Bob_Dylan: You said last week that this year's team is much more enjoyable to be around that last year's team. What (or who) made last year's team unenjoyable to be around? Was part of the problem that some of Walt's players did not like playing for

Paul Zeise: Yes, there was a faction of players who seemed to bring the team down. I'm telling you, last year's team wasn't nearly as excited and eager to play football as this year's team is. You can see the younger players influence and the fact that there is renewed hope and optimism that this thing is getting turned around.

Bob_Dylan: The media and the large majority of Pitt fans seem to be thrilled by the return of Steve Pederson. When he left five years ago, I gave him credit for the many things he had accomplished at Pitt. But I also said that it was good that he left before the negatives began to outweigh the positives. Steve's negative side showed up in spades at Nebraska, and his alma mater did not hesitate to show him the door after five years. (And I don't buy the fact that if the football team had won more, he would still be there.) Nebraska was quite clear in saying that he disrepected their traditions (e.g., not letting former players stand on the sideline, taking down the photographs of former players) and that he administered by a "culture of fear." In short, he antagonized people in major ways. These complaints are not unfamiliar from his days at Pitt. So, for me, it was laughable to hear the commentators of the Pitt-WVU game say that Steve Pederson announced the extension of Wannstedt's contract.

Paul Zeise: I disagree with one point -- you think if Bill Callahan had won the Big 12 last year and had a team headed for the BCS national championship game this year Pederson wouldn't still be at Nebraska? You are naive if you do -- winning has a funny way of helping others over look negatives. It is a cure all and if Callahan, who was picked by Pederson, had succeeded big, we'd have heard nothing about how tough Steve Pederson was to work for and all the other stuff that came out after he was fired. And I think an experience like that is a good learning experience for anyone so I'm sure he'll be a little different in his dealings with people if that was truly a problem as it was reported. The bottom line is he did a lot of great things for Pitt and it was a natural for Pitt to bring him back.

OHMYHOWTHINGSCHANGE: I'm excited about Pitt landing Saddler for the simple fact that his teamate/friend is Shayne Hale. Hale just seems like a beast and now Pitt should have a better chance of landing him. Do you know anything about this?

Paul Zeise: Getting Saddler certainly put Pitt in better position with Hale, but I still think the Panthers are trailing some of the other schools on his list. It will be interesting to see what this recruiting class looks like in the end because it is shaping up well.

OHMYHOWTHINGSCHANGE: I was real impressed by the defensive performance by Pitt against WVU. I can't wait till next year when the defense should take another step forward. With Fields surely starting at one safety spot, where do you see Dom D fitting in?

Paul Zeise: Fields COULD start assuming he remains in good standing. Remember he was suspended for this whole season for a reason so if he keeps his nose to the grind, keeps doing the right things and keeps working hard, yes, he could be a starter and DeCicco will play a much bigger role regardless. Also, Thatcher is back for one more season, so Pitt, assuming Fields is back in good standing, will be in great shape at safety.

Rich_Rodriguez: Paul: I'm still having nightmares ... can you help me?

Paul Zeise: Well, think back to your first season when my lowly Temple Owls came to your house and beat you on your home field -- how did you get over that? Do the same things this week as you did then and you will be fine! Glad I could help ...

Wanny_s_Crutches: Is there any way to quantify the win vs. WVU? This has to be bigger than going to the International Bowl and beating a team from the MAC. The publicity that Pitt got on TV after the game almost erased the negatives from this season. This has to give the program all kinds of momentum going into next season with both recruiting (and it seems it already has there) and with attitude.

Paul Zeise: I disagree that this is bigger or better than going to a bowl game. Yes, beating your rival is huge but the bottom line is in not going to a bowl game, you miss out of a month's worth of practice for your younger players, the chance to get a trophy for your case and a ring for your players and a bowl game is a reward for a successful season. I agree beating WVU is good for momentum going into next season, but Pitt needs to build on it and get back to a bowl game.

Wanny_s_Crutches: Where do you think Cam Saddler fits into the offense? Obviously Wanny sees a lot of potential and convinced this kid he is going to be a key contributor to this team. Saddler already said he was going to try to recruit other WPIAL players, which never hurts.

Paul Zeise: I think he'll be a kick returner and a multi-purpose player, like LaRod Stephens-Howling could be (slot back, tailback in some sets, slot receiver) etc. He will be used in a lot of ways and he is a great talent so this is a good get by Wannstedt.

Wanny_s_Crutches: How do you think the WVU game will affect attendance for the early home games next year? Seems like it could snowball for the Big East games when the Panthers need the home crowd behind them.

