MYangPSU: It appears early on that Derek Williams is not as effective as last year. What would you attribute this to?

Paul Zeise: Ask Ray at 1

SaveOurStadium: Paul, now that Dickerson and Pinkston have played, as well as the other frosh who have played, do you think the Pitt coaches have made their final decisions on redshirts?

Paul Zeise: Well Nate Nix is still available as is Keving Hughes and Jared Martin. There are no final decisons made about redshirts until after the last game.

Ether: Dave Wannstedt and Tyler Palko were quoted as saying that the ground game is almost there and teams are trying harder to stop Pitt's ground game than passing game. How close do you think Pitt is to having an established running game?

Paul Zeise: The Panthers are more effective in running the football than they have been. People at least have to respect it some. But they still have a long way to go before they can strike fear in the hearts of opposing defenses with their run game. The pass game has helped, though, because it has made it more difficult to line up with eight or nine men fronts, which is what the Panthers faced a lot last year when nobody feared any part of their offense. At least things are opening up a little for the runners, they just need to find some space and some openings to run through now.

SaveOurStadium: Paul, do you think Justin King can be an all-america corner?

Paul Zeise: Ask Ray at 1

bobbymo: Any indication from the coaches that Con Collins gets more touches this week? The guys averaging 4.9 per carry.

Paul Zeise: Well, two weeks ago they said they were going to use him more and he's carried it one time the last two games -- and both went for touchdowns. The coaches say they'd like to find more ways to get him the ball, but right now it is not happening. I have one idea -- make him a tailback. That's not a direction they want to go with him so I guess we'll see if they do try and get him a little more involved or if they just say keep saying they want to. SaveOurStadium: Paul, you mentioned Kevin Hughes but we haven't heard a lot about him lately; can you give us a status update, or maybe write about him? He was supposed to be a key cog on the line, wasn't he?

Paul Zeise: Well Kevin Hughes is off to a stellar career, it is just a numbers game right now. There are a couple of guys in front of him with just a little more talent. He's a hard worker though, a good program guy, so he'll be fine. When he does get on the field, you'll know it because we'll surely write about it.

The_Fitz_That_Saved_Pittsburgh: Hey Paul, I was wondering what happened to Jameel Brady at safety. I had heard alot of good things abut him but now he doesn't appear on the depth chart except for special teams. Pitt hasn't had a difference maker at safety since Ramon Walker and in my opinion, it is the weakest position on the defense right now. I know Mike Phillips got hurt last season and Fields is a year away, but what's up with Brady's lack of playing time? Is it a lack of speed, poor tackling ability, mental preparation deficiencies??? Inquiring minds want to know!!

Paul Zeise: I just don't think he has quite as much of a grasp of the position as Sam Bryant, Mike Phillips and Eric Thatcher. Those are three good players. Thatcher for instance is a guy who seems to grade out almost perfect every week. That means he knows where he is supposed to be and he gets there. Jemeel is athletic enough, he just needs to learn more but in the mean time, he'll continue to be a fantastic special teams player, especially on the punt team where he seems to down balls inside the 10 a lot.

SaveOurStadium: Paul I see that Pitt got some votes in one of these polls, but Michigan State, WHO BEAT PITT, didn't get any votes. What's up with that?

Paul Zeise: Well, why do you care about polls in October?

SaveOurStadium: Paul, which quarterback more resembles their NFL alter ego: Tyler Palko (Brett Favre) or Perry Patterson (Donovan McNabb)?

Paul Zeise: That's a great question, though I might be inclined to compare Perry Patterson to Duante Culpepper than Donovan Mcnabb and I might be inclined to compare Tyler Palko to Steve Young, even though his idol is Brett Favre. Patterson is a big strong kid who can run but only does so when he has to. He has a strong arm and can chuck it a long way when he gets the time. Palko is a lot like Young, he is athletic and he plays with a linebacker's mentality but he has a nice soft touch and he's accurate.

SaveOurStadium: Paul, what are you hearing on the prospects of building Pitt stadium in Panther Hollow? I've heard that they're about six months away from breaking ground.

Paul Zeise: I'd say those mushrooms you're apparently eating must be tasty.

SaveOurStadium: Paul, I think one area of the Panthers that has been undervalued/undercovered/under-respected has been the holding ability of Adam Graessle. What do you think of his holds so far?

Paul Zeise: Well the interesting thing about the holder is that nobody talks about him unless he doesn't do his job.

Ether: You wrote an article earlier this week about how good Syracuse's defense is. But what about their offense? Has it improved any? It was so bad last year teams just wore down Syracuse's defense because their offense just left them in such bad field position throughout the game.

Paul Zeise: Yes, I'd say that this is the area where the Orange have improved the most. They are a lot like Pitt in that they are in the second year of a new coaching staff that made a pretty dramatic change in the offensive philosophy. They went from that freeze-option stuff to the West Coast offense, so they struggled. This year, though, Perry Patterson looks far more comfortable and they have a much better idea of the blocking schemes and the run game is much better as well. Syracuse is going to be a good challenge for Pitt because of their improvement on offense.

lucinda_basset: Do you think the move of Pinkston to OT is permanent? I thought he looked good at OT last week. His athleticism seemed to stand out when he was on the field.

