Ok, the Dawg has had enough. I just can't take it anymore. I'm finally worn out. I just don't care anymore.
I hate to say it: but I could care less if Pitt and Penn State every play each other again.
That's it, the weight is officially off my chest. But some of you who have been reading me for some time now will be confused. Especially since I have been a vocal supporter of bringing the rivalry back and an often even louder critic of PSU and more importantly Joe Paterno's reluctance to not even consider it, or even historically talk about it in a fair matter.
But once he did start talking about it, boy I wish he never did.
Because once he did, what he has said about it has been so insulting that I can't believe these two teams once actually had a deeply intense and much anticipated rivalry game. But I guess that's what Joe Pa and his devoted nation wanted us all to believe all this time anyway. So in the end, they win. Because the last thing Pitt needs is another program artificially looking down their collective noses at it, especially when that program isn't the lion of college football they used to be...and still falsely think they are.
Is it me, or does it seem like every time Penn State nation needs a jolt in the arm, Joe Paterno brings up the defunct rivalry with Pitt? It's eerily similar to the pattern we've seen from politicians recently. Republicans who don't want to talk about the Iraq War bring up gay marriage or immigration. Democrats who don't want to talk about their inability to fulfill their promise to end the war bring up health care and tax cuts for the rich. For Joe Paterno, its a lot easier acting like he controls the fate of a historic rivalry than answer questions regarding the lawlessness of his supposedly pristine grand experiment of a football program.
It's not Pitt's responsibility to acquiesce in this situation and agree to an unfair deal. Pitt does not need Penn State. It has not played Penn State in six seasons and has still been able to make four bowl games, including the Fiesta Bowl, and be on national television and in the rankings since that day in 2000 that Pitt won the final game in the series 12-0. Yes, Pitt has publicly admitted it would be more than willing to accommodate PSU in any fair way possible to resume the series. This should not be interpreted as a measure born out of necessity or desperation. Just because Pitt wants to play fair to re institute a legendary rivalry doesn't mean Pitt needs to ever play PSU again, as Joe Starkey inaccurately suggests in his most recent column.
So let PSU make all their grand announcements about not needing to play Pitt unless its on their terms. Pitt has nothing to prove to PSU or anyone else. For a medium size intercity college football program, Pitt has done an incredible job staying relevant in college since the shift of successful programs from inner urban campuses to larger state schools in the late fifties/early sixties. After Miami and USC, it's hard to find a more successful program in the inner city than the Panthers. Pitt has to bow to no one, especially PSU.
Maybe its just my own flawed opinion, but I think Joe Pa is still bitter about his less than agreeable dealings with Pitt over the years. Until recently, Joe Pa always maintained that if Pitt was willing to agree to a two game, home and home series, he would do it. It was always his way to say he tried when he know Pitt wouldn't accept anything less than a long-term deal. Yet now he's saying he wouldn't even accept that, as I'm sure Pitt has put out feelers that the arrangement would now be agreeable to them if it could possibly kick start the series again.
This constantly moving target of what he would agree to merely suggests the obvious. Joe Paterno is a man who holds grudges, and yet won't admit to them. He'll suggest any reason for not continuing the rivalry and than switches it when the objection is met. It's a sure sign that a petty grudge by one man holds up the rivalry...which is a shame for all college football fans.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
The Pitt Beagle
Ok, the Dawg just had to chime in on the recently renovated Pitt Panther secondary logo introduced on www.pittsburghpanthers.com today. Of course this really is just a simplifying of the logo appeared on the football team's helmets from 1997-2004 and was relegated to a secondary emblem when Pitt became Pitt again in 2005. And although the logo is of course supposed to be a Panther, it's quite obvious that it looks something else. I think to most fans it's quite obvious this new version of the Pitt Panther looks more similar to a rabid dog than the large sized cat its supposed to be .
But I guess no Pitt fan should be surprised. We've already been down this road many times before. From ROC, the cartoonish squirrel in the 1990s to the Dino Cat logo on the helmet that many swear Steve Pederson lifted straight from the Jurassic Park movies, it's clear that Pitt hasn't been comfortable with it's branding, logos and even its mascot for quite some time now.
