a quite potent offense in 2006, not one offensive player was drafted this year. The closest was quarterback Tyler Palko. But even this warrior, who dazzled Pitt fans with his tenacity and aggressive play, ended up being overlooked for all seven rounds of the draft this weekend. He ended up signing as a free agent, which was not a bad alternative once it became available that no team was interested enough to make him a pick in the first five rounds of the draft.
Yet, as Palko watched his stock drop out of the draft, three of his teammates were drafted. And all three played on the defensive side of the ball. Darrelle Revis went in the first round, 14th overall, to the New York Jets. This was a no brainer, as Revis was easily one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. From the moment he stepped on the field his Freshman year, Revis just looked and played like a first rounder. And despite being told he wasn’t a first round selection by many rival fans, Pitt fans knew that when the scouts looked past the lack of All American selections (mainly due to not ever being passed on by rival teams) they would see the pure talent, skill, and professionalism in Revis that they had in his three years as a Panther.
But Revis was not the only Pitt Panther selected in the 2007 NFL Draft. Pitt had a linebacker that was an All American in 2006 who also was expected to be drafted as well. He was drafted, but not before another shocking development saw his close teammate go first. No one doubted that Big East defensive player of the year H.B. Blades would be drafted. Many even suspected Blades would not be drafted until the 2nd day of the draft. And indeed, he was selected in the sixth round by the Washington Redskins. But Blades was shockingly not the only Pitt linebacker selected in 2007. Clint Session was also drafted, a surprise pick of the Indianapolis Colts. Not only was he drafted, but he was taken almost two rounds ahead of his much higher touted All Amercian teammate at the end of the fourth round.
So where does this leave Pitt fans? They’ve been told by the current coaching regime for two plus years now that the talent has been depleted, especially on the defensive side. It’s been a catch all excuse for why the defense has been particularly bad the last two-three years. With three defensive players drafted this year and several in the past few years, it’s becoming harder to believe that was the case.
More importantly, it shows why Paul Rhoads is still on the coaching staff. His recent defenses may not have been able to reach the high levels of the 2002 unit, but he does recruit (and than coaches up) legitimate NFL talent. Many of his former players now play in the NFL, despite not having a dominant defense for some time. And when you look at the position Rhoads actually coaches, it becomes even clearer. Shawntae Spencer, Josh Lay, Torrie Cox, Ramon Walker and now Revis learned their positon in the defensive backfield under Rhoads and all were drafted into the NFL. Couple that with current NFL linebackers like Gerald Hayes. J.J. Horne and now H.B. Blades and Clint Session and Rhoads has proven he can spot and nurture defensive talent.
Unfortunately, the Achilles’ heel of the defense, its front line, is where Rhoads has had the least amount of success. Rhoads may still have his job because his defenses have been stout against the pass the last few years, but he’ll need to drastically improve the run defense if he wants to keep it past 2007. And the first step might be to actually develop some talent on the defensive front line. For all the NFL success Rhoads has had with his back seven, only one DL, Claude Harriot, has even been drafted in Rhoads tenure as Pitt defensive coordinator.
To be fair, Rhoads has some other defensive lineman make the NFL. But unfortunately Charles Spencer and Andy Alleman play on offense now, and Alleman only made it after transferring to Akron and being converted to offense by former Pitt assistant coach J.D. Brookhart. But both players prove that the talent has been there, but that it’s up to Paul Rhoads and Dave Wannstedt to nurture it.
Because if they don’t, the calls for a coaching regime change in Oakland will only become louder and louder…no matter how many linebackers and defensive backs they put in the NFL come this time next year.
April 27, 2007: Don't Pull That Offer Just Yet
The Dawg knows he will be crucified for this, but I don't think Pitt should pull recent decommit Mike Cruz's offer...
I know what you are thinking, how could I say such a thing in light of his comments in Kevin Gorman's article titled Bishop McCort TE backs off Pitt commit in the Pittsburgh Tribune? Believe me; no one was more disappointed and aggravated about his comments than me. They were total cheap shots and totally unfair. But let's have a little perspective here. The reality is that maybe the kid might have committed too early and too soon. Or he might just be exploring his options to satisfying his mother's request to look at other schools.