Paul Zeise: It will help sell tickets, as would a great recruiting class but if Pitt gets some fans in the stands early it needs to give them a show so they come back and keep coming back.

Wanny_s_Crutches: What are the chances on landing Jonathan Baldwin?

Paul Zeise: I'd say better than 70 percent right now. It seems like it is headed that way but as always with recruiting, you never really know until signing day when the letter of intent comes through the fax machine in the South Side complex.

Wanny_s_Crutches: Have you heard anything about Pitt trying to bring in a JUCO QB for next season to compete with Bostick, Smith and Stull?

Paul Zeise: Yes, that is the plan. The thing is -- they'd like to redshirt Pat Bostick and really work with him for a whole year on his mechanics, his fitness, his footwork and everything physical about playing quarterback. If they could bring in a JUCO guy, even if he doesn't beat out Bill Stull, the Panthers would have an experienced back up and thus have the luxury of redshirtting Bostick, even if Stull got hurt again.

Wanny_s_Crutches: Are the coaches going to give Kevan Smith another chance to win the QB job or move him to TE? He seemed to have progressed tremendously from early in the season in the Rutgers game.

Paul Zeise: Kevan Smith has progressed and I'd say he is going to be given the chance to win the job at quarterback. That is what he is. He could move to another position if necessary because he is very athletic, but I think after this season Wannstedt would love to have as much depth at quarterback as possible.

Wanny_s_Crutches: Where do you think Pryor will end up, and how hard is Wanny trying to get him still?

Paul Zeise: The Ohio State University. Wannstedt is still trying to recruit him, but I think it is to no avail. All signs seem to point to Pryor becoming a Buckeye

Wannyball_fan: Do you think a contract extension for Wanny was good, bad or ugly?

Paul Zeise: It was a good thing because it sends a message that the university is interested in trying to build a program that is good for the long haul. What is the worst that can happen? If it doesn't work next year, he can still be fired and I'm sure the buy-out wouldn't be that terrible for the school so it isn't like Pitt isn't protected. But there is no doubt that the chancellor and the new athletic director and everyone in the athletic department believes in Dave Wannstedt and they want him to succeed and they can see signs of progress and a program that is more talented now than it was when he arrived, so they are going to give him as much time as possible to get this thing right. It will help in recruiting also.

Wannyball_fan: What are your thoughts on bringing back Smiley Steve?

Paul Zeise: I think it is good for the reasons I had mentioned --- he did a great job his first time at Pitt and he is a leader who is a visionary and that is what Pitt needs.

pittfan386: What scenario do you see for the QBs next year. If Stull doesn't start and Bostick does then Stull might transfer ... but if Stull does start for his junior year, then what do you do with his senior year? That would mean that Bostick would play as a reshirt junior.

Paul Zeise: Well like I said, I think Stull will start, there will be a back-up who is not with the team yet as well as Smith and Bostick will take a redshirt. At least that is the ideal situation. As for Stull's senior year, it doesn't matter. Pitt needs to be in position to win next year and Wannstedt will do what it takes.

3820Divis: Paul, what is wrong with Darrel Strong? Can he play in the NFL?

Paul Zeise: Darrell Strong is a talented player and he certainly has an NFL body and NFL hands for a tight end. He just seemed to sometimes lack motivation but for the most part he was a good player for Pitt and made some big plays.

pittfan386: Is Pitt back in the running for Terrelle Pryor?

Paul Zeise: I don't think so but with Wannstedt recruiting, anything is possible.

BuseysTwoMeatballSubs: How good are the other D-I prospects that play with Sunseri at Catholic? Pitt material?

Paul Zeise: I'll be honest I haven't seen them all play. I know Taglinetti is a great all-around football player but I don't know much about the other guys. Now that the season is over, I get focused on recruiting and start reading up and watching the videos of these guys and get a better handle on who can play and who can't.

Bob_Dylan: Why did Pitt pull Cameron Saddler's original offer that was made last Spring? I read that Cam's father asked Wannstedt this question at his in-home visit, and that Dave answered the question satisfactorily. But there wasn't any more detail provided. Do you know what happened with this?

Paul Zeise: It was a situation where I think Dave Wannstedt misjudged Saddler's talent and didn't think he'd fit in until he really got to see him play and he realized that he is a very good player so they went back after him.

3820Divis: Paul, what did you think of the holding calls? that move by Shady was unbelievable ... to be taken away by a blatant bad call was almost criminal

Paul Zeise: The holding calls were, in a word, bogus. The Big East needs to take a hard look at some of these officials and fire a few of them because they had a horrible year and it makes the league look like a garage league when so many glaring and bad calls are made in every big game that is on television.

