The WR award issue and decision are over and in the past. For at least a few weeks, hopefully, we can concentrate on discussing rising JR WR Tyler Boyd’s skills, career production and his worth to the team in the coming season in advance of the real life football things that start happening in the fall camp.
We all agree that Boyd’s true freshman year was an excellent outing for him and contributed greatly to Pitt’s seven wins He made his name nationally known by his strong production and his acrobatic and sometimes just plain amazing catches. In the table below are the results of his first year when he was a true freshman in ’13 along with his second season in ’14.
| SEASON | QB | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | ATT | YDS | AVG | YPG | TD |
| 2014 | Savage | 78 | 1261 | 16.2 | 53 | 12 | 63 | 5.3 | 97.0 | 8 |
| 2013 | Voytik | 85 | 1174 | 13.8 | 69 | 11 | 108 | 9.8 | 90.3 | 7 |
In ’14 his scoring as a receiver was rather small potatoes at eight TDs when compared to our running game’s 35 TDs. Of course it is expected that a team’s rushing will produce more TDs but when we take into account Boyd’s skills and catching ability we expected to see much more contribution in that area.
Those eight receiving scores put him in the 38th spot nationally in TDs and was 32nd in receptions per game. Both sort of surprising given the talent and his yardage production.
The receiving yardage stats he racked up 2014, with rising JR Chad Voytik as his QB, was impressive as he was 11th nationally in total receiving yards (1261), and 17th in yards per game (90.7). Those rankings and yardage totals are much more in line with the Tyler Boyd we know.
You have to think James Conner has a lot to thank Boyd for in Boyd’s getting the ball downfield and close to the goal line via his catch and runs so that Conner could get most of his 26 TDs from deep inside the opponent’s the red zone.
Now, going into the 2015 season it will be interesting to see how much better Boyd can do in his overall receiving yardage because it was pretty high last season. It would be good for him to get three or four more receptions per game which would get him into the end zone more often. We did not have a quick strike scoring ability last year and when you have a WR with Boyd’s unique talents that’s unsatisfactory. Chaney has to address that issue quickly.
Too many times we saw Boyd wide open and streaking downfield after having beaten his defender(s) and then have to come back under Voytik’s deep pass attempts. The lost yardage and scores there would have certainly helped us win more games.
Here is the rundown on Boyd’s TD catches last season. Note that included in the table are Boyd’s yards after the catch (yac) because that is a direct reflection on what was mentioned above about Voytik’s deep passing problem.
| Opponent | # of TDs | TD yardage length | Yards After Catch (YAC) |
| Delaware | 1 | 12 | |
| BC | 2 | 15 and 5 | |
| FIU | 1 | 18 | |
| VT | 1 | 53 | 40 yds yac |
| NC | 1 | 50 | 40 yds yac |
| SYR | 1 | 49 | 49 yds yac |
| MIA | 1 | 12 |
So you can see that on his three longest receiving TDs the passes were actually 13, 10 and zero yards from the QB to the receiver’s hands so that ‘total’ TD yardage length is very misleading.
Fact: we were 6-1 in games when Boyd caught TDs and 0-6 when he didn’t. That is pretty telling stat. Obviously we need to get him in the end zone more often and that’s really up to Voytik. I can’t remember one TD catch were the ball was thrown deep and Boyd ran under it for a TD. He did catch some deeper passes where he was tackled after nice gains and those always help score points too.
Staying on the subject of the absence of deep passes for TDs aside from the eight TDs Boyd had as a receiver Voytik three eight more TDs to other receivers. Here is a quick look at those.
| Opponent | # TD Passes not to Boyd | TD Yardage | Receiver |
| Akron | 1 | 8 yards | Garner |
| VA | 2 | 17 and 6 | Garner and Holtz |
| Duke | 2 | 11 and 3 | Holtz (2) |
| SYR | 2 | 11 | Ford |
| Houston | 1 | 16 | Holtz |
We talk a lot about Chad Voytik’s plusses and minuses as a QB for Pitt and opinions on his work vary in large degrees among us fans. However looking at this information along with the yards after catch on the other TDs above there is really no doubt that Voytik, and in turn Pitt, was severely lacking in the deep ball capability. When you have a QB who is limited to short and intermediate passes then you have no quick strike capabilities from your main ball handler.
