in Pitt Football 405 Words

Trojan’d

Jordan Addison is gone – we think. Bought for two million dollars, maybe three. There were also rumors of a house. Well USC can have him. He won us a Billitnekoff. He won us a coastal, and (with Kenny), helped us secure an ACC Championship. My beef is not with Jordan, because while three Million dollars isn’t all that much in the grand scheme of things, it still changes the life of 95% of families in this country.

My beef is with USC. Lincoln Riley. Oh yeah, it’s the wild wild west out there, and USC has walked into the saloon with the six-guns blazing. Well let me say this to you, Lincoln Riely. You’re in year one of a rebuild. Pitt’s in year eight of a Program. So go ahead, shoot up the place. Then amble up the the bar and twirl that shiny pearl-handled revolver (snicker) around that tiny finger (yeah that’s a small hand reference), and blow smoke off the barrel. You still wouldn’t be man enough to play Pitt. Even if you did steal their best player. You know why? Because they’d beat you. Our rag-tag bunch of three-star recruits would take your gang of four-and-five star prima-donnas, and punch them in the jaw, boat race them up and down the field and leave them lying on the turf, bruised and bleeding. Because you know why? Hard work. Dedication. Principles. You think your west-coast finesse can beat Pittsburgh Physicality? You think your locker room is tight? You think 4-8 USC (one year removed) is better than 10-3 Clemson was last year? Better think again homey.

You see, money makes you soft. And sunshine makes you easy. It’s rain and hills and hard work makes you a Man. And you ain’t that. You’re just a cheating riverboat gambler who’s moved onto the next hustle. So take your one year three-million-dollar rental. Take him. Put him up in that million dollar house and let him soak up that So-Cal sunshine. You’ll get what you pay for. No more, no less. But you won’t get heart, or soul. or anything that resembles culture. Because you can’t buy that. For any price.

Oh, and Heather Lyke, I know you’re reading this. Even if Addison doesn’t go west, I think it’s time to get USC on the schedule. Because this one’s personal. For the fans. For the team. For the future of College Football.

#wenotme

Michaelangelo Monteleone

240 thoughts on “Trojan’d”

  3. How many hundred times can I like this article. Nooo….How many times can I LOVE this article!!! Mucho gracias.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. LA is a hole, I had to go there regarding a previous job I had at the time one week every 6 weeks for 3 years.

    Sunshine?

    If it can get through the smog, I wish him the best.

    NIL recruitment poaching must be addressed, I don’t blame Addison, I blame how it was done.

    Look for Texas, Florida State and Miami to poach in a similar fashion.

    This is going to further enable ‘boosters’ to peddle their influence over a program and win at all costs.

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  6. Even though I’m no Clemson fan, we all have to admit Dabo is right. He said stuff like this would happen. The NIL has now made the portal about money. It originally was about playing time and the finding the right fit for the player.

    I felt guilty that we took Akron’s best player Mumphford a few months ago and now it is happening to us. The landscape of the game has changed and it begs the question: How can an up and coming program continue success when the talent that you molded may just get plucked away by the blue bloods of the sport?

    Liked by 3 people

      1. I am almost certain that PItt didn’t contact Mumpfield until he left for the portal, but it is similar to Addison’s situation in the fact that both were not top recruits coming out of high school, they were given a chance to succeed at a program, they did succeed, and then there were like peace out dude… I’m off to greener pastures.

        For as much as I realize college football is a business and coaches have done this for years, it is going to take some time for fans to get used to players now basically being free agents. I’m not sure I like it.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Are certain college football teams going to turn into the Pirates? You recruit, cultivate, coach, and after success, the player leaves for the almighty dollar. College football is becoming like the MLB.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Right on, MM.

    I do think the Pitt locker room will be even better because of this. How much is that worth in 2022?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hey, that was me 6&34 praising MM’s pitch perfect article and then I see somehow Anonymous got credit for it. I have no idea how that happened.

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  10. Unfortunately, everything comes down to money, always. This poaching will create an elite conference of the $$ people and a much lower conference of the schools that can’t pay the big $$.

    This poaching will ruin football — NCAA and NFL. Greed only lasts so long then in-fighting of the elites will ruin football.

    Sorry for Pitt that their best player will go to Hollywood but $$ will change this man’s thinking about level of effort and team commitment.

    It’s no longer about scholarships that lure high school players to college, it’s now $$.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Any one team big or small can change their FB program now. Lastrow posted about Elon Musk the other day and if he were an alumnus of any US college team(Duke, Syracuse, Rutgers, Maryland etc etc) he could just put part of his billions into play for that college via the NIL program and change the tide for them greatly going forward.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Common phrase in NOO YAWK….”money talks and nobody walks”. Mr Addison didn’t walk he sprinted into the Trojan End Zone for a pot of gold. In my view, there was no way that he could turn this tampering offer down. College sports are now officially broken. If you want student athletes visit the Ivies.
    P5 schools either have to cough up loads of moola or forget about spending millions on athletics. Simply put the haves will butcher the have nots almost every time. The BIG Bowls will no longer see the Cincinnatis, instead, it will be a constant flow of Alabama’s, Georgia’s, A&M’s etc… same old teams every year RINSE AND REPEAT.

    I have no problem seeing Pitt play on an even level with Maryland, Rutgers, Duke, Northwestern, Vanderbilt
    etc. Unless Mr Tepper decides to unload some of his millions to pay for professional college athletes OOOOPS that ain’t gonna happen because he already pays professional NFL athletes in Carolina.

    The NCAA is completely screwed up and is following the path of Major League Baseball to eventual oblivion.
    Isnore you are being too dramatic—no siree look at MLB’s decreasing TV ratings, game attendance and fan demographics……absolute path of self destruction. The Burgh is a great basebaall town, however, a steady diet of non-competitive teams has reduced one of the VERY BEST ballparks to an empty shell
    Attendance for today’s game…..11,864 leaving about 23,200 empty seats and it will not get better!

    ON-Campus stadium NONSENSE!!!! Get used to it because spending 155 million for a 48,000 seat stadium will NEVER happen. Better dollars should be spent upgrading our law and business schools.

    I know that I am venting and steam is coming out of my ears, however, we all know that the NCAA is absolutely inept (I wanted to use a stronger word, but my post would be eliminated) when it comes to managing the current and future states of college athletics>>>>>SAD.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. First off it would be closer to $800 million. And it would be retractable roof multi purpose. Football, basketball and hockey where the Pete currently resides. And probably closer to 40k capacity.

      But Pitt blew their chance when interest rates were much lower and in a non inflationary environment. We have a $300 million albatross Victory Heights instead.

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  13. Well money does enable you to call the shots and Pitts either been asleep or just doesn’t want any part in NIL. If Pitt is serious about winning, they need to play the game. Otherwise they have no business blowing smoke.

    And it’s more than just money for Addison. He will be showcased more in this offense and I doubt his production slips too much. He’s only doing what he needs to do to get first round money.

    And yes it is a huge hit to Pitt. You’ll see a significant drop off in both quarterback and receiver play. And learning a new playbook and system under a new OC only compounds things.

    Many coaches don’t like NIL how it’s designed, many Presidents, many fans. There will be inevitable change and it will come sooner than you think. Once players sign employment contracts the rule of law wins. It becomes far more rational, consistent and predictable. It also will bring fairness.

