My suggestion is that you watch the first 4 series. The 1st two shows much of the offensive output for the etire — the next two are examples of the balance of the scrimmage, domination by the 1st and 2nd team defensive line.

After that, go out and enjoy the fine weather (in Pgh, we are supposed to have a high of 72)

WSJ article this AM on the importance of returning O Linemen.

” As spring football winds down, Texas looks strong, Virginia Tech looms as a contender and there’s even hope for Notre Dame and Michigan. The reason: their offensive lines.”

Interesting read.

I think I am going to enjoy watching this defense. From what I have seen, this staff develops the sleeper type of players well. This of course will bring the more hyped players in.

The offense? I’m going to take a wait and see approach. I’m really looking forward to seeing the running backs and wide receivers though.

I’d like to see Pitt try to get Greg Paulus in for a year. Apparently he is trying to play football for a year and Michigan wants him. Hell, he was Gatorade player of the year once. He can’t be any worse than anything we have and hes definitely more athletic. Plus he’s mature having played 4 years of hoops and was a captain. I know it doesn’t seem like a very promising experiment having not played in 4 years, but can it get worse here? He has one year so that ship would be free right after next year. Plus, w/ Will Clarke bolting for WVU there is an open ship. What’s the hurt? I read somewhere that a Big East team contacted him but I’m guessing its Cuse’ cuz he’s from there…but who knows.

Re: Paulus – apparently the Big East school that he’s been in contact with is Syracuse (he stated as much on the radio earlier today). Paulus has to be considered a very long shot at being effective as a college QB after not playing for 4 years, but whatever the odds, Pitt probably is not a good fit. In fact, he seems to be looking at teams that run a spread offense, which would allow him to take advantage of his athleticism. Pitt’s pro style offense rewards a QB who makes quick reads and checks down options well. We may not have a QB on the roster who currently can run it well, but Paulus’ lack of experience would probably put him 4th among 4 QB’s.

why would you ever want Greg Paulus playing football (I don’t care if he was a top hs recruit) …have you seen him flop on the court? 🙂

Pat Bostick and Bill Stull…that is why.

and yes I agree, very unlikely to work, but no harm in a shot especially with an open ship…also there hasn’t been much else to talk about here so just getting some discussion going

Panthoor, we could bring back Larry Fitz and with the motley crew of options we have at QB it might not make a difference.

You might be right, Carmen. I just hope too much sometimes and maybe we get a miracle. One of the QB’s could step up with Ciggie at OC.

A follow-up on Steve’s comment: The offensive line is a weak link so far. The offense scored 10 points in the scrimmage. The whole purpose of a spring game in addition to providing the team one more practice is to ignite the fans’ interest. A new OC was brought in who is supposed to be an offense wizzard. So…what the hell happened? Given Wannstedt’s habit of achieving less than predicted, I am finding it difficult to get hyped up. A better performance by the offense in this artificial game would have me planning travel for next year’s season. Not happening based on the spring game.

You actually plan your travelling based on the output of an offense’s scrimmage in the spring – and on one where there were a buttload of starters sitting out?

OK.

Interesting note: PSU and Rutgers have signed up for a home and home in 2014 and 2015. PSU AD Tim Curley is quoted as follows: “We are excited about renewing our rivalry with Rutgers.”

Rivalry?? PSU leads the series 22-2 … which is only 25% of the total times that PSU has played Pitt. PSU has played Syracuse, Maryland, WVU and Temple all substantially more than they have played Rutgers.

Could this be confirmation that Schiano will replace JoePa in a couple of years?

The part of the PSU-Rutgers deal that really gets me is that it is a home-and-home series. Not 2 games in State College for every game in NJ, as we keep hearing Paterno say they need for financial reasons. In fact, I don’t think the Syracuse series is a 2 for 1 deal either (although I haven’t checked it, so I could be wrong). Yet Paterno still gets away with claiming that the Pitt series is not feasible because of economic reasons unless Pitt does a 2 for 1.

What a pompous ass…

Pantherman, everything you posted is accurate which furthers the point the points I’m trying to make:

1) PSU followers claim that Pitt is no longer a rival, yet their AD considers Rutgers as one. Not only is Pitt in-state, it has a much longer and competitive history.

