Obviously this has been raging in the comments. Sorry I haven’t really done much posting this week. Been fighting a cold, allergies and now a full-blown sinus infection. Not fun.
The performance of Tino Sunseri through three games has been disappointing. No two ways about it. Not necessarily unexpected for a guy starting in 1-A for the first time, but still disappointing.
That’s some good company.
In case you still haven’t heard, Khem Birch committed to Pitt late last night.
“I chose Pittsburgh because I really feel comfortable with Coach (Pat) Skerry and Coach Dixon, and I feel that they can help me develop,” Birch told FOXSports.com
The 6-foot-9, 200-pound Birch, who hails from Quebec, spent last season at Winchendon School (Mass.) and has transferred to nearby Notre Dame Prep this year.
Birch is a long and extremely athletic frontline player who can change the game on the defensive end with his shot-blocking ability. If his ranking holds up, he’d be the highest regarded player ever to sign with the Panthers.
“Khem’s long-term goal is to be a pro,” Notre Dame Prep coach Ryan Hurd told FOXSports.com “Coach Dixon has done a terrific job developing pros, and he’s also made it clear the door is always open for Khem to return and finish getting his degree.”
“He hasn’t even scratched the surface,” added Expressions coach Todd Quarles, who runs Birch’s summer league. “He’s got so much upside and wants to be great.”
Birch is ranked #4 by Scout.com and Rivals.com. ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. has him as the #2 overall player. All three recruiting sites, though, rank him as the #1 power forward in the 2012 class.
Some changes to the line-up had to be expected. What, with injuries on the defense. The offense seems to need it, but let’s face it, no one was absolutely sure if Coach Wannstedt would make some changes that weren’t necessitated by injury. Well, it has started.
…the Panthers have benched right guard Greg Gaskins and shuffled the right side of their offensive line.
Jordan Gibbs, a 6-foot-7, 305-pound junior and one of the biggest players on the team, will start at right tackle. Lucas Nix (6-6, 305), who had manned right tackle since last season, will slide over to replace Gaskins as part of a re-worked starting five for the Panthers (1-2).
The right side of Pitt’s line now averages 6-feet-6 1/2, 305 pounds.
“We want to take a look at this lineup and see if this doesn’t give us the best five,” coach Dave Wannstedt said.
When he was hired six years ago, Wannstedt vowed to build the program from the interior – the offensive and defensive lines. While the defensive front is deep and talented, the offensive line left few options prior to the recent switch. As a whole, the group hasn’t developed as consistently as their defensive counterparts despite having well-regarded offensive line coach Tony Wise.
“We’ve been talking about our offensive line,” Wannstedt said. “Is there anything we could do? We’ve got to be very honest about it and play the best players that give us a chance to win at this point.”
So, is this a tacit admission that Greg Gaskins hasn’t exactly been up to snuff? That, but for Ryan Turnley continually banged up and Jake Lippert being the only option at center keeping Coach Wannstedt from giving Lippert time anywhere else on the line?
The team obviously, but also for us. I took the weekend off in part because of frustration. I didn’t want to post stuff that was too reactionary and without any real reflection. Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to help.
There’s no excuse for the way Pitt played — on offense. The defense really was valiant considering how long they were on the field and the injuries — Romeus, DeCicco, Mason, and even Gary getting hobbled.
The offense had no such excuse. Like everyone else, I keep coming back to the offensive line, the gameplan and QB.
Looks like all those “overconfident” Miami fans who talked of Miami’s speed and talent that would overwhelm Pitt were right.
Here’s the simplest way to summarize how bad it was. Miami’s mistakes, errors and penalties merely kept them from blowing Pitt away quickly. Pitt’s mistakes, errors and penalties kept them from doing anything.
Where to begin. I started watching the game sometime before midnight on DVR delay — ignoring text messages and staying away from anything that might tell me the outcome prematurely. With all the penalties, injury delays and such, the extra half-hour of recording time I tacked on still wasn’t enough. I was able to fast forward through that in about 2 hours. I can’t imagine how excruciating it must have been to watch or be at the game.
The liveblog tonight will be hosted by the lovely and talented Luke. Luke has handled liveblog duties before, and been outstanding at it. Like any substitute, he tends to be a little more relaxed on certain aspects — comment approval in this case. So, don’t take advantage of his good nature.
