Dion Lewis missed the entire FIU game because of a previous undisclosed/embargoed shoulder injury (“…He didn’t practice all week but as per policy, we weren’t allowed to write about it, ask about it, hint it…”).
Ray Graham ran wild over FIU. As soon as the game was over, Coach Wannstedt tried to defuse any controversy by declaring that Lewis would be the starter against ND if he’s healthy. Though, he did hedge to say that Graham had earned the right to an equal number of starts.
Naturally that did nothing to diffuse any controversy.
You have a tailback that ran for 1799 yards last year, was a workhorse and while his production has been poor behind the weak O-line and teams keying on him; his work-ethic and effort has been there. Lewis missed the game because of an injury and the unwritten rule — especially for old-school football guys — is you don’t lose your job after an injury.
Then there is Ray Graham. He has been highly effective in relief. There are plenty of caveats about a change in the offense, and less pressure on him. But you can’t ignore his production, which has been Lewis-esque of last year. In the start versus FIU, he still put up 104 yards just in the first half. This despite ineffective passing and FIU stacking against the run.
I’m a big Dion Lewis fan. He has a great story as the unheralded recruit that stunned everyone. He has done nothing but good things on and off the field. He has not complained in the face of a pathetic O-line, play-calling that keeps him running up the middle into a brick wall, and an offense that takes no pressure off of him.
That said, I would go with Ray Graham to start. He’s hot right now, and it might give Lewis more of a chance to come in as the change-of-pace back rather than the starting, featured back. Something that might help Lewis really get on-track.
don’t forget to vote in the poll.
Expecting this program to compete for a national championship twice every 10 years is a bit unreasonable. Especially when Pitt has won 10 games only once in the past 20 years.
I would settle for winning the weak Big East this year.
My recollection is that Graham was ahead of Lewis in camp last year but fumbled a couple of times in a scrimmage and lost his position. This was in spite of the fact that Lewis got a head start by playing in the spring and Graham did not. From what I read, Graham outplayed Lewis in this year’s camp, but unless Lewis again gets hurt, it’s to no avail. Graham ain’t gonna start and probably won’t get as many carries as Lewis.
In spite of Graham having a higher yards per carry average last year than Lewis:
WVA game: Lewis 26 carries; Graham 1 carry
Cinci game: Lewis 47 carries; Graham 3 carries
UNC game: Lewis 28 carries; Graham 2 carries
To his credit, Graham does not publically complain. Based on Graham’s production and out of fairness, Graham should have received far more carries last year. I am curious on how the carries will be divided in the future. In any case, a message should be sent: work hard and if you are better or equal than the guy in front of you, you will be rewarded with playing time even if the guy in front of you is great.
Nonetheless, Lewis merits more PT. I also think that this will make Lewis better, so frnkly, I would play both an go with the hot hand.
was the 33 yard screen play against miami against the second team defense? there is literally no question that graham has been the better of the two since the beginning of the year. lewis played one good quarter against utah and has been mediocre since. i’m not saying bench the kid because of 2 bad games. i’m saying that ray graham has earned more carries. lewis can earn his carries back with better play.
First of all, it certainly matters what Lewis did last year. So what if he didn’t run the ball well in a couple of opportunities this year. The kid has done nothing but work his tail off, and is still a very, very good running back.
Nobody is suggesting Graham hasn’t earned alot more touches, but the bottom line you just don’t take the starting job away from a kid after 3 games. Continue to evaluate as the season goes on, but now is not the time.
Also, TD’s single game rushing record came against Notre Dame — Graham’s performance was excellent no doubt, but let’s keep in mind who the opponent was.
The key here isn’t who should start, it’s getting both of them rolling downhill to help out the overwhelmed Tito Sensory.
“In any case, a message should be sent: work hard and if you are better or equal than the guy in front of you, you will be rewarded with playing time even if the guy in front of you is great.”
Which I think is hilarious as this has never been a consideration for Dave Wannstedt’s in the six years we have had him as Head Coach.
All you have to do is look at the way the QB situation was handled to understand that competition for playing time is an unknown concept for DW.
Or at the OLB position with Williams starting every game, or …
The way I see it, you get two RB’s who never fully hit their stride during a game, cause they both need more carries. Graham had more than 170 yards in the 2nd half of the last week’s game after getting over 100 yds. in the 1rst half. And in effect you’re going to get two average RB’s, by splitting the carries. And old schooler Wanny is not going to give Graham more carries even though at this point he’s more dynamic. Both can’t play at the same time in this kind of offense, since most if not all of the running plays requires a blocking fullback. I’m sure they’ll figure out the best way to screw things up.
As long as they’re both out there getting a chance to perform, and performing well, then everything’s fine.
If the new line continues to hold up, and Dion turns back into Dion, we could turn this ship right around and take a lot of pressure of Tito Sensory (who, let’s face it, either isn’t good enough or just isn’t ready yet).