I rarely do this but the amount of vitriol directed here is enough that I have to go direct. I don’t mind people disagreeing. I like it. I don’t think of myself as infallible. I do, however, try to keep things from getting personal. “Firewalt” is pushing things. He seems to be channeling some Mark Madden shock-jock thing trying to get people all riled up. Taking the same approach — changing the subject from the defenses problems to bandwagons, Walt Harris support, the offense, Kordell Stewart?, and anything else just to make it seem like he knows what he is talking about. It’s quite tiresome, and I don’t need it.
This isn’t a message board where you can flame away wildly without any clue. I don’t moderate comments — other then a spam filter that has caught other commentors at times (sorry Steve and Neil). I’m not about to start. I also haven’t banned anyone, though, I have thought about it when someone has gotten a little too close to crossing the line with criticisms of Carl Krauser wholly unrelated to the game.
I don’t like set policies, but here’s a basic thing to follow. Don’t insult the readers and commentors especially because there’s a disagreement. Especially don’t do it by trying to claim a knowledge of their inner-thoughts and dreams. If that is the approach you take in trying to make your case, then I will have to start banning people because that isn’t making an argument. That is just an ad hominem attack to win without having the facts.
So, a few facts, for FW. The only time Walt Harris has ever run a spread offense was for about half a season in 2001. That he thinks the offense under Harris was a spread, well, “I do not think that word means what you think it means,” is being kind.
As for Blades being the leading tackler because the D-line sucks. One does not necessarily follow the other. Even if the D-line didn’t suck, Blades would likely be the leading tackler and among the all-times at Pitt. Likely not by so great a number. Here’s the list of leading tacklers for the country this year. Notice a trend if you look at the position? Blades has played all 4 years, and started for 3. It stands to reason that he would have ended up near the top of the list in all-time tackles with playing this long. Linebackers make more tackles.
It hasn’t mattered what scheme the defense runs. Whether it’s Wannstedt’s or his own choice. The run defense has blown chunks and sucked since 2003. The biggest issue with that, has been the absolute lack of progress on teaching the kids the fundamentals. That has been there with Rhoads for quite some time. That goes directly to the job of the DC. There are these things called archives on the site. It might help to review to see those complaints are nothing new.
Putting the blame for the personnel and try to put the recruiting entirely on the head coach — well, now who’s being naive? Johnny Majors was fired from Tennessee in large part because the Tenn administration recognized who was really bringing in the talent and didn’t want to lose him. What is one of the big reason that assistants get hired by other programs? It has a lot to do with their reputation as recruiters. It is a major part of their job. That the defense has gotten worse the longer Rhoads has been in charge reflects poorly on his skills regardless of whether it’s teaching the schemes or the helping to get the personnel.
As for Dorsett and Marino not setting foot on the campus while Harris was here. Huh? Must have missed the 1999 end of Pitt Stadium. Must have forgotten about when Marino was honored in-person for his HoF inductions. Just to name a couple times off the top of my head. Again, arguments that are not even germane to the discussion of Rhoads and whether he should stay or go. It isn’t even an issue with Wannstedt’s role in the defense.
Again check archives for the just for the past couple of months regarding complaints about Wannstedt’s inflexibility. Wannstedt deserves and takes blame for that. Despite pretending otherwise, Wannstedt is not being absolved.
That’s it. Keep the arguments on point and not personal.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Remember 1 thing. You tell people how they should see things. Then when they disagree, you put their posts up with their names (with no disrespect of course and using their full name which is a violation of privacy rights you claim to protec), and then you start calling them out with names while you pretend to have a message board. Of course I enjoyed making fun of people like you in response.
Lastly, I am laughing at you and will continue to on a regular basis. You made your bed loser. I will enjoy watching you lie in it. All you had to do was be nice and just give the news and links. Instead you thought it was your job to decide who was right and wrong and post those comments as subject matter by pointing out disention. What a total baffoon you are!
Finally, Chas please do everyone a favor and ban Firewalt.
firewalt should be banned
After this spew you might as well just ban him because he’ll never take this site seriously again. In any event it will be hard for me to take his posts seriously again also.
By the way – I post pretty frequently and never heard of Chas, or any others associated with the PITT BLATHER site, until last year.
You really shouldn’t be busting on the other people who post here. I know I never said anything to you personally but I also know that you and I have disagreed about Carl Krauser in the past.
Bottom Line FireWalt if you don’t want to deal with it or you feel Chas is busting on you personally just don’t post anything or better yet just ignore the site and post elsewhere.
I don’t listen to country music stations because I hate the music. I don’t call the station and bitch I just turn off the station. That’s what you should do here.
on a lighter note: while some people may not be, I am very thankful for Chas’s posts.
Editor note: Buh-by Walt. You\’re banned. You\’re IP address and service provider have been logged. Please be a stranger. Congrats on being the first banned troll at this site.Â
BTW…Greg Gaskins is going to be a quality c or g for us in a couple of years. Young, bright, tough kid. Good get by Wanny and staff.
That sounds like Im going to tell my friends on the football team to me. Just to clarify I have no idea what this fued is all about but I enjoy reading everyones posts.
Rivals.com has free access for the holiday weekend.
im just surprised his lover dandilion isnt here defending him.
Probally old news in the burgh, but I saw a TV show today that named Tony Dorsett the greatest college running back of all times! Now that is really something that should lift real panther fans spirits. Do not be surprised if Pitt puts together a full game tomorrow and a stake in Louisville’s heart.
Um…Ted Ginn, Calvin Johnson, Steve Slaton…Clint Session….is this a joke? (insider subscription only, hopefully Chaz can put this up)