So as we sit here at the quarter-pole (three games into an 11 game season) we can start to make some observations about the team. The first is that the Defense is Really Good. Perhaps even better than last season. The second is that the kicking game is a mixed bag, but it has the opportunity to improve. Third, the offense is still trying to find its way, which is a bit frustrating given we have a senior quarterback and we’re in the second year of Mark Whipple’s tenure.

And so it’s the offense I’d like to talk about, and I can’t help but wonder if maybe our expectations were a little too high. The Austin Peay game did nothing to change that. Pickett looked as good as he’s looked in his career. Passes were for the most part being caught. Deep shots were being taken. The running game looked fairly crisp. Yes it was just Austin Peay, but it was safe to say the fan base was pretty geeked about year two of Mark Whipple.

And then Syracuse happened.

Pitt managed to roll up just 342 yards and put 21 points on the board. (Although it would have been 30 had it not been for three missed field goals). Heck, even lowly Georgia Tech managed 453 yards against the ‘Cuse (although just 20 points, but they turned the ball over five times.)

The Louisville game was only marginally better. Pitt mustered 376 yards (up from 342!), and put up 23 points (up from 21!).

Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy to have won both games, but lets double click into what are two pretty similar outcomes. The box score for both games will show what amounts to basically a 50/50 run pass split, all well and good. Against Syracuse, Pickett threw the ball 36 times, and he largely played dink and dunk – 69% completion, 6 YPA. Against Louisville, he was still dinking and dunking – just not as effectively – 61%, 5.8 YPA. In both games the running game ideally would average close to a 5 YPC average to compliment that. Instead it consistently came up about a yard short. Vince Davis carried the ball 17 times for 3.9 YPC against the ‘Cuse; AJ carried it 11 times for 3.4 . The two guys who made the most out of their carries, were utilized the least. Todd Sibley was given three touches out of the wildcat – all of them productive – but was yanked after a holding penalty and hasn’t been seen in the backfield since. Daniel Carter bulldozed twice for 15 yards, and those were his only two carries of the day. Why? The numbers against Louisville were similar. The only difference is true Frosh Izzy Abanikanda got nine (count ’em!) carries at 4.6 yards per pop (Carter left the game with an injury or he may have gotten more touches as well). The 9 Izzy carries are a step in the right direction but still not enough (in most fans’ estimation…)

Lets now take a step back. Big picture. Eye test. My biggest complaint about Pitt’s running game is how Whipple calls it. Sporadic? Predictable? I’m not sure how it could be both and yet it absolutely is. And look, I get that the theory behind the West Coast Offense is to use the horizontal passing game to loosen up the defense to set up the run, but dang it Whipple if you are going to invest in a half a dozen sideways passes in the first half, at least have the guts to bust it up the middle more than once a series. (I’m exaggerating a little, he’s cut the first half sideways passes down to about three). Of course it’s the exact opposite in the second half. If Pitt has a lead of three points or more, you’ll find Whipple running (often uncreatively) on first and second down, and then hoping they aren’t behind the sticks on third. Look Mark, a three and out is a three and out. I know the the Duzz doesn’t like it but how about taking a couple shots against those eight man fronts? Maybe even run a little play action? At the very least give Kenny a run check. He showed he could master those as a sophomore.

So that brings me back to the reason I wanted to write the article, because as we sit here at the quarter pole I can’t definitely say that Pitt’s offense has an identity. Are they a passing team? Well kinda. But not like the Walt Harris days of yore. Are they smashmouth? No, not even close. And they certainty aren’t whatever it was that Matt Canada did. The closest I can come “finesse ball control” (because the the hidden stat is that Pitt has possessed the ball for 34 mins against the ‘Cuse and 35 mins against the ‘Ville). That phrase turns my stomach by the way.

Finesse ball control… ummm yea. Well I guess if that’s way it’s going to be, that’s the way it’s going to be. Of course it would work much better if Pitt’s receivers could hold onto the ball.