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  14. College FB and BB are no longer about “teams”. It is now about the assembly of players on the current season’s roster. “Teams” are built over several years of recruiting,
    practicing, and games leading to bonding, shared goals and relationships. It is now about individuals doing what’s best for themselves and their families and who can blame them with millions of dollars being tossed at them. In the end, I’m still going to root for whatever “roster” Pitt puts on the field or floor!

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Just more crap that I truly couldn’t care less about. College ball, NFL, NBA, etc. can go to the dogs for all I care.

    Soon there will be more blatant game fixing and people in the authority positions will look the other way because, well, it brings in the Big Bucks

    I do have to wonder why anyone could criticize Addison when all he is doing is the same thing KP did for the bowl game – went after the money, albeit writ large.

    To me, this type of money grabbing makes me feel more sorry for kids and their parents who have to take out a Student Loan to get through school and get a degree. How must they feel when they not only see scholarships used for sports, but the now-professional school athletes getting even more money.

    Honestly if it wasn’t for the good friends I have on here I’d sell the blog to the lowest bidder – but I also truly like having The Pitt POV here for you all to enjoy, along with the tailgates, golf outing, etc… that are attached.

    Which is why I went to the Spring Game tailgate and then didn’t go to the actual scrimmage. Friends are much more important to me then wins & losses especially now.

    I think the big universities should just play a version of the Squid Games and winner, literally, take all…

    Liked by 4 people

  16. My second favorite team to root for has always been whoever is playing PSUx. Now it is whoever is playing the University of Spoiled Children.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. I think this tweet from Adam Breneman former TE at PSU and U of Mass says it best,”When you combine an unregulated NIL market with the transfer portal and ultra-competiveness of recruiting it is a disastrous combination.”

    Liked by 3 people

  19. If Addison submitted the paperwork, Pitt is definitely slow rolling getting it into the portal. I wonder if negotiations are still ongoing or if Pitt is just flipping him the bird.

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    1. If it’s not been submitted (May 1 deadline) and Addison still transfers, by rule he must sit out the year. Let the negotiations begin!

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  20. Maestro, thank you that really hit the spot.

    Going to be interesting to see what happens.
    Speaking of greed and control, I can’t see Universities being happy
    with the kids getting this much money and really losing control of the process.
    These are millions that won’t be going to the institution as donations.
    Plus how hard will it be to get a young millionaire to got to class as if anyone cares?

    Talk about setting off an arms race. Sorry Tex, I don’t ever see Pitt wanting to participate in that
    nor should they IMHO.

    Maybe just maybe this will make them finally do the right thing and set up a salary schedule like the NFL
    so that we can have a more not less level playing field.

    NIL may be one of the dumbest concepts ever developed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pitt hasn’t competed against the big boys since the early 80’s. But Pitt sure could have illegally bought, which was always wink wink legal by the way, a few more four and some five stars throughout the years. And in no way am I suggesting that pitt pony up the outrageous cash, homes and other bling bling to keep super elite athletes.

      Pitt just won’t be a school breaking away from the NCAA and conference to form a super league. It’s not in their nature and nor do they have a large enough fanbase or TV market.

      Again I’d be fine going back to playing schools like temple and Rutgers every year. But I’d also not want to deny our players from getting an opportunity in this new league as long as Pitt is properly compensated.

      It takes an employment contract with specific written transfer rules first.

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  21. Unfortunately although the portal is a good concept allowing kids to improve their football prospects it will now be used to test the waters for financial gain, that can’t be what was intended.

    Remember when a coach was fired and players dismissed for selling their memorabilia? What a joke.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Tressels reputation gets better each day.

      When you think back on it, johnny was one of the trailblazers in illegal payments. Just pay a visit to Hell and ask JoePa. And Paterno isn’t burning now because he paid off players and parents.

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    2. Tressel was fired because he lied to his boss, the AD. Claimed he knew nothing about anything but emails he received prior to the acts proved he did.

      Put him in with the group of coaches who got caught lying to their AD boss and then fired – Petino at Arkansas, Pearl at Tennessee, Petrino at Louisville amongst others.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. It’s a perfect storm of events …

    1 – OC leaves
    2 – QB leaves
    3 – WR Coach leaves
    4 – Addison is not draft eligible
    5 – Pitt hires an OC focused on balancing the offense
    6 – NIL is available for the first time to portal entries

    Liked by 3 people

  23. How is this different then a booster paying parents or buying them a house/car for a kid going to a school? The NIL was conceived of giving young players the opportunity to gain from their play after being on a team. School’s assisting them in this enterprise does make it an indirect competition after commitment, Though entry into a dental/medical/business grad program was always on the table.
    The portal does open the door but no more than up front recruiting does. It should allow players to find the playing time appropriate to their talents correcting some of the vagaries of high school recruitment.
    Buying players to induce a player to leave is no better than buying them from high school and maybe worse since you made no contribution to developing them and are just reaching into the candy store and purchasing them.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The difference in the Jordan Addison situation is there are some (few) rules in place. The main one is no contacting the player until he enters his name into the portal. I believe it is long overdue that players get compensated for the efforts that the schools and the NCAA make 100’s of millions off of. If Jordan had entered his name first for whatever reason including that Duzz never gave him a kiss on forehead, I have no problem with him then going out and seeking the best deal for himself and his family. The issue I have is that he was obviously contacted by a USC coach/rep first. Otherwise, how would he know for sure that he was even a fit for the type of offense that Riley wanted to operate. Currently their are 14 WR’s on their roster. That sounds like a big risk for anyone to try to walk-on for a spot unless you had coaches’ assurance ahead of your final decision..

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      1. “Coaches’ assurance” – you mean from the viper nest that you (meaning JA) knows is cheating?

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        1. You mean coaches will say anything to get a player to sign on the dotted line? I’m shocked and disheartened that you think this occurs. I would have never believe this of coaches who expound the ideology that they are for players first. Joe Pa would turn in his grave!

          Liked by 2 people

  24. My assessment is that what is best for Jordan is good by me.

    You go to college (or wherever) to prepare for your life’s work with the bottom line to make a living. Hell yes he should take the money!

    It should be on everyone to know their worth and to pursue opportunities that maximize that.

    How many employees work for the same company their entire career? Not many that I know, in fact almost zero.

    I for sure will miss him but I also thank him for what he did while he was at Pitt. I say the same to those colleagues or direct reports I have worked with.

    H2P!

    Greg

    Liked by 1 person

  25. I wonder what the LBs and Des on the other side of the ball this fall — the ones with “only” a scholarship — will think (and do) when they line up against Addison.

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  26. Pitt has 2 business days after the player files to enter the portal to post his name in the portal. So if Addison declared on Friday or Saturday to enter the portal Pitt may have until tomorrow to post his name to it.

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  27. Paul’s take

    https://www.aol.com/paul-finebaum-reacts-major-cheating-144559369.html

    College has been like this for a while now. It’s just more pervasive, normalized and in the open today.

    If Pitt doesn’t like it, then they can withdraw from the ACC or they can band together with other similar minded schools and form their own conference or leagues with their own rules.

