The countdown to the opening kick-off of a new season, with a new coach and a new style has will hit T-minus 100 hours at 2 pm today (significantly less from when the tailgating begins). The depth chart was released yesterday. Also taking place yesterday, the Big East coaches teleconference and Coach Graham’s first gameweek presser.
The most interesting thing — at least to me — that came out of Graham’s time in the Big East coaches teleconference (mp3 file) was where his offensive philosophy came from.
Paraphrasing, but it went back to 1993 when he was coaching defense in D-II and had to go against DickRod’s team. The no-huddle spread “fascinated” him, and as a defensive coach this style was what he hated to defend and plan to stop.
That struck me as a very open-minded and creative approach. Definitely getting out of his comfort zone. Frequently head coaches from the defensive side tend to favor more traditional offenses. Basically, the offense they generally expect their defense to play most of the time.
I’m trying to think of head coaches at the BCS level that come from the defensive side of the ball, but embrace a more dynamic offensive approach. Gene Chizik at Auburn comes to mind as does Brian Kelly of Notre Dame. But these seem like the exceptions. Am I falling prey to an overgeneralization? I suppose it would be something to research at a later time.
Then there is his local press conference. Lots of items to examine.
Let’s start with pace on offense.
“We would eventually like to get around 12 seconds. I think we tend to forget that this is all new to these guys. Our quarterback has the biggest strain on him because he has to do everything he did last year and probably more. He has to communicate the call, protections, and checks while reading coverage at a lot faster pace. I would say if we’re at 18 seconds then we will be excited about that time, but I won’t be satisfied with it. We like to have the ball snapped every 15 seconds in our first year. We were doing that early and we’ve slowed a little bit. Our time is going to be the focus for us and we can’t start trying to scheme too much before we get the tempo established. That will be what sets us apart. I would like to be at 15 seconds but I think for the first game we will be around 18.”
The man obviously cares nothing for bloggers. How the hell are we going to handle commenting in liveblogs between plays at that kind of speed?
As much focus has been on the offense, the presser transcript is dominated by talk of the defensive personnel and how they are going to be used. Mixing savvy players with talented freshmen. To wit, Andrew Taglianetti:
“We are not trying to be deceptive on what guys are playing. Andrew Taglianetti is a winner in every way and is a kid who does everything right in all areas of his life. He is more of nickel spur so you’re going to see him in the game if it’s ten personnel, eleven personnel or sets similar to that. He’s not a base down spur. Our base down spur would be Todd Thomas or Greg Williams. We wanted to list him and he is a starter in my mind. Taglianetti is also the backup free safety and the backup bandit. He’s probably the next safety to go on the field. We will use him in a nickel a lot like they used Dom DeCicco last year. He is more of our nickel strong safety and Todd Thomas is more of our true outside linebacker.”
So Thomas is really the starter, but Tags will be all over the field in spots.So will true freshman Lafayette Pitts.
“Lafayette Pitts is going to play boundary corner and bandit safety so we’re trying to bring him along. How we develop those guys is playing with boundary and field people. If you play him at boundary corner then you better learn boundary safety. Right now he’s taking most of his snaps at bandit safety or boundary safety. He’s been progressing well and he’s a guy who is going to help us this year. It’s a little tougher in the back end because there’s a lot more to comprehend. We’re running over 20 different coverage looks so there is a lot to learn. Pitts has done very well at corner so we’re pretty solid at that position. We want to provide a little depth at safety. We think the bandit safety is a position that is going to be his primary position and he will also be in depth at the boundary corner position.”
The use of Pitts, might also be to help allow Jason Hendricks get a little more rest to start the season. The official word is that he is healthy after battling turf toe in camp, but that is a nagging injury.
‘Then there are the freshmen players not listed as a starter, who sort of are. Or at least in heavy rotation.
“Ejuan Price is a starter in my mind. Brandon Lindsey is the starting Panther and then on third down you will see Lindsey and Price as the outside linebackers. Those guys will be on the field in third down situations. Ejuan has tremendous talent. The only thing he has to do is keep learning what he is doing. Every snap just keeps getting better and better for him. K.K Mosley-Smith is basically in the starting rotation up front on the defensive line. He plays behind Myles Caragein. Naturally Myles can’t play every snap so K.K will be in the rotation up front. We will play a lot of defensive line when we rotate those guys. The Woodland Hills guys are representing well. I am pretty proud of those guys and how they came in. All three of those guys (Price, Mosley-Smith and Lafayette Pitts) are leaders in that class in how they work and how they go about things.”
