With the loss of Bill Stull for at least 4 to 5 games this week's practices hold great importance. By the end of the week the Panthers will have a new quarterback. The two choices for the coaching staff are: Pat Bostick and Kevan Smith. While having a redshirt freshman and a true freshman fighting over the position, there is absolutely no worry in The Cat Basket.
Kevan Smith appears to be the frontrunner just by the way training camp went and what happened during the game against Eastern Michigan. Smith was the with the team all of last year and should have a fairly good command of the offense. The main problem with Smith is that while having a big arm he is a raw player. He only has thrown 4 more college passes than Bostick. The play calling in the EMU was so conservative that Smith wasn't even really given a chance to show that this could be his job. I realize that the coaching staff was trying to hold onto the lead but I felt that this was a mistake. Wannstedt needs to let whoever he plays completely take control of the offense. If Smith is going to play I hope that he gets the full playbook and gets a chance to sling the ball around.
We are completely biased for Pat Bostick here at The Cat Basket, he is the impetus of the site and this movement. 2006 Pennsylvania High School Player of the year and flat out the best PA recruit we have had in years. Bostick has all the tools to follow in the footsteps of Alex Van Pelt and Dan Marino, starting as a true freshman. What has hurt Bostick is his sabbatical from camp and the effect that had on his chance to compete with Smith and Stull. If we are to have a successful program in the next 4 years Bostick will be the quarterback soon, very soon.
Coach Wannstedt has stated that he won't name a starter until Thursday but being named starter still may tell nothing as to who is the starter at Michigan State. Splitting time against Grambling St will be a good idea if handled correctly. Both quarterbacks need to be put in a similar situations and given a similar style of play calling. Starting Smith and running the ball early and bringing in Bostick and throwing the ball. This dual quarterback situation needs to be solved though by the end of the game. Bostick and Smith are too similar in quarterbacking style to work as a dual headed monster. Getting a look at Smith and Bostick isn't a bad thing at all, Stull is really only a gatekeeper at the quarterback position.
So what do I see happening in this important race to Saturday. If Coach Wannstedt is telling the truth and he is giving Bostick a true chance to win this job its Bostick, easily. Him and Smith have the same level of in game experience and the gulf of talent between them is massive. Bostick is a quarterback unlike any we have had at this school since the 1980's, whether or not his obvious talents are maximized is yet to be seen. Smith will play Saturday but I have to believe in the evaluation of Bostick's talent and what this means to the program.
Despite what happens once the final whistle blows the guy who is decided to be the quarterback has to be allowed a chance to succeed. The next quarterback needs to be given a chance to succeed and to go along with that a chance to fail. If the starter against Michigan St. throws 2 first half picks he can't be looking over his shoulder for the ax. Give the winner of the battle a chance and if he doesn't play well enough let Stull take his job back. This situation isn't that big of a crisis for the team and something absolutely amazing could come out of this.
Cat Basket predicted starter for Michigan St.(the game that will matter): Pat Bostick
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Monday, September 3, 2007
Getting Back On Track
Whats going on loyal Cat Basket readers? I can assure anyone reading this that me and DPJ are students despite the fact that we look extremely old. Keep your eyes on that front row everyone, big things are coming soon in The Cat Basket.
I thought I would try to articulate some of my anger from the game on Saturday. My main problem was the lack of ambition our player selection shows. Coach Wannstedt needs to start rolling the dice and putting this team in a position to do big things. We haven't won a bowl game in 5 years so how is another season of finishing in the middle of the pack going to be acceptable. The coaching staff needs to show a greater sense of urgency and drive towards turning this program around. They have done an amazing job on the recruiting trail now it needs to translate to the field.
What were my expectations for Saturday and why am I so disappointed? Well first off I thought we would see a more confident performance out of the team. I realize this is the first game of the season but we have to put a team like this away early. The first two games this season have to get us rolling because Michigan State will be a tough away game that can make or break our season. A loss at Michigan State could send us into a slump that we couldn't possibly get out of. This week against Grambling the game needs to be out of contention in the first quarter. We need to score on an easy touchdown on our first drive.
