I've put together a preview of tomorrow's college football national signing day. So far Pitt has 15 commits for the 2012 class and those include:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/pittsburgh/football/recruiting/commitments/2012
http://pittsburgh.scout.com/a.z?s=141&p=9&c=8&yr=2012
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/school/_/id/221/pittsburgh
You can check out those links to look at the who's already committed. The only guy that's openly on the fence is Adam Pankey. I'll talk about him later in this post. I expect everyone else to stay put. I can't see Pitt getting anyone to flip tomorrow so don't expect to see any big names, but Bostad and Rudolph consistently found gems while at Wisconsin. Both lines need to be addressed tomorrow and I see several offensive lineman inking Pitt tomorrow. None of these guys will impress you with their stars or reports, but Pitt has the best offensive line coach in the nation. He gets big bodies that project well and turn them into solid players. Just look at what he did with two and three star recruits for the Badgers.
This is where it gets exciting..
Let's start with Deaysean Rippy, an outside linebacker from Sto-Rox. He's listed his final three as Pitt, WVU and Arizona. Rippy also took a visit to Colorado where his older brother plays. A report came out about an hour ago stating that his high school coach expects him to sign with Pitt tomorrow. I tweeted to him about it and he replied saying that he hasn't made a decision yet. This is just a case of Rippy trying to get his spotlight tomorrow and you can't blame him. I do expect him to sign with Pitt though. This would be an important get for Pitt as the linebacking corp is thin and young. Todd Thomas and Ejuan Price were impressive this year and adding Rippy to the mix makes the future bright.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/papreps/football/recruiting/player-Deaysean-Rippy-115327
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/86490/deaysean-rippy
http://pittsburgh.scout.com/a.z?s=141&p=8&c=1&nid=4587758
Bam Bradley, a safety from Ohio, is another guy I highly anticipate will sign with Pitt tomorrow. Bam has taken visits to Pitt, Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford and Arizona. Safety is another area of need for the Panthers with Holley coming into his senior year. Expect to see Bradley join the family tomorrow.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Bam-Bradley-103866
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/119839/bam-bradley
http://pittsburgh.scout.com/a.z?s=141&p=8&c=1&nid=4898092
V'Angelo Bentley is next on my list and he's another defensive back from Ohio. He has visited Pitt, Toledo, Kansas and Illinois. From what I've seen he has sub 4.5 speed and good coverage instincts. I see him becoming a Pitt Panther as well
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-V'Angelo-Bentley-121487
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/123367/vangelo-bentley
http://pittsburgh.scout.com/a.z?s=141&p=8&c=1&nid=4786316
Here's an interesting one. Adam Pankey. Pankey, a massive offensive tackle from Ohio, committed months ago but after the coaching shake up he recently took a visit to WVU. Several writers feel that he's going to flip on his soft verbal and join the Dark Side. I tend to disagree. I can understand taking an official elsewhere to get a feel for another program and to assure yourself you made the right decision. Especially after a coaching change, but bringing in Bob Bostad how could you not want to play for the guy? The free trip and wild party down in Morgantown was most likely impressive but when it comes to football and you're an offensive lineman.. you get the idea. Pankey should stay put.
Let's stick with the offensive line because that may be the most important position going into tomorrow. Bostad isn't necessarily going after the highly touted recruits. He wants some big bodied country boys. When him and Chryst were introduced they talked about "knocking the heads off the opponents". These next lineman should be able to provide that.
Josh Stepoli (6'7'' 275)
Heavily recruited by the former coaching staff and Bostad seems to have picked up where they left off. He has taken only one visit and that was to East Carolina, but he has been up in Pittsburgh for an unofficial. Stepoli moves people and projects nicely with that size.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Josh-Stepoli-120455
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/122067/josh-stepoli
http://pittsburgh.scout.com/a.z?s=141&p=8&c=1&nid=5282399
Ryan Anderson (6'4'' 312)
Another Ohio prospect that recently picked up a Pitt offer. Anderson needs to improve his mobility, but he's a big boy that gets his job done. This would be a decent get for Pitt who desperately needs big bodies for this offense.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Ryan-Anderson-117943
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/119846/ryan-anderson
http://pittsburgh.scout.com/a.z?s=141&p=8&c=1&nid=5090525
Tyler Alt (6'3'' 275)
A Pittsburgh boy (GCC) that's been under the radar but expect to see him commit tomorrow. Bostad likes what he's seen on film and there's no need for a local kid to take an official. He didn't receive and offer yet and might not but we need all the lineman we can get.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/bwi/football/recruiting/player-Tyler-Alt-105070
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=4591552
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/125790/tyler-alt
Now onto other position players..