Coach, you have to learn. It is now Juan Price, not Ejuan.
As much as we hear about the dizzying array of offensive sets, the defense seems just as confusing from afar. Yet, somehow, Coach Graham spoke of trying not to make mistakes.
Graham said that regardless of who the opponent is, if the Panthers make sure they take care of their own business first, the games will take care of themselves.
“Really, this whole game is about us and about us going out and performing,” Graham said. “Early in the season I am a firm believer that the team [that] makes the least amount of mistakes is going to win. Just don’t beat yourselves.”
I have to expect more than a few just because the players are going to get mixed up at times.
I don’t even want to think what all these different sets and substituting players on both sides of the ball while increasing the pace is going to do to Bill Hillgrove on the radio call. I’m not sure he’ll make it through the season.
It is confirmed that Trey Anderson is effectively the No. 2 QB ahead of Mark Myers. Hopefully we will see one of them sometime by the 3d quarter on Saturday because it’s a blowout.
While there are plenty of upperclassmen on the 2-deep, it isn’t hard to see a lot of the new faces listed. A definite change.
Those situations typically arise in all college programs when a new coach arrives. Players recruited by the current staff move quickly up the depth chart for reasons of familiarity as much as talent. Not surprisingly, freshmen Anderson and Jones, running backs Malcolm Crockett and Corey Davis, nose tackle K.K. Mosely-Smith, outside linebacker Ejuan Price and cornerbacks Lafayette Pitts and Lloyd Carrington are competing for significant playing time.
Talent remains the deciding factor, and that’s why [Shane] Gordon and [Todd] Thomas have caught the coaches’ attention.
Now if the new changes can only include junking “Sirius” from the Alan Parsons Project as the intro music. Cripes, that song is almost 30 years old.
Pitt still should win ten games and maybe a BCS reward.
DickRod was an innovator back in the 90s. Now the no-huddle is becoming the norm. If Graham is thinking about running a play every 12 seconds now, I hope he is not shooting himself (and the team) in the foot. As Chas wrote “I have to expect more than a few (mistakes) just because the players are going to get mixed up at times.” Thus, I am expecting the more experienced defensive unit to carry the load, especially when they start playing their peers (beginning with Iowa.)
“
Chaos is good…at least thats what we want to create for opposing teams. Chaos is nearly impossible to overcomeon the field. Let’s just hope the chaos belongs to Buffalo and not us!!!
If we are conditioned properly, getting a play off every 18 seconds will wear down Buffalo in a hurry. The 3rd and 4th quarters should really open up. I am not expecting Graham to take to play not to lose role, so I am therefore expecting a big number.
OK, here goes…first one of 2011!
Pitt 54
Buffalo 14
HAIL TO PITT!!!
Intangibles. Personality. Leadership. Intelligence. Drive. He’s got ‘em. Walt had some. Wanny had others. He’s got ‘em all.
Hail to Pitt!
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast/post/_/id/22611/big-east-five-predictions
Judge Graham by his record at the end of the year. For all we know, this Octane could be just a bunch of hot air.
Personally, anything less than an 8-4 record will be a failure.
8-4 would be mediocre and Wanny-like.
9-3 is my expectation and is respectable given the circumstances.
10-2 without the BE crown would be a joyful pain but painful nonetheless.
10-2 with the BE title and BCS game would be a success.
10-2 with a BCS win would be awesome to say the least.
11-1 with a BCS loss would be a disappointment but Graham would be the new man in Oakland.
11-1 with a BCS win and Graham would not only be the man, but would be getting courted by some SEC teams.
12-0 would be a dream.
Wishing Graham and more importantly Pitt football the best but tempering the optimism.
Graham reminds me of Majors the first time he came here, which is a good thing.
Was expecting big things from him this year, since he got the ‘ding dongs’ haven’t heard much since.
Hope the kid is alright. We need him !
Although I hate to play the ‘expectation game’ as I think expectations were way too high last year and that was all media driven. Especially with a new QB and the way Pitt’s early schedule was front loaded.
TG’s Tulsa teams went to 3 bowl games and won them all. They were among the Top 5 in offense in all but one of his years there. I think his record speaks for itself. If we’re putting up lots of points, I don’t really care about penalties. They will get less and less as the team matures with this new offense. The fact that had Les Miles left LSU for Michigan, TG was high up on LSU’s list, maybe even at the top according to some sources. I think Pitt was very fortunate to get him after the debacle late last year.
