Offense by committee

[Chairman Moe]

I realize it's only one game ... it sure looks like Pitt has one of their deepest rosters in some time. 4 competent RB's; 4 excellent TE's; 8 quality WR's; 2 capable QB's.

I know football is a team sport, and Pitt has demonstrated the "WE not ME" mentality as well as any other P5 program. But will egos eventually get in the way? Are these players really "plug-and-play"? And maybe most importantly, can we Pitt fans "stand" not having a marquis type offensive player (e.g., Jordan Addison, Izzy, KP8) on our team?

From my perspective, I'd be perfectly happy with 11 more games of an equal number of yards rushing and passing, with as many receptions and carries, by as many players as in Game 1. H2P!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I realize it's only one game ... it sure looks like Pitt has one of their deepest rosters in some time. 4 competent RB's; 4 excellent TE's; 8 quality WR's; 2 capable QB's.

I know football is a team sport, and Pitt has demonstrated the "WE not ME" mentality as well as any other P5 program. But will egos eventually get in the way? Are these players really "plug-and-play"? And maybe most importantly, can we Pitt fans "stand" not having a marquis type offensive player (e.g., Jordan Addison, Izzy, KP8) on our team?

From my perspective, I'd be perfectly happy with 11 more games of an equal number of yards rushing and passing, with as many receptions and carries, by as many players as in Game 1. H2P!

The WR room is the worst that I can remember as long as I have been watching Pitt football. Even Majors 2 had Dietrich Jells.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

I realize it's only one game ... it sure looks like Pitt has one of their deepest rosters in some time. 4 competent RB's; 4 excellent TE's; 8 quality WR's; 2 capable QB's.

I know football is a team sport, and Pitt has demonstrated the "WE not ME" mentality as well as any other P5 program. But will egos eventually get in the way? Are these players really "plug-and-play"? And maybe most importantly, can we Pitt fans "stand" not having a marquis type offensive player (e.g., Jordan Addison, Izzy, KP8) on our team?

From my perspective, I'd be perfectly happy with 11 more games of an equal number of yards rushing and passing, with as many receptions and carries, by as many players as in Game 1. H2P!

8 quality Wrs?

4 excellent TEs?

​

 

[The Ole Six-Fiver]

It was only one game … but our offense from the QB down, really from the OC down, looks like a roster of second stringers. I fear anytime we get behind by 2 scores

 

[Chairman Moe]

Wow ... tough crowd!

As I said, it was only one game ... so perhaps I can remove the adjectives (for now) that describe each position Pitt has on offense.

Wofford was more than a glorified scrimmage. It was certainly a game where their players appeared to be well-coached, and while the score didn't indicate it, Pitt played the Terriers as if they were any other ACC team

Second-stringers? @The Ole Six-Fiver, I think it gets back to what we Pitt fans perceive as a recipe for greatness, and that's having a marquis player (or two) on offense. It certainly doesn't appear (after one game) that we have that type of player(s) on offense. I do think that our offensive depth is going to be an asset as the season progresses, as Pitt never seems to be able to go through a season without at least one or two injuries

I will agree that our current offense appears pretty vanilla. I won't agree that this offense can't or won't be able to come from behind if needed.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

I realize it's only one game ... it sure looks like Pitt has one of their deepest rosters in some time. 4 competent RB's; 4 excellent TE's; 8 quality WR's; 2 capable QB's.

I know football is a team sport, and Pitt has demonstrated the "WE not ME" mentality as well as any other P5 program. But will egos eventually get in the way? Are these players really "plug-and-play"? And maybe most importantly, can we Pitt fans "stand" not having a marquis type offensive player (e.g., Jordan Addison, Izzy, KP8) on our team?

From my perspective, I'd be perfectly happy with 11 more games of an equal number of yards rushing and passing, with as many receptions and carries, by as many players as in Game 1. H2P!

It’s early, so I’m on the side of letting things play out.

 

[Jeffburgh]

I thought Means looked decisive and explosive, and Hammonds is the best back. FC tends to feed his best players and if those two stay healthy I expect 1,000+ yards from both, 20 tds between them.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I realize it's only one game ... it sure looks like Pitt has one of their deepest rosters in some time. 4 competent RB's; 4 excellent TE's; 8 quality WR's; 2 capable QB's.