2) PSU can’t afford to play a one and one with Pitt, but can with Bama in 2010 and 2011 as well with RU, which has a much smaller stadium than Heinz.

3) whcih leads me to think that Schiano is in good steadwith PSU. Thus, it is already set up that he returns as head coach of PSU in 2014. (yes, it is speculation but not all that far-fetched.)

Tom Bradley is the only member of current PSU staff considered to be a HC candidate. Schiano, former PSU asst, has HC experience and is 10 years younger than Bradley who is 53.

Why do I get the feeling that Paterno is going to be betrayed after he retires. Someone is going to stick the knife of sanity into his senile backside. There will be an explosion and people will start pointing fingers. Panther fans will then sit back, sip on mojitos and blog all day about it.

… and the next day The Script returns.

Bill – I agree with everything you wrote.

One thing that I am curious about – at most schools, is the AD responsible for football schedules, or is the head coach? I know in basketball, the coach seems to be primarily responsible.

Not that it makes any difference at PSU – nobody would dare do anything without the blessing of St. Joe anyhow…

Any chance the PSU-RU game isn’t on RU’s campus? Maybe they are playing it in the Meadowland (or wherever).

thei just goes to show the level of Alzheimer’s Disease infesting the leadership at the State Penn institution. This is sad…

As long as that guy who craps his pants caoching PSU has a beating heart, there is no chance of PSU-Pitt. It’s so pathetic. There are no other in-state Div. 1 rivalries that just stopped. I hope he craps his pants again. You’d think he’d stop wearing white pants! Pant crapper!

I’ve been reading Penn State football blogs. There is whining and complaining about the Lions’ 2009 football schedule. Many bloggers comment on the attractiveness of bringing back the Pitt rivalry. These same bloggers put down the Big Ten, still bitter over ’94 when Penn State had to go to the Rose Bowl, and lament the dearth of real rivals. Some even threaten to cancel season tickets. The bottom line is no matter who the visiting team is on any given Saturday 100,000 fans will file into Beaver Stadium. The clout old man Paterno has in scheduling is a direct result of that huge crowd.

Reed:
How many ways can Wannstedt screw up a season? Let’s see: unexpected rout by Notre Dame of a ranked Pitt team in ’05; consecutive home losses to WVU & Louisville in ’06; Connecticut in ’07; and, yes, the infamous Sun Bowl just five months ago (after the wonderful season opening game vs. Bowling Green game I had the pleasure of seeing in person). I’m willing to put up the cash and follow my team but I need to see them first on satellite; blind faith hasn’t worked well with Wanny in charge. After all, we don’t play any Big 12 or SEC teams, or Conference USA for that matter, and those conferences’ teams are all around me.

Penn state could play a school for the first time & spin it into a rivalry.

Why is everyone saying the O line is a weakness this year? I know it gets said every year, but I thought they came together last year much better than in prior years. With Nix and Jacob., plus a year of experience together, shouldn’t it be even better? And last year everyone talked about how Houser was better than expected and he was 100 times better than the previous center, but now Houser is a weak point? I don’t get it. Just because Stull takes too many poor sacks doesn’t mean the O line is weak. I watched the game replay yesterday, but turned it off after we had about 4 nice pass plays in a row and then Wanny commented about passing too much and they needed to establish the run.

Howard – I think the concern about the O-line is based on a couple of factors. The first is a possible lack of depth. Hopefully, Nix and Jacobson provide upgrades if/when they move into the starting lineup. On paper, this would result in a pretty good starting O-line, but the backups could be a big question mark. Second, Houser appears to still be recovering from a serious ankle injury, and did not look good in spring drills. Again, depth is a problem since they have no real backup at center (the best bet may be Malecki, who hasn’t played the position at this level, and the other alternative is a walk-on). Center has been an ongoing problem over the past few years, and amazingly, they have almost no depth at the position. Third, the O-line, as a whole, looked pretty poor throughout most of the spring drills. That being said, some individuals shined (Nix, Jacobson), and other starters were held out (Pinkston, I believe). Entering the summer, it will continue to be a work in progress. Lots of potential, but lots of question marks as well.

Wannstedt offenses over his coaching career have had the exact same issues and questions as we are having now. Should anyone be surprised? I think its pretty clear that over his career, Dave has not put offense in any sort of priority as high as defense or special teams.