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Saturday, 13 August 2011 10:36

Written by Charlie Magovern

Happy Saturday everyone, hope you are all enjoying the gorgeous weather this weekend but I’m also glad you stopped by for what is a rather brief update from the South Side.

I promise I’m not being lazy, it’s just that there’s only so much to observe in one hour, which is all the time the media had today to watch practice. It’s hard to say how everyone looked. That being said, here’s what I spied with my hazel eye.

**Just like the past few days, things started with special teams. Fifth year senior Buddy Jackson was taking the kicks for the first unit and was clearly fine after being sidelined yesterday with cramps.

Ray Graham received with the second unit, so it seems very likely we will see him returning some kicks this year if Todd Graham deems it necessary.

**As for the guys with the soccer cleats, freshman Michael Beckman and fifth year senior punter/kicker Chris Yankoski were the ones sending the all downfield while Kevin Harper stayed inside in the first part of the practice to kick field goals. I’m not really sure why he wasn’t outside, but I’m assuming he came out in the second hour.

**Though Greg Williams was back in pads after missing yesterday with cramps, redshirt Freshman Todd Thomas (below) was seeing time with the first team at the spur position during the only team session of the first hour. "I'd say those guys are battling for it," said Todd Graham. "I'd say those guys are leading for that position. It should be interesting."

**Linebacker Shane Gordon sat out yet another practice following Wednesday's collision with Ray Graham. Todd Graham said that they held him out of practice today as a precausion despite Gordon saying he was good to go for today's workout.

**The only exciting play (at least that I saw) of the practice came from the third team, as freshman quarterback Trey Anderson connected with sophomore Brandon Felder on a deep post for a long score.

**After practice Todd Graham did mentioned that we missed Ed Tinker turn a quick hitch route into an 80-yard touchdown. It's plays like that, said Graham, that this team needs, as he pointed yards after carry as an important factor in the offense's success this season.

**It seems like Todd Graham has his top three receivers set, as the three S’s (Shanahan, Street and Saddler) line up with the first team on a regular basis. That doesn’t mean we won’t see at least three more faces regularly this season, as Salath Williams, Ronald Jones and Ed Tinker all looking good and getting time in with Tino Sunseri and the first team. I’ll have more on the wide receiver situation in tomorrow’s Post-Gazette.

That’s all for now, folks. There’s a second practice tonight at 7, which we also only get an hour of viewing time for, but I’ll post another quick update afterwards. I’ll see you then and have a great day out there.

Comments (13)

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written by Joe D, August 13, 2011 - 02:07 PM

ACC
ACC
ACC
ACC.... lets go to the ACC.

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written by Joe D, August 13, 2011 - 02:40 PM

If ACC adds teams, the following are the hot choices.
1. Pitt
2. Rutgers
3. U.Conn.
It will give the ACC a presence in media markets that they are not in!!!
Depending upon the shakeout.. Pitt will not want to be last man standing in the Big East!!!

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written by jlawrence, August 13, 2011 - 04:13 PM

Joe D... are you just on getting on your soapbox again or are you reacting to the Texas A&M, Missou, FSU & Clemson move to the SEC?

In other words, are you assuming that the ACC is going to react by reaching out to the BE again?

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written by jlawrence, August 13, 2011 - 04:15 PM

Charlie/Paul - I'm thinking that Shanahan does very well in this offense as a posession receiver....your thoughts?

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written by Joe D, August 13, 2011 - 04:18 PM

jlawrence...
I hope PITT is proactive and contacts the ACC and gets in... before the others leave the Big East and Pitt left hanging.
Pitt was on the short list last time.... it was BC selected over Pitt.
I see a big shakeout happening in the various leagues and Pitt needs to be proactive in making a move instead of recruiting mid-major football teams to the Big East.

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written by Joe D, August 13, 2011 - 04:20 PM

charlie and zeise,
Why did Dicicco take so long to make a decision. He knew in the spring what was going on!!! He could have moved to the new team and did summer training with the new team.

Something doesn't seem right here.
And since TJ has been a pipeline to Pitt... I'm sure that won't bode well with the TJ coaches.

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written by originalether, August 13, 2011 - 04:39 PM

The ACC never wanted Pitt during the first raid.

I agree Pitt needs to be as proactive as they can, whether that's finding their way into another conference, or getting the Big East to do some poaching on their own.

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written by Joe D, August 13, 2011 - 05:15 PM

I don't see any decent major college coming to the Big East... the only ones being considered are what I call mid-majors in football and basketball.

So, Pitt needs to be proactive with ACC...
or Big 10... but I prefer ACC as better schools and better basketball league.

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written by cmagovern, August 13, 2011 - 05:24 PM

@Joe D: Immediately after the first practice, Graham said he had no knowledge of what DiCicco was going to do. I was going to put that in the post but then got caught up in interviews and it slipped my mind. Rookie mistake. Anyways when he was talking about it he made it seem like DeCicco was just taking a long time to think about things. Switching schools and quitting a team is a big decision, so that's the only thing I can think of as far as why it took him so long.

I can certainly try to look into this as the week progresses, but don't be surprised if Graham stays mum on the topic out of what appears to simply be respect for the tight end.

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written by cmagovern, August 13, 2011 - 05:30 PM

and @jlawerence, I agree with you from what I've seen so far. Shanahan is a big guy, especially compared to the rest of the Panther receiving core. He's almost like a tight end. I see him being a favorite target of Sunseri since Shanahan hauled in 43 passes--only 10 fewer than Baldwin.

A possession receiver also fits very well with Graham's philosophy. When I asked him about the progress of the younger receivers, he was very clear that he wants to rack up the YAC this year. With Shanahan being a tough guy to take down, I see them getting the ball to him at medium distances with some room to run.

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written by originalether, August 13, 2011 - 05:39 PM

Maybe....

Obviously, the Big East isn't getting anyone from the Big Ten.

Should the Big 12-2 situation continue to blow up, there may be some schools (Kansas and Kansas State) looking for new homes.

Regarding the ACC, if the rumors about Florida State and Clemson are true, then that conference's football value goes down quite a bit. And don't forget that they signed their football cotnract too soon. I think Zeise reported it's $11 million per school/yr.
On the other hand, it's believed the Big East could pull $15 million per school/yr because of the bidding war. Think there's a few disgruntled ACC members who may be persuaded to think about that?

It may not be likely - it would require some proactive moxie from the Big East, which is something they haven't excelled in. But it's out there.

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written by Joe D, August 13, 2011 - 07:01 PM

charlie,
I'm surprised DiCicco waited so long to decide. Why not after spring training camp. Clearly at that time he knew Graham's game plan!! He may have missed out on some opportunities... and I'm sure this p****d off the TJ coaches.
It makes no sense that Dicicco waits 4 months after spring training to pull the plug. Something is amiss.

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written by Joe D, August 13, 2011 - 07:03 PM

Ask Graham,
Which league would he prefer... ACC or Big 10.

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