Players you are most looking forward to seeing play

[pittbb80]

I'm drinking the Koolaide big time and cant wait to see this team play this year. Initially because of the schedule I was limiting my expectations because as a Pitt fan, that's just what we've been conditioned to do. But this team has a very different feel to it and it begins with the QB.

So for me, seeing just how much KP has matured and improved in the off season is going to be something Im looking forward to seeing.

Other players Im anxiouis to see include

P Ford.- kid is a talent and probably the most gifted athlete on the team. It will be interesting to see just how many reps he gets on D, O and special teams (returns). I suspect they may keep him a bit under wraps until the UPS game though.

Shockey and Butler - Both are getting rave review. If these guys really are that good, to go along with our run game, and an improved KP.............this offense could really surprise.

Twyman - Reports are the kid is explosive and disruptive.

 

[HOF Coach]

 

[sunshinedynomite]

Kenny Keystone Heisman
Paris Punisher Jim Thorpe

Mark it down

 

[88Pitt88]

I too like the Mojo that this team seems to have and the confidence that Kenny Pickett is generating appears to be filtering through the entire team.

I am most looking forward to seeing the redshirt freshmen Paris Ford play. I have thought ever since he came here he would be a great difference maker. I hope that the staff does not limit this guy to playing corner in the Duzz's quarters defense. He is far to valuable to lock up against another player one-on-one. This is a guy who can blitz and get to the QB off the edge and really make things happen. I also think he should be freed up on obvious passing downs, where he could be given a chance to read the QB from the safety position and make a play on the ball.

I just hope the staff utilizes this kid in as many ways as possible. He is so versatile and one of the very best athletes this team has seen in a while. In addition to that, much like Pickett, he is confident and brash. These characteristics help make a great leader who others will feed off of.

 

[sunshinedynomite]

Anything less than 10-2 unacceptable

H2P

 

[thebadby2]

I'm drinking the Koolaide big time and cant wait to see this team play this year. Initially because of the schedule I was limiting my expectations because as a Pitt fan, that's just what we've been conditioned to do. But this team has a very different feel to it and it begins with the QB.

So for me, seeing just how much KP has matured and improved in the off season is going to be something Im looking forward to seeing.

Other players Im anxiouis to see include

P Ford.- kid is a talent and probably the most gifted athlete on the team. It will be interesting to see just how many reps he gets on D, O and special teams (returns). I suspect they may keep him a bit under wraps until the UPS game though.

Shockey and Butler - Both are getting rave review. If these guys really are that good, to go along with our run game, and an improved KP.............this offense could really surprise.

Twyman - Reports are the kid is explosive and disruptive.

All of them. That's what I look forward to the most when football season starts. Hopefully we take a step forward this year and we get to see some of these young guys develop, and some of the older guys hit their stride.

 

[sunshinedynomite]

Kenny Keystone Heisman
Paris Punisher Jim Thorpe

Mark it down

Don’t sleep on Hamlin. Aaron Matthews may very well be the best receiver in the ACC behind Shockey

 

[Jpripper88]

I think those are the players I am most excited to see, but the players we NEED to see perform well is all over the OL and DL, where we have lots and lots of question marks. IF those spots are much improved we can be a good football team. We will know really early.

 

[steel_curtain]

Pitt defense, the entire unit

Narduzzi is a defense guy. This is year 4. The defense has been poor his first 2 and 1/2 seasons. The defense finally had a pulse the last 5 games of the season last year

In the first 5 games of the season, we play

1) Penn State, a team that blew us out last year

2) Georgia Tech, a team that ran hog wild on us for 436 yards last year

3) North Carolina, a team that beats us any way possible every single year

4) Central Florida, the best offense in the country last year scoring over 48 points per game and has the capacity to blow us right off the field if our defense isnt ready




We are going to find out about this group very quickly. Can we stop any of these teams? Or do they pick us apart. For once I would also like to see an ounce of toughness and hard hitting.

 

[RaleighPittFan]

View embedded media

In the most recent video interview of Kenny, he was asked about interceptions thrown so far in camp, and he answered that he doesn't have one yet, and doesn't plan to. I'm paraphrasing, but I really like that answer.

 

[pittmeister]

This year is a golden opportunity for Pitt to have a really good season (9-10 wins) I know the out of conference schedule will be tough, but we have some things going our way:

1. VT lost a lot of players and we were 1 yard away from beating them on the road. This time we play them at home.

2. North Carolina will have to play without some players. As many as 10 players.

3. UCF will be tough. Their QB is very good, however they won't have Scott Frost as their coach. That can't hurt...

4. We are flying under the radar. Very few people feel Pitt will be a factor in the coastal division.

If we stay healthy, we could have a breakout year a year earlier than expected.

 

[MajorMajors]

Besides KP and Paris, I’m looking forward to seeing what Wirginis can bring in the middle, and whether Weaver can show he’s the real deal at DE.

Go Pitt.

 

[Pitt-Chains]

Don’t sleep on Hamlin. Aaron Matthews may very well be the best receiver in the ACC behind Shockey

I like the Aaron comment... he's a baller, blocker and bad ass that just needs to get the ball...

