Bob_Dylan: I can't help but notice how you have made a 180 degree change in your opinion of Dave Wannstedt as the head football coach at Pitt. You eagerly supported the hiring of Wannstedt, and you were 100% supportive for his first two years. In the face of criticism, you strongly defended him, with great assurance, as being the answer to the future of Pitt football. But this year, you don't have anything good to say about him. Absolutely nothing. I would like to know why you have had such a dramatic change of attititude about Wannstedt. He has not changed that much from the last two years. So why have you changed so much?

Paul Zeise: No, that's false. I have always maintained that you need to give a new coach the benefit of the doubt, that he deserves a few years to get some things worked out, that he deserves a chance to get his system in place and his players in place. And I still believe that. A new coach always deserves the benefit of the doubt and many of the criticisms that were directed towards this staff were, i thought, premature and unfair. However, as the body of work continues to grow, the same questions seem to remain. I don't know what is going to happen either way, but it will be interesting to watch it all play out. I think Dave Wannstedt can get things turned around, but I also think, and he knows this, time is running out. At some point, you needs to start winning games and that is where Pitt is at.

itsonlyagame: Have not heard much about the maturation process of Elijah Fields. Is he doing the things that is needed for him to be part of this program in the future?

Paul Zeise: Yes, from what I hear he is. And he is an unbelievable talent so if you are a Pitt fan, keep your fingers crossed that he stays on track to get on the field next year because he can do a lot of things on his natural ability alone. He is a playmaker and this defense needs a few more of those.

WannyOutForTheYear_: Do you really think South Florida is the No. 2 team in the country?

Paul Zeise: I don't know and I think people who react to polls in mid-October are silly. So much is going to happen between now and when it matters that it isn't worth discussing. I think South Florida is a nice team and they have some nice wins, but to be No. 2 when it matters, the Bulls would have to win out and frankly, I don't see that. Not from a team that is as mistake-prone as they are. Sooner or later those turnovers and penalties will cost them.

DontTaseMeBro: What are your thoughts on the defensive line next year? Who do you think will be the starters?

Paul Zeise: Well, the defensive line could be very good, especially if Doug Fulmer gets all the way back because he was a talent. If he gets healthy, it would be Fulmer, Jabaal Sheard, Tony Tucker and Greg Romeus doing most of the defensive end work and Gus Mustakas, John Malecki, Rashaad Duncan, Tommie Duhart and Mick Williams on the inside. That's a group that has great potential.

SDWC: Paul, I seem to recall that the non-conference schedule improves in the next several years, but I am having a hard time locating any details. I know Pitt goes to ND next year, and I believe Iowa is coming here. Are there also home-and-homes coming with Va. Tech and Miami as well?

Paul Zeise: Yes, I think North Carolina State is coming on, Iowa, Virginia Tech, there is a long series with Notre Dame and a number of others. Apparently Central Florida is trying to get out of the game next year so that will open up a spot for a game (which would be interesting to see what way they go to try and fill it)

Bob_Dylan: Why do you think Paul Rhoades has gone from being one of the top defensive coordinators in D-1 football (it wasn't that long ago that Auburn tried to hire him away from Pitt) to heading up a defensive unit that has struggled badly for several years? His defensive teams were not very good for the last few years under Walt Harris and for all three years with Dave Wannstedt. To what do you attribute this dramatic change from very good to very bad?

Paul Zeise: Why has Kirk Ferentz gone from one of the hottest coaching candidates in the world to a guy whose team might be the worst in the Big Ten? Did he get dumb all of the sudden? I doubt that. I think Paul Rhoads is a very good coach, I have said that numerous times and I believe that. He obviously knows defense. All of that being said, something isn't working any more and perhaps a change of scenery would do him well. But some of the issues were personnel related, some were related to what the head coach was asking for and some perhaps was due to the same kind of stubbornness and belief in a system that every coach suffers from. I can't answer why the defense has struggled so much but it has and I'm not sure I see it getting markedly better any time soon.

DontTaseMeBro: It seems everyone is pointing to next year as the break out year for this coaching staff. The offensive line seems to be a weakness every year and it loses 3 starters. Who do you think will be the starters on the offensive line? Do you think it will be improved despite losing the 3 starters?

Paul Zeise: The offensive line is the wild card -- you are so right. And the starters -- I have no idea at this point -- my guess, from left to right, Nix, Jacobson, Davis, Thomas, Pinkston with Bachman and a number of these freshmen waiting in the wings. But that unit has to improve or next season will be a major disappointment and Pitt will be searching for a new coaching staff.

