Pittiful: Paul - Bill Stull looked comfortable with the offense and well in command on Saturday. But I was amazed how much air he gets under his long passes. Most of them were underthrown enough that the receiver had to slow down a bit to catch them. Are Bostick or Smith any better at throwing the long ball?

Paul Zeise: i think Smith has a stronger arm than Stull and Bostick but I wouldn't classify any of the three as having exceptional arm strength. And I didn't see a lot of deep balls completed by any of them in camp for some of the reasons you describe. It will be interesting, however, to see if things improve in this category with more experience for any of them.

gravy_lover: Will Pitt ever be relevant again in football?

Paul Zeise: Excellent question -- that's the plan obviously by the coaches but at this point it is going slowly. Think about it this way -- if Pitt doesn't beat Michigan State next week, is there any reason for the nation to pay attention to the Panthers the rest of the way?

Fred_Flinstone: Will we finally see Maurice Williams?

Paul Zeise: I would think, coaches wanted to get him in last week but I think the injury to Stull and the fact that the game just sort of slowed down to a grinding halt in some ways as they attempted just to win it and get out of it without more injuries, made so there was no good situation to get him in and get his feet wet.

HBCU-4-Life: Paul, is there any truth to the rumor that Bill Stull is not starting this week because he has a fantasy football draft on Saturday afternoon?

Paul Zeise: Yeah, that's it. You sure nailed that one.

Fred_Flinstone: What about LeSean McCoy will he get more carries?

Paul Zeise: That's the plan. Coaches are trying to find the right balance between getting him enough carries to get started and have a big day while keeping LaRod Stephens-Howling heavily involved in the game plan as well. Coaches believe they have a good one-two punch, now they just need to know how to use it.

Fred_Flinstone: Who will start at corner this week?

Paul Zeise: Ricky Gary but Dave Wannstedt said Aaron Berry will play some snaps out there as well as he continues to heal. This is also a four-wide team so there will be plenty of opportunity to play extra defensive backs and corners.

gravy_lover: Will Pitt ever go back to the script Pitt on the helmet?

Paul Zeise: Not as long as Jeff Long is in charge. He doesn't want it, doesn't think it is relevant and his marketing minions -- otherwise known as yes men -- continue to agree with him so this subject is a dead one.

gravy_lover: Will Pitt ever be able to compete with the atmosphere of Penn St. or Ohio St.?

Paul Zeise: The Miami Hurricanes have never competed with the atmosphere of Michigan or an Ohio State or PSU and guess what, they won a bunch of national titles. Atmosphere is very over rated. Heinz Field was amped up for a few of those Miami and Virginia Tech games and if Pitt gets back to playing big-time relevant games at home, the atmosphere will be fine. Will it be College Station Texas? No, but that's a completely different animal because it is a college town. Of course, for all the pageantry and atmosphere at A&M, how many titles has it produced?

HBCU-4-Life: Paul, the fullbacks had 8 carries and 2 TDs against Eastern Michigan. Will you stop complaining about getting the ball to Conredge Collins now?

Paul Zeise: No, I think they could have been used more and if I am not mistaken four of those carries went to Shane Brooks. Collins is a big weapon and should be a big part of the offense.

Bob_Dylan: Hi Paul: Last week you said you were going to answer the question someone submitted about players from Pitt's last two recruiting classes who were heavily recruited but who now appear not be be D-1A caliber players, but I have not seen the answer to this question on either your Q&A or on the Chat transcript. Could you please provide the answer to this very interesting question?

Paul Zeise: Check back with my Q&A either today or tomorrow...

HBCU-4-Life: Paul, do you agree that it's in Pitt's best interests to bench McCoy for the next few weeks so he's a secret weapon for the conference games? I think he might be the best-kept secret in the Big East.

Paul Zeise: I find it had to believe that a guy is considered the best kept secret when he was the No. 1 rated running back recruit in the country his senior year in high school. Further, I think LeSean McCoy needs to have a few 100 yards games before we start putting him in any category other than a freshman with great potential.

shadyforheisman: Paul- I love the new defensive line - especially Tommie Duhart.

