Well, at the risk of setting people off on rants and rages…
/eyeballs the bottle of bourbon sitting on the kitchen counter
/turns back to the computer
/back to the bourbon
/computer and deep sigh
Some Tino Sunseri stuff that has been in my browser tabs for a while.
Athlon ranks the Big East QBs. Sunseri came in 7th — thanks UConn.
Sunseri has been the source of frustration for Pittsburgh fans over the last two years. In his first season as a starter in 2010, Sunseri threw for 2,572 yards and 16 scores. He didn’t improve those numbers by much in 2011, throwing for 2,616 yards and 10 touchdowns. In fairness to Sunseri, Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles last year were largely due to the scheme not fitting the personnel. New coach Paul Chryst should do a better job of adapting his scheme to Sunseri and the offensive line can’t be any worse than it was in 2011. Expect Sunseri to play better in 2012, but for now, he checks in as the No. 7 quarterback in the Big East.
Of course we figured Sunseri’s numbers would improve noticeably in Fraud Graham’s offense and well…
The fact is, at this point it is Sunseri will be the starter heading into training camp. Everyone is doing what they can to try and put the best possible light on it.
Perhaps the quarterback for Pitt this season will be more of a game manager. Sunseri has been good at times throughout his career. Look back to the USF, UConn and Louisville games for recent examples. Give him time in the pocket, and he does not implode. I can guarantee the offensive line will be miles better this season.
The short passing game works for him, along with play action. Does he need to make 80-yard throws every game? Obviously a home run ball is nice every once in a while, but there have been quarterbacks without the greatest command of the deep ball that have fared just fine.
With the development of Isaac Bennett and Corey Davis, along with the return of Ray Graham and the arrival of Rushel Shell, Pitt has the perfect opportunity this season to just ground and pound, and let Sunseri throw it as a change of pace.
And when the best people can muster is, well if he’s limited to being a game manager, then things may not be so bad. It’s not a good sign. It’s the truth, and exactly why Reed made the case that a 70/30 run/pass offense was feasible this year.
Not sure how it happened but Sunseri did a Q&A with a guy from the Orlando Sentinel. Nothing revealing. No comments on Fraud Graham. Likes Coach Paul Chryst and his mellow approach. Loves QB Coach Brooks Bollinger. The firing of Wannstedt was more of a shock than the subsequent coaching changes — mainly because it was the first. As for 2011: it never happened.
On his 2011 season.
TS: Obviously, as a competitor, you want to win more games and you want to play better, I understand that and believe me coming off my first year, I expected larger amounts of success but sometimes you are dealt certain cards … you go through bumps in the road and the only thing I am taking away from last year is the experience. I’m really wiping my slate clean and not worrying about what happened last season, I’m taking the experience from last season and just carrying it over because that’s one thing I think you can’t forget about. That’s what Coach Chryst said to me, I need to be able to wipe the slate clean and just make sure I am focused on being the best leader and the best player that I can be this year.
You know, here’s the “it could have been worse” scenario. Sunseri initially committed to Louisville and Pitt got a commit from Zack Stoudt. The two eventually switched before signing day. Stoudt transferred out of Louisville after realizing Kragthorpe’s offense did not include room for a tall, relatively immobile QB.
Stoudt ended up at Ole Miss an actually started the season last year. That experiment ended by game 4. I get shudders at the thought of Stoudt trying to run Pitt’s offense last year.
That is the reason we have a QB who is labled nothing more than a game manager. He is not a game changer, Wanny never wanted a game changer at QB. He recruited a one year starter because he can throw the long ball and nothing else. His track record with QBs is mediocre at best and at times just horrid.
OK took a deep breath. It is what it is. We have to trust Chryst will do his best with Tino and limit his having to think on the fly and the attendant mental breakdowns which in turn stalls the O and tires out the D…
Thank you, Tino!!!
that are actually worse than Sunseri. How bad can the arms be on those guys. Pitt is going to see 8 man fronts all year with Tino at the helm.
It is also nice to see Tino once again show class and Christian charity when controversial questions are brought up (for the umpteenth time). This guy has had to endure more than his share of criticism from all of the arm chair all stars and yet, he did not leave (as Ron Cook suggested). Good for him and goods for Pitt.
Tino’s criticism is well deserved however and comes with the position. Again, he is not 100% culpable.
Also, not sure what you mean by ‘class’ and ‘charity.’ Tino does not equal Tebo.
