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March 10, 2008

Bostick Readying for Spring Practice

Filed under: Football,Practice — Chas @ 11:57 am

Pat Bostick gets a piece in his local paper. Glowing quotes from Coach Wannstedt abound.

Wannstedt said that after meetings with coaches following the season, Bostick has worked extremely hard and done everything the coaching staff has asked of him.

“Since the season was over, I don’t think there is a player at any position on this team who has worked harder to better himself,” Wannstedt said. “He has lost 18 pounds, and has done everything physically to improve himself. But as in all situations, everyone has to go out and prove themselves again.”

Meaning, despite the accolades, he’ll have to battle to keep his starting role. Wannstedt confirmed the quarterback slot will be a wide-open competition this spring.

With Spring Practice just a couple weeks away we’ll get a chance to see how much Bostick’s physical conditioning has changed.





It is going to be very interesting to see how much progress Bostick has made during the off-season. He was extremely slow of foot and his throwing mechanics were horrible, let’s see what changed since december. I can’t wait for the spring game to see his progress

Also, Cross does not have ideal size but he has a strong arm and can run. There should be some great competition at the qb spot.

Comment by Stuart Margolin 03.10.08 @ 1:00 pm

Bostick shouldn’t be in the mix this year. He wasn’t ready last year and from what I have seen he won’t be ready this year. The lack of arm strength, overall conditioning, field presence and mechanics all need work. It’s great that the kid is applying himself and I have no doubt that he will be a good QB at some point in his career but not this year.

Comment by Tony in Harrisburg 03.10.08 @ 2:02 pm

If nothing else, though, competition will only make him better for the future. And let’s face it, we don’t have any clear front-runner for the job. If he proves he’s the best in the spring and through the summer, he wins the job- period.

Bostick doesn’t get enough credit for stepping into the starting QB role as a true freshman without having the previous spring to learn the playbook- and it’s not like he was getting all the snaps from day 1. He was handcuffed from the start. This offseason will make a HUGE difference. I think the only thing we know for sure at this point is that the competition is going to be intense.

Comment by Dan35 03.10.08 @ 2:34 pm

given the JUCO transfer (Cross)…I am expecting a redshirt this year for Bostick. I definitely think they are deep in this position now.

Comment by DaveD 03.10.08 @ 2:52 pm

I see I’m not the only one who thought Bostick was a portly freshman who lacked most of the dynamics a good QB should have. (arm strength, mechanics, decision making…etc)

How the hell was he ranked #4 in the country by Rivals.com?

Good to see he is making the necessary changes!

I say redshirt him, let Cross, Smith, and Stull battle it out.

Comment by Ryan M. 03.10.08 @ 3:45 pm

Ryan,

Bostick played horrrible, he had a very hard time reading defenses and his lack of mobility killed him.

Bostick was very over-rated coming out of high school, I agree he should redshirt but I do not see him in the qb mix for at least two years baring major injury.

Comment by John Congemi 03.10.08 @ 4:51 pm

You people need to understand that the kid is a true freshman and not a redshirt senior. He was thrown into the fire last year because of an injury and inexperience of another player. It’s obvious Wanny didn’t think he was ready because Stull started the year and Smith was his backup. Don’t get me wrong, I think Pat cost us several games last year and feel that Stull will be the starter this fall but lighten up. Jimmy Clausen was rated higher than Pat and he didn’t exactly have a great freshman year either. Does that mean that they both should be cut fromt he team?

Comment by Fcuk Paterno 03.10.08 @ 4:59 pm

Chas, Dennis, or whoever,

I am desperately trying to get a copy of the Pitt-Wvu fball game this past year. I know that some people have copies on dvd or video cassette. I would greatly appreciate it if I could some how get a copy from one of you. I am willing to pay you. If you can possibly help me out, please email me it at “fulltiltmatt@hotmail.com”.

Thanks,

Matt

Comment by Matt D 03.10.08 @ 5:48 pm

I for one will take a wait and see attitude about Bostic. a lot can change in an offseason and his fate will be decided on the field after evaluation by the coaches. To suggest a redshirt before that happens is just silly. it may end up that way, but we don’t really know how it will turn out. I like that he has worked hard to get in better shape. Maybe he worked on his foot work and throwing motion as well. We’ll see soon enough. I wish him luck.

