It’s mid-week between our win over the might Maine Black Bears and our upcoming scrum against the corn fed Iowa boys. Last game has generated more discussions than any since the Cincy loss in 2009 I think. First and foremost the debates and bitches have been on the QB play so far, setting aside the defense which I can’t bear to talk about.
Todd Graham took some time to go into (surprising) detail on the subject of where we stand at QB right now, how the starting QB has performed and what is expected from the QB in his offense:
“We are a timing passing team — 1-2 and out on our quick passing game; 1-2-3 and out on our drop-back passing game,” Graham said. “The play has no chance because we are not reading what we are supposed to be reading, and we are not getting the ball off on time. “There are about 10 or 12 plays a game like that. Then, the play breaks down, and it becomes a mess. Fans get frustrated. We get frustrated.”
Basically you need to be able to count to three and throw the ball. Here’s one example of this problem: “Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri threw two interceptions against Maine, but Graham said an even bigger issue is Sunseri “freelancing” on some plays rather than trusting the offense and executing it. He said one of Sunseri’s interceptions Saturday was a ball thrown to a receiver “who wasn’t even in our progression.” That had to be the sideline INT where Sunseri forgot which color uniform we were wearing.
Now I’m projecting a bit, but add to that the 11 plays that Graham said failed in the same way in the Buffalo game and that’s 22 plays over two games. 22 out of 65 attempts folks… a 34% failure rate because the QB didn’t execute the play as designed properly. Given he has 37 incompletions in total, let’s assume that means that he missed on 15 properly executed passing plays in two games; that isn’t shabby at all.
Boy, imagine how well he’d be doing if he was actually running the plays as taught and practiced, even knowing not every pass would be complete it might be a whole different story for Sunseri and the offense. This has got to be giving Graham and Dodge heart palpitations. If Sunseri can turn that around and he quite possibly could, then things will look a lot brighter going ahead.
On the flip side of this issue imagine what we could have if we played Anderson who has three years, albeit HS ball, experience in this offense. I dare say that he’d at least run the play as conceived and that 34% failure rate would drop dramatically. This is why Graham calls Anderson “the Little Operator”, because he executes the plays as expected. It would give the other players on offense a fighting chance to finish the plays as called. Again, I’m projecting with this because Anderson will miss his share of passes also.
To switch subjects. You just know that as the season moves on we are going to hear a lot of discussion on the staff’s personnel decisions and redshirting players. That seems to happen every year regardless of the HC. Graham’s stance is this:
“I think more of them need to play. I think we’ve got to get some young guys in the receiving corps and get some more speed on the field.
You like to redshirt them. There’s some guys we’d like to try to redshirt but the bottom line is if we have to play them to win, that’s what we’re going to do. Nicholas Grigsby is coming back this week, he’ll be back. I doubt that he will redshirt. LaQuentin Smith played last week, he’s not going to redshirt. Ejuan Price definitely is not. Lafayette Pitts is our backup bandit (safety) and backup on most special teams and we’d like not to play him but if he progresses and he can help us win then we’ve got to play him.
OK, that’s three true FR who have played right there. Add Cory Davis, Ronald Jones, Trey Anderson, K.K. Smith, and Darius Patton to that list and you have eight true FR who have already seen action, and burnt redshirts, so far this season. I may be mistaken but I did a quick look back over DW’s 1st and 2nd games of his seasons and didn’t see those kinds of numbers for true freshman playing time. It shows a different approach IMO.
Regarding Anthony Gonzalez’s attitude and return this Saturday, Graham says this;
“…outstanding. A lot of people would probably tell you that was a pretty harsh punishment and it probably was because it wasn’t just the two games. He had to do a lot of other stuff, community service, things like that. Anthony’s a great young man. He made a mistake. I’ve got tremendous belief in him. He’s a winner. …He’s a very selfless guy in that he’s going to play another position for us this year.” (emphasis mine).
I think that settles the Gonzalez as QB issue once and for all. As I have said previously Gonzalez will play QB only if there is a string of injuries or completely disastrous play from the other three QBs.
