 
|
|||||||||||||
              
|
Harris is intangible that might help Pitt land nation's top QB Saturday, October 24, 1998 By Mark Madden
When you've gone almost broke betting at the racetrack, there's only one way to get rich quick: Have a long shot come through.
The University of Pittsburgh's football team is just about bankrupt - bankrupt of talent, that is.
The only way to fix things in a hurry: Have a long shot come through.
For the Panthers, the long shot is Chris Simms.
Simms, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound senior at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, N.J., is considered the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the country by every recruiting service and expert.
He is the son of former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms.
Pitt is on the short list of colleges Chris Simms is thinking of attending. The Panthers probably won't get him. But, boy, if they do ...
Besides Pitt, Simms is considering Penn State, Ohio State, Texas, Tennessee and Boston College. Super Prep Magazine editor Allen Wallace says Simms will definitely use one of his five official visits to take a look at Pitt.
Oakland, you better not stink that day.
Simms isn't just another quarterback - well, actually, he would be just another quarterback at some of the other colleges he's considering, schools where they rake in blue chips like the guy who brought marked cards to the poker game.
At Pitt, Simms could be a savior.
Recruiting Simms means more to Pitt than just getting a great quarterback who would almost certainly come in and play right away.
It means a ton in terms of recruiting credibility.
If Coach Walt Harris lands the No. 1 QB in the country, his recruiting pitches will sound a lot sweeter to receivers who can catch Simms' passes, to linemen who can gain fame blocking for Simms, to running backs who can benefit from Simms' presence, to every top schoolboy player who knows how much impact a great quarterback can have.
True blue-chippers don't want to hear about rebuilding long term. But if Pitt gets Simms, forget about rebuilding.
The future would be now, at least in theory.
"If Pitt got Chris Simms, it would be the biggest signing of the year in terms of how it would affect a program," said Wallace.
No way Pitt is the favorite to land Simms. Right now the Panthers are a lousy team with a very good coach, and Simms can do better than that.
Or can he?
When you're as talented as Simms, you have to think about the NFL somewhere in the back of your mind. You have to think about what path would lead to the pros.
You have to think about everything Walt Harris could do in that regard.
Harris' fame as a quarterback guru is well known.
Boomer Esiason readily says how Harris helped give him a new lease on his career when Harris coached Esiason with the New York Jets.
Pete Gonzalez is a testimonial to what Harris can do for a college QB. Gonzalez went from being Matt Lytle's backup to being a member of the Steelers after just one season with Harris.
Combine that with the fact that Harris' offense can make a quarterback look good, and Pitt actually seems a logical choice for Simms.
Unfortunately, Harris' reputation can't block for Simms or catch his passes.
Simms would certainly come in and play pretty quickly but would likely leave a lot of games horizontally if that recruiting trickle-down didn't happen in a hurry.
Pitt's chase of Simms could affect their pursuit of Perry senior QB Rod Rutherford, maybe the best schoolboy football player in Western Pennsylvania.
Rutherford wants to play quarterback in college. If he goes to the same school as Simms, he won't. What if Rutherford chooses elsewhere, then Simms also chooses elsewhere?
No matter.
Pitt must continue after Simms. He can make a program. Rutherford can't.
Wallace believes Pitt has a shot at Simms.
"Pitt has a realistic chance because of Harris. The job Harris did with Gonzalez really impressed Chris. I don't think Pitt is in the lead - I believe Penn State is, although Chris hasn't said that - but Pitt has a chance," Wallace said.
Pitt has been down this road before.
In 1993, Ron Powlus of Berwick, Pa., was the No. 1 QB in the country. Powlus' college choice came down to Notre Dame and Pitt. He chose Notre Dame. He was a bust.
But what if Powlus had picked Pitt?
The results likely would have been the same, but his presence might have attracted other big-time recruits.
It's far-fetched to say that Pitt would have been a consistent bowl presence had Powlus matriculated there, but it's not too crazy to say that Pitt might have been mediocre instead of wretched during Johnny Majors' most recent tenure as Pitt's coach. Majors might still have his job.
Ron, I hope it's not too late for Pitt fans to thank you.
Mark Madden hosts a sports talk show on WTAE-AM 1250 weekdays from 4-8 p.m.
|
||||||||||||