Paul Zeise: Yes, the defensive line will only get better. I think Duhart will improve, Romeus will improve and the Jabaal Sheard kid is almost as impressive of an athlete as Romeus. Also, don't overlook the return of Mick Williams. He is a great addition to the lineup and he is as talented of a defensive tackle as they've had in quite some time. He just needs more reps and to stay healthy. Things seem to be shaping up well for this unit.

Fralic_rules: Do you think McGlynn starting at guard this week is to get him back into the flow after his injury? Will we eventually see him at center and Thomas back at guard?

Paul Zeise: That's a good possibility but don't forget that Thomas has been banged up a little bit and hasn't really been 100 percent, so this is as much to try and get him healed and back in shape as it is because of his performance. I think McGlynn will play all three line positions at some point this season UNLESS he settles in at center, which is still something to watch.

gravy_lover: Are we in the era of Pitt athletics when it changed from a football school to a basketball school?

Paul Zeise: No. As good as the basketball team has been, Pitt fans are still generally a cranky bunch and it is mostly because football season hasn't been good in a few years. This is still a football town and a football state and if the football team ever becomes good again its popularity and media coverage will far supercede anything the basketball has received. That is just how it is. You want 66,000 fans at Heinz Field, just start winning and playing better home games.

shadyforheisman: Paul - how bad was the O-line this past weekend? From my point of view from the seats - I saw quite a few nice runs from McCoy and Howling.

Paul Zeise: Well the run game produced only 130 yards (I think that's the number) and like 3 yards per carry against possibly the worst team they will face. I think Grambling won't be as big but I'd expect them to be more active, which doesn't bode well either. I also think the line didn't do a particularly good job in pass protection either. It has to play a lot better and with McGlynn back in the fold it should improve some.

GLOCKGLOCK: Is the plan to rotate in RB packages series to series like last week or will we see McCoy/Colins/Stephens-Howling rotated in and out in different combinations during the same offensive series?

Paul Zeise: They are going to use all kinds of combinations depending on down and distance and game situation, but I think that the tailbacks and fullbacks will be used specific to each series. So it will be a lot like last week, though I'd fully expect a lot more work from McCoy.

HBCU-4-Life: Paul, EMU was a four-wide team, too, and they only went to an extra defensive back a handful of times. This is not a question.

Paul Zeise: EMU didn't try and throw the ball as much as Grambling does. EMU was more similar to WVU with their spread while Grambling is more similar to Toledo. This is not an answer.

Stew: Paul, aside from TV reasons, what other reasons are there as to why the majority of the rest of Pitt's games have a start time of "TBA"? Don't the TV networks care about those of us that don't work a M-F 9-5 job and need to make arrangements ahead of time to go to games?

Paul Zeise: Unfortunately, no. And Pitt wants to keep all the times open because any game that TV shows even a little interest in the athletic department will do what it takes to make it happen, including changing a day if possible (see Wednesday game versus Navy). Just to be safe -- take the entire Saturday off of the games you want to go to and that way the game time is irrelevant.

Fralic_rules: If Smith gets the start this week, how many snaps do you see Bostick getting? A 60%-40% split or greater? Is it different if Bostick starts?

Paul Zeise: I think the starter will get at least 80 percent of the snaps if not more, regardless of who it is. I don't see a rotating quarterback system, unless the starter stinks out the joint and is benched.

Fralic_rules: Does Wannstedt keep rotating guys in and out of the OLine if it struggles again this week? Does Shady make some big runs this week, even without a solid O-Line?

Paul Zeise: Yes, Dave has already said he doesn't care who the best five are, he just wants to find them and will do what it takes to find them. And McCoy has been able to rip off some big runs almost every day during camp even with just a small hole or no real hole opened up so I'd expect him to be able to do it Saturday.

Fralic_rules: Surprised by Wyoming going to Virginia and outplaying them? Good omen for Pitt down the road, or does Groh finally get more out of their talent?

Paul Zeise: I was surprised by that score and I'm not sure what it means for Pitt because it was at Wyoming. The Cavaliers offense really didn't do much at all. You want to talk about a coach on a hot seat, Al Groh's days are numbered if this doesn't change in a hurry. The game certainly seems more winnable today than it did a month ago, but you have to figure they'll improve over the next few weeks.

