I think the W is much more of a relief than anything else. A loss would have bee a rea issue, but my goodness our Panthers never ever make it easy:
1. I thought the Eastern Michigan OC called a great game. Very short drops and quick passes and if the passes weren't there the qb would take off on hybrid draws. Their OL did a good job of rooting out the interior and giving him running lanes up the middle. He was getting rid of the ball in under 4 seconds a lot.
2. The second half Pitt did a better of job keeping their LB's closer to the line of scrimmage and not allowing so many clear running lanes. But all in all not a great defensive performance.
3. Sometimes upsets happen because teams get a little lucky as EMU got when Mathis had an interception in good coverage down the sideline, ball goes off his hands into the WR's while on the run. Shit happens
4. What a great story about Bates, really inspiring and hope the cancer stays in remission. Good for the HC to mandate staff physicals.
5. At no time was during the night was I more angry than the INT celebration by Hamlin and crew. I mean WTF was that? Instead of starting on the 10 we started on the 30. What a bonehead selfish play. This isn't the NFL that allows the choreographed celebrations.
6. SEC crew did a very good job in this game that got very chippy. I did not see any blatant misses. Thought the Jackson PI was borderline but frankly I wish all games were reffed like that.
7. There's a lot of things to work on in the offseason including the 3rd and 1 pass to Ffrench behind the line of scrimmage. Can we please scrap it! Thought Pickett was on point all night with his passes though and boy does Wayne give him a big target. With Shocky and Wayne I think there will be plays downfield. Now only if a TE would emerge.
8. Still not sold at all on this OL. Is it me or does Warren look like he put on weight? Because this team is so pass heavy I don't see the natural push on the run game. I really wish we'd work on their run blocking, it would make the play actions much more effective. It's why the draws worked because essentially the OL is setting up to pass block. No drive blocking from this OL.
9. Thought Vincent Davis was pretty good but to me there isn't much difference with Davis and Carter. I'm wondering if Carter is either slated to be moved back to corner or maybe WR. Both are similar more of change up type backs vs heavy workload though not sure in this system if a back will ever get big carries.
10. Thought the LB's were not good yesterday. It's clear to me that we need more of a thumper in the middle, hoping Pine can step up next year. LB were missing gaps all night or were caught lagging on crossing routes.
11. Jalen Twyman needs another year no question and glad he's coming back. The kid has an effective swim move but needs to follow it up when the initial move is shut down. He also at times was standing up too high, needs to lower his pad level and make himself smaller to block.
12. I never ever felt comfortable during this game and I think Pitt didn't really get into the game until Ffrench's 96 yard play. Thought that woke them up. Congrats to Maurice on a great year and it would have been nice to have him and Mack for the whole year.
13. Aside from Ffrench pretty much the whole offense comes back next year. They need to find a replacement for Ulizio at RT. Frankly, the offensive line needs to perform much better. Pickett given time can make some throws. He still has a tendency to take bad sacks and not protect the ball with his running, but when he's on he's an asset. He's a natural competitor though which can be a plus and a minus.
14. With Weaver and Camp coming back, we will once again have one of the better DL in the country. We lose Brightwell, Johnson at LB. Need to find a MLB and a replacement for Jackson and Hamlin. I'd be shocked if Hamlin was awarded another year but who knows. Not having Pinnock last night hurt.
15. With a softer OCC next year (btw who agrees to play a good Marshall team at Marshall?) and ND at home, there really is not a good reason not have 9-10 wins with the players coming back. I think it's an enormous year for Narduzzi in year 6. Gotta push that ceiling past 7 or 8 wins. The away ACC games are hard but not brutal. Gets FSU, LOUISVILLE, UNC on the road. That won't be easy.
16. I rag on Whipple a lot but the 2 minute drive at the end of the game was really really good. Pickett was poised and read his options. No panic whatsoever. The throw to Mack was really helped by a great blitz pick up by V. Davis. Throw was perfect and the one handed grab was better. Pickett seems to be more comfortable when they go tempo.
17. Coach Duzz needs to tone down his players. They need to really quit yapping. Not a good look for the team.
18. After watching the Miami game, it's really sickening to think we lost to that team. This team had a tendency to play down or up to teams which is bizarre. You go 8-5 with two losses to BC and Miami at home. Really weird. But then again you barely beat Delaware and nearly had an epic meltdown at Duke. So I guess this is who we are.
19. Much better to go into off season with a bowl win though. This will be my last musings for awhile. Hoping everyone has a great New Year and a healthy one.
