in Offense, Pat Narduzzi, Pitt Football, Pitt POV, Players, Predictions, Recruiting 1,289 Words

Who Are the Breakout Stars in 2017?

Part of the offseason discussions about Pitt football – the fun part – is speculating about what will happen next year. A big part of that is looking at the players we lose to graduation and who is still onboard, or is in the recruiting pipeline, who may fleet up and become starters.

We are losing players who have given Pitt some great play over their careers – guys like Nate Peterman at QB; RB James Conner, OLs Adam Bisnowaty and Dorian Johnson just to name a few on the offensive side of the ball.

On defense DE Ejuan Price and his sacks will be gone. Shakir Soto is leaving along with starting LBs Matt Galambos, Mike Caprara and Bam Bradley… and others also.

So what happens when that happens?  Well, the beauty of college football is that there is a starter’s revolving door that lets newcomers in at the same time old timers go out.  A great thing that happens each year is that kids who haven’t been in the media eye much rise up to not only do their job but sometimes do it extremely and surprisingly well.

Others are players who have been on the roster for sometime but have big question marks next to their name because there is doubt they will live up to expectations.  And expectations are funny things.  Most are reasonable but sometimes what fans expect bleeds over to a player being hyped up to heights that they just can’t meet.

A good example of a player that had that question mark beside his name was WR Jester Weah who was a JR last season and had been on the roster for three years but couldn’t bring his practice excellence to the playing field.  We who had watch him in practices and scrimmages knew he was extremely skilled – but what surprised us this year was that he almost single-highhandedly made us forget we didn’t have Tyler Boyd this season.

That my fellow fans is a true “breakout season” for a player to have.

So who do you think will be the surprise stars of 2017 on offense? We can share ours by position, by unit or anyway you’d like.  I’ll go first and we’ll take a look at the defense in a day or two.

On offense I like rsJR RB Qadree Ollison if he stays on the roster. Qadree Ollison I can’t think of a better way to stabilize an offense in transition then having a big back with speed getting the ball on a regular basis.  Maybe, if the staff decides to play him, it would be more like a ‘re-breakout year’ for him as he certainly established his bona fides in 2015.

Personally I don’t hold much stock in either Darrin Hall or Chawntez Moss to be solid and constant producers at RB next season.  And I don’t see stardom from them either. We may see them do it but I want the established Ollison to rebound from being exiled to Elba with Napoleon and show us, again, how well he plays running back when given steady work.

(I have an article in draft form that breaks down our 2016 running game for publication tomorrow morning…some real unexpected info there.)

We may see a surprise in our TE play also especially if the new OC, whoever that may be, starts off playing it safe in the passing game due to a new QB in place.  The question is which TE on the roster would be the guy at the receiving end of those passes?

Pitt fans seem to love new Pitt player rsSO TE Chris Clark -a transfer in from UCLA , a place he landed at after some false starts. He lasted one game at UCLA and had an interesting relationship with then-HC Jim Mora.  Chris Clark

But since then he sat out a year then came to Pitt and went on the injured list for all of 2016.  Two years to think about life sometimes matures young men and let’s hope this is the case with Clark because apparently he’s talented.

Rated the nation’s No. 1 tight end by Rivals and Scout as a senior at Avon Old Farms and had more than 40 scholarship offers…averaged 19.4 yards per catch his senior year with 32 receptions for 621 yards and seven touchdowns…had 33 catches for 417 yards (12.6 avg.) and six TDs as a junior…selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game…named to the Scout 300 (No. 23), Rivals 100 (No. 79) and ESPN 100 (No. 111)  (funny math there).

We have used our TE a lot in the passing game over the last few years. Two seasons ago in 2015 Holtz and Orndoff combined to grab 37 passes for 594 yards (16.0 ypc) and nine TDs. 

This last season we had Orndoff in his SR year and he almost replicated those number all by himself with 35 catches for 579 yards (16.5 ypc) and five TDs.  Jaymar Parrish, after being moved from his old FB position chipped in with 4 catches for 78 yards… which is 19.5 ypc and pretty amazing for a guy his size.

