Just to let everyone know, I’m alive.

I’m at my brother-in-law’s house. We’re now in Eaton, OH a nothing little place near the Indiana border.

The wi-fi connection for the whole resort/hotel went kablooey Wednsday afternoon — I was lucky to get the posts out that morning. No one could get connected — and it was still down when we left this afternoon. Considering the place was in the middle of no where, there was no other place offering wi-fi connections.

Thanks to Keith for letting everyone know I was unable to post. Keith will be posting when he can this fall as well. It’s good to have him helping out this season.

For those who saw their comments delayed, sorry. The comment spam blockers are still learning and since I couldn’t get on the site to let them through.

…and it’s a good one – a puff piece on a lineman.

Pitt players heard about the massive junior-college transfer, but most had never laid eyes on Jeff Otah in person before he arrived on campus this summer.

Seeing was believing.

“He’s 6-(foot)-7, 340,” center Joe Villani said, “but proportional.”

Otah is easily the most imposing player at Pitt’s training camp and has drawn body-type comparisons to the player he’s trying to replace at left tackle: Charles Spencer, a third-round draft choice of the Houston Texans.

“He’s like an upperclassmen physically,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said of Otah.

Sounds like a Ruben Brown type physique.

In basketball, which Otah also played at Valley Forge Military Academy, I am not a fan of JuCo transfers. However, this could work out well in football. He is already battling for a starting spot with John Bachman who probably won’t block Otah for long.

Otah and Palko may become best friends.

Speaking of Palko:

Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko did an excellent job of managing the offense in practice Tuesday. He was patient, made good decisions and didn’t try to do more than he’s capable of doing.

Those are things the coaching staff has worked with him on in the offseason.

Yesterday was a much different story.

Palko, reverting to problems he had last season, tried too often to force the issue, and his frustration with the younger players began to boil over.

Mistakes are expected in only the third day of camp so this doesn’t come off as being much of a concern.

There’s one positive note for the future in Kevin Gorman’s notebook. Gorman, by the way, is one of the best reporters in Pittsburgh – but I’m bias.

• PORTER, HOUSE: Sophomore quarterback Bill Stull connected with freshman receiver T.J. Porter on several nice passes — the best being a 40-yard touchdown on a timing pattern in the right corner of the end zone.

Getting Stull into games this season should be a huge priority for the coaching staff. Winning comes first but preparing for the future is important as well. Once a game is in hand – hopefully in Pitt’s favor – Stull should be getting some snaps.

One final note:

Panther Club members will get first crack at single-game tickets beginning with online sales at 8 a.m. Saturday. The ticket office will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. They will be sold to season-ticket holders starting Wednesday and to the general public beginning Aug. 19.

I’m planning on making the trek down from Maine for Pitt-WVU. If anyone would like to join, let me know.

Note: If you have yet to hear, I am Keith and am filling in for Chas today. He’ll be back tomorrow.

My memories of former Pitt running back Curtis Martin began before I knew I’d be attending Pitt. Being from Maine I cheered for the Patriots – who drafted Martin in the third round and stupidly let him walk after three years – growing up.

I would suggest passing on Martin — the NFL’s No. 4 career rusher — in your upcoming fantasy draft (along with every other Jets player). If Martin’s career isn’t over, by all accounts it’s pretty close.

Two sources close to Curtis Martin told the New York Daily News that the running back talked about retirement before deciding to give it a go for another season, and one of the sources told the newspaper “I’d be really shocked if he came back.”

Those in Jets camp know little of Martin’s status.

“Curtis? I haven’t really talked to him,” said fellow running back Derrick Blaylock. “I really don’t know how he’s feeling right now.”

Curious, considering coach Eric Mangini said that Martin has attended all position and team meetings.

Then there is Chad Pennington, who said, “I haven’t seen Curtis that much. I’ve been going from meetings to eating back to meetings to rehab. My schedule’s been so full, I haven’t gotten a chance to sit down and talk to him.”

While his teammates know little, the media caught up with Martin recently.

“I’m working out as hard as I can,” said Martin, resolute as always. “I’m here every single day and probably up here longer than most of the other players because I’m doing extra work. … I don’t know how long it will take me. All I can do is keep working the way I’m doing.”

Martin comes off as being a class act. He’s one spot ahead of Jerome Betttis on the career rushing list, and until recently had as many Super Bowl rings as The Bus. However, his superstar status has never reached Jerome-like proportions. He plays for a big-market team, but he’s just not a media mooch charismatic guy like Bettis.

I find it interesting that Pitt/Pittsburgh doesn’t have much of an attachment to Martin. He went to Allderdice High School and didn’t seem to burn any bridges at Pitt, yet you never hear too much about him. I can’t even find his Pitt stats anywhere (can anyone help me with this?)

Here’s my dilemma: Who does/should get in the Hall of Fame? Martin? Bettis? Both?

Also, share some Martin-Pitt memories if you have them.