in Pitt Football 1,089 Words

2021 Production Loss – Virginia

Next up on Pitt’s ACC schedule are the Virginia Cavaliers.

But first a POV public service announcement. Do not forget the FrankCan POV golf gathering. Link for article with details below.

FrankCam Cup Golf Announcement (pittpov.com)

Still spelled wrong in the linked title.

Virginia has a new head coach. After the abrupt and unexpected resignation of Bronco Mendenhall, the Wahoos hired ex Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott. This will be his first season as a head coach. He has hired Desmond Kitchens (Atlanta Falcons) as his offensive coordinator and John Rudzinski (Air Force Falcons) as his defensive coordinator. What, no Bowling Green Falcons coaches available?

At Air Force, Rudzinski lead a defense that finished as the 2021 # 4 FBS team in total defense allowing on average 296.5 yards per game.

Kitchens has mainly been a position coach. He was the offensive coordinator at both Vanderbilt and NC State but only for one season at each team. Since Elliot called plays at Clemson, I believe Kitchens is what his title is and is not responsible for play calling.

Virginia’s 2021 results and the 2022 schedule.

Nothing unusual on the schedule except for having the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers during the annual SoCon weekend. Do they not realize that is the weekend you schedule your FCS opponent or at least Old Dominion before a Thanksgiving rivalry game?

Here are the Rivals 5.6 and above 2022 commits. Also included are the current Transfer Portal (TP) additions.

Virginia under Mendenhall was not a recruiting powerhouse. Mendenhall’s best class was the 2021 class. It featured three 5.8, 4-stars and two 5.7, 3-stars. The 2021 class was the second recruiting class after the 2019 Coastal division championship. One of the ’21 5.7’s entered the TP (to LSU) this year.

As an aside, Mendenhall’s highest ranked commitment was a 6.0, 4-star OT in the 2020 class. He never signed as he took a two year hiatus to do a missionary stint. Upon learning of Mendenhall’s resignation, he ended up committing to Michigan.

Maize&BlueReview – The improbable story of how Michigan landed 4-star OT Andrew Gentry (rivals.com)

Speaking of the TP, the Cav’s lost 19 players to the TP – eleven from the offense, eight on the defense. The latest TP entry was 6/10/22. Look for a lot of light blue (eligibility) and pink (TP entry) in the charts.

Head Coach Tony Elliot, during the ACC media days, admits he did not do an excellent job of selling his vision to the departed. He was able to talk two players into returning.

Virginia, to staunch those losses, added eight from the TP. Four each on offense (WR, RB and two OLinemen), and defense ( All DL). Three of the pickups were from FCS schools. Only one is in the final year of eligibility.

On to the stars identified as NCAA team leaders in selected stats or members of the 2021 All ACC teams. I have added a new stat –  Athlon’s 2022 preseason All ACC Conference’s (four teams). I only found two players on the Phil Steele All ACC team by reading the Virginia athletic department site (for Non-Phil Steele watch list articles).

Most of the Hoos star players are back, but if you look you can see the start of lost production.

The  offense revolves around QB play. I have added sacked and yards lost to the QB chart. I also added Kenny Pickett’s stats for comparison.

Armstrong is one of the top returning QB’s in the ACC and FBS football.

Wahoo running backs and receivers 2021 activity. Also returning production summary for Pitt, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Louisville, UNC, Syracuse, and Virginia.

Virginia only lost around a third of their skilled players production. The starting WR group is intact. They will miss starting TE Jelani Woods. His backup will have to produce.

WR Wicks is one of the three best returning receivers in the ACC. Even if the media covering the ACC media days did not vote for him. (Flowers BC, A.T Perry Wake, and Josh Downs UNC).

The RB group leading returning rushers are QB Armstrong and “Football Player” Keyteon Thompson. Virginia does have experienced backups. I expect new HC Tony Elliott will want a more robust rush game. The prior offensive coordinator makes Whipple look likes he actually believed and used a robust rush attack.

After all that, it seems like the Virginia offense will keep rocking. But we need to review the third leg of the stool – the Oline.

What does the Oline stats tell us? I added Pitt allowed sacks and tackles for loss.

