Well, we're 2-0....

[JSSTartan]

Neither game was perfect for our Panthers. That much is clear. However, Pitt is sitting here at 2-0 (which is exactly what they should be) when previous Pitt teams have NOT won these games...or would split them. I think there was clear improvement between YSU and Akron on the defensive side of the ball. We simply dominated them (again, as we should). Offensively things are going to continue to be an adventure. NP showed some good things and the coaches stuck with him; CV just has not seemed very comfortable in the pocket. Maybe this will be a game-to-game thing.

Thankfully, it appears we do have two QBs that can play.

The running game needs work and I think QO is a solid back that missed some holes on Saturday night. The weather was terrible and certainly played a part in the overall execution. Due to injuries, etc., we are still a young team overall and as long as we continue to progress and not regress, I think we will still be happy with the season. Iowa is going to be a tough challenge and we need to step up in all three phases to pull out a win. By the end of this season, this may end up being one of Ferentz best teams.

I hope C. James is healthy because he adds another dimension to the running game. Whoever our QB is needs to take care of the football. I love that we're getting our talented tight ends in on the passing game and hope that continues. We need to continue to get T. Boyd the ball however we can as well. With QO getting more carries, I think he'll begin to see the holes better and be able to be both patient and anticipate them opening. D. Hall showed some nice flashes too and is clearly a talented back. We will continue to miss Mr. Conner however. He was just in another universe. Our three young backs will continue to progress.

Going on the road, at night is rarely easy. Going to Akron last Saturday night will help us going into Kinnick this Saturday. This adversity early in the season can (and I think will) pay dividends later into the season.

H2P

 

[thebadby2]

I like Maddox. But he won't be isn't in Revis' class.....or close. Too small.

Correct.

Doesn't mean he can't be a damned good college corner, but the days of the 5''9-10 180# corner in the NFL are way over.

 

[Pittx9]

I like Maddox. But he won't be isn't in Revis' class.....or close. Too small.

In college he is definitely close if not just as good. I know it was two shitty teams but at the moment leads the nation in pass breakups and he, also like Revis but probly not as good there, has great return skills.

 

[thebadby2]

The "you never played the game" comeback is literally one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. I never played the game, and Eli Manning is a 2 time Super Bowl champion, Yet he chose to throw the ball away instead of just taking the sack at the end tonight, effectively costing his team the game. Anyone with a clue knew he had to take the sack and run the clock. Cris Collinsworth has played the game and announced it forever, yet it took him an eternity to realize Manning needed to take the sack there.

From my own personal experience former players and coaches are absolutely the squarest people on earth when it comes to betting on games. I would literally take a chicken pecking feed out of a trays opinion on who will win a game over a former player. They have absolutely no clue, and in my experience that has been true 100% of the time.

Using the you never played the game thing is essentially confusing talent with knowledge. One has nothing to do with the other.

This might be the most ignorant post of all time on this board.

 

[deepelemblues]

This might be the most ignorant post of all time on this board.

other than every time you post about how you played on some MAC team 30 years ago (which may be most hilarious lack of self-awareness when it comes to asserting 'i played and you didn't' ever), so everybody better just accept your superior football acumen, you may be right.

 

[thebadby2]

other than every time you post about how you played on some MAC team 30 years ago so everybody better just accept your superior football acumen you may be right.

Nah, you should stick with the guy who never played but thinks he knows more about the game than Eli Manning and Cris Collinsworth, and other current and former players who can't pick worth a damn against the spread.

 

[Pittx9]

Nah, you should stick with the guy who never played but thinks he knows more about the game than Eli Manning and Cris Collinsworth, and other current and former players who can't pick worth a damn against the spread.

Don't wanna attack anyone on here, but every single one of us knows more than Cris Collinsworth. The guy is an absolute idiot.

 

[thebadby2]

Don't wanna attack anyone on here, but every single one of us knows more than Cris Collinsworth. The guy is an absolute idiot.

He's a $hitty announcer, but he has forgotten more about Xs and Os than anyone on any message board will ever know.

Herbstreit is the best college football analyst in the business, maybe the best football announcer ever. His in-game analysis is like a film session with a coach, but with lay terminology for the viewers.

