Pitt is extremely experienced this season

[gary2]

Many of these players have been starters or rotation players on successful teams.

Almost the entire fault for this season rests on the OC and our new QB.

Truly a wasted year because of 2 individuals. (And the man who hired and recruited them)

 

[MorningCoffee13]

Many of these players have been starters or experienced players on successful teams.

Almost the entire fault for this seasonrrests on the OC and our new QB.

Truly a wasted year because of 2 individuals. (And the man who hired and recruited them)

It’s more than just that. If it was QB and OC then the defense could just flat out shut down teams. But that is not happening. There seems to be some collective arrogance possibly going on that never fails to damage a team.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I thought the inability to bring in a good transfer receiver was a big miss. But let's face it: We're worse just about everywhere. Even with a more "college average" quarterback, this team would have regressed a good bit. Dudes with NFL futures were replaced with dudes with no NFL futures (or younger guys who are nowhere near that point yet).

 

[pittdan77]

I thought the inability to bring in a good transfer receiver was a big miss. But let's face it: We're worse just about everywhere. Even with a more "college average" quarterback, this team would have regressed a good bit. Dudes with NFL futures were replaced with dudes with no NFL futures (or younger guys who are nowhere near that point yet).

And the O-line is pretty banged up and getting younger every game.

 

[VictoryLights]

It’s this simple

1. We have lost all impact players from the ACC championship team.

2. Narduzzi made a big mistake by following a successful year with Whipple with a hire that reverts backwards to prehistoric football.

Heather needs to demand a replacement OC with a modern offense.

 

[The Ole Six-Fiver]

It’s this simple

1. We have lost all impact players from the ACC championship team.

2. Narduzzi made a big mistake by following a successful year with Whipple with a hire that reverts backwards to prehistoric football.

Heather needs to demand a replacement OC with a modern offense.

Plus one thousand

 

[TD_6082]

It’s this simple

1. We have lost all impact players from the ACC championship team.

2. Narduzzi made a big mistake by following a successful year with Whipple with a hire that reverts backwards to prehistoric football.

Heather needs to demand a replacement OC with a modern offense.

Specifically, what is prehistoric about the offense?

I can see where you could argue that it is too complex, or have gripes about the execution etc, but where are you getting this idea that it's prehistoric?

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Many of these players have been starters or rotation players on successful teams.

Almost the entire fault for this season rests on the OC and our new QB.

Truly a wasted year because of 2 individuals. (And the man who hired and recruited them)

Gary, to your point....

Starting Defense:

Hayes - Senior
Temple/Brima (either could start) - Senior/Senior
Green/Danielson/Bentley/Jules (any combo could start)- Senior/Senior/Senior/Senior
Kamara - Senior
DeShields - Senior
Simon - Senior
Williams - Senior
Woods (would start if in nickel) - Senior
Devonshire - Senior
McIntyre - Junior
McMillon/O'Brien (either could start) - Junior/Junior

Starting Offense (including some more guys because I know we have injuries):

Jurkovec - Senior
Means - Senior
Mumpfield - Senior
Reynolds - Junior
Bartholomew - Junior
Goncalves (pre-injury) - Senior
Taylor - Senior
Zubovic - Senior
Kradel - Senior
Collier - Senior
Moore - Junior
Jacoby (pre-injury) - Senior
Baer - Sophomore
Hammond - Junior

Then you can include a good portion of the two-deep:

Brandon George - Senior
Karter Johnson - Senior
Daniel Carter - Senior
C'BO Flemister - Senior

(I'm using academic classes and not factoring in redshirts, but some of these guys are super super seniors so it kind of cancels out)

All in all, it kinds of makes you question if we're really a developmental program or if we just have to overturn more rocks to find impact players. Because most of the ones who are good make that known pretty quickly. Not too many just come out of nowhere after having spent three or four years in the program.

 

[Phillypanther2]

Specifically, what is prehistoric about the offense?

I can see where you could argue that it is too complex, or have gripes about the execution etc, but where are you getting this idea that it's prehistoric?

