Arguably, Matt Cavanaugh coming in as Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach at Pitt will be a gamble for Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh took the blame in Baltimore for the Ravens’ putrid offense, and failure to develop a QB. He was getting a lot of heat before he “resigned.” Boller’s development this year was credited by most to Jim Fassel who came in as QB coach. In Cavanaugh’s defense, the Ravens have lacked a real #1 receiver who can stretch the field, but did have a strong O-line, an-all-pro TE (who was hurt for half the year) and stud running back.

Cavanaugh is very much a “west-coast offense” kind of coach who prefers the strong running game and short passes. He uses his tight ends as receivers a lot. At Pitt, he will have Eric Gill at TE and a receiving corp that will have Greg Lee to stretch the field along with Darrell Strong and Joe DelSardo to go over the middle. He basically comes into a job where the strengths and weaknessess are reversed.

Not only does he need to rebuild his reputation to a degree, but Pitt fans will be watching closely. Palko had progressed and developed so quickly into a top college QB, that any steps backward will likely be pinned on Cavanaugh.