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August 17, 2015

With two solid weeks until the staff and team break out of camp and start their game week preparation for YSU it’s safe to say that we are seeing some certain things shaping up.

Of course a starting lineup hasn’t been announced yet but from the various local media reports and the Pitt Media Dept’s Pitt LiveWire website we are getting some idea of a few position battles that are getting a bit hotter as the camp progresses.

Jerry DiPaola of the Trib Review has a nice Pitt Locker Room blog article on this subject a couple of days ago and we referenced it a bit in the last article.  Here are some significant battles we should keep our eyes on.  Remember – this is how things look now on defense but with a new staff and a defensive minded HC things could change pretty drastically:

Defensive End: Right now it would be Shakir Soto and Ejuan Price as the starters; transfer Allen Edwards and Rori Blair in the two deep, along with newly minted DE James Folston rotating in. Narduzzi was waxing eloquently the other day about former LB Folston and the speed he’s now bringing to the DE position.  Folston is a rsFR who has a 4.6 40 time which is pretty good for a LB/DE but I think his jump off the snap quickness is his strength and what the defensive staff likes at that end position.

As much as I’d like to think Price will stay healthy and be a big contributor I just can’t. So for me the progress of Blair is paramount.  He gained some weight after last season and is listed going into camp as 6’4″ & 240 lbs but I wonder.  he still appears thin but who knows what kind of heart and desire he has.  Sometimes the intangibles mean a lot more than height, weight or 40 time.  Let’s hope he gets back from suspensions and works his way back into a DE starter.

Defensive Line: It looks like K. K. Mosley-Smith will be a fixture in the middle. The matching DL to Mosley-Smith has been incumbent Darryl Render. However, that is one spot where there has been some movement up and down between Render and Tyrique Jarrett. One line of thinking is to get pure bulk in there and put Jarrett in for a combined 640+ lbs of flesh up front.

I can see that as it would make the LBs able to pursue the ball more freely if those two linemen can occupy two or three OL at a time.  But we have been spoiled over the last few years watching Aaron Donald jet past the OL and make hits on the ball carriers for tackles for loss and the QBs for sacks.  I want some speed in the trenches and a kid who may be able to do that, depending on game circumstances, is Jeremiah Taleni.

He’s a bit lighter than the other guys at 6’ 2” / 295 lbs but watching him in the camps last year I was impressed by his quickness off the ball. I don’t see Taleni starting but as a rsSO he has a future on our DL and this year would be a good time to get him more experience under his belt.

Linebackers:   The assumption is that the three lbs will be Grigsby, Galambos and Bradley across the board.  I wonder if that’s what we’ll see though.  If there is any incumbent starter in the front seven who should be looking over his shoulder it may be Galambos.  The chatter has been about how well rsSO Quentin Wirginis’ camp has gone so far as both he and rsJR Mike Caprara are doing very well and legitimately pushing for starting spots.

Those two may not get those starting jobs; Wirginis at MLB and Caprara shooting for Bradley’s spot at OLB.  If I had to pick one kid to grab the brass ring at LB I’d pick Caprara because Narduzzi seems to be talking about him all the time.

Defensive Backs:  In the defensive backfield we have seven of 2014’s eight two-deep players returning losing only Ray Vinopal at Free Safety.  Returning starter Reggie Mitchell will most probably retain his now “Boundary”

At this point it looks like we’ll see Reggie Mitchell return with either Ryan Lewis behind him or an unknown player… although if we see a true FR start at safety whoever he replaces would take that back-up Free Safety spot.

Currently it looks like Patrick Amara or Jevonte’ Pitts picking up the open Strong Safety position. However as mentioned above, this year there is a different twist to the Safety issue with the arrival of Jordan Whitehead coming in as a highly rated recruit.

