Receivers, Pitt will be fine without Williams

Pitt football fans, there’s no need to panic.

After the suspension of Pitt sophomore… Pitt football fans, there’s no need to panic.

After the suspension of Pitt sophomore receiver Maurice Williams was announced last week, the dust settled, and something became evident: This really isn’t a big deal.

It’s true that Williams, who looked like he was on his way up the depth chart during spring practice, will be missed. But he won’t be missed all that badly.

Is Williams a good receiver? Yes.

Does he have the potential to help Pitt’s football team? Yes.

But in no way is Williams the go-to guy for any of the Pitt quarterbacks. He’s only been with Pitt for one year and was definitely not a guaranteed starter heading into the fall. At this point, he doesn’t have the same impact on the team as a receiver like Derek Kinder or Oderick Turner.

Williams still has a lot of work to do before that happens, and this suspension might even give him a chance to polish up his game and come back next year ready to go.

In the long run, this suspension could end up helping the Panthers.

Here’s why:

First of all, it sends a message to the team that players will be punished for not staying up to par academically. Instead of just being a threat on paper, the threat of suspension becomes real when it actually happens to someone.

Along with the reminder, this suspension gives some of Pitt’s other receivers, especially incoming freshman Jonathan Baldwin, a chance to shine.

Baldwin, who’s listed at 6-foot-6 with a blazing 4.4-second 40-yard dash, has the physical tools to develop into a playmaking receiver.

With the deep-threat Williams gone, Baldwin might have the opportunity to step right in and make a difference in the vertical passing game.

And if Baldwin isn’t ready yet, things will still be fine. Pitt has guys like Cedric McGee, T.J. Porter, Aundre Wright and Aaron Smith who could fit into that third spot.

All of these players have the talent to start on this team. One of them just has to earn it.

Now here’s what’s been happening all week in the big, bad world of sports:

— It’s official. After 15 seasons with the New York Giants, Michael Strahan, one of the best defensive ends in NFL history, announced that he’s going to retire. Maybe now Strahan can visit a dentist.

— Despite displays from NBA players like the Lakers’ Vladimir Radmanovic, an athlete is not allowed five steps before a layup or dunk. It’s hard, I know. But a rule is a rule.

— Rafael Nadal is really good playing on clay. When I was a kid, I was really good playing with silly putty.

— I think this is the year Pitt football will finally make a bowl game. And by think, I mean hope. And by hope, I mean pray.

— Pitt’s basketball team will miss assistant coach Orlando Antigua when he’s coaching at Memphis next season. Antigua, a Pitt grad, is a great coach, a great recruiter and a great guy.

— After a lot of thinking and debating this week, I’ve decided that the BCS system in college football isn’t all that bad. OK, you’re right, maybe it is.

— Apparently no one ever taught Paul Pierce how to “walk it off” when he was a kid. And even I was called for fouling the Celtics’ Leon Powe Sunday night.

— Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese announced last week he’s going to retire in June 2009. Guys like Tranghese don’t get nearly enough credit. He’s been with the Big East since 1979 and helped bring the league one of the best reputations in the country.