Sports Pitt Redshirt Diaries On the Mend
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Jerry Micco asked me to drop a note here and give a little update as to where I've been and when I'll be back so here goes nothing --
In case you haven't heard (if you don't follow me on Twitter or something) I was in an accident (I slipped on ice in my driveway and smashed face first into a cement block retaining wall) and have had to have some surgery to my face and whatnot which is why I have been off work and off of TV for a few weeks (until I got the stitches out of my lips, I looked a lot like Freddie Krueger and now that I had surgery on my nose I have two black eyes) even though this is a very critical time for hiring coaches and recruiting.
But I had a concussion which meant I had to stay away from computer screens and limit how much I watchTV and I also have two broken fingers on my right hand which, until the past few days were extremely painful and that made it tough to type on a keyboard. I did little updates on Twitter here and there but that's about it.
I'm happy to report that I am clearly on the mend - Thursday I passed a concussion test and yesterday I had a surgery and that hopefully will be my last so now it is just a matter of healing and so I hope to be back shortly after my follow up appointment which is next Wednesday (signing day).
But I want to thank all of you who have sent me well wishes and asked about my status and whatnot and it let you know it won't be long before I'll be back up and running and reporting on the Panthers. It really means a lot to get e-mails from many of you wishing me well.
There were two significant news items this week:
Shaler tight end/linebacker J.P. Holtz committed to Pitt Wednesday and Friday Paul Chryst made the hiring of receivers coach Bobby Engram official.
I'll say this about both developments - Pitt fans should be very happy with them.
I know that recruiting hasn't gone very well so far for the new staff in terms of bringing in some splash names or even any names for that matter, but (a) they have done a great job of retaining the top players who were already committed to the last staff and (b) they didn't have many scholarships to fill.
But Holtz should fit in very well as a blocking tight end and a pass catching option in Chryst's offense. I've seen him play basketball a number of times and football a number of times (my kids go to North Allegheny so I see a lot of Shaler) and I'm impressed with his strength and his size but more importantly, he has really good feet, he is quick and he is agile for a big guy. He will be a nice player for Pitt.
And Engram really is a class act and a good guy and a clear upgrade over the receivers coaches that Pitt has had in recent years. I think he should be able to be an asset in recruiting and his background as an NFL standout should really do well to earn him instant respect from his players.
There is also a report here that Chryst has finalized his staff by hiring UCLA defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield to coach the Panthers defensive line but nobody has confirmed that for me yet. If true, however, it means the staff is done and with signing day coming up Wednesday, it won't be long til we start talking about football again.
I won't officially be back until at least Thursday assuming all goes well at the doctors office Wednesday but now that my fingers are feeling better and I have my concussion cleared up I'll be checking in here more as recruiting developments happen and whatnot.
Again, thanks for all your support and I look forward to getting back into things here shortly.
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written by t2pyah, January 28, 2012 - 05:01 PM
some guys will go to great lengths just to avoid a little snow shoveling
lol
get well soon
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written by panther script, January 28, 2012 - 05:37 PM
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written by NHPanther, January 28, 2012 - 05:41 PM
Miss your great reporting. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
Any word on J.J. Denman waivering on his Rutgers commitment?
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written by Justinian, January 28, 2012 - 05:57 PM
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written by gasman, January 28, 2012 - 06:08 PM
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written by Pitt Dad, January 28, 2012 - 06:12 PM
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written by PittofDreams, January 28, 2012 - 07:54 PM
Paul, thanks for letting us know what the deal is.
Wishing you a speedy amd full recovery.
Keep it positive. It really does work miracles.
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written by joebull, January 28, 2012 - 08:05 PM
Here is the link to Breckterfield:
http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/breckterfield_inoke00.html
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written by p_zeise, January 28, 2012 - 09:51 PM
I think I've learned two valuable lessons through all of this --
1.) Life is precious and not a given - I mean, I was extremely lucky I didn't suffer worse injuries through this. Yes, I'm banged up and sore and that stuff but I have no spinal damage, no major head injury - so I got off light. But it happened so quickly that I realized how quickly something can happen to change your life. So I am thankful I didn't get hurt worse and more appreciative of just how precious life really is.
2.) Good health is nothing to take for granted. I was really sick two seasons ago with some stomach and colon stuff and that really set me back. But for the most part I've been healthy and have not really had my life interrupted by injury like this. Well, now I realize that walking, talking, eating, typing - the things we do every day and take for granted, they are actually blessings and shouldn't be underestimated.
Not trying to be corny, just saying that this was a good life lesson for me and given that I got out of it without anything major major happening, I feel fortunate.
But again, thanks for all the kind words and well wishes and it won't be long til I'll be back out there covering the Panthers.
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written by panther script, January 29, 2012 - 06:16 AM
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written by Joe D, January 29, 2012 - 07:41 AM
Geter scholarship offer has been pulled.
I posted here the other day based upon subsequent posts Geter had his offer pulled by Pitt but it was not being reported anywhere.
It's official.. it's in the Trib.
Geter is not BCS D1 quality. He was given a ship to lure Rippy. Some say Rippy is overrated (don't know).
Geter reminds me of Cam Saddler... lot of talk for a benchwarmer.