Comment by TMGPanther 03.10.08 @ 6:10 pm

i hpe that windmill throwing motion is gone, if it not he should be redshirted. but if the throwing motion is corrected and he doesn’t cry any more when buddy morris yells at him, then i say he should be given a shot at winning the starting qb job.

Comment by dc 03.10.08 @ 8:08 pm

anyone else here tired of us losing to Connecticut!

Let’s make this the last time for a while OK….

DW – hear me!!

Comment by Dan 72 03.10.08 @ 8:20 pm

IMO that Greg Gross is the most advanced QB on the roster at this time. I would be shocked if isn’t the starter opening day.

Pat Bostic needs to do a full 180 degrees not just losing a few pounds. A red shirt is in order.

Comment by joel 03.10.08 @ 8:39 pm

If his mechanics are not MUCH improved by the beginning of summer, they should RS him. There is no way, despite being stringer, faster, etc, that he can this level of football with that nasty hitch in his pass.

Comment by joe in boise 03.10.08 @ 8:49 pm

We all know Bostick has the potential to improve. You HAVE to remember, like Fcuk Paterno said, he was a true freshman, and made true freshman mistakes.

With him having an entire offseason to lose 20+ pounds, increase his arm strength, work on footwork and reading defenses, there’s alot of potential there.

So look at the possibilities. Stull hasn’t shown anything promising due to injuries and backing up Palko; Smith was an absolute joke when he played; Cross has experience, but will it be better than Bostick’s?

This is a year in the big east where there won’t be a clear cut favorite. So it’s our opportunity to transition from a mediocre team that fights for bowl eligibility, to a team that fights for a conference championship and BCS bowl.

Spring will dictate which qb can possibly take us there. Quite frankly, I don’t care who it is. I just want a winner.

Comment by Hail2Pitt 03.10.08 @ 9:25 pm

I’m not saying cut him or put him on the shelf forever and yes I agree he was put into a bad situation.

At this time Bostick just does not have the physical attributes to be a successful starting division 1-qb, give him a few years to develop. Maybe he develops to be the next Dan Marino or maybe he develops into the next Rich Bowden, only time will tell.

Comment by John Congemi 03.10.08 @ 9:27 pm

He wasn’t ready last year because he wasn’t supposed to play last year. He was supposed to be redshirted. Who would have thought he would be starting by the 5th game?

He got some valuable experience in some bad situations last year, and now it looks like he has been working his ass off. Now that he knows he might get the starting job again (and he has the most experience out of the bunch), he will be improving. I think he is our man for the next three years, and I’m not too worried about him. He will do well, especially with the talent that will be surrounding him.

Comment by Tony 03.10.08 @ 10:10 pm

Everyone knows Bostick was put in a tough situation last season, and everyone saw the results of that on the field of play. But, I am constantly surprised at the fan’s belief that somehow just by virtue of spending one off season this young man is going to magically transform into a successful D-1 QB.

This is the same phenomenon that PSU fans were banking on for Morelli prior to last season – and he didn’t have major physical flaws to correct – and it never happened.

Granted we are talking about two different players, and IMO Bostick is head and shoulders above Morelli in the cerebral department, but the fact remains that regardless of WHY he was forced to play so much last season, some of his shortcomings were blatantly obvious.

As I read some fan’s comment about this situation I wonder if a lot of the ‘let Pat remain the starter’ sentiment isn’t due to the fact that he’s such a likable guy, and that some fans appointed him the QB savior of the program coming out of HS – and are sticking with that no matter what. I believe that is unrealistic and does both young Mr. Bostick and PITT a disservice.

To me, it’s not a negative or a punishment for the coaching staff to redshirt someone so that they have a full year to mature both mentally and physically. Of course, that’s provided we are not in the damage control mode that we were last season. No, if in any way we can afford to let Pat Bostick have the time he needs to become the best player he can – then I think he deserves it.

Comment by Reed 03.11.08 @ 4:43 am

Everyone in here is sitting on their ass at work or at school. You are not football coaches. Nobody in here has seen Cross play except for his Scout.com hi-light real and you are talking him up to be the next Vince Young. Awesome mobility, great arm, huge cock.

There are few redshirt freshmen in the country who are able to jump into a big time program and make an immediate difference. At least Bostick was able to win games (i.e. Jimmy Clausen)

He had no strength training, no real time with college coaches, and IS 18 YEARS OLD!

