Let’s see, Coach Todd Graham has been doing the rubber-chicken circuit this spring. Going to alumni club events and selling the program.

“Coach Graham’s speech was one of the best talks I have heard from a Pitt coach in several years,” said Mon Valley Panthers Club President Dr. Randy Rodriguez. “It wasn’t a ‘rah-rah speech.’ It was from the heart. He was very sincere. He’s a great motivator.

“When he said he wants to graduate 100 percent of his players, that tells you something about the guy. He cares.”

I can’t honestly be certain if the coverage and some attention paid to these events in media is because of a new coach and little other news. Or if there is some energy not seen in a few years. I remember similar excitement during the first spring/summer of Dave Wannstedt hitting the rubber chicken circuit. Either way, positive attention is welcome.

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Finally. This has been a frustrating few days. Not able to post a damn thing. Just spinning wheels and looking at other options for a hosting company. The system started coming back on Saturday and is allegedly fully restored now.

As I’m sure most of you are aware, Kolby Gray and Dan Schneider are leaving the Pitt program. Dan Schneider sustained a shoulder injury that will not let him play football any longer. Kolby Gray is transferring to Baylor. Part of it is driven by being closer to home, pursuing a music career, and the fact that the DC at Baylor is his former DC here at Pitt: Phil Bennett.

Pitt has taken in one JUCO and three transfers this offseason. Transfer Brendon Felder is possible to get a hardship waiver to play this season, and JUCO Josh Brinson is obviously eligible. But the oddity is that Pitt has yet to actually have a verbal for the 2012 recruiting class as the end of May looms.

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