With Parrish and Orndoff leaving that leaves only two scholarship TEs on the roster – Clarke and rsSR Zach Poker.  Zach PokerPoker was a lightly recruited 2* TE/LB who was moved to LB/DE by the last coaching staff and back to TE by this one.

I’m extremely worried about this position anyway so I’ll say this – if Clark doesn’t live up to the hype, and we have no idea what his blocking skills are like (Poker is better in that skill set I believe), then we are in some trouble.  So maybe this is a wishful thinking ‘breakout’ pick rather than a projected one. 

At WR we have some very good returning starting talent in rsSR Jester Weah and then some experience in All-Everything  JR Quadree Henderson – who had 26 catches for 267 yards and a TD.  Those two spots will be OK because I think with the two starting TEs gone and Dontez Ford graduating those two will be our primary receivers.

But they have some good talent behind them also with both Tre Tipton and Aaron Matthews seeing some playing time in ’16.  I’m going with Tipton to be that WR who does what Weah did last year – go from a seldom used receiver to not only a starter but maybe a star to boot.

Tre TiptonAs a recruit Tipton was rated 3* and was, this is interesting, recruited heavily by Michigan State – which may account for his being in the lineup as a true FR when Narduzzi took over.

If you remember Tipton played in the first four games back in 2015 until he had a knee injury and qualified for a medical redshirt.  That’s some experience under his belt also in addition to his play last season.

Tipton had 12 receptions for 142 yards (11.8 ypc) and a TD so he was targeted a good amount for a non-starter. But he also filled that ‘WR as RB’ role well with 6 carries for 51 yards (5.5 ypc) so he produces when he has the ball. He’s a speedster and will be able to get downfield for long passes and depending on how strong our new QB Browne’s arm is that could be a great combo.

OK – those three guys are my picks for players we’ll hear about on offense next season.  rsJR RB Ollison if the staff wises up and gets him into the games on a regular basis (and if he doesn’t transfer); Chris Clark as the rsSO TE who tries to replace a very prolific Scott Orndoff and then rsSO WR Tre Tipton who has shown good hands and speed and could be a real weapon in the passing game.

Who are yours?

Note: We’ll do a defensive breakout picks soon…

 

 

 

 

93 thoughts on “Who Are the Breakout Stars in 2017?”

  1. Poker looks like a hardcore athlete. Clarke looks like a dorky kid who is healthy and goes to shool in Greenwich. He is on his 3rd school so expect Poker to pass him up. Kid runs when he faces adversity while Poker seems to embrace it.

    Nice article

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  3. Poker isn’t coming back in 2017, and most likely Challingsworth will retire due to his shoulder injury.

    Chris Clark is coming back from a knee injury, which is tough. Sometimes those five stars flame out, but hopefully Clark is a major player at Pitt.

    Moss and Matthews are my breakout guys on offense in 2017. Those two should thrive with a year in the weight room. Moss should have more power and Matthews will be more refined in his route running. Of course, a new offense is being installed again, so that might affect everyone’s development in the early portion of the season.

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  4. Austin – please share the site info about Poker leaving with me if you would. I hadn’t read or heard that and just tried to find that info and couldn’t if true I’ll update the article. Thanks…

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  5. TE could be weak then with adversity averse clark. Hope Poker info is not true or we have a hole.

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  6. Moss will have a breakout year. Aston will continue doing what he does and may see an expanded roll with more screen passes. Maybe Aston could line up tight if they need him there.

    One of the QBs is going to have a breakout year as well.

    Who will be kicking this year? I believe Blewitt is a SR…

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  7. We will need a lot of “breakout” players next year IMO.

    Starting at QB – Mad Max is my pick to be a team leader.

    RB – QO if given the chance will be a difference maker.

    WR – Aaron Matthews.

    TE – Clark (if he wants to play in the NFL).

    On defense:

    DE – Hendrix, Edwards, Folston and Blair

    DT – Taleni and Watts

    LB – Wirginis is another of my picks to be a team leader. Pugh, Zeise, Brightwell and Pine should be difference makers.