I hope you see the problem. The Wahoos need to totally rebuild their Oline. I believe it was the Oline that HCTE was referring to in not selling his vision.

Only one player with two starts return and limited game experience of the balance. They did pickup two FCS OLinemen from the TP. The Dartmouth player was All Ivy. The Lehigh player started and was a Rivals 5.6, 3-star.

Last year Virginia’s Oline allowed 71 TFL’s (NCAA #73). They gave up 40 sacks (#119). There is a comparison to Pitt near the bottom of the above chart.

At the bottom of the chart is a Pass/Run/(Sacks) percentage of plays.

Pitt will have this problem next year but that is a next year known problem. This year it could be a lot harder for Armstrong to put up the stats he did during the ’21 season.

On to the defensive review.

Virginia had 49 players make a defensive stat. But twelve of them were offensive players. Three were special teams player. That leaves 34 defensive players making a stat.

The chart below strips out the non-defensive players and eleven players who did not make at least four or more tackles.

The below chart includes 24 players- ten DB’s, six DL’s and eight LB’s making up (and I mean made up) a “4 tackles two deep.” I did lower my goal of ten tackles to four to make a “two deep.”

Using the column “Tot”(al Tackles) Virginia’s returning defensive production was at 56.9%. Of the ten P5 Pitt opponents, the Virginia returning production is the fourth lowest. Only Louisville (55.5%), GT (43.2%) and WVCC (34.7%) are lower.

To help put all of the defensive data into perspective, here are the Virginia 2021 NCAA defensive stats.

I give Virginia’s 2021 defense a “D”.

Virginia will have a solid passing attack. Will the Oline be serviceable enough to protect Armstrong and improve the rushing offense? Will the defense make a leap forward? They may but I have this game as a Pitt win.

188 thoughts on “2021 Production Loss – Virginia”

  6. With UVA’s Qb and WRs returning, they can be dangerous. I don’t think they will compete for the division but can likely score points

    Sent from my iPhone

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  7. If I win the mega millions tonight, I’ll buyout narduzzis contact, put a down payment on an on campus MPC and provide the food and beverages for all Pitt tailgates this season. I wonder what it would cost to buy entry into the Big Ten?

    Liked by 2 people

      1. A HC that can recruit well. 40 percent of the class rated 5.7 and above. I’d line up boosters for NIL to grab some elites in skilled and critical positions. Got to have an excellent staff just like Majors. Someone with an offensive background and proven success as a HC at a lower level. But also understands the recruiting footprint. Someone who’s less into kitten saving and more into crushing bones. I have a list of three. Inflation has made me cut back.

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        1. Why wouldn’t you stick with coach that won a conference championship in power 5? lol. Your bar is low. You’d also have to triple the football budget.

          Liked by 1 person

  8. New coaching staff , new approach to trying to make headway in ACC. I agree with formerlywwb UVA can be taken too lightly but we should win. I noted that the Cavs picked up a Dartmouth transfer….I believe that including our Big Green transfer that he is the third player to move on from Hanover to an ACC campus…
    Dartmouth obviously had some players who had above level talent. THANKS again Richard for making the POV the best informed site in the ACC>>>>H2P!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Richard,

    I share your thoughts on the game vs the Wahoos in early Nov. Lets hope it is a game of consequence for us as we head towards a showdown with Miami on Thanksgiving weekend.

    Looking back at last season, the UVA game was really satisfying. Not as big as that great night in Charlotte, but certainly up there as a top moment in the season. Yes, the Clemson win was really something and the excitement of the weather gods helping us stick it to the Tarholes was very good…and the win in Knoxville that the realists keep trying to downplay. But those games were 3rd place plus in my book. The UVA game was the second best moment of the season.

    Was it the barrel of Barolo that kman and I drank in the parking lot? Maybe.
    Was it Addison’s combat catch and run to seal the game? Perhaps.
    Was it another great showing by the students? Well, that was pretty good.

    All those things were certainly special, but the reason why that night was so very special…

    Hard to beat watching someone who’s seen a lot of disappointment at Heinz Field enjoy a victory cigart while fireworks were going off just a few blocks away.