 

[steel_curtain]

This year is a golden opportunity for Pitt to have a really good season (9-10 wins) I know the out of conference schedule will be tough, but we have some things going our way:

1. VT lost a lot of players and we were 1 yard away from beating them on the road. This time we play them at home.

2. North Carolina will have to play without some players. As many as 10 players.

3. UCF will be tough. Their QB is very good, however they won't have Scott Frost as their coach. That can't hurt...

4. We are flying under the radar. Very few people feel Pitt will be a factor in the coastal division.

If we stay healthy, we could have a breakout year a year earlier than expected.

Virginia Tech is overrated and honestly not that good. They are loading the schedule with cupcakes like Wisconsin and padding wins to get inflated records and top 25 rankings. Good for them for doing it.

Fuente record vs ranked teams is 2-5 at Tech. They held on for dear life against Pitt the last 2 years and had a turnover margin against us 4-1 in their favor. If our offense doesnt shoot itself in both feet again we should beat them. Of all the quality teams on our schedule they are the least Im worried about.

 

[Panther_in_Kentucky]

I'm drinking the Koolaide big time and cant wait to see this team play this year. Initially because of the schedule I was limiting my expectations because as a Pitt fan, that's just what we've been conditioned to do. But this team has a very different feel to it and it begins with the QB.

So for me, seeing just how much KP has matured and improved in the off season is going to be something Im looking forward to seeing.

Other players Im anxiouis to see include

P Ford.- kid is a talent and probably the most gifted athlete on the team. It will be interesting to see just how many reps he gets on D, O and special teams (returns). I suspect they may keep him a bit under wraps until the UPS game though.

Shockey and Butler - Both are getting rave review. If these guys really are that good, to go along with our run game, and an improved KP.............this offense could really surprise.

Twyman - Reports are the kid is explosive and disruptive.

Dane Jackson and Paris Ford. Those two are set to have big seasons.

 

[McKee Place]

Good question. Most everyone are excited for Pickett. But I think the running game may be more critical than most do. I think Hall is solid, Ollison is solid, and it will help to have a healthy Aston. But frankly I think we need more than just 'OK' from the running game.

And I've seen enough Hall and Ollison. I respect them, but I'm more interested to see if someone like Davis or Sibley, or even a name we're not even yet aware of (as Dion Lewis was entering his FR season) will emerge to join the ranks of special Pitt backs like we've had in the past. If we somehow jump on teams and Hall and Ollison are grinding out 4 yards a pop to close out games in the 4th I'll gladly take it. But i think we need a difference maker, not merely a caretaker. And yes I know Coach loves Hall, so I may not get that wish, but when/if any of those newbies get a shot, I hope they can dazzle.

On defense, Ford for sure (just to see where and how utilized). I also have become a big fan of Jackson. Really like how he turned himself into a player. But ultimately I'll give my focus to Wirginis. He's key, IMO. Desperately need him to be good to great.

And call it weird but I'll be very interested to watch how the new punter does. If the offense struggles early (quite possible), he'll be sent out there a lot... possibly in his own end zone many times. Need him to come through. Minimize yips, bobbles, shanks.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Weaver
Wirginis
Campbell
Need a DE to step up and need to be strong at MLB and S

Pickett
Shockey
DBJ
If some receivers step up it will help the running game and OL. Pickett is the key though. The season will follow his play.

 

[Censt62001]

I like watching Aston bust open some skulls.....that's always fun.

 

[PhPanther2]

In order:
Paris Ford - he’ll be a great one like revis/donald
Hamlin - 1st full fall camp, haven’t seen a healthy Hamlin in years
Rashad Weaver - can’t believe michigan didn’t have room for him
Mathis - i really like this kid
3rd rb as he will be ahead for the starting spot for 2019
Aston - just a badass football player
Shockey - sky is the limit
Twyman - i can see him playing angry/violant like Donald....obviously not as good as donald
Drake - need the light to come back on for him

 

[SSS811]

Easy answer for me: Kenny Pickett, hands down. If he plays well, we have a fighter's chance in every game we play.

 

[pittdan77]

Kenny Keystone Heisman
Paris Punisher Jim Thorpe

Mark it down

In all seriousness, stop.

For those of you that don’t know, this guy is a Nit that posts constantly on the PSU board and brags about how he’s trolling the Lair.

 

[Black_Man_Panther]

Just looking forward to watching db’s chasing wide-open receivers down the field for the 7th year in a row.

 

[EastOhioPanther]

Q Wirginis finally playing a full time role, and a big role, will be a positive impact on an increasingly athletic Defense...
Definitely looking forward to seeing some of the Freshman, and RS Fresh, getting an opportunity, Twyman, DBJ, Shocky, Ford, etc...

 

[PhPanther2]

Just looking forward to watching db’s chasing wide-open receivers down the field for the 7th year in a row.

Because that only happens at Pitt in college.

 

[kma0043]

I get that he isn’t a player, but I’m looking forward to Randy Bates coaching the defense this year. We will find out if it was personnel or coaching that was the issue the past 2 years on defense.