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John McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 09.04.19
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John McGonigal
2:00
Hey y’all, it’s chat time. Hit me with any Pitt questions you have. And if you want to discuss how much better my fantasy team is than Craig Meyer’s in the P-G league, we can do that, too.
Chris
2:02
With Camp’s injury, it seems this season is already starting to spiral out of control pretty quickly. Any sense from the players or coaches about a budding sense of urgency considering the last 5 days?
John McGonigal
2:02
Pitt just announced the Keyshon Camp news an hour ago, so we haven’t been able to ask Pitt players or coaches about it. We’ll speak to Narduzzi tomorrow afternoon. But it doesn’t seem like a panicking team. Despite the poor result, there are some things to build off of. One of them was Camp’s play, but you know…
Eddie
2:05
how long of a leash does Kenny Pickett have before we would see another QB ?
John McGonigal
2:06
Think the leash is pretty long. The fact that Narduzzi hemmed and hawed between Patti and George Jr. at backup QB throughout fall camp — and still has them listed as an “or” — is telling.
GSMP
2:07
If Kenny Pickett doesn't improve his play this will be a long season. He needs better touch on the deep ball and at times needs to step up in the pocket instead of running. Your thoughts?
John McGonigal
2:09
He definitely does need to improve that touch. Taysir Mack — who did have a huge drop — had a step in one-on-one coverage a couple times on deep corner routes. Maurice Ffrench was streaking down the field late in the 4th quarter on a would-be touchdown. It was Week 1 in a new offense; it was never going to be perfect this early.
Shoemaker
2:11
We got the script. We got the uniforms back.  What does Pitt need now to become relevant again?  It’s been a lifetime since that golden Panther era from 1976-1981....
John McGonigal
2:12
Consistent success on the field and in recruiting. Only a handful of programs in college football are doing it well enough to contend for the CFP — to win like Pitt did from 1976-81. It’ll take a lot to get back there.
Bulky
2:13
Given Kenny P's issues with hitting open receivers and the lack of a running game against Virginia do you foresee more designed Qb running plays?  Kenny did a good job picking up yards with his feet last week.
John McGonigal
2:15
I think Pickett’s accuracy downfield improves. As for the QB runs, I wouldn’t jump to that right away. He took some serious hits vs. Virginia, and those runs — while sometimes successful — were a product of him escaping a rush that got past a young OL.
Barry J.
2:17
Is Craig Mayer a better field goal kicker than the female soccer player?
John McGonigal
2:17
Better than Carli Lloyd?! I texted Craig Meyer for his thoughts, and he said: “No, she is exponentially better than me.” And she might be better than a lot of NFL placekickers, too.
SaltyRon
2:20
I thought that the Pitt defense looked much faster than previous years and played particularly well against Virginia.  The PI calls are gonna happen, especially since it's maximum 15-yard penalty in college football.  Despite the losses of Weaver and Kemp, do you feel that this unit is finally a reflection of the Narduzzi defensive footprint?
John McGonigal
2:21
I think so. There were a few PI calls, but Pitt’s corners gave little room for UVA’s receivers to work. Damarri Mathis stood out, as did Dane Jackson and Jason Pinnock. I’d be confident in this defense, as long as it can create pressure.
Scaz
2:22
Should Narduzzi be on the hot seat?  Year 5 and the team is regressing.  His best teams were with Chryst’s recruits.  His own recruiting has been awful.  This is year 5 and his guys.  Pitt is woefully mediocre and not relevant.  Narduzzi has to go!
John McGonigal
2:23
Let's table this discussion until the Panthers have played more than one game this year.
Keith C
2:24
Everyone seems to be up in arms about Pitt loosing to the Coastal favorite. I admit yes it hurts the moral, especially with the Camp news today, but i did see some positives Saturday. I really think the defense played well, and the offense had its moments. I see a convincing victory this weekend.
John McGonigal
2:26
Like I said on the North Shore Drive podcast last week (which you should all totally listen to: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-north-shore-drive/id14744023...), I thought a rough start was ahead for Pitt. These first four weeks aren't forgiving. But the ACC slate after is easier, and there are wins to be had there. I predicted the Panthers to go 7-5...with picking them to lose to UVA. A win against Ohio rights the ship.
Pope
2:27
SInce 1981, every Pitt team has had at least 3 losses.  That’s 38 years of being average or worse.  Do you think Pitt can finally lose less than 3 games this season?
John McGonigal
2:29
After starting 0-1? That streak will continue this season.
Darnell Dickerson
2:31
Hi John. Always enjoy the chats! Ohio U. is the class of the MAC - what type of scouting reports are you hearing from the South Side? Any idea on a gameplan to declaw the Bobcats?
John McGonigal
2:33
Thanks, Darnell! Narduzzi doesn't allow us to sit in on gameplanning meetings...but I can imagine it starts with pressuring Ohio quarterback Nathan Rourke. Like UVA’s Bryce Perkins, Rourke is a dual-threat guy who ran for 860 yards in 2018. His TD-to-INT ratio over the last two seasons is 40-15, so he’s a good decision-maker. Getting in his face, though, could force him to make a mistake or two against Pitt’s solid secondary.
Pierre93
2:35
Would you agree that the game atmosphere hurts Pitt’s image and it’s recruiting? Home opener.  Saturday night under the lights against an ACC team and the stadium was half empty!  They say 47k, but that is tickets sold.  I was there and it was maybe 30k at best.  Pitthetic!  No wonder Narduzzi can’t get any 5 stars or a lot of 4 stars.  Those kids don’t want to play in half empty stadiums.
John McGonigal
2:36
Well, it definitely doesn't help.
Blawnox Panther
2:38
With Camp being lost for the season, does this have an effect on the Ohio game?  Is Ohio better positioned to win with their QB that can run?  What’s you game prediction?
John McGonigal
2:39
Camp’s absence definitely affects the Ohio game, as it does for every game for the rest of the season. Pitt was counting on Camp. He pressured Bryce Perkins six times on Saturday night in 19 snaps, after all. But I still think Pitt beats the Bobcats on Saturday. Ohio’s pass defense has been really, really bad the last two seasons, and it wasn’t that great against Rhode Island in its opener, either. Expect Pickett to connect on a few of those passes downfield and establish confidence in Mark Whipple’s offense.
JR
2:42
QB is the most important position. If KP doesn’t perform 6-6 might be the best case scenario. What you say?
John McGonigal
2:43
If the quarterback in a Mark Whipple offense doesn’t perform, you’re looking at worse than 6-6. But think Pickett improves. He was off the mark vs. UVA, but again, it was only Week 1.
Rick Pastin
2:48
It's time to get serious about Narduzzi.   Why do you think he should not be on the hotseat?
John McGonigal
2:49
Because it’s Week 2. If Pitt ends up 3-9, we can have that conversation.
Guest
2:52
Will Pitt ever get an on campus stadium? They draw fans fine, Heinz Field is just too big. And until that changes they will never get the quality players they need to compete with Penn State and others
John McGonigal
2:52
I don't know honestly. I've always been a fan of on-campus stadiums, but that's just me.
Larry
2:53
Which band is better OU or Pitt?
John McGonigal
2:54
Interesting you ask that: I'll have a story involving the Ohio and Pitt bands coming out in the next couple of days.
9nationalchampionships
2:56
Will Pitt ever be on the same level with regard to recruiting, game day atmosphere, fan support, and success like our BIG brother to the east Penn State?
John McGonigal
2:56
Ehhhhhhh alrighty that’s all the time we’ve got for this week. I appreciate all the questions. Also, game prediction for Saturday: Pitt 31, Ohio 17. Talk to y’all next week.
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