Some random observations from the FOX pregame including Dave Wannstedt. IF you are interested in the Orange Bowl, I had to do a preview for the Orange Bowl, along with reasons why Louisville will win and why Wake will win.
— Coach Wannstedt offered Jimmy Johnson a position on his staff since there is an opening. I’d settle for Johnson as a consultant.
— Good observation that in college you have to do a better job of evaluating kids because of the scholarship limits, and projecting where they go. Nothing said about doing a good job in getting them to live up to that potential by the coaches.
— Talking about the Boise St.-Oklahoma game, Wannstedt tipped his cap to BSU for calling the plays. He did complain about how poorly Oklahoma’s defense reacted to the plays from BSU — especially the 2 point conversion. Promoting the read-and-react type defense. Uh, yeah.
— On Brian Brohm. Accuracy and decision making are his best traits according to Wannstedt. Johnson has a cut away to show film of Brohm evading Pitt’s, um, rush in the final game of the season. Johnson then pushed him about blitzing him and getting pressure on him to make bad throws or decisions. Wannstedt was visibly flustered by that — essentially conceding the lack of a Pitt pass rush. Bad scene, man.
Arnold Palmer plugging Wake Forest. Rick Pitino plugging Louisville. Advantage Nickalus.
— Wannstedt talks about what Louisville has to avoid screwing up special teams and protect Brohm from the pass rush (referencing the Rutgers game). Maybe some day we’ll have a pass rush.
Halftime:
— Wannstedt on L-ville, it’s the lack of big plays from the Cardinals. Actually, no disagreement. Not totally shocked by what Wake is doing to the Cardinals. This is the way the WF defense plays. They may be the only team I’ve seen this year actually pull off the “bend-but-don’t-break” defense. hmm. Maybe Wanny should consider the WF DC for a similar position at Pitt?
— On the second half, WF needs to get Skinner running and as a threat. Eh.
Saban has a press conference to announce his decision between the Dolphins and Alabama. I would have paid money if FOX had gone to a wide shot to see the expressions on Johnson and Wannstedt’s face rather then the close one on Rose.
Riley Skinner Carries 48 total yards -50 average -1.0
All Wake needs to do is teach Skinner (a pocket passer) how to run the ball during half time. Yes DW is a head coach for a reason. I wish someone would tell me what that reason is.
PS I haven’t been in diapers since 1965.
Wanny at recruiting = A
Wanny at teaching = D
Wanny at gameday coaching = C
DW at recruiting = A
DW at Game day Coaching = C
DW at all around football head coach = A
DW at sticking to a vision for the team = B (Jury is still out on that one)
I believe we have to give him credit for what he does off the field also. He has been there 2.5 years now and has had no scandals, recruiting violations, no real discipline problems and has been quick on the trigger to suspend players (or sit them down) to address any situations that negatively impacted the team. He has kept his word to players and their parents. He has set standards and adhered to them. All that are no small accomplishments, and shouldn’t be discounted in an evaluation of how a head coach has done.
Programs, both college and Pro, are becoming increasingly less tolerant of Head Coaches that don’t meet up with the Administration’s and/or Owner’s standards. To me, that’s a good thing as I believe that you don’t hire someone for just wins and losses. Again, as we have mostly all said, this next year – and 2008- is when we can start becoming realistically critical of PITT being a .500 team on the field. Until then I’ll reserve my judgment on whether DW needs to be replaced.
BE is 4-0 in bowls, and it will be interesting to see how the final standings shake out. We have a good chance at being one of the more highly ranked conferences after all is said and done. Not surprising to BE fans that follow the conference. We kind of knew that intra-league BE play was competitive and that our non-con results should speak for themselves.
He does not have the ability to adapt and improvise.
I don’t give a rat’s ass about the team’s grade-point-average, how they behave (Darryl Strong notwithstanding) or anything else. I care about their record, and watching them play, and winning. They are given scholarships valued at over one hundred grand, they should behave and want to do well academically. But they need to win. If you want to watch a bunch of boy scounts, go watch a den meeting. If you want to go and watch a bunch of eggheads, go to the library. The football players need to play football…and they need to do it a lot better.
