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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 11.15.17
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Brian Batko
2:00
Good afternoon, everyone, lots to discuss. Pitt football has its final road game Saturday, Pitt basketball has a home game tonight and Nathan Peterman is a starting NFL quarterback. Let's talk shop for the next 1,800 seconds.
Terry
2:01
Why not start Picket? The season is over and Dinucci hasn’t done anything to show that he is the QB of the future
Brian Batko
2:02
Well Terry, there are quite a few reasons, namely practice performance, experience, degree of difficult, etc. I think Paul Zeise actually laid out the scenario nicely in his mailbag published about an hour ago: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/zeise-is-right/2017/11/15/paul-zeis...
Pierre93
2:02
Last Thursday against UNC was another humiliating loss for Pitt and on national TV no less.  UNC's QB made his first-ever start for a 1-8 football team that also had 18 players out for the season.  How did it happen?  This should have been an easy win for Pitt.
Brian Batko
2:03
How'd it happen? I think we've been over that, Pierre, but to rehash: Pitt basically gave UNC 14 free points with the opening kick return TD and Quadree Henderson's fumble at the 1. And then the defense slipped up again late, which was disappointing. More on that tomorrow...
SOMDPanther
2:04
Based on HCPN's comments at the press conference, is it fair to assume that Tommy MacVittie is being moved from QB? Or transferring?
Brian Batko
2:05
Yeah, Narduzzi had a quote Monday that I think some people misread or misinterpreted. He said he'll have a redshirt sophomore, redshirt freshman and freshman in spring ball. I took that to mean the three guys currently in the QB room and their 2017 eligibility status. But yes, Thomas MacVittie has seemingly been an afterthought for the staff this year, for whatever it's worth.
Blawnox Panther
2:06
Where were the Pitt fans last Thursday night for the game?  It was a prime time game on national TV and the empty yellow seats were so prominent at the game and on TV.  The Steelers, Pirates and Pens were NOT playing.  It was even supposed to be an easy win.  The fans need to come out and support the team even when not having a great season.
Brian Batko
2:06
It was cold, but your complaint has been noted, Blawnox.
PittinDC
2:07
A lot of people are calling for Pat Narduzzi’s firing. People also wanted Chryst fired and obviously he’s doing just fine as a coach these days. Do you think the problem is not the coach but other issues such as not paying for high quality assistant coaches, highly competitive recruiting area (PSU, WVU, OSU...), overall lack of real commitment from the University to fully invest in basketball and football...   I could easily see Narduzzi leaving Pitt and having great success elsewhere.
Brian Batko
2:08
People calling for Narduzzi to be canned are just way off base, in my opinion. There are plenty of issues - young team, lack of talent in some key spots, to name a couple - but it's when those things are consistently a problem that a coach gets on the hot seat. It's preposterous to suggest Narduzzi is there in the midst of one bad year.
PittGuru
2:09
Are tarps really the answer?  Has it come to this?  I am not sure which is worse....the empty yellow seats or tarping off the stadium?  Both speak volumes to the ACC, national audience and most importantly potential recruits....and it is NOT good.  Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:10
No, tarps are not the answer. But also no, tarps won't drive off recruits in droves. I'd rather go pull tarp than continue to think about this issue for the time being.
OHIO412FAN
2:10
Brian, With this season basically lost in the dumps, what will be the priorities for Pitt heading into the offseason? What will be the biggest things to address? Talking roster wise, what needs to be addressed?
Brian Batko
2:12
Pat Narduzzi needs to find a quarterback this offseason. Whether that's a guy stepping up from within, or going outside again to bring in a transfer, well, that remains to be seen. Aside from that, I'd say this team needs some playmakers at receiver to emerge, as well. There's only so much a QB can do if guys aren't getting open and/or making plays on the ball when it's thrown. Defensively, they should - key word should - be much improved with more experience.
Pope
2:12
I am very disappointed that narduzzi's D gave up 34 points to UNC!  This is Year 3 of Narduzzi.  The D is NOT improving.  What does it take for the D to get better?
Brian Batko
2:13
Actually Pope, the D gave up 27. Special teams gave up 7. And the defense HAD improved. How quickly people forget the Virginia game, right? They need to be more consistently good, like they were that day five years ago. Wait, that was three weeks ago? Nevermind...
SOP2017
2:14
Should Pitt consider moving to Highmark Stadium instead of dealing with 30,000+ empty yellow seats at heinz and possibly tarping?  Highmark is a smaller venue that if filled to capacity could possibly have a better atmosphere.