Wayne Capers from Chartiers Valley has been a kid that I've followed time and time again and kept waiting for him to declare himself a Panther. I think tomorrow is that day still, but it's making sense to me now. He played quarterback in high school and is listed as a receiver. Clearly he had some convincing to do, but Chryst supposedly offered him tonight. He's a gifted athlete but I haven't seen his route running or catching ability. The speed is there, but again like most of these guys.. we'll have to wait and see.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/bwi/football/recruiting/player-Wayne-Capers-105412
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/112474/wayne-capers
http://pittsburgh.scout.com/a.z?s=141&p=8&c=1&nid=4591537
Onto the defensive line where Terrell Jackson out of Ohio is expected to sign with Pitt tomorrow. His final four include Pitt, Michigan State, Iowa and Illinois. He's visited each one of those schools except Michigan State. This is another kid that has stuck around through the coaching change. Jackson would be a nice get for a limited defensive line.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Terrell-Jackson-125913;_ylt=AiuyYPzBp8qhSeNhR_uDtXlIPZB4
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/133378/terrell-jackson
http://pittsburgh.scout.com/a.z?s=141&p=8&c=1&nid=5181352
This could be the steal of the class. Anthony Standifer, a cornerback form Illinois, will not announce his college decision tomorrow because he will be taking an official to Pitt this weekend. That's big news because the other two schools he is considering are Boise State and Notre Dame, both of which he has recently visited. I've seen many writers that think Standifer will join this class especially because he's waiting to take his official and not announce tomorrow. Rivals has Pitt as 'High' interest and everyone else as low. Interesting..
http://pittsburgh.scout.com/a.z?s=141&p=8&c=1&nid=5460417
http://rivals.yahoo.com/michigan/football/recruiting/player-Anthony-Standifer-123823
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/115848/anthony-standifer
That's all I have for you guys at the moment. If you have any questions get a hold of me. I hope you all enjoy Signing Day and I wish your programs the best of luck.
Hail to Pitt
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
NFL Week 2 Recap
The second week of the NFL regular season is in the books and there are currently seven teams that have remained undefeated through the weekend. The Pittsburgh Steelers bounced back nicely following an embarrassing loss to their division rival Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers shrugged off their doubters and put up and impressive 24-0 beat-down of the Seattle Seahwaks. Their defense recorded five sacks and held the Seahawks' offense to 133 total yards. The Buffalo Bills were one of those teams to remain undefeated, but it didn't come easily. The Bills were trailing 21-3 in the first half. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick led their offense to a 35-point second half performance, including a 6-yard pass to David Nelson with 16 seconds left to secure the 38-35 victory. The Detroit Lions, another 2-0 team, had their home opener on Sunday and showed the NFL why they should be taken seriously this year. The Lions lit up the Chiefs for 48 points and held Kansas City to a meager three. Lions' Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes on the day, two of which went to wide out Calvin Johnson. That wasn't the biggest loss of the day for the Chiefs, however. Star running back Jamaal Charles left the game with an apparent knee injury and the team reported shortly after that he had suffered a torn ACL. Charles' season-ending knee injury is the team's fourth this season (including Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry). The Cleveland Browns handed the Colts their first loss since 1994. The Colts continue to look lost without their franchise quarterback Peyton Manning. Cam Newton put on another show this week, throwing for over 400 yards again. Like last week, though, the Panthers suffered another loss. This time it was to the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. This game was not supposed to be a contest, but Newton is showing why he was the first overall pick in this year's draft. Tony Romo and the Cowboys went into the bay to take on the 49ers. This overtime thriller tested the Cowboys'. Romo left the game during the first half with two fractured ribs and a punctured lung. His return looked extremely doubtful, but after the second half kickoff he emerged from the locker room. Romo rallied his offense to within three and kicker Dan Bailey netted a 48-yard field goal to send it into overtime. On the Cowboys' first play of the extra period, Romo found Jesse Holley on a 77-yard play. That set up a 19-yard chip shot for Bailey to end the game. On Sunday night, Mike Vick's much-anticipated return to Atlanta took place. The Falcons didn't throw much of a welcome-back party. Vick struggled throughout the game throwing an interception and fumbling three times (lost two). Despite the turnovers, Vick gave the Eagles a solid chance to pull out the victory, but then late in third Vick's night took a turn for the worst. After completing a pass to wide out Jeremy Maclin on a crucial third down, Vick collided with offensive lineman Todd Herremans. Vick had to leave the game with an obvious concussion and back-up Mike Kafka could not hold onto the lead. The Falcons stormed back in the fourth and sent the Eagles home with a 35-31 defeat.