I know football is a team sport, and Pitt has demonstrated the "WE not ME" mentality as well as any other P5 program. But will egos eventually get in the way? Are these players really "plug-and-play"? And maybe most importantly, can we Pitt fans "stand" not having a marquis type offensive player (e.g., Jordan Addison, Izzy, KP8) on our team?

From my perspective, I'd be perfectly happy with 11 more games of an equal number of yards rushing and passing, with as many receptions and carries, by as many players as in Game 1. H2P!

We have 4, 6, 8 of everything because we don't even have 2 of anything.

Did we have four competent running backs, for instance, when we had AJ Davis, Vincent Davis, Todd Sibley, and V'Lique Carter splitting duties?

The list of proven skilled position players is:

1) Rodney Hammond

 

[revampedpanthers]

My take from only one game.
QB Phil is fine but he isn't a really good QB just ok he will likely do a few things better than slovis but he is only marginally better
Ol will likely be ok but they aren't great just solid
RB is deep but none are in Izzy's category.
Te is pretty deep and proba lying our best group there in a long time.
Wr they are ok but I don't think they have that number one guy who can demand double coverage or he kills you which is absolutely huge in college FB.
Overall it's probably a pretty similar offense to last years, maybe a little better if Phil is indeed better than slovis. But I think the d is a little worse and we have some matchups where we will have to score some points. I don't have a great feeling about this season but that's why they play the games. I thought going into last year if slovis was good they had a great chance at repeating as acc champs. I don't feel that way about this team.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

It was only one game … but our offense from the QB down, really from the OC down, looks like a roster of second stringers. I fear anytime we get behind by 2 scores

I think we have 2 P5 RBs. A P5 TE. G5 WRs. QB - not sure yet. OL - not sure

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

we have two competent WRs, hoping that number is 4 after the cincy and wvu game. just tough to tell right now what Kenny and Dejeon are..

i am a tad optimistic that we could have 2 if not 3 viable tight ends though..

Jurk gets hurt, we arent winning 6 games..

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

My take from only one game.
QB Phil is fine but he isn't a really good QB just ok he will likely do a few things better than slovis but he is only marginally better
Ol will likely be ok but they aren't great just solid
RB is deep but none are in Izzy's category.
Te is pretty deep and proba lying our best group there in a long time.
Wr they are ok but I don't think they have that number one guy who can demand double coverage or he kills you which is absolutely huge in college FB.
Overall it's probably a pretty similar offense to last years, maybe a little better if Phil is indeed better than slovis. But I think the d is a little worse and we have some matchups where we will have to score some points. I don't have a great feeling about this season but that's why they play the games. I thought going into last year if slovis was good they had a great chance at repeating as acc champs. I don't feel that way about this team.

Agree with a lot of that, and the schedule looks a lot tougher. I genuinely feel that we need to start 3-0 to finish 7-5.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

Agree with a lot of that, and the schedule looks a lot tougher. I genuinely feel that we need to start 3-0 to finish 7-5.

yikes, we finish 4-5 with that schedule, that would be a pretty dissapointing season..

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

yikes, we finish 4-5 with that schedule, that would be a pretty dissapointing season..

ND
FSU
UNC
Duke

All look better than us as of now ^

Syracuse
Wake Forest
Louisville

Something close to on par with us; maybe slightly better or slightly worse ^

Boston College
Virginia Tech

We should beat, but that doesn't mean we will ^

Obviously things won't play out to those exact categories, but I see more "similar or better" teams in there than I do "Similar or worse."

 

[genuinecandor]

I seriously do not know what game a lot of you watched. I rewatched the highlights on Youtube again and still believe overall Pitt played a solid game. I think most on this board want Whipple's air it out offense, I don't see that ever happening under Duzz again.

 

[Chairman Moe]

I seriously do not know what game a lot of you watched. I rewatched the highlights on Youtube again and still believe overall Pitt played a solid game. I think most on this board want Whipple's air it out offense, I don't see that ever happening under Duzz again.

Our fan base has been spoiled the past three years with KP, JA, and IA bring "home run" stars on offense. I agree, it was a solid game

 

[Chairman Moe]

ND
FSU
UNC
Duke

All look better than us as of now ^

Syracuse
Wake Forest
Louisville

Something close to on par with us; maybe slightly better or slightly worse ^

Boston College
Virginia Tech

We should beat, but that doesn't mean we will ^

Obviously things won't play out to those exact categories, but I see more "similar or better" teams in there than I do "Similar or worse."

