1st team OL

[4upmc]

at this point from left to right...Warren, Hargrove, Morrissey, Houy, Ulizio. The run blocking was great last year but the pass blocking was poor. Not as much experience but a much more athletic OL this year which should help in pass blocking.

Guess the move of Houy to G proves what the coaches have said that they are looking for their best 5. Because up to this point he played OT. He moves well and has nice upside IMO.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

I was hoping that Ulizio and Houy would be flip-flopped, but this could certainly work. Now, we need to make sure that we have at least two good backups ready to go because your OL never stays healthy for an entire season.

 

[4upmc]

I was hoping that Ulizio and Houy would be flip-flopped, but this could certainly work. Now, we need to make sure that we have at least two good backups ready to go because your OL never stays healthy for an entire season.

I was thinking and hoping the same thing. Like I said Houy is athletic and moves well. Apparently Ulizio has only ever played OT (never G) per his interview 2 days ago.

True about the backups. Maybe Van Lynn as a back up OT. Don’t know who is next up at G.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Hmm, that really surprises me re: Ulizio. I just assumed he could play guard or tackle. I always prefer having the more athletic guy at tackle, which I think is a significantly more important position.

However, if he’s never played guard then this makes all the sense in the world.

I think Ford and Van Lynn are probably nos. 6 and 7. I also think that if either of the tackles gets hurt, Houy will move out to tackle.

 

[4upmc]

Yes that’s why I thought Houy would play OT due to his athletic ability. Seems a little more athletic than Ulizio. But hopefully the experience Ulizio has will pay off.

If Morrissey is out like last year it will probably be Kradel who has not played a down yet. Hopefully we get an early blowout (maybe the 2nd game) and get guys like Kradel PT.

 

[RingDinger]

I view this as a testament to how the coaches feel about Houy more than anything. I think he's more of a natural tackle, but I feel like they might think they owe Ulizio the first crack at starting... yet it seems like they don't want that to come at the expense of keeping Houy off the field.

In any case, I wouldn't bet the house on this being the starting line once the first week rolls around. I'm sure they'll experiment quite a bit.

 

[4upmc]

Play the best 5. If Ulizio is in that 5 so be it. But if it’s even between him and a younger guy with more upside I hope they play the younger guy.

 

[Mikefln]

I said from day 1 that Houy was going to be a big time player here at Pitt. I watched a lot of his HS games and he really came into his own his senior year. I must admit that Ford not starting by now surprises me a little. I felt he needed more development but figured he would be starting his RS Junior year.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Ford looks like the backup for both G spots behind Houy and Hargrove. If Warren and Ulizio do well at T the rest of the line looks average to above average.

 

[goalieman]

Play the best 5. If Ulizio is in that 5 so be it. But if it’s even between him and a younger guy with more upside I hope they play the younger guy.

Yes, get the best 5 OL on the field ........ maybe Ulizio and Houy are close in ability at OT and they just want the more experienced player (Ulizio) at OT and maybe Houy is better at OG than Ulizio ....

IMO, the key to the OL is left tackle ..... if Warren (or Van Lynn) can play well there, the OL has a chance to be good.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

IMO, the key to the OL is left tackle ..... if Warren (or Van Lynn) can play well there, the OL has a chance to be good.

Without question, Carter Warren is definitely the most important lineman. However, center is also a really important position and we are pretty good there too. If we can be good at center and left tackle, we’re probably going to have at worst a decent to good offensive line.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Ulizio is going to start against Virginia. I don't think there's any question. He's a RS senior who has experience starting in a P5 conference. They're going to have enough trouble breaking in a youngster on the left side, let alone both sides against Virginia.

If he's not up to the task and others improve, he'll become a backup as the season progresses.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

One thing is for certain....this OL will be taller across the line! Length ( reach) helps in pass protecting!

 

[RaleighPittFan]

Ford looks like the backup for both G spots behind Houy and Hargrove. If Warren and Ulizio do well at T the rest of the line looks average to above average.

Ha, Ha... He said G spot.

 

[PittAU]

This will be a decent-sized line as well.

Warren 6'5" 320
Hargrove 6'4" 315
Morrissey 6'3" 305
Houy 6'6" 310
Ulizio 6'5" 320

 

[RaleighPittFan]

This will be a decent-sized line as well.

Warren 6'5" 320
Hargrove 6'4" 315
Morrissey 6'3" 305
Houy 6'6" 310
Ulizio 6'5" 320

That qualifies as a "Herd of Lineman", as Coach Borbely is wont to say.

 

[pittdan77]

at this point from left to right...Warren, Hargrove, Morrissey, Houy, Ulizio. The run blocking was great last year but the pass blocking was poor. Not as much experience but a much more athletic OL this year which should help in pass blocking.

Guess the move of Houy to G proves what the coaches have said that they are looking for their best 5. Because up to this point he played OT. He moves well and has nice upside IMO.

Source?

 

[sonofabit]

Yes that’s why I thought Houy would play OT due to his athletic ability. Seems a little more athletic than Ulizio. But hopefully the experience Ulizio has will pay off.

If Morrissey is out like last year it will probably be Kradel who has not played a down yet. Hopefully we get an early blowout (maybe the 2nd game) and get guys like Kradel PT.

3rd game...

 

[4upmc]

Source?

Around the 1:40 mark...but you should know enough at this point that I won’t say something as true unless I read it or see it in a video. Also there is a video with Ulizio talking about the positions everyone is at, as well as one by PSN but you will have to look those up on your own.

 

[pittdan77]

View embedded media

Around the 1:40 mark...but you should know enough at this point that I won’t say something as true unless I read it or see it in a video. Also there is a video with Ulizio talking about the positions everyone is at, as well as one by PSN but you will have to look those up on your own.

So we're clear, I wasn't questioning your integrity. Sorry if you took it that way. But thank you for sharing the link.

I'm a little disappointed that a younger guy didn't keep Ulzio out of the lineup. Nothing personal. Just wasn't what I was hoping would shake out.

 

[4upmc]

So we're clear, I wasn't questioning your integrity. Sorry if you took it that way. But thank you for sharing the link.

I'm a little disappointed that a younger guy didn't keep Ulzio out of the lineup. Nothing personal. Just wasn't what I was hoping would shake out.

All good NP.

Like you I would prefer a younger guy beat out Ulizio. But if he is one of the 5 best he plays. Although Warren and Houy are both Sophs so that’s good. If Warren keeps the LT spot and plays well that would be great to have a guy start for 3 years at such an important spot.

 

[kma0043]

As long as they don’t come out against Virginia in their swimming trunks like their Kennywood pic then we all win *sarcastic snicker*.

 

[rmf05]

I was told last year that Ford wasn't healthy when he came in as a fresh and it really hurt him for 2 years. I guess he may have injured himself training on his own? He got some good press at the end of last year when he finally got in. I think he'll be ok and at least forced Hargrove to play hard to beat him out. Whoever wins that battle will ne solid.