Three things I think have to happen this weekend:
1. Shady needs more than 10 carries. He averaged 6.8 a carry against Eastern Michigan and needs to get more touches. Flat out this kid is our rushing offense and continuing to give Hot Rod more carries will dull the power of the running game. No reason that Shady shouldn't get over 15 carries.
2. Dorin Dickerson needs to be an every down player on the defense. The speed and playmaking ability he adds to the defense is too much to ignore. Give him his big chance he has waited his turn long enough.
3. Whoever is playing quarterback this week needs to get the ball down the field. The wide receiving corps is perfectly suited to play a vertical passing game. No reason to not use all the field in the passing game. With Stull at QB the team was much too concerned with the short passing game. Give Turner and Pestano the ball in the air and let them run to it.
The rest of the week I'll try to further investigate what the team needs to do against Grambling St. I'll be much more in control of my anger, I hope. Be back tommorrow with a couple of columns.
I thought I would try to articulate some of my anger from the game on Saturday. My main problem was the lack of ambition our player selection shows. Coach Wannstedt needs to start rolling the dice and putting this team in a position to do big things. We haven't won a bowl game in 5 years so how is another season of finishing in the middle of the pack going to be acceptable. The coaching staff needs to show a greater sense of urgency and drive towards turning this program around. They have done an amazing job on the recruiting trail now it needs to translate to the field.
What were my expectations for Saturday and why am I so disappointed? Well first off I thought we would see a more confident performance out of the team. I realize this is the first game of the season but we have to put a team like this away early. The first two games this season have to get us rolling because Michigan State will be a tough away game that can make or break our season. A loss at Michigan State could send us into a slump that we couldn't possibly get out of. This week against Grambling the game needs to be out of contention in the first quarter. We need to score on an easy touchdown on our first drive.
Three things I think have to happen this weekend:
1. Shady needs more than 10 carries. He averaged 6.8 a carry against Eastern Michigan and needs to get more touches. Flat out this kid is our rushing offense and continuing to give Hot Rod more carries will dull the power of the running game. No reason that Shady shouldn't get over 15 carries.
2. Dorin Dickerson needs to be an every down player on the defense. The speed and playmaking ability he adds to the defense is too much to ignore. Give him his big chance he has waited his turn long enough.
3. Whoever is playing quarterback this week needs to get the ball down the field. The wide receiving corps is perfectly suited to play a vertical passing game. No reason to not use all the field in the passing game. With Stull at QB the team was much too concerned with the short passing game. Give Turner and Pestano the ball in the air and let them run to it.
The rest of the week I'll try to further investigate what the team needs to do against Grambling St. I'll be much more in control of my anger, I hope. Be back tommorrow with a couple of columns.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Thank you Athletics Department
While I'm sure my post about what I had hoped to see with the pre-game intro did not provide ample time for the athletics department to make my suggested changes, they more than pleasantly surprised me with our new intro. If you recall, in my earlier post I had asked for two things, the Panther statue "coming to life" and to play some Ac/Dc to satisfy our rock needs as native Pittsburghers.
When the intro started and it showed the Panther coming to life, I was sold immediately. I really wanted this new intro to be special and that it was. I had to yell at my friends around me to STFU and watch the intro because I knew we had something special. We were able to see the main Panther statues (the pete, the union, and heinz field) come to life and prowl around campus and the north shore. Seeing the Panthers climb the steps of the Cathedral is something I believe should be in our video package FOREVER!!!! I don't want to steal too much thunder from it if you haven't seen it, but just seeing the Panther knock down the opposing team's logo at midfield was great.
To top that off, when Wanny led the team onto the field, they played HELLS BELLS!!! I don't want to say it too early, but I think this intro should be kept only as long as the Panthers play football. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect intro.
Kudos to you athletics dept. Jeff Long, Chris Ferris, Nora Duncan, E.J. Borghetti, Greg Hodgekiss, Tom Reineke, Aaron Coldron, and everyone else. Give yourself a pat on the back because that was by far the best football intro I have ever seen in my entire life. Great Job!
