A comment early in the week regarding the Rutgers game, and things in general, that I think merits a full post for a response or at least explanation. Hopefully I won’t come off as too defensive.
Frank wrote the following:
I think that everyone is focusing on the coaching far too much. Friday night,s game was a prime example. Did the coaches do any of the following: Fumble a kick (Pestano), Drop a wide open pass down the middle (Gill), Drop a sure TD pass or short arm an attempted catch deep in Rutgers territory (Lee), Run towards a Rutgers defender with the ball in one hand, trying to juke the defender a-la Deion Sanders, and then fumble the ball upon colling with the defender (Palko), Drop interceptions (Revis and one other), Stand up before the snap on second or third and one (various linemen), Tackle really poorly (Tez Morris et al). If Pete Carroll is our coach, does Pestano not fumble, Gill, Lee, and Revis catch those balls, Palkno not fumble, and Morris tackle? I’m not so sure. These playes are just plain not playing well and they need to fix it. They need to stop walking on the feild like they are the superior team and start walking off of it as the superior team. For the record, I was sick at the end of the first half Friday night, but proud of this team by the end of the game. They could have quit, they did not. I’m not one for moral victories, but they impressed me by not quitting. No Pitt fan should quit either…And while I am ranting, the coaches are right to force the run. The reason we lost most of the games we played against top teams in the last few years is that we could not then, and can not now, run the football. IF they don’t start now, then when? A one dimensional offense is very east to beat when you are up against a talented defense (SEE: PITT vs. UTAH last year).
I’ve been seeing others — George, Rex and Steve come to mind — echo and/or agree with this. This, though, was the best and most complete expression.
Frank makes a good point, I do focus on the coaching more. Part of it is simply bias on my part: the coaches are the ones who get paid and are supposed to take the responsibility; and I am not particularly wild about ripping on kids who don’t get paid. So I probably go easier on the players than I would if I was focusing on a pro team.
The other reason is systematic and not seeing any improvement. That either says the kids are already at their max potential or the coaching staff is not teaching, improving, helping them.
Certain things, like Tez Morris’ poor tackling applies to most of the defense. And here’s a disturbing piece of information, Morris is actually Pitt’s second leading tackler.
DEFENSIVE LEADERS GP Solo Ast Total
51 BLADES,H.B. 5 29 28 57
20 MORRIS,Tez 5 25 18 43
39 THOMAS,Derron 5 13 16 29
41 McKILLOP,Chris 5 7 18 25
25 REVIS,Darrelle 5 15 6 21
10 PHILLIPS,Mike 3 12 7 19
Disturbing to see isn’t it? 3 members of the secondary — including one who went down to season ending injury during the 3d game — are the leading tacklers. That isn’t because of receivers making catches, that’s because the opposing running game is getting past the line.
So on defense, it speaks to the entire line.
Teams have rushed the ball 207 times and only had 64 completions (out of 124 attempts). Yet, only 2 LB and 1 DE are in the top 6 of Pitt’s leading tacklers.
Look back over the 3 seasons this blog has covered. A consistent, drumbeat of a complaint has been that the defense hits but does not tackle — a fundamental. Runs through the line. The only consistency there is, is with the defensive coordinator. I sometimes forget there are a lot of people who haven’t been reading for even the last year, so I’ve probably not bothered to make it as clear that this strikes me as something that is directly attributable to Paul Rhoads.
On the offensive side, I can’t disagree that Lee seems to drop a fairly easy touchdown every game. Pitt was lucky to still score on that drive when he let the ball go right through his hands, but it took 6 more plays and more time off the clock that Pitt couldn’t afford.
Dropped passes are not excusable, same for Gill. At the same time, they are going to happen.
Then there is the offensive line, or lack there of. No question that Pitt lost some consistent and reliable O-linemen. But the blocking has been so far below par it defies description. And it has shown no signs of improving. So again, I have to ask about the coaching. Where is the improvement from week-to-week? Any? The only improvement, was in finally going to a shorter drop-back for Palko and shorter routes over the middle. Something that I have been agitating to see, but it took until the 2nd half of the 5th game to do.
Something else that is directly attributable to the coach and play-calling: the way this team has come out in the first quarter. With the exception of the opening drive against ND, Pitt has stumbled out of the gate. Even against YSU, it took a little bit of help to get going.
The way they came out against Rutgers was unbelievable. They looked like they had no idea what they were doing out there. They looked just as bad against Ohio and Nebraska. The difference in those games were they were facing even more inept offenses that kept things close.
So, the way a team comes out to play — especially in the first half — has a lot to do with the coaching staff in my mind. It has to do with preparation, motivation and game plan.
That the team finally made adjustments in the second half, and definitely was motivated was good. The problem is they were still so far down they couldn’t make a single mistake if they wanted to win.
Finally, on the subject of the running game. I’m not arguing against a running game. I’m arguing against a running game that doesn’t take into account the players abilities.
Does Pitt have the O-line for a power running game? No. Is Ray Kirkley a power runner? No. Should he be running straight ahead behind the linemen and fullback and expect to pick up more than a yard perhaps? No. Kirkley has shown his best running either off-tackle or getting outside where he has shown some surprising speed at turning the corner.
LaRod Stephens-Howling looks to be a great running back, but he is not a power RB. He is a creator, with a great first step. Given his size, however, there has to be some concern as to whether he will be able to carry a full load or is best as change-of-pace or sharing the position.
Rashad Jennings, right now, appears to be the closest thing to a power running back — and he’s missed the last 3 games with injury.
The O-line has not shown any ability to create seams or holes for the running backs. When it does happen, it almost seems like a surprise or accident. Until it can do that, the running game is going to need the pass to set it up. Not the other way.
