He was public enemy No. 3 during Pitt-USF game:

link to blogs.tampabay.com

I know this might be blasphomy but I have noticed that McKillop makes many of his tackles 4 to 5 yards down the field. Most notable is his lack of speed laterally often having to give up large angles to cut off the runner. I am no football expert but I don not believe he has the physical skills to play at the next level. Despite what I just said I am glad he plays for Pitt at this time of the hoped for progression in the level of players coming to Pitt.

Dennis – have you been taking in-game naps on the plays where McKillop is in the opponent’s backfield? How about when he’s blasting the rusher at the LOS, or running down a RB laterally behind the LOS? Better yet, ask Grothe or Pat White how fast McKillop plays. The kid’s either on the tackle or right by the ball every time there is a rushing play.

As a PITT fan, whether or not he “plays at the next level” ranks pretty low on my importance meter, what matters is how the PITT defense plays when he’s leading them in their games, and that’s been pretty damn good so far, for two years running.

Of course, every sportswriter and coach in America is probably wrong about how he has to be accounted for when devising a gameplan, since you’ve been able to see what they have missed about Scott.

Hear, hear Reed! The kid is fly…err fast, for a white guy. Ha! Dennis, did you not watch the last game against USF? Granted, I have seen articles in the past where he was accused of being slow, maybe early in the 07 season. But through mid 07 up until now he’s been nothing but a fast one man wrecking machine.

McKillop Me!

In my defense I lived in Pittsburgh, after graduating during the period of Hugh Green and Ricky Jackson -enough said. Also McCoy is a different type of back than Dorsett, he is somewhat bigger and doesn’t have the speed of Dorsett. However, he is quick enough to imitate the great runners instincts that Dorsett showed – get to the point of impact as quick as possible, the line of scrimmage (north/south) than run to daylight. You may get stopped the first six times, but you will usually pick up positive yardage, but the seventh time could go for 30+ yards. I cannot count the number of times I watched Dorsett do that in his college and pro career. It is easy to tackle any running back running east-west.
Dennis

Dennis: McKillop is 4th in the Nation in Tackles for Loss at 1.8 per game. You are correct, you are no football expert.

link to web1.ncaa.org

Dennis – OK, in your defense – you compared Scott McKillop to one of the greatest college football players who ever lived in Hugh Green. That was a silly thing to do. Not that Hugh Green was the fastest defensive player ever, he really wasn’t – but he had freedom from the DC to lineup anywhere on the field he wanted, regardless of what defensive scheme we were in and that was the reason he was in on so many plays.

I think I agree with your assessment of McCoy v Dorsett. If you didn’t actually live through and watch Tony Dorsett play it’s hard to comprehend exactly what level of play he was on and what his impact was. It’s truly way above McCoy’s – and that is no slight on LeSean.

Kind of a subject changer here, but there’s an interesting article on SI.com about how Stoops at Oklahoma has realized how important aggressive, attacking offensive football is–even though he’s a “defense-focused” guy.

Maybe Wanny and the boys will read too–http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/the_bonus/10/10/oklahoma/index.html?eref=T1

A bit off topic but it’s Saturday and games are on. What happened to Michigan? I understand they have a new coach(I’m still laughing and disgusted at this man still by the way)but there shouldn’t be this much of a drop off, right?. Even when this team has a down year, The Big House is still strong and loud. They are tied at 10 with Toledo near the end of the 3rd quarter.

The IOWA win is looking pretty good today after they blow out Indiana

Hey! Our loss to Toledo is now buried in an old pile of glass. Michigan missed an easy FG and lost. The Rodriguez family don’t deserve to be hit with poop, but Rich does.

As a last comment the level of civilized discourse on this blog certainly does not deserve wasting my time. I made an admitted laypersons observation about McKillop and I am accussed of “taking naps” during the game. No insult intend but my guess based upon your approach to debate is that you are a 1980 or later graduate with a degree in business

this guy dennis is an idiot

Where are those Hoopies that made fun of Pitt for barely winning at The Cuse, when they could barely pull off a win over them at HOME!?!?!