Fact is, he knows he made a mistake committing too early and then was put in a position to have to justify his decision to decommit. Was his calling the local newspaper and ripping his supposed "dream school" necessary as well? Of course not. Logic and common sense clearly advise against a drastic step like that, especially since it is potentially burning a bridge he might still want to cross later after he has looked at other schools. Unfortunately, logic and common sense are two characteristics not very prevalent in most teenagers. Some are granted these virtues early in life, but like most of us, they are acquired later in the maturation process of our most formidable teenage and early adult lives. Most of us are fortunate to learn from these mistakes in relative obscurity. Most recruits did as well until only a few years ago when recruiting sites like Panther Digest exploded and became what they are today.
Today college athletic recruiting is big news, especially on the internet. Which is great for all of us who are passionate fans, but we must remember it’s also making celebrities out of very young kids, and its giving them this celebrity usually overnight and complete unknowingly. Unlike professionals, or even players in college, these kids have no public relations help or experience. Many simply do not even understand that what they say to a reporter could potentially damage their image on websites and forums that didn’t even exist just five years ago.
Please understand that the Dawg does not don’t condone Mike Cruz for what he did, but I certainly think his actions should be put in more clear perspective. Like many young people, he made a rash emotional decision. Like many young people, he was also advised by his love ones to slow down and reevaluate that decision before it became binding. Unlike many young people, this whole process was also reported and discussed in public, hence the unfortunate decision to defend his actions in a local newspaper and insulting the program he had just committed to a few weeks before to justify his seemingly rash 180 turn around.
I know, many of you might be thinking the Dawg is letting Cruz off easy. But you know what? If anyone deserves to be left off easy, it’s a kid. I learned this lesson the hard way with LeSean McCoy. No on was tougher on him when he was playing up the recruiting game his senior year. I flat out stated that Pitt should withdraw his offer and never offer it again when he seemingly flip-flopped his favorite program from week to week his senior year. If I remember correctly, McCoy also had some pretty harsh criticisms of Pitt at one point as well. But it appears his knew injury and having to play prep ball for a year until he qualified provided McCoy with much needed humility.
Who is to say Mike Cruz doesn’t deserve the same second chance as well?
So, my hopes are that the football program puts this into perspective if Cruz does ultimately decide to recommit to Pitt. Should the scholarship be held for him until he ultimately decides? No. But if Pitt does have a scholarship available when and if Cruz does sincerely decide to be a Panther, it should be available to him. His scholarship offer should simply not be withdrawn out of spite. Like all kids, Cruz deserves a second chance should he want it, even if his gaffe was made in public.
I know what you are thinking, how could I say such a thing in light of his comments in Kevin Gorman's article titled Bishop McCort TE backs off Pitt commit in the Pittsburgh Tribune? Believe me; no one was more disappointed and aggravated about his comments than me. They were total cheap shots and totally unfair. But let's have a little perspective here. The reality is that maybe the kid might have committed too early and too soon. Or he might just be exploring his options to satisfying his mother's request to look at other schools.
Fact is, he knows he made a mistake committing too early and then was put in a position to have to justify his decision to decommit. Was his calling the local newspaper and ripping his supposed "dream school" necessary as well? Of course not. Logic and common sense clearly advise against a drastic step like that, especially since it is potentially burning a bridge he might still want to cross later after he has looked at other schools. Unfortunately, logic and common sense are two characteristics not very prevalent in most teenagers. Some are granted these virtues early in life, but like most of us, they are acquired later in the maturation process of our most formidable teenage and early adult lives. Most of us are fortunate to learn from these mistakes in relative obscurity. Most recruits did as well until only a few years ago when recruiting sites like Panther Digest exploded and became what they are today.
Today college athletic recruiting is big news, especially on the internet. Which is great for all of us who are passionate fans, but we must remember it’s also making celebrities out of very young kids, and its giving them this celebrity usually overnight and complete unknowingly. Unlike professionals, or even players in college, these kids have no public relations help or experience. Many simply do not even understand that what they say to a reporter could potentially damage their image on websites and forums that didn’t even exist just five years ago.
Please understand that the Dawg does not don’t condone Mike Cruz for what he did, but I certainly think his actions should be put in more clear perspective. Like many young people, he made a rash emotional decision. Like many young people, he was also advised by his love ones to slow down and reevaluate that decision before it became binding. Unlike many young people, this whole process was also reported and discussed in public, hence the unfortunate decision to defend his actions in a local newspaper and insulting the program he had just committed to a few weeks before to justify his seemingly rash 180 turn around.
I know, many of you might be thinking the Dawg is letting Cruz off easy. But you know what? If anyone deserves to be left off easy, it’s a kid. I learned this lesson the hard way with LeSean McCoy. No on was tougher on him when he was playing up the recruiting game his senior year. I flat out stated that Pitt should withdraw his offer and never offer it again when he seemingly flip-flopped his favorite program from week to week his senior year. If I remember correctly, McCoy also had some pretty harsh criticisms of Pitt at one point as well. But it appears his knew injury and having to play prep ball for a year until he qualified provided McCoy with much needed humility.
