After a night's sleep (albeit a restless night), I've calmed down somewhat. Here's a few thoughts and observations on the game and the team in general:
Defense: Good Stuff
1. I really like what Narduzzi is doing with the defense. Much, much more aggressive. Our linemen attack and make plays across the line of scrimmage. We're blitzing the LB's more. Our DB's are playing press coverage. The whole team looks a step faster.
2. We're hitting people. Our secondary is really coming up and hitting people. Whitehead is going to be an exceptional player. Webb also played a good game.
3. Avonte Maddox is the real deal. This kid can cover and is surprisingly strong in run support considering his size. Great ability to turn and play the ball. If Maddox had better size, he would be an NFL first round pick.
Defense: Needs work
1. Our LBs (with the exception of Grigsby) are exceptionally average. Everyone is raving about Whitehead making 16 tackles, but the reality is that you really don't want your safeties to have to make that many tackles. The combo of Gallambos, Wirginis, Caprara, and Bradley is pretty uninspiring. Hopefully, some of the younger guys will come on either later this year or next year. We need a lot of improvement in this area. And remember that our best LB graduates next year.
2. Lafayette Pitts same old story. I actually think PItts has been slightly better this year with the new scheme. That said, he's really not good in single coverage. Pitts got toasted again for a long gain, primarily because he never, ever looks for the ball. Guy must be playing with a broken neck. Once Mitchell is healthy, I would seriously consider moving Whitehead to CB and starting him over Pitts.
Offense: The Good
1. Peterman has the ability to be a good college QB. We saw what Peterman is capable of in the last TD drive. He has an above average arm and moves reasonably well. Still inexperienced, but as he learns we'll get better.
2 Oline Pass blocking was pretty solid. Iowa really didn't get to Peterman that much. The one late sack, but on most plays he had time to throw and clear lanes to deliver.
3. Tyler Boyd was Tyler Boyd. Kid just has it. Thank god.
4. TE's showed what they are capable of. We finally got the TE's involved in the offense and it paid dividends. This is a solid group that we really need to utilize. Peterman at least looks for his TE's, so I'm hopeful they will become a bigger part of the offense.
Offense: Needs Work
1. Run blocking was not great. We really didn't give our backs much room to run, either to the outside or up the middle. Of course, Iowa had a lot to do with this. They are solid up front and their LB's really pursue.
2. Second wide receiver play was pretty non-existent. Sometimes I wonder if we're playing with 1 WR. Dontez Ford had 1 nice catch. After that, I honesty can't remember any other receiver catching a ball. I'm sure I am forgetting someone, but this group has been pretty uninspiring. Sometimes it's hard to tell whether these guys simply aren't open or if the QB is not even looking their way. In any event, we need much more production out of this group.
3. RB's weren't particularly good this week. Yes, I already said that the blocking wasn't good (and I'll stick with that) but our RB's made some poor decisions in key situations. It's somewhat understandable for Hall given that he's a freshman. Ollison didn't do much either. James is either still hurt or has been passed by Hall (btw - I'll go on record as saying that James is a solid, but average at best college back....has some straight ahead speed, but zero make-you-miss moves and not a power back. Hall has more upside although he hasn't done anything yet to wow me). We're really missing Mr Conner.
4. QB is a work in progress. Peterman flashed some of his ability, but the two picks (particularly the one in the end zone) were bad. Without the pick in the end zone, that 57 yard FG sends it to OT as opposed to the locker room.
Coaching: The good
1. Narduzzi has clearly got the defense playing harder and more aggressively. Once he gets the type of athletes he needs to really play this D, we're going to be very, very tough.
2. Player decisions. Narduzzi seems to be very willing to allow true competition and let the players determine who plays. He's already shown a willingness to replace a returning starter at the most important position on the field. I wish he would experiment a bit more with our LB's.
Coaching: Needs work
1. Play calling still somewhat puzzling. We kept trying to run wide on Iowa in short yardage situations and there was zero room. Add to this the issues at RB and playcalling wasn't great IMO.
2. Go for It. I have mixed feelings about punting on 4th and 6 inches. On one hand, I would have liked to see us get aggressive on offense. On the other, we really weren't moving the Iowa Dline all night. Given that Narduzzi is a defensive guy, he was probably thinking, punt...pin them inside their own 10 and make them march 90 yards. Unfortunately, he got a horrible punt which gave them the ball on the 20 and allowed Iowa to operate their full offense.
3.Squib kick. Again, mixed feelings on this. If we kick away and the ball is returnable, Iowa is going to come out with it. Narduzzi probably didn't want to give them that chance. The squib itself worked great. Iowa was stumbling around at their 3 yard line just trying to pick up the ball. We had several chances to stop them at the 10 or 15 yard line but simply missed tackles. If we stop them at the 15, they probably take a knee and we go to OT. Instead, they get out past the 30 and the rest is history.
Summary: Overall, a very disappointing loss, but not necessarily a disappointing performance. Iowa is a solid, but unremarkable team. They play sound defense. They have solid RB's. The difference in this game is that they have a QB who makes plays under pressure. Beathard took a pounding last night, but delivered the ball accurately under pressure. While he didn't run wild, he had key runs at very critical times. Kid is a gamer. I can see the foundation for a real turnaround in Pitt football, but it's going to take time and recruiting success. If Narduzzi can recruit well, he will bring the program back.