Before you throw Bostick under the bus and proclaim Cross as the Messiah to PITT football, please list your credentials and tell us why your opinion is anything more than words on a message board. I think it will provide everybody with a good laugh

Comment by Todd Gack 03.11.08 @ 10:29 am

Todd,
Missed the part on the huge cock…do they measure that before or after the 40 yd dash? I’m not sure if you are referring to Pat as a redshirt freshman or not by your statement above but he was a true freshman and was only on campus for a few months before being thrown to the wovles and asked to lead a college football team. There is a big difference in a true freshman and redshirt freshman so we need to ride this out.

Comment by Fcuk Paterno 03.11.08 @ 10:41 am

A reminder to those who seem to believe that Cross was recruited to be the starting QB. He (Cross) was specifically recruited to run that change of pace run-oriented offense that McCoy was taking direct snaps out of last season. Either Stull, Bostick or Smith will be the regular starter.

Comment by pitt1972 03.11.08 @ 10:55 am

No offense here, Reed, but, “I wonder if a lot of the ‘let Pat remain the starter’ sentiment isn’t due to the fact that he’s such a likable guy” is inane.

Let’s think about this brain-storm of yours a second:
Hypothesis: One who is a “likeable guy” is more likely to remain Starter…

Hey, I mean go for it if you want, but drawing up such a study (or, getting $upport for such research) is like that Beck song, “Lost Cause.”

I’m more willing to believe and fund research supporting any data-analysis that finds the opposite true… So let’s maybe modify your Indy-Dependent variables and gamble on something like this:

One who is a “likable guy” is more likely to… well, you know…

Nice guys finish last …not start, for starters

________________________________________

But then, maybe I’m biased when it comes to Pat because in reference to the comments below, I can’t help but “second the motion.”

I for one will take a wait and see attitude about Bostic. Comment by TMGPanther 03.10.08

Spring will dictate which qb can possibly take us there. Comment by Hail2Pitt 03.10.08

I think…I’m not too worried about him. Comment by Tony 03.10.08

Comment by Neil 03.11.08 @ 11:00 am

Nobody in here has seen Cross play except for his Scout.com hi-light real and you are talking him up to be the next Vince Young. Awesome mobility, great arm, huge cock. Comment by Todd Gack 03.11.08 @ 10:29 am

was that a racially biased remark, I wonder?

haha. No kidding, that was funny as sh*t

Comment by Neil 03.11.08 @ 11:12 am

While we are talking about Pitt QBs, the New Orleans Saints have released their second team QB and made Tyler Palko their new second team QB. I am sure he will face competition for the job in training camp but I believe he will win the job.

Comment by Doug 03.11.08 @ 12:11 pm

Fcuk Paterno, my mistake. I was so heated at the moment that I mistaked the two. True Freshmen was what I meant to write. If you would like to know when the measurement was taken, you would have to ask Joel. He seems to know better than anyone else.

“IMO that Greg Gross is the most advanced QB on the roster at this time. I would be shocked if isn’t the starter opening day. Comment by joel 03.10.08 @ 8:39 pm “

Comment by Todd Gack 03.11.08 @ 1:09 pm

Can anybody provide the top TRUE FROSH QBs in the last ten years? Just curious.

My fear with Cross is he has a high interception rate.

Comment by Ironhead 03.11.08 @ 2:49 pm

Ironhead–I don’t think you will have to worry about Cross’s interception rate–The coaches have already said the plan is to use him only to run the other change of pace offense. His passing ability merely adds another dimension to that offense to make it more effective and keep the other team from focusing soley on Shady McCoy. IMO, he won’t see the field when Pitt is in its normal most of the time offense–then it will be either Stull, Bostick or Smith.

Comment by pitt1972 03.11.08 @ 3:01 pm

Sorry to go OT, but this is hilarious. From the Chicago Tribune:

“As Aaron Gray walked to the bench after Drew Gooden replaced him following a brief second-quarter stint on Tuesday, the rookie center, according to several witnesses, snapped at interim coach Jim Boylan.

‘That’s what I get for working hard?’ Gray said.

A shocked Boylan snapped back and Gray, a second-round pick, played only the final 1:21 of a blowout victory over Memphis the rest of the night.”

