Decision on Chris Clark could be big for Pitt...

[UPitt '89]

If the NCAA allows him to play this coming season, that could be a BIG deal for Nate Peterman and our offense.

The kid is a great, great tightend and would be a mismatch against most college teams that try to cover him. He is faster than the average tightend, but also has the size.

He could be Pitt's version of Gronk.... and take a LOT of pressure off of our young WR corp.

If Clark can play this year, I would bet that he will lead the team in receptions. He's the kind of "security blanket" that a QB needs. He'll move the chains on 3rd down, and be a key target in the red zone.

We got good news from the NCAA today when they granted Price a 6th year. If they grant Clark the ability to play this season, that will be a BIG deal for Pitt.

 

[raleighpanther]

Agree that it would be big, but I also am doubtful that it will happen.

 

[bwh05]

I just can't see how he'd get declared eligible. I hope I'm wrong on this one.

 

[MajorMajors]

If the NCAA allows him to play this coming season, that could be a BIG deal for Nate Peterman and our offense.

The kid is a great, great tightend and would be a mismatch against most college teams that try to cover him. He is faster than the average tightend, but also has the size.

He could be Pitt's version of Gronk.... and take a LOT of pressure off of our young WR corp.

If Clark can play this year, I would bet that he will lead the team in receptions. He's the kind of "security blanket" that a QB needs. He'll move the chains on 3rd down, and be a key target in the red zone.

We got good news from the NCAA today when they granted Price a 6th year. If they grant Clark the ability to play this season, that will be a BIG deal for Pitt.

I say let Scott Orndoff be "Gronk" this year and let Clark be "Gronk" next year...

Go Pitt.

 

[JokePa]

I just can't see how he'd get declared eligible. I hope I'm wrong on this one.

Why?

 

[larboski280]

I think that is the first step. The second, and potentially even more beneficial, is having Canada teach our QBs progression concepts. The plays are designed to have more than one option, and our QBs in recent years haven't been able to look off safeties and move through their progressions.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

If the NCAA allows him to play this coming season, that could be a BIG deal for Nate Peterman and our offense.

The kid is a great, great tightend and would be a mismatch against most college teams that try to cover him. He is faster than the average tightend, but also has the size.

He could be Pitt's version of Gronk.... and take a LOT of pressure off of our young WR corp.

If Clark can play this year, I would bet that he will lead the team in receptions. He's the kind of "security blanket" that a QB needs. He'll move the chains on 3rd down, and be a key target in the red zone.

We got good news from the NCAA today when they granted Price a 6th year. If they grant Clark the ability to play this season, that will be a BIG deal for Pitt.

I very much enjoyed reading all the good info in your postings this past year and especially during recruiting, thank you!

 

[magadog]

If the NCAA allows him to play this coming season, that could be a BIG deal for Nate Peterman and our offense.

The kid is a great, great tightend and would be a mismatch against most college teams that try to cover him. He is faster than the average tightend, but also has the size.

He could be Pitt's version of Gronk.... and take a LOT of pressure off of our young WR corp.

If Clark can play this year, I would bet that he will lead the team in receptions. He's the kind of "security blanket" that a QB needs. He'll move the chains on 3rd down, and be a key target in the red zone.

We got good news from the NCAA today when they granted Price a 6th year. If they grant Clark the ability to play this season, that will be a BIG deal for Pitt.

If Pitt's qb can't throw an accurate pass 20 yards down field, then Clark won't be much of a weapon. Boyd's talent was wasted this last season last due to the lack of the vertical passing game.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

It would help, but works either way there I think.

 

[mehinpgh]

If the NCAA allows him to play this coming season, that could be a BIG deal for Nate Peterman and our offense.

The kid is a great, great tightend and would be a mismatch against most college teams that try to cover him. He is faster than the average tightend, but also has the size.

He could be Pitt's version of Gronk.... and take a LOT of pressure off of our young WR corp.

If Clark can play this year, I would bet that he will lead the team in receptions. He's the kind of "security blanket" that a QB needs. He'll move the chains on 3rd down, and be a key target in the red zone.

We got good news from the NCAA today when they granted Price a 6th year. If they grant Clark the ability to play this season, that will be a BIG deal for Pitt.

On What grounds is he petitioning to play and waive sitting out a year? Doesn't seem like there is a tangible reason...