Cruzer
Defense: Good Stuff
1. I really like what Narduzzi is doing with the defense. Much, much more aggressive. Our linemen attack and make plays across the line of scrimmage. We're blitzing the LB's more. Our DB's are playing press coverage. The whole team looks a step faster.
2. We're hitting people. Our secondary is really coming up and hitting people. Whitehead is going to be an exceptional player. Webb also played a good game.
3. Avonte Maddox is the real deal. This kid can cover and is surprisingly strong in run support considering his size. Great ability to turn and play the ball. If Maddox had better size, he would be an NFL first round pick.
Defense: Needs work
1. Our LBs (with the exception of Grigsby) are exceptionally average. Everyone is raving about Whitehead making 16 tackles, but the reality is that you really don't want your safeties to have to make that many tackles. The combo of Gallambos, Wirginis, Caprara, and Bradley is pretty uninspiring. Hopefully, some of the younger guys will come on either later this year or next year. We need a lot of improvement in this area. And remember that our best LB graduates next year.
2. Lafayette Pitts same old story. I actually think PItts has been slightly better this year with the new scheme. That said, he's really not good in single coverage. Pitts got toasted again for a long gain, primarily because he never, ever looks for the ball. Guy must be playing with a broken neck. Once Mitchell is healthy, I would seriously consider moving Whitehead to CB and starting him over Pitts.
Offense: The Good
1. Peterman has the ability to be a good college QB. We saw what Peterman is capable of in the last TD drive. He has an above average arm and moves reasonably well. Still inexperienced, but as he learns we'll get better.
2 Oline Pass blocking was pretty solid. Iowa really didn't get to Peterman that much. The one late sack, but on most plays he had time to throw and clear lanes to deliver.
3. Tyler Boyd was Tyler Boyd. Kid just has it. Thank god.
4. TE's showed what they are capable of. We finally got the TE's involved in the offense and it paid dividends. This is a solid group that we really need to utilize. Peterman at least looks for his TE's, so I'm hopeful they will become a bigger part of the offense.
Offense: Needs Work
1. Run blocking was not great. We really didn't give our backs much room to run, either to the outside or up the middle. Of course, Iowa had a lot to do with this. They are solid up front and their LB's really pursue.
2. Second wide receiver play was pretty non-existent. Sometimes I wonder if we're playing with 1 WR. Dontez Ford had 1 nice catch. After that, I honesty can't remember any other receiver catching a ball. I'm sure I am forgetting someone, but this group has been pretty uninspiring. Sometimes it's hard to tell whether these guys simply aren't open or if the QB is not even looking their way. In any event, we need much more production out of this group.
3. RB's weren't particularly good this week. Yes, I already said that the blocking wasn't good (and I'll stick with that) but our RB's made some poor decisions in key situations. It's somewhat understandable for Hall given that he's a freshman. Ollison didn't do much either. James is either still hurt or has been passed by Hall (btw - I'll go on record as saying that James is a solid, but average at best college back....has some straight ahead speed, but zero make-you-miss moves and not a power back. Hall has more upside although he hasn't done anything yet to wow me). We're really missing Mr Conner.
4. QB is a work in progress. Peterman flashed some of his ability, but the two picks (particularly the one in the end zone) were bad. Without the pick in the end zone, that 57 yard FG sends it to OT as opposed to the locker room.
Coaching: The good
1. Narduzzi has clearly got the defense playing harder and more aggressively. Once he gets the type of athletes he needs to really play this D, we're going to be very, very tough.
2. Player decisions. Narduzzi seems to be very willing to allow true competition and let the players determine who plays. He's already shown a willingness to replace a returning starter at the most important position on the field. I wish he would experiment a bit more with our LB's.
Coaching: Needs work
1. Play calling still somewhat puzzling. We kept trying to run wide on Iowa in short yardage situations and there was zero room. Add to this the issues at RB and playcalling wasn't great IMO.
2. Go for It. I have mixed feelings about punting on 4th and 6 inches. On one hand, I would have liked to see us get aggressive on offense. On the other, we really weren't moving the Iowa Dline all night. Given that Narduzzi is a defensive guy, he was probably thinking, punt...pin them inside their own 10 and make them march 90 yards. Unfortunately, he got a horrible punt which gave them the ball on the 20 and allowed Iowa to operate their full offense.
3.Squib kick. Again, mixed feelings on this. If we kick away and the ball is returnable, Iowa is going to come out with it. Narduzzi probably didn't want to give them that chance. The squib itself worked great. Iowa was stumbling around at their 3 yard line just trying to pick up the ball. We had several chances to stop them at the 10 or 15 yard line but simply missed tackles. If we stop them at the 15, they probably take a knee and we go to OT. Instead, they get out past the 30 and the rest is history.
Summary: Overall, a very disappointing loss, but not necessarily a disappointing performance. Iowa is a solid, but unremarkable team. They play sound defense. They have solid RB's. The difference in this game is that they have a QB who makes plays under pressure. Beathard took a pounding last night, but delivered the ball accurately under pressure. While he didn't run wild, he had key runs at very critical times. Kid is a gamer. I can see the foundation for a real turnaround in Pitt football, but it's going to take time and recruiting success. If Narduzzi can recruit well, he will bring the program back.
Cruzer
