Redshirt Hamlin in 2017......

[thebadby2]

This may not be a popular thought, but: he was injured when he arrived at Pitt, he never should have played last year. The decision to play him wasted an entire year of his eligibility, and may have even aggravated/prolonged his injury to the point where he's still dealing with it. Listening to the coaches so far, Hamlin is still battling his injury, and he isn't being mentioned as a starter or key backup at any of the 4 DB positions. So why burn another year where he isn't ready to be a major contributor? Hamlin can practice all season and the coaches don't have to assert the redshirt until after the season, as long as Hamlin hasn't played.

Give him a year to get to full health/strength, rather than have him working as a depth chart player backing up multiple secondary positions while not at full strength.

He is a very talented guy, the top recruit in our 2016 class, and playing him at less than 100% where he isn't going to start and while we have decent depth in the secondary would not be the best long-term play for either the team or Hamlin himself.

 

[vegasgreed]

Narduzzi himself just said in the last two days that Hamlin is healthier than he's ever been. Coaches screwed the pooch with that decision last year.

 

[thebadby2]

Narduzzi himself just said in the last two days that Hamlin is healthier than he's ever been. Coaches screwed the pooch with that decision last year.

He's said Hamlin is healthier than he;s been since his sophomore year of HS, implying that he's been playing injured ever since then. To me, this is a far cry from saying "he's 100%, good to go". It's classic coach-speak:

Hamlin was limited to stretch and agility drills with the strength staff, though Narduzzi expects the former four-star recruit will have an impact both at cornerback and safety for Pitt this fall.

“I think we’ll get a lot out of him,” Narduzzi said. “Damar feels as good as he’s ever felt. We’re being very cautious. … I don’t want to be back where we were.

And this out of Conklin yesterday:

It’s good for him to learn both of them (safety and corner) as he’s been kind of dealing with that little injury of his.

 

[Swervin27]

He's said Hamlin is healthier than he;s been since his sophomore year of HS, implying that he's been playing injured ever since then. To me, this is a far cry from saying "he's 100%, good to go". It's classic coach-speak:

Hamlin was limited to stretch and agility drills with the strength staff, though Narduzzi expects the former four-star recruit will have an impact both at cornerback and safety for Pitt this fall.

“I think we’ll get a lot out of him,” Narduzzi said. “Damar feels as good as he’s ever felt. We’re being very cautious. … I don’t want to be back where we were.

And this out of Conklin yesterday:

It’s good for him to learn both of them (safety and corner) as he’s been kind of dealing with that little injury of his.

that "little injury" has been hampering him for over 15 months.. LIttle my ass.

 

[WiseAndGlorious]

Narduzzi himself just said in the last two days that Hamlin is healthier than he's ever been. Coaches screwed the pooch with that decision last year.

Well in discussing the DBs last year, "put in the young guys at corner" was only narrowly beat out by "Turn around for the pass". Hamlin playing against VT put that tune to rest. Fortunately Pitt has another crop of freshmen DBs that our impetuous fans can deem better than Maddox.

 

[Jpripper88]

Either way, it probably doesn't matter. If he is still dealing with this injury and it essentially (by virtue of it still limiting him and them just saying "let's just redshirt to be safe") costs him another year, I doubt he is ever going to be an impact player, thanks to nagging injuries. If he is healthy and is still out of the two deep, with the personnel we have, I doubt he is ever going to be an impact player, thanks to talent. At this point, I would settle for 2 solid years from him, but am not expecting anything. If he is a great player after 4 years, he probably doesn't come back for a 5th. If he isn't a great player after 4 years, we probably won't care much if he comes back for a 5th.

 

[Revenge Of The Noise]

So we

that "little injury" has been hampering him for over 15 months.. LIttle my ass.

So would we attribute this to "S.O.P" kind of luck (that this was our top recruit, and oh shit, turns out he has this mysterious interminable debilitating injury for the last 2+ years) ...

