Now that Paris Ford is solid to Pitt again, I've thought about how he could/should be deployed in the coming season.
On the one hand, Ford is the most exciting, dynamic recruit that Pitt has had in years. I think he is going to be a great one.
On the other hand, I seldom think a kid will be, or should be, plugged directly into the starting line from day 1 as a true freshman at a fixed position; too much adjustment, too much to learn, too little time, etc.
Whitehead got into the starting lineup by game 3 of his freshman year, because one, he too was a truly special player, who was very physically mature for an 18 year-old, and two, because the safety position competition he faced was weak. He was the best option, even though he was making freshman mistakes. I don't think the coaches wanted to force the starting gig on him so early, but they had little choice.
The situation is different now. Narduzzi has recruited the Safety position well, and Garner and Campbell are both very talented, and will have had a full year in the program, and Stocker showed more promise in his few moments late this year than either Webb or Mitchell. So, there is no urgent need to rush him into the lineup.
So, while he doesn't need to be the starting full time safety to start the season, he could still have a major role to play in 2017. Here is how I would like to see him be utilized:
1) The nickel back: When using the nickel package, drop Ford into that spot, and as much as possible, let him go. Allow him to play the Palamalu role, reading the play and firing to the ball to be disruptive and cause as much havoc ( and turnovers) as possible. Easier for a freshman to step into that role than to be absolutely responsible for knowing his precise assignment on every play as an every down safety.
2) Punt returner: He would be a threat to score on every touch. Continue to have Henderson return kickoffs. Henderson was overworked last year, playing several positions as our key playmaker. Taking a few punt returns off his hands will help keep him fresher for the 4th quarter.
3) Play Ford on offense for select plays, similar to the role Whitehead performed as a freshman. But I'm talking more plays -- Whitehead's offensive plays were limited by his full time safety duties.
Can you imagine how scary it would be for defenses to see him and Henderson on the field at the same time? They wouldn't be able to key on both of them. Henderson would become even more of a threat with Ford on the field at the same time.
Imagine a fake to Henderson on a left to right jet sweep, but with bubble screen to Ford back on the left flat. Or a fake jet sweep to one of them in one direction with a pitch to the other going in the opposite direction. Imagine how that would open up holes in the middle as the linebackers try to get an early start by moving to one side or the other. And I can see a safety guessing and cheating up and over on the side to side action, and getting beat on a deep ball.
All things considered, I think his contribution to the team as a specific but multi-dimensional player would be more significant than the simplistic approach of just plugging him into the starting safety spot and hoping his athleticism will cover up the inevitable freshman mistakes.
On the one hand, Ford is the most exciting, dynamic recruit that Pitt has had in years. I think he is going to be a great one.
On the other hand, I seldom think a kid will be, or should be, plugged directly into the starting line from day 1 as a true freshman at a fixed position; too much adjustment, too much to learn, too little time, etc.
Whitehead got into the starting lineup by game 3 of his freshman year, because one, he too was a truly special player, who was very physically mature for an 18 year-old, and two, because the safety position competition he faced was weak. He was the best option, even though he was making freshman mistakes. I don't think the coaches wanted to force the starting gig on him so early, but they had little choice.
The situation is different now. Narduzzi has recruited the Safety position well, and Garner and Campbell are both very talented, and will have had a full year in the program, and Stocker showed more promise in his few moments late this year than either Webb or Mitchell. So, there is no urgent need to rush him into the lineup.
So, while he doesn't need to be the starting full time safety to start the season, he could still have a major role to play in 2017. Here is how I would like to see him be utilized:
1) The nickel back: When using the nickel package, drop Ford into that spot, and as much as possible, let him go. Allow him to play the Palamalu role, reading the play and firing to the ball to be disruptive and cause as much havoc ( and turnovers) as possible. Easier for a freshman to step into that role than to be absolutely responsible for knowing his precise assignment on every play as an every down safety.
2) Punt returner: He would be a threat to score on every touch. Continue to have Henderson return kickoffs. Henderson was overworked last year, playing several positions as our key playmaker. Taking a few punt returns off his hands will help keep him fresher for the 4th quarter.
3) Play Ford on offense for select plays, similar to the role Whitehead performed as a freshman. But I'm talking more plays -- Whitehead's offensive plays were limited by his full time safety duties.
Can you imagine how scary it would be for defenses to see him and Henderson on the field at the same time? They wouldn't be able to key on both of them. Henderson would become even more of a threat with Ford on the field at the same time.
Imagine a fake to Henderson on a left to right jet sweep, but with bubble screen to Ford back on the left flat. Or a fake jet sweep to one of them in one direction with a pitch to the other going in the opposite direction. Imagine how that would open up holes in the middle as the linebackers try to get an early start by moving to one side or the other. And I can see a safety guessing and cheating up and over on the side to side action, and getting beat on a deep ball.
All things considered, I think his contribution to the team as a specific but multi-dimensional player would be more significant than the simplistic approach of just plugging him into the starting safety spot and hoping his athleticism will cover up the inevitable freshman mistakes.
Last edited:
