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January 10, 2009

Shady Delay

Filed under: Draft,Football,NFL — Chas @ 12:44 pm

It looks like it will be at least until Monday before there is an official word.

McCoy’s parents, Ron and Daphne, and brother, LeRon, accompanied him to the meeting at Pitt’s Duratz Athletic Complex on the South Side. Afterward, LeRon McCoy said his brother was overwhelmed by the gravity of the decision and will wait until next week to make up his mind.

“We had a great meeting, and coach Wannstedt put the options on the table,” said LeRon McCoy, who has spent three seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver. “LeSean is going to take some time to think about what he wants to do. It’s a very hard decision.”

“Coach Wannstedt is very supportive of LeSean in everything he does,” LeRon McCoy said. “It’s more about what he thinks is the best option for him. LeSean wants to make sure his decision is the right one.

“He’s going to use the time available to do that.”

It’s good that McCoy is taking his time. He does have that choice, but it really seems that he is still leaving.

McCoy still is expected to declare for the NFL draft. But the meeting gave Wannstedt the opportunity to sit with him, and the two were able to hear each other’s thoughts.

And while Wannstedt is hoping for McCoy to have a change of heart and return, it is clear those within the program already have begun moving forward as if McCoy, who has two years of eligibility remaining, is not going to be back. The most telling sign is that McCoy has not been on campus all week despite the fact classes began Monday.

Wannstedt spent the week recruiting in New York and New Jersey and said yesterday was the first time he and McCoy and his family had a good chance to have an open discussion about the subject. This weekend is a big weekend for recruiting, and the team is playing host to 14 recruits on their official visits.

“We had a lengthy meeting and tried to talk through the pros and cons of staying and leaving, and I tried to present him with some facts and truth, more than anything else,” Wannstedt said. “He is going to go home and sleep on it over the weekend, and I think he’ll have a definite decision the first of next week.”

[Emphasis added.]

Missing the first week of class to think about it  isn’t a killer, but it doesn’t help.

It’s no surprise that Coach Wannstedt was completely neutral on the issue other than to be supportive of whatever he does. There’s no other way to handle it. All you can do is present the facts and back the player.

“My role as the head coach is that I make a commitment to these kids that I want to see everyone of them graduate and I want to see everyone of them get in the NFL if they have the ability. That is the commitment I made to him, and I stand by it.”

Wannstedt said he hopes that McCoy comes back, but he is not going to let McCoy’s decision change the way the Panthers prepare for next season.

“To continue on here, our focus is to win a Big East championship,” Wannstedt said. “I made that very clear. I told him ‘I love you and as much as I want you back, we’re moving forward, and [if you decide to stay], you better be ready to go to work.’ It is about the team.”

Not that anyone was or is questioning McCoy’s work ethic. It’s not just about how many underclassmen are coming out, and how deep the draft is at running back. It’s about what McCoy wants to do. Is he ready to make football the full-time job? Does he want to go play in the NFL now? Or does he want to stay at Pitt for a little longer, playing college football and still have a little time for a life?





From an SI story (link to sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

“NFL players typically lack both marketable skills and relevant job experience once their usefulness as a player has run out…

The facts, however, can be startling. I have read a number of published reports during my career suggesting 78 percent of NFL players are divorced, bankrupt or unemployed two years after their careers are over. The NFL provides a good financial head start in life for the players who have saved their money, but it won’t last long, especially if they want to maintain the same lifestyle, unless they are able to achieve gainful employment.”

I get the impression that Shady’s family is matriarcal. No doubt that Shady’s mom means well, but I think that DW is able to see a larger picture. The way agents handle a lot of players’ money, I hope that Shady doesn’t short-change the value of a (marketable) degree. The SI story suggests that a career in the NFL is not necessarily the be all – end all. Shady may have a better insight than Mom.

