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Friday, September 06, 2002

Q: Shelly, Coach Harris seemed to thrive on a two-quarterback situation (i.e. a controversy) the past three years. It appeared that naming a starter and letting him play without looking over his shoulder would have been the better decision. Now, Coach is trying to get away from that type of controversy. Has he learned from the past -- does he see that this is a better way to motivate Rod Rutherford -- or is he shielding Tyler Palko? Do you feel letting Palko learn on the job, maybe right now, is inevitable?

Craig Pelini of North Canton, Ohio

ANDERSON: I don't think Walt Harris would agree with your initial premise, Craig, that he thrived on a quarterback rotation or controversy, although that's the way it worked out the past few years. He has always said he wants to have one uncontested quarterback, but between his first season in 1997 with quarterback Pete Gonzalez and this season with Rutherford, the quarterback derby has stretched through training camp and often into the season. Now that Harris has settled on a starter early this year, the Panthers have been ultrasensitive to any talk of a controversy or any discussion of Rutherford vs. Palko. I believe there is some truth to both of the things you mentioned - the way the Panthers have handled things reinforces Rutherford and shields Palko. As for Palko learning on the job, he's already doing that after being named the backup and making his college debut. What is inevitable, despite the Panthers' displeasure, is that there will continue to be discussions of Rutherford vs. Palko until or unless Rutherford plays like a star. Even then, the discussions probably won't stop.

Q: I was wondering about two recent Panthers players and how they are faring in the NFL. Is Latef Grim still with the Detroit Lions (I believe he was on their practice squad last year), and did David Priestly make the Buffalo Bills roster? Thanks.

Mike of Pittsburgh

ANDERSON: Sorry, Mike, but neither Grim, a receiver, nor Priestley, last year's starting quarterback at Pitt, survived the preseason cuts. Three players from last year's team, receiver Antonio Bryant (Dallas), safety Ramon Walker (Houston) and defensive end/linebacker Bryan Knight (Chicago) made it. Former Pitt quarterback/safety D.J. Dinkins is a rookie with the New York Giants, three years after he finished his college career.

Q: What do you think of the Alabama transfer Brandon Miree being a possible starter?

Mario Bamonte of Harrison, Ohio

ANDERSON: Miree is a possible starter, Mario. He played second behind returning starter Raymond Kirkley in Pitt's opener, and sophomore Marcus Furman played third. The Panthers' running game was a little stagnant that night, but Miree led the team with 62 yards rushing on 15 carries. He has shown good skills in practice. Coach Walt Harris considers the three to be fairly equal right now but is hoping one will emerge as a regular starter.

Q: I am looking for information on Donny Patrick , who is from the eastern part of Pennsylvania. What is his status with the Panthers, his potential and his performance ratting? Thanks.

Dr. George of McAdoo

ANDERSON: No one seems to know exactly what happened to Patrick, Doc. He's still on the team, but you wouldn't know it from watching games. Patrick, a redshirt freshman from Hazleton, looked to have a promising career as a receiver when he arrived. After a decent training camp as a freshman two years ago, though, he dropped out of sight. The coaches never mention him anymore. He has appeared briefly in a few games but has no catches.

Q: Could you give me some information on freshman quarterback Tyler Palko -- what high school he attended etc. Is he from the Pittsburgh area?

Ellen Henschel of Annapolis, Md.

ANDERSON: Yes, Ellen, Palko is a local product. He attended West Allegheny High School, where he was coached by his father, Bob, and he was the Panthers' top recruit this year. A 6-foot-2, 210-pound left-hander, Tyler Palko was heavily honored in high school, where he had a record of 48-7 in four years as a starter and led the team to three league titles and one state championship. He played safety as well as quarterback in high school.

Q: There was a young man who transferred to Pitt by the name of Fredricks. He played his high school ball here at Southmoreland an later went to either Tulsa or Tulane before transferring. Is he still at Pitt, and is he on the team? We were trying to keep up on him and his progress. Thank you for your time

Jack Porinchak of Scottsdale

ANDERSON: That would be Rob Frederick, Jack. The 6-3, 295-pound redshirt sophomore is a center who indeed came from Southmoreland High School by way of Tulsa. He sustained an ankle injury shortly after he arrived early in training camp and is still on crutches. Pitt will be looking for a new starting center next year, though.

Q: Again, how do you get Pitt football on the Internet? I tried your two suggestions. It didn't work. WRRK only played the commercials. The radio station site makes you fill out surveys and you never get there. We had three people try to get the game. No luck. Do you use a special browser?????? A Saturday night was wasted for three old Pitt fans.

Ronald Covato of St. Augustine, Fla.

ANDERSON: You didn't do anything wrong, Ronald. There was a technical problem during Pitt's opener against Ohio. According to WRRK station manager John Robertson, the feed kicked in sometime in the second half. Until then, you're right, only the commercials played.

Now, things are changing for the rest of the season. WRRK no longer will "stream" the games from its site because of a new ruling that went into effect Sept. 1 that puts a financial squeeze on radio stations across the country. As a result, WRRK decided not to put any of its programming on the Internet. Pitt, though, has worked out its own arrangement with Yahoo, so you should be able to listen through http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com. Up through 48 hours before the Texas A&M game, that site still linked you to the WRRK site. I have been promised, though, that by game time it should work like this: On the Pitt site's main page, look for the Sports Calendar and football. Next to that day's game, there will be a sound icon, a little picture of a blaring speaker. Click there. If you need to download anything to listen, there will be instructions to do so.

Good luck.

Q: Has the university been asked to join the Big Ten, and are they seriously considering the invitation? Do you feel it would be the best move for Pitt both academically and athletically?

Richard of Old Forge

ANDERSON: No, Richard, Pitt has not been asked to be the Big Ten's 12th team by expansion. There has been speculation that Pitt would be a logical choice, but Panthers Athletic Director Steve Pederson has denied any contact and any interest in such a move.

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