...a few thoughts come to mind. Some of these have likely been talked about already but again, these are observations after only 3 games:
1) Even if this team finishes the regular season at 6-6 I will consider the inaugural Narduzzi campaign a huge success, especially if they can steal a game or two they aren’t expected to win.
2) If I had to pick one remaining game that I would consider a key win it would be Georgia Tech. They are the pick of the litter in the Coastal Division and this would send a clear message to the conference that Pitt is a team to be reckoned with, especially with the game being at Georgia Tech.
3) I’m not sure I fully understand the term “Pitting” but if it means the same old Pitt then I’m sorry, the term no longer applies. I don’t think you can say that losing over a 57 yard field goal is finding a way to lose the game. You can argue that execution on the kickoff after our final score could have been a lot better but the defense held when they had to and a 57-yarder is not a high probability outcome. Defenses from the recent past would have likely given up a touchdown or a short field goal in losing the game.
4) I think the defense has adopted an attitude that starts with Narduzzi. This is an eye-opening example of what scheme, attitude and coaching up of players can do for a team. I hope the defensive recruits are taking note.
5) For those who think we have taken a step backwards on offense under Chaney, I say the numbers don’t clearly support that position. Again, the stats for this year are only after 3 games, however, the scoring average went from 31.8 to 31.0. The average passing yards have gone from 185 to 180. The average time of possession has gone from 33:49 to 31:30. The only clear reduction is with average rushing yards which dropped from 250 to 170. But, to restate the obvious, we are without our best RB, our starting OT and we are still experimenting with the proper mix with the OL. We also are trying to establish our top RB and QB and let’s not lose sight of the fact that we are only 3 games into this offense compared to 3 years into last year’s offense.
6) Ryan Winslow is only averaging a half yard per kick less than last year but it seems like he has taken a huge step backwards. He doesn’t seem to have any hang time. You would think his leg is stronger than last year, so are they teaching a different technique that requires some time to master?
7) There is no reason to believe otherwise, but I hope Voytik keeps a good attitude and embraces the challenge he faces because anything can happen with a QB and he may very well be the starter again at some point this year.
8) Peterman needs to cut down on the interceptions but he appears to see the field better than Voytik and gets more receivers involved in the offense. Boyd is going to get his catches but I think Peterman diversifies the offense a bit by getting the ball to the TE, slot receiver and RB, which gives defenses that much more to think about.
9) The reason I didn’t like trying to draw the defense offside rather than going for it on 4th down was more about establishing an attitude than making the proper decision. Everything Narduzzi said about why he made the call was understandable and likely the one most coaches would agree with. However, this is a team he is trying to establish an attitude with and I think going for the 4th down, even if unsuccessful, would send a message to the team, opponents and recruits that there’s a new sheriff in town. It’s not like we will be playing for a national championship where a loss would be devastating to our chances. I think Narduzzi is doing a lot of good things so I’m certainly not going to crucify him over one decision…I just think it was a missed opportunity.
10) Narduzzi puts a lot of emphasis on how a player practices during the week and I think that is why we didn’t see an apparently healthy Chris James on Saturday. Hall and Ollison weren’t setting the world on fire so I’m not sure why James wasn’t given more of a chance. He’s a different back from both Hall and Ollison and maybe his quickness would have made a difference.
11) I’m a little surprised that we haven’t seen a commitment from a WPIAL recruit or two who may have been waiting to see a changed Pitt. Sure, they are only 2-1 and have the lion’s share of the schedule in front of them but it doesn’t take an astute football eye to see this is a different Pitt team. For recruits like Hamlin, OSU is OSU and anything he learns about PSU this year will likely turn him off so if he isn’t fully sold on OSU I’m not sure what all he is looking for from Pitt. I believe the early reviews on the Narduzzi/Conklin defense is better than advertised so, unless we completely crap the bed the remainder of the year (which I don’t see happening), I see us getting our share of our WPIAL targets.
12) If I’m Sanders I’m getting my inner circle together to discuss the spin we need to put on my eventual flip. He seems like a good kid with a refreshing conscience so if I’m one of his advisors I just tell him to say he made an early choice without having all the decision criteria available to him at the time. In retrospect he should have waited, but in the end, he had to make the choice that is right for he and his family and he’s sure that everyone can understand that. End of story and H2P.
13) I wonder if Tony Butler has de-committer’s remorse? What Narduzzi/Conklin are doing with House recruits is a weekly recruiting video.
14) ESPN3 may not be all that and a box of chocolates but to a fan of a currently marginal team it is a godsend. I really don’t see us being ESPN3 material much longer.
15) For what it’s worth, my predictions for the remainder of the season are wins over Virginia, Syracuse, North Carolina, Duke, Louisville and Miami and losses to Virginia Tech, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech. No real marques wins but a very respectable 8-4 regular season followed by a bowl win to finish at 9-4. And the season results will be good enough to attract Hamlin, Sanders, Mathews, Gilbert, Harper and a flip to be named later (I have no names and not even a clue but I see this staff stealing a late recruit). I think we also get early verbals from Ford and Jeter.