No question that Duke played a huge game last night. If not for Clemson's mistakes - forced or not - Duke did surrender over 400 yds in offense to a pretty "vanilla" Clemson team

I agree with the others (ND, UNC, FSU) being at least one level above (for now)

The others we play this year (visually) are no better than Pitt. Would you not be thrilled to take a 9-3 record right now?

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

No question that Duke played a huge game last night. If not for Clemson's mistakes - forced or not - Duke did surrender over 400 yds in offense to a pretty "vanilla" Clemson team

I agree with the others (ND, UNC, FSU) being at least one level above (for now)

The others we play this year (visually) are no better than Pitt. Would you not be thrilled to take a 9-3 record right now?

Hell yeah I'd be thrilled with 9-3. Or 8-4. I'd sign up for either in a second. But I see a dogfight just to go 7-5. Hope I'm wrong and the offense comes out a lot smoother against Cincy, with an actual game plan. Phil looks very giveth and taketh to me.

I look at teams like Pitt in cycles. We're not peaking right now, and that's okay. We replaced too many draft picks with "solid veterans." There aren't many teams that can win 9 or 10 games every year.

 

[NCPitt]

Most posters in this thread are insane. They wouldn't recognize football talent if it hit them in the face.

 

[President Stache]

I realize it's only one game ... it sure looks like Pitt has one of their deepest rosters in some time. 4 competent RB's; 4 excellent TE's; 8 quality WR's; 2 capable QB's.

I know football is a team sport, and Pitt has demonstrated the "WE not ME" mentality as well as any other P5 program. But will egos eventually get in the way? Are these players really "plug-and-play"? And maybe most importantly, can we Pitt fans "stand" not having a marquis type offensive player (e.g., Jordan Addison, Izzy, KP8) on our team?

From my perspective, I'd be perfectly happy with 11 more games of an equal number of yards rushing and passing, with as many receptions and carries, by as many players as in Game 1. H2P!

Probably the best TEs we have had that I can remember.

The WRs seem very good, Bub looks to have really made strides, but none of the freshmen showed enough to say they are very good yet, although, I will trust the coaches that say that, since normally they are very down on the WRs and clearly they love this group. We have steady Wrs better than last year

 

[Jeffburgh]

Probably the best TEs we have had that I can remember.

The WRs seem very good, Bub looks to have really made strides, but none of the freshmen showed enough to say they are very good yet, although, I will trust the coaches that say that, since normally they are very down on the WRs and clearly they love this group. We have steady Wrs better than last year

Yep. This looks to be the best TE group we have seen in a while.

 

[The Ole Six-Fiver]

Our fan base has been spoiled the past three years with KP, JA, and IA bring "home run" stars on offense. I agree, it was a solid game

I hardly think two good-to-great offensive seasons out of NINE is being spoiled. And 2016 was quite frankly the greatest offense I ever saw and I certainly don’t expect anything to approach it again (sadly),

And again, this was only one game. But there is simply nothing I see of this offense and its players that is going to intimidate any of the opponents we have going forward. It is going to be gravy wrestling most games … and possibly getting boat raced in a couple others

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-66645681

 

[Chairman Moe]

It is going to be gravy wrestling most games …

I'll agree with you on this; especially when the turf @ Heinz Fie (oops, Acrisure Stadium) gets torn up - and it rains before or during one of our games

 

[NCanton Panther]

I realize it's only one game ... it sure looks like Pitt has one of their deepest rosters in some time. 4 competent RB's; 4 excellent TE's; 8 quality WR's; 2 capable QB's.

I know football is a team sport, and Pitt has demonstrated the "WE not ME" mentality as well as any other P5 program. But will egos eventually get in the way? Are these players really "plug-and-play"? And maybe most importantly, can we Pitt fans "stand" not having a marquis type offensive player (e.g., Jordan Addison, Izzy, KP8) on our team?

From my perspective, I'd be perfectly happy with 11 more games of an equal number of yards rushing and passing, with as many receptions and carries, by as many players as in Game 1. H2P!

Sorry, but I think you need to pump the brakes a little. I don’t think we can come anywhere close to saying 8 quality WRs after 1 game against Wofford. Same for 4 excellent TEs, …..

I think the only thing we can say from week 1 is that Pitt did what they were supposed to do.