GLOCKGLOCK: So are we back to the same issues with the Offensive Line now that Joe Thomas has lost his job after one week to McGlynn or does the coaching staff have the unit in a position to show considerable improvement in '07?

Paul Zeise: It better improve, if it doesn't then Pitt fans can start looking ahead to Midnight Madness for the basketball season because this football season is over. You can't play as poorly as the line did last week and expect to beat anyone, well, except for Eastern Michigan. And the offensive line looked a step slow and even slower to react, so that is not a good sign at all.

shadyforheisman: Paul - even though you are supposed to be impartial and are part of the media - do you root for Pitt?

Paul Zeise: No I don't root for Pitt and the only vested interest I have in the Panthers is if they win more it means I get to go to a better destination over the holidays. If they lose more I get to spend the holidays at home with my kids.

GLOCKGLOCK: Has Dickerson moved ahead of Gunn at LB or will the position still be handled like it was last week?

Paul Zeise: No, in fact Gunn has seemingly tightened his grip on the starting job though the two will still split time. Gunn was listed as the starter on the two-deep this week as opposed to the co-starter.

Fralic_rules: Speaking of Long's marketing staff, do you really expect a big turnout to see the Grambling band at halftime? They are desperate to fill seats with that stuff, or does getting a look at Bostick bring out more fans?

Paul Zeise: You'd hope more fans would be there to see the football team than the Grambling band but at this point, whatever it takes should be the marketing plan.

Sandlot_Wizard: Is the issue with the OL cohesiveness or is it a question of talent?

Paul Zeise: or coaching? You have to look at it all. I'm not sure, I think Pitt has some talented linemen finally (not enough of course) and yes, they haven't played together as much as they need this camp because of the injuries, but if this doesn't improve quickly, it would make you begin to wonder about why this unit has not improved much, if at all, in three seasons.

shadyforheisman: Paul - thinking back to the last two times Pitt has played in front of large hostile away crowds (Nebraska & Texas A&M) - they responded fairly well. But after watching some of the Michigan State game this past Saturday - do you think Pitt has a chance at all come next Saturday?

Paul Zeise: It is going to be tough. The Spartans lined up and knocked UAB off the ball and ran it down their throats all day long with little resistence. This will be the first real test of just how improved the defensive line really is. I do think Pitt can score some points versus the Spartans defense, but stopping them is going to be an issue.

gravy_lover: Why doesn't Pitt drop down to 1-AA like Villanova?

Paul Zeise: Because Pitt wants to and should play big-time football.

GLOCKGLOCK: All the players talked about last week after the game was the impact Buddy Morris has had on the team. Do you buy this? Shouldn't the OLine benefit most from the Morris hiring? If so, we sure didn't see any results.

Paul Zeise: I have no idea about the impact of a strength and conditioning guy and I am always skeptical when a new one is hired and everyone starts talking about how much improved their fitness is. Go back and read the quotes when Kennedy was hired and when Jeff Kent was hired -- they are very similar. It is just too easy to blame failures on the fitness guru. I'm sure Buddy Morris is great at what he does, but ultimately talent and game day coaching wins football games because every team is strong, big and fast.

shadyforheisman: Paul - why did they move the band to the other side of Heinz Field?

Paul Zeise: I have no idea but I can sure ask someone and get back to you.

patbostick: Does the coaching staff care if the team is .500 or worse this year? What incentives do they have to win?

Paul Zeise: Yes, they do and the incentive is if they can get to a bowl game and show some real progress they can have a shot at closing strong in recruiting. There are a lot of these prospects waiting to see what happens with this team so a little success can go a long way towards making January and February much happier.

patbostick: How much money can Pitt save by dropping football and focusing on other sports?

Paul Zeise: None, they'd actually lose money because the football program has been profitable for most of the years since 2000.

patbostick: If Pitt loses this weekend, is it time to give up on football altogether and release the kids who wasted their time here?

Paul Zeise: No, but speaking of wasting time...

MPM: I was impressed with the tackling against Eastern Michigan. It seemed like the players were taking the proper angles and wrapping the ball carrier up, something we've not seen enough of over the last few seasons. Was this a point of emphasis during camp?