If nothing else, it’ll be interesting.
If they do, 9-3 or better looks pretty good!
wbb I’ll take High Octane over Wannyball!
Wanny was always good for losing 1 game a year because of his conservative myopic mentality to an inferior team.
HTP!
Its absurd to say that Graham didn’t win championships against inferior competition at Tulsa and Rice. He was playing with Tulsa and Rice talent, not Big East or other big time FBS talent.
As a matter of fact, if we don’t beat Ok, or Al, by at least 37 points in that game will be a failure!!
If we don’t beat Buffalo 75-10, failure!!
We must beat Iowa by at least 29, and we have to score over 60, or another failure.
Failure, if we do not shut out Notre Dame!! That’s it, I’ll settle for nothing less than a shutout!!!
Utah, I’m sorry, payback’s a bitch, they must be shut out, or this season is an absolute failure!!!
Ah, West Virginia, down in Morgantown, they may be able to get a couple touchdowns, but, I’m gonna go ahead and say it, if we do not score 9 touchdowns or more, this whole shipwreck has been a waste. 63 or better too, no more than 14!!!
Or, once again, I’m gonna half to call this thing a failure, sorry.
Not beating any other Big East team by more than 35.5 points, this season will go down in history as a huge failure. Not just a failure, a huge failure!!!
Don’t want to hear about first year coach, don’t want to hear about new system the kids have to learn and get used to. Don’t want to hear about Coach having to recruit.
Definitely don’t want to hear about Iowa, Notre Dame, Utah or West Virginia, easily losable games to anyone else in the country!!! B.S. man!!!!
Don’t want to hear about losing a running back, wide out and two defensive line guys to the NFL, hell, we have Ray Graham and Mike Shanahan back, we should dominate! I said DOMINATE man!!!
Could care less if the team is coached better, we look more like we belong in the top 25, we don’t embarrass ourselves on national tv and don’t kick field goals on third down.
Could care less looking at the end of the season and saying, “wow, am I pumped for the future, we got the right guy, what a season”
Nope, the future is now, 13-0 or bust, damn it!!!!
I won’t tolerate it, I won’t!! Go ahead and try me Graham!!!
I like how Grahm has set this up.It is all on him!
Rather than Wanny hemming and hawing and aw shucksing… Grahm has let us all know that it will be success…and it will be on him.
I think Pitt has the talent and now the coaching to make a huge mark Nationally this year.
He has my trust….now let’s see if he has earned it!
Graham is different. He reminds me a lot of Johnny Majors…I hope his record does also.
I think it will!
Also, anyone else worried that a 190lb DB (former HS wrestling champ) is the back-up long snapper???
Fact 1. First year coach
Fact 2. Brand new system
Fact 3. Kids have to switch all their thoughts
of all football learned before, to go to
new system. Offensive and Defensive
schemes.
Fact 4. I must be looking at a different roster
than you, I didn’t know we had national
championship talent on this team. Hell,
I didn’t know that we had top 20 talent
on this team?? Oh, we don’t, the highest
ranking I’ve seen is about 37th!!! Not
too bad considering the “sky is falling
mentality” that everyone, including
myself had after the Haywood fiasco!!
I didn’t even know we had Big East
championship talent, oh, apparently we
don’t, since every magazine, tv, and
radio I’ve heard has picked WVU or South
Florida to win the Big East!!!
Fact 5. Whether you like Graham or not, whether
you like his offense or defense, he is
inheriting another coaches players that
fit a totally different offense, and a
somewhat different defense.
I’m not defending the guy or making excuses, I don’t know Todd Graham from a whole in the wall.
I’ve watched a lot of college and pro football over the years, too know, when there is a new coach installed, more often than not, there are going to be a few bumps along the way.
Yes, we brought him in to do better than DW, I’ve never heard of anyone not given a couple years chance, to say, ok, DW was 9-3 last year, so if you don’t win 10 games this year, “you stink, the whole reason we brought you in was to be better”. Absolutely ridiculous.
I bring sales guys into to better than others, never fired anyone after a year or two, until I can see what they can do, after getting to know the company, getting to know the clients, getting to know the product.
Frank, I want Pitt to win, I want them to win a National Championship, I want to go to the Rose Bowl and stick in my Penn St. family and friends faces!!!
If he falls flat on his face and their is total discombobulation, I will join in, in the grumbling.
I’m also very realistic. I will hope for the best, hope for improvement each week, hope there are not any bozo calls, and hope we have a coach who is in charge and looks like we have a guy for the future, not like the past couple guys who looked like deer in the headlights.