On the other hand, Whipple could just be saving all of the good stuff until the games get really tough. Lets hope so, because the current offense isn’t going to cut it against Miami, Notre Dame and Clemson.

Hail to Pitt

Michaelangelo Monteleone

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

87 thoughts on “Offensive Identity?”

  1. Another great article and I agree with your moniker of Finesse ball control and also am not loving it. Things have worked out well so far this season but that playing not to lose has bit Pitt in the a$$ in the recent past and could do so again when the competition gets tougher. Its also tough on the tickers of their most loyal fans.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Mike, another in a long list of great articles. I’ll say it again, PITT’s defense is too good to let the offense spoil a potential win. I’m surprised Narduzzi didn’t send Whipple to the locker room in the 4th quarter so he wouldn’t muck up things.

    Another thought here is… ALL QB’s are game managers, ALL of them. Who doesn’t think Brady is a game manager? PITTs offense and KP are going to do just fine. I wouldn’t be saying that if PITT was sitting here at 2-1 or 1-2. But they are not. Wins > than style points. Case in point, Pitts defense does not get extra points added to the scoreboard just because they have 7 sacks. Lest we forget Al Davis, just win baby!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. We haven’t progressed much if any from the offense we closed the season with versus Eastern Michigan. Every week Narduzzi talks about somebody missing blocks or penalties or dropped passes etc etc etc. There is always an excuse as to why we are not clicking on the offense. Simply put we have many playing on offense that are average to below average players particularly on the OL and TE positions. Too many weaknesses for our opposition to exploit. And quite frankly I can see no solution. Just think of where our offense will be if we end up having a rash of injuries on the current OL.

    Like

    1. I’ve said it several times in previous threads, but it warrants repeating given this season’s three game evidence:

      Borbeley and Salem can’t coach. Borbeley and Salem can’t recruit.

      Throw in Whipple’s game planning and game calling, why is anybody surprised with the mediocre (at best) results?

      Like

      1. I’ll take that with a grain of salt Pete. Borbs has actually done a very nice job with the pass blocking with this group. Carter Warren is a new man.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Trouble with Borbeley is that he can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. One year it’s pass blocking, the next year it’s run blocking. For the amount of money assistants get paid, you should be good in all phases. Still can’t recruit no matter what year it is.

          Like

  4. You never know as far as injuries go jrn, maybe PITT trots out Zubovic, Drexel or Goncalves and they never lose their starting jobs? Isn’t that what happened to Kradel? “Behind every beautiful thing there has been some kind of pain”.

    Like

    1. I remember back a couple of years ago when we lost Morrisey to injury late in the season. The offensive line after that was well below par. And just last week bringing in the transfer to replace Huey at RT lasted all of a couple of plays before he was pulled. So I have real doubts as to how much quality OL depth exists on our current roster.

      Like

  5. If the offense can just be competent and not The Dirty-O the defense is good enough to beat most teams on our schedule.

    Liked by 5 people

        1. Yes… I would love fries with that as long as they are brown paper bag dripping with delicious grease from a fryer that hadn’t been properly cleaned in at least 50 years.

          Like

    2. That’s very clever, Lastrow. Unfortunately, if we start calling the defense the Dirty O, the penalty flags against our defense will be flying like autumn leaves…

      In this day, perception matters, reality, not so much…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

      2. Haha. Too late they are the dirty O offense. Turns your stomach but gets the job done

        Like

    1. I’ll take it.

      Note that the article says Pitt is one of the surprise teams so far this year yet all it’s done so far was win games they were favored in. In other words … most of the so-called experts expected Pitt to lose this past game.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. “The Wolfpack are going to need both quarterbacks”. Considering that two of our three opponents had to deal with their starting QBs going down with injuries when trying to weather that sack storm that this Defense brings down on them, I’m thinking, “yeah, you’re probably correct, they’re going to need both QBs.”

