Paul Zeise: Welcome to the chat and thanks for joining us. Sorry about last week -- we had some technical difficulties but we're back in business today!! Let's get started.....

Whereisthepassrush_: You think Joe Thomas struggling this year has anything to do with him moving to tackle?

Paul Zeise: I'd buy that theory a little bit more if he hadn't struggled so much over the past two years. I think the issue the past two seasons has been a little bit of work ethic and immaturity but I know he is far more focused this year and while he hasn't been great, he's actually played better in the games than he did during camp so hopefully it is a sign that he is really ready to take off and fulfill at least some of his potential.

theWellHungarian: Pitt (-1.5)!! You gotta be kiddin' me? Is this game the biggest lock in the history of locks? Pitt couldn't beat Gateway by 1.5 pts

Paul Zeise: Well that is somewhat of a silly comment considering they have already beaten Buffalo by 11 points -- and Buffalo would beat Gateway by whatever number it wanted to........Pitt can win this game and while Iowa is 3-0 it isn't like this is USC coming in here. And the fact that it is 1.5 tells me on a neutral field, Iowa would be the favorite, so I think it is about right. I mean, last year Michigan State was supposed to destroy Pitt and that game turned out to be very tight. You just never know.

Whereisthepassrush_: Your prediction for saturdays game?

Paul Zeise: I think it will be low scoring -- which means it will likely be 52-49 -- and I think that Pitt will somehow eek out a very ugly win - which means Iowa will likely win by 24!!!! No, seriously -- this one is very close and might be too close to call -- it seems like one of those games where, the team that does all the cliches -- doesn't make mistakes, doesn't turn it over, wins the field position battle -- will win. I think early on if Iowa's offense is pushing Pitt off the ball, it will be a long day for the Panthers but I don't see that happening. In short, I'll say something like Pitt 20, Iowa 17 but I could be convinced that it will go the other way......

Whereisthepassrush_: I thought before the season the defensive ends would create more pressure then they have. Everyone knows about Romeus and you talked about Sheard being scary good. What do you think the problem has been?

Paul Zeise: I don't think there has been a problem, I think -- and the film and coaches grading bears this out -- both have played well. I mean my God, this is Sheard's second start and people are writing him off already because he doesn't have 14 sacks yet. The two have come off the edge fairly well and again -- these two are guys who will only get better and better as the season goes on. Also, if you look at the first two games -- particularly the first one -- the opportunities for those two to make big plays -- i.e. third-and-longs or second-and-longs were limited. I know this -- Dave Wannstedt, who whatever you might think of him as a coach, knows defense and knows NFL-caliber players and he thinks Sheard is a big-time player. So wait a few games before you write him off.

Shady_4_Prez: I think that the guy with the username "Whereisthepassrush" is going to be dissapointed this week...thoughts?

Paul Zeise: I don't know -- it all depends on what happens on first down and second down as well. If this Shonn Greene is running wild, then there won't be much of a pass rush because Iowa will be lining up and running the ball and getting into second-and-4's and third-and-2's. It really comes down to Pitt's ability to dictate to Iowa when the Hawkeyes pass the ball -- and that means containing the run game.

IT_WORKED_IN_DALLAS: Okay Paul, enough messing around: is this a must-win game for Pitt?

Paul Zeise: I think it is a statement game -- well it is according to the players -- but I'm not sure what that means. I know this -- if this team wants to be relevant both locally and nationally it needs to win this game. It needs to win and if it does that would wipe some of the bad taste of the Bowling Green loss out of people's mouths. A loss, though, and we're likely looking at a team that has lost its confidence and that could get ugly...

Captain_Bostick: Paul, What do you think all the people who used to show up to Pitt games with FIRE WALT signs are thinking now?

Paul Zeise: I have no idea- I suppose they are thinking "well, maybe going to the Tire Bowl or some equivalent every year wasn't so bad after all........."

IT_WORKED_IN_DALLAS: Paul, over/under 12.5 points for Pitt-Iowa?

Paul Zeise: I'd take the over -- barely -- though it would be tempting to take the under given the way these two teams want to try and play offense........

IT_WORKED_IN_DALLAS: Paul, if Jonathan Baldwin had gone to USC, do you think he would have played against Ohio State?

Paul Zeise: I don't know about that -- USC has some great receivers. I do know this -- had he gone to Ohio State, he likely would have caught a few passes from Terrelle Pryor, who by the way is a true freshman that was put on the field and asked to perform on the road against the No. 1 team in the nation........Just sayin...

JoePa_Fears_Pitt: Do you think that the recent non-conference wins by USF, UConn, and Louisville show that the reports of the Big East's demise have been greatly exaggerated?

Paul Zeise: To an extent, yes, but I think the Big East would go a long way towards proving it is better than people first thought the next three nights with wins by WVU over Colorado tonight -- I believe UConn plays Baylor tomorrow night -- and Pitt beating Iowa. If that were to happen it would be a strong showing for the Big East -- and frankly it would mean at the very least Big 12 fans wouldn't have much ground to stand on in ripping the Big East any more...

