At least it shouldn’t be to anyone who thinks about it for a few minutes. Zeise seems surprised by this issue.
Q: Are there players who may merit playing time but because maybe they were Walt Harris recruits they are being overlooked?
ZEISE: No. If anything, the opposite is true — there are probably too many upperclassmen still playing ahead of some of these younger, more talented players, simply because they have more “experience” and not necessarily because they are the best player for the job. I find it amazing that on a team so devoid — especially on defense — of playmakers that there aren’t more of the young guys who are more athletic and more likely to make plays on the field on a more consistent basis. At this point, even if they make a few mistakes because of inexperience, can they really play any worse and can this team play any worse than it has the past two weeks with the “experienced” players?
As does Gorman.
Wannstedt once again talked about his senior leadership, a recurring theme the past two seasons. For whatever reason, he has been extremely loyal to the Walt Harris leftovers even though he didn’t recruit them.
It’s not about loyalty or such, it’s much more to what Zeise said. They are “experienced.” Coach Wannstedt, by his nature is a conservative coach. That means that it is much more important not to make a mistake. He places a high value on being in a system for a while and knowing the responsibilities. Every coach has a personal checklist, value system that mixes factors like raw talent, potential, ability, realized talent, experience and other variables in determining who starts, plays and how much. The way Coach Wannstedt has played the kids has been the clearest sign that he places a premium on experience in his evaluations. Only in cases where the talent is so far above the experience (LeSean McCoy) or injury necessitates it does a less experienced player get the chance.
As late as August 21, Coach Wannstedt talked of trying to redshirt 18-20 of the freshmen. From ostensibly one of the top recruiting classes in the country to a team that finished 5-6 the year before.
That said, if my cold doesn’t have me feeling too crappy, planning on going to tonight’s debac… I mean game. Guess I’ll just scalp a ticket. Are the folks who “attend to” the sections for Pitt games enforcers, or can I just buy the cheapest thing I can find and move on down after a few series?
link to bwi.rivals.com
“Yesterday, two grad students (husband and wife)that I know were driving on campus and being followed closely by a white car. The white car passes them and then cuts them off and pins them against the curb. The driver gets out and starts screaming obscenities at the woman (who was driving), flipping both middle fingers and repeatedly saying “do you know who I am!”. The irate screaming and cursing by the driver of the white car continues long enough for the campus police to arrive at which time the driver of the white car takes off. The woman is so shaken up that the police ask here if she’s OK to drive. The only thing they can think of that set the driver of the white car off was if they were driving too slow. They were both in some state of shock the rest of the day that Joe Paterno, a man they both admired, could act this way.
If this is the way our 80 yr. old head coach acts….can we be shocked our team captains act the way they do?”
Someone send me an email or something if we ever start winning again.
Navy could run over us like no other team has. I mean ESPN could pull the plug on this game to show the 2003 World Series of Poker. But we’re Men and Women not children so let’s take it like adults. Do we deserve to live through this? No. I’m a good man and a good husband dammit. The majority of people on this blog, prob the extreme majority are educated and mature human beings so let’s not spiral down the trench of BHAAAWWWWWWWW.
I would be surprised if Wanny and Cav get fired after this season. Our Genius on Defense must go with the quickness…and tonight could be the game that ruins his coaching career. Paul Rhoads could be Iowa’s waterboy next season. I think when Cav and Dave grow a pair of….ugh…”plays” then maybe we go down with dignity instead of silent discomfort. Let’s not freak out yet people, you’re all scaring me. We have a chance of pulling this game out tonight….just pass the damn ball!
Note to the coaching staff: When you pass, the ball goes over most of the defensive players and should land in the hands of a person wearing the same uniform as the player who threw the ball.
……GO PITT!
You want to see Jackie Sherrill? Then go watch Jackie Sherrill. Pitt’s 1979 team plays Penn State on ESPN classic at 2AM tonight.
Having said that, Pitt better win tonight. Im sick and tired of this bullshit. Im as loyal as any PITT fan, but the past few years have made this rough on me. I can put up with losing as long as there is some evident light at the end of the tunnel. Im just not so sure. Winning tonight would be a good (but very small) step forward. GO PITT!
Secondly, the block letter scheme is sweet and there’s no need to revert back to the 70’s era script.
Lastly, do you guys think there would be more bitching or less bitching if Navy, Arkon, ND, Tulsa and Penn made up our home schedule this year?
I just hope it doesn’t rain too much tonight – 45 degrees and wet, just to see this mess…and to double the pain, i’m recording it at home so i can watch the misery all over again.
Navy by 2 TDs….like I said a week ago. Holding them to under 400 yds rushing is a moral victory…unless they never start on the other side of the 50 again.
Yet another reason to love that site. Awesome!
asking “do you know who I am” Anyone think, maybe it was rhetorical??
It looks like Z & G have the same doubts as many of us, why would you play a less talented player?
Can it get any worse?
Let the kids that have the ability play and gain the experience, usually athletic ability will rise to the top.
Isn’t the objective to put your best players on the field and win the game ?