    Liked by 7 people

        1. I must say you do resemble a number of homeless I pass by each day on my very early walks each day. If you had cup in your hand with some pencils you might actually made out pretty well financially that day.

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    3. What a great picture. I showed it to my friends at dinner on Christmas night dinner. I agree JoeL it was, for me, the best game of the year.
      The late date and winning the coastal.
      My friends had the great pleasure of dinning with Fran this summer. We only wish BigB could have stayed to join us.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. N.B
        That is why I hate the front-loaded schedule this year. It rotates and it is really unbalanced. I do like the years it is all in back but would prefer to have some balance.
        I am sure next year with new format Pitt will get screwed.

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        1. Plus JoeL
          Your hospitality and stories of Italy inspired me to break out the good Barolo!
          Always well with it!

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  11. Thank you, Richard.

    All your info made me think about last year’s game against UVA. What fantastic entertainment that was – and with a happy ending. With typical Pitt football drama, the game was tied at 7, 14, 24, and 31.

    With 2:10 left and a 3-point lead at 41-38, we had a 3rd and 5 at our own 40. That’s when Addison saved the day coming back for KP’s under-thrown ball to not only snatch it from the defender, but then run for the 60-yard score. What a moment in Acrisure Stadium! (BTW, Carter made a key block of a pass rusher on that play…)

    If Addison doesn’t make that play, Pitt has to punt, with only a 3- point lead, and Whoa Nellie!

    Addison ended up with 4 TD catches in that game. He caught 14 passes for 202 yards. Think we’ll miss him?

    Izzy returned a kickoff 98 yards for a TD in that game.
    Pitt had 5 sacks and 8 total TFLs in that game.

    Games like this are what make college football great entertainment.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 7 people

      1. Great call by Billy Hillgrove:

        “But Jordan Addison said “No! My ball! My touchdown!” Turn out the lights!

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Kancey on Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List

    Pitt Defensive Tackle One of Eight Defensive Players Named

    PITTSBURGH—The preseason national attention for Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey continued on Friday as he was named to the watch list for Walter Camp Player of the Year.

    The Walter Camp Football Foundation listed 52 candidates for its prestigious national player of the year award ahead of the 2022 college football season, and Kancey was one of only eight defenders highlighted.

    The news continued an offseason of hype for Kancey, who was previously named a candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player), Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) and Lott IMPACT Trophy (most impactful defensive player) on their respective watch lists.

    Kancey (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern) established himself as one of the most productive defensive tackles in the nation last season, pacing Pitt in tackles for loss (13) and ranking second in sacks (seven). He earned first team All-ACC and received third team All-American recognition by the Associated Press.

    The 6-foot, 280-pound disruptive force helped the Panthers win their first outright conference title in program history with several big plays in ACC games, including sacks versus Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Virginia. Kancey remarkably recorded a TFL in eight consecutive games down the stretch for Pitt through the ACC Championship Game against Wake Forest and forced a fumble against Clemson.

    Kancey’s combination of quickness and power has drawn comparisons to another former Pitt standout defensive tackle: three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who won both the Outland and Nagurski after his outstanding senior season for the Panthers in 2013.

    Here is a full list of Panthers who have been named to national award watch lists ahead of the 2022 college football season:

    Calijah Kancey, JR*, DT, #8

    Walter Camp Player of the Year (Best Player)

    Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Top Defensive Player)

    Outland Trophy (Best Interior Lineman)

    Lott IMPACT Trophy (Most Impactful Defensive Player)

    Israel Abanikanda, JR, RB, #2

    Paul Hornung Award (Most Versatile Player)

    Deslin Alexandre, SR+, DE, #5

    Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service Champion)

    Gavin Bartholomew, SO, TE, #86

    John Mackey Award (Best Tight End)

    Brandon Hill, JR*, DB, #9

    Jim Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back)

    Carter Warren, SR+, OT, #77

    Outland Trophy (Best Interior Lineman)

    Pat Narduzzi, Head Coach

    Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year

    Kancey and the Panthers open the 2022 campaign with the highly anticipated renewal of the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia on Sept. 1 at Acrisure Stadium. ESPN’s College GameDay will provide coverage from one of the marquee contests of the first full week of the season.