... or do we think it was the interminable debilitating injury he's had for 2+ years that realistically was what made him commit to us, thinking he was more likely to be able to win a job in our secondary even with it slowing him down?

I realize this is like trying to decide which eye to jab a burning stick into. I guess I'll choose to prefer Option A, which is more of a mystical thing vs. Option B which is more negative on multiple counts...

Where's that emoji of beating ones head into the wall...

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

They are awaiting word from the NCAA on their petition to be given an extra year based on his participation in 9 quarters last year and some interpretation of NCAA legalese.

I said months ago I thought Hamlin had a realistic shot of getting the RS despite pretty much everyone else disagreeing. Based on the way the rule is written, Hamlin has a good case. Whether he gets it or not is anotjet another thing.

However, the bigger issue here is injury or not, the "light" has not yet gone on for Damar. Despite a secondary that isn't overly talented, he still cant crack the 2 deep.

 

[thebadby2]

They are awaiting word from the NCAA on their petition to be given an extra year based on his participation in 9 quarters last year and some interpretation of NCAA legalese.

I said months ago I thought Hamlin had a realistic shot of getting the RS despite pretty much everyone else disagreeing. Based on the way the rule is written, Hamlin has a good case. Whether he gets it or not is anotjet another thing.

However, the bigger issue here is injury or not, the "light" has not yet gone on for Damar. Despite a secondary that isn't overly talented, he still cant crack the 2 deep.

Dude--do you think that, just maybe, the injury that has plagued him since he was in high school might have something to do with that? Are you familiar with what a sports hernia is, and that they recur, especially if you don't give it enough rest and rehab? Hamlin has now had 2 surgeries for that sports hernia already, and it is clearly still bothering him. He plays one of the most athletically demanding positions on the football field. And you expect him to be able to beat out talented, healthy athletes while dealing with a groin injury? Jesus H Christ, have you ever competed at anything athletically? How do you think Michael Phelps would do in Olympic time trials while dealing with a sports hernia or a torn oblique?

This was from last fall camp, 4 months AFTER Hamlin's first surgery--and I'm guessing if Duzzi was forthcoming about it he'd say something very similar this camp:

“He’s dealing with, just right now, I say minor, I say a minor little thing right now that we just can’t get right. We’ve actually brought in a specialist to look at him. We saw enough early that we know he can help us, but we have to get him back on the field.

Clearly, the "minor little thing" still isn't right, and it is neither minor nor little for a speed athlete like Hamlin.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

They are awaiting word from the NCAA on their petition to be given an extra year based on his participation in 9 quarters last year and some interpretation of NCAA legalese.

I said months ago I thought Hamlin had a realistic shot of getting the RS despite pretty much everyone else disagreeing. Based on the way the rule is written, Hamlin has a good case. Whether he gets it or not is anotjet another thing.

However, the bigger issue here is injury or not, the "light" has not yet gone on for Damar. Despite a secondary that isn't overly talented, he still cant crack the 2 deep.

Dude--do you think that, just maybe, the injury that has plagued him since he was in high school might have something to do with that? Are you familiar with what a sports hernia is, and that they recur, especially if you don't give it enough rest and rehab? Hamlin has now had 2 surgeries for that sports hernia already, and it is clearly still bothering him. He plays one of the most athletically demanding positions on the football field. And you expect him to be able to beat out talented, healthy athletes while dealing with a groin injury? Jesus H Christ, have you ever competed at anything athletically? How do you think Michael Phelps would do in Olympic time trials while dealing with a sports hernia or a torn oblique?

This was from last fall camp, 4 months AFTER Hamlin's first surgery--and I'm guessing if Duzzi was forthcoming about it he'd say something very similar this camp:

“He’s dealing with, just right now, I say minor, I say a minor little thing right now that we just can’t get right. We’ve actually brought in a specialist to look at him. We saw enough early that we know he can help us, but we have to get him back on the field.

