I’m in Pittsburgh. Just popping on for a few minutes.
You can find the rest of my postings at AOL here, and some from WVU perspective.
Brian Grummell who does the invaluable College Football Resource, will be doing his usual Thursday night liveblogging of the game for AOL Fanhouse. You can find it starting here.
He’s done well here – he has a good future (hopefully) in the NFL, has fan and community support and admiration, and has seemed to be able to stay the same decent kid, and good football player, he was when he started at PITT.
Sometimes things are more important to the fans than to the players (or the players’ families) themselves. I’d like to think Palko will leave here and get on with his life’s work with good feelings and memories of his four years as a student and QB at PITT.
You paint a rosy picture of a content Palko, however, I don’t think he’s just “happy to be here.” You could see his frustration boiling over last night.
If winning is more important to the fans than the players we have a problem. There’s an outlet for this type of indifference — intramurals.
I feel sorry for players like Palko and Blades because I don’t see the adults tendered with his care and education (on the football field) putting forth the same effort the players.
If he is so well regarded by “experts” than he’ll end up in a far better situation, right? Meanwhile, we couldn’t possibly do worse with any other coordinator. Or let Wannstedt take the duty himself; at the very least it will help confirm the growing doubt that the D is at least as much his fault.
I agree with the above, with the exception of some misgivings (the ridiculous commitment to Stephens-Howling as an every-down back) Cavanaugh is OK. Our OL is still low-grade dog food, especially with the injuries.
And whatever coach (or parent) is responsible for Connor Lee should be promoted. The guy has been fantastic this season.
As to the “indifference” (a word I wouldn’t have used by the way) the players might feel, what I wasn’t able to articulate correctly is that sometimes us fans get more wrapped up in expectations and failing to meet them than the players might. Honestly, after a loss, do you think the kids sit around and dissect every aspect of the game and the program, bemoan the fact that we are not progressing in incremental ways, and call for the coaches to be fired like we bloggers do- or do you think they leave the stadium, grab their girl and a beer and put it out of mind for the next two days, then come back and get ready for the next challenge. I’ll bet on the latter.
I agree though, that Palko is a very committed guy, and his play and loyalty to the team and coaches show it. He obviously hates losing. But, the original post was about Palko choosing PITT over other programs, and what happened to him because of it. My contention is that we don’t know whether he holds regrets because of his decision, and that he might not have any – and maybe even is content with his choice.
Anyway, who’s picking who in the WVU-RU game? I’m kind of hoping RU wins. There is a good article about the BCS and RU situation in the Wash. Post regarding the college football traditionalists discounting Rutgers because they are “new”…
“Not so long ago, though, one of those new neighbors was the University of Miami. Those who remember the 1983 Miami Hurricanes’ run to the Orange Bowl (where they defeated mighty Nebraska) are trying to present a solid case for undefeated Rutgers leapfrogging the traditional powers who might end the season with one loss.”
Wannstedt is a complete idiot. Byham made a spectacular touchdown grab, and does he play again? No. He better be one heck of a salesman otherwise this will end in disaster. He thinks it is all about talent, well it isn’t. Pitt basketball does not have the most talented kids in the country and they definitely didn’t a few years ago, yet they compete for Big East championships year after year. You will never hear Jamie Dixon complain about the talent level of his team, never. Good coaches get the best out of their players, Wannstedt’s teams continually under-achieve. I don’t understand how we came out so flat after halftime yesterday. It is the coaches job to have the kids ready to play the entire game. Pitt only thinks it has to play for 2 or 3 quarters. I sincerely hope Wannstedt gets his act together. I want him to succeed and definitely don’t think he should be fired (who are they going to replace him with?) but a fan can only take so much. Hopefully we can beat Louisville next week, but I am not optimistic.
RU might have a chance. I see WVU going in way overconfident, especially after rolling over garbage like us, and getting smacked in the mouth pretty hard. How they react will be telling.
I like Dave, and I don’t want him fired either. But it is Dave who needs to change. Insulting Rhoads is like insulting your own intelligence. Pitt is losing with Walt Harris’s 50th ranked recruiting classes. That is why he was fired. Suddenly Rhoads is supposed to win games while Dave redshirts all of his star recruits? It’s Dave making decisions and you all insult yourselves thinking otherwise. Dave will tell you so if you just ask. At the same time, you fans will all get Rhoads fired and then think you caused something because next year we will be playing our better athletes and of course we will be better. But base defense is here to stay. DW does not adapt to the times or theories of modern defense. Won’t happen. He never has.
Well, this year’s team is looking like a 6-6 team. A .500 record was great my freshman year, when the team went 5-5-1 after three 1-9 years, but isn’t good enough now. Are these guys simply less talented than we thought or is it the coaching?