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February 9, 2015

I’m not going to put much up this evening but want to direct your attention to some excellent pieces that Chris Dokish is posting up his on Blog Panther’s Prey.

He’s now looking at and writing about the Panther’s offensive positions going into the fall camp, not spring practices, because he includes some recruits in the 2015 class.  At the end of each piece he rates the TALENT and the DEPTH of the position.  His rating system is “Excellent”, “Very Good”, “Good”, “Average”, and “Poor”.  Which is kind of strange as “Average” falls below the mid-point, but it works with his reasoning.

He starts off three days ago with “A Look Ahead” at the current QB situation.  I agree with almost everything he has written about Voytik especially. Considering the other two QBs on the roster at this moment are unproven in a PITT uniform the spotlight is directed toward Voytik and that is as it should be with a returning starter.  He will most probably be given token competition in fall camp but let’s bet that he’s the starter and transfer SR Nathan Peterman from Tennessee will be his backup. Those fans hoping we’ll see a change at QB with either Peterman or Bertke should realize that if it happens at all it will be because of injury or if Voytik turns into an interception machine.

Dokish lists the QB talent as “Good” and the depth as “Very Good”.  I can’t agree completely as the we have no real tested QBs behind Voytik unless you consider a guy who settled as a third string QB  a “Very Good” player and Bertke is completely untested at this level.  I’ll say the depth is “Good”.  Maybe Dokish jumped it up one in comparison to what we had before Peterman got here. As for Voytik, I’d say that he was “Above Average” last season but Dokish skipped that designation so I’ll tend to agree that “Good” fits out of the five listed.

He follows that with a look at the Runnings Backs and lists the talent as “Excellent” and the depth as “Excellent”.  I’ll agree here, Conner is a TD machine, James is skilled as hell, Ibrahim is one of the most productive non-starting RBs in college and Ollison, who actually played as well as or even outplayed James in last year’s fall camp is now a rsFR.  I’m 99% sure Hall will redshirt because unless we get hit with major injuries he won’t be needed.  As Dokish mentions, when Conner goes pro after this season, and he most probably will, it will be nice to have Hall start carrying the ball for PITT as a rsFR.  His point about Jamar Parrish is spot on as we have written about on here also.  Parrish is perhaps as good a blocking FB as Hynoski was.

Dokish then looks at the Wide Receivers and lists the WR talent as “Average” and the depth as “Poor”.  I will disagree.  Any WR set that has Tyler Boyd in it is “Excellent” regardless of who is opposite him. I’d say that talent is excellent and the depth is average.  I like Dontez Ford because even though he only caught three passes in his first season of play with PITT he had a YPC average of 16.7 yards and is a kid who makes thing happen after he gets the ball.  I think he’ll be a big part of the passing offense this season as a rsJR.

After that he is up to today with the Tight Ends where he lists the TE talent as “Very Good” and the depth as “Very Good”.  I agree.

It appears that Dokish is going to continue looking at and writing about all the positions on the field and I hope he does because he’s always well researched and detailed.  It is a series to keep an eye on and one that might be fun to set aside and look at after the 2015 season ends to see how accurate it is.  Another thing about Chris Dokish… while I don’t agree with everything he writes he is a bulldog for information in the recruiting area, where he is maybe the best in the local area or tied with Chris Peak, and in his research into his articles.  His opinions are based on what he believes in after being informed.

I read his stuff often and find it informative and so I kind of scratch my head when some PITT fans disregard what he says across the board.

 





Dokish has just rated the TEs as very good. Loves Holtz but thought Ondoff didn’t have so good a year (3 catches) but thought it was probably due to not getting the opportunity.

I disagree with Reed on WRs. Yes, Boyd is excellent but right now there is only potential, and calling that position excellent is pure kool-aid IMO. It has the chance to be very good but that remains to be seen.

Comment by wbb 02.09.15 @ 6:11 pm

I that he listed the TEs as “Very Good”. You are right that after Boyd there is the unknown. Just as I played that card with the QBs you did with WRs so it makes sense.