Clearly, the "minor little thing" still isn't right, and it is neither minor nor little for a speed athlete like Hamlin.

Well, if he doesn't get the RS for 2016, I'd definitely RS him for 2017 if he's not in the 2 deep. Actually, that goes for anyone who still has a RS year but isnt in the 2 deep. No point in burning a RS for mop-up duty and special teams.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Based on the way the rule is written, Hamlin has a good case.

Actually, based on the way the rule is written he has no chance at all. If Pitt is arguing for a redshirt they are appealing on the basis of the spirit of the rules, not the letter of the rules.

 

[AJSH2P]

Burning his redshirt hurts more and more every day....

 

[Swervin27]

I think you really really need to look at redshirting him. Health is a concern and it sounds like the staff doesn't even know what to do with him in regards to position. Absolutely no reason for him to be a 3rd string player at safety or CB getting limited snaps.

Pick a position for him and hope to Christ he's finally healthy by next spring. By then, guys like whitehead, Maddox will be gone and we will have a clearer picture of who are legit upper class men and who needs to move onto their life's work.

 

[wbrpanther]

This may not be a popular thought, but: he was injured when he arrived at Pitt, he never should have played last year. The decision to play him wasted an entire year of his eligibility, and may have even aggravated/prolonged his injury to the point where he's still dealing with it. Listening to the coaches so far, Hamlin is still battling his injury, and he isn't being mentioned as a starter or key backup at any of the 4 DB positions. So why burn another year where he isn't ready to be a major contributor? Hamlin can practice all season and the coaches don't have to assert the redshirt until after the season, as long as Hamlin hasn't played.

Give him a year to get to full health/strength, rather than have him working as a depth chart player backing up multiple secondary positions while not at full strength.

He is a very talented guy, the top recruit in our 2016 class, and playing him at less than 100% where he isn't going to start and while we have decent depth in the secondary would not be the best long-term play for either the team or Hamlin himself.

On the other hand he may be fully healthy now and maybe they are just being careful. Still 4 weeks til the first game

 

[thebadby2]

On the other hand he may be fully healthy now and maybe they are just being careful. Still 4 weeks til the first game

Hopefully, but I'm not getting that vibe from the coaches' statements.

 

[pittdan77]

He's practicing at safety and I'm not so sure why the coaches would have him higher if he wasn't practicing.

If a kid of his talent got passed up on the depth chart, that probably speaks well of the talent that's come into the program.

 

[vegasgreed]

I pay little attention to a depth chart in July. Motivation is part of the reason on where guys are listed in July. Will be interested in the depth chart when games start.

 

[thebadby2]

He's practicing at safety and I'm not so sure why the coaches would have him higher if he wasn't practicing.

If a kid of his talent got passed up on the depth chart, that probably speaks well of the talent that's come into the program.

Point is he still isn't playing at 100% so he isn't physically able to perform to his talent level and he probably isn't in his best cardiovascular shape because he's had to rest it for so long. If he was full go he may very well be the top DB in the group outside of Whitehead. According to the article the other day he's only doing stretch and light agility drills with the strength staff at practice; he's not participating in team practice or with his position group. If you've ever had a pulled groin, imagine trying to play football on it before it's completely healed--and they take forever to heal. A sports hernia is worse, and the fact that Hamlin has had two surgeries and it's still not 100% is not a good sign.

 

[wbrpanther]

Hopefully, but I'm not getting that vibe from the coaches' statements.

That's actually the exact vibe I got from Duzz. He says he is healthy but they want to ease him in. I guess it's how you interpret it.

 

[Swervin27]

if the staff is concerned about his health now and treating him in such a manner now in practice, what will change in 2 weeks? So according to the coaches, he's healthy but limited in practice. OK, obviously something is off here. Duzzer loves contact, we all know this. we need to know if we are a good tackling team in august, not September, according to him. So with this mindset, Hamlin needs to either be in practice now or get a redshirt. Nothing will change in two weeks.