    Pitt football season tickets, which start at just $180, are currently on sale at PittsburghPanthers.com. For pricing, seating maps, season ticket holder benefits and more, click here or call (800) 643-7488.

    R.J. Sepich

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  13. Super good article Richard! Well done. Difficult to predict how this game goes but we will have a better understanding after the first couple of weeks, at least from our end.

    Their qb is a playmaker that had many td’s when compared to interceptions. He prioritizes the pigskin. College QB Playmaker’s win more than they lose when the talent is close to equal. That said, I don’t think the talent is equal or close to it. I think all of the portal losses they lost under a first year, first time, head coach is just too much to overcome.

    UV Rays are dangerous. UV Hoos, are just not……….yet! First few games will tell us a lot.

    John – Thoughts and prayers headed your way. You have made it to our refrigerator list! Hopefully somebody wears Pitt knickers for RKB at the Frankcan.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Huff,
      Your kids are on traveling hockey teams. What schools are they pursuing and any chance I’ll get to see a huff junior in the NHL one day. My daughter heads off to Texas in three weeks to join my son. No aggies allowed in this household.

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  14. I hope these Panthers are not getting too fat reading their press clippings. Emotion is a huge part of college ball, and they can’t just take the field and expect to pocket the win. If they win against the Whoopies, they could have a major letdown against the Vols, which could ruin their season. The better team doesn’t always win as we saw with WMU.

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    1. The team with the most talent wins 80 percent of the time. A coach making bad decisions will cost you the other twenty percent but could also make the difference if the underdog. Moreover, talent also needs to come motivated. Good coaches can motivate. These are kids after all and can more easily be motivated than adults. With adults it’s more from within and on you.

      Kids these days are motivated differently however than the tactics I remember.

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  15. Virginia will be worse on offense this year. Bronco had a good thing going last year.

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  16. Mark, funny you mentioned Gen Grant..
    I went to a Halloween party years ago as US Grant.
    When I got there I heard some guy yell “hey look, it’s Robert E Lee”

    Liked by 3 people

    4. Haha lastrow… I was a Shepard in a Christmas play at church dressier in a robe, rag on head and fake beard( typical1 A.D. hard)… one of the little kids sitting on the floor at manger looked up at me and yelled “Santa Claus!!!”

      Liked by 2 people

    1. My wife and I lived in Erie for 2.5 years while I worked for Welch Foods which was headquartered in Westfield NY. Bought a house in Glenwood Hills. Loved it. Skied in the Winter, golfed in the Summer, partied at the Lake. Dined at the Buoy, Harbor House, Bark Grill. Drank at a bar off Peach Street the Liberty Lounge. Great times. Lost a car when I hit black ice on the Interstate above Northeast.

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  19. PSU new AD laying some early groundwork for a new stadium with comments like this, “What I have to figure out is, is it safe? How long can we keep it standing? That’s the question. But if it’s going to fall down, then you gotta figure it out.”

    You watch, after the economy recovers (hopefully in a few years), they will propose a new stadium because Beaver Stadium is unsafe. They will get state money. At that point, college football may be professional.

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  21. Pitt hosted a QB recruit yesterday Austan Cristiaan from Ft. Myers. He’ll be in the class of 2028 as he just finished his 6th grade. I guess its never too early to recruit future QB’s.

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    3. It’s really not college ball now… who are we kidding… I will go to games if there is still a degree of enjoyment but like many long time fans of collegiate ball that star seems to be fading

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    4. If they truly did, then it is the most asinine thing I have ever heard. Y’all do know that the human body undergoes tremendous change during the teenage years both mentally and physically. You don’t know what you get until you’re 28. And some don’t know until 50. I’d tell this kid to enjoy his popsicle and training wheels.

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  23. CRAZY!!! Yes>>>>wait another 2 years when he continues to grow and sign him up for Alabama with a 3million dollar NIL deal. College football is going down the tubes as we know it within 2-3 years.
    But wait, I am sure that somewhere in the State of Florida there is a youngster who is 10 years old and already stands at 5″ 11″ with an amazing ability to hit 3’s from NBA distance……the line to sign him up will be around his home block with offers for him and possibly a new home for his parents>>>>calling KANSAS!!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. The above, along with the NIL crap, Sports Books everywhere you look and star players bagging out of important bowl games (and yes, a bowl win to give us a 12 win season was very important) is what has killed the fun of CFB for me.