Dennis, one should never feel ‘accused’ of taking naps, one should be applauded for being able to do so. Reaching a social status where you can stand up and announce to all within hearing distance that “I’m tired and feel like a nap”, and then walking out of the room to do so shows a level of justifiable arrogance that few attain.

I was at West Point for Dorsett’s 275 or so yards in 3 quarters his Junior year. Army was still pretty good back then. The image I still have is of a movie with 2 speeds imbedded: fast forward for Tony, slow motion for everyone else.

I promise to the Reed and DoggyDun this is my last blog. The context of the blog, however is directed to more toward the other bloggers than Reed and Doggy.
I just awoke from my nap and felt compelled to offer an opinion to Reed and “DOGDUE” about civil discourse. As a former alumni and Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh my hope that both of Reed and Doggy remain fervent supporters of the football program. I must also state as an educator and academic I hope that neither of you based on your method of debate are not alumni of the university. The reason for this statement is obvious your remarks resonant a primitive need you both possess to attack the messenger, i.e., napping, arrogant, idiot, rather than debate the message. Perhaps I am everything that you claim does that give you the right to attack my character when I make an observation about the team or players. I did not attack Scott McKillop character. Both of you, on the other hand, seem to need to attack me personally to defend your opinion McKillops skill as a football player. Like two drunks lying in the gutter on their backs chocking on their vomit you vent viscious attcaks on my character. You must excuse me if my response sounds demanding, it is a product of my training and profession to challenge persons to engage in citical thinking. I leave my rebutal up to the other bloggers whether they wish to raise the context of the debate and challenge the negative personal attacks to raise the level of debate and force both of you to behave like adults.
Good luck.

So, Dennis, please let me get this straight: You actually just did awake from your nap?

I don’t understand your simile, “Like two drunks lying in the gutter on their backs chocking on their vomit you vent viscious attcaks on my character.” I’m just thinking that two drunks choking on their vomit wouldn’t be able to vent much of anything besides flatulence.

Thanks for allowing me the chance to engage you in critical thinking.

Dennis W.
A question and a comment:

1. How does one become a former alumni? Did they take back your diploma?

2. Please tell me you weren’t an English professor! Your rambling writing style and run-on sentences are painful to read.

Alright guys let’s stop all the pointless name calling and questioning and focus on Pitt for a second here. Call me crazy, but this seems a little silly. On the bright side:
a) We’re #23 in the AP
b) We’re #28 in the USA/Coaches
c) We’re playing the best football this program has seen since the first half of the 2006 season.
d) Basketball season starts 4 weeks from today

great blog! i am glad i came across it as i will link it in future stories!

Jesse W.
http://www.churchofcowherd.com

Greg,

The answer to your query is quite simple, you just need to think outside the box. Since ‘alumni’ is plural, Dennis was obviously a conjoined twin, hence after a surgical separation operation, he became a ‘former alumni’ or more appropriately an alumnus.

Dennis, seriously, don’t take a little ball-busting too personally and I hope you continue to post. Whether I agree with any of you or not, the comments section makes this site more enjoyable.

The middle linebacker is not supposed to be a kamikaze all the time, so he plays with some caution to avoid 5 yard gains turning into 20 yarders, right? The outside backers have to contain, but basically get more free runs on average than the middle backer, so he never gets to look as flashy. But I’ve seen McKillop chase down rb’s from behind at least once a game, so he’s plenty quick.

I take it Chas has a bye week as well.

No Pitt this weekend, and no Pitt Blather this weekend either?

Jimbo’s Dad,

How are the bandwagon Rays fans treating you in Tampa these days? It’s amazing how many Rays hats I’m seeing in North Florida these days, especially since so many of those lemmings have hopped off the Jaguars bandwagon after last Sunday’s game. To their credit, the Joke Sox fans here are always wearing their hats, so it’s nothing new for them.

The Post Gazette is saying Pitt got a verbal commitment from the younger DeCicco brother today.

I guess he wasn’t too impressed with Wisconsin’s effort yesterday, since they were his other finalist.