To compare the coaches, after one year, solely on W-L record is…..I don’t know what the word is.
21-10, knocked out in ncaa first round, he’s a failure because he didn’t win 27 as per normal, and we know we hired the wrong guy?????
I remember calling the Fan in NYC when Wanny was made coach. The pundits told me he was the best thing that ever happened to Pitt fb.
The only thing I can tell you is that the players are in way better shape than they ever were under Wanny.
Beyond that, it’s a crap shoot.
Starkey, probably my favorite sports guy in Pgh. I also heard him make an ass out of himself yesterday.
Yelling and insisting that if Pitt doesn’t win the Big East, the season is a failure.
“well the coach said so”. Ya, the coach is a positive guy, and I love it. Along with being positive, he is also trying to capture the seniors, so they know they are fighting for something this year, not that their careers are over. He’s trying to change the feel around Pitt also, and he is also telling you the kind of guy he is. He also wants the freshman and underclassmen to know that he will not accept anything less than 110%
Anyhow, back to Starkey, Big East Championship or fail!!! What if they are both 6-0 going into the brawl. What if it is a 44-43 shootout, won by WVU on a last second field goal, in what the announcers are calling the game of the year, nope, Failure, you said you were going to win the Big East, na na na na nah na!!!
What if we get upset by Louisville???? Hell, Alabama, LSU and Texas even get upset once in awhile, believe it or not, could happen to Pitt.
Ok, all I’m saying is, and I’ll be done, you have to look at the overall picture at the end of the year before you start putting numbers on things and say, Pass/Fail cemented in rock.
Maybe there are a few Wanny supporters out there kinda hoping for failure??? I hope not, I would hope everyone, by now, is backing Pitt all the way???
Dr. Tom, i’m going for the JW!!!!
While DRW has a bit of Eeyore in him, he does make some good points. I do disagree on the “system” comment, DRW. Systems are huge in college sports. Look at TCU, Boise St. even Oregon to some degree. They don’t get the big name recruits but they’ve all been in the hunt the past few years because of their systems. Spurrier had some of the most prolific QBs in the NCAA when he was at Florida, yet none made it in the NFL because they were a result of his system. And, our basketball coach has done pretty good with a system.
wbb keeps reminding us about DEFENSE when everyone gets fired up about High Octane. Defense still wins championships, something Pittsburghers should certainly understand. Ask anyone who follows SEC football, which I get plenty of down here. Defense has been the difference in the last 5 BCS championships.
Dan is right about TG needing players to fit his system. It took Wanny 3 years to turn the corner, and Walt didn’t exactly leave the cupboard bare either. TG says he’ll adapt his system to fit the talent he has, so I’m hoping he can. But I expect a whole different Pitt football experience a few years from now, and that excites me.
I like what I hear from Graham, and I like what I’ve read from Chas and Reed who follows Pitt football closer than any of us. However, you can always look good practicing and playing against your own guys. We haven’t seen them play against a true opponent yet. It will be interesting to see how Tino, Ray G. and others react when they have a bunch of corn-fed moose chasing them around in the backfield, so I’ll reserve judgment until after Iowa, and maybe even Notre Dame.
Hail to PITT! Hail to football finally starting again!
P.S. to Dr. Tom: Glad you’ve recovered. I’m much happier talking about reality too.
Dan, when a coach leaves, about the only thing he takes with him is his reputation. I think that your deer in the headlight characterization is extremely unfair, unfounded and fallacious. Walt Harris came into a program where there was utter chaos (e.g. Ohio State 72, Pitt 0). He turned Pitt into a winner. He was decisive. Wannstedt took Pitt to three bowl games. Perhaps if Ray Graham would have held onto the ball in UConn territory, Pitt would have played in the BCS bowl against Oklahoma and Wannstedt would still be the coach. Just that one play. Criticize DW for playing conservatively or (as some say) playing not to lose, but he had winning seasons. (He won 10 games two years ago.) He made decisions on the field.
Saw Wanny staring into space, into the lights of Heinz Field with an “I’m in over my head” look, “would somebody tell me what to do”
Saw field goals on third down, punts with the ball at the opponents 42 yd line.
And both, with time outs, many a time, on the first offensive possession of the game.
I can’t remember which one, or exactly what game, but, I’m quite sure, at least one time, I saw us take the opening kickoff, the offense came onto the field, and either the very first, or possibly the second play of the game, we called a timeout.