    I’ll go to some Pitt functions (more on that later) and a game or two but that is to see you guys more than the actual football.

    Maybe I’ll come around a bit during fall camp.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Absolutely Reed, looking forward to reading them before each game, maybe with some updates if Richard is willing. Current stats and injury reports would be awesome.

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  26. These kids should get NIL Hershey shirts and candy for life with their pictures on candy kisses and with $$$.

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  27. Great idea, Reed! Richard the Lion Hearted can give us the background we need to provide a little pre-game advantage when we lay down that game time wager. A pre-game injury report would be nice as well!

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  28. I see where ND has offered Kenny Minchey. Guess they had to wait until someone called him a 4-star! 😊

    The good news is that Minchey didn’t go to Central Catholic…
    Also, ND already has a 4-star QB in their 2022 and 2024 classes…

    Go Pitt.

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  29. Last year (2021), I posted an article each Thursday before a Pitt game. I still plan on doing that weekly.

    Those articles were similar in content to what I am doing this offseason, but I use current season data. Once the season starts, the articles I am doing now are irrelevant. They are irrelevant because (at least in my mind) of the purpose of these offseason articles.

    As Pitt fans we know what the loss of Pickett, Addison, LB’s and the numerous other seniors and TP entries means to Pitt. But the vast majority of POVers do not have that insight into Pitt’s opponents. Using Virginia as an example, we knew they have a new coach and QB Brennan Armstrong was returning. Did we know they lost their starting OLine? Did we know the TP wreaked havoc on their defense?

    I don’t mind reposting the offseason articles. I was planning on linking the preseason article in my Thursday’s articles. That way you can read both and see if my articles hold up to what actually happened on the field. I don’t mind suggestions on improving the product I provide.

    Liked by 7 people

  31. I was going to respond as the others did above, then it dawned on me that Rich had already provided a pre-game write-up.

    A weekly agenda like: MMQB and/or Good Bad Ugly / Rich’s article / prediction thread plus any other thing that may arise would be just peachy keen with me

    Sent from my iPhone

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    Liked by 2 people

    1. Using the POV archive, I checked two weeks in October. The layout of articles was just as you described. Erie Express wrote the MMQB/GBU articles, but I think two others may have written them (Gordan Conn & MajorMajors) or wrote comments that could have been articles. Mike wrote one of his usual timely and relevant articles. I did a Thursday article. Reed would do a prediction/game day thread.

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  32. I remember a friend telling me when you sit in the upper deck at PSU that you can feel the deck sway when all the fans react to a score in the game…He said it’s built to do that. I responded that sounds dangerous to me!

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  33. The reason that I “Liked” Reed’s comment above is that I can’t stand what college sports have become. From super conferences to NIL. USC in the Big 10? That was a big FU by USC and UCLA to their shipmates of 100+ years in some cases. JA winning the most prestigious award a WR can win in college FB and then transferring? I don’t blame JA for securing his future, but I hate the circumstances that allow it to happen. After 25 years or so as a Pitt FB season ticket holder, this will be my last. I’ll still watch and root for my alma mater, but I’m done making financial sacrifices to do so.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. More great work Richard! A Big Thank You to You.

    Ain’t it funny how PITT winning one ACC title has screwed up NCAA football in it’s entirety. Biggie B said it right.. zapped the fun right out of me… (but I’ll be back)

    Liked by 1 person

  35. I see very little difference with what college football has become and LIV golf, or whether Juan Soto goes to the Mets, Yankees or Dodgers, … or any other situation where the rich get richer.

    Just be glad you guys aren’t paying hundreds or thousands for your season tickets, I guess

    Sent from my iPhone

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  36. I thought Sandy was excellent at State but Pat will reset the bar. The Nitters have a good one unlike ours.

    Yellow blouses on discount a Macys. But most likely will be salvaged to the Dollar Store. I mean who buys anything yellow these days.