The D staff has put him at the Strong Safety position thus far in camp and if the reports are true about his abilities and play at this level so far we’ll see him get major playing time this season.  The real question with Whitehead is whether he’ll begin the season as a starter or get acclimated on the two-deep and play in certain situations.  I look at his size and wonder why he isn’t at Free Safety but I suppose his run support must be pretty good to start out on the TE’s side of the field.

The starters at Cornerback at the end of the ’14 season were Lafayette Pitts, Avonte’ Maddox with Ryan Lewis backing them up.  If needed Reggie Mitchell would have slid over from his starting Safety position to help the depth at CB.

That’s how I see some things on the defensive side of the ball coming together in this early part of camp. Again, I think if we see any surprise changes it will be on defense and I’d point to the LBs as to where they might take place.

What are some questions you want answered or suggestions you would make had you the HC’s ear?

Here is the after-scrimmage report from Pitt Livewire on the first bit of real competition the team has had.  FYI – here you can see #44 Steinbeck in action and the two deep passes by Voytik and Peterman. Enjoy!

… and here is the Media & Teleprompter video mentioned in the comments earlier.

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 14: The Pitt football team practices at the UPMC Sports Complex on August 14, 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA.

PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 14: The Pitt football team practices at the UPMC Sports Complex on August 14, 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA.





I don’t tell anyone how to cheer.

Just don’t be an asshole, and don’t stand in front of me or my family.

I pay for my seats too.

Comment by Dan 08.19.15 @ 1:04 pm

And again, I’m not talking about standing as a big play is going on, jumping up in your seat to cheer a good play or bad play or a ref’s call.

I’m strictly talking about standing in front of me the entire game.

Two totally different things.

Comment by Dan 08.19.15 @ 1:13 pm

The older I get the more I sit at games and nothing pisses me off more than a bunch of people just standing to be standing when not much is happening on the field..just blocking my view, BSing each other or talking on their personnel communicating devices..and I will let them know “SIT DOWN!!”..maybe i am an ole cranky bastad or possibly I played the game and grew up in a time when we instinctively knew when to stand and when to sit..Pitt fans for most part are very knowledgeble about the game and watch the game from a different perspective than a SEC fan ..did you ever watch a NHL game with a real Canadian..they watch it as a fan of the game..naturally rooting for their team but with a real appreciation for the love of their national sport..anyway hope you get my drift..Emel..miss you and your contribution..don’t be gone too long.

Comment by BigB 08.19.15 @ 1:24 pm

But again … are we making a mountain from a molehill? Is this a common occurrence, or just an isolated incident?

Comment by wbb 08.19.15 @ 1:29 pm

@wbb, I don’t think it’s an issue at all.

In all my years I’ve only had people at sporting events stand a couple of times, and a quick
“we’re trying to watch the game” handled it.

I think the topic was started way above by someone suggesting we stand at the games???

You are correct, non-issue.

Allthough, the A.H. fan is still everywhere, not so much an issue either at Pitt games.

However, it is the reason I haven’t been to a Steeler game in over 10 years.

Maybe I’m transferring that behavior in my mind to this subject. LOL

Comment by Dan 08.19.15 @ 1:34 pm

@BigB, where’d Emel go, I must have missed it.

Hope you’re not ill Emel.

Comment by Dan 08.19.15 @ 1:36 pm

PG Tweet:

The ACC just announced the 2015-16 ACC Tip-Off, which is set for Dec. 30 on ESPN2. Clemson at UNC is at 7, with Syracuse at Pitt to follow.
————————————

Hopefully we are not playing in the AshleyMadison.com Bowl that night

Comment by wbb 08.19.15 @ 2:12 pm

actually, we could be in the Belk Bowl that afternoon @ 3:30, or the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl that evening

Comment by wbb 08.19.15 @ 2:23 pm

Comment by wbb 08.19.15 @ 2:43 pm

Jared, a Pedo State fan?? Well, that figures.

