My gosh, does Head Coach Greg Robinson do some bonehead stuff! He pulled starting QB Perry Patterson before the half--and he was actually playing decently (for once)--to put in a totally one-dimensional guy, Joe Fields. Fields was 1 for 8 thowing the ball ON THE YEAR coming into this game, and promptly threw an interception. Syracuse was winning most of the first half, but that move turned things around for Pitt. To compound things, they brought Fields back to start the 2nd half, and it was 3 and out. Pitt took over the game from there. That had to be one of the worst coaching decisions I have seen this year. Syracuse's defense continues to play with passion and heart, but the CDS mod staff could play better offense than the Orange if you gave us a couple weeks to get ready...lol.
SCOUTING SUMMARY
College: Syracuse Conference: Big East
Name Jersey# Height Weight Speed Position
Damien Rhodes 1 600.8 204 4.54 HB: The fact that he is the only really running threat is getting him killed. Not a very productive day at all, as you might expect when they can't throw and Damien is the only weapon the Pitt defense needs to key on. Still, the great ones find a way to make plays, and Damien didn't make many at all. SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE
Anthony Smith 20 600.5 194 4.52 S: This guy is one of the best safeties in college football, and deserves to be ranked in the top 10 senior safeties by CDS, IMHO...had a GREAT game today...interception, blocked kick, ton of tackles...was all over the field, and was still the EVEREADY BUNNY down 17 late in the 4th. VERY POSITIVE
Kellen Pruitt 41 603.7 226 4.72 LB: Best game I've seen from Kellen this year. Made quite a few plays and was aware in coverage and solid on wide running stuff. Doesn't break down quite as well as I'd like to see, but showed he can be a UDFA if he plays like this down the stretch. SLIGHTLY POSITVE
James Wyche 90 604.5 260 4.80 DE: Not one of James's better days. It started with a bang when he sacked the QB, forced a fumble and had an amazing recovery of that fumble all on one play in the first quarter. That one play displayed his amazing gifts. I think he is getting sick of losing, and is losing heart though, as he did not play as hard as I've seen him play in other games. Had a TFL and several assisted tackles but disappeared in the second half. SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE
Ryan LaCasse 94 602.7 260 4.85 DE: Displayed his remarkable speed running down Pitt speedster Larod Stephens-Howling on a sweep to the sidelines. Kep his motor running for four quarters, but had no TFLs or sacks--which he needs to do every game to keep Syracuse alive. Did not pressure the pocket as well today.
NEUTRAL
Brendan Carney 0.0 N/A P: Did not do that well. NEUTRAL
College: Pittsburgh Conference: Big East
Name Jersey# Height Weight Speed Position
Bernard "Josh" Lay 12 601.8 195 4.60 CB: Josh's best game this year! He came to play today. Had about 4 tackles and 2 PDs. Showed good awareness in the passing game, but doesn't exhibit the big hitting ability he'd need to be ranked higher than he is by CDS. POSITIVE
Greg Lee 86 602.0 198 4.50 WR: Ouch! Was that really Greg Lee out there today? He came in 32 for 664, 5 TDs, and had just one catch. It was a very nice grab, but he has got to be more involved. SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE
Erik Gill 45 604.5 270 4.81 TE: Erik had a catch in the third quarter and blocked OK, but he is slipping out of contention for a draft spot. Just doesn't do enough of anything at a high level. NEUTRAL
H.B. Blades 51 511.0 244 4.61 LB: Best player on the Pitt roster. Had a 37-yard int return for a TD, around 12 tackles. Was a vocal leader. Hits hard. Wants it. Knows how to wrap and drive back. I love Blades...could be a second-rounder next year, even if he is only 5'11". POSITIVE
Charles Spencer 56 604.7 330 5.50 OT: Did not wow me like he did in the Rutgers game, but he is going to make somebody a very solid mid-round steal in the 2006 NFL draft. Drive blocks like the former DT he is. Is massive--impossible to get around--and shows the feet of a 290-pounder in pass pro. This guy is a tackle to NOT FORGET. SLIGHTLY POSITIVE
Tyler Palko 0.0 N/A QB: eh....NEUTRAL
Adam Graessle 0.0 N/A P: Worse game I have seen from Graessle. NEGATIVE
Notes:
Syracues TE Joe Kowalewski was a potential PP candidate a few weeks back...no more. Played, but did nothing.