1) Even if this team finishes the regular season at 6-6 I will consider the inaugural Narduzzi campaign a huge success, especially if they can steal a game or two they aren’t expected to win.
2) If I had to pick one remaining game that I would consider a key win it would be Georgia Tech. They are the pick of the litter in the Coastal Division and this would send a clear message to the conference that Pitt is a team to be reckoned with, especially with the game being at Georgia Tech.
3) I’m not sure I fully understand the term “Pitting” but if it means the same old Pitt then I’m sorry, the term no longer applies. I don’t think you can say that losing over a 57 yard field goal is finding a way to lose the game. You can argue that execution on the kickoff after our final score could have been a lot better but the defense held when they had to and a 57-yarder is not a high probability outcome. Defenses from the recent past would have likely given up a touchdown or a short field goal in losing the game.
4) I think the defense has adopted an attitude that starts with Narduzzi. This is an eye-opening example of what scheme, attitude and coaching up of players can do for a team. I hope the defensive recruits are taking note.
5) For those who think we have taken a step backwards on offense under Chaney, I say the numbers don’t clearly support that position. Again, the stats for this year are only after 3 games, however, the scoring average went from 31.8 to 31.0. The average passing yards have gone from 185 to 180. The average time of possession has gone from 33:49 to 31:30. The only clear reduction is with average rushing yards which dropped from 250 to 170. But, to restate the obvious, we are without our best RB, our starting OT and we are still experimenting with the proper mix with the OL. We also are trying to establish our top RB and QB and let’s not lose sight of the fact that we are only 3 games into this offense compared to 3 years into last year’s offense.
6) Ryan Winslow is only averaging a half yard per kick less than last year but it seems like he has taken a huge step backwards. He doesn’t seem to have any hang time. You would think his leg is stronger than last year, so are they teaching a different technique that requires some time to master?
7) There is no reason to believe otherwise, but I hope Voytik keeps a good attitude and embraces the challenge he faces because anything can happen with a QB and he may very well be the starter again at some point this year.
8) Peterman needs to cut down on the interceptions but he appears to see the field better than Voytik and gets more receivers involved in the offense. Boyd is going to get his catches but I think Peterman diversifies the offense a bit by getting the ball to the TE, slot receiver and RB, which gives defenses that much more to think about.
9) The reason I didn’t like trying to draw the defense offside rather than going for it on 4th down was more about establishing an attitude than making the proper decision. Everything Narduzzi said about why he made the call was understandable and likely the one most coaches would agree with. However, this is a team he is trying to establish an attitude with and I think going for the 4th down, even if unsuccessful, would send a message to the team, opponents and recruits that there’s a new sheriff in town. It’s not like we will be playing for a national championship where a loss would be devastating to our chances. I think Narduzzi is doing a lot of good things so I’m certainly not going to crucify him over one decision…I just think it was a missed opportunity.
10) Narduzzi puts a lot of emphasis on how a player practices during the week and I think that is why we didn’t see an apparently healthy Chris James on Saturday. Hall and Ollison weren’t setting the world on fire so I’m not sure why James wasn’t given more of a chance. He’s a different back from both Hall and Ollison and maybe his quickness would have made a difference.
11) I’m a little surprised that we haven’t seen a commitment from a WPIAL recruit or two who may have been waiting to see a changed Pitt. Sure, they are only 2-1 and have the lion’s share of the schedule in front of them but it doesn’t take an astute football eye to see this is a different Pitt team. For recruits like Hamlin, OSU is OSU and anything he learns about PSU this year will likely turn him off so if he isn’t fully sold on OSU I’m not sure what all he is looking for from Pitt. I believe the early reviews on the Narduzzi/Conklin defense is better than advertised so, unless we completely crap the bed the remainder of the year (which I don’t see happening), I see us getting our share of our WPIAL targets.
12) If I’m Sanders I’m getting my inner circle together to discuss the spin we need to put on my eventual flip. He seems like a good kid with a refreshing conscience so if I’m one of his advisors I just tell him to say he made an early choice without having all the decision criteria available to him at the time. In retrospect he should have waited, but in the end, he had to make the choice that is right for he and his family and he’s sure that everyone can understand that. End of story and H2P.
13) I wonder if Tony Butler has de-committer’s remorse? What Narduzzi/Conklin are doing with House recruits is a weekly recruiting video.
14) ESPN3 may not be all that and a box of chocolates but to a fan of a currently marginal team it is a godsend. I really don’t see us being ESPN3 material much longer.
15) For what it’s worth, my predictions for the remainder of the season are wins over Virginia, Syracuse, North Carolina, Duke, Louisville and Miami and losses to Virginia Tech, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech. No real marques wins but a very respectable 8-4 regular season followed by a bowl win to finish at 9-4. And the season results will be good enough to attract Hamlin, Sanders, Mathews, Gilbert, Harper and a flip to be named later (I have no names and not even a clue but I see this staff stealing a late recruit). I think we also get early verbals from Ford and Jeter.