 

[rpost3]

His video is the only one I watched and I'll be honest - I found it pretty underwhelming. Didn't look fast or dominating at all against pretty bad competition in New England. And those were only the good plays. I was expecting 4.7 speed and great quickness.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

On What grounds is he petitioning to play and waive sitting out a year? Doesn't seem like there is a tangible reason...

Based on what I've read this seems accurate. Someone tweeted that Pitt is still "working hard" to get him eligible but nobody is optimistic about that happening.

 

[thebadby2]

If the NCAA allows him to play this coming season, that could be a BIG deal for Nate Peterman and our offense.

The kid is a great, great tightend and would be a mismatch against most college teams that try to cover him. He is faster than the average tightend, but also has the size.

He could be Pitt's version of Gronk.... and take a LOT of pressure off of our young WR corp.

If Clark can play this year, I would bet that he will lead the team in receptions. He's the kind of "security blanket" that a QB needs. He'll move the chains on 3rd down, and be a key target in the red zone.

We got good news from the NCAA today when they granted Price a 6th year. If they grant Clark the ability to play this season, that will be a BIG deal for Pitt.

The kid is a great, great tightend and would be a mismatch against most college teams that try to cover him. He is faster than the average tightend, but also has the size.

With all due respect, based on what, his recruiting rankings? he's a top prospect, but he has to prove the rest yet. he played in one game for UCLA.

It's good to have high hopes, but this guy hasn't proven anything yet.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Interesting……do you think Pitt feels they have a chance or are we showing good faith to Clark?

Based on what I've read this seems accurate. Someone tweeted that Pitt is still "working hard" to get him eligible but nobody is optimistic about that happening.

 

[Rockyhound]

FWIW I believe Chris mentioned this a few weeks ago on the Pantherlair show and didn't seem terribly optimistic about him getting a waiver. If my middle age memory serves me correctly he said something along the lines of the NCAA tightened up the transfer waiver rules to make them a bit stricter.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Are we saying he didn’t play enough to count as a year or he is moving closer to his home?

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

Interesting……do you think Pitt feels they have a chance or are we showing good faith to Clark?

My impression - and it's only that - is that it's just due diligence. And it's more than good faith I'm sure. Tight end isn't exactly loaded and I think they want him to be able to play.

I have no idea what the coaches think of the chances but the analysts/bloggers and that type think there's very little chance he's gonna be eligible.

 

[Jpripper88]

On What grounds is he petitioning to play and waive sitting out a year? Doesn't seem like there is a tangible reason...

This. Sure it would be great to have another talented option, who could prove to be a contributor, but seems like an enormous longshot.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

One example I saw

 

[cruzer]

I think that is the first step. The second, and potentially even more beneficial, is having Canada teach our QBs progression concepts. The plays are designed to have more than one option, and our QBs in recent years haven't been able to look off safeties and move through their progressions.

Someone who gets it. Thank you.

 

[mdbrett97]

Its better for all fans to assume Clark is not playing in 2016. If unexpected happens, great, but there is just no reason to think it will.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

Someone who gets it. Thank you.

Amen. This is probably the thing that's raised my blood pressure a few points more than anything else I've seen over the last few years.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Yep, show the kid you will fight for him even if you think there is no way to have him ruled eligible.

My impression - and it's only that - is that it's just due diligence. And it's more than good faith I'm sure. Tight end isn't exactly loaded and I think they want him to be able to play.

I have no idea what the coaches think of the chances but the analysts/bloggers and that type think there's very little chance he's gonna be eligible.

 

[Bobtown Bart]

I'm not versed in the NCAA transfer rules but how can Pitt fight to get him eligible. I thought you had to have a reason like a sick relative or something along that line to get waved.Being homesick or transferring to get closer home isn't usually oked.I know Harris transfered to Mich St from WVU and Mich State tried to use this to get him eligible for bb last year but he had to sit out 2014-15.The NCAA is a strange bunch so you never know.Call Oliver Luck at then ncaa maybe he'll help Pitt!!!!

 

[thebadby2]

Someone who gets it. Thank you.