      Liked by 1 person

  7. The beauty of the schedule in front of us allows our offense to find a rhythm if there is one to be found. T.Mack played his first game and was a key contributor. TE’s D.Moraga and G.Carrigan are the healthy ones who played last week for their first meaningful reps. They both need to take this opportunity and shine (whether it is with great blocking or consistent pass catching or both). RB by committee is the most frustrating and just maybe, with NC State being weak in the run stopping department, Duzz takes over the play calling duties and we see a big game from Izzy and never look back.

    I’m expecting an output performance by the offense that is similar to the Peay fest in a convincing, dominating and winning fashion.

    I also wouldn’t rule out a shutout by this D. If that happens, the “Turtle” O could be the result we see, which gives us fans more to complain about.

    Like

  8. The most dropped passes in 2019 and after 3 games (25% of the season) again leading the nation in dropped passes! Yowzer!!! That’s not a “damn statistic” its a fact. A frightening fact. One that should scare us on every 3rd down play.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We now have Mack back, so look for him to be targeted more and more. Turner has been a nice add and consistent catching the ball.

      Again I will say, if a receiver drops a catchable pass, he sits for a whole quarter and watches his replacement, hopefully demonstrate how to catch some passes.

      Like

  9. while I like ‘Dirty O’ better, you might consider calling the offense ‘The No-Hands Team’

    Like

  10. We knew going in that the offense was the question mark. I actually see marginally better play from a lot of guys and think they will get better. Too many drives stall out and a few key third down pick-ups could make a world of difference. The O-line will become more cohesive by playing together. Obviously reducing dropped passes is key.

    Definitely need to avoid O-line injuries and turnovers.

    A few defensive scores wouldn’t hurt either.

    Like

  12. The one word that sums up our offense for me is mediocre. Our Oline is mediocre. Our RB’s are mediocre, our QB is mediocre, and our receivers are mediocre too. I do see some hope with the young receivers but they are going to take time to develop. Who knows what the Oline will evolve into over the next few years. Recruiting there has been spotty at best. Our TE’s….they’re invisible.

    Which leads me to the heart of the problem….coaching. Our offensive coaches need a lot of improvement. Whipple has been poor in play calling and little help on the recruiting trail. I don’t see many impact recruits falling all over themselves to come and play in this offense. Borbely and Salem can’t recruit worth a damn. Terrible. Fire both of these guys at the end of the year.

    Our offense really is a shame because if we had even a slightly above average offense coupled with this defense we would be serious contenders for an ACC title. As we sit today, we’ll win the games we should and we’ll probably drop at least 3-4 games simply because we can’t score with the upper level teams in the league.

    SVP

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Agree some and disagree some, SVP. I think the Oline recruiting, while not exactly getting studs, has improved the last couple years. But only time will tell.

      Also, I suspect that Coach Whip has helped the recruiting of offensive skill players. Why would Addison come to Pitt. And Barden… Why did Yellen pick Pitt? And you will laugh maybe, but why did Krull pick Pitt.

      Not to downplay Coach Beatty’s and other’s recruiting, but I think those guys came to Pitt because of the history Coach Whip has in putting up stats at their positions…

      For example— true freshman Addison already has 21 catches in his college career…

      Overall, though, no disagreement that the offensive coaches are leaving much to be desired…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

      1. I agree that it’s probably fair to give whip another year. Other fans may not be so patient

        Like

        1. I agree with Major. Whip didn’t forget how to coach. The guy they have running the offense can’t run it effectively in games. My theory is that KP is a practice legend. He can make all the proper reads and gets the ball out on time to the right guy almost all of the time in practice. Then when it’s game time and the proverbially bullets start flying, he just can’t excel like he does in practice. How many times this year alone in the 2 real games Pitt played has Whip been seen on the sideline barking at KP and pointing to where he should’ve thrown the ball or what he missed, I counted @ least 3 times last game alone. Even the awful ACCN crew pointed it out at least 2xs. I’ve seen some missed receivers open and the awful INT last week was another poorly thrown ball.