That is a real and pressing problem for us. You can argue that we scored more points per game last season than in a long time and that would be true. But we also lost five games by five or less points. Five games where a late TD could have won the game.
In our 24-20 loss to Iowa we had 6:56 left in the game and Voytik went 1-5 for 12 yards, the last three incompletions from inside the Iowa 29 yard line where we turned the ball over on downs with 1:57 left.
Against Virginia we had no passes longer than 17 yards in the 2nd half in a 24-19 loss. In the NC game our longest pass in the 2nd half was 20 yards and we lost in the last minute on a fumble.
But the killer may have been the Bowl game against the University of Houston. We all know the general info; out to a big lead going into the second half only to blow the lead and lose by one (!) point. However it is sadder making when you look at our 2nd half offensive details. We weren’t only trying to run out the clock by keeping the ball on the ground with that 2nd half lead, we wanted to score TDs also.
At 10:23 in the 4th quarter we did run the ball from our 29 down to the Houston 11 where Voytik threw two incomplete passes. We had to settle of the FG instead of the TD. That’s OK, things like that happen. But on our last possession trying to win we started at our own 27 and Voytik hit Boyd with an eight yard pass… then… nothing. Voytik ended the game with seven straight incompletions.
In that whole 4th quarter we went 2-11 for 15 yards passing. That is exactly where we needed deep passes to get downfield in one or two plays. We didn’t have many 4th quarter possessions, our bumbling kickoff return team made sure of that, but we had to be able to capitalize on the chances we did have. Short length passes that travel minimal yards between the QB and the receiver just aren’t enough if you want to win close games like that where you have to come from behind and quickly.
In watching Boyd’s highlight videos from last year you have to think that Voytik’s stats would have been much different if he didn’t have Boyd making those hard to make circus–like catches on some poorly thrown passes. Hopefully, after a full year of working as a starter and throwing to Boyd our QB will be more timely and accurate with his throws, especially on the deep routes where Boyd was getting nice separation from his coverage. If we can develop the ability to really used Boyd’s talents at the 100% level, not just catch and run for scores, but being able to take advantage of him being open deep, it would make a real difference in the outcome of our games.
Personally I hope we get a good complementary #2 WR who can take some of the double teams off Boyd and allow those wide open deep routes more often. If we are to believe what we read about Voytik’s arm getting stronger and his passes being more accurate, and I’m hoping it’s true, then we’ll have fun watching the #16 to #23 fireworks shoot off this year.
We win the BE outright on 09 if we are able to stop Cincy from scoring a TD in the final minute 1:40. We win the BE outright in 010 if we stop a 4th and long 1 on UConn’s own 20 yard line with a few minutes left.
In 2011, our defense all of sudden made Iowa look like Baylor in the 4th quarter.
In 2012, the defense was pathetic vs YSU giving up 5 long, time-consuming drives.
On many attempts, our defense couldn’t stop on 3rd downs vs Duke and UNC in the 2nd half last year. … and do we have talk about Houston?
These are off the top of my head; I sure there are many more instances.
I stand corrected on your research…well done.
Both seemed to succumb to fourth quarter pressure.
As far as Voytik vs Peterman, we know what we have in Voytik, and we can expect him to get somewhat better. Peterman is pretty much an unknown quantity until he gets to camp. I like the idea of a real competition for the job and let the best man win. What I like best is that we now have reasonably good depth at the position, either way. (unless Peterman is a bust)
The improvement on the defensive side still depends on the D-ends and linebackers. Let’s hope they are substantially better than last year. The fact that we have Jarrett, Render, Mosely-Smith, Moody, and Taleni in the middle of the line should make it easier on the linebackers.
No favoritism for sure, I totally agree.
That said, Voytik has proven he can be a pretty good QB. # 1 in QB rating among ALL ACC QB’s in ACC games.
And #1 and #2 in Yards Per Attempt and Yards Per Completion !
I ask you……what has Peterman proven ???
PASS EFFICIENCY Cl G Comp-Att-Int Pct. Yards TD Long Effic.