WannyOutForTheYear_: Any freshman redshirting this season, you see pushing for a starting job next year?

Paul Zeise: Does Elijah Fields count? I suppose Chris Jacobson would be the most obvious answer.

DontTaseMeBro: In a much disappointing season so far, is there a unit on this team that has performed better then you expected?

Paul Zeise: This is going to sound crazy -- the quarterbacks -- well at least the first one and the third one. Stull really came on the last week of camp and showed in that first half he could run this offense, manage the game and do the things he needed to help Pitt win. And Pat Bostick has been unbelievable considering all he has been through. I was actually in favor of going to an option before handing the ball to him because I didn't have any confidence in him this year and thought he'd best be served by redshirting. But he has been so far better than anyone could have ever imagined at this point in his career.

itsonlyagame: The article in the PG today about the future of Dave Wannstedt made a lot of sense. It does take people a little more time to settle (grow) into a job. I believe coach Wannstedt may have taken certain player abilities for granted after coaching all those years in the NFL. I know he can recruit and I know he still can coach. He just needs to change his philosophy and get more in tune to todays college game. Agree or disagree?

Paul Zeise: I agree, the college game in 2007 is far different from what it was even in 1997 -- much less 1987 when Wannstedt was nearing the end of his first run as a college coach. And that's why I say this can work if he can adapt some of the things he's doing to the college game and change some of that "NFL mentality" that has really, I think, hurt the chances of these NFL guys like Bill Callahan, Al Groh, Greg Robinson and Chan Gailey from having the kind of big success they were expected to. They have to change some of their ways and adapt and if Wannstedt can do that, he can be the big success people were hoping he'd be.

WannyOutForTheYear_: It looks as though the front 7 on defense should take a step forward next year, with most guys returning. Who do you see starting at the outside linebacker spots? Do you see Dickerson and Nix passing Gunn and Murray once they get this year of experience?

Paul Zeise: It will be interesting -- I don't know about Shane Murray getting beat out because he is such a smart, instinctive player and he makes a lot of plays. Dickerson I would expect to make it into the starting lineup and Nix, who has been injured a lot, will certainly be more of a factor, along with some of these freshmen, like a Brandon Lindsay.

SDWC: Hi Paul, Any idea if the Panthers practiced with shin guards on again this week? Because it sure helped a ton against Navy.

Paul Zeise: No, I think they ditched the shin guards, though, they still had all the soccer balls laying around for special teams drills -- they use soccer balls and volley balls instead of footballs when they are practicing blocking punts.

Panther_Rants: Will LeSean McCoy still be at Pitt in two years?

Paul Zeise: I think he'll play three seasons at Pitt, but that's just a guess. One thing about McCoy we've seen in the past is he can change his mind when the wind changes direction so nobody really knows the answer as to how long he'll stay at Pitt.

Panther_Rants: So, Paul, you're saying Pitt might play two DI-AA opponents at home next year?

Paul Zeise: No, I would doubt that, but it wouldn't surprise me if we saw another Eastern Michigan type find its way on to the schedule.

Panther_Rants: At this point, has Bostick cemented himself as the starter at QB for the forseeable future?

Paul Zeise: Yes, and as he continues to improve --- if he continues to improve -- it will become his job to lose in the spring and it will take a great effort from Stull or anyone else to wrestle the job away from him.

BrunoDC: What is the word on the offensive tackle that transferred from Purdue...does he look like he could step in for Otah next year?

Paul Zeise: I don't know -- he -- Jason Kacinko -- has some sort of blood clot issue and has been on blood thinners and thus can't practice -- so nobody will really get to see him until next spring -- assuming he is able to get medically cleared at some point.

rsross: Paul, Do you think Wannstedt's view from the box will help the teams chances this weekend? Maybe if he sees what we see on tv he will realize that his philosophies are outdated and ineffective these days.

Paul Zeise: Well, I don't know what difference it will make, other than he won't be able to argue with ref's about calls he disagrees with.

Seech: There's been a lot of opinions about Steve Pederson this week. Would you want him to come back as AD?

