It’s still snowing in the Cleveland area, and now the wind has picked up to blow some of it around some more. Means the whole family will be snowbound. Kind of makes me wish we had another TV so I could hole up in the office and watch the game tonight. While waiting for the game, and bracing for another go at shoveling, some various things relating to Pitt football.

Let’s start with an alumni update. Rod Rutherford.

Signed originally as an undrafted free agent, Rutherford impressed the coaches enough in training camp to play a few late pre-season quarters, beating out NFL Europe backup Rob Adamson. Rutherford didn’t make the 53-man roster, but did manage to play his way onto the practice squad. He was used a few times this season to prepare for mobile quarterbacks (like Atlanta’s Michael Vick) and maintained the coaches’ high opinion of him.

In a very telling move, the Panthers signed him to the roster before the final game of the season, making Rutherford an exclusive rights player (which means that no other team can sign him to a contract.) The move ensures that Rutherford will be spending at least training camp with the Panthers.

Rutherford was a standout QB at Pittsburgh, amassing 6,724 yards on 458-of-842 passing with 60 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, despite only starting for two seasons. He also rushed for 880 yards and 12 touchdowns on 419 attempts. His primary target at Pitt was 2004 first-round wideout Larry Fitzgerald. During his play time in the 2004 pre-season with the Panthers, he showed he was able to make plays with his legs, though he’s clearly no Mike Vick. Rutherford offers a nice change of pace for the Panthers and may have a future here as a backup, and he may even be a situational player.

This season will be very important for Rutherford. With Peete likely retiring, Rod may find himself as the #3 QB very easily. Weinke is set to depart next year and the Panthers are likely to draft a QB in the 2006 NFL Draft. Which round they go QB will depend on Rutherford’s development this season.

Glad he is likely to get at least another year to develop. Wonder if he’ll be playing in NFL Europe?

Pitt’s latest commit, Tommie Duhart, talks to his local paper about choosing Pitt.

All of the professional factors led Duhart to give an oral commitment Thursday to the Panthers. Although Duhart was being recruited by South Florida and Florida, Pittsburgh was the only campus he visited.

“All of that played a big part,” Duhart said. “The Pittsburgh Panthers and the Steelers use the same facilities. They’re on the same practice field, same stadium. And Wannstedt has that pro experience. After talking with him, he was just cool. The whole coaching staff was pretty cool.”

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Duhart was a two-year starter at Glades Central. He had 58 tackles (10 for losses) and two sacks, earning South Florida Sun-Sentinel All-County honors. He teamed this season with Rashaad Duncan, who also committed to Pittsburgh, to make up one of the area’s top defensive line duos.

Coach Wannstedt has been making the rounds at local Western Pennsylvania high schools as well as working the Florida kids.

Wannstedt and assistant coach Bob Junko met with McKeesport Area coach George Smith, athletic director Charley Kiss and new Superintendent Pat Risha Thursday afternoon.

“It’s been very hectic, but very good,” Wannstedt said. “The reception from the high school coaches, to the fans and recruits has been extremely positive. They are really the only people I’ve been dealing with which is what I expected. It’s been a combination of recruiting and trying to put together a coaching staff. It seems to be all coming together.”

The visit had nothing to do with recruiting. Rather, Wannstedt is trying to foster relationships with coaches in the area.

“I am here just to see George,” he said. “This is just to strengthen those relationships and to let everyone know that I’m going to be in the area and we’re going to spend a lot of time around here. We want to get everyone thinking the University of Pittsburgh.”

This is normal for new coaches to visit the high schools in the area. I think, though, that it important that Wannstedt make sure he does some sort of touring like this every year. Something Walt Harris began to slack on doing. Even if the school lacks any talent in a particular year. Provide some flattery and let them know you are around and watching.

Finally, the must read, P-G Pitt football beat writer Paul Zeise returns with a Q&A (someone have Ray Fittipaldo look at this to see that it is alright to express an opinion and actual thoughts on what you would do).

Q: Now that the coaching staff is complete, how did we do?

ZEISE: I think the entire staff hinged on two key hires — the head coach and the coordinator on the opposite side of the ball from the head coach. So from that standpoint, I really think the Panthers have hit a home run. I think Wannstedt was the best guy for the job — because he has the right combination of personality, experience, local connections, name recognition, track record of success, etc., etc. — and I think Matt Cavanaugh was a tremendous hire as well.

The rest of the staff is fine because they will all essentially fall into place under Wannstedt on defense and Cavanaugh on offense. Paul Dunn will do great as line coach and David Walker, I think, was a tremendous hire.

I’ve heard some criticism of Cavanaugh because the Ravens offense was not always very good. First off, I’d say that is off base. We are enamored these days with the passing game, but the running game is every bit as, if not more, important and the Ravens could run the football. To me, an offense that consistently leads the NFL or is near the top in rushing, is an offense that is working. Cavanaugh’s offense played to the strengths of his personnel.

The Ravens best players on offense has been its tailbacks and offensive linemen and Cavanaugh, like a good coordinator, modeled an offense around that. The six quarterbacks he had to work with had one thing in common — they all stink. That’s being blunt and in some cases too kind, but my goodness, it wasn’t like he was working with future hall of famers. And take it one step further — who are all these great wide receivers he had to work with over the past six years?

So the passing game may not have been that great, but the problem wasn’t the plays or play calling but rather the lack of ability at quarterback and a lack of playmakers at receiver.

People around here have been crying for eight years about Walt Harris infatuation with the passing game and how the Panthers are always soft on offense. I don’t expect that to continue — I think you’ll see more of a power running game and as a result an even better passing game. Matt Cavanaugh is an excellent coach and I really believe this will pan out now that he has a good quarterback and top receivers to work with. He’ll have a balanced offense that is efficient and also fun to watch.
…
Q: Do you think Princell Brockenbrough will receive a sixth year? How would this and the return of Terrell Allen impact Joe DelSardo’s playing time?

ZEISE: No, I don’t think Princell is going to get a sixth year. He is done, which is sad because he had so much talent and promise but just could never stay healthy. The return of Terrell Allen should be a big lift for Pitt. This kid wants to be good, you can tell that by his work ethic. There may not be a harder worker, or more enthusiastic practice player. I was shocked that even though he was not able to play last season because of that wrist injury, he was one of the first on the practice field and last to leave every day. Whatever he was able to do physically, he did and he was always among the leaders in conditioning and running drills. I was very impressed with his effort. I don’t think it will impact DelSardo that much because he’s proven himself to be worthy of being a starter.

Now, with a new staff in place it is possible that someone beats out DelSardo, but that is a different thing. Terrell Allen’s impact, I believe, will be most quickly felt on kick and punt returns. He’s a tremendous talent.

I hope Pitt doesn’t go and abandon the vertical passing game. Like it or not. Want to run more or not, that is where the talent on the offense lies right now. Yes, there should be more running and balance, but the passing can just as easliy set up the run. That will be an interesting test of Wannstedt and Cavanaugh to adapt their plans and philosophy to the talent.