    Outside of maybe ten schools, the money just isn’t there to entice these elite athletes anyway. And how many elite athletes each year will get these mega deals. Probably no more than all my fingers and toes.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Why then have a Draft for the NFL, NBA etc. Shouldn’t the players be able to go to the highest bidder. Please explain the difference except the pro leagues have so much control no one will mess with them. Why shouldn’t a third or fourth round pick be able to go somewhere that would pay them 1st round money. I think we are seeing the ruination of all sports. I guess I don’t really much care anymore. I may go to tailgates and forget about going to games.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. MM is fired up! And I love it! Now if we can just get Michaelangelo to join another tailgate this season ….. I know, family obligations. And that is more than enough reason.

    I find the advent of the transfer portal very depressing. And not just because of the Jordan Addison fiasco. Maybe I’m naive, but I have always appreciated the “Pitt Man” (or Pitt person). The players who worked their tail off for their entire college career, whether they went on to the pros or on to their other life’s work. I always made it a point to be in my seat on Senior night to stand and applaud those guys. Levance Fields, Carl Krauser, Sam Young, Ashton Gibbs, heck, even Nick Rivers. The list goes on forever. These are guys just like me, except they have athletic ability. When they parade forty or fifty legacy players onto the court at halftime, I think that is such a cool part of the college sports atmosphere.

    Now, who was our last “Pitt Man” on the basketball court? Champ for two years? Maybe Terrell Brown? Young and Artis? The last that comes to my mind is James Robinson.

    We still see quite a few in football because of the sheer numbers. But that is changing also.

    Things change and life goes on. But that doesn’t mean you have to like it.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Worked their tail off for Pitt for their entire college career, I meant to say.

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  30. There is a reason why we don’t live in a constant state of chaos. That’s because humans are rational beings and function best in groups. We seek order. Order brings predictability. So this Wild West just like the Old West will eventually become governed by the rule of law. Laws which can evolve and change over time. But laws that are enforced. How’s that for the one philosophy class I took at Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

  32. great article MM

    truly a gift of perspective and writing ability you have

    thanks for your amazing contributions

    .

    hey, with your skills maybe you ought to shop your talents around to other blogs and look for a big NIL opportunity,,,, pretty sure you can easily beat the $ amount we’d be able to cobble together here at the POV 😦

    some are badmouthing SoCal or LA but while Pittsburgh has character and evolved in many great ways, and Atlanta is pretty special(not sure if that’s close to where you are in Georgia), I’ve been to all three quite a bit and the clear winner is a million dollar place for a year near USC’s georgeous(coeds) campus

    who could possibly disagree or turn that down? 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    2. And the heat from the brush fires will warm any hard, cold cash you may have lying around.

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  35. Narduzzi’s “We not Me” concept will be put to the test for sure. But as someone pointed out above, silence from the players (other than supporting their current team) speaks volumes. Seems that they are saying “don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out JA.” He’s certainly a great talent but that’s one position we have him pretty well backed up at.

    But truly, I hope the NCAA looks at this crisis as being at least as important as Kenny’s fake slide. Sure didn’t take them long to solve that earth shaking issue. As for the NIL and portal combination—-the only issue with that is that it will likely ruin college football and other sports. But Mark Emmett ain’t gonna get involved; how long will it take to find a replacement with some ability and desire?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. My guess is the team is quiet due to a wait and see what transpires attitude.

      If JA3 comes back to the burg, yinz want him back right?

      Don’t burn the bridge until you know you don’t have a use for it.

      Liked by 1 person

  37. USC still has a good stable of receivers besides Addison. I would love to see Mumpfield win the Biletnikoff Award and Addison ride the pine like Robert Foster did at Alabama. I hate USC now like I did UCLA when they poached Ben Howland.

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  38. Pitt just picked up a transfer running back from Georgia who was on the scout team last year. 4 years eligibility left. Curious pick up

    Maybe this indicates that Addison is indeed in portal with an open schollie vapor

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 2 people

    1. The kid from Georgia is not taking a scholarship @wwb. So whether Addison is in the portal or not (my sources say that he is) doesn’t impact that.

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      1. He’s not in the portal. He’s requested that Pitt put his name in the portal. Either Pitt is slow rolling this in spite or they are still negotiating with Addison in the hopes he says “hey, after all, don’t put my name in the portal”.

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  39. Been doing my research on Lincoln Riley. He was a huge underachiever at Oklahoma. Won his first 2years but lost crucial games. While it’s probably too late, I would point out to Addison that any Coach that would leave Oklahoma will also leave USC at the drop of a hat.

    Duzz is at Pitt for a long while.
    I still know guys who are shocked that their current lady friend who cheated on her husband is now cheating on them!

    And what kind of A Hole leaves Notre Dame?

    I think it’s too late for Addison to return to Pitt no matter what!

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    1. Plus, the Spanish Twins are likely heading to UMass. Capel is being out recruited by the new coach there, Martin. This is no shock. No changes to the staff, no changes on the recruiting trail. His last excuse was using the portal to rebuild this team. In the end, he won’t add enough pieces to save his job.

      Capel is just waiting to be fired to collect his check then laugh in Heather’s face. Pitt basketball is dead and will be for the foreseeable future. Staring at 10 consecutive losing seasons at least. Kudos to Gallagher for not being a Dixon fan. That worked out well.

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  43. Mike, nice rant!! Folks, this isn’t a USC problem. This is an NCAA problem. I know Emmert was approached about this years ago as I have been typing. Emmert kicked the can and left the courts with no option but to rule in favor of the athlete student. The blame falls at the feet of Emmert.

    Secondly, the NCAA (for football matters), has no control over football NIL. The conferences control the rules independent of each other. For that reason, there has been no response to all of this. This played out two years ago when covid happened. Each conference made their own rules on how to proceed. Remember that and apply it to NIL. No contest. SEC Commish who said the SEC would play through covid is staying the course here too. He is the most powerful commissioner (football)and he isn’t budging. Athletes have the upper hand and the SEC has the upper-hand for football conference domination.

    I talked to an AD today and we talked thru university’s contracting with athletes for a 4 year scholarship, and adding in some NIL money and damages for leaving. Name, Image and Likeness and Pay to Play are two different concepts, now conflated. NIL was put out there to pay an athlete student for jersey sales, marketing, commercials, etc. It has been prostituted to include pay for play. The agents are now getting into their clients earlier, high school even.

    Sad note. There are over 3500 athletes in the portal. There are slightly less than 2000 scholarships available for them. UhOh! Funny math alert! Again, it is the NCAA that caused this. I am fine with Addison going for the cash. For kicks, Nard should hold off putting Addison in portal just to make a point. The NCAA won’t touch this case! Addison still goes and plays. I don’t understand tampering here. Addison not under contract to my understanding. NFL tampering occurs when players and coaches are under contract to a team and an organization makes contact, despite a valid contract. I don’t like what usc did, but it is fine in a day where rules don’t matter.

    Liked by 1 person

  44. To slightly amend my post above, RB Anthony Summey committed to Pitt as a walk-on. Nice size 6’1. 210

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  45. Someone mentioned earlier that this was the perfect storm for JA3 in that his QB, OC, position coach, AA status and NIL deals we’re all new this season. Sometimes you have to cash in when your value is higher than expected.

    I’m hoping he doesn’t follow in the line of some recent Pitt FB stars who left the Panthers before they actually should have like DT Twyman and S Paris Ford. Both could have used one more year in Pitt’s system to achieve true stardom at the college level.

    I believe JA3 reached the highest level of stardom for his position and as a player – he should have been able to cash it in at the NFL draft this past weekend. Instead, he will rest for a season in the lights of Hollywood and probably have a “safe” season for a team that vastly underachieves in the PAC12.

