Wow. Nearly 48 hours away from the computer and my hands aren’t even shaking. Little twitchy, but better than the withdrawl symptoms expected.
Well, judging by the comments from those who were there and watched the local telecast, one thing that remains consistent since 2000 will be this conversation:
Brain (stalking out of Heinz Field from the Blue-Gold Game): Come Pinky, we must prepare our angst and concern for the upcoming Pitt football season.
Pinky (bounding about Brain): Why? Wot we going to worry about this season, Brain?
Brain: The same thing we worry about every season, Pinky. … The offensive line!
That said, it should not be a shock that the defense dominated and the offense struggled. The offense put up a total of 10 actual points (as opposed to the way the scrimmage was scored).
That was the extent of the offensive output as the defense completely dominated the rest of the scrimmage at Heinz Field. The Panthers managed to run the ball for only 16 yards on 37 carries and the quarterbacks combined to throw three interceptions.
It was certainly not the impression the Panthers were hoping to leave fans with, but there is no question it was a tough day for the offense.
“Last year we walked out of the spring game and we had scored a bunch of points and I remember saying to myself, ‘We need to get better on defense,’ and, offensively, I was very pleased,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said when asked if he was concerned about the Panthers’ lack of production on offense.
“It will even itself out, this was one day and the defense didn’t give up anything cheap. We have work to do in all phases and we know that, so I am not going to overreact. I will say, if we do not run the football better we will not be an effective offense. That is one area we need to focus in on and that will be a priority when we get to training camp.”
And why was the running game so ineffective?
The quarterbacks combined to complete 21 of 43 passes for 201 yards. Stull was 12 of 17 for 132 yards with the touchdown and an interception, while Pat Bostick (4 of 10 for 31 yards) and Tino Sunseri (5 of 15 for 38 yards) also threw picks. Sunseri led the second-team offense to a nine-play, 46-yard drive — thanks to two offsides penalties — for the field goal.
The offensive line was overwhelmed by pass-rushing pressure that forced eight hurries, and the running game struggled. Lewis led all rushers with 12 carries for 34 yards — with a long of 9 — but Chris Burns managed only 13 yards on 11 carries, and the offense finished with 16 net yards on 37 carries.
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What has Wannstedt optimistic is that as good as Pitt’s defense was in the Blue-Gold Game, it was missing starters in defensive end Greg Romeus, middle linebacker Adam Gunn and cornerback Aaron Berry from a unit that should rank among the best in the Big East this season.
What should have Wannstedt worried is that while the offense was missing starting left tackle Jason Pinkston, tight end Nate Byham and fullback Henry Hynoski, it had all of its other skill players available — and scored only one touchdown.
So, yeah, as we all know if the O-line isn’t blocking or protecting well it is going to be next to impossible to make any real judgments about the offense as a whole — not that anything can really be taken away from spring practice other than hope, worry, trepidation and occasionally excitement for the upcoming season.
And if you think I’m just trying to talk myself into not overreacting to all of this, well you’ve probably gotten to know me pretty well over the years.
The offensive line might be okay, if Robb Houser can get back to where he was before his injury. Otherwise, the center will not hold. As it stands, even if he does, there is still a dearth of depth on the O-line that remains a tremendous worry.
Despite the return of left guard John Malecki and the emergence of Jacobson and Nix, fixing the front five is Pitt’s biggest concern. Neither Robb Houser nor Alex Karabin proved to be the solution at center. Thomas didn’t do anything to win back his starting job at right tackle, although he could return to right guard if Malecki moves to center. Jason Pinkston (shoulder) missed spring drills but is being counted on at left tackle. Greg Gaskins is likely the top reserve at tackle, but there are no incoming All-Americans in this recruiting class. Moving nost tackle Caragein to guard or center is a remote possibility.
Even Coach Wannstedt had to acknowledge the weakeness — but he has faith in the O-line coach.
“Until we get that group meshed together, it’s going to be tough to protect the quarterback,” Wannstedt said. “We’ve got to be cognizant of that.”
The Panthers have had ongoing problems at center, where backup Alex Karabin was sidelined by a knee injury and third-teamer Wayne Jones was suspended for the remainder of spring drills for violating team policy.
The depth at the position was so shallow that senior John Malecki played right guard — alongside starting center Robb Houser — with the first-team offense and took snaps at center with the second-teamers.
Safe to say, offensive line coach Tony Wise has his work cut out.
“We’ve got the best offensive line coach in the country,” Wannstedt said, “and Tony will figure it out. We’ll get it solved.”
Despite the QBs getting no protection in the scrimmage, Pat Bostick took the Ed Conway award for most improved player on the offensive side. Max Gruder, now playing weak-side linebacker took it for the defense.
“No one has worked harder than these two guys in the last six months,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “We all know how Pat has trained and lost weight and got stronger and worked on his release. He’s really made strides as a quarterback. And every time I see Max, he’s got his notebook, and he’s studying and he’s worked himself into being a starter at the weak-side linebacker spot. Those guys both were deserving.”
The Conway Award winners under Wannstedt have gone on to become key players for the Panthers: tackle Mike McGlynn and defensive end Chris McKillop in 2005, guard C.J. Davis, linebacker Clint Session and cornerback Kennard Cox in ’06, tackle Jeff Otah and defensive tackle Gus Mustakas in ’07 and tight end Dorin Dickerson, receiver Cedric McGee and defensive tackle Mick Williams last year.
The bright spot — if you only read the news account — Bill Stull hit Jonathan Baldwin with a 54 yard TD pass.