He's not gonna get a whole lot healthier from now til 9/2. You cant be scared to have one of your players practice in helmets and shorts then two weeks later, take the leash off and expect him to light up Youngstown state or psu players.

 

[vegasgreed]

would like to see the coaches put him at one position, not both safety and corner.

 

[Black_Man_Panther]

Dude--do you think that, just maybe, the injury that has plagued him since he was in high school might have something to do with that? Are you familiar with what a sports hernia is, and that they recur, especially if you don't give it enough rest and rehab? Hamlin has now had 2 surgeries for that sports hernia already, and it is clearly still bothering him. He plays one of the most athletically demanding positions on the football field. And you expect him to be able to beat out talented, healthy athletes while dealing with a groin injury? Jesus H Christ, have you ever competed at anything athletically? How do you think Michael Phelps would do in Olympic time trials while dealing with a sports hernia or a torn oblique?

This was from last fall camp, 4 months AFTER Hamlin's first surgery--and I'm guessing if Duzzi was forthcoming about it he'd say something very similar this camp:

“He’s dealing with, just right now, I say minor, I say a minor little thing right now that we just can’t get right. We’ve actually brought in a specialist to look at him. We saw enough early that we know he can help us, but we have to get him back on the field.

Clearly, the "minor little thing" still isn't right, and it is neither minor nor little for a speed athlete like Hamlin.

I'm gonna say what no one wants to hear. Sports hernias are chronic. They are career ending. The likelihood of him never reaching his one-time potential or ever seeing the field for that matter are high. Just google the number of former athletes career end coincided with sports hernia surgery.

 

[thebadby2]

if the staff is concerned about his health now and treating him in such a manner now in practice, what will change in 2 weeks? So according to the coaches, he's healthy but limited in practice. OK, obviously something is off here. Duzzer loves contact, we all know this. we need to know if we are a good tackling team in august, not September, according to him. So with this mindset, Hamlin needs to either be in practice now or get a redshirt. Nothing will change in two weeks.

He's not gonna get a whole lot healthier from now til 9/2. You cant be scared to have one of your players practice in helmets and shorts then two weeks later, take the leash off and expect him to light up Youngstown state or psu players.

He's not even practicing, per the article he's limited to stretching and agility drills with the strength coaches. He's not taking reps with his position group. And of course he was on the DL in the spring as well.

I guess we'll find out where he's at physically soon enough. I would hope every precaution is taken and everyone involved errs on the side of what's best for Hamlin and Pitt in the long run.

 

[Swervin27]

He's not even practicing, per the article he's limited to stretching and agility drills with the strength coaches. He's not taking reps with his position group. And of course he was on the DL in the spring as well.

I guess we'll find out where he's at physically soon enough. I would hope every precaution is taken and everyone involved errs on the side of what's best for Hamlin and Pitt in the long run.

yeah, that's why this coach-speak by narduzzi is silly. He's 100% but he isnt' practicing. Save the charade here and put the guy on the shelf. It doesn't take 2 years to recover from a hernia..

 

[raleighpanther]

So we

So would we attribute this to "S.O.P" kind of luck (that this was our top recruit, and oh shit, turns out he has this mysterious interminable debilitating injury for the last 2+ years) ...

... or do we think it was the interminable debilitating injury he's had for 2+ years that realistically was what made him commit to us, thinking he was more likely to be able to win a job in our secondary even with it slowing him down?

I realize this is like trying to decide which eye to jab a burning stick into. I guess I'll choose to prefer Option A, which is more of a mystical thing vs. Option B which is more negative on multiple counts...

Where's that emoji of beating ones head into the wall...

Your comment about him committing to Pitt due to his injury is silly; and I'm being very generous by using the word silly. I'm in a nice mood today.

