Media Savvy
Glad To Be Wrong
By Paul Alexander

It was in this space prior to the start of the 2002 football season that I attempted to make a case for moving Pitt's Rod Rutherford to wide receiver.

We all witnessed Rod score the only touchdown in a 12-0 Panther victory over Penn State as a redshirt freshman. I knew the kid could play receiver at the next level but surely not quarterback. I have been wrong before, but never quite this wrong.

Rod had a solid junior season. After completing 52 percent of his passes and tossing 22 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions, he proved to everyone that he was indeed a quarterback. He also experienced what most first year starters at quarterback experience , crucial mistakes in key situations. At that point, both he and Walt Harris realized that with intense study and hard work, he could become a big-time college quarterback.

Did he ever. Rod will play football at the next level and it won't be as a wide receiver. Rod Rutherford will go down as one of Walt Harris' finest accomplishments. First and foremost, Harris never wavered. He remained steadfastly behind his talented lefty. He continued to challenge Rod to keep getting better and wouldn't allow him to rely soley on his athletic ability. Instead, he taught him to use what God had given him to master the position.

Rod has proven this season that the hard work paid off. The former City League standout has become the complete package. A refined talent with the decision making and leadership to not only win games, but to be a difference maker in crucial situations.

The numbers speak for themselves. Heading into the season finale, he had 33 touchdowns and just 10 picks. His QB rating of 160.2 ranked eighth nationally. He personally had accounted for 19.1 points per game, third best number in the nation.

It helps when you have the nation's best receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, who is busy rewriting the record book at his position. But throwing into double coverage isn't easy, and while Fitzgerald certainly makes his share of great catches, many are the result of great throws.

Football is the ultimate team game, but with the way these Panthers are constructed, no one has been more responsible for their success than Rod.

Shame on me and anyone else who doubted this kid. Sure, early on I watched as he struggled to hit the mark in simple passing drills. That big left arm appeared to be a colt that would never be harnessed. How was this kid going to master Pitt's sophisticated scheme? He often thought about chucking the dream and becoming a focal point of the offense as a receiver.

That's when this colossal collaboration of teacher and pupil defied the odds. I'm sure there are still doubters among you, but NFL draft guru Mel Kiper told me at the Virginia Tech game that Rod would get a shot to play quarterback at the next level. Not necessarily as a draft pick but certainly as a free agent. Former Cowboys' personnel man Gil Brandt actually guaranteed Rod would be drafted. Who are we to suggest otherwise?

Not only does Rod have the arm strength, the mobility and the intangibles to play on Sundays, he also has the most important asset of all: mental toughness. He proved that by simply overcoming all of the obstacles when he was growing up. Most of us don't have a clue what it was like in Rod's neighborhood. Drugs and guns derail many dreams before they get off the ground.

I also mentioned in that column two years ago that I hoped Rod would prove me wrong. It is with great pleasure that I get to say, congratulations Rod, you absolutely rubbed my face in it.

Paul Alexander has a sports talk show 6-9 pm weekdays on KDKA NewsTalk 1020.