That's it for this week's recap, hopefully you enjoyed it. Check back next Tuesday for the week three rundown. I'll leave you with some highlights...
Friday, September 16, 2011
NFL Week 1 Recap
The NFL regular season kicked off last Thursday when the Packers defeated the Saints 42-34 in a shootout at Lambeau Field. That was just the beginning of an exciting opening week. The Ravens and Steelers went head-to-head on Sunday, with the Ravens delivering an impressive 35-7 victory. The Ravens forced 7 turnovers in the game and rushed for 170 yards, a feat that is unheard of for Steelers fans. The Buffalo Bills went into Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs, and they put on a clinic as they scored 41 points. Bills' quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick only managed to throw for 208 yards, but he threw for four touchdowns. The Indianapolis Colts played their first game without Peyton Manning under center on Sunday. He had made an impressive 227 consecutive starts. Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins stepped in and tried to take on as much of the complex playbook as he could handle in a couple of weeks. Starting their season of against the up-and-coming Houston Texans didn't help the Colts' cause. Houston went on to win the game 34-7. Collins was 16 for 31 and threw for 197 yards, but did manage to complete a touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne (the score was already 34-0). In his first career NFL start, Panthers' rookie quarterback and first overall draft pick, Cam Newton, put on a show. The former Auburn star and Heisman trophy-winner set an NFL record as he threw for 422 yards in his first game. The quarterback had mixed emotions about his performance because the Panthers fell late to the Cardinals 28-21. In his press conference after the game he displayed his maturity and devotion to his team; focusing more on the loss than his record-setting performance. There's a bright future in Carolina. The Sunday night showdown between the Cowboys and Jets was no letdown. Jets' kicker Nick Folk hit a 50-yard field goal with 27 seconds left to propel the Jets to a 27-24 win. That was just the ending to an all-around thrilling game; a game that was the most-watched in Sunday Night Football history (25.38 million viewers). For the Jets, a blocked punt by former USC taiback Joe McKnight sparked their fourth quarter comeback. Before that score, Mark Sanchez threw a 26-yard strike to Plaxico Burress, who was playing in his first regular season game in nearly three years. The Cowboys looked impressive through the first three quarters. Quarterback Tony Romo consistently found receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, as well as tight end Jason Witten. Bryant's potential was highlighted in the Cowboy's first drive as he connected with Romo for a score. His domination of cornerback Antonio Cromartie on the drive led to the Jets moving arguably the best shut-down corner in the league, Darrelle Revis, over to cover Bryant for the remainder of the game. As usual, Romo fell apart after the third and ended up throwing an interception to Revis to end the Cowboys last hopes of tying up the score. Sunday's games were satisfying enough, but Tom Brady and the Patriots decided to follow the script and ran into a shootout down in Miami. Brady's NFL record of throwing 358 consecutive regular-season passes without an interception came to an end, but he settled in to throw for 517 yards and four scores. One of those touchdown strikes was to Wes Welker for 99 yards, a distance that can only be tied in the NFL record books. Dolphins' quarterback Chad Henne may have ended up on the losing team and out of the spotlight due to Brady's efforts, but he had a solid game himself. Henne completed 30 passes for 416 yards and also rushed for 59. The Patriots cruised to a 38-24 victory. The final game of the first week had a record-tying performance as well. Raiders' kicker Sebastian Janikowski booted a 63 yard field goal during the Radiers' 23-20 victory. Janikowski was humbly quoted saying, "To be honest, I didn't hit it that good. It barely got over the bar," Oakland's strong-legged kicker said after tying an NFL record with his monster kick as the first half expired. "I hit a 70-yarder in pregame."
That's it for this week's recap, but be sure to check out the High Octane Blather after next week's action.
That's it for this week's recap, but be sure to check out the High Octane Blather after next week's action.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Introduction to H.O.B.
My name is Steve Cramer, a graduate from Penn-Trafford High School, and I'm currently a sophomore in the Sport Management program at Slippery Rock University. My future goals consist of being an athletic director at a high-end Division I university or a General Manager for a professional sports team. My interests lie within a wide-range of sports. The competitive nature and excitement in any competition is compelling enough to keep my attention. This blog will touch on a variety of aspects in sport. Topics will range from news-breaking headlines to underlying stories that I feel should receive more attention. I hope you all enjoy.
-Steve Cramer
-Steve Cramer
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