    USC has a cakewalk of a schedule in September – Rice, Stanford, Fresno State and Oregon State. Pitt has some tough games to start the season. Huge business decision by this young man in an environment with no rules.

    Liked by 2 people

  46. What is the solution then?

    Have all players sign four year employment contracts

    Pay them all let’s say $30,000 per year. That would cost Pitt slightly more than $2 million each year.

    Provide NIL opportunities for the elite athletes. Probably wont be more than a handful for every team.

    Provide compensation to schools whose players transfer hence breaking their contracts. Similar to how soccer players are loaned and clubs receive transfer fees.

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    1. I don’t think you can’t restrict NIL deals. You cannot restrict income for these athletes outside of deals that are embarrassing to the institution (like a strip club). Players are already revolting. You do that and college football becomes unionized overnight. You can try to restrict NIL deals that will lead to transfers like the one for Addison but I think it will be difficult to eliminate NIL’s as a recruiting tool.

      I think you have to have rules around portal entry and, IMO, have contracts replace LOI’s that layout reasons an athlete can enter the portal.

      There should be different types of standard contracts as well. One for athletes with pro aspirations. Create a degree in professional sports (I can’t believe bama doesn’t have this already). And another for a student track. Another one for NIL obligation. Etc. Lots of stipulations can be included.

      Have an NIL track laid out and if the university doesn’t meet the requirements, you can transfer. Make portal entry based on contract fulfillment. Playing time. NIL Deals. Major of interest. Etc.

      Addison became an NCAA 2022 poster boy with his award and having to return to school … his university contract should have NIL obligations included that the University has to hit otherwise players can dip like Addison is apparently doing. If Pitt meets the contract requirements, he has to stay.

      I also think the NFL reducing the age by one year would help, too. The NFL is a less physical league than it once was and is never going to go back to it. Addison staying a year will not make him more pro-ready. No reason he should even have to play this season.

      Draft prospects should be able to remove their name from the draft at the end of each draft day. If they aren’t drafted on day 1, they can remove their name from being drafted day 2 and return to school. Same with days 2 and 3. If un-drafted, you retain a year of eligibility. In all cases, the school in question can say no to the return but the player still can use that eligibility at a new school.

      Can’t wait for P5 to split. Pitt will be included. The conferences will not let schools be left behind unless they choose to be.

      Liked by 1 person

  47. The question still remains, is this the future of college ball where conferences raid each others players?
    Should conferences start a fund to match offers and protect their assets?

    While the loss of Addison may not affect TV viewership which determines network payouts, it could conceivably be affected if this process were to get out of hand. USC will benefit from the buzz, more viewers will want to watch USC because of the controversy and publicity. People will want to watch Addison to see if he was worth the 3 mill.

    Will this be an incentive for more of this type of behavior. Will the Nike or UnderArmour guy or other big money guys see this as a way to create buzz for their products?

    Will college ball become like Nascar with Ads on players uni’s?

    Sound far fetched? Since there seems to be no rules.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pitt could and probably was planning to market the best receiver in college to drum up ticket sales and to sell more pitt merchandise. The loss of addition does damage the pitt brand to some degree. So Pitt does have standing, it has damages. It should receive compensation. But any suit would be thrown out because no employment contract exists.

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      1. Lol. Stop. They had him more one year. The impact on fan revenue is going to be minimal. Especially, big picture. Win and the impact will be zero.

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        1. Addison can impact wins. And wins impact attendance. And Pitt loses a chance to drum up sales via tickets and jerseys by marketing him. And Pitt loses a chance to continue marketing the best receiver in football throughout the season. Tv revenues could take a hit. ACC not pleased with that. You just can’t blanket say his loss isn’t going to materially impact revenues.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Pitt should know how many Addison jerseys were sold and how much profit was made off of that, if any. That would be a great question for the AD to answer if ever there was a presser addressing this. That is how you respond to NIL, but all the schools need to be transparent around athletic gear sold by and because of “athlete”. Bowser should know how many cars were sold because of athlete involvement. The answer will be nil.

            Who would ever buy a vehicle or any other product because a 22 year old kid said to? Nil. Zero. Nada.

            The agents and legislators use total revenue and conflate that with NIL. The schools should push back and say the sales of jersey # 3 for instance, netted the university $3K and gladly share that. Pay to play is the problem, disguised as NIL.

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    2. The NCAA has talked about advertising on uniforms but again cannot get to a consensus. Crazy thing is that they have advertised for a very long time on jerseys in the form of (Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, etc.). Sneaky buggers aren’t they………

      Like

  48. Pitt’s new walk-on Anthony Summey was a 2** walk-on at Georgia….so now he is a 2^^ walk-on for Pitt.
    I will give the young man credit for trying, but maybe he should set his sights a bit lower than ranked P5 programs.

    On a separate note, the basketball news is truly depressing. Capel can’t recruit and neither can his assistants. The clock is ticking and Capel’s buyout is waiting for him in Heather’s office…..he will leave with millions and will be set for life and The Pete will be a mausoleum with 11,000 empty seats out of 12,500 per game. Pitt should have taken the loss and admitted that he was a mistake. How much money do we lose when The Pete is so empty that it is an enormous storage closet?

    Like

  49. In Capel’s defense, he’s been so bad that everyone knows he’s a lame duck coach so if there is any competition for a kid with more than a year of eligibility left, he’s not very likely to win that battle … even if it’s D2 schools. lol. Pointless bringing him back.

    Like

  50. Assuming the Pete will be at 30 percent capacity as opposed to 90 percent, that’s a loss of 7000 fans per game. Assume pitt receives $50 per fan via ticket, concessions, merchandise and parking. That’s a dollar loss of $350k per game. There’s 20 home games this season so the total loss of revenue is around $7 Million.

    And that doesn’t account for the loss of corporate suite renewals, loss of advertising dollars as advertisers pull out, damage to the brand.

    Pitt basketball has historically been profitable. Making anywhere between $5 and $15 million in profit per year. Pitt will be lucky to break even this season.

    But you also have to look at opportunity cost. With a new coach, pitt could have made maybe $10 million. With Capel, it just breaks even. That’s a swing of $10 million.

    Capels buyout was probably less than $10 million.

    Like

  51. Congrats to Lance White on a terrific recruiting season. Capel… not so much! He’s brought in Chemise Lewis, transfer from Maryland. I follow Maryland and she can play! 4 other “studettes” coming to help.

    Addison officially gone.

    I often quote the “law of unintended consequences”. All the NCAA had to do was change the requirement that scholie football players could take a job while in school and change the rule on Players in all 4 years being allowed to go to the NFL and all this could have been avoided!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pretty close to spot on Dan. One of the major pushes to which Pitt contributed, was paying their head coaches hug salaries in relation to what they do. The players put their bodies and future life skills on the line every snap, the coaches do not. When the athletes saw the money the coaches were making, a natural trickle-down occurred. This is on the colleges and their presidents for a complete lack of leadership.

      The NCAA denied a lacrosse player from making millions of dollars in a non-lacrosse activity, which was pitiful. The kid had a huge twitter/instagram following netting him a ton of money and the ncaa said NO. His was a great NIL scenario. Emmert reported to 65 president bosses. No wonder the ncaa is awful administratively and can get nothing done.

