I'll start by saying we know very little for sure about Pitt's team this year because 1) It's a new head coach and a new staff, so things will change, 2) the first game was against an FCS opponent, and 3) the second game was in a downpour with sloppy results overall by both teams. That being said:
ENCOURAGING: We have 5 defensive players who are playing consistently well, and they are spread across all the positions: DT Jarrett, DE Blair, LB Grigsby, S Whitehead, CB Maddox. Whitehead had a couple missed tackles early, and then didn't miss on anything the rest of the night, so someone got in his ear and he adjusted. A few other guys have looked good (Bam, many of the DT's), but not enough for me to feel like we can definitely depend on them, which is the feeling I have with the first 5 mentioned. We have instantly become way more aggressive and active in the opponent's backfield.
DISCOURAGING: Many of the rest of the defensive players appear to be up-and-down, especially Galambos.
ENCOURAGING: The OL looks good on run blocking to the outsides.
DISCOURAGING: The OL looks inconsistent on run blocking up the middle and on pass protection.
ENCOURAGING: Peterman has a good arm and generally looks comfortable in the pocket, and he seems OK tucking and running when needed. If Peterman becomes our starter, Voytik is actually a really good backup.
DISCOURAGING: Peterman has had his moments of staring down Boyd. The offensive staff doesn't seem to trust Voytik beyond 5-yard throws, running himself out of trouble, and chucking it toward Boyd.
ENCOURAGING: Boyd continues to be Boyd. Holtz continues to be Holtz. The FB's are good at what they're asked to do. The RB's appear good overall and willing to make contact for hard yards.
DISCOURAGING: Can any other receiver get open or make a play on the ball? Even if the answer is yes (Orndoff?), will the QB's look at them and will the offensive staff consider them? We no longer have enviable depth at RB; in fact, we still don't really know what we have at RB considering who we've played and the conditions.
ENCOURAGING: Blewitt puts most kickoffs deep in the end zone. Our D took a noticable step up from Game 1 to 2. Ped State has been so awful it has to help our recruiting.
DISCOURAGING: The offense is inconsistent at times and can leave points on the field, plus we're still not sure how creative Jim Chaney is.
ENCOURAGING: We have 5 defensive players who are playing consistently well, and they are spread across all the positions: DT Jarrett, DE Blair, LB Grigsby, S Whitehead, CB Maddox. Whitehead had a couple missed tackles early, and then didn't miss on anything the rest of the night, so someone got in his ear and he adjusted. A few other guys have looked good (Bam, many of the DT's), but not enough for me to feel like we can definitely depend on them, which is the feeling I have with the first 5 mentioned. We have instantly become way more aggressive and active in the opponent's backfield.
DISCOURAGING: Many of the rest of the defensive players appear to be up-and-down, especially Galambos.
ENCOURAGING: The OL looks good on run blocking to the outsides.
DISCOURAGING: The OL looks inconsistent on run blocking up the middle and on pass protection.
ENCOURAGING: Peterman has a good arm and generally looks comfortable in the pocket, and he seems OK tucking and running when needed. If Peterman becomes our starter, Voytik is actually a really good backup.
DISCOURAGING: Peterman has had his moments of staring down Boyd. The offensive staff doesn't seem to trust Voytik beyond 5-yard throws, running himself out of trouble, and chucking it toward Boyd.
ENCOURAGING: Boyd continues to be Boyd. Holtz continues to be Holtz. The FB's are good at what they're asked to do. The RB's appear good overall and willing to make contact for hard yards.
DISCOURAGING: Can any other receiver get open or make a play on the ball? Even if the answer is yes (Orndoff?), will the QB's look at them and will the offensive staff consider them? We no longer have enviable depth at RB; in fact, we still don't really know what we have at RB considering who we've played and the conditions.
ENCOURAGING: Blewitt puts most kickoffs deep in the end zone. Our D took a noticable step up from Game 1 to 2. Ped State has been so awful it has to help our recruiting.
DISCOURAGING: The offense is inconsistent at times and can leave points on the field, plus we're still not sure how creative Jim Chaney is.
