Submit your Pitt football question

Note from Paul: Pitt played last night, and since I wouldn't have time to file this Q&A after the game I decided to answer more general Pitt questions for today and filed this edition before the game. Look for questions referring to the Utah game starting in Monday's Q&A. In the meantime, you can follow Pitt over the next few days -- and every day during the season -- in the Redshirt Diaries.

Q: Hey Paul, call me crazy, my wife often does, but why can't Greg Cross take over Dorin Dickerson's tight end position? He is pretty much the same size, maybe not quite as fast but is very athletic.

Kerry Bowser, Pittsburgh

ZEISE: Actually not a bad thought but I think the key with Cross is that he is about 25 pounds lighter than Dickerson was and there was concerns that he wouldn't have enough time to get bigger and learn the tight end position in one offseason. At tight end, Cross would have to do some blocking. Now, Dickerson wasn't a great blocker and wasn't asked to block in a number of formations and plays but he did still have to do some blocking from that tight end spot. Cross will not likely contribute much at receiver this year, though he will likely get some snaps, and if that's the case he will go down as one of the more puzzling uses of talent in the history of Pitt football.

Q: I know the focus will be on Utah this week, but I read that both Tyler Palko and Bill Stull are battling for the back-up quarterback at Kansas City. How are other players from the past several years doing?

John Longnaker, Richmond, Va.

ZEISE: Well, Bill Stull was cut from Kansas City earlier this week. Tyler Palko, as of when I wrote this, was still battling for the back-up spot. John Malecki is also battling for a spot with the Cleveland Browns and Mick Williams was battling for a spot with the Bears. I know Scott McKillop had a season-ending knee injury and was released by the 49ers but Nate Byham seems to be doing well there as is Dorin Dickerson with Houston, though he had a concussion and missed at least one preseason game. I think both of those guys will make their respective teams. I saw LaRod Stephens-Howling returning kicks and making tackles on special teams for the Cardinals, so I would expect he'll make the team. Mike McGlynn is the starting center for the Eagles. And then there is Darrelle Revis, who seems to have some contract issues right now.

Actually this is a great way to gather information -- I know cutdown day is either today or tomorrow so anyone who hears about Pitt guys making teams or getting cut, let me know at pzeise@post-gazette.com and I'll compile them and put a list on the Redshirt Diaries maybe Sunday night or something.

Q: Pitt's recruiting class is coming to an end. Which big time players do we realistically have a chance of getting? Are there any under the radar guys that could turn out to be the next Dion Lewis' on the roster?

Greg Gaily, Los Angeles, Calif.

ZEISE: Pitt already has 15 commitments for next year, so there is very little room for many more. Perhaps there are three more available scholarships, so as you said Pitt is almost done.

Now, I suppose the key to your question is what constitutes "big-time" in your book. We could fight all day about what that word means so I'll just give you the best players still on the board that Pitt is at least in the hunt for. It seems like the best player on the board right now (and given Pitt's needs, the most important on) is DeMatha offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio but I'll be honest, it seems like Pitt is a longshot on this one and I don't expect him to be a Panther.

A more realistic player at that position is St. Peter's Prep tackle Keith Lumpkin, who seems to have Pitt in his top two or three. The safety from Gateway, Dondi Kirby, has a lot of offers and is rated high and Pitt is at least in the mix for him as well. The only other "big-time" guy I have heard about who may still be in play for Pitt is Lumpkin's teammate, running back Savon Huggins.

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