Yes, they did some good things, but I saw neither guy as a head coach. One is an excellent offensive coordinator, one a very good defensive guy.
I saw Harris only concerned with offense, and I saw Wannstedt with a confused look about him all too often.
We got embarrassed many a time on national tv.
I believe they both underachieved.
I’m not questioning them as men, or as good guys, by all accounts, both are outstanding men, guys of character, and have down a lot, for a lot of people. I wish them well, I really do. I have no “meanness” towards them.
In my opinion, I think they were both mediocre coaches, thats all.
My advice would be to Google “live sports streams” on Saturday and see what you find. There’s a European site called First Row Sports that’s streaming NFL Network and ESPN live right now, which takes some guts. They might show live games too, since they’re in Europe and a little harder to hassle.
Between now and Saturday someone here will likely post a site that will definitely be showing the game. So keep checking back too.
I’m pretty sure we’ll win, but, wow, I mean this could be a 35-21, or 28-10 game. First game, gonna be some kinks need worked out.
Hear some talk around town, like this better be 65-7 or something.
I hope it is, but, geesh!!! Then Maine is to be penciled in allready 77-3 !!
I’m by no means being a downer either, just trying to be cautiously optimistic and realistic.
I hope we win 80-0 !!!
Comment by DRW 08.30.11 @ 5:33 pm
Actually I did type hoopie, and I’m amazed that someone that says they went to Pitt does not know what a nitter or a hoopie is. With that in mind I seriously doubt you went to Pitt.
Here’s a pop quiz for you DRW,(and DRW alone please)
1) Name the bars & restaurants that were side by side on Forbes Ave, in the early 1970′s (which is when you said you went to Pitt) from the corner of South Bouquet to the direction of
the Cathedral Of Learning?
2) What were the 3 nicknames of the 3 Dorm Towers?
3) What was the name of the Movie theater that was on Pitt’s campus?
4) What was the name of the two 24 hour per day restaurants on Pitt’s campus?
If you can answer these questions accurately I will believe you went to Pitt in the early 70′s, maybe. haha
Let’s ALL HOPE SO !!!
Graham’s big advantage over Wanny is he’s never lost anywhere. He’s got the confidence of a guy who’s never lost. Wanny had doubts about himself as a Head Coach from losing, and I never saw Walt Harris as a super confident guy. Nice guy yes, super confident guy, no. Liked them both, they are both great guys. Walt like Pittsburgh so much he moved back to the Burg after his Stanford stint. I am confident that TG is going to get us back to where we were or at least close. Don’t know if we’re ever going to see another Dorsett or Marino again.
DRW – you’ll be shocked then to know that Anderson probably has more talent to run this offense than do any of the other QBs on the roster. Don’t let his height fool you – he is tailored made for Graham’s system and that is why both Graham and QB coach Dodge were drooling when Anderson agreed to come to PITT.
“D-1″ talent is a phrase that baffles me. If a QB is playing on a D-1 team that wins games then he has D-1 talent…period. Pitt fans get too caught up in ‘ideals’. Every QB has to be Dan Marino-like and every RB has to be Dorsett-like. That just isn’t either feasible or in this case, with this offense, even preferable. Hence Myers drifting down the depth chart. Myers won’t transfer this year, it’s too late. But I wouldn’t bet on him being on the roster this time next season. I do believe that had Anderson been in spring camp Myers would be gone by now. The handwriting is in bold caps on the wall regarding what Graham wants at QB.
Regarding ‘chaos’. If you watched the Spring Game or had a chance to see a spring practice or two, then you should have been at least a little surprised at how well this offense had picked up the new system and tempo. Granted, as stated above, that is playing against thier buddies but it is still actual full speed competition, very early on, and they were executing as desired. IMO that was a very pleasant surprise as I truly expected to drive up to PGH and see the players running around the practice field like chickens with their heads cut off – but I saw the opposite.
As Graham said in the spring, the offense was hitting the 15 second mark well; I timed the spring game and they averaged around 17 seconds – and put up 47 points. It is understandable that the staff wanted to throttle back a bit, 15 to 18 seconds, due to more volume of the playbook being installed and playing their very first game with the new offense. We’ll see some mistakes on Saturday but I also fully expect to see points on the board. Given the changes at hand and the fast learning curve these kids had I’m thinking about five TDs and two FGs for 41 at least, maybe the D chips in some points also.