Are you serious? Go watch a good high school team in Texas, and you’ll see an offense that is much more sophisticated and complex than this.

 

[TD_6082]

Are you serious? Go watch a good a high school team in Texas, and you’ll see an offense that is much more sophisticated and complex than this.

If you are talking about the Air-Raid offenses, I promise you they aren't near as complex. In fact, they are pretty simple to install. That's a big reason for their popularity.

 

[Phillypanther2]

If you are talking about the Air-Raid offenses, I promise you they aren't near as complex. In fact, they are pretty simple to install. That's a big reason for their popularity.

I didn’t know they still called them air-raid offenses? But an offense that sometimes has 5 receivers on 1st down, sometimes 4, sometimes 3, sometimes 2, might throw it anywhere on the field, might run it, uses many different formations. Is a lot tougher to defend than ours which ALWAYS starts with 3 or 2 receivers and runs the ball up the middle 75% of the time on 1st and 2nd down. What is complex about using the same running plays, out of the same formations over and over.
Maybe our talent level on offense is just so bad, that we can never run plays that fool the other team.

 

[TD_6082]

I didn’t know they still called them air-raid offenses? But an offense that sometimes has 5 receivers on 1st down, sometimes 4, sometimes 3, sometimes 2, might throw it anywhere on the field, might run it, uses many different formations. Is a lot tougher to defend than ours which ALWAYS starts with 3 or 2 receivers and runs the ball up the middle 75% of the time on 1st and 2nd down. What is complex about using the same running plays, out of the same formations over and over.
Maybe our talent level on offense is just so bad, that we can never run plays that fool the other team.

Have you been watching?

The offense sucks. Pitt has significantly cut down their play book to help their QB out. It's not about the complexity of the offense. It's also not JUST about the QB. Unfortunately, the problems with the offense are probably a little deeper than that. They are trying to game plan and call plays with a OL they don't trust in pass protection and a QB they don't fully trust. (regardless of what they say in a press conference)

All those are indictments of the staff as well, but the arguments that Pitt, by choice, runs some simplistic line up and pound the rock offense 70s style offense is way off.

 

[Islanderpanther]

Gary, to your point....

Starting Defense:

Hayes - Senior
Temple/Brima (either could start) - Senior/Senior
Green/Danielson/Bentley/Jules (any combo could start)- Senior/Senior/Senior/Senior
Kamara - Senior
DeShields - Senior
Simon - Senior
Williams - Senior
Woods (would start if in nickel) - Senior
Devonshire - Senior
McIntyre - Junior
McMillon/O'Brien (either could start) - Junior/Junior

Starting Offense (including some more guys because I know we have injuries):

Jurkovec - Senior
Means - Senior
Mumpfield - Senior
Reynolds - Junior
Bartholomew - Junior
Goncalves (pre-injury) - Senior
Taylor - Senior
Zubovic - Senior
Kradel - Senior
Collier - Senior
Moore - Junior
Jacoby (pre-injury) - Senior
Baer - Sophomore
Hammond - Junior

Then you can include a good portion of the two-deep:

Brandon George - Senior
Karter Johnson - Senior
Daniel Carter - Senior
C'BO Flemister - Senior

(I'm using academic classes and not factoring in redshirts, but some of these guys are super super seniors so it kind of cancels out)

All in all, it kinds of makes you question if we're really a developmental program or if we just have to overturn more rocks to find impact players. Because most of the ones who are good make that known pretty quickly. Not too many just come out of nowhere after having spent three or four years in the program.

Precisely why next year is very scary….makes me wonder if the Duzz may be interested in the MSU job because he knows the mess he has made.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

Are you serious? Go watch a good high school team in Texas, and you’ll see an offense that is much more sophisticated and complex than this.

Tell me what is a "cutting edge" offense?