Now, one week at a time, bring on Cincy.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

ND
FSU
UNC
Duke

All look better than us as of now ^

Syracuse
Wake Forest
Louisville

Something close to on par with us; maybe slightly better or slightly worse ^

Boston College
Virginia Tech

We should beat, but that doesn't mean we will ^

Obviously things won't play out to those exact categories, but I see more "similar or better" teams in there than I do "Similar or worse."

If we lose to every team with a heartbeat on our schedule, that means we are a bad team. Yes it could happen and that would be disappointing.

 

[NCanton Panther]

I seriously do not know what game a lot of you watched. I rewatched the highlights on Youtube again and still believe overall Pitt played a solid game. I think most on this board want Whipple's air it out offense, I don't see that ever happening under Duzz again.

I don’t need to watch the game again to know that Pitt played a solid game, but they very well should have played a solid game against Wofford so it really isn’t telling me anything concrete yet.

The defense was more than solid, should have been a shutout with very few yards given up until that late stupid long TD. But again, that is what should have been expected.

The offense, against a Wofford defense, was alright but nothing outstanding. Early on, the OL did not look impressive at all, Wofford DL was getting way more push against them than they should have. OL improved as the game went on, to the tune of making 3-4 yard gains look easy, but never opened up big holes to allow for larger gains. Or the RBs just weren’t good enough to turn anything into long gains like an Izzy.

Bottom line, the verdict is still out until we see how things go against real competition.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Most posters in this thread are insane. They wouldn't recognize football talent if it hit them in the face.

Quite the opposite, actually. You can tell when people on this board only watch Pitt. Every team in America has a Konata Mumpfield, Jake Renda, Daniel Carter, etc. Do you guys not pay any attention? Reynolds wasn't going to get on the field for a team that just got tittyraced out in Utah by a backup QB. Bradley was needed to log heavy minutes last season even *with* Wayne, and he can't get on the field at Charlotte.

Again, Rodney Hammond is the list right now. If Means and Mumpfield got better they need to show it. You don't get a trophy because Chris Peak said you're built like an NFL player in a practice he saw. I think some of the freshmen can be good... but they've got to actually be good first. Gavin Bartholomew has been the great white hope, and nothing more, since having to line up as a traditional TE. I think he CAN improve, but he needs to do it. The QB is a guy a team that just lost to a MAC team pushed out.

 

[NCPitt]

Quite the opposite, actually. You can tell when people on this board only watch Pitt. Every team in America has a Konata Mumpfield, Jake Renda, Daniel Carter, etc. Do you guys not pay any attention? Reynolds wasn't going to get on the field for a team that just got tittyraced out in Utah by a backup QB. Bradley was needed to log heavy minutes last season even *with* Wayne, and he can't get on the field at Charlotte.

Again, Rodney Hammond is the list right now. If Means and Mumpfield got better they need to show it. You don't get a trophy because Chris Peak said you're built like an NFL player in a practice he saw. I think some of the freshmen can be good... but they've got to actually be good first. Gavin Bartholomew has been the great white hope, and nothing more, since having to line up as a traditional TE. I think he CAN improve, but he needs to do it. The QB is a guy a team that just lost to a MAC team pushed out.

LOL

 

[revampedpanthers]

I think we have 2 P5 RBs. A P5 TE. G5 WRs. QB - not sure yet. OL - not sure

I think your being to hard on the wr. Both could start on a lot of p5

 

[BreakingPitt]

I would rather have 4-5 capable WRs than only 2 good ones.
Pitt does have 3 good RBs .
Not sure what else they could have shown in the first half.
Pretty dumb to draw conclusions either way after the first game.

 

[The Ole Six-Fiver]

I think your being to hard on the wr. Both could start on a lot of p5

They held on to passes on Saturday that they didn’t handle very consistently last season. Those are hopeful signs.

 

[BreakingPitt]

Pitt had 13 players make a catch Saturday . That might be a record. Thats a good thing, not a bad thing.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

I think your being to hard on the wr. Both could start on a lot of p5

Agree. I think both are legit for sure. Zero clue and not much confidence with Reynolds but I hope he proves me wrong.

Don’t need great, just someone who can get 2 catches a game as a #3 wr.

 

[thebadby2]

I realize it's only one game ... it sure looks like Pitt has one of their deepest rosters in some time. 4 competent RB's; 4 excellent TE's; 8 quality WR's; 2 capable QB's.