 

[raleighpanther]

if the staff is concerned about his health now and treating him in such a manner now in practice, what will change in 2 weeks? So according to the coaches, he's healthy but limited in practice. OK, obviously something is off here. Duzzer loves contact, we all know this. we need to know if we are a good tackling team in august, not September, according to him. So with this mindset, Hamlin needs to either be in practice now or get a redshirt. Nothing will change in two weeks.

He's not gonna get a whole lot healthier from now til 9/2. You cant be scared to have one of your players practice in helmets and shorts then two weeks later, take the leash off and expect him to light up Youngstown state or psu players.

Unlike in times past, including the very recent past, Pitt has talent and depth in the secondary - most of it is unproven, with little experience. But there is no need to force him onto the field, which you might want to do if the gap in talent between him and the others were huge. Its not. In fact, if he were now fully healthy, with no chance of the injury being aggravated, I'm not sure he makes the two deep anyway. The other guys are physically talented too, and they have hadmany more practice reps.
So the idea of redshirting him makes a lot of sense. If he doesn't redshirt, he may just get sparse minutes like he did last year, which seems pointless.

 

[thebadby2]

I'm gonna say what no one wants to hear. Sports hernias are chronic. They are career ending. The likelihood of him never reaching his one-time potential or ever seeing the field for that matter are high. Just google the number of former athletes career end coincided with sports hernia surgery.

There is some truth to this.

yeah, that's why this coach-speak by narduzzi is silly. He's 100% but he isnt' practicing. Save the charade here and put the guy on the shelf. It doesn't take 2 years to recover from a hernia..

Like BMP stated in his post, a sports hernia can be chronic. Unfortunately that could be the case with Hamlin, he's already had 2 surgeries over a year apart and he's obviously still dealing with it. If you've ever had a bad groin pull, which is really a tear, it takes a long time to heal (5-6 months in my own experience), and in some cases they never really do. A sports hernia is worse. That said, I agree with you--give him as much time as the rules allow to try to get healthy and have a good productive football career. Burning his shirt last year was a big mistake. I'd have to imagine Hamlin was in Duzzi's ear every day insisting that he was good to go and chomping at the bit to play, and our secondary was struggling badly, so I get it--but it was still the wrong move, and not only in hindsight. There were only a couple of games left in the damned season when we put him in.

 

[sappycrease]

Hamlin is looking more and more like a kid that will have his career riddled with injury. It's a good thing Duz has been bringing in high end talent at DB over the past 2 cycles to make up for it.

I saw Hamlin play in high school on 3 separate occasions and never came away that overly impressed with his production. He has all of the measurables but no doubt needs to get on the field and show his stuff.

 

[pittdan77]

Point is he still isn't playing at 100% so he isn't physically able to perform to his talent level and he probably isn't in his best cardiovascular shape because he's had to rest it for so long. If he was full go he may very well be the top DB in the group outside of Whitehead. According to the article the other day he's only doing stretch and light agility drills with the strength staff at practice; he's not participating in team practice or with his position group. If you've ever had a pulled groin, imagine trying to play football on it before it's completely healed--and they take forever to heal. A sports hernia is worse, and the fact that Hamlin has had two surgeries and it's still not 100% is not a good sign.

Valid point but there's a couple of things about sports hernia surgery that matter here. One is that his position, by definition, is prone to such an injury. Probably explains why they're teaching him to play Safety. Less turning. Second, if he had two surgeries, they're pretty smart to take their time. The fact is, they might be on the fence with what to do with him and they'll advance him once they decide it's worth it. If not, they'll shut him down.

Knowing that this program has shut guys down for their career, I'm not too worried at this point. The fact he's on the field and doing some work is encouraging.

 

[Revenge Of The Noise]

Your comment about him committing to Pitt due to his injury is silly; and I'm being very generous by using the word silly. I'm in a nice mood today.

I assure you I'll take your valuable opinion into serious consideration.