1. Chad Voytik-UP SO 8 100 – 159 – 4 62.9 1368 11 53 153.0
2. Jameis Winston-FS SO 7 173 – 270 – 10 64.1 2226 14 68 143.0
3. Marquise Williams-NC JR 8 168 – 267 – 5 62.9 2016 14 75 139.9
4. Brad Kaaya-UM FR 8 129 – 233 – 6 55.4 1798 13 61 133.4
5. Will Gardner-UL SO 6 98 – 171 – 3 57.3 1241 8 73 130.2
6. Tyler Murphy-BC SR 8 75 – 138 – 6 54.3 1000 9 55 128.0
7. Jacoby Brissett-ST JR 8 123 – 225 – 4 54.7 1339 12 54 118.7
8. Michael Brewer-VT JR 8 158 – 263 – 7 60.1 1672 8 50 118.2
9. Greyson Lambert-VA SO 7 104 – 188 – 8 55.3 1230 9 54 117.6
10. Anthony Boone-DU SR 8 157 – 289 – 6 54.3 1631 10 54 109.0
What don’t people get. I want this thoroughly explained to me .
AND WAS THIS NOT THE #1 Nfl OVERALL PICK IN THE DRAFT ????
So we can end this nonsense….before it begins.
PASS YDS/COMP. Cl G Comp-Att-Int Pct. Yards TD Long Avg/C
1. Brad Kaaya-UM FR 8 129 – 233 – 6 55.4 1798 13 61 13.9
2. Chad Voytik-UP SO 8 100 – 159 – 4 62.9 1368 11 53 13.7
3. Tyler Murphy-BC SR 8 75 – 138 – 6 54.3 1000 9 55 13.3
4. Jameis Winston-FS SO 7 173 – 270 – 10 64.1 2226 14 68 12.9
5. Will Gardner-UL SO 6 98 – 171 – 3 57.3 1241 8 73 12.7
6. Marquise Williams-NC JR 8 168 – 267 – 5 62.9 2016 14 75 12.0
7. Greyson Lambert-VA SO 7 104 – 188 – 8 55.3 1230 9 54 11.8
8. Jacoby Brissett-ST JR 8 123 – 225 – 4 54.7 1339 12 54 10.9
9. Michael Brewer-VT JR 8 158 – 263 – 7 60.1 1672 8 50 10.6
10. AJ Long-SU FR 6 89 – 165 – 8 53.9 935 4 46 10.5
PASS YDS/ATT Cl G Comp-Att-Int Pct. Yards TD Long Avg/A
1. Chad Voytik-UP SO 8 100 – 159 – 4 62.9 1368 11 53 8.6
2. Jameis Winston-FS SO 7 173 – 270 – 10 64.1 2226 14 68 8.2
3. Brad Kaaya-UM FR 8 129 – 233 – 6 55.4 1798 13 61 7.7
4. Marquise Williams-NC JR 8 168 – 267 – 5 62.9 2016 14 75 7.6
5. Will Gardner-UL SO 6 98 – 171 – 3 57.3 1241 8 73 7.3
6. Tyler Murphy-BC SR 8 75 – 138 – 6 54.3 1000 9 55 7.2
7. Greyson Lambert-VA SO 7 104 – 188 – 8 55.3 1230 9 54 6.5
8. Michael Brewer-VT JR 8 158 – 263 – 7 60.1 1672 8 50 6.4
9. Jacoby Brissett-ST JR 8 123 – 225 – 4 54.7 1339 12 54 6.0
10. Cole Stoudt-CU SR 8 107 – 175 – 7 61.1 998 4 68 5.7
And FSU has just as good as WR’s as Pitt does. In fact they have a better contingent of WR’s than Pitt does.
Wouldn’t you say ???
For Marino didn’t even have comparable stats to Voytik in his first year starting and even his soph year.
Voytik threw the least number of interceptions in ACC games among ALL ACC QB’S.
Only 4
Winston (fsu) 10
Long (cuse) 8
Lambert(uva) 8
Wofford (wake) 7
Brewer (VT) 7
Stoudt(clem) 7
Kaaya(UM) 6
Murphy(BC) 6
Boone(duke) 6
Williams(unc) 5
Wouldn’t you say ?