Comment by Carmen 03.11.08 @ 3:21 pm

Todd, great post. Now can we get off the Bostick issue and get back to MSG and the BE Tournament. Please!!

Comment by TMGPanther 03.11.08 @ 3:54 pm

The whole redshirt deal is ridiculous to even bring up at this point. First of all- we don’t know shit and we can’t tell the future. Second of all- it’s not like there’s some deadline by which the team has to declare players for a redshirt. All the rule says is if a player doesn’t play in competition against another team, he doesn’t burn a year of eligibility that season (limit 1). There’s no rush to ‘mark’ a guy for a redshirt.

Considering what happened last year, I’m sure the coaches are going to make damn sure there are at least 2 QBs that know the entire playbook and are capable of running the offense by the start of camp in August.

Comment by Dan35 03.11.08 @ 4:02 pm

QBs: If you listen to or read anything Wannstedt says, it sounds like Bostick has just as good a chance as Stull to start. He also makes it sound like Cross is only coming in for certain plays, and when he says he has “concerns” about his ability to adjust to DI football, you people should know by now he’s saying “there ain’t no fuckin way i’m starting a guy who’s in his first year of DI football…eat shit.” Especially after what happened last year. And “Bostick would be the starter tomorrow” is also telling.

I’m just not sure why we’re arguing about this shit. No one here has seen what happened since the end of the year. Hell, they’re all on spring break right now. There is no football being practiced. I’m not sure how any of us can tell who should be playing, sitting, fetching water bottles, etc. Lets wait for the game and see how the QB he picks does, and then commence bitching.

And i’ve never seen a QB regress from his senior year to his freshman year – but look at the tape, he threw MUCH BETTER in HS. He gets back to that, no one here will be complaining.

Gray – WOW, that is REALLY hard to believe, knowing what every other single human being has ever said about him and everything any of us have ever heard or read from him. Then again, Boylan doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground. Gray led the team in rebounds the other night…in FIFTEEN MINUTES. They actually play pretty well when he’s in. They also play well when Noah is in. Here’s an idea that a lot of people want to see: what happens when you play both at the same time? They’ve only done it for about a minute the entire year. The guys job is to play the rookies and get them better for next year. Instead he’s pissing around with a bunch of turds.

I think Gray has a better chance of being rookie of the year than Boylan being the head coach there next year. Its telling when all your rookies are pissed off – that doesn’t normally happen in the NBA.

Comment by Stuart 03.11.08 @ 4:23 pm

Thanks TMG. Unfortunately, we all have one track minds and can not talk about MSG and the BE Tournament until Chas or Dennis puts a new post on the top of the page.

Comment by Todd Gack 03.11.08 @ 4:23 pm

On Palko: that is great news. I’m sure many of us here thinks he has the guts and brain to make it some day. I’m glad he’s still getting paid to play. Insane he’s one injury from playing a real live snap in an NFL game. I hope they have the preseason Aints games on again this year.

BTW – did some people’s god Rutherford ever make it to second string on any team?

Comment by Stuart 03.11.08 @ 4:28 pm

I too am waiting for the bball topic…i’m sure they’re happy to get a little break in the action, not having to post every 5 minutes.

Comment by Stuart 03.11.08 @ 4:30 pm

Quick note on Cross:

Rivals has him listed as having a 8.5″ cock. However, it’s probably more like 8″ according to most scouts. Still very impressive. Hopefully will see some more growth after Buddy Morris strength training.

Comment by Jon C 03.11.08 @ 7:35 pm

I am very pleasantly surprised at Gray. Looks like he took his PITT work ethic over to the NBA. I am glad he has proved me and others wrong. Good for him.

As for tomorrow, I hope, I really really do hope, that we have awakened and go on a feeding frenzy. It could happen but regardless we are not an easy out.

Comment by Panthoor 03.11.08 @ 8:17 pm

Neil – I think we actually agree with one another. My point wasn’t that he SHOULD be starter because he’s so likable – it was that a lot of fans latched onto him as the ‘savior’ or ‘future’ at QB from the minute he was recruited and thus want him to remain as starter. And, that because he’s a decent and hard working guy I think people tend to look back at his 2007 season with rose colored glasses on a little bit.
But, I sure do agree that we all will have to wait and see about our QB situation – and am very much looking forward to seeing how Pat Bostick has improved over the off season.

