JotCast | Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 8.22.18

Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 8.22.18

Brian Batko

2:01

Good afternoon, welcome to Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 8.22.18. I am Brian Batko and it is 8.22.18. And this is a chat about Pitt football. Get your Qs in, folks.

Matt

2:01

Is the Sibley injury serious?

Brian Batko

2:02

Hi, Matt: Respectfully, we don't talk about injuries here.

Wait, no, that's Pat Narduzzi. But you're asking about redshirt freshman tailback Todd Sibley. Haven't seen him at practice lately, but did see him on crutches and in a leg brace last week. Apparently, he posted on Instagram something about getting surgery. All we've heard from Narduzzi on that front is that no one on the team has sustained a season-ending injury, and he says if someone does, he will let everyone know.

Boca Panther

2:03

What ever happened to Jerry Drake? I thought he was pushing the starters as a Freshman and now I don't see him on the 2 deep chart.

Brian Batko

2:05

Jerry Drake, the big redshirt freshman tackle, was an early enrollee last year. That seemed to give him a boost this time a year ago in camp, but obviously, he wasn't needed on the O-line. Well, I suppose "needed is subjective, but he didn't play. Most recently, I've seen him in practice working as the backup right tackle, so I wouldn't say anything has "happened" to him.

Chris

2:06

Any noticeable difference on how the defense will be operating this year with Bates at the helm?

Brian Batko

2:07

Well Chris, I'm not sure I can really answer that until the regular season begins. In training camp, I'd say no, nothing seems all that different, except that Randy Bates is a lot louder than Josh Conklin was.

Keith

2:07

Has your opinion changed on how the offensive line has looked? This really is the group that looks like it could be the Achilles heel of the team?

Brian Batko

2:08

I do think it's the group that is the most suspect, mainly because while experience is generally a positive, you can't help asking if a fifth-year senior is starting for the first time as a fifth-year senior because he's not a starter-caliber player in the ACC. But maybe they'll jell and become a really good unit. At least they don't have to face Bradley Chubb and NC State again.

TerryMurphy’sGhost

2:08

Are you hearing that any of the new receivers could end up looking like an Antonio Bryant or Larry Fitzgerald (I know that’s rarified air) type of player. Are they even Greg Lee or Terry Murphy caliber?

Brian Batko

2:09

I'm SEEING that at least one of the new receivers is looking like a Devin Street type. It's his younger brother, Darian Street. But seriously, I think your best hope for Pitt hitting it big on a high-ceiling wideout is probably true freshman Shocky Jacques-Louis. He was a buzzworthy guy earlier in camp.

greh

2:10

test

Brian Batko

2:10

It worked.

Dave

2:10

Brian, I loved your piece on "Pittopoly" the other day. It was such a light and playful read that I really enjoyed taking the time to look at. It made me think about a few funny stories I've heard over the past few years from some of the equipment managers. You should look into some of them, they're quite entertaining.

Brian Batko

2:11

Thanks, Dave. There are a lot of fun/funny guys in the program I've gotten to know a little bit the past couple years, both players and staffers. This year's crop of offensive linemen and special teamers are a hoot.

Mount

2:11

Is Nez really like they say?

Brian Batko

2:11

Post-Gazette reporter Stephen Nesbitt? No, he's not like that at all.

Jim

2:12

Hey Brain (:

Brian Batko

2:12

Greetings, Jim.

huffaker

2:12

what rule do they use for free parking? payments to the bank go in a winnable pot, or it's just a free space?

Brian Batko

2:13

Speaking of the Pitt players who frequent Monopoly, I'm not sure about free parking, but they do have some house rules. One of them is that everyone has to go around the board once before you can buy any property. Just to make it more about dice-rolling skillz than who went first.

Guest

2:13

Any indication if Taysir Mack is banged up/injured? What are your expectations for his impact on the team this season?

Brian Batko

2:14

He seemed fine when we spoke with him and Pat Narduzzi last Friday, as the eligibility news was announced. But the past couple days he's been a non-participant during the media viewing portion of practice. Doesn't seem to be anything too serious, though. I think he can be a major help to the passing game, if healthy.

Revo

2:15

Who is the backup 5 on OL?

Brian Batko

2:16

Probably Jerry Drake, Bryce Hargrove, Owen Drexel, Brandon Ford, Gabe Houy, from right to left. But I bet that depth chart is pretty fluid/flexible beyond the starters.

Adam

2:16

Who do you think will be the main kickoff/punt returners?

Brian Batko

2:17

My money is on Paris Ford as being the guy, at least on punts. But I think Shocky Jacques-Louis could see some work too. Another guy to keep an eye on, if not for this year then the future, true freshman walk-on John Vardzel, a wideout from North Allegheny.

Willard

2:18

Has there been any push from the Athletic Department to land Gameday?

Brian Batko

2:18

Not that I know of, but they certainly could be putting in some work behind closed doors. Would definitely make for a great, even greater, atmosphere Week 2 against Penn State. As long as all Pitt and PSU fans behave themselves, of course...

Jim

2:19

Seriously, why is the optimism so high about the defensive line and its ability to pressure the QB? It was a huge problem last year. I mean, improvement is to be expected but......

Brian Batko

2:20

Probably just because everyone's back, honestly. I don't disagree with you about last year, but Rashad Weaver certainly showed some flashes at times. So did Dewayne Hendrix. And the thought is that even a few other guys, a senior like James Folston, another big dude like Patrick Jones or even a true freshman in John Morgan, might be able to step in if those top two aren't getting it done.

Jenny

2:21

Will you date me?

Brian Batko

2:21

No thanks

Maximus

2:22

Who do you expect to be voted captains?

Brian Batko

2:24

Great question. I think it's a really tough season to call, what with so many seniors, almost all of whom are even fifth-year seniors and likely starters. Here are my guesses: Dennis Briggs, Seun Idowu, Alex Bookser. If they do four again, I'll add Qadree Ollison.

SOMD Panther

2:24

When Taysir Mack makes a big play for the Panthers this year, am I ok to exclaim "Mack Attack!," or should I keep working on that?

Brian Batko

2:25

If opposing defenses keep interfering with him, would that be Hack-A-Mack?

Lone Arrival Survivor

2:25

Some say Pitt move-in carts are yellow, others blue? What says your journalism?

Brian Batko

2:25

Ms. Lippy's car is green