And for, it just seems so ridiculous that the athletic department spends so much time on this issue anyway. As a self professed admirer of the classic script look from the 70-80-90s, I personally continue to be stupefied at the athletic department's insistence on constantly changing the program branding without simply embracing the most recognized icon the university ever had. Everyone knows those simple four letters in its signature script styles. It's synonymous with the football program and has been for some time.
And I hear that arguments against bringing back the script on the message boards. We all know Mike Ditka, Joe Schmidt, Jock Sutherland and Marshall Goldberg didn't wear the script. But they played before college football was regularly on television. It's during this era that Pitt rose again and did it wearing the script Pitt on their helmets. It's why its so iconic despite debuting only 35+ years ago. It's what the country identifies immediately to when memories of those great Pitt teams are invoked.
As for the supposedly lack of sales of the jersey's at the auction after the Youngstown State game, that's a relatively weak argument since the jersey's of the most popular players did sell and who in their right mind would spend over $200 on a lesser known player's jersey anyway? Especially when many felt that those supposed throwback jerseys didn't even accurately reflect any of the true past incarnations anyway. Just judging but what one sees at games and around town, it appears to me that the script sells quite well, especially when considering its not even the current branding nor is it as easily and widely available as the current Pitt merchandise.
Maybe its me, but anyone who saw HB Blades and Tyler Palko wearing the script logo on their helmets at the Senior Bowl and didn't think it looked better than anything Pitt has had there since 1996 is certifiably crazy. I'm OK with the team keeping the current colors, they are more regal and commanding of respect than the powder blue and mustard yellow anyway.
But all this nonsense of throwing more good money on bad has to stop. New logos will never...ever bring in the casual fan. Only winning will accomplish that. But tinkering with tradition, for the most part, does aggravate and sometimes even alienate the hardcore supporter.
And on this point, I think Jeff Long gets a large bum rap for this whole issue. He did end the nonsense of being Pittsburgh instead of Pitt. And he does present himself as someone who is more interested in maintaining tradition as his legacy instead of creating his own, which clearly motivated his predecessor.
But if Long is the culprit who is not allowing Pitt to reclaim and proudly display its past glory through the branding that is not only clearly favored by most hardcore Pitt fans, but the coaching staff and players as well, it will be the issue most will unfairly remember him by. And that would be a shame since he has down so much to stabilize the program and lead it through unstable times to hopefuly better days.
But I guess no Pitt fan should be surprised. We've already been down this road many times before. From ROC, the cartoonish squirrel in the 1990s to the Dino Cat logo on the helmet that many swear Steve Pederson lifted straight from the Jurassic Park movies, it's clear that Pitt hasn't been comfortable with it's branding, logos and even its mascot for quite some time now.
And for, it just seems so ridiculous that the athletic department spends so much time on this issue anyway. As a self professed admirer of the classic script look from the 70-80-90s, I personally continue to be stupefied at the athletic department's insistence on constantly changing the program branding without simply embracing the most recognized icon the university ever had. Everyone knows those simple four letters in its signature script styles. It's synonymous with the football program and has been for some time.
And I hear that arguments against bringing back the script on the message boards. We all know Mike Ditka, Joe Schmidt, Jock Sutherland and Marshall Goldberg didn't wear the script. But they played before college football was regularly on television. It's during this era that Pitt rose again and did it wearing the script Pitt on their helmets. It's why its so iconic despite debuting only 35+ years ago. It's what the country identifies immediately to when memories of those great Pitt teams are invoked.
As for the supposedly lack of sales of the jersey's at the auction after the Youngstown State game, that's a relatively weak argument since the jersey's of the most popular players did sell and who in their right mind would spend over $200 on a lesser known player's jersey anyway? Especially when many felt that those supposed throwback jerseys didn't even accurately reflect any of the true past incarnations anyway. Just judging but what one sees at games and around town, it appears to me that the script sells quite well, especially when considering its not even the current branding nor is it as easily and widely available as the current Pitt merchandise.