I know football is a team sport, and Pitt has demonstrated the "WE not ME" mentality as well as any other P5 program. But will egos eventually get in the way? Are these players really "plug-and-play"? And maybe most importantly, can we Pitt fans "stand" not having a marquis type offensive player (e.g., Jordan Addison, Izzy, KP8) on our team?

From my perspective, I'd be perfectly happy with 11 more games of an equal number of yards rushing and passing, with as many receptions and carries, by as many players as in Game 1. H2P!

That’s a pretty rosy outlook after one game against the functional equivalent of a bad D2 team.

I believe the defense will be as good as we’ve come to expect it to be.

I am skeptical that the offense will hold up its end but not ready to form any strong conclusions yet.

 

[revampedpanthers]

I would rather have 4-5 capable WRs than only 2 good ones.
Pitt does have 3 good RBs .
Not sure what else they could have shown in the first half.
Pretty dumb to draw conclusions either way after the first game.

If they stay healthy I would take the two good ones in cfb over the 4 average guys. Especially since Pitt runs a pro style system. Cfb is about difference makers.

 

[cruzer]

I seriously do not know what game a lot of you watched. I rewatched the highlights on Youtube again and still believe overall Pitt played a solid game. I think most on this board want Whipple's air it out offense, I don't see that ever happening under Duzz again.

Narduzzi's game plan is simple. Play good defense and run the crap out of the ball. For this approach to work you better have a good to very good offensive line and a RB (or two) who is really good. Hammond is the only back I've seen that would cause another team any concern (and he's not the home run hitter that Izzy was). The rest of the backs are pretty pedestrian. The O Line didn't really impress particularly given the level of competition. We are going to need to be much better to beat either Cincy or WVU.

Cruzer

 

[The Ole Six-Fiver]

Narduzzi's game plan is simple. Play good defense and run the crap out of the ball. For this approach to work you better have a good to very good offensive line and a RB (or two) who is really good. Hammond is the only back I've seen that would cause another team any concern (and he's not the home run hitter that Izzy was). The rest of the backs are pretty pedestrian. The O Line didn't really impress particularly given the level of competition. We are going to need to be much better to beat either Cincy or WVU.

Cruzer

I had not one, not two but three friends (who are varying degrees more koolaid drinkers than I am) text me unsolicited during or after Saturday’s game, to essentially say: “don’t worry, the offense looks kind of lame for sure, but it’s because it’s Wofford; we’re holding back the really good stuff”.

OK. Based on experience, “Holding back the really good stuff” seems to be an eternal hope of fans in denial everywhere. But man, I sure hope they are right.

 

[cruzer]

I had not one, not two but three friends (who are varying degrees more koolaid drinkers than I am) text me unsolicited during or after Saturday’s game, to essentially say: “don’t worry, the offense looks kind of lame for sure, but it’s because it’s Wofford; we’re holding back the really good stuff”.

OK. Based on experience, “Holding back the really good stuff” seems to be an eternal hope of fans in denial everywhere. But man, I sure hope they are right.

I guess blocking and opening holes must be considered the "good stuff"

 

[YourPittDanceTeam]

I seriously do not know what game a lot of you watched. I rewatched the highlights on Youtube again and still believe overall Pitt played a solid game. I think most on this board want Whipple's air it out offense, I don't see that ever happening under Duzz again.

Then that would be a huge mistake on Pat Narduzzi's part. It's 2023 and football as a sport, especially at the college level is all about scoring points.

 

[The Ole Six-Fiver]

Then that would be a huge mistake on Pat Narduzzi's part. It's 2023 and football as a sport, especially at the college level is all about scoring points.

I would be all for the road grader offense IF it was something like the Wisconsin offense at it’s prime, and could win us 10+ games. I’d happily run 100% of the time if it won us a ton of games.

And last season, with Izzy and Co, at times it WAS close to classic Wisconsin. Actually a little more explosive even. And the run dominance won us at least a couple games.

But the fear I have from this past, Izzy-free week, is that the running game didn’t look nearly like it was grading any roads. Against lowly (and lowly is being nice) Wofford.

Maybe because it was the first game, maybe it was guys just getting to know each other, maybe “we didn’t want to show too much to Cincy and WVU”. But whatever reason, we, the offense that wants to be Wisconsin Redux, struggled to run the ball. Against Wofford.

Maybe we’ll gain momentum as we go and/or one of the anonymous backup tailbacks emerge. Hope so.