Adam Bertke —- Big #33 in the highlights I just found on Google lol — Not Afraid to Mix-it-Up Down Low!!!
I can see Bertke earning respect bumping-down-low in pick-up games against Rori Blair and Darryl Render! lol
Bertke spots-up on some 3’s and deep 2’s too!! Jaime get him into practice!! haha
“The Incumbent” just tries to mack on Girls wearing a sweater-vest, with the collar of his undershirt ‘popped’ — please be honest ‘Commander’ Reed — I read once I’m sure of it that you saw him once on the town or some-sort — Full-On “Southern-Boy Chic”, amirite? Enough Hair-Gel that any-open flame could ignite it, amirite? (Rhetorical, yes lol)
Adam Bertke probably has Coal-Dust and Rust on him when he goes out on the town — just seems like a hard-nosed, blue-collar kid. Rust-Belt Style.
Mr. Emel I am sorry to insult a fellow “Southern Gent” haha
A few points…
First I don’t think stats means a whole lot to a coaching staff when 1) that staff is completely brand new, 2) they bring bring in their own QB as soon as possible and 3) They have a full fall training camp, plus the earlier summer unofficial player’s practices, to see how each QB handles playing in the NEW SYSTEM… which is the old system for Peterman.
You seem to think that it is completely impossible for a change at QB when in reality it is just unlikely.
Regarding Voytik’s “weak arm” – I have never said that. He has good velocity on those short-intermediate passes that are his bread and butter. What I said was that he didn’t have the arm for a deep passing game which is strength and accuracy. His attempts at throwing the deep patterns proves that out. Either they are off target or Boyd makes those amazing catches. I can’t find one instance where Voytik hit any receiver in stride with a deep pass.
If you read the article above you’d see exactly why his YPC average (12.7) was good – his receivers gave him major yardage after they caught the ball. Pretty much the same thing that boosted Sunseri’s ypc average up to 12.8 per completion. But both those QBs had good short (0-15 yds) and intermediate (15-30 yds) and were not nearly as accurate on the deep balls (30+ yards).
But I will say this – both of those QBs had (have) a hard time hitting receivers in stride. Almost every good gain pass that Voytik threw to Boyd Boyd had to hitch or even stop his route to get the ball and his superior speed and agility got that yac. I think Voytik really has to work on that.
For some reason PITT fans see Voytik, or think Voytik should be only a scrambling QB who can throw well on the run. That is a strong point but there is also nothing wrong staying in the pocket and throw better passes for better gains. Not all the time but he should be good at both.
You’re doing very well at finding and posting stats on your own…
Comment by Emel 07.21.15 @ 7:54 am
Voytik is 5’11” (at most, believe me I’ve stood next to him and I’m 6’1″). He is a dwarf behind the 6’5″ O-line. He is a scrambler and a game manager, very similar to Russell Wilson’s style. This is not to say that he has Russell Wilson potential. I think his max potential is a little bit better than what he showed the last 6 games of the 2014 season.
Peterman offers a different skillset as a taller pocket passer. He probably has better vision of the field in front of him and he is a disciple of Chaney’s offense.
Comparing the two is basically like comparing apples and oranges. Wilson vs Tom Brady. They are two different types of quarterbacks. I think people are quick to suggest a quarterback controversy b/c of what they don’t yet know about Peterman. He looks like the prototypical NFL quarterback and was a 4 star out of HS. But Wilson and Brady are both successful and both use their abilities efficiently, and I think that’s the same case with Voytik/Peterman, generally speaking.
The other thing I think gives people a lower opinion of Voytik was our offensive game plan the first 6 games of the season. As we all know, we ran, ran, and ran the ball some more. I have a friend who is one of the equipment managers at Pitt and he told me Chryst & Co. would have run the ball every play if they could, that’s just their offensive philosophy. We saw that for most of the first 6 games of the 2014 season. Does this mean they felt less confident in Voytik’s ability to be a playmaker? I’m not sure, but what I am sure of is what he did the last 6 games when they opened up the offense a little bit more. If Voytik played that way with those play calls all season, he would probably be getting mentioned with some of the other top ACC QB’s, i.e Thomas (who reminds me of Voytik), Brissett, and Kaaya (Watson not so much; kid is in a league of his own).
