More family stuff this weekend, kept me away from the computer. If I had known I was only going to get one post I would have done more of a round-up thing. So, a little combining and mixing of Saturday and Sunday news.
Freshman receiver Aaron Smith is going to need surgery on his separated left shoulder. Coach Wannstedt conceded he was done for the year, but said the issue now was whether Smith would enroll at Pitt for the fall or wait until winter semester to take classes. I suppose it could be a numbers manipulation thing with scholarships, but considering Smith had some delays relating to academics getting on the field with the NCAA Clearinghouse there could be other reasons for delaying. The other possibility is to preserve his full eligibility, including a redshirt year. It all seems kind of vague and unclear to me since Smith has actually practiced with the team and the school would be footing the medical bills. I guess the issue is that he hasn’t started taking classes.
Smith was the closest Coach Wannstedt would come to saying who would be redshirting this season.
On having a timetable on making decisions about redshirts:
I think we wouldn’t even think about that until we’re into the season. Last year, John Bachman was a great example. We had led ourselves to believe we were going to redshirt him, and then halfway into the season, as we looked at our offensive line not just for last year but for this year, we said we’ve got to play somebody or we’re going to have a tired, inexperienced left side of the line. Those decisions are made as the season goes on.
Nate Byham will be one player Coach Wannstedt has declared will not be redshirted. The TE corp already looks solid and set with Senior Steve Buches, Junior Darrell Strong and Freshman Byham. I have to agree with Paul Zeise that Pitt could and might be wise to make use of three tight-end sets during the season. Strong has excelled in second team scrimmages when Bill Stull has been the QB.
Senior LB Clint Session was a standout player on Friday.
For the Saturday scrimmage, around a 100 or so Pitt football alumni watched before going to a cookout.
John Bachman is making it a battle with Jeff Otah for the starting left tackle position. During the scrimmage the offense was able to move the ball well, but made 4 turnovers to miss opportunities in the redzone.
The Panthers conducted their second scrimmage of training camp. The offense showed progress by scoring four touchdowns, but it also committed two fumbles and two interceptions.
“Offensively, I was real pleased with how we moved the ball. The disappointing thing was we turned it over when we had the opportunity to score,” Wannstedt said. “You have to give the defense some credit, too. Defensively, I thought we were OK. The best thing we did on defense was cause turnovers.”
Fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler Palko completed 10 of 19 passes for 115 yards with an interception. Sophomore Bill Stull was 12 of 19 for 145 yards with an interception. Freshman Kevan Smith was 3 of 8 for 37 yards with a 10-yard touchdown pass to walk-on fullback Chris Bova.
Sophomore tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling led all rushers with 42 yards and a touchdown on seven carries but fumbled once. Redshirt freshman Shane Brooks (six carries for 29 yards) and freshman Kevin Collier (eight carries for 27 yards) also scored in an overtime drill.
Junior tight end Darrell Strong led all receivers with seven catches for 95 yards. Redshirt freshman receiver Oderick Turner had four catches for 59 yards, including a 37-yarder.
Coach Wannstedt was mostly happy about the second scrimmage.
On the second scrimmage in general:
It was good work today. We ended up getting probably close to about a hundred plays with everything included. The special situation that we worked today, we worked some overtime, live, ones against ones and had the officials go through everything which I thought was good. The thing that was good today, the good and bad, was that offensively we moved the ball. I was real pleased how we moved the ball. The disappointing thing was we turned it over a few times when we had opportunities to score. But, you have to give the defense some credit, too. Clint Session went in there and caused a big fumble. There was some pressure on one of the interceptions. Defensively, I thought we were okay. The best thing we did on defense was cause a couple of turnovers. And I was pleased with the offense. I think we’re starting to come together a little bit and [we’re] making some plays.
The Kicking game is something that looks to be an issue of growing fear in the pit of everyone’s stomach.
With senior David Abdul (heart) not cleared medically after undergoing surgery, redshirt sophomore Conor Lee and freshman Dan Hutchins have been vying for the placekicking duties.
Lee, from Upper St. Clair, was the unquestioned front-runner coming into camp but did not kick yesterday because of a strained hamstring.
He said, “It is precautionary right now, and I could have [played] if it was a game.”
Hutchins went 1 for 2 yesterday, making an 18-yarder but missing from 37 yards.