When the intro started and it showed the Panther coming to life, I was sold immediately. I really wanted this new intro to be special and that it was. I had to yell at my friends around me to STFU and watch the intro because I knew we had something special. We were able to see the main Panther statues (the pete, the union, and heinz field) come to life and prowl around campus and the north shore. Seeing the Panthers climb the steps of the Cathedral is something I believe should be in our video package FOREVER!!!! I don't want to steal too much thunder from it if you haven't seen it, but just seeing the Panther knock down the opposing team's logo at midfield was great.
To top that off, when Wanny led the team onto the field, they played HELLS BELLS!!! I don't want to say it too early, but I think this intro should be kept only as long as the Panthers play football. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect intro.
Kudos to you athletics dept. Jeff Long, Chris Ferris, Nora Duncan, E.J. Borghetti, Greg Hodgekiss, Tom Reineke, Aaron Coldron, and everyone else. Give yourself a pat on the back because that was by far the best football intro I have ever seen in my entire life. Great Job!
EMU-Pitt Recap
Can I be real with you? Dave Wannstedt tried to kill my father. HE TRIED TO KILL MY FATHER. Well no he didn't but the way he coached the game yesterday was the equivalent. Wannstedt is an absolute terrible evaluator of talent. If things don't get better next week I will seriously make it my goal in life to get him fired. Thanks for ruining the only thing I have in life Wanny, thanks.
Eastern Michigan is the worst team I have ever seen in my entire life. They have no talent anywhere on the field. We should have won lat night by 40 points but we didn't and thats not good. I almost got kicked out of the game for using too much profanity when they were warming up in the pregame. I don't think I said anything worse than I usually do in the course of a normal conversation.
Stull is an awful player, just over the top bad. My fears about the quarterback position we re-inforced completely. He should definitely have a weaker arm and make worse decisions. His touchdown pass almost got Turner killed because that 10 yard slant is a son of a bitch. Well at least we won't have to deal with him playing for a week or two, please transfer Bill Stull I'm begging you. Guess what I broke my finger last night too and you don't hear me bitching about it. His numbers mean absolutely nothing because the team we were playing couldn't have been any worse.
On defense I was happy to find out that one of the only stars we have Dorin Dickerson didn't play that much. I now know that Aaron Berry was injured and thats why Ricky Gary was playing. I'm sorry Ricky Gary for all the stuff I said about you last night I didn't realize the situation, my bad. Its hard to really judge the way the defense played due to the fact that Eastern Michigan was having problems running their own offense.
I can't do this right now I'm so upset about last night that I need another day to understand what I saw. This is really bad but at least we didn't lose. We got that going for us right? RIGHT?
Eastern Michigan is the worst team I have ever seen in my entire life. They have no talent anywhere on the field. We should have won lat night by 40 points but we didn't and thats not good. I almost got kicked out of the game for using too much profanity when they were warming up in the pregame. I don't think I said anything worse than I usually do in the course of a normal conversation.
Stull is an awful player, just over the top bad. My fears about the quarterback position we re-inforced completely. He should definitely have a weaker arm and make worse decisions. His touchdown pass almost got Turner killed because that 10 yard slant is a son of a bitch. Well at least we won't have to deal with him playing for a week or two, please transfer Bill Stull I'm begging you. Guess what I broke my finger last night too and you don't hear me bitching about it. His numbers mean absolutely nothing because the team we were playing couldn't have been any worse.
On defense I was happy to find out that one of the only stars we have Dorin Dickerson didn't play that much. I now know that Aaron Berry was injured and thats why Ricky Gary was playing. I'm sorry Ricky Gary for all the stuff I said about you last night I didn't realize the situation, my bad. Its hard to really judge the way the defense played due to the fact that Eastern Michigan was having problems running their own offense.
I can't do this right now I'm so upset about last night that I need another day to understand what I saw. This is really bad but at least we didn't lose. We got that going for us right? RIGHT?
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Well.....atleast we won.
Let me just start off by saying, I was highly disappointed. I really hoped we would see more of Shady, and when Stull got injured, I wanted to see the original Cat Basket (Pat Bostick). So i'm going to recap the game on the offensive side, the defensive side and overall.