I don’t worry too much about the other WRs because I think someone will rise up. We’ll see a lot of TE action and that we’ll keep seeing RBs catch out of the backfield – those are Voytik’s breadbasket passes. He’s not going deep so he gets throws ball closer in. Last year we had 33 receptions by the RBs, I think we’ll see more this year.

Comment by Reed 02.09.15 @ 6:26 pm

I’ve learned that you have to take a lot of the Dokish writing with a grain of salt. His writing always postures Pitt as what should be a very good team based off of prospects/recruiting, etc. However, Deadspin did a pretty great piece about how teams perform in regards to their recruiting, and Pitt is pretty 1:1 with on field results aligning with recruiting. Typically, as indicated by “Average” being below average on his scale, he is wearing very rose colored glasses. I still think he’s a pawn for someone in the Pitt department to spin positivity based off of little fact.

Comment by Roc the Panther 02.09.15 @ 6:53 pm

Reed … Your thoughts on what will happen with Artie Rowe and Alex officer… Will they both start on the offensive line? Or will one be the center and the other the back up?

Comment by BigB 02.09.15 @ 6:54 pm

I think we can all agree that the offense will be fine, but will the defense be able to make stops and plays to compliment the offense??

Comment by keith 02.09.15 @ 7:22 pm

I think the battle for playing time among the WR’s will be fierce. A little disappointed that the two W’s did not step up when they had a few chances, seem to be able to get open but were not able to get to, and grab the ball.

I think Tipton may be a real surprise, he has speed, hands and appears to have the intangibles. Also throws a pretty good pass.

Like Reed, I think someone will stand out this year. Really huge opportunity since everyone will be covering Boyd.

Comment by gc 02.09.15 @ 7:44 pm

Beat Youngstown State !

Then beat Akron !!

Comment by Emel 02.09.15 @ 7:55 pm

Guys on the left side of the O-line need to step this year on their run blocking. As we ran right 80% of the time last year. In 2015 the right side will be all new.

Will they move Dorian Johnson to the right side and move Bisnowaty to LG with Jones-Smith at LT ?

They would give you a kid on the right side who actually has game experience and started lots of game in the last 2 years. Rather than two (2) new kids on the right side.

Also if Artie is back at Center, can Officer play RT or RG ? Then we wouldn’t have any inexperienced starters on the right side. New positions yes, but at least they’ve played.

Comment by Emel 02.09.15 @ 8:01 pm

I rate the qb position as average+ to good- voytik needs to get confidence in throwing to other downfield recivers. Can’t be all Boyd. A receiver needs to step up this year but voytik missed some reads last year

Comment by Kvah 02.09.15 @ 8:03 pm

As far as the WR’s.

Boyd draws the double teams. This creates a big opportunity for someone like Henderson, Tipton or Gentry to come right in….and make an impact.

Ford, Weah & Challingsworth should all be better as well. The new WR coach, Kevin Sherman, has lots of experience which should be beneficial to all.

At Virginia Tech, Sherman mentored the school’s two most prolific pass catchers in Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale. The pair starred for the Hokies from 2008-11.

Working at Wake Forest under Jim Grobe, Sherman coached All-ACC performers John Stone and Fabian Davis. Both went on to play in the NFL. Additionally, Jason Anderson set Wake Forest’s career record by averaging 18.0 yards per reception from 2001-04.

Comment by Emel 02.09.15 @ 8:07 pm

Emel, as of right now, I would think Bisno and Jones-Smith are the tackles. The real question will be if Bookser or Grimm are good enough to take a starting job away from a guy with experience?

The other big question is will anybody match the production of Clemmings and Rotherham, who did most of the road grading.

Comment by gc 02.09.15 @ 8:11 pm

Yep gc….that was my gist, since we ran right so much, we really need the guys on the left who played last year…to step it up…this year.

I mentioned Jones-Smith at LT since they had done that quite a bit in the 2nd half of games.

Now who was removed from the game when they did that ? Bisno or Johnson ?

Comment by Emel 02.09.15 @ 8:27 pm

They took Johnson out and moved Bisno to guard.