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  38. What about the yellow rose of Texas?
    Pitt just had it’s best season in 40 years and is poised for another strong showing, Capel probably had the best recruiting season maybe ever and someone is still fixated on yellow blouses.
    Not to mention record setting years in men’s soccer and women’s volleyball.
    Jeez

    Liked by 8 people

    1. The yellow rose is a rose and not a blouse. I’ll grow up when Pitt finally thinks like a business and acts proactively. That means when Hell freezes over. Not in my lifetime.

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  41. Uh-oh, we could be in trouble this season. I just read an article about the executive chef and his staff who feed the Panthers (and Steelers). Kevin Blinn is only 37.

    Anyway, I was alarmed when I saw that this year, in addition to the seafood station, they have added a hearth-baked pizza oven.

    Where do I sign my letter-of-intent?
    (But we need to monitor some weights – I’m looking at you —offensive linemen…) 😊

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They really need to be more concerned about hydration. I expect plenty of fake leg cramps when playing the volunteers this year.

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      1. not worried about leg cramps. More worried about brain farts.

        Sorry Lone and JoeL – I typed a long reply to your inquiry about hockey above and it got doinked by the moderator. That would have been my first deboinkification ever and the word I used is just very common. Disappointed is an understatement but it ain’t my gig. Thanks to Reed for letting you all gather.

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        1. I just checked WordPress. No comment from you was in the pending, trash or spam buckets. Nothing for me to moderate.

          I suggest a new comment.

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  43. Perhaps many/most have already heard this, but Mark Packer will return to ACCN in late August for an ACCN daily show:

    https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/07/acc-network-unveils-plans-for-new-afternoon-show-preseason-acc-football-road-trip-the-acc-huddle-on-the-road-and-new-original-programming/

    I enjoyed Packer and Durham the past couple of years and was sorry to see the show end in July. Although some might not have cared for their pro-ACC POV, I think they did a nice job of covering the conference and gave PItt more balanced coverage (sprinkled with a little love) than they have historically received on Tobacco Road. Enjoyed the whole basement with the dogs schtick as well.

    So, he’s coming back without Wes Durham (who was probably directed by ESPN brass to shed some of that Carolina mindset for northern audience the past few years) for reasons that arent clear to me, but he will have some sot of cohost. I’ll DVR it just like I did with their morning show.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I had breakfast with Packer and Durham most mornings and I was disappointed to see the show cancelled.

      Wes Durham was like the straight man to Packer’s fan-like opinions and occasional rants. Pack was not kind to the NCAA leadership, rightfully so. And as far as I could see they were pretty fair to the Panthers.

      The best part of that show was the interviews of coaches and players. Some nice personal insights came from those.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Packer and Durham got a lot more interesting as Pitt climbed the ranks.
      Too bad they are done.

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    3. I’m guessing Packer and Durham may have been victims of ageism as it’s all about youth. I will bet Packer’s new partner will be significantly younger.

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  45. Bill Russell died yesterday — age 88. RIP

    Greatest teammate ever in the game.

    Little known: the Celtics traded up in the draft to get him in the 3rd round, the player taken before him was Sihugo Green. The Celtics won eleven NBA championships over the next thirteen years.

    Liked by 1 person

  46. Wow. Never realized Russell was a third rounder. Must admit that I rooted for the Sixers back in the 60s when it was Russell versus Wilt often on TV

    I really got to admire Russell when he became an announcer in mid 70s, and his wit and intellect really came out. Won 2 NCAAs, Gold Medal and 11 NBA rings as a player and first black coach for the last two

    Sent from my iPhone

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    Liked by 1 person

    1. APOLOGIES — Should have read: Russell was taken as the third PICK in that draft. Sihugo Green of Duguesne taken with the second pick.

      Liked by 1 person

  47. Camp starts this week. Will communications be on lock down? I don’t see how Narduzzi can hide the QB competition from the public for the entire camp. But with Narduzzi’s typical paranoia, I suspect we will be struggling to get any worthwhile information out of camp.

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  49. With the OLB transfers in the off-season, I was hoping it was for depth as I believed both Kamara and DeSields were ready to step in. Both are about 6’2 and 230, and can run. The only thing lacking is experience.