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written by Joe D, January 29, 2012 - 07:43 AM
I like Chryst pulled the offer from Geter.
Great move!!!
I called for the offer to be pulled as soon as I heard of Geter's tweets.
It's a privilege to play for Pitt and get a free ride.
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written by Bingram, January 29, 2012 - 08:01 AM
Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but glad to hear that you are on the mend and have taken a philosophical outlook on the unfortunate occurrence.
Could it be that watching Pitt football for so long has helped you learn to see a positive in most everything?
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written by have a dave hart, January 29, 2012 - 09:37 AM
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written by Garyz1954, January 29, 2012 - 10:25 AM
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written by mikebr36, January 29, 2012 - 10:54 AM
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written by pghsportsfan, January 29, 2012 - 11:14 AM
Paul, I kept wondering why you weren't reporting, or on this blog. Now I know why.
Sorry to hear about your accident. Get well!
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written by Jackagain, January 29, 2012 - 02:31 PM
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written by Jackagain, January 29, 2012 - 02:40 PM
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=141&f=2455&t=8635016
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written by Joe D, January 29, 2012 - 03:11 PM
He accepted Pitt offer... 2 star.
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written by PittofDreams, January 29, 2012 - 06:32 PM
Not sweating Chryst's apparent slow start regarding recruiting.
He will make his mark next year after showing what he can do as a football coach.
This is a smart guy who is most comfortable riding below the radar.
Players, parents and coaches will come to recognized that and value Chryst as the upfront guy he is.
If not this year, it will pay dividends next.
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written by a guest, January 29, 2012 - 08:03 PM
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written by Joe D, January 29, 2012 - 10:27 PM
When Pitt danced with Cristobal, FIU was going to redo the contract...
they are still working on it...
consider Cristbal gone....
NJ has beaches for Mrs. Cristobal.... she will like NJ... near NYC, etc Rutgers is 30 min to beach.
Zeise... check flightaware... Morristown airport
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written by PittofDreams, January 30, 2012 - 05:57 AM
Reported this morning tht Addazio has no interest in leaving Temple for Rutgers.
What a breath of fresh air seeing a guy who feels it is important to stick to the commitment he made.
Why couldn't Bostad have simple done the same by removing his name from the job with the Bears?
Make a note of Addazio as a leading contender for a major program job two or three years down the road.
A class act.
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written by Sev, January 30, 2012 - 09:05 AM
What is the deal with a WPIAL AAA player who is 2nd all time in passing and NOBODY WANTS HIM...something isnt right with the Montour kid....
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written by Joe D, January 30, 2012 - 09:31 AM
He is 165#... I think that is part of the problem.
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written by Joe D, January 30, 2012 - 09:48 AM
Some additional comparison... from us army combine.
Beuchel was 4.94 in 40 whereas Voytik 4.72.
Beuchel vertical was 25" whereas Voytik 33.5"
Shows someone in the gym working out versus someone who is not.
Beuchel is an example of measurables do matter. He may have been better off not going to any combine as it probably hurt his recruiting...
and why do you think R.Shell never went to a combine... so not to hurt his recruiting stock!!
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written by Imma Man! Im 40!, January 30, 2012 - 10:27 AM
Just curious, as long as you were at it, did the plastic surgeon give you an option to improve your face? To choose to look like Denzel, or Michael Vick? Just kidding...
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written by Joe D, January 30, 2012 - 11:20 AM
announcement possibly later today...
When Cristobel danced with Pitt and FIU, FIU never came through with more bucs... now he goes to Rutgers.
His wife will like NJ over Pittsburgh... 45min to manhattan... 30min to nearest beach.
btw... told you he flew into morristown airport last night.
http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2012/01/rutgers_likely_to_name_mario_c.html
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written by Sev, January 30, 2012 - 12:01 PM
does he have like zero arm strength? something seems hidden here
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written by Joe D, January 30, 2012 - 12:39 PM
If you were a D-1 coach... would you take a kid 165#, 4.94 in 40, 25" vertical, and did not do the benchpress.
What you have to ask, is what will happen when he adds 30lbs??? Will he add 30#?? Why didn't he add weight in HS??
To many questions.. not worth risk for QB and he is not DB type either!!! Many kids who are QB in HS get recruited for DB because they are athletic.
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written by ud1978, January 30, 2012 - 12:45 PM
Sorry to hear about your accident (I don't Twitter) and hope you are back in the saddle again soon. Take care, did you ask the surgeon if you could play the piano after the surgery.
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written by ud1978, January 30, 2012 - 12:52 PM
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written by Patriot9, January 30, 2012 - 01:17 PM
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written by Joe D, January 30, 2012 - 01:19 PM
If you recall, the president of FIU lit menorah candles at beef o brady bowl!!! does that give you a hint as to why Cristobal didn't get a raise? He is making around 475k
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written by Patriot9, January 30, 2012 - 01:58 PM
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written by Joe D, January 30, 2012 - 02:04 PM
I said it before regarding FIU president when Pitt was negotiating with Cristobal... he didn't get a raise now did he!! it was promised on national tv by the FIU AD if you recall... a lot of love was the quote and Cristobal wanted greenbacks!!
Don't blame him for leaving one bit!!
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