Comment by gc 02.09.15 @ 8:37 pm

My guess is the they play Jones-Smith at LT and Bisno at RT, but not sure. The good news is they have a lot of big strong guys with some experience. But most are very young. Should be an interesting Spring Camp where they try to get it all figured out.

Comment by gc 02.09.15 @ 8:41 pm

Jones-Smith, Biz, Johnson, Rowell and Officer all have been starters. RS FR Bookser and Grimm are supposedly the most highly regarded recruits from the rest but there are a few others that may step up .. Reese, Baker, Hayes are 3 stars and Guy is 2 star … I would expect Roberts to transfer.

Dokish’s next segment will be OL, we’ll see his thoughts

Comment by wbb 02.09.15 @ 9:18 pm

BTW, Dokish said not to overlook Zeise as WR, he is allegedly pretty talented, He also mentioned that Jacquan Davidson (6’3) is a good athlete and thinks WR is his best position

Comment by wbb 02.09.15 @ 9:28 pm

If Officer was quick enough/athletic enough to play Center, he should be able to play RT perhaps. but certainly RG.

Love to see Dorian Johnson come into his own next season under the tutelage of John Peterson.

Interesting, both Narduzzi & Peterson were coaching at Miami(Ohio) for Big Ben’s final season, as Miami went 13-1 and finished ranked #10. An incredible accomplishment for a MAC school.

Nardog was the DC of that team and Peterson the O-line coach and run coordinator.

Hope their re-union brings the same kind of magic to Pitt.

Comment by Emel 02.09.15 @ 9:29 pm

The O line is the least of this team’s issues come September.

Comment by Dr. Tom 02.09.15 @ 10:31 pm

Does that mean we can’t discuss it ?

Actually we’ll find out in the spring, if it is a issue. As the best 2/5’s of it is gone.

If it’s alright with you Doc.

Comment by Emel 02.09.15 @ 11:01 pm

At QB, didn’t someone transfer to back to QB for depth I thought I read at onetime? Also, keep this in mind as we discuss offensive line. Johnson was a highly guarded recruit and is still sitting on the bench unless he has one hell of a spring camp. Stars help but don’t paint a broad picture that we all would love to see.

Comment by tedsptman 02.10.15 @ 3:08 am

@ ted – Johnson started every game this past season at LG, if my memory serves me well (sometimes not). While we do have talent and depth on the OL, Emel is right in saying our two best from 2014 will graduate and may both play in the NFL.

Cohesiveness is the most important aspect of the line. We do have five back for 2015 that have starting experience and two four star studs that are RS FR.

HCPN and line coach Petersen are blessed in this area and their only challenge will be finding a unit that works well together. IMO – I think they will do well with this, as they are both motivators and winners…

HTP!

Comment by Erie Express 02.10.15 @ 4:46 am

tedsptman…

There was talk about Jaquauan Davidson switching to QB, that was before the recruitment of incoming freshman, Ben Dinucci and the transfer of Nathan Peterman from Tennessee. Spring camp should give us a final answer on that item.

Comment by The TRUTH 02.10.15 @ 6:01 am

Id rather read and talk about the current affairs of Pitt basketball. Artis ACC player of the week. The emergence of Sheldon Jeter.

Comment by Justin 02.10.15 @ 7:35 am

The talk about Davidson switching to QB happened before an OC was even announced, so I wouldn’t put much stock in at the moment.

About a month ago, some of us here was getting impatient with the new HC assembling his staff, which I believe took 2 weeks in all. Well, Pgh native Jim Tomsula was named 49er HC over a month ago and finally announced his entire staff. Of course, there was no recruiting to do, so time was not of the essence.

BTW, 49ers new staff includes Geep Christ (OC) and Tim Lewis (DB)

Comment by wbb 02.10.15 @ 7:40 am

Yes Emel, you have my permission to discuss the OL. In that regard, I agree with your point in questioning where Officer plays when Rowell returns from injury for his final RS Senior season at Center. I think Officer gets a long look at RG with Gab Roberts returning as the back up on the two deep roster at Center. The wildcard in this discussion is if Chaney and Co. Determine that Alex Bookster is as advertised and competes immediately for a starting role on the line or not during the Spring.