          Now some of KPs problems likely have to do with the OL. BUT… I just think that with a SR QB, with KPs experience, KP has got to be better. He has to make everyone else around him better, not the other way around.

          Whip is not blameless as those dumb horizontal passes have got to be scrapped. But Whip has had success putting up big numbers everywhere he’s gone, except Pitt. I don’t think that’s a coincidence…

          Like

  13. Well said and I agree on almost every point. That’s why I posted that Whipple should go up in the booth next to Bates and just get a view from above on what’s taking place on some of his calls. The sideline view doesn’t tell much of what’s happening on the opposite side of the field. Let me put it this way it certainly can’t hurt.

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Addison has been great and a true freshman.
    Izzy has looked like the best rb and again a true freshman.
    Tight ends #1 and #2 have been injured and are out.
    The offense is a work in progress and it takes time for the new starters to get on the same page. Having Mack back will be a big help.

    KP has his best games against weak secondaries, how good is the wolfies secondary?

    Like

    1. Supposedly a they have had a lot of injuries in their secondary. They may be getting a few back for the Pitt game.—-“The offense is a work in progress”, yep I think that’s been the case for the past 16 games Whipple has been OC. Are we going to need 16 more games before any progress sets in?

      Like

  15. any news on if fans will be allowed at the game? it is ridiculous that families of the players can’t attend the games in person. IMO, the Pitt Band should be in there with the Cheerleaders as well.

    Liked by 4 people

    2. I agree that the families should be allowed to attend. Don’t really think it is worth the risk for the rest.
      Covid is not done reeking havoc by any means.

      Drove through Oakland yesterday, not saying it is a ghost town, but quite different, most wearing masks on the streets and pretty sparse. Hopefully avoiding the outbreaks at many schools.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Pickett did not have a passing college offense to work with his first two years. What a waste of his skill set. Whipple’s offense needed this second year to click. Now Picket knows what he is doing plus we have an abundance of receivers. Granted PITT still needs tight ends who can catch, better offensive line play, and a hotter running game.

    I’m keeping my fingers crossed some or all of those three things get better.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hypothetically speaking:

      How about if Whipples offense doesn’t click and the offense remains the issue for the rest of the season?

      Is he done or does he get a 3rd season to click?

      Like

  17. Against Louieville, Pitt was lining up with an unbalanced line with tackles Warren and Van Lynn next to each other. Which, seems to me, makes it pretty obvious where the run is going. We ran one naked-bootleg, but we seem to have no “mis-direction” in the offense. Without a stud Oline, you’d think some mis-direction would really help.

    When Louieville was running down all those plays from the backside, wouldn’t a reverse or two have been called for???

    I hold out hope that the offense is going to figure some things out, but, IMHO, a functional TE would help matters significantly…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. I’ve got to think managing your player utilization to finish the season schedule in a “normal” situation is one thing, managing players to finish a season in the “abynormal” covid environment can be different. Injuries can take a player out, a positive test can take a player, or team out. Has to impact game strategy. Just a thought.

    Like

  19. Way to early to think about but, how many guys will stick around for another season next year?
    Pretty obvious that Hamlin, Ford, Weaver and Jones are gone, that is the heart of the D.
    So enjoy this year, while we have good depth, that is a lot of star power.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. gc, no doubt that those 4 are the heart of the D …. BUT

      a year ago when Weaver and then Camp went down, Twyman and Jones emerged along with able assistance from Morgan, Alexandre and Baldonero — all who will return next year, as well as Kancey, D Hayes, Green plus frosh E Donald and D Ford.

      The entire LB corp may return but if Campbell and Pine decide to leave, there is Dennis, Davis and Kamarra

      in the secondary, Mathis may return since he missed this year along with M William, AJ Woods and R Battle, all who are getting mcuh PT now. The biggest hole will be the safeties but Hallet, B Hill and maybe one of the true frosh will emerge

      Yes, they may not be a Top 10 defense next year, but I don’t think a Top 20 or 25 unit is out of the realm

      Like

  20. @MM

    You used a phrase in your article, ‘dink and dunk’; that brought back memories because the Steelers had an OC for the 90/91 season and his offense was described in the exact same manner.

