Some red shirted some are sophomores and some aren't here yet.
And all played behind Boyd, who received 90% of the QBs attention.
Not saying we have a great group. just saying a couple may emerge.
The WR situation
- Thread starter President Stache
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And all played behind Boyd, who received 90% of the QBs attention.
Not saying we have a great group. just saying a couple may emerge.
They redshirted or didn't play when we desperately needed them. Boyd got 90% of the QB's attention because the rest of the group might have been the worst in the P5. They all had opportunities to play. Some of them have had them for all 3 years.
hopefully they are given this spring and this spring only to finally make their mark because come August, freshmen come in and should be given the chances from here on out. I agree JRip, we are going on year 3 now with some of these guys, enough already
I remember Boyd getting banged up on a play and Zeise coming in for him and making a nice catch on the next play. How much of an opportunity did the guys get who backed up Tyler Boyd?
Another point - I know most have written off Weah - but Weah was put into some games in his first 2 seasons. To me, that means that he must have done some positive things in practice. Obviously he has struggled catching the ball in games, but he has gotten open. He had little playing experience when he came to Pitt. Maybe he can make the next step, maybe he can't.
Also, Challingsworth and Boyd were in the same recruiting class, but TB was a full year older. A year can make a big difference at this stage. I think Challingsworth will be effective this season -- you could see it starting to come last season.
But we need a deep threat to emerge from Tipton, Weah, Henderson, Flowers and Mathews.
Go Pitt.
Another point - I know most have written off Weah - but Weah was put into some games in his first 2 seasons. To me, that means that he must have done some positive things in practice. Obviously he has struggled catching the ball in games, but he has gotten open. He had little playing experience when he came to Pitt. Maybe he can make the next step, maybe he can't.
Also, Challingsworth and Boyd were in the same recruiting class, but TB was a full year older. A year can make a big difference at this stage. I think Challingsworth will be effective this season -- you could see it starting to come last season.
But we need a deep threat to emerge from Tipton, Weah, Henderson, Flowers and Mathews.
Go Pitt.
I will say this. If a true FR doesnt rise up and seize a starting job, that's not a good sign because our WR upperclassmen are nothing to brag about. Keep your eye on Maurice Ffrench.
JRipper is infamous for wanting players shipped out if they aren't AA after their freshman year. No ever improves and guys who didn't play their first year or two because of people in front of them totally suck.
OK. You win. It is obvious we have NO WRs this year so let's play a tight 7 man line and send out our TEs.
Uh, not quite.
2006 had Blades in the middle and Session on the outside. Pitt was pretty good with those two.
Campbell was a mess outside, but I'm not sure McKillop was an outside lb. Plus, it did take him a half season to find his way.
But yes, I do get the point you're trying to make.
The coaches went hard at a number of good WRs in this class and came away with Flowers, Mathews and FFrench. WR is one position that a freshman can play so lets hope one or all excel.
there is a good reason why the staff went hard after WRs.. It's not because they share in the enthusiasm for these redshirt freshman and sophomores..
I saw that with Miller. That was out of left field. People think of him as a CB or maybe an OLB. I just assumed him, Hamlin, and maybe Coleman were going to battle it out for a starting and reserve spot..
Good comment on Miller, being 6'3", if he gets bulked up with college lifting programs, he could end up at safety of LB before he enters the NFL
I didn't say that, but you said they haven't had opportunities. They have had lots of opportunity.
Oversimplification, but if guys haven't done anything in 3 or 4 years, there is little chance they are going to become significant contributors for a good team, unless the roster has been stacked in front of them. That certainly has not been the case for WRs at Pitt. And, yes, many of the guys we are talking about were very lightly recruited and have almost nothing that stands out about them.
All that said, some of them are going to have to play and 1 or 2 will probably be fine, but I certainly don't see anyone who should be a #1 P5 WR. I see a lot of 4-6 WRs, who will eventually get recruited over by Narduzzi.
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The guys I am talking about are the 1st and 2nd year guys and the new recruits.