 

[BFo8]

Wow badby most ignorant post ever huh? No offense, but you are way off base on this one. I'm not saing that professional gamblers and bookmakers know more about X's and O's/zone reads/blocking schemes than coaches and players. I'm saying that when it comes to clock management, in-game decision making and time/down/distance many coaches and nearly all players are absolutely clueless.

Not to just single out Eli, but let's revisit what he did at the end of the game last night. As stupid as throwing that ball away and not taking the sack was apparently he compounded that by telling Jennings not once but twice to "not score", when it would've given his team a 10 point lead with under 2 minutes left. Does this sound like someone who has any freaking idea on how to handle late game time/score/down situations? This is a guy who has played the game all his life, but apparently is totally lost when it comes to late game strategy. He is hardly alone.

Listening to Super Bowl winning coaches Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden (amongst others) give their opinions on clock management is almost stunning. I'm not talking about after the game, when they have time to think about it, but as it's happening. Gruden in particular always wants the QB to spike it when they should be running a play and vice versa. I still remember John Madden when he was in the booth totally not understanding why some coach was using his timeouts on defense in an effort to get the ball back with some time left on the clock.

Every ex player I've ever seen has pretty much known the X and O part very well, but just about every one I've ever heard or dealt with personally has no idea what is going on in these late game situations that increasingly are the deciding factor in who wins or loses. Most of their theories are horribly outdated in todays game.

I see a big part of the problem with "you never played the game" guy is they don't realize how much more advanced the average fan is as opposed to 15-20 years ago. The internet and it's wealth of readily available information has leveled the playing field, and as a result the difference between sharp and square has dropped dramatically.

I will leave you with this. I'm sure you remember the game a few years ago when Belichick went for it and failed on 4th down late in the game in his own territory against Peyton Manning. After the game almost every ex player and coach I saw was adamant that Belichick had made a horrible call. Well I was working at a sportsbook on the Strip at that time and our inside joke was that if we had some unknown player come to the window wanting to make a large bet we should first ask him what he thought of that Belichick decision. If he agreed with it then he not only wouldn't we take his wager, but he should be watched very carefully. Conversely if he thought Belichick made a big mistake, then by all means take his bet, because he's an obvious square. It didn't work out for Belichick that time, but mathematically it was absolutely the right call.

 

[pitt-girl]

What can I say, you have me pegged TT. I can't challenge your vast knowledge of a game I'm sure you have intimate knowledge of. I'll bet you even played touch football in the backyard a few times growing up.

Hah.. You need help on your put downs. I lettered at Pitt.

Hey at least you have TD backing you up[/QUOTE]
BOOM

 

[TD_6082]

Only a coach as secure as Belichick could make that call. While mathematically it may have been the right call, the backlash is going to be much more harsh if you lose the game that way than if you kick it away.

BTW, There was another OT game againt Peyton where the Pats won the toss, but elected to kick it to the Broncos. What did you think of that call? (As I get older my memory gets worse, but I think that was still in the sudden death OT days)

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

The "you never played the game" comeback is literally one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.

You just don't get it BF. You may be a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer or whatever, but you cannot possibly understand something as complicated as a cover two defense. That's way more complex than silly little things like contract law or thermodynamics or biology.

I mean good god people, most of us live in or near Pittsburgh. Most of us over the years probably heard Edmund Nelson do preseason Stiller games on channel two. Nelson is proof positive that you can have a good career in the NFL while having absolutely no idea what is going on in the game outside of a two foot radius where you played.

The notion that it takes some sort of genius to understand football is laughable. The proof is in the general lack of intelligence of many of the people who have reached the pinnacle of the coaching profession.

 

[Pittx9]

He's a $hitty announcer, but he has forgotten more about Xs and Os than anyone on any message board will ever know.

Herbstreit is the best college football analyst in the business, maybe the best football announcer ever. His in-game analysis is like a film session with a coach, but with lay terminology for the viewers.

Agree on Herbstreit, people don't like him but watching him explain the game is like watching a younger Jon Gruden. Very knowledgeable guy. (A little Ohio State bias, but that happens with everyone on ESPN.)