 

[steelcurtain55.]

ut an offense that sometimes has 5 receivers on 1st down, sometimes 4, sometimes 3, sometimes 2, might throw it anywhere on the field, might run it, uses many different formations. Is a lot tougher to defend than ours which ALWAYS starts with 3 or 2 receivers and runs the ball up the middle 75% of the time on 1st and 2nd down.

Okay - go back and watch the UNC game.

The 1st drive

11 personnel (spread) used in a variety of formations - 2x2, 2x2 tight, 2x2 stacked, 3x1 open, 3x1 bunch, etc.

2nd drive

11 personnel - 3x1 nub, 3x1 spread, 2x2 inline - 3 completions

13 personnel - 1 back 3 TE's heavy package - big PAP to Bart off the nub side.

22 personnel - TD run by carter

I didn't need to watch anymore because Cigs uses plenty of formations and personnel groupings, every game. Obviously when the backup went in the playbook is condensed.

In terms of running the ball "up the middle," you do realize that zone blocking, particularly inside zone is the staple run of 90% of all 1 back offenses. When we run outside zone, the ball can actually be ran up the middle depending on how the defense plays it. Gap scheme is the same way - they're inside runs/off tackle runs. Do you want more outside zone? I don't think we have many backs who are good outside zone runners.

 

[VictoryLights]

Have you been watching?

The offense sucks. Pitt has significantly cut down their play book to help their QB out. It's not about the complexity of the offense. It's also not JUST about the QB. Unfortunately, the problems with the offense are probably a little deeper than that. They are trying to game plan and call plays with a OL they don't trust in pass protection and a QB they don't fully trust. (regardless of what they say in a press conference)

All those are indictments of the staff as well, but the arguments that Pitt, by choice, runs some simplistic line up and pound the rock offense 70s style offense is way off.

The end product on the field is a line up and pound the rock 70s style offense.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

The end product on the field is a line up and pound the rock 70s style offense.

Not really

 

[bobfree]

Well, simple, complex whatever it is it stinks I can see that.

 

[thebadby2]

Are you serious? Go watch a good high school team in Texas, and you’ll see an offense that is much more sophisticated and complex than this.

Not really, but you may see an offense that is a lot more productive, faster paced and throws the ball a lot more effectively than this one, and I think that's where people are hung up.

Cignasty's offense itself is a modern pro-style concept that has not proven to be effective at with him running it at the college level, whereas the more simplistic Air Raids, non-huddle spreads, etc. have been highly productive. In this era of transfers and roster turnover, simple is becoming more important than ever. Run-pass balance and time of possession are far less relevant metrics now. In that sense, Yabba Dabba Duzzi is truly a neanderthal who is refusing to adapt his mentality to the times.

 

[DruidTM]

Tell me what is a "cutting edge" offense?

Better yet what Pennsylvania schools locally are running air raid offensive schemes?

None that I’m aware of.

 

[thebadby2]

Better yet what Pennsylvania schools locally are running air raid offensive schemes?

None that I’m aware of.

Which ones are running sophisticated pro style structures similar to what Cig is attempting to run at Pitt?

I don’t live in PA but I think we both know the answer to that.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

Which ones are running sophisticated pro style structures similar to what Cig is attempting to run at Pitt?

I don’t live in PA but I think we both know the answer to that.

What is sophisticated about Cigs' offense?

But, if we're talking multiple pro-style schemes in PA, I can name a few off the top of my head -

Thomas Jefferson
Mt. Lebanon
Wash High
Steel Valley
Canon Mac
North Allegheny
Aliquippa

Out East -

Central Dauphin
Manheim Central
Bishop McDevitt
Archbishop Wood
St. Joe's Prep

 

[ProvoSpain]

Not really, but you may see an offense that is a lot more productive, faster paced and throws the ball a lot more effectively than this one, and I think that's where people are hung up.

Cignasty's offense itself is a modern pro-style concept that has not proven to be effective at with him running it at the college level, whereas the more simplistic Air Raids, non-huddle spreads, etc. have been highly productive. In this era of transfers and roster turnover, simple is becoming more important than ever. Run-pass balance and time of possession are far less relevant metrics now. In that sense, Yabba Dabba Duzzi is truly a neanderthal who is refusing to adapt his mentality to the times.