    S – Whitehead needs to be a team leader and a difference maker.

    CB – Hamlin, Coleman and Henry Miller

    Nickel Back – Maddox will be a team leader.

    If half of my list happens, Pitt will have another average 8 win season. I want all of my list to happen and then some more unknowns to show so we win 10 +

    HTP!

    Like

  8. Oh, and I forgot to mention Tim Salem – he will have big shoes to fill once his name is sheepishly announced as the replacement for Matt Canada. We need Tim to have a career year calling the plays…

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  9. I’ll go with RB Rachid Ibrahim as a break out star for ’17. He should be fully recovered now and has some speed and moves to be a dynamic option, albeit not an every down player.

    I’ll add JJ-Smith as a super star O-lineman that makes a difference, probably at the key left tackle spot.

    Finally, we’ve been a bit fortunate with a relatively healthy QB spot (bowl game aside) so although I expect Max Browne to start and play well, I am throwing out a young Thomas MacVitte that gets called in and surprises some of that skeptical fan base and maintains the offense on track for a 10 win season.

    H2P!

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  10. I thought Ffrench showed enough last year for us to expect good things from him this year. He actually took a few snaps at CB also, which may show how deleted the DB talent was. He didn’t make an appearance in the bowl and read nothing about injury or suspension, but I think he can be a big asset this coming year.

    I have higher expectations for Moss than apparently Reed has. We’ll see. And FWIW, Moss is from a south suburb of Cleveland about 25 minutes north of Akron where FR Todd Sibley is from … and I can tell you that Sibley is much more heralded in HS than Moss was, But, it’s hard to say what will happen … note that Moss enrolled last January.

    Reeves, 6’6 240lb TE is one of the 2 or 3 natural freshman I expect to see on the field next year. Of course, he will be raw, but he is very athletic to go along with his size.

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  11. Tough to come up with names because everyone has a different definition of break out because there are different expectations for each player.

    For example at TE:

    For Poker I would say if he was even on the roster it would almost surprise me. 10 catches would be very surprising to me.

    Clark – A year ago I thought it was 30/70 if he makes it to September, 2017 on the roster and healthy. I put it at 50/50 now. If he is here and healthy I expect him to make at least 20 catches because of his perceived skill set.

    Reeves – I think he will have the most catches by a TE next year and because he is a Freshman that alone will make him my breakout player.

    For running back it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Ollison went for 1000 yards next year after going for 150 this year because he has done it already so is that really breakout. At the same time it would not surprise anyone if he transferred.

    The new OC really changes things too.

    Picking three:

    1) Mathews – Outside of Weah he is the only real tall receiver so I think he gets the ball. Tipton, Henderson, Lopes, Ffrench are all slot guys although maybe Tipton plays outside and Ffrench goes to defense…who knows. If Canada returned I would have said Lopes. He was exciting every time he touched the ball on jet sweeps and kick returns. if Henderson goes down he will be breakout at kick returner. Canada really made this area a strength from a perceived weakness and this is where the new OC passes or fails. For Mathews or Tipton or Ffrench to be considered breakout I think they need to have at least 25 catches.

    2) McV – Wins the job through injury or in pre-season but has a solid year. A year similar to Peterman in his first year. I think that would be breakout because most see Browne winning the job and McV. needing one more year.

    3) Dintino – Comes in and wins the Centre position and has a solid year. I think people expect JJS to play right tackle so he may not count.

    I don’t think we have a 1000 yard back so I see no breakout. We may have 4 guys he run for 300 to 400 each.

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  12. It appears that Wisconsin is losing their defensive coordinator. We’ll see if Mat House interviews for the position.

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  15. I’ll go out on a limb: I think we see a lot of McV. The improvement NP showed with just 1 year under MC was tremendous. I expect McV to show similar improvement from his 1 year exposure to MC.

    The question is will our OLLIE afford our QB the same luxuries as in ’16.