Paul Zeise: Yes, I think he'll stay on offense, perhaps he could move inside to guard if they decide to move CJ to center or something like that. I think he'll stay on offense thought because of the depth issues. It looks like Pitt has some good depth being built on the defensive line and they are all young so Pinkston would be a luxury there. The Panthers still need all the help they can get on the offensive line so I'd be surprised if they moved him back to defense.

revenge_of_the_dinocat: Paul, Is it fair to Stephens Howling to ask him to run between the tackles 10 times per game? Seems like the kid is needlessly being punished when Collins and Brooks could fill that role more effectively. Paul Zeise: The kid said he wants that kind of work. I agree it seems like a lot to ask someone of his size, but coaches are convinced he can take that kind of pounding and they believe he's their best option at tailback so that's what they are going with. LaRod is not your traditional scat back in that he is physical enough to block and strong enough to break some tackles, so the really good thing about him is you can use him on any down and in any situation. You don't have to substitute because he can handle any situation which is something none of the other guys can do yet. lucinda_basset: I have heard some rumblings that Pitt has been raiding the student parking lots for underage drinking in the past couple games and this may be a strong reason for the poor student section turn-out last Saturday. Is there any truth to this rumor and if so what?s you opinion?

Paul Zeise: So what's their excuse for the last 100 seasons?

DAN6969: Last week you said the real slim shady from Harrisburg was being recruited by Pitt. Who were you talking about?

Paul Zeise: Eminem, who did you think? Just joking, the kids name is LeSean McCoy and he is a great running back from Bishop McDevitt

Fred_Smith: Type here Paul: Do you think Dave Wannstedt overstated it a year ago when he said, in so many words, that every recruit in Western Pa. should come to Pitt. Didn't he set himself up for failure by saying this? Even a year ago, he lost out on Darrin Walls. Then this year he has missed out on several recruits. Wouldn't he have been better off letting his recruiting successes speak for him rather than publicly stating soemthing that is unachievable and can also serve as bulletin board material for other coacbes and teams?

Paul Zeise: No, like I've said before Walt spent eight years apologizing for being Pitt and not only buying into the inferiority complex that Pitt has had but feeding it with some of the things he's said. Dave has clearly raised the bar for recruiting at Pitt and not just that, he's raised the stakes in Western Pennsylvania and made it far more competitive than it has been in 20 years. He's not going to get every kid from this area but he'll get his fair share.

JC: What is your take on this weeks game. I think Pitt should win and is the better team. I know we have not faired well in the Dome but we have enough veterans guys that we should be able to handle it.

Paul Zeise: I think if you look at the stats, teams have been able to get a lot of yards against the Orange, especially passing the football. They haven't given up a ton of points in regulation in most games, though, so the key will be for Pitt to finish drives with touchdowns. I think Pitt should be able to move the ball and should be able to get some points but the Panthers need to play well to win. They can't just show up and expect to win and I don't think we've seen that from this group this year. I believe if they play a good game, they will win because they are still better than Syracuse, although the Orange are rebuilding and will arrive again in a year or two.

revenge_of_the_dinocat: Paul, Rutgers offense is not that much better than Syracuse (on Paper). Cuse probably played against tougher defenses so far......think this may be a "trap" game for the PITT offense?

Paul Zeise: No, it won't be a trap game at all because the Panthers are going to play in a building that they have not had a lot of success in so they will be focused and ready to play. I'd be shocked if the reason they lose is they were flat or not focused. They might get beat because Syracuse played better, but I doubt they'll get beat because they are overlooking the Orange or taking them lightly.

bobbymo: Where did Eric Thatcher come from? That kid can really hit.

Paul Zeise: He's from Cincinnati and yes, he's had some big hits for them. Like I said before, though, a lot of those hits are set up by the fact that he knows where to be, he's very smart and as a result he gets to the ball quicker than a lot of other players. It is one thing to be fast, it is another thing to play fast and because he has such a good grasp of the defense, he can play faster than he is.

SaveOurStadium: Paul, I assume that since you don't care about polls in October, that means that you don't participate in any of them, right?

Paul Zeise: I do participate in the Harris poll and I take it very seriously actually. But the polls right now are meaningless because there are too many games left to be played. Just look at the big games every weekend. I always say don't start arguing about the polls until the dust settles when the season is over. Then you'll have a complete picture of what happened and who deserves to be where.

Ether: If you were ranking all 119 Division I-A teams right out, appoximately where would you rank Pitt and the other Big East teams?

Paul Zeise: Oh geez, that's a tough one. I'd have WVU and Louisville in the top 10, Rutgers in the top 20 Pitt and South Florida in the top 40 Syracuse in the top 60 and UConn and Cinncy somewhere below that. Without having all the info in front of me, that's probably what I'd say.