Paul Zeise: Yes, absolutely. I also think some of the players, like Scott McKillop, like Adam Gunn, like Eric Thatcher and Shane Murray are just very good, sure handed tacklers. Paul Rhoads said the tape revealed Pitt only missed two tackles, that is is a big improvement.

gravy_lover: I disagree with your QB thoughts-let the kid play now and go after a championship next year-who remembers a 5,6,7 win team anyway?

Paul Zeise: Again, are you going to tell the other 104 kids, including the seniors who have no next year, that winning games this year doesn't matter, that all their hard work was nice but meaningless, that next year is more important than this year? That is bad business and a good way to lose your entire team for good.

HBCU-4-Life: Paul, do you think that Joe Thomas struggled against E. Michigan because he has two first names? My father always told me never to trust a man with two first names?

Paul Zeise: Could be, good theory. Your father is a wise man. But I'm guessing the various injuries he's nursing had a much bigger impact.

HBCU-4-Life: Paul, follow-up to that Joe Thomas question: do you trust men with two first names? Michael Douglas comes to mind...

Paul Zeise: Michael Douglas is one of my favorite actors, so yes to answer your question. "I'm here to tell you that greed is good..."

HBCU-4-Life: Paul, follow-up to that Stull question: is there any truth to the rumor that Stull is not starting this week because he is focusing his time on the battle of the bands? I hear he plays a mean bass drum.

Paul Zeise: He is mutli-talented, but he can't play an instrument if he can't hold it and with a bad thumb he can't hold it.

Fralic_rules: Wanny mention after the E. Mich game that Oderick Turner has benefitted greatly from Morris' offseason training. Are we going to see him breakout as a top WR in college football this season with Kinder out? How important has Morris been in improving Pitt's strength and conditioning program?

Paul Zeise: It will be tough for Turner to really break out I think because of the quarterback situation but I expect him to have a big year and be the leader of the receiving group. He'll be their go-to guy for big plays so he should score a lot of touchdowns. As for the offseason conditioning program, I've answered this -- I can't quantify the impact of it.

GLOCKGLOCK: Despite the coaching staff continuing to be non-committal on the QB situation, will we see both Smith and Bostick this weekend? Barring Smith coming out and channelling Dan Marino there is no way Bostick will be red-shirted at this point?

Paul Zeise: Yes we will see both but I'd be shocked if Smith isn' t the starter and -- unless he isn't very good and is benched -- plays the majority of the plays.

JackHammer: Are any of the players from the last two recruiting classes that you think are overhyped now that you see them in practice?

Paul Zeise: Nice try.

GLOCKGLOCK: What do you think of South Florida @ Auburn this week? Does SF have what it takes to rack up a big win for the Big East?

Paul Zeise: Yes, because they play good defense and I think this Grothe kid is the real deal. It will be very tough in that hostile enviroment, however, because I'm not sure how many of South Florida's kids have played in a place like Auburn.

GLOCKGLOCK: With all the hype around the decision at QB will the coaching staff have this team ready for Grambling and not looking ahead to next weekend?

Paul Zeise: Yes, they'll be ready to play. Will they play well? I guess you'll have to buy a ticket and see for yourself.

gravy_lover: A&M isn't what I'm talking about Paul! OSU, PSU, TX, USC-can we compete with them? they have 90,000 at their scrimmage games-we have 5,000

Paul Zeise: Just win games and more people will show up. And if you win more games, you'll generate more interest. It is that simple, regardless of how many fans come to games -- win them. Pitt hasn't done much of that recently.

patbostick: Is Grambling 1A or 1AA?

Paul Zeise: 1-AA Sandlot_Wizard: Who do you think is Pitt's best player right now on offense and defense?

Paul Zeise: I'd say their best player on defense is either Thatcher or Scott McKillop and their best player on offense is Nate Byham or LeSean McCoy.

gravy_lover: Bottom line: How many wins does this team have? Give an exact number.

Paul Zeise: One at the moment.

gravy_lover: Any chance the Panthers will change their colors to match the Steelers?

Paul Zeise: No.

gravy_lover: Any chance Pitt builds a new stadium in Panther Hollow?

Paul Zeise: No.

Paul Zeise: Well this has been fun but it is clear it has run its course. Thanks for all the questions, let's do it again next Thursday and remember you can continue to ask questions every day which I will answer in my Q&A. Thanks again.