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  17. about 15 minutes ago, I was listening to XM84 College Sports and they had a guy on who followed coaching hires .. and someone called asking about the Pitt OC hire. He said that Napier was the only name he had heard …. but he thinks HCPN has a purpose in mind for waiting. He speculated that Pitt may be going after an NFL coach who maybe still involved in the playoffs. He thinks that with Pitt personnel, an NFL guy makes a lot of sense.

    If so, I would have to guess Van Pelt may be a consideration.

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  20. I like the RBS trifecfa of Ollie, Moss, and Aston to add up to a lot of yards from the RBS slot. I think Mathews replaces and exceeds the receiving yards of Dontez Ford.

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  23. I’ll focus on defense, since that was our obvious Achilles’ Heel in 2016. Two guys who will become impact players by December.

    One, an OLD newcomer, (just like Chris Clark noted above), the other, a brand new newbie not even out of the box yet.

    Dwayne Hendrix
    Paris Ford

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  25. Doc I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware we hired an OC and or AD or Hoops wasnt being embarrassed in from of a 60% full Peterson Arena that was built where the OCS was. My Bad. “UNIVERSITY OF NO URGENCY”

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  27. I’m having an increasingly difficult time watching Kevin Stallings coaching style. You could put a manaquin on the bench and he would be more involved. We have become Duquesne in one year! It’s painful if you care at all about Pitt basketball. There truly is no defense for this guy. Would love to hear some of his supporters tell me how he is a great, no good, no average coach. Oh, the games fun now—- no, winning is fun. This guy is stealing money like none before.

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  28. JoeKnew – I agree with your statements on Stallings. Maybe the new AD makes a change for the better sooner rather than later. Kevin is biding his time and collecting a big check with a team of players that don’t care about D either.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Dr Tom and UPitt – are you two married? Constant bickering. haha.
    Joe Knew – most people went insane when JD screamed. Most shoe salesmen sit a lot.
    Offense – While I am hoping for Ollison to be given the chance to be number 1, if he stays, his would not be a “breakout” season as he has already done that. It would be comeback player’
    I like Aaron Matthews to have a breakout year, with Tre Tipton second there. Several OL have to step up but i am not sure any in particular would be a breakout player – unless they get Officer out of center with his inability to snap into the shotgun.

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  32. I’d love to see Van Pelt as OC, at the very least he is going to teach our QBs perfect skills for the play action pass… he had hands like a magician.

    I didn’t list Aston because 2016 was his breakout season.

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  35. apparently Chris Jones is the new Tino. I don’t understand how he continues to be singled out when the entire team stinks.

    One thing not being mentioned on this game or last is how Pitt is being dominated on the boards. Pitt was outrebounded by 16 the other night, and by 26 to 15 by halftime today.

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  37. if you think this team is bad, wait until next year! In fairness, there appears to be a pretty good recruiting class coming in, but there are no Kentucky one-and-dones so there Pitt fans will have to be patient

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  38. This Turd will be back selling Rockports and Loafers door to door in 6 months. Great Hire Herman you fuck.

    Oh and Herman’s Mom is 86. His family issues. Im guessing she was 85 when he took the job. What a bullshit excuses. Get him out of town already. Gallagher do you have a vagina?

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  42. Delaware: Buffalo running backs coach / special teams coordinator Matt Simon has been named offensive coordinator at Delaware. Simon spent six years at Buffalo.

    Lehigh (PA): Wide receivers coach Scott Brisson will be promoted to offensive coordinator. Brisson has spent the past three years at Lehigh.

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  43. Dixon ran his course at Pitt when the ACC became the league. He never bothered to gave a sh** except for the direct deposit. He wanted out and knew the game was over. He was a very good coach and asset at one time, but not for quite a while. Smiley and Nordy would have never cut the check to get him out and Barnes did the next best thing. Lowered the buyout t move him. Stallings may or may not be a good hire. give him three years to bring in and develop his roster. By year three, that is enough time in BB to see what is what. Guards. guards and more guards is the way to go.