Comment by BigGuy 01.10.09 @ 3:41 pm

There is an interesting article in today’s Trin by Mike Prisuta that provides some food for thought about Shady’s departure … and I think it provides a more objective viewpoint than most of the posts that I have been reading on this web site in the past 48 hrs. The following is an excerpt:

Panthers fans who do anything in response but appreciate his two magical seasons at Heinz Field and wish him well in the NFL are missing the point. So are those who fear that the program has been suddenly torpedoed by McCoy’s likely departure.

The No. 1 issue at Pitt remains the quarterback position, as it would have even had McCoy returned and set his sights on a Heisman Trophy.

That’s the biggest riddle Wannstedt and his embattled offensive coordinator, Matt Cavanaugh, must solve.

If they do, the Panthers will have a chance to lean on a player who might well turn out to be their next No. 1 pick after McCoy, wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin.

While studying McCoy, NFL scouts couldn’t help but notice the 6-foot-5, 220-pound true freshman and drool. Baldwin has that much of an upside. Imagine how he’ll be perceived if Pitt can figure out a way to consistently get him the ball, especially deep.

The offensive line ought to be much improved, which should afford more time for whoever ends up throwing it and enough cracks for whoever’s running it that the dropoff from McCoy’s 1,403 rushing yards need not be that drastic. In Chris Jacobson, John Malecki, Lucas Nix, Jason Pinkston and Joe Thomas, Wannstedt has five of the highly touted, much-sought-after program builders he’s been trying to collect with which to work.

The defensive line, the strength of the team besides McCoy in 2008, is also heavily populated with such talent. Build the lines and the rest will follow; that’s the philosophy to which Pitt remains committed.

Had McCoy stayed there would have been more margin for error, and a much more flattering preseason opinion of what the program might be capable of in 2009.

But his leaving hardly dooms Pitt to a plummet from 9-4 to 3-9

Comment by w bill 01.10.09 @ 3:47 pm

Looks like Shady genuinely wants to stay; mom definitely wants him to leave. Great kid and I wish him the best. I think mom might win; I hope I am wrong.

Comment by TonyinHouston 01.10.09 @ 4:02 pm

good riddens 😉

Comment by WVU 01.10.09 @ 4:13 pm

^Bad spelling 🙂

Comment by Orange Julius Page 01.10.09 @ 4:27 pm

“good riddens
Comment by WVU 01.10.09 @ 4:13 pm ”

WVU has given us a little insight on the difference in caliber between a WVU student and a Pitt student.

Comment by BigGuy 01.10.09 @ 4:55 pm

WVU Grad…cut him some slack.

Comment by Hilly Billgrove 01.10.09 @ 4:58 pm

He’s leaving. It sounds like Wannstedt begged him for two hours and the McCoys humored him by telling him they will wait until Monday.

Comment by Mark 01.10.09 @ 4:59 pm

“It sounds like Wannstedt begged him for two hours and the McCoys humored him. Comment by Mark ”

Would you provide us the link where it implied that DW “begged” Shady for two hours and that Shady is just humoring him? I get a different impression of the character of both DW and Shady.

Comment by BigGuy 01.10.09 @ 5:09 pm

Having missed the first week of class it sounds like his mind WAS made up. But Im glad he is at least taking another day to make sure he makes the right decision for him. As noted in the article, it sounds like once he got away from the players and reflected a bit, he started to see the money. But as BigGuy said, bolting to the NFL isnt always the best option. Plus, I believe there is a pretty good several million dollar insurance policy that nfl potential draftees can pick up to protect from injury. I really think he needs one more year but either way I wish him well…he was fun to watch.

Comment by Rex 01.10.09 @ 5:24 pm

I missed the first week of class my second semester of Junior year too, before deciding ultimately to come back. It can be a tough decision.

Comment by maz. 01.10.09 @ 5:37 pm

I’m taking a whole semester off to figure out my life. Sometimes these decisions can take a while to make and by no means are they easy. Obviously, I don’t have the NFL calling (though I’m still holding out hope).

Comment by merlin 01.10.09 @ 6:51 pm

BigGuy, when a kid makes up his mind and you bring him and his family in for two hours, then you’re begging. McCoy and his family did their due diligence and decided he was going. Wannstedt is just grasping at straws at this point.