      This is why you shouldn’t allow most academic presidents run athletics. They will never learn.

      Like

    2. Dan – Agree that Coach White has brought in some promising talent. The women’s team has one spot left (though I’m surprised none of the guards left given all the new guards coming in…), and they really need a tall center. Even if it’s just someone to give them a defensive presence…

      Even better, somehow get the 6’4” Rita to come back…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  52. T-E-X the loss will most likely be larger than your estimate because the Pete will not see average attendance near 5,000. It is quite possible that we have a team that might only win 3 or 4 games and face blowouts night after night. I realize that there is still time to strike some bronze in the portal (forget gold), however, with a team that is so short of talent it would only take one or Heaven forbid two injuries to fully reestablish the Stallings years.

    Like

  53. I assume NIL kids are no longer amateurs. Are their teams no longer amateur? So are the teams semipro? Is the IRS thinking about all this?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. The athletes are required to register all NIL proceeds with the athletic compliance department. The athlete students will also have to pay taxes.

      Like

      1. But what recourse does a player have if the NIL decides not payout for whatever reason or claims bankruptcy? Trying to sue for payment could wipe out any money paid.

        Like

  54. Seems like the overwhelming consensus is Addison should go to usc since it’s whats best for him.

    And Pitt doesn’t have a leg to stand on with tampering.

    I’m pretty sure usc fans who were on the sidelines are going to pony up some money to see with their own eyes how good this Addison kid really is particularly with Caleb throwing to him.

    And I’m pretty sure several players knew Addison was leaving prior to the spring game. Narduzzi shouldn’t be surprised. They spelled his name wrong in the article.

    https://www.aol.com/colin-cowherd-reacts-big-college-192919022.html

    Like

  55. I guess I’m more of a traditionalist on this entire issue. No one is forcing student athletes to play sports. They want to do it, despite knowing all of the risks. They enter college knowing that a college will give them tuition, room, board, etc. in exchange for playing. No one is promised an NFL or NBA contract. Top players actually use the colleges to showcase their talents. College players don’t have more rights than pro players, and pro players sign contracts limiting their rights all the time.

    So what’s the problem? The NCAA screwed things up with the transfer portal and introduction of NIL at the same time. Just as the NFL, NBA, NHA, etc. can regulate salaries, caps and transfer rules, the NCAA can set the conditions for NIL contracts and eligibility. If a player cheats or jumps for a big NIL contract and in so doing breaks NCAA rules they should lose their eligibility, which would make the NIL contract worthless. And universities that facilitate cheating in this area should be penalized. The NCAA can regulate and manage this whole mess with the proper leadership.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Transfer portal was ncaa regulation, not litigation. It was a good idea because your everyday student has freedom of access to multiple schools during their education without penalty. Regular students have full scholarships just like players. Players wanted equal treatment. They didn’t get it. They got a one free transfer regulation. NCAA still tried to short the players which caused angst. We are heading to a difficult time.

      NIL was actual litigation.

      Bad timing. Worse thinking.

      Like

  56. It seems that CFB will soon mirror MLB and it’s model and the Big Schools will sift off from the smaller market teams.

    I guess the only difference is that the smaller market teams will turn around sift off from the even smaller conferences…

    And then the smaller conferences will sift from the FCS schools…and so on and so on and so on.

    Perhaps the top 25 – 30 Schools should form their “minor league” system and the rest actually go back to a Student athlete model…where you are a student first…and an athlete second trying to get an education while playing a sport you love.

    Won’t happen, but it would be so awesome to watch kids who play solely for the love of the game and for the alma mater.

    Dave D.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Read the SI article from last week or two with ND athletic director, Jack Swarbrck. He predicts by 2035 or so we’ll have exactly what you said: one group of schools all in for athletics only and the rest academics first. Laughable when he said ND would be in the academic group but predicted we’d actually see something along the lines of a school being called Oregon Athletics, Inc. in the all-in sports league.

      Like

      1. ND is a GREAT academic school with very high profile sports. Outstanding faculty with excellent programs throughout the University.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Of course the school is outstanding academically. But they are greedy when it comes to money and surely will be on the side of the athletic league. You thought I was bashing its academics?

          Like

    2. The poaching can also be between other blue blood schools. The star WR for Texas was recently approached by another school…Bama anyone. Texas found out and I guess upped the ante. WR staying in Austin for now.

      But Texas has money galore so they can brush off those unwelcome advances. Smaller schools cannot. So the system isn’t fair when you have different playing fields like schools with money versus those money challenged, P5 versus G5, SEC versus everyone else.

      Much inequity. Can all be solved to a large extent with player contracts. And Huff is right, NIL is being conflated with players on payroll. Employment contracts don’t exist…yet.

      Like

  57. Well, I’ve awoken from my self imposed 6 month hibernation and find I missed some interesting stuff.
    1) Seems Pitt won the ACC, at least that’s what I think. Instead of joy and amazement I’m seeing “ what a fluke, or some such. Cripe , if they won a national championship I’m sure it’d be, heck, only 1 in the past 40 years.
    2) Seems the bball team stunk, was I asleep 6 months or is it just Groundhog Day.
    3) Seems some people have all the inside knowledge about what’s going on at every level of the university. If they are that involved I’d worry if I was Pitt that I have people with their fingers on the pluse freely sharing it on some blog.
    4) Seems a kid was paid by another school. Yawn, see #2.
    5) Seems some think it’s fine cause kid would have a new oc, receivers coach, and qb at Pitt. Hummm, wouldn’t he have all that PLUS a new HC at wherever he ends up?
    6) Seems as in all sports when you here it’s not about the $ it’s all about the $$$.
    7) Seems it’s time for another nap.

    Like

  58. Poaching can be stopped. NIL purveyors can have a shot at the initial recruiting high school level, but once a player is signed by a college, any outside contact should be considered tampering unless and until the player enters the transfer portal. At that point, he is not coming back to his old school who has no further obligation to him. Once at school the player should sign a contract which states that breaking these rules could result in loss of eligibility.

    Like

  63. Just awoke from a self imposed 6 month hibernation, here’s what I think I missed:
    1) Seems like Pitt won the ACC championship and people felt good and enjoyed the moment. Then again, maybe they didn’t. Even if they won a NC some would say Big deal, one in 40 years.
    2) Seems like Pitt bball stunk. Or maybe I didn’t hibernate, it’s just groundhogs day.
    3) Seems like some have all the inside info on all things going on at the university. I then sincerely question all university procedures which would give sensitive info to someone who then posts it on a blog.
    4) Seems like some schools are paying to get players. Shocking, or just see #2.
    5) Seems like there is no OCS. See #s 2&4.
    6) Seems like I saw Texas had, wait for it, 0.0 players drafted. I think I missed something as they had so many 4&5*s. Maybe they’ll just buy a few that some other school trained as it seems they have more $ than player development skills. Again, see #2,4, and 5.
    7) Seems like people say it’s OK to go cause some receiver would have a new oc, rec coach, and qb if he stayed. Uhhh, won’t he have a new oc, rec coach, qb, AND HC if he leaves?
    8) Seems like if they say it’s NOT about the $$ you can bet it’s ALL about the $$$.
    8)Seems like I missed nothing.