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  45. LOL Chet. May or May Not. He sucks. Another wasted effort as a new AD if ever fired will fire the bum. Last 3 games down 25
    Points in each one.

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  47. Reed, there was never an article stating it. I read it on the Lair. You could try confirming it on one of the Facebook Pitt groups.

    OK, thanks

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  48. I reserve judgement on any new coach who comes into a suspect program and roster. Stallings has no guards to work with. He has some front court talent but good teams just toy with Pitts defense. If and that is a big if the coming guard is as good as some suggest, that is the quickest way to improve the team.

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  49. My primary beef with Herman is lowering the buyout to ship the most successful hoops coach in the history of Pitt.
    Explain how on earth that is sage business?
    I don’t expect him to be prescient, but show some financial responsibility.

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  51. Reed – just noted that the POV site now is described as a magazine instead of a blog when I type the address in Safari.

    I hope this doesn’t mean there will be a swimsuit edition!

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  52. Do not know why Ollison did not get more playing time last year. When recruited his enthusiasm for Pittsburgh as well as Pitt was effusive. In 15 his play was outstanding. Last year he was missing.The few times he played last year he had nice gains..Maybe he is seen as Connor’s replacement and last year was to be Connor’s?

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  53. Joe L., my daughter and I are looking at expanding the website to include a magazine type quarterly newsletter that will have some of the better articles in it and some other information about pitt football that I don’t really want to post up on the website… A newsletter about both football and the POV family.

    This Pitt POV website will remain free for anyone who wants to read and comment I won’t charge any money for anything associated with the POV at all but we are looking at some ways that I can offset the cost of everything associated with this.

    I have spent so much more money in the last 6 months than I thought I would and so I made it a small business LLC so that I can take some off my taxes. But still the $$$ outlay is way bigger than I anticipated it would be now that I am traveling up for every home game plus the bowl game in NYC.

    I’m having to get hotel rooms in PGH now as my best friend rented out ‘my’ room this year. So… Two nights each game plus gas, tolls, food,drinks for you guys and tailgates next season will all really add up… and I still buy two season tickets and parking… Most times I either give the tickets to people who are broke or donate them to a non-profit.

    It is great having Press Box credentials but I buy the season tickets as my financial support for the program. My personal donations to Pitt go to the academic side and they are as substantial as I can make them on fixed income.

    I love doing this for everyone but take notice that almost every other website associated with Pitt football is either a professional one associated with the media or a recruiting site…or has business sponsors who pay them big bucks to advertise…which I will never do.

    So l hope we can figure out some way keep me from losing too much money; we are looking at a donation system which would be totally voluntary just to help offset some blog costs.I want to repeat that point –this blog will always be free to read and comment.

    Anyway, I’ll keep all informed as to any changes before they happen.

    Like

  54. Reed — you might want to look into GoFundMe as a way to offset your costs. Strictly voluntary contributions.

    Thanks Peter, I’ll do that.

    Like

  55. Reed, why so adamant about advertising? I don’t find it offensive and I think advertisers would be lining up for your site. In any case thank you for your hard work and financial commitment. This is the best most informative site on Pitt Football.

    Like

  58. Reed I’m no expert but was Pres of a non-profit 501c3 when I am done with the stretch of 4 homicides in 4 weeks if you dont mind i will shoot you a few thoughts.

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  59. I was thinking we should create a go fund me for Reed. I’d imagine most of us can throw $100 a piece and that should help. As far as hotels Reed I have 700k points with hilton. I will also do your stays when needed.

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  60. So now I read on the Lair that Poker, Challingsworth and a new name, Mike Grimm, won’t be back.

    Pitt is now officially at 25 scholarships to give. Hopefully a couple more leave and with the early enrollees Narduzzi can bring in 27 players.

    Like

  61. Grimm is a shame but injuries just took it’s toll. Shoulder and hip. Not sure with Max if it is 26 or so now. Narduzzi has a number of recruits to close on. I think Pitt would love Garbutt, Proctor, Smith, Twyman, and either another DE, corner,RB. That is 7, They have a couple guys who may come depending on if a couple are not in this class. But 7 looks like the number that brings it to 26.