In any case, there is plenty of supplies in the cupboard to simply “reload” this OL just like the elite programs routinely do across the board with their starters. That’s one thing that HCPC recruiting got right, getting great OL recruits.

Comment by Dr. Tom 02.10.15 @ 8:02 am

The eternal coaching dilemma – do you play the kid who has worked hard for years, been loyal, respectful, done everything you asked for, and plays pretty well, or do you play the more talented newcomer?

Is your loyalty to an individual as a reward for his effort, or to the whole team (and University and fans) for a better chance of winning?

A lot of coaches don’t get this right, and a lot of coaches get fired.

Comment by 66Goat 02.10.15 @ 8:49 am

I think that worrying about the new starters is what makes college football great. Unlike the NFL, in college you have a slew of prospects to compete in the two deep. With that, I believe that Chryst left us more talent than fans realize. Remember that we had such a young team and roster all those kids couldn’t get PT because Chryst was building experience for 2015 with the starters. We saw very little substitutions on either side of the ball.

When I watched the fall camp last season I was very impressed with the redshirted kids like Weah, Zeise and transfer Ford who I mentioned above. This is what happens in college ball and then you get incoming FR who can contribute. We don’t need a star WR opposite Boyd. What we need are good guys and a TE like Orndorff who can get into the defensive backfield as a receiver and take the double team off Boyd… and of course catch passes on their own. Maybe we get a solid starter at the #2 WR spot and maybe we rotate some kids in, teams do that also, but what is important is the production and effect by whoever is at that position on any given play rather than the name on the back of the jersey.

Comment by reed 02.10.15 @ 8:57 am

66goat, I was thinking about that exact thing when I was writing the article and at the WR2 position I believe Chryst did just that with Weatherspoon and Garner. But that was the only position he did that with I think. Maybe at LB a bit because Grigsby and Bradley are good players also.

One thing to look at is that we really didn’t pass much at all last year so the ‘other than Boyd’ receiving numbers look exceptionally low and there is a hidden reason for that. In the past five years we had this for passing attempts:

’14 – Voytik – 287
’13 – Savage – 389
’12 – Sunseri – 393
’11 – Sunseri – 385
’10 – Sunseri – 346

So you can see that last season Voytik threw over 100 passes LESS than did our QBs in the previous THREE years so we got used to our receivers catching more. I don’t know if that will change with the new OC, I kind of think it won’t too much, but that does make our receiving corps look less productive overall. With only 176 completions total, and Voytik having to throw shorter passes he spread out the throws to the RBs and TEs more than we had seen Savage and Sunseri so that cut into the passing game to the WR2 position a lot.

Another big point is that we are also comparing the 2014 WR2 position to the 2013 season where we had Devin Street, a seasoned SR receiver who had 51 catches so of course last year’s WR2 production looked pale in comparison.

Either way I think we have some good talent who will fill that WR2 role this year and be productive… but with Conner running the ball and Boyd as the star WR1 the WR2 position is going to be pretty much an after thought in some ways.

Comment by Reed 02.10.15 @ 9:23 am

Good data. But face it, we threw less because didn’t have to .. and we didn’t have to because we had the best OL since 09.

Theer were a few early games when we could have benefitted by more passing since weren’t running well .. 2nd half v IOwa, and Akron and UVa games.

But in the 2nd half of the year, I don’t rmember anyone here clamoring that we needed to paass more. And I wouldn’t mind more of the same this year

Comment by wbb 02.10.15 @ 9:47 am

Reed’s little chart is enlightening. It says a lot. For one thing, when you can run the ball with impunity, why pass? Voytik was also a better runner than the other two. Voytik struggled early in the season. My guess is his passing efficiency improved over the season if not the number of passes. Amazing that Boyd put up such good numbers with fewer balls being thrown and no real threat at the wr2 position.

