Welcome. I've gotten plenty of e-mails and inquiries about the quarterback situation and most of the sentiment among the fans is that the coaches should just throw Pat Bostick in there since "he is the future" and, even if he isn't the best guy now, his upside is much bigger than Kevan Smith's and thus he'll grow into the star.

I'm sorry, but that is a ridiculous notion because if Kevan Smith gives Pitt the best chance of beating Grambling and Michigan State, then he should be the starter this week and next. This program is not at a place where it can throw away seasons and risk losing games it should win simply because fans want to see the prodigy play or build for the future. And this coaching staff knows the heat is turning up on it, slowly, but surely, and thus it is going to do everything in its power to win games now. Not next year, not worry about the year after or which recruits are coming to help in 2009. They need to worry about winning games right now and getting back to a bowl game. This season is one game old. A lot can happen and, frankly, nobody cares about 2008 right now.

If Pat Bostick wins the job outright because he is better right now and he gives the Panthers the best chance to beat Grambling, then he should be the starter and will be. But if he is given the nod because the coaching staff is looking ahead to next year and think he has more potential, then there needs to be a serious examination of the direction of this program. There is no way anyone could justify to the other 104 kids on that roster who have worked so hard in the offseason that they aren't going to be given the best chance to win each week because the coaches are looking ahead to next year.

I believe Kevan Smith will start the game and, from talking to the players, that's what they believe. More importantly, that is what they seem to want at this point because they believe he is most ready to help them win. It isn't a personal thing, it is a team thing. These guys want to win now, not next year.

Also, if you want to fire me questions on these subjects and anything Pitt related (within reason), join me for a live chat at noon tomorrow -- and every Thursday.

Q: Paul: My Big East fantasy football team is in peril as I have Bill Stull as my starting QB and Louisville back-up Hunter Cantwell as my back-up. With Stull out for a while and Brian Brohm still healthy and unlikely to get hurt at practice this week, I have no QB. Thus -- I need to know your best guess at who will start at QB for Pitt against Grambling before 5 p.m. tonight because that's the transaction deadline!

Mike Dunham

Syracuse, NY

Zeise: You play Big East fantasy football? Um, no offense, but perhaps you should look for a hobby or two because it sounds like you have too much time on your hands.....Have you tried piano lessons? OK, just kidding, to answer your question, if it were me I'd pick Kevan Smith. It seems very clear this is the direction that coaches are heading.

Q: Joe Thomas seems to be everyone's whipping boy for the OL troubles, but why does C.J. Davis get a free pass? He hasn't exactly dominated the competition these past two years, and versus Eastern Michigan he was whiffing on blocks and late on his assignments. Maybe Bokor should get some reps versus Grambling.

Todd Reilly

Carlsbad, Ca.

Zeise: I disagree about Joe Thomas taking more criticism than the other guys on the line. Are you going to tell me he has taken more flack than Chris Vangas? And Thomas was not singled out at all last year because people understood he was a true freshman. But I think one thing you need to remember is Thomas has had a number of nagging injuries that have slowed his progress this training camp. He hasn't been healthy yet and coaches understand that, they aren't down on him, they aren't giving up on him, but at the same time, this coaching staff understands it has to win games now (like I said in my opening). He's got a lot of talent and will still have a great career, but even he'll tell you he's struggled a little this year so far. C.J didn't light it up either, but he's been a consistent performer for two years so he gets a little slack. And if he has a couple more games like that, you might see Bokor, or even a guy like John Fieger, getting a few more reps at that spot. Believe me, this won't be the only lineup change this year -- the hook will be quicker for everyone because Dave Wannstedt is going to put the 22 guys out there who he thinks give him the best chance to win.

Q: Is Jason Kacinko, the transfer from Purdue and former Penn-Trafford High School lineman, practicing with the team? If so, how has he fared and would you expect him to contribute for Pitt once he is eligible?

Matt Bostick

Trafford, Pa.

Zeise: Jason is on campus and he is working out with the strength and conditioning coaches but he isn't able to practice or participate in any contact drills because he is still not medically cleared. He obviously will be a serious candidate to take over at left tackle if he can resolve some of his health issues.