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  66. I like Wirginis and a fully healthy Hendrix, Zeise and Hamlin as breakout players next year. Not a lot of starts, but a lot of athleticism added.

    I am actually concerned about the offense next year. A new QB. Two new lineman. A new TE. Perhaps a new starting RB. A new OC.

    Guards? The guards coming in next year aren’t known as shooters and aren’t particularly tall. Besides, who’s going to rebound all the missed 3s ?

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  67. UPitt. my Brownies cut Lewis a couple of years ago, and two of the guys (RBs) they kept are no longer on the team

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  70. Lewis never played for the Steelers, it was Stephens-Howling. He was running great in the preseason before blowing out a knee & never played again.

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  71. Hey Upitt did you pick up any easy money on the Pitt BB game. Pitt was actually a slight favorite going into the game.—-I can’t take it any more as now Penn State actually beat #24 Minnesota yesterday 52 to 50. Their BB program is on the rise and ours is going in the tank. Ugg!!

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  72. Reed, You should never have to spring for beer or tailgating expenses. That’s the least we can do for you. I will bring a case of beer to every home game tailgate…and I don’t miss many tailgates. Thanks for all you do for the POVerts.

    Like

  73. Starting up the Sunday Podcast series again today. During the end of the season I decided to write everything as actual articles to give you readers more opportunity to comment and to discuss with each other than a podcast does.

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  74. One other thing. I’m going to start getting in touch with some of you guys in person by phone or email for a couple of reasons, One is I have some things to send out to people and I want to make sure that we have the arrangements for the golf outing ( thank you very much for doing that) and arrangements for the spring game festivities.

    So it’ll be over the next few days I’ll either email or ask you guys for your phone numbers so that I can keep a record of that if you don’t mind and I’ll use them to conduct a little bit of the behind-the-scenes planning with you guys.

    One way you can really help out with this is by “following” the blog and if you do that I’ll automatically have your email address and that way I can keep a record of who is who and how I can get in touch with you.

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  75. Reed – do you have any Spring Game date information to share from EJ? I have two Friday dates secured in mid-April for the POV golf outing (16 golfers so far) –

    In Pitt track news – sprinter Desmond Palmer (no relationship to Arnold) broke a Pitt record on the nitter’s turf yesterday –

    http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/c-track/recaps/011417aaa.html

    An Pitt does not even have it’s own track to practice on thanks to former AD (twice) Stevie Peterson.

    Way to make us proud Desmond on a day when our BB team took giant steps backwards…

    Like

  77. Pulled this from PSN –

    Dion Lewis (former Pitt RB) is the 1st player in NFL postseason history to have a rushing TD, receiving TD & KR-TD in a single game.

    HTP!

    To add a little UPitt lingo to this historic accomplishment – Dion also had two fumbles (1 lost and 1 recovered) – just to keep things in perspective…

    Like

  78. I have a e-mail in to EJ for confirmation of the spring game date in the spring practices dates so that we can start arranging things. I’ll be driving up two or three times.

    OK – it looks like Zach Poker, Zach Challingsworth and Mike Grimm are leaving the program (from Pitt source). Conner obviously isn’t returning for his 4th year of eligibility.

    Like

  79. Like it or not … Jamie Dixon is one of the darlings of college BB thus far. In his first year thus far, he has transformed the B12 bottom dweller into a very legit program … and with a freshman PG. Last night, TCU beat a pretty good Iowa St team. I’m not saying that TCU will challenge Kansas, or ever possibly challenge the Jayhawks, but for anyone here to make light of what he has done so far would be just typical Pitt blog cynicism.

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  80. Having posted the above, Jaimie was probably finished here at Pitt. Not so much due to Pitt’s W/L the past few years … but much more due to the poor recruiting his staff has done recently … and Pitt’s current lack of depth certainly proves this.