Maybe its me, but anyone who saw HB Blades and Tyler Palko wearing the script logo on their helmets at the Senior Bowl and didn't think it looked better than anything Pitt has had there since 1996 is certifiably crazy. I'm OK with the team keeping the current colors, they are more regal and commanding of respect than the powder blue and mustard yellow anyway.
But all this nonsense of throwing more good money on bad has to stop. New logos will never...ever bring in the casual fan. Only winning will accomplish that. But tinkering with tradition, for the most part, does aggravate and sometimes even alienate the hardcore supporter.
And on this point, I think Jeff Long gets a large bum rap for this whole issue. He did end the nonsense of being Pittsburgh instead of Pitt. And he does present himself as someone who is more interested in maintaining tradition as his legacy instead of creating his own, which clearly motivated his predecessor.
But if Long is the culprit who is not allowing Pitt to reclaim and proudly display its past glory through the branding that is not only clearly favored by most hardcore Pitt fans, but the coaching staff and players as well, it will be the issue most will unfairly remember him by. And that would be a shame since he has down so much to stabilize the program and lead it through unstable times to hopefuly better days.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
May 20, 2007: Wanny Aid
To drink or not to drink, that is the question all Pitt fans are asking themselves this week. It seems that there are three distinct camps among Pitt fans regarding their opinion of the current tenure of Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt: patient, doomed, and not so sure yet.
And the Dawg will flat out say it right now; I'm in the last group...for sure.
But it's the first two camps that have clearly defined and debated this argument heavily this week. It's obviously a slow week, but nonetheless, this dialogue has been the constant one to inspire extremely long debates and emotion every time it's brought up. As I see it, somehow an analogy of life is unearthed, practically uncovered every time Dave Wannstedt’s prowess as a head football coach is brought up. And that's whether the argument is in Pittsburgh, Miami, or Chicago. Fans seem to look at his lukewarm results as a head coach and either be utterly convinced that the guy is just a flat out failure, while many others look at them and see promise and hope for the future. And nowhere is this analogy more observant and passionate than in Oakland. To Pitt fans Wannstedt is not just another NFL assistant thrown onto the head coaching trash heap. He's a favorite son of not only the program, but of the entire area, mainly for being a decent, warm hearted, friendly, and completely admired legend of a human being. Hence why the debate is more passionate, more well rounded that the typical assertions that he is an abysmal failure of coach you hear from so many outsider fans.
So, among Pitt fans, it appears most look at the results and either feel that this will be life under Wannstedt in perpetuity or that the program naturally bottomed out as a result of the Harris regime and that the current coach is suffering the effects of this while he methodically rebuilds the program in his image.
But there is that small group I personally fit into still to consider: the not so sure one. And I realize how wishy-washy that last sentence really seems. But like almost everyone, I truly believed a new era had dawned for Pitt football that eventful day over two years ago when Dave Wannstedt accepted the head coaching position vacated when Walt Harris took the Stanford head job. Unfortunately, that new era still hasn't started, no matter how much some of us want to believe it has, at least not on the field. The results have just not been there to proclaim Wannstedt's hiring a total success, not yet anyway. So like the first group, I am disappointed with the results. I don’t buy the idea that Pitt was so far in the dumps that not getting to a bowl game was inevitable
But I don't think most of the Wannstedt supporters would want anyone to think that they are happy with the results on the field either. But, they also believe that better results are only a matter of time. And there is validity to their opinion. Wannstedt has dramatically improved the talent level. Mainly because he has lent out a hand and healed many of the relationships Walt Harris had burned at the local high school level as well. Wannstedt has also crafted a very strong and positive image of a program that has struggled at times with its public persona in the past.
But where I differ with this group is there desire to stand by the head coach regardless of how long it takes to see the results. I think somewhere along the line a higher outcome has to be expected. Despite the amount of youth and inexperience on the current roster, there is enough talent to win seven games this year. And somewhere along the road, Wannstedt’s Panthers must figure out how to beat a team that is favored against them. All great coaches have to demonstrate this at least a few times during the tenure. Walt Harris certainly did. And unlike some of the other coaches mentioned who needed more time than two-three years to have a winning season, Wannstedt was brought in to take the program higher than it had been under Harris. A tall order, when you consider that the Panthers had not missed going to a bowl game in half a decade.