SaveOurStadium: Paul, don't you think it's odd that two days after you spent an entire chat session talking about how great a running back Conredge Collins is, he gets the ball exactly one time? Is there a connection there?

Paul Zeise: Yes, I think the Pitt coaching staff has a conspiracy to make me look bad. That's why I should keep writing about LaRod Stephens-Howling so they'll give the ball to Conredge more. Just Joking.

Ether: A prediction...on what time the Pitt-Rutgers game will start.

Paul Zeise: I'd guess noon but I'd have to see the schedule to see what the other television games are that day and on what networks. We'll know for sure by Monday.

PirateApologist: Do you think that Palko should have come out of the game earlier last week?

Paul Zeise: Yes, actually he should have come out right after they scored to make it 7-0. I mean, the game was over then and Bill Stull needs the work. How can Pitt go through a whole season and not get Bill Stull more work. Bill Stull needs work. He needs more work. Pitt can't win unless Bill Stull gets work. More work for Bill Stull.

revenge_of_the_dinocat: Since our 0-line is thin, any chance we see more 2 back sets for blocking purposes?

Paul Zeise: No, they use those sets some but if you noticed last week they used Yezovich almost like an H-back and he lined up at the tight end spot as well. They are using one back and lots of tight ends a lot more than two backs and for good reason -- it gives a lot more flexibility -- and protection -- in the passing game.

revenge_of_the_dinocat: Are there any positions where a starter could lose his job(i.e. Freshman/Underclassmen have been improving greatly)?

Paul Zeise: Not off the top of my head. But Tyler Palko better watch out because Bill Stull is getting more work.

revenge_of_the_dinocat: so far this year.....who is the biggest surprise team i the Big East (better or worse)?

Paul Zeise: Syracuse is a big surprise, I thought they were headed for an 0-12 type of bottom out but they are much better than anyone could have anticipated. UConn has been a bit disappointing. Other than that every other team is about where I thought they'd be at this point.

DAN6969: I See that the Panthers have had some commiments for the class of 2007, however none of them seem to be 4 star recruits they are more like 2-3 star. Is there any big time recruits out there that are thinkung about Pitt?

Paul Zeise: There are some -- LeSean McCoy for instance is one, I think they are still in on Cameron Heyward and Mo and Bo Williams are two more big-time type players. I wouldn't worry so much about stars as I would filling needs with players who fit what the Panthers are trying to do. Go look at how few stars West Virginia's linemen had in high school, yet that line is always great. The reason -- they know what they are looking for, what kinds of kids fit their system and they go find them. That's the key to recruiting. Star rankings are just ways for recruitnig people to sell web-site subscriptions and generate a lot of hype over kids and recruiting classes.

revenge_of_the_dinocat: better chance of being a future AA....CJ Davis or Derek Kinder?

Paul Zeise: That's a tough one. I'd say Kinder just because it is a lot easier to put up stats and get noticed at receiver than offensive guard.

lucinda_basset: I noticed Eljiah Fields made a appearance on the depth chart this week at safety. Does this mean he may get some meaningful snaps on D?

Paul Zeise: I doubt it unless someone gets hurt. He's still working his way through some of the confusion that comes with being a freshman. He's learning, but he is a great athlete so he'll play a little bit and his time will increase as his understanding does.

Sandlot_Wizard: Is Pinkston still an OT? Will he go back to DT next year?

Paul Zeise: He's an OT and I don't think he'll return to DT just because of the numbers at both positions.

DAN6969: WOW!! If Pitt is able to land McCoy (Steal him from the U) and along with Bostick that could help boost the recruiting class in the top 10

Paul Zeise: I wuoldn't get to happy yet, the Panthers - and any school for that matter -- are a long way from reeling that guy, who is rather free spirited, in to the fold. But yes, he'd be a great get for Pitt.

lucinda_basset: Are the coaches allowed to speak freely with you about recruiting off the record or do they not go there at all?

Paul Zeise: I have no recollection of any such conversations either on or off the record, Senator.

PittBand: Do you think there will be a drop off on the quality of recruits for Pitt this year vs. those of Wannstedt's first year?

Paul Zeise: He has a lot less scholarships to give but I think he will still have an excellent class. I don't look so much at star rankings, as some people do, as what needs are they filling and who are they filling them with. I think Pitt has some really good players and the way Wannstedt recruits -- he's a great closer -- I'd expect him to bring in some really nice players -- perhaps a surprise or two -- at the final hour. That's why I say, wait until February to judge this class.

revenge_of_the_dinocat: Based on what you have seen this year, are you still predicting at least 7 wins? Paul Zeise: I'd say seven wins is reasonable. If they win the next two and go into the back stretch at 6-1, I think they could get to eight or nine but I still don't think this team is good enough and deep enough to win every game you think they are supposed to. I will admit that the UConn game looks like it is a little easier than I originally thought, but that is still a tough place to play. It should be an interesting two months, that's for sure.

Paul Zeise: Well that was fun but now I've got to run. Thanks for participating and I look forward to chatting with you all next week.