Lots of stories today. With Chris Henry suspended for the Brawl, this means that WVU QB Rasheed Marshall will be looking for other receivers to make plays. It won’t help that their starting TE will also miss the game because of injury. Let’s be honest, though, this likely means that WVU’s offense will be the opposite of Pitt. They will be looking mainly to run. Whether it’s Kay-Jay Harris or another running back out of the backfield or Marshall taking off on his own.
WVU will try to throw just to keep the Pitt defense off balance and honest and set up more runs. Pitt was already going to stack the line against the run, with the Hoopies’ running game, now it becomes even more vital. The concern will be to contain and keep Marshall from rolling out and getting around the corner.
WVU has been working on trying to fix its special teams, mainly punt coverage. Realistically, this will be a wash, because Pitt is not good on returns.
Everyone is concerned about the Backyard Brawl becoming a real brawl on the field in light of the Pistons-Pacers NBA game and the Clemson-South Carolina fracas (this photo of a Clemson player trying to kick a South Carolina player in the head while the SC player is lying on the ground without his helmet is disturbing). Both coaches have been warning the players since Sunday. Do we have to worry that PC freaks will want to rename the Backyard Brawl to the “Backyard Game?” At least the players aren’t too concerned about it.
May be dating myself, once again, but for me the fighting in the Backyard Brawl was really an issue in the stands. I remember in the late 80s watching from the relative safety of the student section and a drunken stupor fights breaking out at Pitt Stadium at the one endzone where there was a chain-link fence separating people. WVU fans on one side. Pitt on the other. Words and objects hurled back and forth. Eventually some incensed, moonshine filled hick from Hoopieland would try to scale the fence. Leading to him getting pummeled as he was kind of stuck on the fence. Then the fun would really start. Ah, memories.
The NFL was good to former Pitt players this past weekend.
A number of former Pitt players had outstanding days Sunday in the NFL, including several who played for Harris. The group includes Torrie Cox (Tampa Bay), Nick Goings (Carolina), Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona) and Andy Lee (San Francisco). But the player who earned the most high praise from Harris was former Schenley star D.J. Dinkins, who caught a touchdown pass for the Ravens.
“D.J. is one of the two players whose picture is in my office,” Harris said. “The accomplishment of D.J. Dinkins is the best accomplishment I’ve ever been associated with. The young man deserves all the credit. For him to be an active player in the NFL — it is a great key for any of us, of a plan for being successful, how to keep your eye on the bull’s-eye and not be denied in your quest.”
Threw me off when the ESPN highlights referred to him as Darnell, not D.J. I was unsure if it was the same guy.
While Coach Harris wouldn’t talk about his job status, QB Tyler Palko had no problem coming out with firm support. Good. He should be backing Harris. I’m not saying it will make a difference, but it is good to know that the players are still with him.