We need the wr2 position to be more productive this year to open the field for Boyd and to insure that we have experienced receivers for the following year.

Voytik should be much better at finding secondary receivers this year. Hopefully we have a number of good ones.

Comment by gc 02.10.15 @ 10:45 am

Seattle’s last pass in the Super Bowl is the perfect example of what can happen when you change something the opponent can’t stop. Or Fazio running 10 successful runs in a row, then passing on the two yard line.

If they can’t stop Conner, hand the ball to Conner.

If they can stop him, then pass.

Comment by 66Goat 02.10.15 @ 12:08 pm

Yeah, I’m not suggesting it was Voytik’s fault that we passed less – the reason is pretty obvious when we had the 15th ranked rushing offense at 255 ypg. Of course, we have no real idea what Jim Chaney (who looks exactly like a fat version of my son-in-law) will do after he see’s the personnel in action in the spring then again in the fall.

We are all hoping he sticks with what had given us our best offensive output in five years, run heavy football, but he may not. Maybe he can get Voytik to be able to complete deep passes more consistently. Right now that is an aspect of our offense that needs help. If we can do that it could really open up the run game and the 2nd level for the TEs and slot receiver.

66goat – I think you are referring to the Maryland loss where on the last drive we ran behind Fralic down to the two then blew a pass, correct? I was actually at that game in College Park.

Comment by Reed 02.10.15 @ 12:50 pm

Old school — when a particular play is working, you run it until the other team stops you

Comment by wbb 02.10.15 @ 2:42 pm

Dokish OL summary is published and is rated Very Good. He mentioned all of the above and seems to think that Bookser has the potential to move right in.

On another fromt … The Fan indicated that the 14 person AD search committee will include Suzie Serio, Jimbo Covert and, get this, Artie Rowell. (This kid’s going places.)

Comment by wbb 02.10.15 @ 2:50 pm

Reed – that was the loss I was referring to. You saw it in person, I was listening on the radio.

Before that pass on the two yard line I screamed at the radio “Run it, run it for God’s sake”. Then I thought “How many more years will we have to put up with this?” Little did I know.

Comment by 66Goat 02.10.15 @ 3:19 pm

Can Artie be the first “playing” Athletic Director in the history of the sport of college football? Personally, I want him back at Center, way more than I want him cleaning out the drawers & dusting off Pederson’s desk for his own use.

Comment by Dr. Tom 02.10.15 @ 4:07 pm

Generally, the AD is at the top of the food chain in the department – or at least on an equal level with high powered FB and men’s BB coaches. At most (though not all) schools, I think all the department employees report to the AD. I’m sure Pitt isn’t the first to have a committee like this, but it seems odd to me when I see people on a committee to elect their boss. A player being on the committee seems ridiculous to me. I guess I’m old school in that regard. How do you decide if your future boss should be hired?

Comment by Jim 02.10.15 @ 4:43 pm

Regarding Rowell vs Bookster at center. Am I hallucinating, or didn’t Artie switch from another line position to center a few years back, out of desperation? If so, we could possibly have Bookster at center with Artie also on the line – if need be. At any rate, our coaches are in the enviable position of having plenty of talent from which to choose. Let’s hope they are able to put together the OL quickly so the guys get a lot of time to mesh.

Comment by Savannah Panther 02.10.15 @ 5:31 pm

Dr. Tom:
If Artie were to become the first playing AD, and sits at SP’s desk, isn’t it possible that he could dictate his PT next year? As well as who his line mates are?

Comment by Savannah Panther 02.10.15 @ 5:35 pm

Why the hell would you put Bookser at Center? We’ve got three guys with experience at the most mentally demanding position on the line. Sure they are all starting from zero with the new playbook, but concepts will transfer. I would not want a guy starting from zero making line calls.

Comment by Atlanta Panther 02.10.15 @ 5:40 pm

Atlanta Panther:

My bad! I meant Officer – I guess I was hallucinating! Thanks for the correction!