    He is a Pitt grad who lasted one season with the Steelers and had moderate success as a pro and college head coach.

    Pickett who as some say is the most underrated QB in college football, I’m not so sure about that, but is the root cause of their offensive inconsistencies the inconsistent offensive line?

    Like

    1. O line is grading out pretty good on PFF (on pass blocking) to my surprise. Run blocking is meh. My personal eye test agrees with that. Pickett seems to have time. I think his pocket presence is still subpar and his ability to check to 2nd and 3rd option is limited, and that hold him back. Just my uniformed opinion though. The 69% accurate pass rating that David hale tweeted says otherwise

      Like

  21. IMO the root cause is the line and a OC that doesn’t run a system that caters to Kenny’s strengths. Kenny is a good athlete that can effectively be utilized more as a runner.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’ll disagree a bit on KP as a runner Tex and agree a bit. I think KP in space can beat an edge rusher or Dline for sure with a juke/quickness. I dont think he would be successful against a Safety or DB. Against an LB’r, I think it depends on whether it is a bigger, physical LB’r or a smaller, Phil Campbell type LB’r. So I say 50-50 on that. He has had success when the D is playing man and the Dbacks turn to cover the WR, opening up lanes to run.

      A TE middle screen, especially to Carrigan would be an interesting play call to see how a 190 pound defensive back takes on a 285 pound TE in space. I just wonder if it would take too long to develop for the big dude to get going. I could see the WR’s taking the db’s out of the play by running fly.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. totally agree with that on the KP running ability part, fast but certainly not quick and elusive. There are some running O’s that could make better use of him and of course as Tex says, Whipple is not that guy to do anything much other than what he does,,,,,along with the silly look of having KP get plays in person(hope KP doesn’t give Whipple COVID being in his face so much 🙂 )

        i don’t know where most of the fault lies with the O but i do think most of it falls on the OC and secondly the receivers drops and KP’s inconsistent accuracy and lack of seeing the field, and lastly the quality of current RB’s and O-line
        and with all that, they aren’t terrible anywhere(maybe TE) in talent, so it goes back to the OC and play calling matching situation and personnel(our O and their D)

        Like

    2. Tex: the root cause absolutely is the line. The secondary cause is how Pickett reacts to pressure created by the weak play of the O-line. He panics and vacates the pocket too quickly. Which also means that he’s not surveying the field looking for secondary receivers.

      Like

  22. KP takes a lot of hits just passing the ball, the running plays should be executed by the rb’s and wr’s except for an occasional third down pickup. KP’s experience at the qb position is too valuable to take unnessary risks with him running. Imo

    Like

    2. He takes hits because he’s not a conventional drop back passer and his line stinks at protection. Kenny needs to move around and react. He’s smarter in a different scheme. The RPO is perfect for him. But Whipple is old pappy and stuck in his losing ways. I was wrong… he is not a QB whisperer. He’s a QB yeller. Unless sweet nothings are whispered in the ear, Kenny or any other QB won’t take too kindly being barked at in the face by a salty old goat. He needs to retire.

      Like

  23. Williams did look like a bit of a hotdog after his interception. Course I can’t blame him for being absolutely pumped after picking one off – just hope he can back it up.

    One concern about NC St. is that they have some tall WRs. We don’t have a good track record with those jump-ball plays… Williams may be picked on this game…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. That is when the trueFR Battle and Royal will show themselves.

      No worries – we got this.

      TE Daniel Moraga is my breakout player vs the wolfpack. He will make a few catches and do a serviceable job blocking for Izzy as both Moraga and Izzy accumulate 75 yards + each in the victory over the puppy dogs.

      H2P!