Brian Batko
2:14
Why not consider the spacious field next to Petersen Events Center? Students could watch from their windows in Panther Hall.
tata
2:14
So Brian, Pitt didn't get of the schneid v NC (even though outplayed them 2nd yr in a row) which got me to thinking-Did you know since 1983 ,yes, 1983, Pitt has lost at least 3 games every year? Has lost at least 4 games every year but 2? I'm no scientist, but this leads me to believe last year's 8-5 and in the final playoff rankings is the ceiling?
Brian Batko
2:15
I did know that, tata, but thank you. But no, last year's 8-5 was not the ceiling for Pitt football, I'm fairly comfortable in saying that.
Maximus
2:16
I know he was dressed, but does Chantez Moss see the field again?
Brian Batko
2:17
He did see the field, Maximus. He was one of many Panthers who fouled up covering the opening kick, played on punt return and even got a carry! As for whether he'll be worked back into the RB rotation now that Darrin Hall is the guy, I'm dubious.
Alan
2:18
It looks like a rough ride for the Panthers basketball team this year.  But, I'm not giving up on Stallings.  What does recruiting look like for next year?  Hopefully, he can attract some great talent with the program in it's current situation and with great history and facilities.
Brian Batko
2:19
Recruiting at this stage is what I would call underwhelming. The two current commits signed last week, high school big man Bryce Golden and juco guard Danya Kingsby, but in basketball, the early signing period is not all that crucial. Heck, Stallings could go out and grab transfers or spring decommits and make a very good class. We'll see what happens.
Jay O Brien
2:19
I think Pitt should be throwing shorter passes and using Jester Weah and Chris Clark to a much great degree.  Clark is 6 foot 6 and Weah is quick. Let's face it throwing long balls given the current QB situation is mindless. If the OC can't figure this out then Narduzi should chat with him
Brian Batko
2:21
Clark just has not flashed very often this year, Jay. And I'm befuddled by Weah's lack of production. We talked with receivers coach Kevin Sherman yesterday, who said that teams have paid much more attention to Weah this year, and that has hurt him. I wouldn't give up on taking deep shots with DiNucci. He's completed some, and plus, you can't really throw out that aspect of an offense with any QB.
SOMDPanther
2:21
Who wins more games this year? Pitt Football or Pitt Men's Basketball?
Brian Batko
2:22
Basketball, because that team will win 6 to 8 by the start of ACC play.
Chris
2:22
Who's the best RS-ing player not named Paris Ford?
Brian Batko
2:23
Interesting question, Chris. I would probably say RB Todd Sibley, who's simply caught in a numbers game at that position. But given that linemen don't usually contribute much as freshmen, I wouldn't sleep on Jaylen Twyman, or Jerry Drake and Carter Warren on the other side of the ball.
James from Larryville
2:23
Brian, great job covering the Panthers this year. Really appreciate your work. Based on the past few years watching Narduzzi's teams, when they can force turnovers, esp INTs, they seem to win. In your opinion, how can this secondary force more INTs? Or is it more D-line play?
Brian Batko
2:24
Ah, a compliment. That's always sure to get you in the chat. Thank you, James. I think the pressure from the front four is very much a work in progress still. Avonte Maddox has forced a couple fumbles on corner blitzes, but those aren't always going to work. Rush the QB, make him hurry, and hopefully take advantage of an errant throw. But good point, this D has really slowed down in terms of takeaways.
JUD
2:25
Also have to wonder what happened to Mac, last year they raved about the kid. Is this Watson?
Brian Batko
2:26
Yeah, that's the strange thing about MacVittie, Jud. I mean, coaches are prone to say nice stuff about any player when asked, especially a young one, but Narduzzi went out of his way after the bowl game last year to single out MacVittie and say how good he'll be. I would think if Narduzzi really wanted a guy, he'd have the final say, even over the OC/QB coach.
UR RIVALED
2:27
Obviously Damar Hamlin was injured Thursday & only played the first half. haven't heard anything about his status....what's up?
Brian Batko
2:27
We have not heard either, as is par for the course with the Narduzzi Administration. But Pitt has to release an ACC injury report tomorrow, so we'll know more then.
Pitt Jim
2:28
If Franklin bolts for the FL or TN job, anyway Pitt can steal a few of their recruits?
Brian Batko
2:28
ABC - Always Be Crootin
jay
2:28
Weah and Clark aren't getting the ball because Ben D is to busy not looking for open receiver; you can't scramble your way to victory Brian.  Throwing long balls are great if you have protection and you don't throw leaning off the back of your foot which Ben does
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