Pitt Grooming Backup Offensive Linemen During Spring Drills, LINK!

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Of Pitt's 36 returning lettermen, none is a backup offensive lineman, but one or more of them might have to play a significant role at some point.Say hello to Jerry Drake, Jimmy Morrissey, Tony Pilato, Brandon Ford and Justin Morgan.
LINK:
http://triblive.com/sports/college/...backup-offensive-linemen-during-spring-drills

 

[pittdan77]

John Peterson is not appreciated enough for what he does with that unit.

 

[PhPanther1]

John Peterson is not appreciated enough for what he does with that unit.

Not saying he has not done well, but Chryst left him with 4 NFL linemen in Biz, Johnson, ONeil, and JJ. If he develops the next batch like what just left....i'll agree 100%.

 

[ksquared33]

Really got to be encouraged about the quick progress of Morgan, Ford & especially Drake. Tony Pilato is gonna pan out to be a solid ball player as well if not a very good one. Our O-Line has a nice foundation to take us into the future.
Just gotta hope that they concentrate, pay attention & work hard to what those ahead of them are doing & have done that made them so successful. You cannot just hope to walk on their coattails.....H2 PITT !!!

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Drake, Morgan and Warren will be the next studs for us on the OL. Keep the train rolling

 

[shocka1786]

Not saying he has not done well, but Chryst left him with 4 NFL linemen in Biz, Johnson, ONeil, and JJ. If he develops the next batch like what just left....i'll agree 100%.

Yes. But O'Neil was not an NFL lineman left by pc. He and his staff didn't develop him into what he is today. That's Peterson. And the boys in the wings are pretty impressive. Pc did a great job thanks to Heuber. But pitt oline is a strength And jjs has the NFL body but haven't proved anything I. Field yet. His development will also fall in line with Peterson.

 

[joeydavid]

Biz and Johnson grew into the players they are now under both staffs. JJS was a reclamation project due to the severity of his injury. If he pans out Peterson deserves the credit. O'Neill is 100% Peterson's doing.

Barring major injuries, the oline isn't much of a concern.

Not saying he has not done well, but Chryst left him with 4 NFL linemen in Biz, Johnson, ONeil, and JJ. If he develops the next batch like what just left....i'll agree 100%.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Yes. But O'Neil was not an NFL lineman left by pc. He and his staff didn't develop him into what he is today. That's Peterson. And the boys in the wings are pretty impressive. Pc did a great job thanks to Heuber. But pitt oline is a strength And jjs has the NFL body but haven't proved anything I. Field yet. His development will also fall in line with Peterson.

Coach PN Coaching is far superior to Chryst, Graham and Wannstedt Coaching on details and focus in film rooms, with little to zero off GridIron problems to date!

Narduzzi & Staff shows the same dedication as Majors and Sherrill & Staffs did at Pitt where all 3 units O, D, ST all have a change of attitudes and ready for game day almost very game since Coach Narduzzi took over, in my view!

 

[PhPanther1]

I'm not concerned at all a out this year's OL. I'm on record as saying this year's OL will be better than last year. O'Neill and Bookser will both be better than last year. I'm one of the few who believe this, but JJS will be better than Biz. Officer won't be as good as Johnson....but it's a guard position, he'll be fine. Dintino needs to be a rock in the middle and be the qb of the OL....he's key.

 

[pittdan77]

O-line is always an interesting topic because most football fans never notice it until it's obviously a problem. What a lot of people don't see is how a guy like DJ improved in pass pro the last two years. He was always a top run blocker but if you can't pass block, you won't last too long in the league.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

O-line is always an interesting topic because most football fans never notice it until it's obviously a problem. What a lot of people don't see is how a guy like DJ improved in pass pro the last two years. He was always a top run blocker but if you can't pass block, you won't last too long in the league.

Correct, Injuries always a problem, OL's hit on every play.

Back-Ups are required and experienced one even more!

Why many big Programs that can afford bigger rosters often have 5th year role Players on OL that have been practicing for 5 years!

OL Johnson went out in NW game, Conner and Peterman too, lost by 7?

 

[pittdan77]

OL Johnson went out in NW game, Conner and Peterman too, lost by 7?

Peterman going down hurt more so far as injuries. The defense accounted for the rest.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Peterman going down hurt more so far as injuries. The defense accounted for the rest.

Quite agree, QB is everything, but i can't recall did Johnson go out first, if so could have cause QB the hit, and i think Conner was hit first and out. Even then you are correct Orndoff dropped the TD pass but 3 Players targeted out hurt big time. Part of the game, not complaining?

 

[pittdan77]

Quite agree, QB is everything, but i can't recall did Johnson go out first, if so could have cause QB the hit, and i think Conner was hit first and out. Even then you are correct Orndoff dropped the TD pass but 3 Players targeted out hurt big time. Part of the game, not complaining?

I don't know. Water under the bridge now. Pretty sure at least two of those hits were illegal.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I don't know. Water under the bridge now. Pretty sure at least two of those hits were illegal.

The Major Sponsor Spokesperson for the Bowl was a NW Graduate, why Bookies Warn me not to bet the Game, and Fitzgerald is quite a Coach that prepared his team to Execute too. I don't cry about it, like you said, it is under Bridge, and 4 to 5 Plays can decide most games by 2 to 3 Players, 3 Plays taking out Pitt QB, Top Ol, and RB makes that look accurate, bu NW Running Back ran all over Pitt too, so No Sour Grapes or Bitter Whines from me. NW earned the Win in a close game and I salute them!

 

[docden]

I'm not concerned at all a out this year's OL. I'm on record as saying this year's OL will be better than last year. O'Neill and Bookser will both be better than last year. I'm one of the few who believe this, but JJS will be better than Biz. Officer won't be as good as Johnson....but it's a guard position, he'll be fine. Dintino needs to be a rock in the middle and be the qb of the OL....he's key.

I think saying this years line will be BETTER than last years is quite optimistic.. Losing 2 NFL lineman is hard to replace.. Will O'Neil be better? Possibly, but he's moving over to the left side.. I would expect Bookser to take a small step forward - I'll give you that..

Like you said - Officer won't be as good as Johnson.. JJS being as good as O'Neil at RT is a stretch.. And we're just hoping Dintino is the real deal..

Our OLine last year was probably top 4-5 in the country.. I'd expect this years to be top 20-ish.. Still good, but I don't think it'll be a clear advantage walking into the stadium every week..