Bottom line: We need WRs.
Has anyone heard of any involvement with Gehrig Dieter from Bowling Green? He is a grad transfer who put up a big year there. Not sure his talent is great, but he has produced, has size, and has experience. Sounds like he is choosing Syracuse or Alabama, if they have room, but Pitt should absolutely be in the running, if we are trying for him. He is big, can stretch the field, and win jump balls.
Has anyone heard of any involvement with Gehrig Dieter from Bowling Green? He is a grad transfer who put up a big year there. Not sure his talent is great, but he has produced, has size, and has experience. Sounds like he is choosing Syracuse or Alabama, if they have room, but Pitt should absolutely be in the running, if we are trying for him. He is big, can stretch the field, and win jump balls.
I live near apollo, and saw Tipton play alot in highschool. He is a pretty good athlete with solid speed, good hands, and good leaping ability. He only played close to half his snaps at wide receiver his senior year, the other snaps were at QB. In any case, he was in line to get on the field as a freshman last season but suffered an injury that set him back. If the coaches work hard with him on route running he has a great chance to be a play maker for us this year.
I also want to mention another kid from apollo who is a 2017 kid, his name is Duane Brown. He is a bit undersized and as of now, don't think he has any offers yet. I have to say that he has two of the most nimble feet I have ever seen. He never gets tackled by the first guy, always makes him miss! He could make a tremendous slot receiver. Hope coach Duzz and the gang at least tke a look!
I also want to mention another kid from apollo who is a 2017 kid, his name is Duane Brown. He is a bit undersized and as of now, don't think he has any offers yet. I have to say that he has two of the most nimble feet I have ever seen. He never gets tackled by the first guy, always makes him miss! He could make a tremendous slot receiver. Hope coach Duzz and the gang at least tke a look!
WR is the position with the most question marks. Of the group listed, I'm hoping that Henderson, FFrench, Flowers, Tipton or Matthews can stand out with Ford as the obvious starter.
What about Henderson and FFrench in the slot positions like New England's small receivers (Amendola and Edelman). Have a short passing game and open it up to X receivers Ford/Flowers/Matthews for deeper throws/1on1's? Seems like more teams are going to smaller receivers for big YAC plays. Coach Canada needs to develop his Offense around our current roster.
I also like the idea of George Hill playing WR but it seems like he is destined for RB.
What about Henderson and FFrench in the slot positions like New England's small receivers (Amendola and Edelman). Have a short passing game and open it up to X receivers Ford/Flowers/Matthews for deeper throws/1on1's? Seems like more teams are going to smaller receivers for big YAC plays. Coach Canada needs to develop his Offense around our current roster.
I also like the idea of George Hill playing WR but it seems like he is destined for RB.
I think we can all agree that McKillop would have been better than Campbell at Will, or he could have played Sam and Session could have moved to Will. Either way Scott should have played rather than the blocking sled we were using. Sometimes you don't know what a guy will do until he gets an opportunity, and it may seem like a long shot but maybe someone at WR will emerge given the chance. God knows we need it.
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They backed off of Winfree and Soloman,so the staff must have confidence in the guys they have or the ones they are bringing in.
I wouldn't say they didn't get the "opportunities". I would say that they didn't get the balls throw their way to make the impact. Is that a question of talent? I don't know, but it will be interesting to see.
Well these talented redshirt sophomores will have their chance in spring ball but if they don't make their mark by then, well they should be looking for another school because summer camp will be focused on the freshman. YOu don't need to be a genius to know 2 or 3 of these WRs will not be at pitt by September..
They all received cameo appearances but none of them stepped ahead of the other. Another factor in the stalled development of the WR's has been the QB play. Both Voytik and Peterman suffered from tunnel vision-only surveyed the side of the field that Boyd was on. AS much as anything else, Pitt needs improved QB play this year.
I think the locking in on Boyd had much more to do with the other options than with the QBs.
The wr's are good enough with the running game and good QB decisions. Ford and others can provide a good passing game. Just not really good. As long as the OL is good and the RB's are good, Pitt can be effective in possession time and scoring.