As to the “unacceptable” limit of wins this year. IMO It foolish to say we HAVE to win 10 games or the BE conference. I am glad that is the stated and repeated goal that Graham put out there but that may not happen; it could for sure but we may not make it. It’s best to understand that even if DW were here this season he could easily have less than eight wins – there was absolutely no guarantee that he’d win 10 and/or the BE BCS bowl in 2011. Hell, he just went from 10 wins to seven (eight if you are generous) – who’s to say that downward trend wouldn’t have continued?
I am not one of these political shills on the TV or radio who care more about their ratings and selling their books and philiosophy than they do the USA.
But off of my soapbox …. I AM a Pitt fan and would like nothing more than a BE title and more this year.
In fact, I was thrilled to read today (in the PG) that the new DC Patterson sat down with Steeler Coach LeBeau this summer to learn from him. The two reasons I was thrilled are that (1) unlike Wanny or Bennett, this DC is not too set in his ways and (2) I had always believed in a zone blitz style of defense and that it will lead to more turnovers since the DBs backs aren’t always to te QB.
Mmmm… Ritter’s Diner
“Our quarterback has the biggest strain on him because he has to do everything he did last year and probably more. He has to communicate the call, protections, and checks while reading coverage at a lot faster pace. I would say if we’re at 18 seconds then we will be excited about that time”
Here is a trivia question for you … from what bar came the T-shirt that Stevie Ray Vaughan wore on the back cover of his 1st album (circa 1980)?
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/college/pitt/s_754270.html
If our defensive front is as good as we think, then our D linemen and linebackers are going to be on a first name basis with Buffalo’s QB by games end. I have a feeling we are going to be impacting the quarterback a few times in our season opener.
Regarding giving Graham some slack to implement his systems into this season before we begin holding him to high expectations, in this same article Todd Graham himself states that he thrives on pressure and feels that there should be high expectations for success right off the bat. It is sooo refreshing to listen to this guy. His attitude is a 180 degrees about face from what we have become accustomed to during Wanny ball. I really hope that TG can back up his talk! This team has enough talent to do some real damage in the BE this season. What the secret ingredient needed is confidence. That will come with success. As I’ve said before, if we can bring home a win from Iowa, I think the Big Mo will be rolling in Pitt’s favor bigtime. What an atmosphere Heinz Field will have if we are going into the ND game 3-0. Lets get this show on the road.
I took most interest in the beginning of the article. Patterson sitting down with Dick LeBeau and literally walking away with an entire notebook of notes.
But it is all irrelevant compared to what happens on the field begining on Saturday.
Hey, by the way, they made the booths a lot smaller than when I was in school!!!!!!!!
This is what is great about sports and college football in particular – you never know what is going to happen out on the field.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/college/pitt/s_754273.html
As for the T-shirt question…I’d have to go with the Decade.
Well, Todd Graham certainly must have known that he was going to perform in front of a tough crowd when he accepted the Pitt job (along with the $2 million salary). Good luck to him and may the Good Lord bless him.
Reed, it can also mean that it will take less time to go three and out and that it will give the other guys more opportunities for sustained drives.
@FRANKCAN What has you convinced that Dave would have won 9 games? He supposedly had his most talented team last year and only won 8. Plus, we lost some pretty good players from that team on both sides of the ball. And, as Reed and others have pointed out a few times, Dave’s dismissal went beyond wins and losses.
Dan’s point, which I agree with, is that you’re putting in two new systems on both sides of the ball that require different skill sets than the systems Dave employed and recruited for. So, we don’t know what we’re going to get until we see how the players adjust to those systems and the coaches adjust to the players.
It’s like a major change in any discipline. One I’m familiar with firsthand is when graphic arts went from handmade to computer made. Some people were able to adapt and some weren’t, but they were all graphic artists in talent and training. You can probably think of an example in your field too.
No one is giving TG a pass, especially TG himself. However, it may take a few years before we see what he can really bring to Pitt in terms of excitement and winning. 9-3 is certainly doable given the talent and the schedule, but as several have said, the rubber meets the road on the field. Until we see that and over a few games, it’s a total guess.
1) Name the bars & restaurants that were side by side on Forbes Ave, in the early 1970?s (which is when you said you went to Pitt) from the corner of South Bouquet to the direction of
the Cathedral Of Learning?
Frankie Gustine’s and the other bar that I used to frequent that carried 7 ounce sizes of Rolling Rock beer.
2) What were the 3 nicknames of the 3 Dorm Towers?
Ajax
Bab-O
Comet
3) What was the name of the Movie theater that was on Pitt’s campus?