IT_WORKED_IN_DALLAS: Paul, which game will have more production: Pitt-Iowa or Pirates-whoever they play?

Paul Zeise: What do you mean by production? Offensive production -- likely the Pirates game because we are into Sept. call-up mode and that usually means young arms and eager hitters.

P.I.T.T.: It looked to me in the first two games that the corners were consistently playing WAY off the line of scrimmage and giving ridiculous cushions that BG and Buffalo exploited, particularly on third down. Any indication that in particular, and the failure of the D to get off the field on third downs in general, is being addressed?

Paul Zeise: I don't think the corners were the problem. In fact, after talking with some defensive coaches and looking at a few plays on film, they were not the problem. Everybody thinks that press coverage is the answer to every problem Pitt has had on defense over the past eight years -- gotta put the corners up, gotta put em up -- and I agree, some games --- the most obvious example being the Toledo game a few years ago -- they needed to be put into press coverage. But they mixed it up over the first two games and they didn't do a bad job of covering receivers. If you look at how the two teams scored their points -- particularly Bowling Green, I'd say the outside linebackers and the defensive tackles and on one particular play the free safety and several others the strong safety -- had a lot more to do with the fact that the others teams were able to move the ball than anything the corners were doing. They've mixed it up well and they've played, for the most part, well.

PittDC: How is Mick's ankle and Murray's knee? Ready to go?

Paul Zeise: I think Mick Williams should be much more effective this week as he's had a few weeks to rest and he looks like he is running much, much better on it. Shane Murray is going to be limited still, but coaches feel like they'll get something out of him -- even if it is only 15 plays -- as he is not quite in game shape -- conditioning wise -- yet. He's a gamer though so i am sure as long as he is effective and he can manage the pain in his knee, he'll be out there.

IT_WORKED_IN_DALLAS: Paul, how is it possible that Florida State has gone 2-0 with a first-time starter at QB?

Paul Zeise: Um, I'd say the fact that they've played two Division I-AA teams has as much to do with that as anything. But I know what you are getting at so a better question is how did Oregon win on the road against Purdue in overtime with a freshman quarterback having to come off the bench and step in and not only bring them from behind but lead them to a win.......

IT_WORKED_IN_DALLAS: Paul, if you were Turner Gill, would you rather take the Syracuse job or the Pitt job next year?

Paul Zeise: Well, I would assume that given Turner Gill is a Nebraska football alum and that group of people was reportedly alienated by Steve Pederson during his time out there and are not big fans of his, Gill would not be a candidate for this job. That being said -- there is no question this job is 50 times better than the mess up at Syracuse right now. I mean, at least if you stepped into this job you'd have some good players to build around and good facilities and all that stuff -- Syracuse is a very big rebuilding job and at a place that I would think is becoming tougher and tougher to convince kids to go play.

MPM: What?s the status of T.J. Porter? If he completely healthy now, and will he have a bigger role in the offense? He would seem like someone who could give the offense some spark.

Paul Zeise: Yes, he definitely seemed to be healthy last game and he made a number of big plays. He is a little bit more of an exciting player and has more big-play ability than Cedric McGee -- a steady, consistent receiver -- so it is good that he gets in there and gets some opportunities. And as far as consistency, he is much more consistent than Oderick Turner as well, so having him back gives the coaches some more options.

downgothehawkeyes: Huge game this weekend against a BCS school on national TV. What are the chances our d-line, known more for pass rushing, can contain the Hawkeyes running game? I'm not impressed by much about Iowa's offense other than their ground attack. Their o-line is built for run blocking and Pitt needs to get them on their heels.

Paul Zeise: I think, as Dave Wannstedt often says, that if the Panthers defensive line can use its speed and quickness and get off the ball, there is no question they can fill the gaps and shut down the run game. But if they start getting locked up by Iowa's offensive linemen, it will be a long day for them. Both Wannstedt and Phil Bennett have said this week "we're not interested in getting locked up with them" so I would think they are going to do a lot of movement and play some games and do some shifting so as to not allow Iowa's offensive linemen to get ahold of them. I think it will be an interesting chess match, to be honest.

IT_WORKED_IN_DALLAS: Paul, will you disable your e-mail if Pitt loses to Syracuse next week?

Paul Zeise: No, actually if the Panthers lose to Syracuse -- or any bad loss like that (like Navy last year) -- I am treated to hours and hours of comic relief as angry fans e-mail me with all kinds of creative ways to say "our team stinks and fire this coach!!!" Those days are actually fairly amusing!

UPJ: All I heard about Pitt this spring was how dominant the defense was going to be. What the heck is happening?