So, looking forward to Saturday’s game Graham has said that there could be a little bit of a “package” installed for backup Trey Anderson. We’ll see Anderson for sure against Iowa and I think that package will involve getting the most speed in the receiver corps as possible on the field at the same time. When this system is executed as planned it revolves around the short to intermediate quick passes (1, 2 and out with the ball!) and letting the receivers get as much yardage after the catch as possible. Anderson can do that.
It also looks like “freshman EJuan Price was elevated to the starter at “panther” linebacker. Graham said Price is just too good of a player not to play the maximum number of snaps available. In order to make that happen, senior Brandon Lindsey moved to defensive end and is the starter, and Aaron Donald moved from end to backup nose tackle.”
Obviously this is a “Big Test”, (gut check, where the rubber meets the road, separate the men from the boys, see what we are made of, men to move mountains – thanks Stew – etc.) for our team and we need to see things click, both offensively and defensively, as much possible. Even if we lose we just have to show progress. If not… it will be a long, long season.
Graham is just trying to put the best 11 players on the field to give them a chance to win.
Tino is going to make a great improvement in his performance this week because of???
It’s an away game? NO.
Because he is going to be up against much stronger opposing defense? NO.
Because he is going to learn how to become mobile while throwing accurate passes on the run? DEFINITLEY NOT!
Because he will all of a sudden learn how to manage the game and think faster on his feet? UNLIKELY.
Sorry Todd Graham, but your experiment to fit your “square PEG” QB into a round hole has come up with less than stellar results against very weak foes.
Surprise everybody with your brass balls decision to start Anderson right out of the gates come Saturday, hope for the best and keep Tino in reserve if Anderson is not ready to assume the role of starting QB after giving him the chance.
I’d much rather see Anderson on the field with a healthy Sunseri on the sideline to back him up if needed rather than NEEDING to put Trey in there because a big angry Iowa defensive end just blind sided Sunseri and knocked him into next week while he and his happy feet waste time in the backfield deciding who to throw an interception to.
That would not be the way to welcome Anderson into the role of our starting QB. Trey’s upside is huge, give him the opportunity to make your “High Octane” offense really work.
One, I thought Lindsey looked much better on the few times I specifically watched him as a down lineman. I remember at least one instance when he fought through two O-lineman to force a scramble (and eventually get the sack I think). Two, the more I see of Price the more I agree he needs to be on the field as much as possible. He looks to have the speed and skill so many of our LBs are lacking. He’s a bit undersized right now (especially to be put in a middle LB spot) but I’m all for sending him flying into the backfield as much as possible.
I do believe, however, that a player sitting on the sidelines for a series or two can really help in his maturation process. It is a good reminder that he cannot get complacent (obviously), but moreover, it rekindles that fire in your belly to compete and survive.
I remember vividly the benching of Palko (for Flacco) in the Nebraska game. That changed him for the better…
Maybe Tino getting pulled after a bad series would do him good. Let Trey get in there and shake it up. If we’re going to get rolled, you might as well see if the young kid can play.
This is not a lovefest with the backup QB, it is simply putting your team in the best position to succeed in this HO offense with a QB better suited to run it.
And what happened to Buddy Jackson returning kickoffs?
My theory is that Tino is great in the classroom and on the practice field but freezes at game time … resorting to always looking to the right side of the field and/or seeking out Shanahan 1st, whether he is primary or not.
There is lots of room for improvement at QB, and he is calling it out. If Tino won’t/ can’t learn the quick offense, he will be benched. There won’t be any questions why either, as TG has made it clear from the getgo what his weaknesses are. I’ve been telling people from the Buffalo game that I think Anderson will be slowly integrated into the offense and if Tino does not get it, Anderson will be our starter by Homecoming.
Graham is hoping to see the Tino that practices on game day, if he doesn’t show up at Iowa, I look for Trey to get the shot late in the game or possibly vs Notre Dame.
-Pinkston moved from DL to OL and just started his initial NFL game as a rookie
-Session moved from MLB to OLB and Blades went from OLB to MLB. Blades had 4 years in the NFL, and Session just signed a $30m contract as an OLB.
– Malecki went from DL to OL and now is on Steelers’ practice squad as an OL
– and speaking of Steelers’ practice squad, nobody was ever moved more than D Dickerson in an effort to find his best spot. Who would have thought that he would have ended as a TE when he 1st came to Pitt?
