Offensive Line

[Sean Miller Fan]

This honestly could be our best OL since the 80s with several guys who should play in the NFL. 3-4 NFL players on 1 Pitt line? That just hasnt come close to happening.

I am interested to see what becomea of Jared Jones-Smith. He seems to have been Wally Pipp'd by O'Neill.

If we assume the tackles are Biz and O'Neill, the center is Officer, and Johnson is a guard. Who gets the other guard spot? Bookser, JJS?

In any event, if Conner is anywhere close to where he was, we could have the very best running game in D1 which means if our D and pass game could at least be adequate, we can win 10 games.

For example, most of us assume OKST on the road is a loss. But Big 12 teams don't play defense. If Conner rushes for 250 and we keep their O off the field, its a pretty even game. I have huge doubts whether we can stop the spreads of OKST and UNC in back to back weeks but we could outscore them.

 

[Piranha]

This honestly could be our best OL since the 80s with several guys who should play in the NFL. 3-4 NFL players on 1 Pitt line? That just hasnt come close to happening.

I am interested to see what becomea of Jared Jones-Smith. He seems to have been Wally Pipp'd by O'Neill.

If we assume the tackles are Biz and O'Neill, the center is Officer, and Johnson is a guard. Who gets the other guard spot? Bookser, JJS?

In any event, if Conner is anywhere close to where he was, we could have the very best running game in D1 which means if our D and pass game could at least be adequate, we can win 10 games.

For example, most of us assume OKST on the road is a loss. But Big 12 teams don't play defense. If Conner rushes for 250 and we keep their O off the field, its a pretty even game. I have huge doubts whether we can stop the spreads of OKST and UNC in back to back weeks but we could outscore them.

I agree that our OL has the potential to be very good. If everyone is healthy, then I would like to see JJS, DJ, Officer, Biz, O'Neill start.

 

[Teh Teh]

All sounds good but conner will have to stay healthy and get back into game speed. Fingers crossed... I think we will have quote a stable of backs to do well though.

Still tough schedule this year, if we win 10 it was a monstrous effort from the team and coaches. I still think 8 wins in a good benchmark

 

[Swervin27]

All sounds good but conner will have to stay healthy and get back into game speed. Fingers crossed... I think we will have quote a stable of backs to do well though.

Still tough schedule this year, if we win 10 it was a monstrous effort from the team and coaches. I still think 8 wins in a good benchmark

We win 10, Narduzzi statue goes up at the airport, take down that mannequin looking thing of franco and put up a real statue of the Duzzer..

 

[LeftCoastPanther]

If Biz stays at left tackle then put JJ-S in as a second tight end and just run it down the opponents' throats. O'Neill will stay starting at right tackle. I'd like to see Biz to guard and Smith to left tackle, but we shall see how it unfolds in August.

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

We win 10, Narduzzi statue goes up at the airport, take down that mannequin looking thing of franco and put up a real statue of the Duzzer..

The ultimate troll move would be to put a cardboard cutout of Duzz where the Paterno statue was.......

 

[Swervin27]

If Biz stays at left tackle then put JJ-S in as a second tight end and just run it down the opponents' throats. O'Neill will stay starting at right tackle. I'd like to see Biz to guard and Smith to left tackle, but we shall see how it unfolds in August.

Bookser needs to figure it out, quickly. Probably O'neill / JJS play RG and RT (to be determined which one plays where) so that leaves Bookser as basically the backup at 4 positions. He is next man up on injury of 80% of line as well as our future tackle when Biz leaves.. to quote Rudy / the hobbit's buddy in Goonies, "it's our time. It's our time down here. That's all over the second we ride up Troy's bucket" Troy's bucket is an analogy of the '16 season. Pretty deep huh?

 

[Jpripper88]

This honestly could be our best OL since the 80s with several guys who should play in the NFL. 3-4 NFL players on 1 Pitt line? That just hasnt come close to happening.

I am interested to see what becomea of Jared Jones-Smith. He seems to have been Wally Pipp'd by O'Neill.

If we assume the tackles are Biz and O'Neill, the center is Officer, and Johnson is a guard. Who gets the other guard spot? Bookser, JJS?

In any event, if Conner is anywhere close to where he was, we could have the very best running game in D1 which means if our D and pass game could at least be adequate, we can win 10 games.

For example, most of us assume OKST on the road is a loss. But Big 12 teams don't play defense. If Conner rushes for 250 and we keep their O off the field, its a pretty even game. I have huge doubts whether we can stop the spreads of OKST and UNC in back to back weeks but we could outscore them.

There is certainly a lot of potential. Conner is a wild card though, to me. If he is back close to his form, we could be very good. The issue is at WR on offense. There is very little talent and no proven talent. The defense has holes, but that is CPN's specialty, so you have to have faith it will be pretty good.

Schedule isn't easy, but it isn't murder's row with Clemson really the only team we would have to pull a huge upset against. I expect 8 wins and agree there is a chance for 10.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

There is certainly a lot of potential. Conner is a wild card though, to me. If he is back close to his form, we could be very good. The issue is at WR on offense. There is very little talent and no proven talent. The defense has holes, but that is CPN's specialty, so you have to have faith it will be pretty good.

Schedule isn't easy, but it isn't murder's row with Clemson really the only team we would have to pull a huge upset against. I expect 8 wins and agree there is a chance for 10.

I would probably predict 7-5......because that's a Pitt-esque record but if the running game is elite, there's no reason we cant win every game but Clemson and say, UNC.