    And the DB depth is only dwarfed by the DL depth. The ACC title game was won by the defense, and only hope the momentum continues

    Sent from my iPhone

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  51. With Lock the Gates, y’all will be privy to zero information on camp battles. It’s a great marketing way to generate zero interest.

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  53. Let’s just say that sometimes it’s the younger person who is most wise. Wisdom isn’t dependent on age. Some old dogs are just plain ignorant.

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  58. Bill Russell was the 2nd pick not a 3rd rounder. Great winner and redefined what a big man could do. First big man to dominate defensively vs offense first.

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    1. One big change with the running game is the previous guy’s preference for the flea, leaving Sibley and Carter on the bench vs. the new guy’s appreciation for power. Look to see Carter and the transfer from ND get some carries.

      Liked by 2 people

  64. Pitt-Cocks…how and you and the “casino’ getting along!!!

    GC, Indiana ,Pa the land of Frank Cignetti Sr. and Tex ???

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  65. Sellout alert! For the wvcc game there are only single seat tickets available through the Pitt ticket office.

    I have four friends that wanted me to get them tickets – I was on hold since 9:55am today and just got off the phone with the Pitt rep – I even tried for 2 and 2 – nothing existed but single seats.

    I’m ready for some football!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oops!

      I meant to post —- C’Bo Flemister? He’s the transfer RB from ND.

      Sounds like a character in a Dickens novel…

      Go Pitt

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    1. And ACC Media has them ranked 5th for ACC champs. 2nd in Coastal.

      Hope it motivates the team to prove the voters wrong.

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  71. The guys making their preseason predictions count on short memories come Dec. No one knows now – tho everyone likes to guess. Someone save the AP poll. Richard can pull it out in Dec, do a column, and we can all get a good laugh.

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  72. Heard Jeff Hathrone on the radio today. He was at Steeler’s camp and said KP looked good today. Seems to be getting more comfortable and gaining confidence – Jeff said…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  76. I am officially Dan 72 today. Been on here since the beginning and with Chas since 94!
    Now, if I could just once shoot that in golf, even from the yellow tees!

    Liked by 5 people

  78. Dan, Happy Birthday!
    I’ll hit 72 in December…know the feeling.
    Best news is that we’re still here and still playing!

    Liked by 2 people

  84. Thank you all for the Birthday wishes. Your friendships mean more to me than you’ll ever know!

    I am Blessed to be in great health!
    I walk and swim every other day and play golf once a week with no knee pain!

    Have any of you got an offer from Capel? He seems to be offering anyone who has ever dribbled.
    I am already working on an early October preview of this years massively talented class. Maybe the most talent ever on opening day at Pitt BB!

    If I had one wish for the younger posters it would be to experience a Pitt Football run like the years 76-81! I’m hoping this year is a repeat of 1976! H2P

    Liked by 3 people

  88. OT – as in way way OT. Out of left field (and apologies for the pun.

    RIP Vin Scully. The last last in a generation of iconic baseball announcers.
    Called the greates baseball moment of my adult life (Im 62 and was a teen for the last Buccos WS):

    Scully kept reminding viewers throughout the game that the Dodgers were missing Gibson.
    A truly magical moment when Gibson emerged from the dugout in the bottom of the ninth.
    I get chills watching it and remember jumping and screaming like the Dodgers were my team (they weren’t).

    Like

    1. Thanks for posting the vid JoeL… Scully and Garagiola…doesn’t get any better than that…” Where have all the flowers gone?”

      Like

    2. I didn’t remember the at-bat being so long. That’s a great, truly improbable moment.

      Shows how important it is to get the barrel of the bat on the ball – that swing was all arms…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  89. Just got back from my birthday trip. Did well but not as well as my previous trip. I consider well when I come home with some (or more than some) of the money I took.

    Forgot my laptop, Friday’s local paper I hadn’t read, a bag of trail mix and snacks for breaks and bedtime treats. Had to use my phone to keep up with the POV. I use the phone to read not to comment or moderate issues.

    Happy belated Birthday Dan72. For one day, we were the same age.

    Liked by 1 person

  90. Scully was a bridge connecting generations of fans.

    Hillgrove and Lange are very similar comparisons for sports fans in Pittsburgh.