Darrell Revis and Aliquippa featured today in a long article in NYT. No mention of Tony Dorsett or Jonathan Baldwin, just a passing mention of Mike Ditka.

Nadda about the Alquippa – Pitt connection.

I’m tempted to cancel my subscription.

Excuse me Dennis W., but I did not accuse you of anything. If you go back and read my posts you will see that. And you have enough nerve to bash me?!?! Wow, talk about civil discourse.

Dennis W. I never once personally attacked you, or your character. I never once accused you of being arrogant, napping or of being an idiot. I simply counterpointed your statements, as is to be expected in debate. In fact, I agreed with you at one point. Why don’t you go back, and read who wrote what, before you personally attack me. You sir, are the one that needs a lesson in civil discourse.

Back to the other Dennis’ original point…McKillop has been holding the entire LB corps together and has allowed players like Austin Ransom to emerge as well.

Dennis, lmao! Yep, yep. I couldn’t agree with ya more. While Austin, for the most part, has been playing pretty solid, he’s also made a few big mistakes. But, that’s to be expected for a first year player in that position.

Hey Johnny,

Yeah, it’s super annoying. It was like the minute Pitt beat USF the bandwagon Bulls fans went home, and switched hats to immediately become bandwagon Rays fans.

The team was in the division lead with 2 weeks to go in the season, and still drawing 16,000 per game.

Tampa sports fans = joke.

I always said that sports teams down here are more of a trend, whereas up north it’s more of a tradiation.

I like the Rays players, but I’d rather see a team whose fans actually show up win it all. But then again, the Marlins have won two championships, so there’s really is no justice in sports haha.

Hey, I’m in Florida and wanted to know if anyone knew if there’s any way to watch this week’s game against Navy.

Brighthouse Sports Network (formerly Catch 47) usually shows almost every Pitt game here in Tampa, but they’re showing a MAC game this week in that time slot.

What family of networks has the rights to the game? Are there online viewing options or (worse yet) pay per view options?

Jimbo, CBS College I’ve been told is carrying the game.

Dug, I’m going to assume that’s a channel that I probably don’t get w/ my cable provider. That sucks.

Yeah, I was originally stoked, thought it was going to be on just regular CBS. Then came to find out it was some special channel you have to order….blah 🙁

Dennis W. – please tell me your kidding with that last post. If not, you really have to grow thicker skin to be able to enjoy the back and forth on these Blogs and message boards.

If you weren’t kidding, than please accept my apology for offending you. Calling you a “Napper” was way out of line. It was vicious, and I don’t see how I’m going to be able to sleep at 3:00 pm this afternoon when I lay down for my nap. See Dennis, I’m a Napper also (as I know you truly are), however I embrace my napitude, whereas you are still in denial.

Jimbo – any home or sports bar with Direct TV or Dish would carry the game. I don’t know if CBS has any online viewing or not. CBS College seems to like Navy this year, they showed the Navy-Rutgers game.

Not to panic, but:
Navy is 4-2. They beat Rutgers and Wake Forest. Their losses are to Ball State (ranked) and Duke. They won’t be a pushover.

CBS College Sports Network has a contract to televise every Navy home game

Dennis, I am a “reader” of these blogs although I don’t post often. It is the nature of posters, however, to give “digs” to posters with whom they disagree. It is nothing personal; just the nature of the blog format. I don’t know who Reed and DoggyDun are, but my guess is that each of them, if they had the opportunity, would say, “Hey, Dennis. Let’s go down to the pub. I would like to buy you a beer while we discuss the way McKillop plays football.”

I’ve watched an awful lot of football in my 50 years and I’ve got to say that I would have a hard time trying to critsize Scott McKillop about anything on or off the field.

BigGuy, you are correct with your thoughts above.

I’ve actually made some good friends through these blogs and boards over the last few years, and enjoy meeting them before the games and talking PITT football. However, in Dennis’ case I would make him buy the first round for being so sensitive. Then I’d make him debate me using the standard “National Parliamentary Debate Association” rules (yes, there actually is such a thing).

When he kicks my ass in doing that – then I’ll buy the beer for the rest of the afternoon. After which I’ll take a nap.