– Brandon Lindsay was originally an LB moved to DE (by Wanny) .. and now has repeated the process
– Williams (forgot his 1st name) was an LB in high school but immediately moved to DT at Pitt, and became BE co-defensive layer of the year a couple of years ago
And I can go on and on …. no doubt that there has been some experiements that had failed (these kids are 18-21 yr olds and their bodies are changing) … but this constant clamout that Wanny did everything wrong and Graham does everything right is both silly and premature
But seriously … two drives against an FCS opponent at a nearly empty home field does not exactly prepare for this coming Saturday.
By no means do I think Anderson would be the deciding difference but I would love to see his moxie on the road against a big time opponent.
How many times is Sunseri going to get sacked against Iowa, 15?? He is not suitable for this offense. He holds onto the ball WAY too long, is not even a threat on the read option, and has difficulty throwing deep.
If I am Iowa I would sell out to stop Ray Graham and beg Sunseri to beat them.
I was hoping that our defense could keep us in this game but they are a work in progress to say the least.
Throw in the fact that we may have the worst kicker in the FBS and every FG/Extra Point is a gut wrenching experience, well, I don’t like our chances.
I really, really hope that I am 100% wrong and everything “clicks” Saturday, but this may be a Ravens/Steelers type game from this past weekend.
This kid has “IT”. Some do, most don’t but just watch how he commands the tempo of the play, his fakes fake, his runs make yardage, his passes on the run have more zip and can be thrown are deeper and more accurate than Tino’s are when he is set up in the pocket, feet planted and letting it fly from a stable throwing position.
Lastly the kid “feels” the pressure and reacts to it in such a manner that he stays just out of reach, baits guys into committing to the move and then makes them pay for it by making a counter play on his own. It’s like he has a “spidey sense” bubble around him and he is as quick as a cat.
How did he NOT get offers out the ying yang from colleges all over the country is beyond me, but then again Dion Lewis came to Pitt under the radar too, didn’t he?
I’m I the only one who is seeing this stuff? Get him in the game, for goodness sake!
Someone who really needs to step up and make a play is Hendricks. I hardly notice he is on the field most of the time and when I do recognize him I see his #32 chasing after an opponents WR running with the ball.
TG has us all really wondering how many different players are going to see increased minutes as the season goes on. Ronald Jones and Davis need to be incorporated for big play potential and to help keep the huge target off of Ray Graham’s back.
I know it sounds simple but if you are Iowa can your defensive game plan be anything but stop Ray Graham at all cost after what you’ve seen the 1st 2 weeks??
Point being, who cares if he’s a freshmen, if we’re getting thumped and the offense isn’t moving??
What’s the worst he could do, keep getting the team thumped and the offense not moving???
Gotta try something if Tino isn’t working out.
I’m hoping and cheering for Tino, but, I certainly hope Graham isn’t afraid to pull the trigger.
If Tino tosses it 10 yards past wide open receivers then we are in for a long day.
The SEC has no “immediate plans” to add a 14th team, he said. Slive said the conference isn’t “thinking in terms of numbers” and that the league only considers the strength of the SEC and the “attractiveness of Texas A&M as an institution.”
SEC presidents voted to accept Texas A&M last week, but the invitation was contingent on Texas A&M being free of legal issues regarding its departure from the Big 12. Several Big 12 schools, including Baylor, have said they have not waived their right to consider litigation.
Slive was once again adamant Monday that Texas A&M approached the SEC about membership and that the league was not trying to poach schools from other conferences. But his statement is more proof that conference realignment is closer to reality.
“In the 78 year history of the SEC, the conference had accepted the membership applications of only two institutions – Arkansas and South Carolina,” Slive said. “Texas A&M is now the third … As I said over the past year or so, the SEC has had no particular interest in expansion. We were, and are, happy with 12 teams.