BrooklineBomber: What happened to Webster (LB)? I know he had health issues, but he is not even on the official roster anymore. Did he leave school?

Paul Zeise: He had the Chron's Disease and I think it was determined he'd take a medical hardship where he could finish school and keep his scholarship but his football career is most likely over.

BuseysTwoMeatballSubs: Still, in victory, the message boards, especially the dullards on Pantherlair, think Bostick will redshirt and sit for two seasons. Did this kid just not beat WVU and has an offseason to get into shape and regain the job in 2008?

Paul Zeise: I don't know about two seasons, but did you watch the game? One would do him good. He is a tough kid, with a lot of heart but he has some mechanics problems and he struggles to throw the ball. He could also use a lot of work in the weight room, working on his feet, his fitness -- he is going to be a good player, he just wasn't really ready to play this year and was thrown into it.

BrooklineBomber: Looks like about 18-19 freshmen redshirted this year. Throw in the injured guys coming back (Kinder, Mustakas, etc.) and Fields ... might there be real depth on this team next season?

Paul Zeise: Yes, I think next year will be the first year that Pitt will have depth at every position just about and won't be crushed if they get a few key injuries. That is the plan that Wannstedt put together when he got here -- build depth and build talent and thus build a program that is built for the long term. It has taken a little longer than most people would like but it appears it is on the verge of getting there.

pittfan386: Do you see any changes to the coaching staff this offseason?

Paul Zeise: It will be interesting -- I don't think there will be wholesale changes and unless I am totally misreading my conversations with Wannstedt, I think both coordinators are clearly safe so there could be a tweaking, but I don't see a complete shake up.

3820Divis: Paul, does RicRod sound like he is going to lose it?

Paul Zeise: Um, I'm not sure what you mean

pittfan386: Who do you think will emerge as the starter at QB next year?

Paul Zeise: Well like I said, I'd list Bill Stull as the favorite at this point

BuseysTwoMeatballSubs: After Saturday's performace, do think that will be close to norm for how Pitt's defense performs in the future? The defensive line will be so talented and deep in 2008 that nobody should have success like Virginia, UConn and Navy did earlier in the year.

Paul Zeise: The defensive line is the key and it will only be better next year. I think that this performance can become the standard if the d-line continues to improve.

3820Divis: Paul, haven't stopped smilng since Saturday,,,my goodness, that was the best tackling by a Pitt team in 15 years! What got into them?

Paul Zeise: They have been playing good defense for most of the second half of the season but yes, you are right that was the best collective tackling I've seen since I have covered this team.

13-9: The Panthers are going to be loaded at wide receiver next year, even more so if Baldwin commits. Do you think there will be any position changes with this group, or that someone like Pestano or McGhee might transfer?

Paul Zeise: Pestano has already left the team. McGhee will stay around, the coaches like him and like his attitude. And as Pitt found out this year, there is no such thing as too much depth at any position.

13-9: With Cam Saddler committing, do you see him redshirting next year or is he the type of talent that you can pencil him in as the starting kickoff and punt returners?

Paul Zeise: I think Dave Wannstedt learned his first season the hard way -- you don't pencil any freshman in any position until they prove they deserve the chance to earn it.

Waltstache: I noticed you spoke with Walt Harris for a story last week -- what is he up to? Is he going to coach again?

Paul Zeise: He lives in Pittsburgh as has been reported and he is just trying to get back into coaching. He seems to be in very good spirits and I'm sure he'll find a job soon because he is a great offensive football coach and he can coach quarterbacks with the best of them as well.

Waltstache: Is Mark May's act not growing old, and is he becoming a comic book-like character that embarrasses himself and Pitt every time he opens his mouth?

Paul Zeise: Mark is a victim of the ESPN-isation of TV sports, that's all. I think he is very knowledgeable and he is a great guy, it is just that ESPN has seemingly determined that louder and wilder is always better so guys like Stephen A. Smith and Sean Salisbury have become stars and to a degree Mark uses some of the same schtick in his "arguments' with Lou Holtz. It doesn't bother me that much to be honest, it is just ESPN being ESPN.

Waltstache: What do you believe is the top priority in the offseason?

Paul Zeise: Finding a center and at least one tackle who is ready to play next year.

13-9ForLife: Paul, why don't you have a blog like Gorman does? I think this town needs more opinions and pointed criticism.

Paul Zeise: Who is Gorman? Ha Ha Ha Ha.. Seriously, my job is to report and analyze not opine or point!

pittfan386: Any news on the JC Center Pitt was going after? Is he going to commit soon?