Strand???
4) What was the name of the two 24 hour per day restaurants on Pitt’s campus?
Scottie’s
White Castle?
Does anyone remember the Black Angus bar and restaurant?
Reed: You are certainly correct. Bloomfield is far from the campus, but Ritter’s was like a second home to a lot of Pitt students. Todd’s post just reminded me of that Ritter’s experience.
With you on both comments, Dr. Tom. Lived in the towers in ’71 and never could afford the Black Angus. Heck, Peter’s Pub was a step up for me. I was more of a Wohlfarth’s patron, for more reasons than the beer. (Some of you will get that.)
Don’t live near Pgh anymore so haven’t been to Oakland in a couple of years so don’t know what is still open
That is not true this time around and that is why Graham should win immediately (and he knows it, as well).
17 starters back??? Cleveland Browns usually have about 20 or 21 starters back?????
Local high school team finished 8-2 two years ago, had 14 starters back last year, went 4-6????
Wait, are Romeus, Shearred, Baldwin and Lewis coming back, leaving their NFL teams for a 6th year of eligibility???
I enjoy the banter Frank, and I do respect your opinion.
At the end of the year, which season do you think you would enjoy more, and be really pumped up for the future???
A. 8-4 with wins over Iowa, Notre Dame, Utah, and
spanking West Virginia by 4 touchdowns.
With the four losses, all pretty close games
that we lost to conference foes, by 4 points
here, a field goal there, maybe a costly
penalty on one, none of the losses
embarrassing at all, in every game till the
end.
OR:
9-3 with say, a lucky win against Utah, but,
looking absolutely horrible against Iowa,
losing by 3 touchdowns to Notre Dame, and
getting waxed by WVU???
Our big wins would be a drubbing of Maine
35-24, Utah, and really pounding Louisville
17-10.
So, you’d rather have the 9-3 season, just
because 9-3 is better than 8-4???
Here are the correct answers again:
1) Name the bars & restaurants that were side by side on Forbes Ave, in the early 1970?s (which is when you said you went to Pitt) from the corner of South Bouquet to the direction of
the Cathedral Of Learning?
From Bouquet: in Order, The Original Hot Dog (beer was available for consumption in lots of flavors), CJ Barney’s The Wooden Keg, Frankie Gustine’s (this became Hemingways in the 80′s)
2) What were the 3 nicknames of the 3 Dorm Towers?
The Towers were built in 1963, their nicknames were, Tower A = Ajax, Tower B = Babo Tower C = Comet (although alot of people called Tower B, Balboa)
3) What was the name of the Movie theater that was on Pitt’s campus?
I’m shocked no-one got this. The King’s Court
(sidenote: the Rocky Horror Picture Show played there like for a decade in the 1980-1990 period)
Here’s a pic for your entertainment:
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9639
4) What was the name of the two 24 hour per day restaurants on Pitt’s campus?
Key to this question was they had to be on Campus.
1) The Big O 2) The White Tower
Ritter’s Diner, while certainly an entertaining place to go late night, was off Campus on Baum Blvd. Sorry to those of you who might have been too drunk or stoned to have noticed you were ‘off’ campus.
DRW… your grade = Fail
(Sorry I’m a little to young for that distinguished honor)
Yea, saw that story on Yahoo. A&M has notified the Big 12 that they are history come June, 30th 2012. (orangebloods.com was right again)
“provided they find another conference”
Hey if the SEC turns them down, the BIgEast should like be on the plane with the invite, yesterday.
Compared to who, we have a bonanza of talent compared to top 20 teams??? Really????
I do have to ask Frank, were you answering my question, with your 9-3 response???
You’d rather have a 9-3 record with beating practically no one, instead of 8-4 with big wins against Iowa, Notre Dame and WVU????
Interesting, to each their own, I myself, would rather have 8-4 with big wins on meaningful national games.
But, to put a demarcation line down, as 9-3 is a success, 8-4 or 7-5 is a failure, without looking at the whole body of work, without looking at individual games, without looking over the season, cut and dry, that’s it.
Wow, personally, I believe there could be a ton of variables over the course of a 12 game season, to just pick a number out of the air, and say, “pass/fail”.
What if Shanahan and Graham get hurt and are out for the season?? Lindsey misses 5 games.
Too bad, 9-3 or bust, huh??
You’re a tough cookie Frank!!
Too bad, 9-3 or bust, huh??”
Hey, Dan. I’m with you. What if Ray Graham fumbles deep in UConn territory?