      Like

  24. Here’s a big surprise, I really don’t see a horrific PITT offense. I see some bad play calling at times and some poorly executed plays on offense. Hell, I’ve also watch a couple of breakdowns on the country’s best defense. I don’t know where PITT stands on total offense in comparison to the rest of the country but I can’t see it being that far down the list. Yes the schedule has been conducive for good stats but since when does PITT cooperate with opportunities? I’m confident the PITT offense can win games with their defense dominating out there.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Playing against the Pitt offense is quite easy now(Louisville did it). You just “dare” them to run and drop plenty of defenders into the secondary to discourage Pitt from passing. Your apt to get plenty of 3rd and longs relying on the Pitt running game.—-That’s the exact opposite philosophy defenses imposed 2 years ago with Ollison and Hall in the backfield and our zone blocking OL.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Here’s the thing. Even if Pitt runs the ball for 3 yards a pop on 1st and 2nd down, that’s 3rd and four. That’s right in the WEst Coast Offense wheelhouse. But Whipple seemingly refuses to pound the Rock early in the game against 7 in the box.

      I’m not saying “run two plays pass punt” is needed on repeat, but taking what the defense gives you means more than just throwing underneath the coverage

      Like

      1. When you dare a team to run the defense will often then run a blitz at your running attempt ending up with catching our RB in the backfield. TFLoses makes for a good deal of 3rd and long plays.—-I frankly do not know if Whipple gives Pickett the option to check off of his called play when he senses what the opposition defense is planning to do. And even if Whipple gives Pickett that option I’m not sure Pickett has the courage or willingness to check out of the play. It’s much easier to run the play called and let the OC take rewards or fall on any given down. I have seen Pickett too often try to force a pass into a covered receiver which I have assumed was the called play. He doesn’t look for the 2nd or 3rd receiver very often unless he’s on the run and has no choice to for others down the field. How many times have we watched Pickett throw the sideline pass when its been pretty obvious the defense is sitting out there looking for that pass.?

        Like

  26. not counting the last series that consisted of two kneel downs ….the next to the last offensive series ended with a DJ Turner drop at around Lousiville’s 16th yard line, and the series before that ended with a Picket INT at the Louisville 5.

    This team just does not have a nose for the end zone. And this is embellished by the lack of splash plays. Lville scored TDs on a 75 yard run and a blown DB assignment. Not counting Austin Peay, has there been any long gains (> 30 yds) let alone scoring plays?.. I know last year, there were very few

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Also, first possession of the second half we drove it to the Louisville 18. That’s the series where we fouled up the blitz blocking and then settled for a FG…

      On offense we seem so close, but yet so far…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  27. Our defense is quite adept at knocking QBs out for a series or a game. My question is have we ever knocked TWO qbs out of the same game. That would be my wish for Saturday.

    Lastrow, love “The Dirty O”!!

    My suggestion for the Defense is
    ” The Cancel Culture”. They’ve certainly earned it.

    My initial hope for the D this season was for a return to the 1910 defense – Unscored Upon. It’s too late now for that lofty goal, but if they can continue in their Scrooge-like ways, they’ll certainly improve the chances that the Dirty O can outscore the opposition.

    Coming Nard and Whip – bust thru that glass ceiling!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. New name for the Pitt defense, even though they named themselves “Blitzburgh” –

    Dirty D, Done Dirt Cheap (reference to the 2 & 3 star recruits with two 4 star home town guys)

    H2P!

    Liked by 1 person

  30. I watch line play in every Pitt game. Louisville controlled our O line more than Pitt controlled their D line. Thus Whipple is limited in his ability to make certain calls. I’m no Whipple fan but facts are facts. NCST is a trap game for Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Part of Whipple’s 2nd half strategy appears to be based on fixing a problem that Pitt no longer has.

    It’s true the 2-3 years ago, Pitt’s D was porous and just as likely to give up points as it was to put pressure on QBs, and for that reason the game plan (especially in the 2nd half) was keeping the D off the field by not taking chances, and eating as much clock as possible.