Paul Zeise: I like Steve a lot. I think he was the right guy for Pitt at the time when he arrived. I think he is bright guy with a lot of good ideas. I also am not a fan of going backwards, I am not a fan of programs trying to chase ghosts and bring back some sort of magic. I think Pitt needs to go find someone new, with new ideas and new energies. Pitt could do a lot worse than hiring Pederson, that's for sure, but again, I think this school needs to think about moving forward. When they hired Ben Howland -- a guy with no ties or history to the university -- they took a step forward. When they hired Agnus Berenato -- a woman with no ties or history to the university -- they took a step forward --- when they hired Walt Harris -- a guy with no ties or history with the university -- they took a step forward -- and when they hired Pederson the first time -- they took a step forward. That's something that needs to be considered.

2_new_coordinators: In your opinion, is Dave Wannstedt the man for the job?

Paul Zeise: Um, that's not my call. Dave Wannstedt can certainly get this thing turned around, he certainly has a lot of great qualities and, I know fans don't care about this stuff, but he has done everything right OFF the field when it comes to academics and being a goodwill ambassador for the school and running a clean program. Now he needs to win games and if he can do that -- which I think he can -- he'll be the right man for the job.

Panther_Rants: You really believe Rhoads is a good coach? Seriously? The guy hasn't coached a decent defense at Pitt in more than five seasons. The problem is that he keeps doing the same thing that isn't working. That's the definition of insanity - doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Paul Zeise: I think there is more to coaching than what you see on Saturday and I watch the guy every day at practice, teach and if you talk to other coaches, they'll tell you he is very organized, has a very good idea of what he is doing, has sound defensive philosophies. Again, something isn't working right now, but we've seen good coaches have bad stretches because they haven't been in the right situation or just needed a change.

rsross: Any chance we will see the team takes some chances this week, or will it be the same boring "read and react defense" and "2 yd outs to the TE offense"?

Paul Zeise: I'd expect more of the same. This staff believes in what they do.

DDaveSculley: Have any recruits who have given commitments started to back away from Pitt over the course of this season?

Paul Zeise: None that I have heard of.

Panther_Rants: If, as some people have insinuated, there are coaching changes at the end of the season, who do you expect will go? Rhoades? Cavanaugh? Dunn?

Paul Zeise: No offense, but I'd rather not get into that. I think we all know where the deficiencies are on this team and there is no need to rehash it every Thursday.

bagwell4480: How is Pitt's recruiting class looking this year from a national perspective?

Paul Zeise: Last I checked it is still in the top 30 and I would expect it will be somewhere in the top 25 and somewhere near the top of the Big East.

rsross: If Stull returns, can we expect an upset or two? I think he will take pressure off of McCoy that the other two cannot.

Paul Zeise: Stull is not likely returning so the point is moot.

born2run: How can anyone who has watched Pitt's defense the past 3 games, and the Navy game in particular, think that things are basically OK? Is Dave Wannstedt crazy, or do I just need to get better at watching college football?

Paul Zeise: I agree with you -- there is no way to spin the way this defense has been shredded by the likes of Navy, Connecticut and Virginia -- not exactly three offensive juggernauts, though Navy does score some points against every one just because of their system. The defense has been atrocious.

itsonlyagame: Will Bill Stull redshirt this year?

Paul Zeise: It is looking more and more like that with each passing day.

BrunoDC: Any update on the AD Search? Any names surfacing at all?

Paul Zeise: I've heard some names but none that seem to be very credible and even less that would excite me.

Dan6969: This thing with Wanny with his foot maybe it's a blessing. Maybe Wanny will sit in the booth and see how Cav does coaching and if he likes what he see's he will make the move to AD and cav will be the head coach?

Paul Zeise: Um, I don't know if that could happen, though, and I know I will get crucified for this -- I think Matt would be a good head coach.

ilivedinmemphis: Why are you always so negative?

Paul Zeise: Negative? If you listen to the fans of your rivals I am a homer! And explain to me how you write about a team that has lost nine of ten games versus I-A opponents, who consistently has gotten beaten around by any team with a pulse, who gets blown out at home by Connecticut and then loses at home - and looks completely overmatched in doing so -- to Navy -- and be flowery and positive all the time?

ilivedinmemphis: Can't you say something positive?

Paul Zeise: Conor Lee kicks the ball real good.

ilivedinmemphis: Why do you never quote recruiting analysts or national broadcasters in your stories?

Paul Zeise: Because recruiting "experts" are usually self appointed and what, other than perhaps recommendations on where to get good hair spray, do national broadcasters have to say that I couldn't get out of some former coaches or players in the area who might actually have a clue as to the subject matter with which I am writing about? I think the practice of quoting people just to quote them is bad journalism.

itsonlyagame: It sounds like Matt Cavanaugh will be on the sidelines instead of the box. Do you think this will help or hinder Pat Bostick?