Aliquippa graduate Jonathan Baldwin caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Bill Stull on the third play of the 2009 Pitt Blue-Gold Game. It turned out to be the only touchdown of the game as the defense (Blue) trounced the offense (Gold), 54-23.
“Everybody is still learning,” said Baldwin, who finished as the top receiver with five catches for 75 yards. “It’s the spring and we have a new offensive coordinator (Frank Cignetti).”
Whether it is the case of learning a new offense or a better defense is a matter for head coach Dave Wannstedt and the films to decide. He won’t have to watch the films long, though, to know that Baldwin is ready to be a factor.
“I’m a lot more comfortable in the offense,” said Baldwin. “I had limited playing time last year and I know there are higher expectations of me this year.
“But I have higher expectations for myself this year, too.”
The people who saw the play, however have all indicated, that the ball was underthrown. Baldwin, at least made the adjustment to it. That part is a good sign. No matter what, I think we all know that whoever is the QB, they will need extra help from the receivers.
The good news, is that the defense looks exceptionally good and hopefully that has a lot to do with the play of the offensive line.
• The defensive line is among the best in the country and deep. The line was excellent last season but depth was an issue toward the end of the year. But Tony Tucker, Shane Hale, Brandon Lindsey and Justin Hargrove improved greatly and should provide necessary depth to give the starters a break.
• The secondary should be improved. Aaron Berry could be an All-Big East first-team player and sophomore safety Dom DeCicco had an excellent spring. Even more encouraging is safety Elijah Fields finally is fulfilling some of his enormous potential and second-year players Antwuan Reed, Jarred Holley and Buddy Jackson all took big steps forward.
• Despite the loss of Scott McKillop, the linebackers could be a better unit. There is no obvious superstar such as McKillop in the middle, but the depth is improved and the returns of Shane Murray and Adam Gunn from major injuries has provided two experienced players to a unit loaded with younger players with potential. Also, Max Gruder had an excellent spring and Greg Williams could be an All-Big East player.
The D-line, especially seems to be getting the most love.
The Panthers are preparing for another Big East season and will be counting on Lindsey and the defense to get them there.
“We have a lot of work to do in all areas,” said head coach Dave Wannstedt. “We’ve been going against each other for 14 days so there weren’t a lot of surprises.”
One of the players that Wannstedt did mention in his postgame comments was Lindsey.
“The defensive line is ahead of our offense at this point,” Wannstedt said. “I was encouraged by Shayne Hale, Brandon Lindsey, and Tyler Tkach; they really showed up for us. It was great to see improvement in our young players.”
The best thing, in my view, for the football team this spring, was that the basketball team went deep into March. That meant a lot less attention on every thing they did. A little less pressure, and a bit less snap analysis of the team some 4 1/2 months before the first game of the season.
I would imagine that there are actual real reasons that Cross is not playing (ie. he is probably no good), but one has to wonder sometimes.
With watching the game and reading the recap, I think its going to be a LONG season – maybe 4 wins? All of the issues the Panthers are facing seem to be typical Dave Wannstedt issues throughout his career – o-line issues, mediocre qb play, and the defense is going to have to win games for you.
It sure beats not winning consistently and not having any direction, but IMHO is not the recipe to establish a national power program. I hope I am wrong.
– the TD pass from Stull to Baldwin actually came off a well-executed play fake
– a WR caught a pass on an 8-yard hook route, coming back to the QB, presenting a big target and not letting a corner jump the route
– Stull threw a complete pass to a running back because the running back was actually standing still in the flat and not running full speed to the sideline
Cav never liked to pass unless it was in stride to someone running downfield, so as to get yards after catch. And how many times did we even play fake? Looks like Cignetti is attempting to make it easier on the QBs.
I was at the game and think that we did see a real Cignetti influence in this early stage – from having the QBs line up in the shotgun to called rollouts by the QBs on passing plays – two things we almost never saw with Cavanaugh.
As for the defense, it’s going to be very deep and very good – with speed from the DL to the safeties. It may be the best we’ve had in years. The reason I say that is I don’t think we should overlook what benefit it is that it’s Phil Bennett’s second year at PITT and in the BE. He knows his kids now and he’ll have a much better footing.
Hey, if the offense looks this way with our 5 starters in at OL, a good FB and a starting QB having been named – say mid-August – then I’ll panic, until then it’s wait and see.
Really too bad we dont have anything even remotely decent at QB
I believe the defense will be better despite the loss of McKillop because they are more experienced in the LB position …. remember, they played with 2 OLBs that had zero game expereince, in fact, Ransom had zero practice experience!! The secondary should be improved (I was never a Thatcher fan) and the DL can protect the MLB position.
I do see Cignetti designing more plays that will help the QB such as planned rollouts, and other things that will play to the QB strength. I don’t care how good or bad a QB is … without a decent OL, the QB will struggle.
Lastly, for those who didn’t see the game … Cross made a nice play as a receiver cathing a ball across the middle for a 1st down. Also, Cignetti said that a Wildcat offense still may be used this year, he just wasn’t going to show too much in the scrimmage
I think that you are going to see that most of our success last year was due to his impact on the offense. When they play dynamic offeenses like Louisville and ND, I cant see the defense keeping them in it enough to make up for the offense.
I hope that i am wrong but I can’t realistically see any wins in the BE other than Uconn and Syracuse, coupled with wins against YSU and Buffalo.
Now I know the OL injuries, the vanilla offense, and the defense knowing many of the plays gave them a decided advantage … I do expect the OL to be much better come fall. But no one is going to tell me that these QBs are failures based on this ‘scrimmage’ … I firmly beieve that under the conditions that the QBs had to play in, even Marino,Elway and Brady would have struggled.