Chaney’s offense does not seem to be as one dimensional and could give us a better idea of what Voytik is capable of. We’ll see what happens during fall camp. I’m just happy to have two good QB’s for once instead of Tino Sunseri.
I don’t think 1 or 2 inches gives you a better vision of the field when the O-line are all 6’3″ or taller.
The key is finding alley ways (gaps) to pass the ball thru. And for that, you need a mobile QB.
It will help if the Defense didn’t cave and wasn’t a sieve in the 2nd half.
I think Dan posted that Pitt avg’d 36.4 points per game the last 5 games of last year.
Yet we still lost 3 of them.
If you avg almost 40 ppg you should be able to do better than 2-3.
Liz Navratil ? @LizNavratil
Pitt’s Rori Blair charged with DUI after police said he drove 117 mph on the parkway, via @PittsburghPG —
Looks like he won’t be on the watch list for DL
Please note that as of last press reporting, Barnes hadn’t even had any formal talks with Dixon about the program.
The focus is squarely on football as it should be at this time. And if Pitt starts going discipline crazy and suspends players before the opener, a loss to Youngstown State is not impossible.
They say it could never happen but it did happen. And it could happen again.
Get with the mores of the ACC Pitt and play the game the way others do.
Don’t blame the majority of Pitt fans who won’t support a loser. Don’t call them bad fans.
Play to win by following the rules like your colleagues follow the rules.
Bottom line. Winning is everthing in the big business of college sports
I love this stuff and I soak-it-in, and watch-it-all —-
This from now, oh, 10 months ago or so when MSU played Ohio State Hard and lost 37-49 to eventual National Champion Ohio State (Fightin’ Urban Meyers lol let’s play ’em and get revenge for that Fiesta Bowl!)
You really think this man is not taking “A Daily Interest” into making Pitt’s ‘D’ Step-Up? lol
Zero excuses as D-Coordinator and ANTI-HOUSE accountability, Insightfulness, and will to Create Solutions in this Immediate Post-Game interview this past season after a Tough, Tough loss — and he even says his Offense Scored enough that they needed to win that Game!!! (For “Emel”, lol)
Lol Mr. Conklin is being “Groomed” here — Narduzzi fully expects him to become a “Disciple” and have the talent to earn himself his own new opportunity in the future —— and I’m not scared if ‘Head Ball Coach’ leaves because Mr. Patrick Gallagher “Fell Into Our Laps” and Scott Barnes is starting his tenure —-
The Pitt “Sleeping Giant” is being nudged as we speak by these ‘Powers at Be’ —
But Chancellor Gallagher / A.D. Scott Barnes / Narduzzi + Jim Chaney etc. can’t throw the footballs in between those lines —– although it might be fun to watch Jim Chaney suit-up and take some live snaps hahaha
Sam Werner ? @SWernerPG
#Pitt Redshirt Diaries- Pitt picked sixth in Coastal, plus my ballot link to bit.ly
This is picked from people not wearing blue and gold glasses. Like I said, there is no reason to pick anything but 6 and 6 until proven otherwise
Can they be better? But will they do better> remains to be seen
Comment by BigB 07.21.15 @ 11:23 am
Yep. Indefensible.
I could make an a couple hearsay arguments about the supposed ‘odor of marijuana emitting from his breath and about his person’, or the length of time that cannabinoids remain in your blood, suggesting previous use…
..but I won’t.
If I’m the judge, you’re behind bars… even if only 30 days.
This happened in March, so it wasn’t something that was subsequent to TB’s issues. Still dumb though. Not a team dismissal issue however IMO.
Yeah sounds like he’ll be done for the year or off the team…this sucks b/c I felt like he was the most sure thing we had on the line…I guess Soto definitely has to step up now
🙂 🙂 🙂 Haha you are the worst! lol
Comment by BostonsCommon 07.21.15 @ 12:36 pm:
“If he was going to kicked off the team, it would have happened at the time of the incident.”
They have been “Sitting” on this for awhile now, My Goodness!! How have those conversations been in the South Side Complex — about that fact that this story will undoubtedly come-out and become Public??