Pitt82
1. I thought the Eastern Michigan OC called a great game. Very short drops and quick passes and if the passes weren't there the qb would take off on hybrid draws. Their OL did a good job of rooting out the interior and giving him running lanes up the middle. He was getting rid of the ball in under 4 seconds a lot.
2. The second half Pitt did a better of job keeping their LB's closer to the line of scrimmage and not allowing so many clear running lanes. But all in all not a great defensive performance.
3. Sometimes upsets happen because teams get a little lucky as EMU got when Mathis had an interception in good coverage down the sideline, ball goes off his hands into the WR's while on the run. Shit happens
4. What a great story about Bates, really inspiring and hope the cancer stays in remission. Good for the HC to mandate staff physicals.
5. At no time was during the night was I more angry than the INT celebration by Hamlin and crew. I mean WTF was that? Instead of starting on the 10 we started on the 30. What a bonehead selfish play. This isn't the NFL that allows the choreographed celebrations.
6. SEC crew did a very good job in this game that got very chippy. I did not see any blatant misses. Thought the Jackson PI was borderline but frankly I wish all games were reffed like that.
7. There's a lot of things to work on in the offseason including the 3rd and 1 pass to Ffrench behind the line of scrimmage. Can we please scrap it! Thought Pickett was on point all night with his passes though and boy does Wayne give him a big target. With Shocky and Wayne I think there will be plays downfield. Now only if a TE would emerge.
8. Still not sold at all on this OL. Is it me or does Warren look like he put on weight? Because this team is so pass heavy I don't see the natural push on the run game. I really wish we'd work on their run blocking, it would make the play actions much more effective. It's why the draws worked because essentially the OL is setting up to pass block. No drive blocking from this OL.
9. Thought Vincent Davis was pretty good but to me there isn't much difference with Davis and Carter. I'm wondering if Carter is either slated to be moved back to corner or maybe WR. Both are similar more of change up type backs vs heavy workload though not sure in this system if a back will ever get big carries.
10. Thought the LB's were not good yesterday. It's clear to me that we need more of a thumper in the middle, hoping Pine can step up next year. LB were missing gaps all night or were caught lagging on crossing routes.
11. Jalen Twyman needs another year no question and glad he's coming back. The kid has an effective swim move but needs to follow it up when the initial move is shut down. He also at times was standing up too high, needs to lower his pad level and make himself smaller to block.
12. I never ever felt comfortable during this game and I think Pitt didn't really get into the game until Ffrench's 96 yard play. Thought that woke them up. Congrats to Maurice on a great year and it would have been nice to have him and Mack for the whole year.
13. Aside from Ffrench pretty much the whole offense comes back next year. They need to find a replacement for Ulizio at RT. Frankly, the offensive line needs to perform much better. Pickett given time can make some throws. He still has a tendency to take bad sacks and not protect the ball with his running, but when he's on he's an asset. He's a natural competitor though which can be a plus and a minus.
14. With Weaver and Camp coming back, we will once again have one of the better DL in the country. We lose Brightwell, Johnson at LB. Need to find a MLB and a replacement for Jackson and Hamlin. I'd be shocked if Hamlin was awarded another year but who knows. Not having Pinnock last night hurt.
15. With a softer OCC next year (btw who agrees to play a good Marshall team at Marshall?) and ND at home, there really is not a good reason not have 9-10 wins with the players coming back. I think it's an enormous year for Narduzzi in year 6. Gotta push that ceiling past 7 or 8 wins. The away ACC games are hard but not brutal. Gets FSU, LOUISVILLE, UNC on the road. That won't be easy.
16. I rag on Whipple a lot but the 2 minute drive at the end of the game was really really good. Pickett was poised and read his options. No panic whatsoever. The throw to Mack was really helped by a great blitz pick up by V. Davis. Throw was perfect and the one handed grab was better. Pickett seems to be more comfortable when they go tempo.
17. Coach Duzz needs to tone down his players. They need to really quit yapping. Not a good look for the team.
18. After watching the Miami game, it's really sickening to think we lost to that team. This team had a tendency to play down or up to teams which is bizarre. You go 8-5 with two losses to BC and Miami at home. Really weird. But then again you barely beat Delaware and nearly had an epic meltdown at Duke. So I guess this is who we are.
19. Much better to go into off season with a bowl win though. This will be my last musings for awhile. Hoping everyone has a great New Year and a healthy one.
Pitt82