Comment by Mark 01.10.09 @ 6:58 pm

I don’t think Wanny is begging or grasping at straws. He wants what’s best for McCoy. No doubt he would be thrilled to have him return, but I think he probably sees the upside to his draft stock in 2010.

Comment by TJ 01.10.09 @ 7:16 pm

Sounds like the Mom is at work to get him 2 go to the league. Wanny said that when he went home away from the teammates and stuff he thought about NFL more. I wonder why? Everything the mom says is gearing towards it. Here’s the thing, financially it could make more sense to stay. If Shady would take out an insurance policy on himself and would get hurt at Pitt he would make more money from the insurance probably than he would were he to go get drafted in the second round and get injured in his first year. Let me ask you this? Is it more likely that you get injured getting hit by 260lb linebackers or 220lbs in college. I think in the pro’s. Stay a year, build some bulk, take out some insurance and then go. If he waits a year, his signing bonuses will be through the roof, every single good running back it seems is leaving this year. I wish him well whatever the “family” decides though.

Comment by Ontario Lett's Go Pitt 01.10.09 @ 7:17 pm

Wannstedt is not begging. They had said for a long time that they would sit down after the year and talk. After all Wannstedt has spent tons of time in the league and I am sure knows tons of people. He would have more worthwhile info than some other money hungry folks.

Comment by Ontario Lett's Go Pitt 01.10.09 @ 7:18 pm

I’m curious why so many seem to think and are implying it is all McCoy’s mother or any family member pushing him to go pro; and in some cases suggesting it is going against LeSean’s own desires. I’ve read nothing stating they are pushing. Instead, it is “reading between the lines” stuff for the McCoy clan that leads to those conclusions.

At the same time, I have read nothing stating that Wannstedt has tried to persuade him to stay. Yet anyone even making a joke that Wanny was begging McCoy to stay was blasted for not having any evidence.

So many have praised McCoy’s maturity and class, well presumably the parents and the way he was raised had something to do with it.

Just seems a bit like people trying to find an outside influence pushing McCoy to leave Pitt rather than accepting that it might be what he wants or feels he should do.

Comment by Chas 01.10.09 @ 7:51 pm

I don’t think McCoy was very mature, to be honest with you. At least before he came to Pitt. I can remember both Lictenfels and Dokish, as well as some others, say he was very immature and was Mama’s Boy. Not in an insulting way, but they said his parents did a lot for him. So I’m not surprised at all if his family made he decision. An do you know what? It IS the right decision. This isn’t the NBA where he isn’t going to make the team. Even if he goes in the 2nd round, he’s going to be a lot richer than he is now. And as a RB, if you can go then you go. There is a short shelf life for RBs.

Comment by Mark 01.10.09 @ 8:12 pm

I hope he leaves. I am so fed up with Wannstedt that I have reached the point where I want to see anything which will accelerate his depature. It would be a shame for Shady to come back for an eight win season topped off by another bowl loss.

Comment by steve 01.10.09 @ 8:14 pm

I think many Pitt fans who are posting on this web site are every bit as selfish as Mrs McCoy if indeed she is pushing for Shady to go pro … and there has been some statements attributed to her both at the beginning of the week and in the past few days that seem to indcicate a preference for the NFL.

No matter what, this is a decision for Shady and his family, and nobody else. I would have to think that they have done their due diligence in gathering the information and taking their time before a final decision.

AS far as Shady’s alleged immaturity, it should be noted that he has not made a statement in this past week that he was staying or leaving — it all has been just speculation based on (1) what was heard from family members, (2) not attending class, and (3) not attneding class. Sure, he made a statement 2 months ago that he was staying, but so has hundred others before deciding to go pro including Larry Fitz, and no one accused Fitz as being immature (at least while at Pitt.)

Whatever he decides will be what is best for him … and Pitt will be fine next year with him or without him.

Comment by w bill 01.10.09 @ 8:27 pm

“It would be a shame for Shady to come back for an eight win season topped off by another bowl loss.”

steve, you will have to explain your thinking to me on this. I am having difficulty understanding your logic.