    Pitt’s D is now a strong point and for this reason, PN and Whipple need to adjust their 2nd half thinking. Call it what you will, “playing not to lose”, “eating the clock”, “finesse ball control”, it needs to be 86’ed and replaced with a 2nd half killer mentality of putting points on the board and relying on the D to bail you out if your aggressiveness results in a TO.

    Pitt put up 21 against ‘Cuse and 20 against the Cards in the 1st half, there is no excuse for not being able to come close to or matching that production in the 2nd half. They have to come out of the locker room with the same aggressiveness in the 2nd half as they did in the 1st.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Who am I? We’re that crappy bourbon Old Pappy. Seriously, that stuff should never go into your mouth. Best used as a disinfectant or treatment for an STD.

    Like

  33. I don’t think Pitt’s OL is bad. The left side is certainly good. Morrissey is the best center in the ACC. I think Kradel is struggling a little only because of the RT and TE shuffle.

    The offense moves the ball nicely between the 20s. The red zone offense is a serious issue.

    Drops again this year a major issue.

    I too am tired of PN saying it is a missed assignment here or a penalty there. Those are on the coaches. Get them fixed. If the offense is too complicated, dumb it down. No excuses.

    More than enough talent at the skill positions.

    Like

  34. OT: Michigan Freshman LB Osman Savage a 4* 6′ 2″ 220lbs out of Baltimore entered the transfer portal yesterday. A rumor out has him transferring to Pitt. Nothing solid and I’m sure he’ll be pursued by many. Pitt had offered him and he was a teammate of Pitt freshman M Stratham in HS.—-Anyway his last name certainly fits in with the Pitt defense nicely.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. PITTs offensive identity, for this week? …….. 3-0. The O does have to clean some things up and score TD’s in the second half way more often.

    Looks like D Carter will be ready to go this weekend.

    Is Paris Ford being a little more cautious this year? I haven’t seen the big hits of last year.

    Like

    1. In the first quarter of the Austin Peay game he picked up the receiver, turned him upside down and threw the player down on his neck and shoulders. However, I prefer he focuses on sure tackles more so than spectacular tackles.

      Like

  39. From what I’ve seen of Izzy, he’s got what it takes to be a pretty productive RB. It’s still early and I think we’ll see more of him as the season progresses. BTW what is the nature of AJ Davis’ injury? Is he practicing this week…is he a go thus far for Saturday?

    Like

  40. Yeah, AJ Davis is suppose to be available this week. That’s if you can believe a word Narduzzi says?

    Like

  41. MissingWlat will be missing the participants of the POV Fall Golf Classic tomorrow. My crew was all set for the event, but then my son advanced to our local District Qualifer for the PIAA golf championships. Hope to see you all soon at a tailgate. Hit them straight and H2P!!!

    Liked by 2 people

  42. I’m watching the womens soccer team play Virginia. Ties at 1 with 14 min to go. Pitt’s only had 3 shots on goal, but playing great D against 22 shots by VA.

    Like

  44. Need some good recruiting on the O line and that includes the TE position…. Canada won while scoring big time with Chryst/Joe Rudolph and Chubbs who brought NP here…. how did our recruiting go under 2 years of Watson????? We are now harvesting the fruits of their labor….. we have a really good D but sadly I don’t think we stack up to the top ACC teams on the O side…. had problems scoring on a lot of teams last year particularly down the homestretch…. we shall see

    Like

  46. The lack of explosiveness you mention has a lot to do with the underwhelming results. The precision and blocking isn’t at a level that allows for consistent 12-18 play marches down the field. Inevitably a TFL or penalty will put Pitt behind the sticks and kill the drive before they hit paydirt. That’s a problem, because if you’re not a threat to score 30 every week it’s really difficult to win 9 or 10 games. Even the best defenses give up 30 a couple times a year against quality opposition.

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.