    Like

  65. Off topic (as I am a lot) head volleyball coach Dan Fisher has been named the head coach of the US Under 21 (U21) womens team. Twenty athletes will train in Louisiana in late May and early June, and 12 will be chosen to represent the US at the Women’s U21 Pan American Cup on June 5-13 in Mexico. Our own Setter Rachel Fairbanks is one of the players selected for this program. Hopefully she makes the team, which would give her valuable international playing experience. There are two other setters invited to train- one of them was on the 2021 team, so Rachel probably has a 50/50 chance to make the traveling 12.

    Good luck Coach Fisher and Rachel!!! H2P!!

    Liked by 5 people

  70. Nice article, MM!

    OT: Hoping KP works out better than some of the recent Steeler 1st rounders. Edmunds, Bush and even Harris haven’t “wowed” anyone…

    Really need to rebuild the OL. Wouldn’t mind seeing KP sit a season for that reason…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  74. Way to go Mike… Great Job! This portal/NIL is so obvious and incredibly wrong it’s hard to believe it’s allowed. I hope PITT can buckle down while digging even deeper in their hearts and show the college world that PITT Is It!!

    Again Mike thanks for the article… Watch out for the caped crusader.

    Like

  76. PittPT – we have enough scholarship room with all the Pitt players now in the portal to bring in both a TE and a slot receiver.

    The problem on the TE selection, there doesn’t seem to be anything better than what we already have on the roster.

    Our 2-deep is thin in a few areas like TE, LB, CB, P and K.

    This will be an interesting Spring and Summer leading up to the 2022 season.

    Being thin at CB and LB could spell trouble vs the hoopies and volunteers.

    Go Pitt!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I only see punter as a major question mark of the four groups you listed. Kicker? We have two of them.

      Tight end has a stud starter and two redshirts. Linebacker lost a lot to the portal but two were added via the portal plus returnees.

      Like

      1. My concern is depth. While we have two kickers, is anyone truly comfortable with either?
        Our starters are going to be good across the board.

        Like

  77. I didn’t think college athletics could get more dirty, but I was so wrong.
    I don’t blame the kid, there is someone behind the scenes steering this kid and his family to the money. I hope some of it is exposed.
    PN, Lyke and Pitt aren’t at fault here in any way. There will always be a dirty program willing to break the rules to win. Pitt doesn’t need to be that. They won last year doing it the right way.
    USC will win a PAC10 championship and maybe more down the road, Riley will head off to the NFL and USC will be punished for cheating under Riley’s watch. He’s a scumbag just like Pete Carrol. Rinse and repeat, reward the low life.
    I will keep supporting Pitt, but I won’t be watching other nationally televised games like I normally do. It has all turned to crap and it will get worse before it gets better.

    Liked by 2 people

  78. Addison is going on a paid vacation, doesn’t have to go to any classes because by the time the first semester is over, he’ll be training for the NFL.

    Like

  79. By the way, after this article. Addison should be a non-topic, he’s no longer a Pitt man. Let’s take a coaches philosophy, we’ll only talk about the guys that want to be here and that are Pitt men.

    Unless he ends up at Penn State, then the gloves are off and it is all his fault, he’s a low life, he’s to blame, etc. LOL 😆

    Liked by 2 people

  80. What a shame, the loss of Addison makes Pitt’s opportunity to win their big OOC games and the Coastal much more difficult. The loss of a first round QB and a probable first round receiver probably impossible to overcome.

    Football games are usually won by the team that makes the most big plays. Addison is no doubt a fantastic big play talent and that is why he is being offered the gold. Throwing to a guy that gets wide open is just easier. Our new QBs job just got tougher. Just terrible timing for Pitt.

    Pitt will still have a very good football team, we’ll never know how great they might have been.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The guy is such a difference maker. I questioned why Whipple built his whole game plan around him his freshman year. If he doesn’t get injured we win at least two more games that year. Whipple knew he was an extreme talent. He is the ultimate go to guy.

      The level of frustration we fans have is one thing, I can’t imagine the feelings of his coaches and team mates right now.

      I am also amazed at how few sports writers see what a big deal this is and how bad this will be for college ball. Where is the outrage?

      Like

      2. Both KP and Addison had huge leaps over the prior year. I credit that to the whispers from whipple finally making sense and coach Marion who is now at Texas coincidently.

        Like

      3. The talk shows on Sirius XM radio are showing outrage this week – everytime I turned it on starting with Monday there was outrage about the Jordan Addison pre-portal contact by USC.

        Like

  83. You definitely welcome him back. It’s business.

    I’m pretty confident Addison is going to end up with a rule named after him.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I assume these NIL deals are contracts. If so, I hope his family has a lawyer. Isn’t that an agent? Is it guaranteed? Does he get nothing if injured? So many variables.

      NIL is suppose to be for advertising. What are the rules? Does he actually have to work for it or just get paid and they throw his face on a pamphlet. It’s all so shady.

      The Florida Gators can no longer can claim the swamp, it is all of college football.

      Like

  84. I agree with GC and Tossing. JA3 has to consider the mega bucks

    If the $5m deal is legit, go for it. But know this .. it has nothing to NIL, it’s just some rich booster apparently with nothing better to do with his money. I’m starting to think that maybe we should tax the rich

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

  85. I apologize if you think my last statement was over the line here. It was just my gut reaction to see someone actually give that much money for one season’s service

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

  86. Boosters are free to spend their money however they see fit. But millions in so called endorsement deals is ridiculous. Addison isn’t going to sell anywhere close to a million dollars worth of jerseys and Texas doesn’t need him to sell out games or market longhorn football. They could however use him to take the pressure off other receivers and his addition might be worth an extra win on the season…that is literally could be worth millions. Plus he’ll only be the second best receiver on the team after true frosh last year Xavier worthy. Dude is only 18. Austin is better than Tuscaloosa but not university Park.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Good point. Let’s not pretend colleges or booster really want to pay these kids for NIL. It’s to win. They should stop calling it NIL. It is pay for play and nothing else.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Austin is overrated.

      We’re looking at 100 degrees this weekend. Usually, that doesn’t come until July, and the past few summers we’ve had only a few 100-degree days due to the rain we received. No such luck this spring with the faucets not being turned on.

      If only my wife was ready to cash in on our equity in our home.

      Like

  87. Why not hold an auction for Grade A players? The NCAA can learn from horse racing and the players (no fillies) can be paraded around the ring in their school colors for open inspection…the whole situation is completely out of hand. I truly hope that Mr Texas Megabucks is for real!! Addison can learn to live in Austin without palm trees…..plenty of beautiful fillies to flirt with at UT.

    If T Boone Pickett was still alive Mr OK State would buy an amazing team and put the Alabama’s, Ohio States in the rear window. Old T Boone was a booster on steroids. The new NCAA commissioner will have his/her hands full (Condoleeza Rice has been mentioned as a possible candidate). The one thing that has not been mentioned is that the tV money can be upended if one of the Hedge Funds (whoops conferences)
    falls apart because of a money raid on its premier players. WE AIN”T SEEN ANYHING YET>>>STAY TUNED.

    Like

  88. See an easy fix for universities and colleges wanting to stay removed from the chaos. Simply make high school athletes compete for seats in the classroom with non-athletes.

    This would mark the immediate return of the “student athlete.”

    Seems only fair.

    Liked by 2 people

  89. College players are not guaranteed promising NFL careers. Andy Isabella at UMASS also lead the country in receiving out of this offense. Addison is very good and I’m not comparing him to Isabella but at some point you start to think …. is it the offense or the player, or the QB?