Comment by Savannah Panther 02.10.15 @ 5:50 pm

Jim – I think that SP alienated so many people that it bled down to affect the players also hence Gallagher’s choosing at least one to have input. I believe that this search is set up along these lines:

1. There is a large, maybe over 20 people, PITT committee chosen by the BoT, Chancellor and General Counsel who will take the pulse of many different factions associated with the University and get a bunch of possible names recommended to them.

2. Those names will then go to an outside paid professional Executive Search Committee (Headhunters) who will look at them and then also recommend other, mostly nationwide, candidates in addition to the list they received. The Headhunters then will do all the required legal and personal background checks and, supposedly, all of the other vetting necessary. (i.e. strong external influences who need stroking – important academic staff, Alumni, Boosters and big money donors mostly live with those chosen? This is done in secret with the administration guiding them)

3. They will then come up with a much smaller ‘recommend’ list to present to the ‘voting members’ of that PITT search committee. The reality is that the vast majority of the search committee will not have voting authority on who to recommend and send up to the Chancellor for his decision. It could be a small as 25% or so of the committee.

4. Gallagher will be presented with probably no more than three people to interview for this final selection. But the real decision is his alone. He may want other candidates he knows personally or professionally that the search committee overlooked to be included at any point in the process. The committee, headhunters and the voting bloc do the leg work, he pulls the trigger.

That was how it was done in my professional life when we had to fill an extremely important position. It may differ slightly with PITT but that will be the gist of it. Much like a pyramid with the Search Committee on the lowest rung and the Chancellor with the ultimate authority..

Comment by Reed 02.10.15 @ 5:51 pm

66goat – I think you are referring to the Maryland loss where on the last drive we ran behind Fralic down to the two then blew a pass, correct? I was actually at that game in College Park.

Comment by Reed 02.10.15 @ 12:50 pm

I was at that game as well. I believe we were sitting on the 20 yard line or so, at the end Pitt was driving to, at the end of the game. Ran the ball, right down their throat…until we coughed it up on a fumble. Joe McCall ?

Pitt was #16 at the time. Did recover to go to the Fiesta Bowl that year. Before the big slide the next year.

Comment by Emel 02.10.15 @ 6:41 pm

here is positive article about Voytik, trouble is that it’s even more positive about Justin Thomas

link to espn.go.com

Comment by wbb 02.10.15 @ 6:49 pm

That bears posting wbb. For the Voytik haters(hate using this word but what’s good for the goose….)

“Chad Voytik, Pittsburgh: Perhaps the most under-the-radar improvement of the second half last season was Voytik. Of all ACC quarterbacks with at least 75 second-half attempts, Voytik ranked second in passer efficiency (154.3), third in completion percentage (63.9), yards-per-attempt (14.0), completions of 10 yards or more (56.5 percent), and Adjusted QBR (79.6). He also added another 372 yards on non-sack rushes. “

Comment by Emel 02.10.15 @ 7:02 pm

Media is partly to blame….i don’t think they EVER said Voytik made a good play until about the 10th game of the season.

Maybe he should have went to DeMatha too ! 🙂

Comment by Emel 02.10.15 @ 7:03 pm

Top performances

^^….2 posts up. Headliner.

Comment by Emel 02.10.15 @ 7:14 pm

Artie Rowell is acting as a “student” representative which isn’t uncommon in higher education. There is a student government representative on the Board of Trustees most likely as well.

It makes sense in that a student athlete will ask questions about student welfare, academics, medical care, graduation rates, tutoring and the like. Gallagher covered his bases there. Also, Serio provides diversity to the panel. She will have a nice perspective. She is a winner and I am glad we finally got around to bringing her on board.

The AD sells the vision and strategic plan and gets out of the way. The AD should make sure the athletes get everything they can get for the athletes in terms of tutoring, facilities

Comment by dhuffdaddy 02.10.15 @ 9:46 pm

Thanks for the insight on the AD selection process, Reed. You helped make sense of it for me.

Comment by Jim 02.10.15 @ 10:33 pm

Two names I don’t see on the AD committee are Borghetti and LaScala … which tells me they may be possible candidates

Comment by wbb 02.11.15 @ 6:57 am

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