Paul Zeise: I don't think it will make that big of a difference to be honest. Whether he talks to Matt on the phone or in person, he still has to do his job on the field -- alone. It might be a little help because he can get some quick advice or ask some questions in between plays that he wouldn't have been able to do otherwise, but I don't think it is a big deal.

itsonlyagame: I realize that LeSean is now the man to run the ball on a consistent basis. However I believe LaRod is to good of a athlete and play maker to just be a kick returner.

Paul Zeise: He is going to make plays as a kick returner and I think he can still be a factor on offense in a lesser role than the featured back they were trying to make him.

Panther_Rants: Paul, is Rhoades as good as gone at season's end or will this program inexplicably continue to torture us with his defenses that couldn't stop a Pop Warner team?

Paul Zeise: That answer is only known by the guy making that call -- Dave Wannstedt. I've said consistently I would expect some major changes and we all can see what units have not gotten the job done. But it is Dave's call, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Panther_Rants: Are you more optimistic about this team's future after the way the offense played against Navy - finally allowing Bostick to play - or was the success of Pitt's offense more a product of Navy's poor defense?

Paul Zeise: Navy's defense stinks, there is no doubt about that, but I do think Pitt has a tailback and quarterback to build around for the next few years and that is a great start to some big things -- provided they are put in position to win a lot of games.

Panther_Rants: Who's your favorite non-PG Pitt beat writer? Ours is Dale Grdnic.

Paul Zeise: Um, Dale is certainly a character and a funny guy and he does a great job for Scout.

Ben_Stae: Is there any chance Steve Pederson could come back to fill Pitt's AD position?

Paul Zeise: There is always a chance. The question is -- would he want to?

hailtopitt: Why can't we get Nate Byham and Conredge Collins involved in the offense?

Paul Zeise: I thought they did a great job of getting Collins involved in it the other day against Navy but you are right, Nate Byham is way too talented to now be a much bigger part of things.

rsross: All the talk about players and what they can do is great, but it seems everyone is missing the problem here ... The system employed by Wannstedt does not fit the talents of his players AT ALL.

Paul Zeise: There is probably a lot of merit to that. I look at Pitt's next opponent, Cincinatti -- don't tell me they have better players than Pitt because they don't. Yet they are successful because they have been put in position to win games. Sometimes winning a losing isn't a matter of talent or schemes, but rather finding the schemes that fit your talent.

Panther_Rants: Are the Pirates in danger of losing their title of worst major sports team in Pittsburgh to Pitt football?

Paul Zeise: Well, Pitt has about 12 more years of this nonsense to go before it catches the Pirates.

Julius_Jones_still_running: Do you think Wanny will realize how bad his defense is when he has to watch from the Press Box instead of the sideline?

Paul Zeise: I'm not sure how that would be any different than watching film each week, which is shot from above, so to answer your question -- no, I doubt it will change his perception for the good or the bad.

Dan6969: In the early 2000's and late 90's Paul Rhoades seemed to be more aggressive with the defense is Wanny putting the handcuffs on him? Wanny seems to be to passive and not aggressive enough. I just read a statement thaqt the last time he was in the booth coaching the Cowboy's made the Bills turnover the ball nine times in the Super Bowl. Then Wanny say's maybe this will be a good omen, BUT he then said that Pitt only needs one turnover not nine. Is he crazy? What coach would not want nine turnovers in the game

Paul Zeise: I don't think the defense was much more agressive than it is now -- think back to the 2003 season, before Wannstedt arrived, when they allowed Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to drop back like 70 times and only hit him once.

hailtopitt: Does this Pitt team upset someone this year to save the season?

Paul Zeise: No, but that would be a great help. That's the biggest knock against Wannstedt and it is a fair one -- that he has yet to get this team inspired enough on a given Saturday to pull a major upset. Who knows, perhaps it happens this week.....

Panther_Rants: Paul, what did Louisville do that made things so difficult for Cincy?

Paul Zeise: Brought a lot of pressure and they made tackles in open space. That is the two things you better do against this offense of the bearcats.

Julius_Jones_still_running: Will Wanny be able to order a sammich & a beer during the game on Saturday?

Paul Zeise: Um, no, but after watching his defense try and stop Cincinatti's spread offense, he might NEED to order a few beers ... And a sammich doesn't sound so bad for me right now, which means, I'm going to end this and go to lunch. Thanks for all your great questions and we will see you again next week at the same time.