——————–
The above is from yesterday’s remarks from SEC Commish Slive. Once again, we can talk about expansion scenarios until the cows come home (we are playing at Iowa), but nobody is sure just what is going to happen or IF anything will happen. If TAMU goes to the SEC, it is a big possibility that BYU goes to the B12 and it’s all over … but who knows/
Houston would be a sister to TCU and is in the other big Texas TV market.
we could do a lot worse
Just heard an update on The Fan which states that Oklahoma and Ok St are considering the PAC 12 (14) .. and Texas is talking to the ACC
HTscriptP
I gotta believe that Sunseri will get the hook if the offense is not moving the ball and scoring in the 1rst half. TG has to know this high octane offense is producing in the 87 unleaded octane rating after watching the game films ad nauseum.
And it all revolves around the QB. That simple.
Add in the fact, that as Reed pointed out, what like 25 plays weren’t even run as planned. This should be a no brainer.
isn’t there! haha
You are not certainly the only one. On Reed’s blog yesterday the QB Quandry, the vast majority of the bloggers (90%), agree with you and me and FrankCan and Dan and Dan72 and TonyinHouston and TXPanther and I can’t remember all of them. But all agreed that we’ve seen enough of the current QB.
He isn’t all of a sudden going to be transformed into an accurate passer or get quicker to avoid the rush or faster to run the triple option the way it’s supposed to work or suddenly get new found decision making abilities. Unless they put someone else in his uni. haha
What changed his mind, were the 2 picks Tino threw in the 3rd quarter and on the last series Pitt had the ball in the 3rd quarter. Meaning he gave Tino the hook, rather than just making a substitution to get Trey some playing time.
Also the issue that over 25 plays were not run at all, as Tino freelanced or whatever, has to weigh on that decision as well. This is a system type offense and as I’ve blogged several times, this is a ‘timing’ offense. The ball HAS to be thrown immediately to the WR or the play ‘blows up’. Tino’s limited abilities are even more exposed in this ‘timing’ offense and even more so in the triple option read aspect of this offense.
And your right about Wannstache, he is much more steeped in coaching fraternity loyalty and coaching cronyism, so he’d be much more likely to stick with Tino indefinitely.
Your news is a day old and a day in this business means a lot. Oklahoma is getting out of the Big 12. Texas did not convince them to stay. I hope the attitude you have is not the prevalent one in the Big East where “wait and see” has almost always meant do nothing. The conference picture is changing and Baylor’s embarrassing attempt to slow it down and the Big East’s recalcitrance to do anything proactive won’t stop it.
Again I have no problem transitioning to a 3-4 once you recruit the right players but in the interim play your best which translates to 4-3. TG has to demonstrate he is a game day coach by applying the right formations, not a systems guy forcing the players on hand to play a system they are not suited for. TG coach the defense don’t pigeon hole it to your system.
Hard to make out, what is what with this conference crap. One insider(apparent) blog seems to contradict another supposed insider blog.
I have no idea of what to think about FSU since I was led to believe the SEC had a gentlemen’s agreement not to have 2 schools from the same state. (ie. Clemson & SC, UF & FSU, etc.)
However when you think about it, they ALREADY have two schools in the same state in several instances. ( Auburn & Ala., Miss St & Ole Miss,
Tenn & Vandy). So that’s go to be a lot of hogwash.
According to Orangebloods, the big weekend meeting between the bigshots of TExas & OU did not go over so well. OU is not happy that the conference appears to be so unstable. However they might be playing Texas for concessions or might be trying to get something more from ESPN or Fox Sports.
Who the frick knows.
Any word whether Calhoun was drunk or sober when he made those comments? haha
I wasn’t angry. I was just stating a fact. I really don’t care and since I have no control over any of it I don’t read all the rumors.
I follow PITT football for the program and the play on the field. Whether or not that is in the BE or somewhere else all means the same to me.
You all may remember that while Tulsa’s offense was very highly rated, their defense was very lowly rated. And it could well be that the learning curve for defensive incompetence is steeper than for offensive competence. We all knew that the offense would be a work-in-progress but apparently the defnse are quick learners. Thus, if we play a team like Maine next year, we will win 59 to 32. We just have to get used to it.
I am kind of concerned that our best defensive player (and pre-season All-American in one poll) has been moved to DE after all the hype of how he is perfect for the ‘Panther’ LB (named for Hugh Green??)