I’m on DVR delay for this game. I’m working outside the house for the first time in, well, years. That alone cost me the trip to the ‘Burgh for the game. To still make sure there is someone taking care of the kids in the morning, I’m doing not going in until the early afternoon and not getting back until late. By that point, the game will probably be over. I will be watching when I get home, and hope to have observations/notes afterwards
It’s part of the reason I think my posting has been a little lax and a bit subpar lately. Rushed to get things done in time, as I struggle to adjust.
The game is about a 7:30 start. Luke will be starting about that time. As usual, the liveblog is below, but if you like to break it out into a separate window, Click Here.
There’s a natural tendency to focus on all the pressure on Pitt and the Big East for this game. The fact is, there is just as much pressure on Miami and Coach Randy Shannon, plus some ACC respect.
For all the success Shannon has had in cleaning up the image at Miami (though, a lot of the heavy lifting was really done by Butch Davis, but Larry Coker got lax) and scoring some big recruits, the Canes haven’t really been relevant in his tenure.
This is his 4th year as the head coach and he has a record of 21-17. He’s 0-2 in bowl games. He hasn’t won many road games against good opponents. This is supposed to be the year his players, his recruits step up and make Miami a true player once more upon the national stage. Not just a fringe top-25 team
I have nothing against Jeremiah Bryson. I know next to nothing about him. The fact that he is yet another undersized running back and in no way an offensive lineman, defaults to disappointment on my part. Unfair to the kid, but that is probably going to be a common reaction.
Scout.com has him as a 3-star recruit. Rivals.com says 2-star. ESPN.com ranks him as a “76” or roughly 3-star (Insider subs.). Scout.com says 5-10 in height, but Rivals.com and ESPN have him at 5-8, so I’m going with the 5-8 measurement.
Hits the cutback sharply and does a good job picking and darting through traffic displaying very good body control and lateral footwork. Spins off would-be tacklers and beaks a lot of first contact with pure determination, a low running base, constant leg drive and very good balance. Has a deceptively strong upper- and lower body as well and can absorb a hit. Slippery and hard to get a direct shot on. Shows good foot speed through the second level and can freeze defenders in the openfield with sharp cutting. However, he lacks great separation and long speed, particularly when projecting for the college level. Appears quicker than fast and is not a back with an explosive second gear.
The tailback is the first recruit Pitt has gotten from Tennessee in I don’t know how long. Tennessee and Vandy, though, had not offered him. His best offers came from UNC, Maryland, Illinois and Ohio U.
The state of Tennessee is not exactly a recruiting hotbed, so I don’t see a secondary benefit.
Strikes me as a replacement for the likely departing Jason Douglas. I know I should have faith in Coach Wannstedt and the coaching staff when it comes to RBs, but another tailback seems completely superfluous at this time.
Serioously. Get some OLs. Please.
Yesterday Pitt and Comcast announced a Pitt Panther TV channel.
Pitt and The Comcast Network are proud to announce the launch of Pitt Panthers Television, a breakthrough programming service that will annually present more than 500 additional hours of Pitt athletics coverage to area fans exclusively on The Comcast Network, including live broadcasts of men’s basketball games this season and football coach Dave Wannstedt’s weekly press conferences as well as re-airs of all home football games.
Pitt Panthers Television, which debuts Sept. 21, will also broadcast live football and men’s basketball pre- and postgame shows, women’s basketball games and women’s volleyball games as well as other Olympic sports and original programming. It will also bring rebroadcasts of football and basketball games to Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand platform, allowing Comcast digital customers to enjoy all the Panthers’ great moments whenever they want.
As you would expect it is limited to Western Pennsylvania and some parts of Central PA. It is on channels 188 or 210. As long as you live in the region and are a Comcast subscriber this is a great thing.
I wanted to stick to football for the rest of the week, but I had a basketball post that I thought was posted on Monday. Instead it never posted and never ended up in drafts or anywhere else it could be. It has me ticked off, and I can’t just skip it until after the Miami game (I have issues) so I’m re-doing it now.
This article on Pitt from Mike DeCourcy seems to be getting around, because of Pitt’s confidence.
Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon surely raised a Big East eyebrow or two when he declared to Sporting News magazine, “We could be as good as any team we’ve ever had.”
Only two seasons ago, the Panthers earned their first-ever No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed and reached the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight behind future NBA players and Sporting News All-Americans Sam Young and DeJuan Blair. This Pitt team, though coming off a 25-9 season and returning five of that team’s top six scorers, features no obvious NBA prospects.
So can this team really expect to exceed the ‘09 Panthers? Pitt hasn’t made a Final Four since the 1940s.
“The sky is the limit for this team,” Panthers G Brad Wanamaker told Sporting News. “As long as we stay together and do the right things ¬we can maybe go to the Final Four or win a national championship.
“They always say pros can get you the farthest in the NCAAs. Well, in our own mindset, we think we’re pros, too. We think we have a chance to play in the NBA.”
For the last couple of years, Coach Dixon has been very upfront about declaring that there are no limits to what the team can accomplish. He has also, increasingly challenged the players to buy into that approach. The comments from Wanamaker and Gilbert Brown in the story reflect that.
From Nike Pro Combat Day
No you won’t see these helmets on Thursday, but I had to put this combo together for the game.
When you don’t play a team for a while, everyone resets to their halcyon days of great success. Even if it has eluded them for a number of years. Don’t get me wrong. Miami is very talented. They have great speed and talent.
At the same time, they haven’t done much with it to this point. They got pantsed by Ohio State. Take away their special teams and their offense was wrecked and the defense was beaten into submission. Ohio State is one of the best teams in the country, so losing wasn’t a shock. I really don’t think that Pitt and Miami are too far apart in this game.
A bye week, and the Thursday night game looming. The questions are still on the O-line, at DE and linebackers. To say nothing of the health of DeCicco and Taglianetti at safety.
There’s a decent amount of confidence at DE where Brandon Lindsay will get the start, and it is expected that there will be a lot more rotation of players to help. In the secondary, Jason Hendricks has shown improvement after being forced into a starting role at safety.
The newcomers already are making an impact. Lindsey, a redshirt junior starting for Romeus, had two sacks against New Hampshire, while Hendricks, a redshirt freshman starting for DeCicco, had five tackles and continues to draw praise from his coaches.
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Lindsey will start again in place of Romeus, who is out at least six weeks after having back surgery Thursday. Clemmings (6-6, 280), one of the top recruits of the Wannstedt era, will learn on the fly rather than being redshirted.
DeCicco and Taglinetti both returned to practice last week and could be available for the Miami game. Their absence allowed Hendricks to flourish and gave a glimpse of Gray, the converted former standout Texas prep quarterback.
The safeties will be tested in the Miami game, as Miami QB Jacory Harris does like to throw in the middle of the field. That will also test the linebackers in pass coverage.
Anyone who decided to question Greg Romeus’ decision to go home to his family for “personal reasons” and missing the New Hampshire game — and excused by Coach Wannstedt — can officially feel like crap.
Romeus’ mother has been battling cancer. A battle she lost over the weekend. She passed away on Sunday. All sympathies and condolences to Greg Romeus and his family.
Back surgery. Getting back on the field for Pitt. His draft status. All of that seems rather meaningless by comparison.
Ah, the Big East. I know football season has been, well, a disaster for the conference reputation. And the sooner you can change the subject to basketball, the better.
My understanding of publicity and press releases is that you release the bad news on a late afternoon on Friday. Not the good stuff. And certainly not as Yom Kippur is kicking off. Well, it wouldn’t be the Big East if they weren’t clueless.
So the schedules for the conference are out. Not any time to digest the full picture yet. Here’s Pitt’s schedule.
Want to keep yourself awake tonight? Forget the O-line this year, start thinking about next year.
There will be two spots likely set on the O-line in 2011. Lucas Nix at right tackle and Chris Jacobson at left guard. Both will be seniors. Jason Pinkston will be gone. Even Alex Karabin at center will not be there. Jack Lippert will be the starting center next year, as there doesn’t really appear to be another option on the depth charts.
It’s hard to believe Gaskins, Turnley and Gibbs will really be starters next year. If so, that will keep more than just the coaches up at night.
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