PSU isnt good. OKST is overrated. VT, UVa, and Miami will be adjusting to new coaches. And we can beat Duke.

 

[LeftCoastPanther]

to quote Rudy / the hobbit's buddy in Goonies, "it's our time. It's our time down here. That's all over the second we ride up Troy's bucket" Troy's bucket is an analogy of the '16 season. Pretty deep huh?

Troy got pretty cocky, telling his buddies "See guys, dreams do come true," only to see his letterman's jacket on the bucket. I hope PSU is cocky like Troy come 09.10.16 and Pitt leaves Franklin screaming "Narduzzi, you cheater!"

 

[President Stache]

About the Oline... I am holding my breath until I see we are healthy going into UPS. I cant remember the last year we had a healthy line. Seems every single year one of our best linemen go down for the year with an injury before the year even starts.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

I am with you on this. We have 6 good OL but they all can't play every position. If healthy....

LT - Biz
LG - DJ
C - Officer
RG - JJS
RT 0 O'Neill

About the Oline... I am holding my breath until I see we are healthy going into UPS. I cant remember the last year we had a healthy line. Seems every single year one of our best linemen go down for the year with an injury before the year even starts.

 

[OriginalEther]

This honestly could be our best OL since the 80s with several guys who should play in the NFL. 3-4 NFL players on 1 Pitt line? That just hasnt come close to happening.

I am interested to see what becomea of Jared Jones-Smith. He seems to have been Wally Pipp'd by O'Neill.

If we assume the tackles are Biz and O'Neill, the center is Officer, and Johnson is a guard. Who gets the other guard spot? Bookser, JJS?

In any event, if Conner is anywhere close to where he was, we could have the very best running game in D1 which means if our D and pass game could at least be adequate, we can win 10 games.

For example, most of us assume OKST on the road is a loss. But Big 12 teams don't play defense. If Conner rushes for 250 and we keep their O off the field, its a pretty even game. I have huge doubts whether we can stop the spreads of OKST and UNC in back to back weeks but we could outscore them.

2008 and 2009 had very good olines.
Otah/Nix, Pinkston, and Malecki I think all at least had a decent chance. Houser, Thomas, and Jacobson were all solid also.
My memory isn't as strong for the 2002 team, but I'm certain they were very good as well.

 

[Swervin27]

2008 and 2009 had very good olines.
Otah/Nix, Pinkston, and Malecki I think all at least had a decent chance. Houser, Thomas, and Jacobson were all solid also.
My memory isn't as strong for the 2002 team, but I'm certain they were very good as well.

Those lines were good. Dion's soph/last year, that line was sick.. Think it was Stull's senior year. Dion was good but damn he had some big holes. Remember that Rutgers game at RU, that line dominated.. A

 

[pittdan77]

OL is the one position that doesn't scare me if there's an injury. That said, I really want to see these guys that are in their last season stay healthy so they can go play on Sundays.

 

[P1TTFAN]

There is depth in the OL position but It is a position that in which the depth is always at risk. By that I mean, one key person out means a shift along the line. Quickly, depth can be challenged. Also, the incoming depth took a small hit with Zach Williams headed to Prep school. Speculation is it will be Milford Academy which as a good track record of keeping the incoming commitment the same upon matriculation.

 

[LeftCoastPanther]

The lines were good in 2007 thru 2009. In my alternate universe where Flacco stays at Pitt, the team goes 11-2 with Joe, Shady and that line in 2007. It also leads to Tom Savage coming to Pitt in 2009 and starting from 2010-13. The 2010 line would have been good had Wise noticed Turnley had potential at center and moved him there.

The 2009 line was Lewis' freshman/Stull's senior season. That unit was really good but didn't really take over the game like it should have in losses to average NC State and WVU.

The 2002 line was the best of the Walt/Freeman units, but still game up eight sacks to mediocre Texas A&M and I think nine to ND that season. The O-line was always a struggle it seemed for Walt and Freeman.

 

[vegasgreed]

lets just hope it goes as planned. it doesn't always work out that way. last year at this time, many was counting on a very good season from voytik. about 100% were counting on a great JC season. sometimes even the unthinkable happens.

another new oc at the helm. maybe a upgrade, maybe not.

 

[PhPanther1]

I must be the only guy that would not start O'Neil. I'd go Biz-Dj-officer-Bookser-JJ.

Biz is a top 2 round OT, he's not shifting inside. I think JJ is a better OT with a much higher ceiling than O'Neil, so that's why I would play him. I think O'Neil was ok last year, but far from an outstanding OT.

The best OL for the team is JJ-DJ-Officer-Biz-Oneil, but you can't screw Biz by moving him inside like that.

 

[Swervin27]

I must be the only guy that would not start O'Neil. I'd go Biz-Dj-officer-Bookser-JJ.

Biz is a top 2 round OT, he's not shifting inside. I think JJ is a better OT with a much higher ceiling than O'Neil, so that's why I would play him. I think O'Neil was ok last year, but far from an outstanding OT.

The best OL for the team is JJ-DJ-Officer-Biz-Oneil, but you can't screw Biz by moving him inside like that.

Bookser has to have a great summer to be our RG. Expecting him to beat out either o'neill or JJS is a long shot. I hope it happens, then we will have a damn good backup tackle. The battle between o'neill and JJS for RT should be a good one.

 

[pittdan77]

Hueber is a great coach. Let's not forget that.