Comment by Dan 08.19.15 @ 3:18 pm

Dan, it just seems so appropos

Comment by wbb 08.19.15 @ 3:22 pm

Maybe this will draw Emel out retirement …

Seth Greenberg ?@SethOnHoops 5h5 hours ago
Don’t sleep on Pitt. Young and Artis are tough physical old school front court bangers. “Pitt Guys”

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 08.19.15 @ 3:40 pm

LOL! Yes

Comment by Dan 08.19.15 @ 3:41 pm

Too funny about Jared…lol. As for Young & Artis, that only applies if Jamie plays them at their right positions and doesn’t micro-manage them.

Comment by Jackagain 08.19.15 @ 3:52 pm

Jackagain – he won’t change the way he coaches. Don’t expect that … but those two will 100% be playing the 3 & 4 this year. So yes, they will be in the right positions. They added 3 centers this offseason. Two with successful D1 careers, albeit in the lower ranks. But still proven.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 08.19.15 @ 3:57 pm

For Dark Knight…

link to pittsburghpanthers.com

Comment by Mailman 08.19.15 @ 4:07 pm

I hope you’re right TT. It’ll interesting to see how Young plays at the 4 especially. This is going to be a very interesting sports season for Pitt.

Comment by Jackagain 08.19.15 @ 4:10 pm

Was listing to the Fan today and they had Scott McKillop on. I was surprised to see he married a hoopie grad… lol.

Comment by Jackagain 08.19.15 @ 4:14 pm

Can’t fault the girl for wanting to escape the depraved couchburning, cousin-courting hoopieland.

Comment by dinosaur 71 08.19.15 @ 4:55 pm

I guess the recruiting scene is quite now. Any nibbles out there?

Comment by Frank MD 08.19.15 @ 4:57 pm

Zach Gilbert to announce circa 9/11; Damar amlin to announce circa 10/19

Exree Roe to decommit circa 12/8

Comment by wbb 08.19.15 @ 5:12 pm

Reed, to answer your previous question, if I stand for more than 20 minutes over the course of the game, then that’s a lot. I get excited during key drives or in anticipation of a big Pitt defensive play. I’ll stand up in anticipation of a big third down play for instance, screaming to help drown out the snap call from the opposition’s QB. That’s usually when I hear the complaints. I’m thinking to myself, “get on your feet if you want to see, stand the hell up this is a huge play”?

Maybe I’m just old school, but if you’re a true fan, if not then, when exactly is the correct time to get out of your seat and root the Panthers on?

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.19.15 @ 5:56 pm

Dr. tom – Keep preachin’ brother.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 08.19.15 @ 5:58 pm

Wbb,

Browns and Cowboys?! What the fuck is the matter with you?!

Htp

Comment by Pitt it Is 08.19.15 @ 6:20 pm

I live in Cleveland area and am stuck with it … that’s what the f*ck is the matter with me

Comment by wbb 08.19.15 @ 6:57 pm

Yes there is a time and place for standing. But some old farts don’t like to get off their lazy asses…EVER. They think their ticket entitles them to sit the entire game. I wish that fans would one day drop their pants and moon those pricks who yell ‘SIT DOWN’ behind them. I also wish that fans would eat much meat and cheese before the game and when one ASSHOLE behind them shouts, fans would belt out gas and pass it to the noses of those entitled Yinzers behind. That’s right…Smell by ass when I cut the cheese.

Comment by TX Panther 08.19.15 @ 7:11 pm

Sorry wbb just catching up for a couple days off

with Marino at QB, you guessed it .. 6 and 6 LMAO

Yup I think he has lost a step

Comment by 9-2,8-4,11-1,11-1,11-1 08.19.15 @ 7:32 pm

Saquon Barkley at PSU is expected to be the featured back for the next three years and possibly a 4th if he stays. Spoke to some big 10,11,12 folks that think he is going to do really well early despite Franklynn.

Not sure number 13 had a step to lose!#%@^@!