    Most likely it’s a complicated algorithm of all three, but a great NFL career or even an early draft pick is not guaranteed. He could bomb the measurable’s at the combine and pro day.

    Right now he is a star and one of the faces of the NCAA for the upcoming season. He’s probably the most famous player in America at this very moment because of the publicity.

    Players like him should be able to cash out now. Stars in college should be able to make as much as humanly possible before they leave school since often times that stardom does not translate to the NFL.

    The system needs tweaked. It will be after this. Jordan will have a rule named after him after this offseason. He’ll be an NCAA legend no matter what happens with the rest of his career.

    I work for an industry disruptor. I love disruption of the status quo. So I admit I’m biased … but out of disruption, something better generally emerges. And it’s generally more fair.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. While very unlikely that Addison doesn’t star in the NFL, his career could end on one unfortunate play or an off the field mishap, so crazy not to take the cash when offered.

      Liked by 1 person

  91. TX, USC, etc. 5 million, 3 million, etc. New team and city. Football practice? Confusing to me. New play book? Will it all affect my play? Who am I?

    Like

    1. Correct. He lost that amount by betting on the Mavs two nights ago. It’s speculation to him. A roll of the dice to see if Addison is the piece to get Texas to the BCS.

      That’s why there should be a ‘salary’ cap per league or division. And that should apply to coaches and staffs as well. Or possibly revenue sharing or some billionaires tax. Heck maybe even a high school draft. All this is done at professional levels to varying degrees of success. None is perfect at bringing about equity and fairness though. But it takes player contracts first and a new system with a strong possibility of new leagues.

      Like

  93. I saw a retweet and found it compelling and spot on with regards to the corruption that is college athletics…

    The NCAA took 5 minutes to change the Kenny Pickett slide rule but couldn’t come up with a better set of rules for college transfers over 7 years and 9 months (I may be off on the math).

    One was gamesmanship on the field…the other is graft and corruption. How long before there is a black sox scandal in the NCAA?

    Liked by 3 people

  94. a look back at a player being barred for accepting a gift…compare that to today’s situation(he is Kiski Prep alum like Reed K, Jack Hanna and Bob Mathias)

    Like

    1. There is no NCAA for football. It operates in name only for football. The Conferences make the rules. The Presidents control the Conference Commissioners, that is why they all cannot agree on a path forward. Think covid schedule, playoff expansion, NIL, and the list goes on.

      NCAA controls basketball. Another messed up sport. However, the NCAA permanently got bball under its purview through regulation/litigation, but not football. They had better lawyers at the time. NCAA owns the March Madness franchise, so they will always be a part of the conversation, unless bought out or negotiated out. More litigation and laws coming soon, think state gambling laws and then unionization. Athlete-students!

      If you read the article, the OSU AD and the other AD are not on the same page!

      Like

  97. BTW, what kind of morons would spend 2-5 million on a one year player who may help your college team win maybe 1-2 more games? These boosters are just fans who need a life…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Probably because these billionaires have bets and bragging rights on the line with other billionaires from other schools. It is chump change to them like Gordon said.

      Typically boosters don’t target individual players. They spend money on the program. That’s changing for Pay to Play…I mean NIL.

      Liked by 1 person

  98. ADs may want a new system but they are powerless without the support of university presidents and university boards. The university presidents created the NCAA. To benefit themselves and for control. Why would they abolish it? Unless they could profit even more right? Greed and corruption.

    College football will soon look like professional baseball. Maybe Pitt could become the farm team for the Steelers. Kenny already broke that dam.

    Like

  99. Just caught the end of Packer and Durham and apparently the Addison Fiasco is blowing up.
    Saying he might be the Curt Flood of College Football, so there is some outrage and there will be further action but who knows what, when, and how.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Imagine how the other receivers on whatever team team he goes to are going to react. How about the QB if he isn’t being compensated in the same stratosphere.

      Like

    1. Yes, as a non high draft pick whose contract wasn’t renewed. Mixed feelings on that. Maybe Steelers draft Addison next year. No hands Johnson won’t get a new contract and canadien claypool doesn’t wow me. He might make a good maple syrup flapjack however. 🍁 🥞

      Like

      1. Conner should not have been a lead back. Arizona cracked that code. Chemo is hard on the body and I’m sure was a factor in the injuries and recovery. 3rd rounder isn’t a low draft pick.

        Addison will have to run a sub 4.5 40 and have Tyler Boyd hands during the draft process. He’s listed as 6′ 175 lbs which means he’s probably 5’10” and 170.

        We’ll see. I totally get him leaving. Staying at Pitt with a loss of production and average measurable’s would kill his draft stock. Better to go somewhere where he at least has a chance to put up monster numbers to offset any other concerns.

        Bama and Texas both running pro-style offenses makes the most sense in my opinion. USC running that Lincoln offense does not translate to the NFL the same way. Addison is known as a route runner with good hands. Keep that going at Bama … but, he could possibly not even start there. Haha.

        Like

        1. Addison had monster numbers at Pitt last year. No reason to believe that wouldn’t happen again.
          He’s leaving for money.

          Like

          1. Ummm, OC change and balance has been preached all year. We were a top 5 pass heavy offense in the country the last few years. Every reason to believe he would not put up numbers even close to last year.

            Like

  101. Reported today…. Addison working today with Bama QB Bryce Young

    Please make it stop!

    Like

    1. This news is a much needed bombshell for Pitt basketball. I admit that I am amazed that we have come out on top for the 2 trees. If Capel can find a true point guard he might have a team that can really compete at a high level in the ACC.

      Like

  103. The suckeyes will be next in line.

    200 USC
    100 Texas
    250 Alabama
    500 tOSU

    +10,000 Pitt

    Like

    1. These twins could really make things interesting if one eventually enters the portal. I mean they could switch teams as much as they want and who would know… 🤔

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 2 people

  108. Good win for Capel. His buddy who covers college hoops, Slater, predicted UMass to land the twins.

    Like

  110. Why didn’t JA declare for the NFL Draft? Probably negotiating an insurance policy with the 2 mil.
    Is the $2 mil guaranteed money? I doubt that he will have a better year in 2022 no matter where he plays.

    Like

    1. The NFL will only allow a player who is 3 years from High School to declare for the draft. JA graduated in 2020.Only two year out of HS.

      Larry Fitzgerald graduated from HS then spent a year at a prep school. That’s why he was able to go pro after only 2 seasons at Pitt. If I remember correctly a court case was involved that set the precedence that the clock started at end of HS.

      Like

  111. I read where someone who ranks BB recruits has both of the twins in the top 100.

    Given the state of our program, how the heck do they end up at Pitt?

    Whatever the reason, sounds good to me. 👍

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  112. Pitt baseball loses to Oakland 8-4 today.

    Two really bad loses in less than one week.

    Like

    1. Yeah, anonymous was me…

      The latest suitors for JA3 – Tennessee and Ole Miss.

      I’m with Dan72 –

      Make this stop!

      If not Pitt, let it be Bama.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Last year same thing. Wonder if Bell isn’t resting his pitchers properly or if his hitters just aren’t well conditioned as the weather heats up.

      Pitt could blow a chance for the first trip back to regionals since 1995.