Comment by BigGuy 01.10.09 @ 8:33 pm

The kids that went to High School with LeSean McCoy have nothing but good things to say about him. I have talked to plenty of them since I heard he was coming to Pitt.

He has done a very good job of representing the school and our hometown with class. Pitt fans should be happy to been lucky enough to see this kid run his heart out for the Panthers.

NO ONE should judge him or his family harshly for making a decision that he feels is in his best interest either way.

I would love to see him back but if he goes I wish him all the luck in the world and would thank him for doing his best everytime he took the field for the Panthers.

Comment by Tony In Harrisburg 01.10.09 @ 8:41 pm

Pitt fans are a big bunch of whiners. You should all be ashamed of yourselves calling shady a momma’s boy. Shady needs to run away from Pitt and Wanny as fast as he can.

Comment by Todd 01.10.09 @ 8:59 pm

Fitzgerald is ballin something serious against carolina tonight…160 yds and a td in the first half..if shady can have the same type of sucess that fitz is having then why not leave after two years.

Comment by Max 01.10.09 @ 10:01 pm

I understand both sides to stay and to go pro, and the risks and benefits associated with both. At the same time, don’t some of these big name players at other prestigious institutions stay in school just to stay in school and for the pure love of the college game. I like most of you alumni, remember my times very fondly, and to this day have some of my greatest memories at Pitt. I was actually afraid to go home because I thought at any moment if I left campus I would be missing something. These student athletes are getting to play a game that they love, have their tuition paid for them while at school, and get to enjoy a great college atmosphere. Life goes by fast, why rush to get to the next level? I remember toward the end of college I was excited to leave, looking back I wish that I could go back and slow things down. Whatever Shady does, I wish him the best of luck and I’ll cheer for him as I do for any former Panther. By the way how about during the Carolina-Cardinals game-Gerald Hayes intercepted a pass starting a Cardinals drive that was ended by a Larry Fitz touchdown, and the Goose was on the sidelines. Three great former panthers in a row!!
Hail to Pitt

Comment by Heel Hater 01.10.09 @ 10:05 pm

Could have been 4 great former panthers if ol Walt had gone to Braddock to recruit Stevie Breaston from Woodland Hills…

As far as Shady, every Pitt fan wants him to stay, but the rational Pitt fans would understand if he leaves b/c he is worried about an injury like the one he had in high school. That being said, it sure does sound like mama wants a big house and a new cadillac

Comment by matt 01.10.09 @ 10:21 pm

Tony in Harrisburg’s last post pretty much says it all for me.

I don’t know the young man…but he has done absolutely nothing wrong during his two years at Pitt that I have seen. He has been a terrific player on the field…and a terrific representative of the program off the field. I wish him the best whatever he decides.

Comment by Barry 01.10.09 @ 10:45 pm

<>

Todd, I don’t get the sense that the great majority of posters on this board is whining or calling Shady a mamma’s boy. Virtually every post is thanking Shady for the memories and is hoping that the decision he makes is in his best interest. Some of us, however, are speculating on his mother’s (and probably also his father’s) opinion. I think that it is a good attribute to consider the opinion of one’s parents when making a decision.

<> Be specific. Tell us how Shady’s decision to attend Pitt and be coached by DW was such a bad decision that he should “run away as fast as he can”.

Comment by BigGuy 01.10.09 @ 11:11 pm

Lighten up, Todd. Like I said, Mamas boy was never meant as an insult. It’s just well known that before he came to Pitt, he was very young for his age and that his family was really involved in his life. Personally, I love the kid and I think he should go. That’s what’s best for him. Wannstedt is just trying to keep him for his own benefit.

Comment by Mark 01.11.09 @ 7:07 am

steve:
I get the impression Wannstedt is here to stay no matter what. If he doesn’t coach he will work in recruiting or development…If anyone has insights concerning the conversations Pederson has had with Wannstedt they would be very interesting to here. I’m sure Pederson had the same visceral reaction to the putrid Sun Bowl as we all did.

Comment by TonyinHouston 01.11.09 @ 8:11 am

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