How about a non-answer from a Beano Cook chat?
Trace – Saginaw, MI: Beano – Right off the bat this year, Irish vs. Panthers…2 NFL Coaches against each other. Weis beat him last season before DW resigned, can he do it again against the “Shane Falco” attack?
Beano Cook: It is an intriguing opener but remember this, Pitsburgh has about three players that Notre Dame was interested in and Tyler Palko was sought as a defense back. That’s like Tony Dorsett being looked at on defense out of high school. There is no comparison coming out of high school. Weis will turn this around quickly. The Steelers had no idea to stop New Engalnd’s offense when Weis ran the offense. That says a lot. The Irish open with four of their first five on the road, then USC in South Bend.
And then later in the chat he said ND would win at least 8, down from his usual 9.
From Bruce Feldman’s ESPN College Football Blog:
This week’s list is about experimentation, and the spring’s 10 best position switches. Just a caveat: this is nothing scientific, and we’re only focusing on major shifts, not offensive guards becoming O-tackles or outside linebackers shifting inside.
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8. Darrell Strong, Pittsburgh, QB/WR to TE: A huge target, the 6-5, 245-pound soph showed great ball skills and the ability to make acrobatic catches in traffic. Expect the Panthers to throw more this fall and Strong looks like a real weapon.
By throw more, I think he means to the Tight End.
One of the few Pitt recruits from the 2005 class to lose his scholarship offer lands with a new team.
Louisiana Tech has added another player to its 2005 football recruiting class with a verbal commitment from receiver/safety Shawn Simmons of New Brunswick (N.J.) High School.
Simmons originally committed to the University of Pittsburgh and coach Walt Harris. However, new Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt withdrew the scholarship offer because of his SAT score.
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The 6-2, 185-pounder, who caught 20 passes for 500 yards and seven touchdowns last season, drew the interest of Tech when Pete Carmichael was hired as receivers’ coach. Carmichael was the receivers’ coach at Pitt under Walt Harris and was familiar with Simmons.“(Carmichael) got hired by Louisiana Tech and he mentioned my name,” Simmons said. “They gave me a call, I made a visit and I made my decision.”
Simmons said Rutgers also made a push, but he decided to go to Tech.
Rutgers. Louisiana Tech. Tough call. Yeah, Rutgers is a sleeping giant in college athletics.
Finally former Pitt Tackle, Bill Maas has a new endorsement deal.
Pittsburgh-based Innovative Designs (OTCBB:IVDN) makes hunting apparel, golf apparel, jackets, swimwear, wind shirts and sleeping bags using an insulated fabric called Eliote.
Mr. Maas, a Pro Bowl nose tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers from 1983-94 who is now an analyst on NFL broadcasts for FOX, will be used in advertisements for the “Bill Maas Hunting Line.”
In a statement, the avid outsdoorsman said he had tried all sorts of hunting apparel. “I can guarantee you that (Innovative Designs) gear hunting apparel is the warmest, lightest and the most comfortable you will ever wear,” he said.
Look for it somewhere.