I’m mostly a lurker. But I just needed to say that “Yabba Dabba Duzzi” made me laugh hysterically for 5 minutes. My wife, sitting here, wanted to know what’s so funny. When I finally collected myself and explained…it didn’t help.

 

[thebadby2]

I’m mostly a lurker. But I just needed to say that “Yabba Dabba Duzzi” made me laugh hysterically for 5 minutes. My wife, sitting here, wanted to know what’s so funny. When I finally collected myself and explained…it didn’t help.

I can’t take the credit for it. A poster last week or the week before put out a hilarious post about “Frank Flintstone and Yabba Dabba Duzzi” getting “chubbies watching their grahnd and pahnd” offense. The whole post was funny as hell, worth a look if you want to try to find it.

 

[thebadby2]

I’m mostly a lurker. But I just needed to say that “Yabba Dabba Duzzi” made me laugh hysterically for 5 minutes. My wife, sitting here, wanted to know what’s so funny. When I finally collected myself and explained…it didn’t help.

Found it for you-I wanted to get a second look at it myself. I had the same reaction you did when I read “Yabba Dabba Duzzi” Credit to poster Big Zeke:

Nah a simpleton is anyone defending this horse manure we’ve seen the last (2) years under Frank Flintstone Cignetti. I just started laughing the day he was announced as Pitt’s OC. Pitt had finally installed a 2023 offense with personnel that fit that scheme and mind set yet sure enough Prehistoric Pat had to get a guy who loves Fat 10 Sludgeball as much as he does. Yabba Dabba Duzz and Flintstone decided to play Grahhhhnd n Pahhhhhnd cuz that’s what gets them a Chubby in their Cargo shorts. Sure Izzy was great last year but when the opposing team loaded up to limit him where were the adjustments? I’ll save you the suspense, there were none but let’s keep blaming the QB’s. Bottom line is Addison was the smart one in all this and the sooner this awful hire is jettisoned the better - H2P!

 

[VictoryLights]

Gary, to your point....

Starting Defense:

Hayes - Senior
Temple/Brima (either could start) - Senior/Senior
Green/Danielson/Bentley/Jules (any combo could start)- Senior/Senior/Senior/Senior
Kamara - Senior
DeShields - Senior
Simon - Senior
Williams - Senior
Woods (would start if in nickel) - Senior
Devonshire - Senior
McIntyre - Junior
McMillon/O'Brien (either could start) - Junior/Junior

Starting Offense (including some more guys because I know we have injuries):

Jurkovec - Senior
Means - Senior
Mumpfield - Senior
Reynolds - Junior
Bartholomew - Junior
Goncalves (pre-injury) - Senior
Taylor - Senior
Zubovic - Senior
Kradel - Senior
Collier - Senior
Moore - Junior
Jacoby (pre-injury) - Senior
Baer - Sophomore
Hammond - Junior

Then you can include a good portion of the two-deep:

Brandon George - Senior
Karter Johnson - Senior
Daniel Carter - Senior
C'BO Flemister - Senior

(I'm using academic classes and not factoring in redshirts, but some of these guys are super super seniors so it kind of cancels out)

All in all, it kinds of makes you question if we're really a developmental program or if we just have to overturn more rocks to find impact players. Because most of the ones who are good make that known pretty quickly. Not too many just come out of nowhere after having spent three or four years in the program.

This is extremely alarming. It would be different if we were young and you could see progress.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

So we have all of these very experienced guys on offense and defense. And a very bad VT team scores 38 on us and could have scored a lot more. UNC did the same to us, although they're a little better than VT. Our offense can barely score points when the game is not already decided. We have experience at the skill positions but no skill or talent.

Then there's the coaching staff that doesn't prepare their team, doesn't instill discipline in the team, and has the imagination of a dead squirrel. This is why we may have seen the last Pitt win this year and it was against an FCS team.