Wannstedt sounded a little perturbed at the kicking game, saying: “We have to get zeroed in and get some consistency with our field goals.”
Abdul might actually make it back to the team this season, but nothing is clear.
Palko played well in scrimmage. To some it was a marked improvement over what had been a lackluster camp to date.
H.B. Blades likes what he is seeing up front from the defense.
Blades wasn’t pleased with his defensive front’s performance last fall, but he had a lot of good things to say after the scrimmage.
“They’re doing real well,” Blades said. “I’m very pleased with Corey Davis’ progress. He’s come a long way and is playing terrific football right now. John Malecki has come in and played real well.
“Gus Mustakas, all those guys, collectively as a group, they’re doing a great job getting into the backfield and making plays. Last year, it was kind of like they were getting used to everything, but now they’re comfortable. You can see that by the way they go out there and play.”
Lots of work still before the first game.
It looks like this years squad has more talent than last year, I am not worried about the skill positions, but, again the keys are the lines. If the offensive and defensive lines can improve with maturity, experience; and if the newcomers can contribute; and if all of the cards fall their way a 9-3 season is a distinct possibility. Remove the entire if ands or buts… reality should smack us in the face at 7-5 or if we start like last year 5-7.
Looking at the opponents for this year through my blue and gold spectacles (9-3):
Game 1: Virginia, there has been some big time NFL talent that has passed through Charlottesville the last few years, they have some very big shoes to fill, UVA is deep at running back, but maybe we catch them early enough in the season. This game can go either way, I hope Pitt finally stops the run and we win, this game will define the season. Hopefully this is the game that gives everyone the confidence boost that we all need. (Win)
Game 2: Cincinnati, they are terrible, Pitt builds on the momentum and this game does not become our 2006 version of Ohio University? (Win)
Game 3: Michigan State, they usually play very well early in the season, their head coach is on the hot seat but they have a good QB and running game. We play them at home the week before they play Notre Dame. This is going to be a very hard game to win; this could be the game that our field goal kicking catches up with us. (Loss)
Game 4: Citadel, again could this be a replay of Furman at home? I hope not, this should be an old fashioned blow-out. (Win)
Game 5: Toledo, this is a team that will be very well coached, they lost a great QB and he will be very hard to replace initially. This game should be won by Pitt if the defense can adjust to Toledo’s offensive formations as the game goes along. (Win)
Game 6: Syracuse: They are about 1 year away from being competitive; I’m not sold on Perry Patterson, he just makes too many mistakes and puts too much pressure on the Syracuse defense. (Win)
Game 7: UCF: everyone thinks this is a trap game, I don’t think so, do you ever think George O’Leary dreams on how to write a resume? (Win)
Game 8: Rutgers, this will be a personal grudge game between W and that asshole who coaches Rutgers. Sorry if I offended anyone by using the word asshole, but do you remember how the Rutgers head coach acted on the sideline last year when they went up on Pitt early in the game? Pitt came back and made it a game in the second half and their coached puckered a bit. Not this year, Pitt will win. (Win)
Game 9: South Florida, first and foremost, their talent is over-rated and their coach is vastly over-rated. Do you remember last years post game comment by their coach regarding the loss? He has always been a sore loser, I am sure it will be on Pitt’s bulletin board during practice week for that game. (Win)
Game 10: UConn, I’m just not sold on their coach, if they stumble this year their coach could be on the hot seat. They play an extremely week non-con schedule to pad wins and when big east conference play begins they will have a tough time winning games. (Win)
Game 11: WVU, like W said, we have to run faster to make plays, we will see. This game is late in the year and the talented freshman should be game tested and ready. Hopefully the score will be respectable; I have to admit, WVU will be a national title contender this year. (Loss)
Game 12: Louisville, we played them close for the first half last year, this year it will be a close game, but their QB is a machine that can pick you apart and their ground game will pound on you. (Loss)
Thats my take, see you at the opener on September 2nd
What gets me about that play is Marino’s demeanor – from the slow walkup to center, the quick snap and his quick delivery. It was pure Marino – and it was what Shula saw when he scouted him. He had total command of that play, and as always, total command of his offense, both in college and pros. I still feel that the Steelers not drafting him was the biggest mistake they ever made.
He was the first guy to high-five E. Gill when Gill tore off 25 extra yards on his catch to close out Notre Dame in ’04.
I’m juiced about this coming season…
JUICED!