At least that’s the feeling I get from reading all these posts about PITT’s QB situation on various sites.

As far as ‘nobody really knows’ and ‘let’s wait and see’ – well, of course that’s true. But we are doing what involved fans do – we are talking, debating, speculating and hoping during the off season. I make a concerned effort to always phrase my posts so that it’s claer these are my opinions and not facts or news from inside the PITT football offices. That’s the fun of following football closely.

Comment by Reed 03.12.08 @ 4:40 am

Stuart why the DIS against Hot Rod? I cheer for every Pitt Player to make it at the next level.

Comment by Tony in Harrisburg 03.12.08 @ 9:37 am

has anyone seen cross throw ,no .it will be whoevers father stays out of the mix.do not count walt out as volunteer qb guru.

Comment by jimmy 03.12.08 @ 11:18 am

Stuart, I would not call Rod a “god”, but I for one know he was a much better QB during his time at Pitt than any QB currently on the roster. Now lay off Hot Rod or I’ll have him come kick in your car window!

Comment by HbgFrank 03.12.08 @ 12:42 pm

Filthy McNasty’s.. Quite a hang out. So, I hear there is a basketball game tonight.

Comment by Todd Gack 03.12.08 @ 12:54 pm

Rod and Palko MIGHT have had a better NFL career if those both played defense in college(although the jury may still be out on Palko).

Comment by Ironhead 03.12.08 @ 1:32 pm

the reason reson noah and grey can’t play together is then you only have three scoring options on the court. have you ever seen noah shoot, it makes gilbert brown look like jerry west.

Comment by dc 03.12.08 @ 1:58 pm

Chas?? are u there?

Comment by Rex 03.12.08 @ 1:59 pm

There is no Chas, only Zuul

Comment by OTAPitt 03.12.08 @ 2:26 pm

WV is having one of their nightmare shooting games so far. I’m enjoying it immensely.

Comment by Will 03.12.08 @ 2:55 pm

The shot wasn’t at Rod, it was all the people that argue that Rod was better than Palko, and ignore the fact that Rod hand the greatest receiver in years to loft balls at. Palko was hands down a better QB – we could only imagine what would have happened had Fitzgerald stayed around for a couple years…maybe we’re not arguing over whether Wannstedt should state or go or if Walt was “mediocre.” There is a reason Palko is the number two QB on an NFL roster, and rod never got past the practice squad…

As for Noah – yeah, the kid is awful shooting from anyhwere but right under the basket – but the bulls are awful at shooting all together, and their best play is to pass off the front of the rim to Noah or Gray. Put them both out there, they could kill some people. They both make their putbacks from what i’ve seen.

Piece of shit wvu tied it at the half with an 11-2 run…junk. I want to see another team hopefully fall off the bubble…F the Cuse too.

Comment by Stuart 03.12.08 @ 3:21 pm

“state” = stay…sorry about that.

Comment by Stuart 03.12.08 @ 3:25 pm

Good news for us – Jim Burr reffed the Syracuse/Nova game. I doubt he’d do 2 in one day.

Comment by Kevin 03.12.08 @ 3:43 pm

Higgins is still out there somewhere…i almost guarantee he’ll be doing our game…

Comment by Stuart 03.12.08 @ 4:10 pm

WVU is going to sneak into the 2nd round, fuck the hoopies!!

Comment by Fcuk Paterno 03.12.08 @ 4:30 pm

Holy shit is providence awful…way to miss 50 layups on the way to ending your season. I’m dumber for having watched that.

Comment by Stuart 03.12.08 @ 4:30 pm

Zuul comment was hilarious

Comment by Jamie H 03.12.08 @ 5:39 pm

marq’s played good d, seton hall getting some breaks offensive-defensively. but marq’s certainly the better team here; it’s really not close btw these two.

in stark contrast, the syr-nova gm was a much closer contest.

If SH pulls out & over MU it’ll be because, for and in large-part, SH played a more disciplined, patient game than did, for ex., the Orange.

Pitt v. L’Ville to me is true toss-up; wouldn’t bet that game.

….well, looks like marq is in and SH out at this pt. (3min. reg.)

Comment by Neil 03.12.08 @ 11:42 pm

umm….

wrong post to comment under…

umm…

Comment by Neil 03.13.08 @ 1:03 am

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