Looking forward to the completion of 2017 (football and recruiting) I thought it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the following 6 questions. It's been a bumpy year so I'm sure we'll have many perspectives.
A successful season in wins for 2018 is - 8
My big game win prediction for 2018 is - Pitt beats Penn St. and UNC.
My three breakout players in 2018 are - Kenny Pickett, Paris Ford, Rashad Weaver.
I think a lot of Pitt's success will hinge on - The ability to throw the ball. I believe in Kenny Pickett but O-line protection will be critical. I expect Jimmy Morrissey to continue to improve as he enters his second year of starting but the line could struggle early (first 4 games) to gel. On defense, the return of Q. Wirginis will allow Brightwell to shift to his natural position providing an experienced unit (Idowu, Wirginis, Brightwell) that should be highly productive.
Entering Narduzzi's 4th season as HC I think - Continuity finally appears. Almost everyone that will see field time next season (presumably) will be in spring camp and for most it will be at least their 2nd time through with the same systems. Year over year the staff appears to be bringing in more athletic players with the size and skills to fit their system.
What I'll be watching for in 2018 - I'll be looking for player development. As excited as I am to see guys like Michael Smith, Butler-Jenkins, Reeves, Drake and Hargrove get time, I'm more interested in seeing the year over year incremental improvements of guys like, Weaver, Watts, Matthews, French, Chris Clark, Morrissey, Camp, Hendrix (please!), Pine, Hamlin and Jackson. To me, Dane Jackson was the biggest leap forward last year and that tells me that he and his coaches are doing their job. I'll be eager to see those kinds of consistent strides w/ the WR's.
A successful season in wins for 2018 is - 8
My big game win prediction for 2018 is - Pitt beats Penn St. and UNC.
My three breakout players in 2018 are - Kenny Pickett, Paris Ford, Rashad Weaver.
I think a lot of Pitt's success will hinge on - The ability to throw the ball. I believe in Kenny Pickett but O-line protection will be critical. I expect Jimmy Morrissey to continue to improve as he enters his second year of starting but the line could struggle early (first 4 games) to gel. On defense, the return of Q. Wirginis will allow Brightwell to shift to his natural position providing an experienced unit (Idowu, Wirginis, Brightwell) that should be highly productive.
Entering Narduzzi's 4th season as HC I think - Continuity finally appears. Almost everyone that will see field time next season (presumably) will be in spring camp and for most it will be at least their 2nd time through with the same systems. Year over year the staff appears to be bringing in more athletic players with the size and skills to fit their system.
What I'll be watching for in 2018 - I'll be looking for player development. As excited as I am to see guys like Michael Smith, Butler-Jenkins, Reeves, Drake and Hargrove get time, I'm more interested in seeing the year over year incremental improvements of guys like, Weaver, Watts, Matthews, French, Chris Clark, Morrissey, Camp, Hendrix (please!), Pine, Hamlin and Jackson. To me, Dane Jackson was the biggest leap forward last year and that tells me that he and his coaches are doing their job. I'll be eager to see those kinds of consistent strides w/ the WR's.
