This year it crept up on me. It’s not like there’s tons of optimism or belief that this is going to be the turnaround. There’s more a sense of, well I guess we’ll find out if last year was rock-bottom before things start getting better of if there are further depths to plumb. Sorry, still feeling very cynical about things.
I’ll just try and get this quickly. One of the graduate assistants is now the Tight Ends Coach. Good luck to Brian Angelichio. I don’t know anything about him, but the TE has been one of the few consistent strong and bright areas from Harris to Wannstedt. Plus there is some serious talent and depth (go figure) at that spot, so just don’t screw it up.
Bob Junko has changed positions within the staff again.
After 14 seasons in numerous capacities, Pitt football associate head coach Bob Junko is moving to a newly created administrative post.Junko, 60, will focus on daily operations and working with the football alumni outreach program.
Last year, Junko moved from coaching to recruiting coordinator because of health issues. This reads like a continuation of those health issues. Stay well.
The #1 athlete and potential offensive threat from Pitt’s 2006 recruiting class is now a linebacker?
Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said Wednesday that Dickerson has been moved to outside linebacker, where he is expected to compete for the weak-side starting job.
“We’re trying to put Dorin in a position where he can help the team the fastest,” Wannstedt said. “Dorin is one of the strongest guys on our football team. He’s up to 225 pounds and he’s benching over 350 pounds. I told him, ‘We want to do what you want to do, but we’re looking for the best place for you to contribute.'”
This is either a brilliant move to get an athlete on the field at a need position where he will excel and a clear recognition of talents that will serve the team and Dickerson well. That or insanity at wasting a huge potential offensive weapon who could create chaos for opposing defenses by playing in the backfield and catching the ball. I’m going to reserve judgment — mostly.
Just one thought. It does seem from the article that Coach Wannstedt has fallen back to a natural state as seeing players in set positions and not putting hybrid athletes simply on the field and looking for ways to create opportunities to use them. That’s okay, even if I disagree. The thing is, he has to recruit that way and be up front with the recruits.
Tommie Campbell and Corey Davis are still suspended and little used Kelvin Chandler has left the program. As he only has a year left, I imagine he will look for a 1-AA or D-2Â school if he still wants to play.
A Q&A with Coach Wannstedt. Obviously you will want to read it all.
Question: How do you feel about the quarterback competition, now that Tyler Palko has graduated?
Answer: I think we’ll come out of the spring feeling good about all the quarterbacks that are here. Billy Stull will start off with the first group. Dexter Davidson is coming off the (knee) injuries, and we’ve got walk-on Steve Malinchak, but it’s going to be a two-man battle, as far as reps, with Bill Stull and Kevan Smith.
Both guys will get the majority of the work. One thing I’m thinking about doing different than the past two: When we scrimmage, everything will be live. There will be no restrictions on quarterbacks. I want to find out who can sack a quarterback, and I want to find out which quarterback can make some plays under pressure, on his feet and with his mind. Both quarterbacks are similar. Billy has a little more experience and is an accurate passer. They both understand the offense. Kevan is more athletic and has the stronger arm.
Unserious, snarky thought about letting the QBs be “live.” He wants one or both hurt early so Bostick can come in and get the job. That or he just wants one hurt so he can make the easy choice and go with the one not hurt as the other will unfortunately fall behind on practice and learning the system.
It also mentions that Shane Murray is moving to Linebacker. Elijah Fields is being called out. No practices at high schools this year.
Not seeing Webster’s name mentioned in the LB mix surprises me – so maybe the illness rumors are true.
I did like what he said about finding a place for Pinkston if he keeps knocking down lineman. Reading between the lines it sounds like DW is happy with his progress with the switch to O line.
I don’t want to skip this football season, I’m thinking it’ll be fun to see how these kids develop, and we might be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Paterno’s had a pretty good track record with position switches. Seems like almost every player that excels at PSU started out in a different position.
As good as Blades, Revis and Palko were – they certaintly are not irreplacable. Too many fans think that we are going to be automatically deficient in those positions just because those guys left. Well, WR worked out OK last year, and we said the same things in last year’s pre-season.
I’ll stay optomistic, in the main because I think that we are going to see much more talented players on the field than last year – maybe even in some of the three ‘star’ positions we lost.
Paterno wanted Unitas to play lb for them…Johnny f8#king U!
You can’t take a guy like dickerson (who was a big time NATIONAL recruit) on offense and put in at lb.
In hoops, it’s one thing to play a guy at the #2 even though he might be a 1 or even a 3, but football its completely different.
I don’t care if we play with all freshman lbs and a jucco transfer, dickerson needs to be on offense…so we win or lose with games in the 40s.
You don’t fill a hole with a player of his caliber.
According to the Post Gazette, Dorsett was desired by psu as a defensive player:
“Every college coach wanted Dorsett. Penn State was interested in him as a defensive back because of his speed and toughness. Pitt needed a running back, and Dorsett gained 6,082 yards and scored 55 touchdowns during his four years with the Panthers.”
I also remember Dorsett telling a similar story on Fox Sports Spotlight.