      Like

      1. Pitching is really weak and when that is supposed to be the HC’s strength, you have to be concerned.

        Especially when you give up 8 to Oakland (not the A’s).

        The bat’s have been puzzling and suppressed by injuries, but when your being outhit by NC A&T and Youngstown State, you have to be concerned.

        Especially when you produce 4 runs and give up 8 to Oakland (not the A’s).

        Like

        1. I was ill watching us lose the game in the 8th. Our closer took a nasty liner off the shin that cleared the bases for Oakland. I really thought this was the year to make the tourney but you can’t lose to Youngstown St., Canisus, North Carolina A&T, and now Oakland. Our guys really played up and down to the competition this year.

          Like

          1. Oakland was ranked 251 before the game. Pitt is now ranked 59. The top 64 teams make the regionals. Pitt really needs to be top 40 to be a safe pick.

            The Fourth was not with Pitt yesterday. Maybe the Cinco will be with them today.

            Like

            1. Tex, what do you think Pitt has to do the rest of the way to get in the tourney? I think we only have a few series left that include Duke, GA Tech, and ND….maybe a game or two with PSU. Too many darn conference champions get in the tournament and teams that play a hard schedule get penalized.

              Like

              1. Domers are a top ten team. Hard to believe but true. Duke, tech and State are terrible. Pitt has to take the series against the Domers in south bend

                And not play down to those other three teams. Right now pitt is on the outside looking in. Probably last four out.

                They do have some impressive series wins over top 25 ranked ACC teams but they also have some very very bad losses. They need to really pound those bad teams. Pitts RPI will slide if they don’t given SOS is huge. And the ‘selection’ committee does look at how you finish.

                Pitt was the perfect example of that last year. Ranking of 42 I think and many early season impressive wins but they crapped the bed down the stretch.

                That’s why I think they need to be ranked in top 40 to get a bid. That bid would most likely come as a three seed where the top host school is ranked outside the top ten.

                There are 16 regional sites. Top 16 host. Four teams per site and are seeded one to four. I may have a chance to see them in Texas if the Horns get off the snide.

                Liked by 1 person

  113. So when will the twins arrive on campus. The sooner the better I would say.

    It looks like Capel is cobbling an interesting group of guys together.

    Still room for a point guard and a power forward. And aways another 3 point guy.

    I read where one of the twins had seven threes in a game.

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  114. Sources tell me the twins can play and are ACC ready. The coach at UMass speaks fluent Spanish and thought he had them locked up.

    They had offers from Maryland and 15 other D1 Schools

    Liked by 1 person

  116. Love the twin tower signing. Give Capel credit. Watched their Hudl video, the boys can move. They will be good when they get into a real S&C program.

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    1. I agree, give credit where credit is due. These 2 are both good signings, and frankly really good signings early in the recruiting process, let alone late in the process. Plus, we now have 4 (hopefully decent) players with size with a nice mix of skillsets. The other thing about these two, is that they supposedly both can shoot, so in general that addresses one of our historic weaknesses under Capel.

      I’d really like to see us add a PG and a 3 point shooter (wing?) yet, but I think have no idea what is left out there.

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    1. Three seniors plus Hugley probably goes to the NBA. Who knows who uses the portal but maybe the vast exodus ends.
      Already the depth is much better up front than it has been for years.

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  121. The SEC and Pac12 Commishes are meeting with congress for ‘Hail Mary’ legislation to regulate NIL. The main gist is making sure monies are being paid to college athletes and not employees, and for NIL and not ‘pay-to-play’

    Allegedly the NCAA has been lobbying for this for a few years now

    It’s kind of ironic that these 2 commissioners are involved since they represent USC, Bama and soon Texas. But as Saban said a while back, the current system is not sustainable

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  123. I don’t mind Addison making the best deal possible for himself (after all it is the American way), but without some type of regulation, what’s to stop every player that has a great season from entering the portal and then signing with the most lucrative bidder? Soon CFB will be a crazy offseason of free agents, the coaches must be going crazy over this potential. Programs like Pitt that find diamonds in the rough will take it hardest.

    Liked by 1 person

  124. Interesting discussion on Packer and Durham of the portal and NIL. Changes are coming but who knows what and when.

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      1. No doubt Pitt is the loser in this, hopefully our kids play with a chip on their shoulder this year.

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  127. Doesn’t it seem a little odd that Addison is the only one we’ve heard of being pursued with immense amounts of money?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. He’s one of the top receivers in the land. As far as QBs go, Caleb is already a Trojan. The suckeyes and bama QBs are already sufficiently bought and paid for. I don’t think any school pays this kind of money to any defensive player. Am a bit surprised that some running backs haven’t been poached since backs in college are valued more than the nfl. Not surprised at all that Addison is being targeted. Not surprised at all that pitt was totally unprepared either.

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      1. ALL here are not surprised you say Pitt was totally unprepared

        whether they were or not, whether you base it on anything or not

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  129. The rule is 3 years removed from high school. Nothing to do with years at a school.

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  130. I am thinking that college football will adopt the one and done basketball rule soon. I Can’t see a court not allowing players to leave before 2 years.

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  131. Happy Cinco de Mayo. It’s a celebration of a Mexican victory against the French. It’s a day to celebrate the underdog. So have a cold cerveza and enjoy the day. I mean who doesn’t like an underdog story and a chance to bash the French.

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    1. Our golf league Cinco de Mayo tailgate tonight is Corona beer and French Fries!!
      Thanks Tex…

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      2. Menu update…someone is bringing Patron tequila.
        No, its not Reed. 😎

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  132. If true, this all makes sense to me …

    Until he eventually settles and signs with a new team, be prepared for daily news and rumors surrounding former Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison.

    New teams seem to be entering the picture every day and that is again the case on Thursday.

    National recruiting analyst Mike Farrell from MikeFarrellSports.com and theportalreport.com has been on this story from the beginning and published an interesting story with tons of insider info this afternoon.

    Here are some of the highlights from Farrell’s report:

    Addison is no longer considering Pitt due to the losses of Brennan Marion, Mark Whipple and Kenny Pickett.
    Decision to leave Pitt wasn’t about NIL deal and more to do with coaches that will get him properly prepared for the NFL.
    Decision won’t be quick and going to USC isn’t a done deal.
    Addison attended Pitt spring practices to evaluate how he’d be coached this season and decided a new home was needed.
    Addison’s top priority for his next team is playing with the best quarterback possible.

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    1. If Addison said some of these things, then shame on him. Would show no class or maturity.

      But how much of this is someone speculating. I also wonder whether this thing kind of snowballed and Addison was carried along with the avalanche…. He’s supposed to be kind of a shy, introverted guy…

      I hope he finds a spot that works for him – but not with a Pitt opponent…

      Go Pitt.

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  136. It is more than the money. There’s no way he can replicate last seasons numbers at Pitt. The money is just the icing. He needs to find the cake. Pitt is more like pudding.

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  137. I agree with Tex on this one … it’s more than the money. And it actually seems pretty well thought out. College is about preparing you for the next phase of life. People transfer schools for education purposes all the time. Same thing. Just involves athletics.

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  138. I doubt that Addison will better or even match his 2021 numbers no matter where he lands. And not because he isn’t an excellent receiver.. He is. But 2021 was the perfect storm, lightning in a bottle, whatever.

    And it may not be about only the money, but it IS about the money.

    Liked by 2 people

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