From a talent standpoint, the one area where Pitt could withstand a loss to one of the starters would be WR. The depth at WR is something we are all aware. Oderick Turner, Marcel Pestano, Cedric McGee, and T.J. Porter. Throw in freshmen Maurice Williams and Aundre Wright and this is the one area where Pitt doesn’t seem to suffer a terrible drop-off in talent.
Losing Derek Kinder is still a very bad thing. It’s hard to give an objective measurement, because he is a fan favorite. He’s been a scrappy hard-working player who became one of the best WRs in the Big East because of his hard work and focus. Things that endear a player to Pitt (and many other) fans. He wasn’t a highly ranked recruit or given much thought to until his sophomore season. And then he was the sure-handed possession receiver, not the presumed star (Greg Lee).
Forget his ability as a receiver. He is still the best downfield blocker amongst the receivers. He is probably the hardest working player in that group and as a senior set the example and was the natural leader. He will clearly be missed on special teams with his blocking on punt returns.
Hopefully the surgery will go exceptionally well, and Kinder will be able to come back next year as strong as before.
The hope is that there is signficant improvement and we steal a game we shouldn’t near the end to make a bowl and get some momentum going into next year. That’s when having DK return will be a plus (if he chooses to), depending on what happens this year at WR.
The only possible silver lining I can see in a very dark cloud is that the young QBs (or the old Offensive Coordinator as well) might have been thinking of relying on DK way too much, as the 2nd option receiver, the check-down, etc., at the expense of the tight ends, who are loaded with talent but underutilized (as they are on many teams, to be fair).
Pitt will be fine. trust me. I am looking at three scenarios, 7-5, 8-4 or 9-3 not including a bowl game.
Pitt shine when expectation are low.
Question, does anyone know when the new jerseys will be unveiled. I want to purchase the white jersey for the start of the season
Thanks
“He wasn’t a highly ranked recruit or given much thought to until his sophomore season. And then he was the sure-handed possession receiver, not the presumed star (Greg Lee).”
And that situation is going to play itself out with other players at other positions this season. We fans are way too history centric to be objective about the 2007 season. All anyone talks about is how we’ve lost certain players (Palko, Revis, Blades of last year, Bostick, Fields, Kinder) with the unsaid message that these positions will not be filled with talented kids. Now we are in the position to have replacements with above average abilities step in to most voids.
Every year, on almost every team, unsung players step up and contribute more than was expected. We’ll see it this year on PITT’s team also. Honestly, Bostick and Fields weren’t starters yet – albeit they have great potential. Kinder’s loss is really too bad, but in a position where if we have to lose a kid it’s the best spot.
I’m still optimistic about a winning season in 2007, and sometimes silver linings are in the darkest clouds.
Than be prepare to be stunned. We are winning 7 games. I am thinking 8. We have to win tough raod games to be ready for the 08 sesason.
Take out WVU and Ville from our schedule and you cant tell me that we are not in good position to win the remianing games.
Every magazine has us at 7-5 or 8-4.
This is going to be a great year and I expect you to be there cheering for the Panther jus tlike I am . I am not waiting for 08 and you should not either.
Be prepared for a strong year this year. We will worry about 08 after this season.
At least he has a RS to burn.