    Not sure if you could find Vin in bars like those two.

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  91. I grew up in Brooklyn listening to Vin Scully and the also great Red Barber. Brooklyn had a GREAT ballpark, an amazing team and 2 future Hall of Fame Broadcasters. Vin Scully practiced play-by-play
    calling while he was an outfielder at Fordham. Little did he know that talking to himself would lead to the greatest announcing career in the history of baseball. Mr. Scully will be missed by all of us who loved him.

    Like

  92. Dan, I know that football is just getting underway, but I can’t wait for your basketball review! This could easily be Capel’s best class ever, and to accomplish what he has done with this recruiting class under such pressure is amazing! And I have forgotten the player’s name but he has another PG stud coming in next year! Pitt could be turning the corner if NIL doesn’t totally mess things up!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. All the talent in the world can’t coach itself. And I think you are overestimating the talent level to begin with. Capel just isn’t a good coach and his staff doesn’t lift him up in any way. Debbie says down.

      Like

  93. Tex it is a wonderful day because everything is normal as you sink into your daily abyss of negativity.
    Will Pitt basketball improve YES. Will Pitt have a chance to make it as a team going to the Big Dance probably not but the NIT would be a MAJOR improvement. Capel is not my choice to be the Panthers coach, however, Heather’s absurd contract failure means that he will be with us for at least the next 2 years.
    My suggestion for you Tex is to COMPLETELY forget Pitt Basketball and concentrate on the Horns.

    Liked by 2 people

  94. FYI the Pitt ticket office claims all the Pitt FB season tickets have been sold for the season. Not sure the number of season tickets made available for sale in any given year but nonetheless its great to hear. And its also been announced all the single game tickets for the WVU game have been sold also. I think it took about 10 minutes for that to happen when they opened the sale this week.

    Liked by 1 person

  95. I see where the Pitt women’s BB team is making a 10-day trip to Italy. Stops in Rome, Florence and Venice.

    I think that’s nice for the team but they only have 2 games scheduled. Seems like a puzzling use of a big chunk of their budget – especially with only playing two games…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  97. I still cannot “like” another comment. So I apologize for not liking all of the good comments. Although with one commenter, it’s not a problem. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  100. Sending the ladies to Italy is a great idea to build team cohesion and comradery. But they should be playing many more games to take full advantage of the NCAA travel rule.

    Liked by 2 people

  101. For all you POV golfers, go over to Dokish’s Twitter site — there’s a clip of Vin Scully calling the predicament of a golfer trying to get out of a hole. Another Scully gem.

    Like

  103. Will the ACC FB sharing procedure be the same as the MLB small market procedure?
    That has served the Pirates well as they sink into their normal position in their basement of their division on the way to maybe 100 losses.

    Like

  105. I’m not one who thinks the OLine will be really good just because everyone’s back – but it doesn’t hurt. This is as deep a situation at OL that we’ve had since way back when…

    Here are some stats I saw for number of snaps played:
    Warren – 1057
    Minor – 939
    Drexel – 874
    Houy- 796
    Kradel- 691
    Zubovic- 459
    Goncalves-520

    Also, Warren was the highest rated Pitt Olineman and Kradel was second as ranked by Pro Football Focus…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. Lets all remember that Borbely apparently could only coach the OL to run block.
      With that, the new OC/philosophy and a couple great options at RB, the line will get a chance to show us what they got. Im optimistic.

      Like

    2. I’m very optimistic as well, these guys won a championship. They are back with one more year of experience, physical maturity and most of all playing together. No one wins every battle, but I think this group will win more than their fair share.

      A balanced offense also favors the offensive line since the D is kept guessing unlike last year when the D knew it was going to be a pass or a KP run or scramble.

      When you add in the experienced depth making guys fight for playing time and keeping each other fresh good things should happen.

      It is actually the first year in a long time that the O-line is not a major question going into the season. It is absolutely a strength.

      Liked by 1 person

  108. So, coming home from work tonight, the Sirius ACC radio channel was airing last year’s Pitt v Clemson FB game. It seemed like every big play on defense was made by a player returning this year. It really got me pumped up. I CAN’T WAIT TO GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

    Liked by 4 people

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