Honestly —- this is a story where no one besides Blair and his Confidants may know the “True Story” — over 110 MPH??? Was it in the middle of the night and Rori Blair just thought he had a True “Moment to Himself”, and he just wanted to “Drive Fast?” — etc. ? — clearly based on Narduzzi’s raves all Spring Practice he made Peace with whatever the situation was?
Cal plates on a Beemer – dang my college years Bug or Cutlass couldnt go 110 downhill with the wind at my back. 🙂
I’m no angel, was pretty wild in my 20’s. I got a DUI and I could have gave Cheech and Chong a run for their money when I was in my late teens, early twenties. These guys gotta realize what is at stake. Potentially millions of dollars, free college education, letting your team and coaches down.
Yes, these are Chryst recruits, but this is 2 arrests involving 2 key players under Narduzzi’s watch, before ever coaching a game…
No f’ n excuse. None! Jail time, rehab, 1 yr suspension from football is my solution. He’s in big trouble.
UPitt… On the hammy…single toughest injury to fix. Ice Pac then heat over and over. Lots of stretching but mostly rest.
but one of the rages on Twitter yesterday was the inclusion on Page 145 of ACC Media guide of …. F#ck this Sh!t (unedited)
110 in a 55 and high? Whew. That’s a tough one to sweep under the rug. An almost 21 year old blowing below under .08 and getting a DUI is one thing but Rori man – that’s some dangerous demons he’s playing with there. That could have ended badly for quite a few people.
A month suspension and up to 4 games missed should be the minimum. If not, Pitt’s playing the same game as the big boys then … and I won’t complain.
One happened in March and the other in May. I have confidence the staff has addressed the importance of responsibility to the team.
That is almost like me saying that Voytik didn’t even have the highest qb rating on his own team. Statistics, say Trey had a higher ranking, but we all know who was more effective.
Just sayin that stats lie. They make for interesting fodder, but that’s about it.
The only thing I know is that we sure need a good local group of commits.
Cause most of them have some sort of governor on them to limit the top end speed.
Maybe the State Trooper is a Nitter and was fudging.
Don’t know why, maybe produced under almost laboratory conditions.
Maybe it’s laced with something. Dunno
Mine were for the entire year because we seem to get judged on the entire season and not just the division we play in.
Stats let you craft your own story my friend. I look at W’s and L’s, mainly. Here’s a link to the stats for all qb’s in the ACC. Take what you want from it, but I don’t pick and choose a particular stat to make a point, other than W’s.
Personally, I could give two squats about any stats if we could play in the playoff.
We get to the ACC championship game by ACC games, right ?
And you get to the Orange Bowl by winning the ACC right ?
And the opposite is true also, you can craft your own story my friend.
Is that right my brother ?
6-6 with good stats is not impressive. That is like saying Tino was a great qb based on his stats. Not one person will tell you that Tino was the man. I want wins. Win me 8 or 9 games consistently and we can talk about how good he is. Keep winning six and I will say whooooopeeee!
I guess it depends on what you value. I value wins and you apparently value stats. Now your argument will be that he is only one player and that you cannot pin the losses on him. That’s a cop out. He touches the ball on every offensive play. He is the leader and it doesn’t matter if he is a freshman, sophomore, etc. If someone can perform better than CV according to the coaches, than I want that qb to play. Very simple. Best qb plays.
I don’t root for one over the other. I root for the one that gives us the best shot at winning. To say that is definitely Voytik, without the coaching staff seeing Peterman or Dinucci, or Bertke play yet (for the most part), is troubling.
I would say Voytik, with a spring under his belt plus countless one on one Chaney time, is ahead of Mr Peterman in knowledge of the offense.
Don’t forget Peterman was playing a totally different offense the last two years also….well, not playing, sitting on the bench.
Voytik also has a complete season under his belt and experience against most of the opposing defenses he will face this year.
I am not one to say how great Voytik was last year. He was average but that year of experience is priceless for a college player. Especially a QB. Well, unless you are Christian Hackenburg and you get a bonehead new coach.
Keep trying Dark Knight. Make sure you are at the Youngstown State game to watch your boy get his mop up time. LOL