Comment by dhuffdaddy 08.19.15 @ 8:45 pm

the last we heard of TJ Clemmings is that he dropped down to the 7th (I believe) round due to a stress fracture in his foot. So how’s he doing?

link to vikings.com

Comment by wbb 08.19.15 @ 9:08 pm

Dr. Tom, TX, TT: With you on this one. Our stadium is lethargic, dead. Painting the field, adding more blue and gold, playing better music, etc., will only go so far. The “atmosphere” sucks and the fans can change it themselves. UCONN, Toledo, etc. made us look like fools regarding fandom. Have to admit that I get surprised at the Pete getting such a great reputation for crowd support when only 10 percent of the fans cheer loudly. That place would be so so much more intimidating if only the non-zoo folks would stand, get loud….. anything but lean back and fold their arms. Granted Pitt teams in football and hoops need to see performances to warrant reaction. Seriously, I find most Pitt fans in attendance are loyal but quite boring, lazy and don’t do much at all to help stop a 3rd and 2. I feel I have lost my voice on numerous occasions in vain due to no one else helping out. And we wonder why blue chippers choose to go to Hapless Valley which can’t hold a lick to Pittsburgh. Maybe we deserve some of the blame. Agree that we should not alienate the fans who buy tixs…..God knows we must appreciate them, but can we at least help them win while we are there?

Comment by ck 08.19.15 @ 9:55 pm

Ck – truth

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 08.19.15 @ 10:08 pm

Miles Sanders is a more highly rated recruit coming out of high school than Barkley was, if I recall correctly.

Comment by Mailman 08.19.15 @ 10:32 pm

I will never be convinced that sitting on our hands will help the team we love so much. We can help the PR machine. Also don’t forget to turn around all PSU merchandise in stores. More the public buys Pedo St. crap, the more they will offer to sell while avoiding Pitt products. If we can click on only Pitt articles while online, do the same and show stores that buying PSU garb is not a worthwhile investment to brick and mortar stores. Make them pay for their unwise investments. If they do not know it exists, they cannot buy it. Ha!

Comment by ck 08.19.15 @ 10:38 pm

Buy front row seats if hate standing up.

Comment by Chris 08.19.15 @ 11:48 pm

link to youtube.com

OC Jim Chaney pretty forcibly addresses the supposed QB competition

Comment by NickC 08.20.15 @ 2:43 am

So much for the QB talk. As most of us thought, Voytik is the man.

Comment by notrocketscience 08.20.15 @ 6:08 am

I think I saw Dark Knight standing behind Chaney in that youtube video. He was giving him the finger!

Comment by Oklahomeboy 08.20.15 @ 6:19 am

The only thing that Coach Chaney stated was that Voytik is “the man” to beat out if you want to play QB at Pitt this season. The competition sounds to me to be alive and well for some playing time for the others. Chad better not play bad or he might find that he’s been had by another one of our lads.

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.20.15 @ 6:24 am

I agree with Doc’s interpretation of Chaney’s comments. This staff realizes the 2nd half that Chad last season.

Competition is good!

Comment by Erie Express 08.20.15 @ 7:06 am

I generally only make 1-2 Pitt games per season. Have very bad knees so can’t stand too much. I don’t mind if fans in front stand when there is a good/exciting play–I am tall and will stand up then as well. However, if they stand 100% of the game I can’t match that and will just move to a vacant seat without folks in front of me. Up till now that hasn’t been a problem in Heinz.

Comment by pitt1972 08.20.15 @ 8:47 am

pitt1972 – there are certainly exceptions and you do have to be considerate to those in your section.

I think that some of the anger here is directed at those who get mad at people having fun at a game.

It can be annoying if someone’s standing in front of you but you shouldn’t be upset. In your case, asking someone to sit down is a perfectly reasonable request and it should be met with respect.

Judging by your post, I’d be willing to bet that your request would be friendly and sincere too instead of yelling at someone.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 08.20.15 @ 9:09 am

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