I’ve calmed down a bit. Stepped back. Had a chance to breathe.
A lot of people have pointed out in the ensuing hours and days after the end of the Syracuse game, that playing Kenny Pickett for one snap at the end of the game is not the worst thing in the world.
And they are right, with a big caveat.
Pickett has to actually play the rest of the season. Not start, but has to play some significant time. Not simply one series or two.
If the redshirt has been burned. If Pickett is the likely future at QB for Pitt next year. If there actually is a plan in place. If the head coach has patience with mistakes and not always being perfect in practice. If the offensive staff — and specifically OC/QB Coach Shawn Watson — can develop a QB rather then reach back into the transfer pool. There are more “ifs,” but you get the picture.
And this is my concern on this part.
I like Pat Narduzzi as Pitt’s head coach. I want to see him succeed (obviously). I’m reasonably patient in this and most of the coaching staff. I really am not in favor of getting rid of Shawn Watson after one season. (In no small part, because a 4th OC in 4 years seems really dumb, but also if Pickett is going to be the QB at least let him have the same QB coach for 2 years.) O-line coach John Petersen shouldn’t take the fall for this season, when you consider how well the unit was the last two.
I’m digressing, but back to my concern with Pat Narduzzi and young players. I don’t know that there is actually a plan. He says there’s one. He talks often about how much he wants to redshirt freshmen whenever possible. How they don’t want to play them. And yet that only seems to apply to the defensive side of the ball.
Pickett going in because of the chaos at the end of the game was ridiculous, no matter how you slice it. A.J. Davis and Tyler Sear had their redshirts burned in the first game, but have barely seen the field since. And in the case of A.J. Davis, it isn’t as if Pitt has found success at RB or are even sticking (completely) with one back.
The lack of touches for Davis — especially considering Chawntez Moss was suspended in the opener, again for Syracuse, and remains suspended — is mind-boggling. We are acutely familiar with how shockingly bad the O-line has been, but it still doesn’t make sense to have Davis with only three touches in 6 games.
Players improve over the season and can force their way onto the field (Maurice Ffrench). There can be so many injuries at one position, that no choice is given in playing them late in the season (Damar Hamlin). That hasn’t been the case this season.
And I do understand that coaches want to win. Their job depends on it. The theory of putting some guys out there to take their lumps this year, collides hard with the reality of trying to win games and doing right by the rest of the kids on the team that season. Not simply always looking long-term or the program overall.
Add in fans that will clamor for the long-term — when the game isn’t being played — and then rant madly during the game about how the coaches have to get that player out of the game because he is overmatched or playing poorly.
Here’s where Pitt stands at this point. The record is 2-4. The starting QB is out for at least two games.
Three of the remaining games are against top-25 teams. Three look winnable.
What do you want to see Pitt doing over the second half of the season — aside from just winning every game?
A Defense capable of giving Pitt a CHANCE to be in the Game against QUALITY Opponents.
I have a sickening feeling this time next year we will be having the same conversations. At that point it becomes a coaching issue. Most of their targets in recruiting are picking other schools, this cant continue if the program is to improve.
It’s Offensive Coordinator 101 … 8 man box = pass. Not an 8 man box = run. Let the game dictate the offense not the ideology. I believe that’s what made Canada so successful. He had a great feel for the game. Let the game dictate the attack.
Other than that, the only positive is we won’t complain about being passed over this year by an upper level bowl.
A quarterback with a future (I don’t care who it is)
An effective pass rush
3 interceptions
Solid halftime adjustments
– Play Whitehead at tailback 50% of snaps, and give Garner/Briggs 50% of snaps at safety in his place.
– If Dinucci looks so-so and Browne isn’t ready, let Pickett start a game
– As Thabeets said, if teams load up to stop our run, then throw on them ala the Rice game.
– Keep taking aggressive shots downfield with Weah and Clark, and find more ways to use Ra-Ra and Ffrench.
– Don’t panic, just improve each day!
He clearly has more juice and instincts than anybody else who has been given the ball, and if he can run for 100-150 yards a game for us and help balance our offense, I think I’m willing to let Garner take his place on D. His impact on our offense will be immense.
Agree with Tossing Thabeets, when there are 8 men in the box, you have to throw the ball. Quick slant over the middle.
We had few injuries and self inflicted personnel issues last year. This year has been a train wreck. Last year, O-line, Peterman, Henderson, Weah, Aston all exceeded exoectations. Add to that the return of Conner. Jarrett and Soto exceeded expectations in the middle of the line and Price was Price. Plus you had a bunch of seniors that new their roles, even if they were not future pros.