Hell, Pitt could lose the game, lose sole possession of first place in the BE, and lose a trip to a BCS game. The coach could even lose his job.
Who from the ‘60’s remembers the bar a door or two (or three) down from Frankie Gustine’s? None of the above names sound familiar. I can’t remember the name, but I remember the Rollin’ Rock ponies which I used to order several at a time.
Oh, I missed Frankie Gustines, didn’t know that place, and missed The White Tower.
Kings Court, I graduated in 1988, was there 83-88, yes, I helped start the trend of the “5 year plan”. LOL Allthough, I did work while schooling!!
Anyhow, I can remember that from childhood, when my Dad would drive through Oakland on his way to his office, the facade of the building, I thought I was in England or something.
Yes, must have thick skin. Enjoy all of your comments, even ones stating that I am wrong, and I don’t even mind Frank yelling at me!!!
Really, great place to chat with fellow Pitt people.
Thank you Chas!!
Well, if you guys consider having 16 returning starters – including Tyler Palko, Greg Lee, Ray Kirkley, Tim Murphy and Mike McGlynn on offense and H.B Blades, Clint Session, Tez Morris and Darrelle Revis on Defense – from a team that went 8-4 and to the Fiesta Bowl “pure fantasy” then I guess I should change my name from TampaT to Tattoo.
You guys just help my argument with statements like Walt did it with smoke and mirrors and we didn’t have sufficient beef on the lines. Walt’s system was a little bit of smoke and mirrors while Dave’s was grind it out, make no mistakes, especially with Cavanaugh as OC.
Walt’s guys just didn’t fit Dave’s system, so a team with a #23 preseason ranking that many expected to win an outright BCS bid goes 5-6 instead.
A quote from our friend and host Chas after that season, “Maybe I’m just feeling argumentative, but Pitt didn’t need “rebuilding.” The program may need reworking and some definite talent upgrades, but rebuilding is not what it is undergoing. That is a disservice to what Walt Harris did accomplish at Pitt from 1997 through 2004, and the players.”
Thanks for helping to prove the point that Dan and I have been trying to make about the expectations some of you are putting on Graham.
Comment by Dan 08.31.11 @ 8:33 pm
Too funny Dano…..yes if you look at that link I posted of the Kings Court Movie Theatre, it’s all England.
I’m still looking for a blogger here….who might have been incarcerated there overnite for like Drunk in Public or something when the King’s Court was a Police Station. Basically we’re looking for an alum who is in his/her? 60′s.
Come on….fess up…. This is really an honor and we want to recognize this grand accomplishment. You will be forever a legend on Pittblather.
Senior Doctor. I’m sure there are more then a few here who had to have seen the classic movie….
“Animal House” at the Kings Court in the late 70′s.
I remember me & one of frat brothers being in Wendy’s on Fifth Ave. and someone gave us Free Tickets to see Gary Newman (Numan) who at the time was really good at the Stanley Theatre.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Numan
NEVER FORGET THAT !!!!!
HAIL TO PITT ! WE ARE THE BEST !
BigGuy: Sorry, a little too young to help you with the ’60s. The only after-hours place I remember was New Era up near Luna and Chief’s. Hot jazz club where a lot of jazz legends hung out when in town. If the guy at the door didn’t recognize you, you didn’t get in. He was really a nice guy, but also someone you didn’t want to mess with.
Thanks Chas, you are the best !
I know if you were on Centre Ave., and went to the Luna you have to had known Wes.
And I bet you went to Mitchell’s and Haddon Hall !
The Good Times !
I remember the after hours club, it was across the street from the Howard Johnson’s or maybe Holiday Inn on Forbes, it was on the 2nd floor. The name escapes me at the moment, but I was there, I remember it and you are on the money.
I vaguely remember a character that hung around that area. I was only on that end of campus for 1 of my 4 years and we only went back that way after hours after graduating to go to New Era.
I’m awful with remembering people from that time. Honestly. I ran into my hometown girlfriend of 5 years when up there a while ago, and I didn’t even recognize her. She’s going, “you don’t remember me?” My wife was with me and loved it.
Good times for sure. Too good sometimes. I think I was at Pitt a few years before you, so did Haddon Hall still have $1 pitchers and 10 cent hot dogs on Tuesdays? That was like a feast day for us, but we sure paid for it the next day.
I don’t understand why Myers doesn’t transfer. Perhaps he is not that ambitious, or perhaps he is looking at a bigger picture ala Pat Bostick.