    In fact … Stallings has already signed a new class that has put anything JD did in the last 4 years to shame. Stallings hiring was certainly sketchy, but like an new coach, he deserves at least 2-3 years to prove himself

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  81. I should say anything that Dixon did in his last 3 years since a class of Young and Artis has to be deemed good … too bad they don’t have a whole lot of support

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  82. Love you Wwb – Nonone deserves nothing in this world. He quit coaching and sat on his ass all game.

    You think if we hired pitino he wouldnt of found a stud or 3 of immediate transfer juco ready studs and actually coached. This guy is like a tired al bundy who just worked a double at Belks. Id fired him end of season and rid any part of herman from the program. Basically whomcares about his great 2 win soccer coach. He can stay bc no one cares. Burn the uni’s especially the weak ass cathedral numbers. Look moronic. Herman didnt do shit in 15 minths but make a plan to do stuff.

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  85. I guess that game affected me more than I thought, I had a dream the Cathedral of Learning was blown up last night. Maybe a need a new hobby.

    It is very intriguing that Jamie is suddenly able to recruit again.

    Recruiting is the life blood of success in college sports. Yes coaching makes a difference, maybe 20-30% with the players at 70-80%. Which raises the question, why is it so difficult to recruit to Pitt?

    It is unlikely that Pitt will win any game this year without solid efforts from Artis and Young. Duquesne beat us without Artis and Yesterday we saw what happens without Young. Luther also make a marginal difference.

    So another question is how much of the performance for the last three games is on the players vs the coaches. If my original assumption is correct only 20-30%, then it is mostly the players. However, it appears that Stallings is not doing all that much with his 20-30%. IMO.

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  86. I also think those percentages apply to football. So Narduzzi need to go get em.

    I can’t predict who will have the breakout years, only the guys that I hope will. These are the guys that could really make a difference if they do:

    Brown/MacVittie
    Hendrix/Edwards
    Wirginis/Brightwell
    Hamlin/Coleman
    Ollison/Moss
    Clark/Reeves

    But I am really hoping that the redshirt freshmen and sophomores have a major impact on the defense.

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  87. gc – Jamie has a new coaching staff at TCU and their admin opened the “purse strings” to elevate the program.

    While at Pitt the last couple of years, Jamie refused to make significant changes to his staff – he himself is NOT a good recruiter nor was his staff – he now has a better staff at TCU.

    Jamie can coach – see success at Pitt vs ‘cuse, Duke and UNC from the ACC. And the Big East success speaks for itself. But if you don’t recruit to fill the roster with talent, you get what we saw in the last three ACC blowout losses.

    At least Barney is gone in a few weeks – then we can make some noise…

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  88. I was waiting for the defensive breakout players article but here I go:

    Salem Brightwell
    James Folston
    Paris Ford

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  89. Let’s give Reed Proceeds of the golf tourney. Maybe we can get some gear donated and auction it.

    Weekend in Napa with emel trip?

    Doc can donate a check up and xrays.

    Gasman can put someone under.

    Big B can give rehab.

    Erie and Dan72 – Business Advice.

    I can send a crew and get you a new driveway or build you a concrete 4 story doghouse. Haha

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  90. Recruiting is a dirty business. If Louisville was throwing parties with Hookers for recruits and fathers, what else do these schools do? I know part of Jamies problem was with the whole AAU, shoe, trust thing. A way to pay players at arms length.

    I think there should be a federal investigation of the whole process. The NCAA covers up most of it.

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  92. I like Mathews for a break-out year and I think Moss is going to lead the RBs because he appears a bit quicker than the others. I’d still like to see us get another Dion-type runner with the quick lateral moves and decent speed.

    Go Pitt.

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  93. My list of breakout players for next year:

    WR: Mathews
    RB: Ollision (if Ollision leaves Whitehead should be the running back)
    LB: Brigthwell, Zeise, and Wirginis (I listed the whole group here because I think they should have been the starters in 16)
    DE: Hendrix
    DT: Camp and Weaver
    CB: Paris Ford, Coleman, Hamlin
    TE: ???
    QB: I hope its Browne
    OL: ??? (need several guys here)

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