Here's the thing about our WRs: we haven't seen most of them play, or even practice. The people who have are the coaches, and btw, their opinions are the ones that matter. So, the best way to figure out who can play, and will play, is by looking for clues into the coaches thinking.
One, Tipton wasn't redshirted immediately. They decided he could produce right away, and put him into early games. He looked skinny when he was out there for a few plays, then he got hurt. Word is that he is building up and strengthening his body, which will help next year. But the fact that they were willing to burn his freshman redshirt tells you that they think a lot of him.
Gentry is another guy. As someone noted earlier, he was first team in that scrimmage they ran. He is also a guy that this staff went out and recruited late. We weren't short on WR numbers (just talent), so they weren't adding him just to have another body. The only reason to offer that scholly was because they thought he could play. BTW, his HS coach absolutely couldn't understand why he was so under-recruited. That school's top WR the year before became the leading receiver on TCUs team as a true freshman. And the HS coach said that Gentry was better.
They also brought the JUCO kid in.
Spring ball will tell us a lot, both the opening depth chart, and closing one.
But we may see some wildcards in the mix. Ibrahim and Hill could even be thrown into the mix. This staff wants the best players on the field, and isn't stuck on positions. If you are one of their best players, they'll find a spot for you.
One, Tipton wasn't redshirted immediately. They decided he could produce right away, and put him into early games. He looked skinny when he was out there for a few plays, then he got hurt. Word is that he is building up and strengthening his body, which will help next year. But the fact that they were willing to burn his freshman redshirt tells you that they think a lot of him.
Gentry is another guy. As someone noted earlier, he was first team in that scrimmage they ran. He is also a guy that this staff went out and recruited late. We weren't short on WR numbers (just talent), so they weren't adding him just to have another body. The only reason to offer that scholly was because they thought he could play. BTW, his HS coach absolutely couldn't understand why he was so under-recruited. That school's top WR the year before became the leading receiver on TCUs team as a true freshman. And the HS coach said that Gentry was better.
They also brought the JUCO kid in.
Spring ball will tell us a lot, both the opening depth chart, and closing one.
But we may see some wildcards in the mix. Ibrahim and Hill could even be thrown into the mix. This staff wants the best players on the field, and isn't stuck on positions. If you are one of their best players, they'll find a spot for you.
I think Bama bringing in a JUCO kinda tells you how hard recruiting is. They are FULL of 4 and 5 star receivers, and they felt bringing in a JUCO was needed.
It seems Pitt ALWAYS has some pretty decent receiver step up, so I am awaiting that guy. After reading all the thoughts here, I think Tipton or Gentry could be the guy, but we shall see
It seems Pitt ALWAYS has some pretty decent receiver step up, so I am awaiting that guy. After reading all the thoughts here, I think Tipton or Gentry could be the guy, but we shall see
I think our top 5 end up being Ford, Tipton, Henderson, Challingsworth and Ffrench. We have a good amount of speed and playmaking ability in that group, I think we'll be surprised with the amount of big plays this group makes this year!
Yep. I think they just will have extra scholarships and are happy to fill that with a guy that could contribute, if needed, and be gone in January/May, either way. They did the same thing last year and after 2 of their top 4 got injured, they ended up with a very solid, experienced #3 WR. Now they have a clear top 3 and a big group of 4 or 5 WRs battling out for the #4 and #5 spots. Most of them have yet to play, so Gehrig comes in as a really good fallback.
Run heavy? We are already extremely run heavy. We ran the ball 57% of the time this season. It isn't going to get much higher than that and we will still need playmakers on the outside to even make that work.
I mean Bama... that was what was being discussed. They are getting 5 star backs flocking there for next year.
They are already run heavy. They ran almost exactly (just a little bit more) the same percentage as we did and that is despite the fact that they had (usually big) leads every game and a Heisman RB. Also, they have the best WR group in the country with Foster, Ridley, and Stewart as their top 3.
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