Another year of mediocrity at the QB position. Buy your booze now it should be another fun year!
I guess that means that question should be “The Offfensive Line can’t be any worse, can it?”
Also, who is this MB girl or is that from another post?
“If he was my son, he would be gone. I would pull him out of there and transfer him.”
Perfect, a guy who quit on his players in mid-season in the NFL and then supposedly ‘resigned’ in 2010 and wouldn’t coach his players in their Bowl Game was giving a college player advice to quit on the team.
My main point is that all of the Tino haters push it all on him. Part of the blame goes on the coach and part of the offensive line. It is not all Tino, but many like to just blame him.
Actually, I don’t know why I keep coming back here. Half of the stuff is either Tino-Bashing or it is over-emphasizing alcohol. At a certain point in your life, alcohol becomes less important.
It is a shame, because I would like a site where there would be good discussion and not the need to bad mouth a player (any of them) that has accomplished much more athletically than their detractors. Maybe I will keep looking or start my own.
There is nothing wrong about alcohol in moderation and imbided in a responsible way. Moreover, a study came out yesterday offering proof that red wine can help you live longer.
So, while Chas may reach for the bottle of Bourbon, I’ll reach for the bottle of Merlot after another Tino sack or interception.
And, PLEASE Ghost, half the stuff IS NOT Tino bashing.
Lastly, while I will admit that Tino has accomplished more athletically than me, I have NEVER embarrassed my university or caused another Pitt alumnus to drink.
Start your own site and good riddance then. This banter is tame to what is out there on paid sites.
1. Tino bashing
2. Graham bashing
3. Wanny bashing
4. alcohol is great
Most frequent Pitt Blather postings (6 months ago):
1. Tino bashin
2. Graham is great
3. Wanny bashing
4. alcohol is great
Being the 7th best QB is the Big East is kinda like being the 7th best ballerina in Bozeman, MT. Talk about low standards!
Hell, last week they let one of you crazy posters tell of a favorite childhood memory of Pitt football in 1979, when Pitt was mopping the floor with Clemson, and Elliott Walker scampered for a touchdown run and held the ball out to the db as he went into the end zone!!!
Bastards!!!
On a lighter note, 2014 will most probably see Pitt entering the ACC and Mr Sunseri will then be a Pitt alumni.
Did you get to meet coach Chryst?
@silpannyc, 47? too young for anyone!
O’Brien says Pitt-PSU should be annual game.
Even though growing up in Boston, remembers
Pitt-Penn State showdowns in November very well.
Limited schedule space for both schools, but, at least he likes the idea of the game.
Funny, but when Stoudt was recruited out of the Columbus area, he was treated like a can’t miss.
Now, he is just going to sweat alot on the bench at Ole Miss. At least the girls are hot.
As for PSU, the best QB on their roster is the kid from McKees Rocks. Look for him when we finally play the white lions in 2099 or whenever it is.
On a more serious note – you will not find a blog discussing PITT football that has been kinder to Tino Sunseri than this one. The articles that Chas and I have written this spring discussing Sunseri and his play were well thought out, well researched and delivered in as neutral a manner as possible when you are discussing so emotional a topic.
Back on April 16th & 17th we put out back-to-back articles taking as fair a look at Tino Sunseri that I’ve seen in the last two years… anywhere.
Good luck finding that somewhere else.
Now, the comments to these articles may be listing to the negative from the posters on here and that is their right to do so, just as it is yours to counter those sentiments with opinions of your own
We would prefer that you stay here and keep contributing because we enjoy the banter from all angles that accompanies these articles. But I can tell you that I’m not going to change my writing style just because someone feels we talk too much about booze or Tino Sunseri on here – that is a minor issue and one not worthy of driving someone away IMO..
The most popular t-shirt this year for WVU is a picture of a sheep with the lettering SILF
Eight in the box with run blitzes will expose Tino and will lead to 5-6 sacks per game. The passing game needs to set up the running game except if you are alabama, lsu, etc. We are not elite linemen or runners and have no threats at receiver to actually hurt opponents for putting 8 in a box. PC has his work cut out for him and I expect him to do well.
As far as playing time, if the qb’s are close at the end of camp, in my opinion you need to go with someone other than tino. The new qb will need a couple of cupcakes to hone his skills and get comfortable before vtech.
Can we forget about this putz until at least August?
Let’s try at least. My head, my head !