Paul Zeise: I don't think the defense has played poorly -- I think the defense has missed some plays, I think the defense is settling in -- but this has not been a situation where the first two teams have gone up and down the field at will against them. Seriously, Bowling Green had 254 yards against this defense -- and had it not been for a few missed tackles by a guy who is now second-string and a fumble by Bill stull on the 11 or whatever, they'd have likely only scored 14 points. And Buffalo didn't do much of anything in the second half. Are there things this defense needs to clean up -- yes, but in this case, it is a few missed tackles, dropped interceptions as opposed to years past when it has been a whole lot of mess to clean up in the wake of giving up 550 yards or something ridiculous like that.......

Shady_4_Prez: What do you think of Rutgers? I was originally ticked that the homecoming games was vs them but now, doesn't seem so bad after all.

Paul Zeise: I've said this before and I'll say this again -- there is no bigger fraud in college football than Rutgers has been over the past few years. They have won with smoke and mirrors and have beaten next to nobody. I mean, this entire "renaissance" they had can be boiled down to two wins -- Louisville two years ago and South Florida last year (and I suppose if you want to throw in the bowl win they had over Kansas State or whoever it was from the Big 12 in 2006)-- and the South Florida game they benefitted from a really bad call on a field goal block. Other than that, they've beaten a bunch of nobodies and have feasted on embarrassingly easy non-conference schedules and frankly, as bad as Pitt has been, the Panthers should have or at least could have beaten them all three years (Greg Lee drops a touchdown pass in 2005, the Ray Rice run in 2006 and the ridiculous pass interference call last year). It does not surprise me at all that they are struggling because like I said, I just don't.

P.I.T.T.: I think this is do or die time (yeah I know it's still non-conference). Do the coaches seem to feel the gravity of the situation or are they just in business-as-usual mode? Any chance we'll see aggressive offensive and defensive game plans?

Paul Zeise: Any chance we will see aggressive game plans? Um, have you been watching for the past three plus seasons? I suppose we've seen some agressive game plans defensively, particularly last year, but the philosophy of this coach is very consistent -- just line up and beat the other team. Play conservatively and don't make many mistakes and win the kicking game -- and those are all sound philosophies IF you have the players to pull it off. But as far as the importance of the game, no question the coaches understand that this is a big one.

IT_WORKED_IN_DALLAS: Paul, any truth to the rumor that if things aren't going well at the end of the third quarter on Saturday, they're going to replace Sweet Caroline with Abba's Waterloo?

Paul Zeise: Um, either that or "Taps."

conservative_cavanaugh: When is Pitt going to send either TE, Byham or Dickerson, down the middle of the field on a fly pattern to take advantage of either a smaller DB or slower LB? Pitt would have an advantage no matter what.

Paul Zeise: I don't about a fly pattern but I know they have once in each of the past two games sent Dickerson and Byham (once each) down the middle of the field on seem routes but on both occasions the quarterback misfired. I'd like to see more of these kinds of plays from these tight ends, but again, this offense is predicated on short, high-percentage passes and that seems to be what the coaches are sot comfortable with.

PittDC: Is Fields definitely starting now?

Paul Zeise: All signs indicate that he will start Saturday -- so he has his opportunity now let's see what he does with it. If he plays well -- and I thought he did in the second half against Buffalo -- then he'll continue to start. If he doesn't then I am sure the job will be opened up for competition again.

Fear_the_Stache: Paul, at half time of the USC game vs Ohio St ., Pete Carroll was questioned about Terrell Pryor and his response was a refreshing one. He stated that the coaches on the sidelines missed some things and they will make adjustments. Will we ever see the day that our head coach takes the blame or do we need to resign the the fact that turnovers, inexperience and poor play by the players is the foundation of our 3-4 year dcecline under CW & Co?

Paul Zeise: Wait a minute the nickname "Not my fault" was already reserved for the last head coach, so you can't use it again. Plus "fault" doesn't rhyme with "Dave" like it does with "Walt"......Ha Ha -- I think a lot of coaches are willing to admit their mistakes, Wannstedt and Walt Harris included, but sometimes they fall into these ruts where it is easier to fall back on "crutches" like turnovers and inexperience because that's just the easiest thing to point to. I think Wannstedt has been a stand up guy for the most part, so I'm not sure that is completely a fair criticism.

Whereisthepassrush_: How many more drops from Turner do we have to watch before we see somebody else take his reps?

Paul Zeise: He has certainly been an enigma -- but coaches are convinced he's there big play guy so he'll keep getting opportunities. In the coaching staff's defense, however, they did bench him last year and I don't think they'd be afraid to this year either. I do know he needs to become more consistent and he needs to do so quickly.

IT_WORKED_IN_DALLAS: Paul, since both of these teams insist on running the ball, is it possible this game could be over in an hour and a half so we can all start tailgating for the Pirates game?

Paul Zeise: That could be the case -- I could see this one turning into a 10-9 slugfest really easily --- of course I'm not sure why'd you want to torture yourself with bad baseball after you've already sat through bad football........ OK, all, I have to go -- thanks for your questions, we will chat next week.