Paul Zeise: He is visiting this weekend allegedly so if you are a Pitt fan keep your fingers crossed. He was at Syracuse last weekend. He is a guy Pitt desperately needs.

pittfan386: Why didn't we see the wildcat package at all on Saturday?

Paul Zeise: Because Wannstedt made the decision that to beat WVU it was going to have to be a meat and potatoes, grind it out, nothing fancy, don't try to trick them, just beat them physically, type of game. And it turns out, he was right. I thought Pitt dominated WVU on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

BuseysTwoMeatballSubs: You were in Kevan Smith's corner when he struggled early in the year. Do you think he could be a dark horse for the starting job in 2008? He played well in his brief time against Rutgers.

Paul Zeise: Yes, as I said, he could be the darkhorse because he has the most physical talent of all the quarterbacks on the roster and he is improving. It could be a good problem to have -- too many good quarterbacks.

pittfan386: Is it true that Dorin Dickerson might be switched to TE in the offseason due to the lack of depth at that position?

Paul Zeise: It could happen but coaches would like to give him another full offseason at linebacker because they believe he could become a playmaker for them on defense. It has taken a little time for Dorin, but he is a good player and he will make some plays in his career.

pittfan386: How many games do you see Pitt winning next year? 9 wins seems very reasonable given the players coming back

Paul Zeise: I could go with that. I think nine is within reach, especially considering the Big East will likely lose Ray Rice (which means the Rutgers train likely derails), Brian Brohm is gone and Louisville struggled WITH him and Ben Mauk and a ton of defensive talent is gone at Cinncy so Pitt should be able to make some strides.

13-9ForLife: Paul, should I start Jon Kitna at home against Dallas or Jeff Garcia at Houston?

Paul Zeise: Garcia -- Kitna and the Lions have finally figured out they are, well, Kitna and the Lions and they might not win again!

13-9ForLife: Paul, if there was a Big East fantasy league, who would be your 2008 No. 1 pick? Where would McCoy rank?

Paul Zeise: I would say Pat White, obviously. The second pick would have to be Grothe from USF. If Rice returns, which I don't think he will, I'd pick him third because you know he'll get 54 carries per game and then McCoy would be my fourth pick.

13-9ForLife: Paul, can you declare a moratorium on media people calling McCoy "Shady"? It's pretty corny when these 40-year-old white dudes say "Shady" like they're down with the people.

Paul Zeise: I wish I had the power to do so but unfortunately I do not. I do think it is a strange phenomen, the need to feel like your a part of the team or something ... .

Bob_Dylan: Do you think Nordenburg set some parameters for Pederson to try to accentuate his attributes and minimize his negatives? For example, Wannstedt was given a contract extension at the same time Pederson's hiring was announced. In this way, Steve wouldn't be tempted to jettison Dave as he did Frank Solich at Nebraska. Also, Steve acknowledged at his press conference that we are Pitt and not Pittsburgh. In light of Pederson's negatives that were evident while he was at Pitt and came to full flower at Nebraska, do you think Nordenburg wanted to hem him in from the start in some ways?

Paul Zeise: No, I think Chancellor Nordenberg has faith in Pederson and that's why he was hired and he is going to be given the authority to do what he sees fit to help the athletic department thrive. There is no question who is running the athletic department now, that's for sure.

13-9ForLife: Paul, you're such a Pitt homer. Now you're complaining about the calls against Pitt in the WVU game. Geez, so much for journalistic objectivity, eh?

Paul Zeise: I'm not complaining, I'm just calling it like I see it. And if you read any national publications summary of the officiating of that game, you'd see I have been very easy on those officials by comparison. Those two holding calls and the non-pass interference call on Antonio Lewis were terrible and the Big East should be ashamed. That's all I am saying ... .

Dan: From the press conference on Monday it seems Rich Rodriguez continues his refusal to acknowledge Pitt in any way, and even to minimize players' acheivements (like insinuating Shady only had a ton of yards because he had a ton of carries). We know RR doesn't like Wanny from past statements. Is this shaping up to be a Woody Hayes- Bo Schembechler type war?

Paul Zeise: Yeah, it could be, though I think they generally respect each other. But you are right, he has had a hard time this week giving credit to Pitt for outplaying his guys. OK, well, that is all the time I have today, thanks for all the questions and a great season. Perhaps we will have a chat again the day after signing day in February to discuss Pitt's recruiting class. In the meantime, have a great holiday, a safe Christmas and of course, keep reading the Post-Gazette!!!