So, the Dawg’s point is simple. Wannstedt has come a long way in restoring some lacking elements to the program, especially in regards to talent and public image. But somewhere along the way the results have to follow. And if they don’t soon, the head coach has to be culpable. I’m willing to wait, especially since Wannstedt has shown so much promise. But if Pitt doesn’t make a bowl game this year, then 2008 has to have consequences. He must be coaching to keep his job. If not, than the program will be stagnating and worse off than it was when he took over. And that’s not something any head coach, even one as admired as Dave Wannstedt, can expect to keep their job over.
And the Dawg will flat out say it right now; I'm in the last group...for sure.
But it's the first two camps that have clearly defined and debated this argument heavily this week. It's obviously a slow week, but nonetheless, this dialogue has been the constant one to inspire extremely long debates and emotion every time it's brought up. As I see it, somehow an analogy of life is unearthed, practically uncovered every time Dave Wannstedt’s prowess as a head football coach is brought up. And that's whether the argument is in Pittsburgh, Miami, or Chicago. Fans seem to look at his lukewarm results as a head coach and either be utterly convinced that the guy is just a flat out failure, while many others look at them and see promise and hope for the future. And nowhere is this analogy more observant and passionate than in Oakland. To Pitt fans Wannstedt is not just another NFL assistant thrown onto the head coaching trash heap. He's a favorite son of not only the program, but of the entire area, mainly for being a decent, warm hearted, friendly, and completely admired legend of a human being. Hence why the debate is more passionate, more well rounded that the typical assertions that he is an abysmal failure of coach you hear from so many outsider fans.
So, among Pitt fans, it appears most look at the results and either feel that this will be life under Wannstedt in perpetuity or that the program naturally bottomed out as a result of the Harris regime and that the current coach is suffering the effects of this while he methodically rebuilds the program in his image.
But there is that small group I personally fit into still to consider: the not so sure one. And I realize how wishy-washy that last sentence really seems. But like almost everyone, I truly believed a new era had dawned for Pitt football that eventful day over two years ago when Dave Wannstedt accepted the head coaching position vacated when Walt Harris took the Stanford head job. Unfortunately, that new era still hasn't started, no matter how much some of us want to believe it has, at least not on the field. The results have just not been there to proclaim Wannstedt's hiring a total success, not yet anyway. So like the first group, I am disappointed with the results. I don’t buy the idea that Pitt was so far in the dumps that not getting to a bowl game was inevitable
But I don't think most of the Wannstedt supporters would want anyone to think that they are happy with the results on the field either. But, they also believe that better results are only a matter of time. And there is validity to their opinion. Wannstedt has dramatically improved the talent level. Mainly because he has lent out a hand and healed many of the relationships Walt Harris had burned at the local high school level as well. Wannstedt has also crafted a very strong and positive image of a program that has struggled at times with its public persona in the past.
But where I differ with this group is there desire to stand by the head coach regardless of how long it takes to see the results. I think somewhere along the line a higher outcome has to be expected. Despite the amount of youth and inexperience on the current roster, there is enough talent to win seven games this year. And somewhere along the road, Wannstedt’s Panthers must figure out how to beat a team that is favored against them. All great coaches have to demonstrate this at least a few times during the tenure. Walt Harris certainly did. And unlike some of the other coaches mentioned who needed more time than two-three years to have a winning season, Wannstedt was brought in to take the program higher than it had been under Harris. A tall order, when you consider that the Panthers had not missed going to a bowl game in half a decade.
So, the Dawg’s point is simple. Wannstedt has come a long way in restoring some lacking elements to the program, especially in regards to talent and public image. But somewhere along the way the results have to follow. And if they don’t soon, the head coach has to be culpable. I’m willing to wait, especially since Wannstedt has shown so much promise. But if Pitt doesn’t make a bowl game this year, then 2008 has to have consequences. He must be coaching to keep his job. If not, than the program will be stagnating and worse off than it was when he took over. And that’s not something any head coach, even one as admired as Dave Wannstedt, can expect to keep their job over.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
May 10, 2007: To Schedule or Not to Schedule
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.
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.
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.
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