This year, absolutely very few have even met expectations, Whitehead being the exception after missing three games.
How much of this can be blamed on Coaching vs just plain dumb luck and youth?
The coaches have to figure out which young guys need to play more and which guys just don’t have it. Another year when they can tell recruits, freshman will get the opportunity to play next year.
Will next year be the year when Narduzzi turns it around or the year we learn he just can’t get it done.
He certainly had a bad run of luck this year, but how much was of his own making? Recruiting to Pitt is not easy. Will Narduzzi redouble his efforts or begin to give up?
Unfortunately, with each passing Game it looks MORE and MORE like “Alea iacta est.”
If Herndon, Hodges, Officer, continue to struggle, start a redshirt freshman or freshman. They can’t be worse and will learn for next year.
Try Davis before giving Whitehead more carries.
Don’t ever ever play Briggs when Whitehead is getting a blow.
We should be able to beat the others, and are close. We lose because of a few fundamental mistakes – bad throws to wide open receivers and drops.
Under no circumstances should Pitt consider another head coaching change for a few years.
Former Pitt Defensive Coordinator highlighted this morning in the Trib Review.
Huxtable now leading the #8 Rushing Defense in the Country.
Not so long ago, he commandeered the #16 Overall Defense… during Paul Chryst’s FIRST YEAR at Pitt.
“He inspires our players, and he gets a lot out of them. Football-wise he’s extremely sound. He won’t do things that aren’t the right things to do. He’s not going to copycat somebody else because it worked. He’s going to make sure it’s something our guys can do…” – NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren.
Maybe Pat Narduzzi could learn something here.
Clearly for Pitt to have a CHANCE Saturday… they are going to have to PASS the football!
Sets an interesting Stage for the Opening Act of the DiNucci versus Pickett saga.
Certainly, don’t like to see anyone go out the way Browne did… but he was simply NOT capable of beating a QUALITY Opponent.
Based on his HS Highlights… Pickett throws a NICE Ball and looks to be pretty ACCURATE.
Just two questions regarding Pickett…
Is his arm STRONG ENOUGH? Not sure. Will have to see.
The other question is how Pickett’s degree of ATHLETICISM will translate to the D-1 Level?
In High School, Pickett relied on his ability to move and run to be EFFECTIVE. However, he seems to be MORE COMPETITIVE than athletic… which is an obvious STRENGTH with DiNucci.
I’ve been clearly in DiNucci’s corner going back to the Bowl last year. Narduzzi has totally yanked him around due to his determination to STICK with Browne who he had lured to Pitt with the PROMISE to play.
I want to see what DiNucci is capable of if Narduzzi which just give him a little time.
With some improvement in his throwing, DiNucci has shown the signs of having the potential to be something pretty SPECIAL at the College Level.
This bobble head bull shit is really bothering. I have received 3 e-mails tell us to be there early to get a bobble head doll, only 30,000 to be given out. lol.
This is an indication of how far this program has fallen. Its is pathetic and a laughing matter when we have to bribe people with plaster dolls to come to see a Pitt football game. They will be lucky if they get anywhere near 30,000 to even come to the game let alone worry about having enough dolls to hand out. Where the hell are the priorities. This goes back to my previous criticisms of the athletic department, they have to many people with too much time on their hands. It really needs to stop. Please place all your energies and dollars into recruiting players and better coaches.
Does anyone know when they will be having bobble head day at Penn State, West Virginia, Ohio State, Virginia Tech,,,, you get the message.
Browne isn’t great by any means but he’s the better of the two options. If Weah and Aaron Mathews both make those catches … which they should have … Browne is the hero of the Cuse game.
Side note, I’m not sure how Ollison is at the top of the depth chart after getting Browne knocked out for the season.
I kind of just want to go with Picket and be done with it but Dinucci probably gives them a better chance to win. Unlike many, I don’t think game experience amounts to much if it’s just a series here and there. You need full games under your belt. The entire ebb and flow of a game to make it worthwhile. All or nothing. None of this halfsies bs.
Pickett or Dinucci – Pick one to be your ride or die and be done with it … Just don’t have Ollison back there on 3rd down to pass protect.
all young RB’s
More young guys on D
Basically play your young guys, gain them experience
Use the second half of the year as practice for next year
And start looking for new coordinators on both sides of the ball; maybe start grooming someone you already have on staff
H2P!!!
H2P!!!
Time to convert a lineman to TE for short yardage situations. These TE’s can’t or won’t block.
Let Pickett play.
Love Narduzzi suspending troubled players. The day he doesn’t is the day he becomes Foge.