Offense:
Stull did what he had to do to move the offense. He did not look impressive at all. He under through receivers and played well enough for us to get the win. Hot-Rod played ok, but he should be 2nd string. Shady showed that he is much better than any running back on our team. He should be the starter next week vs grambling. I want to know where was Conredge? Conredge is 10 times the fullback compared to Shane Brooks yet he didn't see the field as much. The WR's played decent. It isn't their fault that they have a mediocre quarterback passing to them. Nate Byham, we love you here at the Cat Basket and you played one hell of a game buddy, keep it up. Offensive line, good job tonight, just keep it going. Jeff Otah, another solid performance. To our favorite backup, Kevan Smith, you played very well in garbage time following Stull's hand injury. I would say that you played better than our starter. For next week, I wouldn't mind seeing Smith and Shady get moved to the starting role, and please please please let Bostick get some reps.
Defense......I don't want to steal Jason Jones thunder, but WHY THE HELL WAS AARON BERRY ON THE BENCH???? Ricky Gary had a pick and played a decent game, but c'mon Aaron is the most talented DB we have on this team right now and should be a starter. Please Wanny, give us some Aaron Berry outside of punt returns. Dline played very well, Ba Ba Booey (Gus Mustakas) played one hell of a game. The line backers played decent, but I don't get why Dorin didn't play more. He is a game breaker and I think he should be a starter. The DB's were good. I was disappointed that Thatcher didn't light anyone up, but hey, there are 11 games left.
A shout out for Jiovanni tonight. He played very well on special teams and I know his girlfriend who is one of the nicest persons I have ever met. Keep it up buddy.
Overall, i think the offense was OK starting in the 2nd half. It was really sad to see the struggles we had in the first half. We didn't really start moving the ball until Shady got in (HINT HINT HINT START SHADY!). The D Played a solid game and for a 1st game we weren't awful but we really need to step it up if we are going to be competitive. We have one more "practice" game before the real season starts and if we don't improve soon, then it might be another long season. Jason Jones will have a big rant coming up tomorrow, but we are going to make sure he cools off before he writes it so that we can keep it PG-13 here.
Grambling.........watch out.
Offense:
Stull did what he had to do to move the offense. He did not look impressive at all. He under through receivers and played well enough for us to get the win. Hot-Rod played ok, but he should be 2nd string. Shady showed that he is much better than any running back on our team. He should be the starter next week vs grambling. I want to know where was Conredge? Conredge is 10 times the fullback compared to Shane Brooks yet he didn't see the field as much. The WR's played decent. It isn't their fault that they have a mediocre quarterback passing to them. Nate Byham, we love you here at the Cat Basket and you played one hell of a game buddy, keep it up. Offensive line, good job tonight, just keep it going. Jeff Otah, another solid performance. To our favorite backup, Kevan Smith, you played very well in garbage time following Stull's hand injury. I would say that you played better than our starter. For next week, I wouldn't mind seeing Smith and Shady get moved to the starting role, and please please please let Bostick get some reps.
Defense......I don't want to steal Jason Jones thunder, but WHY THE HELL WAS AARON BERRY ON THE BENCH???? Ricky Gary had a pick and played a decent game, but c'mon Aaron is the most talented DB we have on this team right now and should be a starter. Please Wanny, give us some Aaron Berry outside of punt returns. Dline played very well, Ba Ba Booey (Gus Mustakas) played one hell of a game. The line backers played decent, but I don't get why Dorin didn't play more. He is a game breaker and I think he should be a starter. The DB's were good. I was disappointed that Thatcher didn't light anyone up, but hey, there are 11 games left.
A shout out for Jiovanni tonight. He played very well on special teams and I know his girlfriend who is one of the nicest persons I have ever met. Keep it up buddy.
Overall, i think the offense was OK starting in the 2nd half. It was really sad to see the struggles we had in the first half. We didn't really start moving the ball until Shady got in (HINT HINT HINT START SHADY!). The D Played a solid game and for a 1st game we weren't awful but we really need to step it up if we are going to be competitive. We have one more "practice" game before the real season starts and if we don't improve soon, then it might be another long season. Jason Jones will have a big rant coming up tomorrow, but we are going to make sure he cools off before he writes it so that we can keep it PG-13 here.
Grambling.........watch out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)