With game 2 under our belts, here goes:
The Good:
The Good:
- Pitt's defense overall was effective, holding Akron to just over 100 total yards for the game. Also, forced first turnover of the season. Limited mistakes resulting in big plays for opposing offense. Guys seem to be getting more and more comfortable with the schemes.
- Defensive line has been a strength of the team thus far. Getting penetration and eating up blocks across the line which is freeing up our LBs. Hopefully that can continue against better OLs we will face.
- Finally involved the TEs in our offense (other than as an extra o-lineman)! It's clear that the staff is gradually opening up playbook as season progresses and as competition gets better.
- In some pretty bad conditions, Pitt QBs combined to complete 72% of their passes (by comparison, Akron completed about 32% of theirs).
- Winslow's punting greatly improved over game 1 and in some pretty foul conditions.
- I understand what the staff is saying about giving both QBs a chance and then going with the hot hand, BUT... QB is different than other positions on the team. Your QB has to be your leader. It's hard to be that when they are constantly rotating and everyone in the huddle knows that if the guy looking them in the eye makes a mistake he is coming out, maybe for good. QBs also need to develop a rhythm and get into the flow of the game. So much of the position is not raw skill or even mechanics, its developing timing and familiarity with your receivers. After all of summer camp and now 2 games, its time to pick that leader and go with him - whoever that is.
- Field goal kicking. Blewitt is becoming a real concern. His kickoffs have improved and were solid yesterday. But I'm not sure what's going on with the FGs. I will say (again) that the offense has not been doing him any favors, leaving him spots on the far hash marks, particularly on closer attempts. But he needs to see a shrink or a hypnotist ASAP and get whatever is going on in his head straightened out. Could have put this under "Ugly", but one thing is true - we will lose games this season that we should win if we don't get this straightened out.
- Kick returns. Once again, on a kickoff return, a live ball was on the ground and we raced the opponent for possession. That can't happen ever and its now happened two games out of two. Really need to fix that. On punt returns, its clear that Boyd doesn't want to get injured and hurt his draft status, but if he is going to retreat 6 yards and run out of bounds untouched, then we need to have someone else returning punts.
- ESPN3. I actually turned off the computer and listened on the radio for much of the first half. Production quality was that bad. Hopefully that is our last game on that platform.