Who is to say Mike Cruz doesn’t deserve the same second chance as well?
So, my hopes are that the football program puts this into perspective if Cruz does ultimately decide to recommit to Pitt. Should the scholarship be held for him until he ultimately decides? No. But if Pitt does have a scholarship available when and if Cruz does sincerely decide to be a Panther, it should be available to him. His scholarship offer should simply not be withdrawn out of spite. Like all kids, Cruz deserves a second chance should he want it, even if his gaffe was made in public.
April 22, 2007: Introduction: Va. Tech
It's a new day for the Dawg House! I've decided to starts a blog so that the dawg house will be more accessible and interactive. OK, I also thought it would be cool to start a blog since everyone (including PE75) is doing it now. It really is the big thing now.
Sorry, the Dawg just couldn't help himself.
So please, enjoy. My ultimate hope is that whatever I write inspires dialog and debate about my beloved Panthers and any other topics I write and comment on.
And that leads me to a very important topic. The Virginia Tech shootings. Such a senseless horrible act that touched us all deeply. I really have nothing new to add to the dialog we've all read, posted, and discussed with family and friends. But there is something I would like to comment on. For the last week there has been a lot of debate regarding the university's administration decision not to raise the alarm and lock down the campus between the first and second shootings that were two hours apart.
The Dawg is already on the record as saying that I would have at least notified the campus as soon as possible after confirming the original incident as a double murder. That being said and on record, I find it extremely unfair to criticize the university for making the decision they did. We might never know what information they had on hand at the time of the first murder. And let's be honest, the first incident could happen hundred times again in the future and never lead to the shooter coming back and murdering additional people. It may be a cliche, but hindsight is definitely 20/20. That's because unfortunately murders and crimes happen on campuses every year. But it's been over 40 years since someone went on murder rampage similar to what happened on Blacksburg this past week.
Fact is, the administration and the university police have dedicated their lives to protecting, enhancing and nurturing the students of Virginia Tech. They take their jobs very serious and they in no way took their responsibilities lightly Monday when they made the decisions they made that horrible day. Nothing feels more empty in these terrible situations when the perpetrator kills themselves and steals away any chance for Justice being served on earth. That's when the second guessing is turned unfairly on others that don't deserve it. Even in light of the now infamous NBC tapes, it's still unfair to assume this could have been prevented. Especially when the murderer never specifically did anything enough for him to be expelled from school or be detained until the massacre last Monday.
As many of the students have so eloquently stated, the only villain is the shooter, no one else.
Sorry, the Dawg just couldn't help himself.
So please, enjoy. My ultimate hope is that whatever I write inspires dialog and debate about my beloved Panthers and any other topics I write and comment on.
And that leads me to a very important topic. The Virginia Tech shootings. Such a senseless horrible act that touched us all deeply. I really have nothing new to add to the dialog we've all read, posted, and discussed with family and friends. But there is something I would like to comment on. For the last week there has been a lot of debate regarding the university's administration decision not to raise the alarm and lock down the campus between the first and second shootings that were two hours apart.
The Dawg is already on the record as saying that I would have at least notified the campus as soon as possible after confirming the original incident as a double murder. That being said and on record, I find it extremely unfair to criticize the university for making the decision they did. We might never know what information they had on hand at the time of the first murder. And let's be honest, the first incident could happen hundred times again in the future and never lead to the shooter coming back and murdering additional people. It may be a cliche, but hindsight is definitely 20/20. That's because unfortunately murders and crimes happen on campuses every year. But it's been over 40 years since someone went on murder rampage similar to what happened on Blacksburg this past week.
Fact is, the administration and the university police have dedicated their lives to protecting, enhancing and nurturing the students of Virginia Tech. They take their jobs very serious and they in no way took their responsibilities lightly Monday when they made the decisions they made that horrible day. Nothing feels more empty in these terrible situations when the perpetrator kills themselves and steals away any chance for Justice being served on earth. That's when the second guessing is turned unfairly on others that don't deserve it. Even in light of the now infamous NBC tapes, it's still unfair to assume this could have been prevented. Especially when the murderer never specifically did anything enough for him to be expelled from school or be detained until the massacre last Monday.
As many of the students have so eloquently stated, the only villain is the shooter, no one else.
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