I think it;s reasonable to assume our coaches, especially Chaney since he stated publicly multiple times that he wanted to see the ball spread around to more different players, spent plenty of time going over reads and progressions with our QBs. That's 70% of the time spent in study for any QB and coach. Unfortunately both Voytik and Peterman had bad cases of Boyditis, and frankly our pass protection hasn't been anything to write home about despite the overall improvement of our O line. You have to have time to make the read and check down. Our guys just went right to their safe place, Boyd on the intermediate.

Peterman appeared to have a lot of trouble throwing the ball deep downfield--I was not at all impressed with his arm strength. We have been playing for a few years now with no deep threat in the passing game, which makes us much easier to defend.

We were also very predictable in play-calling last year. I hope Canada isn;t more of the same.

 

[gklimis]

If the NCAA allows him to play this coming season, that could be a BIG deal for Nate Peterman and our offense.

The kid is a great, great tightend and would be a mismatch against most college teams that try to cover him. He is faster than the average tightend, but also has the size.

He could be Pitt's version of Gronk.... and take a LOT of pressure off of our young WR corp.

If Clark can play this year, I would bet that he will lead the team in receptions. He's the kind of "security blanket" that a QB needs. He'll move the chains on 3rd down, and be a key target in the red zone.

We got good news from the NCAA today when they granted Price a 6th year. If they grant Clark the ability to play this season, that will be a BIG deal for Pitt.

On the Live Wire show they speak about him as if he will be. They were very confident with Price. I wonder if they know something yet, or if they understand the process enough to feel good about it.

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

Does anyone have any inside information on what Pitt's angle is with Clark to get him eligible immediately?

 

[pitt1976]

If they allow him to play immediately , it would be a bad precedent to allow anyone to bolt and play elsewhere. It isn't going to happen.

 

[PantherRJ]

If they allow him to play immediately , it would be a bad precedent to allow anyone to bolt and play elsewhere. It isn't going to happen.

Yes, it may tarnish the NCAA's otherwise pristine framework.

 

[Pghfan]

Do we need him in 16? I guess if Scott gets hurt but outside of that, think we are good.

 

[briano25]

His video is the only one I watched and I'll be honest - I found it pretty underwhelming. Didn't look fast or dominating at all against pretty bad competition in New England. And those were only the good plays. I was expecting 4.7 speed and great quickness.

I disagree. He pulled away from some Dbacks on his hudl highlight. Maybe we are watching different videos? He was the #1 TE for a reason.

 

[Piranha]

Yes, it may tarnish the NCAA's otherwise pristine framework.

LOL - Check mate.

 

[rpost3]

I disagree. He pulled away from some Dbacks on his hudl highlight. Maybe we are watching different videos? He was the #1 TE for a reason.

No idea if what I watched was a hudl video or not, but how many players who've been ranked #1 at their position went on to do nothing?

 

[wbrpanther]

No idea if what I watched was a hudl video or not, but how many players who've been ranked #1 at their position went on to do nothing?

I'll bite. How many?

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

The dude is 6'6" 255lbs. He managed to play in his first (and only) game at UCLA as an 18 year old. It is obvious he is an extreme talent. To be honest, does anyone really remember Gronk at Woody Hills as such a must have recruit? I do think Clark could be our Gronk.

 

[wbrpanther]

Do we need him in 16? I guess if Scott gets hurt but outside of that, think we are good.

Yeah, what's the chances of a player getting hurt.

Getting him '16 would be huge. Can't argue that.

 

[Swervin27]

Yeah, what's the chances of a player getting hurt.

Getting him '16 would be huge. Can't argue that.

nothing about the backup TE in football can be classified as "huge"

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

nothing about the backup TE in football can be classified as "huge"

Well.. He might not be the backup. And don't you need some quality depth? I don't know if it'd be huge but it certainly would be good to have him available - don't think there's much beyond Orndoff. But this discussion is meaningless anyway as there doesn't seem to be a reasonable loophole to get him eligible.

 

[Swervin27]

Well.. He might not be the backup. And don't you need some quality depth? I don't know if it'd be huge but it certainly would be good to have him available - don't think there's much beyond Orndoff. But this discussion is meaningless anyway as there doesn't seem to be a reasonable loophole to get him eligible.

i agree, would be nice to have him, doubt it will happen. Don't think it will cause much of a difference either way though..

 

[wbrpanther]

nothing about the backup TE in football can be classified as "huge"

And if the first teamer gets hurt he wouldn't be the backup anymore. And in case you don't know it teams use 2 tight ends at the same time often.