Well, here we go with another season. Anxious to see how the new coaching staff does and really looking forward to seeing Boyd and Conner for one more season:
1. Frankly, I don't have high or low expectations for the season because I just don't know what we have, especially on defense. The schedule is tough and has a ton of early road games which worries me. And let's face facts, we all love Coach Narduzzi's talking points, his charisma and his intensity but will it translate as a head coach. Time will tell.
2. One thing we do have is a proven OC in Coach Chaney. Knows what he's doing from spread formations to power sets. Very happy with this hire and I think with the RB depth and hopefully emergence of WR depth we should be able to score and score big.
3. Having said that the right side of the line worries me. Two new starters, a RS TE at RT, your best run blocker out for the season. I look for JP to give the RT a lot of help which might make us a little more predictable. Losing Smith is going to hurt.
4. My biggest concern is the pass rush from the edges. I like our interior but where's the Pass Rush going to come from? Soto, Blair are not scaring anyone. I'm hoping Price can remain healthy for a full season because he can bring it and is a natural pass rusher.
5. Using more press coverage will really put pressure on our DL and blitzers to get to the QB. Two issues with man to man press coverage. First is your back is to the QB and against a running QB you better hope your front seven can get him cause the db's aren't looking. Second is you have to stay covered for longer periods of time if no pass rush which really puts a premium on skilled cover backs.
6. Really anxious to see Quadri Henderson and Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead has the makings of a star. Just has a presence about him, great instincts and athleticism. Basically the coaches will have to get him in there. What's nice too is having a safety that can cover a slot receiver which eliminates some nickel packages and allows you to keep your backers in the game. I'm trying to think the last time we had a big time slot receiver who can run crossing routes and make people miss. Saddler was supposed to be that but never panned out. Been awhile that's why I think Henderson is going to be very important for Tyler and this offense. He's going to be a matchup problem.
7. I am not counting any game as a win right now. yes we should beat YSU and Akron but geez don't we always say that? let's beat YSU and go from there. I do think the pivot games for me are IOWA on the road and Virginia at home. Assuming you win first two, getting those two sets us up nicely. YSU first.
8. Don't follow recruiting much, I get the updates from the site on my phone but don't spend time watching film or following the stars assigned. I leave it to the coaches to assess. That's where you will see how good the staff is at eyeing talent. I think Chryst was actually decent at that though it was heavily weighted towards the Offensive side of the ball. I had no problems with Chryst, thought his offenses were really good but like Rex Ryan in the NFL who ignores the offense Chryst tended to ignore the defense a little too much which bothered me. Think of how good that offense was last year and how many bad losses we had. Epic collapse against Houston, had loss at UNC, GT, DUKE. I mean any kind of defense and that team wins 9 games last year.
9. I love what I've seen so far from Barnes. Clearly this isn't a "i'm always right" kinda of guy and willing to take suggestions and listen. Already, in my mind miles ahead of where we were. Extended Suzie, which he needed to, set a brand strategy that makes sense and is consistent (I have more hats, golf shirts and sweat with different Pitt logos it's crazy) and completed the renovation of the football facilities. Gotta love how fast he's moved. Very positive.
Pitt82
1. Frankly, I don't have high or low expectations for the season because I just don't know what we have, especially on defense. The schedule is tough and has a ton of early road games which worries me. And let's face facts, we all love Coach Narduzzi's talking points, his charisma and his intensity but will it translate as a head coach. Time will tell.
2. One thing we do have is a proven OC in Coach Chaney. Knows what he's doing from spread formations to power sets. Very happy with this hire and I think with the RB depth and hopefully emergence of WR depth we should be able to score and score big.
3. Having said that the right side of the line worries me. Two new starters, a RS TE at RT, your best run blocker out for the season. I look for JP to give the RT a lot of help which might make us a little more predictable. Losing Smith is going to hurt.
4. My biggest concern is the pass rush from the edges. I like our interior but where's the Pass Rush going to come from? Soto, Blair are not scaring anyone. I'm hoping Price can remain healthy for a full season because he can bring it and is a natural pass rusher.
5. Using more press coverage will really put pressure on our DL and blitzers to get to the QB. Two issues with man to man press coverage. First is your back is to the QB and against a running QB you better hope your front seven can get him cause the db's aren't looking. Second is you have to stay covered for longer periods of time if no pass rush which really puts a premium on skilled cover backs.
6. Really anxious to see Quadri Henderson and Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead has the makings of a star. Just has a presence about him, great instincts and athleticism. Basically the coaches will have to get him in there. What's nice too is having a safety that can cover a slot receiver which eliminates some nickel packages and allows you to keep your backers in the game. I'm trying to think the last time we had a big time slot receiver who can run crossing routes and make people miss. Saddler was supposed to be that but never panned out. Been awhile that's why I think Henderson is going to be very important for Tyler and this offense. He's going to be a matchup problem.
7. I am not counting any game as a win right now. yes we should beat YSU and Akron but geez don't we always say that? let's beat YSU and go from there. I do think the pivot games for me are IOWA on the road and Virginia at home. Assuming you win first two, getting those two sets us up nicely. YSU first.
8. Don't follow recruiting much, I get the updates from the site on my phone but don't spend time watching film or following the stars assigned. I leave it to the coaches to assess. That's where you will see how good the staff is at eyeing talent. I think Chryst was actually decent at that though it was heavily weighted towards the Offensive side of the ball. I had no problems with Chryst, thought his offenses were really good but like Rex Ryan in the NFL who ignores the offense Chryst tended to ignore the defense a little too much which bothered me. Think of how good that offense was last year and how many bad losses we had. Epic collapse against Houston, had loss at UNC, GT, DUKE. I mean any kind of defense and that team wins 9 games last year.
9. I love what I've seen so far from Barnes. Clearly this isn't a "i'm always right" kinda of guy and willing to take suggestions and listen. Already, in my mind miles ahead of where we were. Extended Suzie, which he needed to, set a brand strategy that makes sense and is consistent (I have more hats, golf shirts and sweat with different Pitt logos it's crazy) and completed the renovation of the football facilities. Gotta love how fast he's moved. Very positive.
Pitt82
