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John McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 10.23.19
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John McGonigal
2:00
Good afternoon, y’all, and thanks for joining the weekly Pitt football chat. Fire away with your questions.
Paul
2:02
Pitt fan living in Syracuse, NY. I was at the game, and boy did I come away impressed with Paris Ford. Watching him live, he was by far the most dynamic player on the field. Do you foresee him making an impact on Sundays someday soon?
John McGonigal
2:04
I was impressed with Ford, too, as was Pro Football Focus. He made PFF’s national defensive team of the week … after playing in just the second half at Syracuse. I think he’s an NFL guy at some point. Not sure exactly when that point will be, though.
JR
2:06
IMO the U’s D line and speed at skilled positions will burst Pitt’s bubble. What say you?
John McGonigal
2:08
It could. But on the flip side, Pitt’s D-line could dominate Miami’s woeful OL. Both teams share strengths and weaknesses, which ought to make for a fun game.
Paul
2:10
Who, in your opinion, should be the starting RB?
John McGonigal
2:12
Based on what we’ve seen through seven games, it should be the guy they have in there: A.J. Davis. He leads the team in rushing, averages 4.95 yards per carry and has 3 rushing scores. He’s also Pitt’s third-leading receiver (13 catches, 185 yards) behind Ffrench/Mack. Todd Sibley is a good short-yardage back, Vincent Davis is shifty, and V’Lique Carter is effective as a pass-catcher. But A.J. Davis is as complete a back as Pitt has.
DiehardPittfan
2:14
Do you think we have a shot to face Clemson in the acc title game?
John McGonigal
2:16
If Pitt runs the table and finishes 7-1 in conference, and Virginia loses once (at Louisville, at UNC, vs. GA Tech, vs. Liberty, vs. VA Tech), then Pitt is in the ACC title game. Is it likely? Eh. But it’s not out of the question.
Eddie
2:18
one game at a time but which of the remaining games do see as the most difficult?
John McGonigal
2:21
I’d go with Miami and North Carolina. Georgia Tech is bad. So is Boston College. And I don’t know how Virginia Tech is 5-2. Miami, I think, is the best team Pitt will face until the postseason, and UNC always gives the Panthers trouble. Luckily, they have both at home.
harry potter
2:22
R u related to Professor McGonigal?
John McGonigal
2:23
No, I am not (and can’t say I’ve seen more than a couple of the HP movies, either). Sorry to disappoint, Harry.
Barry J.
2:24
John - What do you think about this suggestion to help cure Pitt's second half woes:   Play crappy music while they warm up at half-time so that the players, AND COACHES, think that they are about to start the game and not the second half?
John McGonigal
2:26
Not a fan of the pregame music? As long as continue playing “Dreams & Nightmares” before the 4th quarter, I’m good.
Andrew
2:27
Hi John - given Pitts current winning streak, the fact that they don't play another home game in almost a month, homecoming week, and a "big name" opponent in town, what's a reasonable expectation for the crowd showing at Heinz on Saturday?
John McGonigal
2:28
Not only do the Panthers not play at home until Nov. 14 … but they also haven’t played at Heinz since Sept. 28. Kind of a weird stretch. Anyway, attendance guessing isn’t really my forte. But if there was any game to have good attendance it would be this one. If it’s anything less than 44k (what Pitt had last year for VA Tech), I’d consider it a disappointment.
Tony
2:30
Hi John. Maybe it's just me but I have not been impressed with Narduzzi at all in recent seasons, including this one. His teams have done next to nothing offensively in the 2nd half of games and to me that is on the coaching. Add to that his terrible decisions late in 2 close games and I think we need a new coach
John McGonigal
2:31
While I understand the frustration with the bad late-game decisions, the guy is 5-2 and has a chance to make Pitt the first back-to-back Coastal winner since 2010/11. Plus, he has a contract through 2024.
Doug in Erie
2:33
Is this the game Pitt finally "turns the corner" or does Lucy pull the football away before Charlie kicks it?
John McGonigal
2:35
I have Pitt winning this game — but that doesn’t mean it won’t look as shaky as it did in the second half against Duke/Syracuse. Would beating Miami in ugly fashion constitute “turning the corner”?
Paul
2:38
This current defense has to be one of the best Narduzzi has put together. It’s unfortunate that Dane Jackson, Damar Hamlin, Jazzee Stocker, Saleem Brightwell and Amir Watts are all seniors. But we’ve also seen the emergence of some youth including Twyman, Baldonado and Ford. And hopefully Camp and Weaver can come back strong next season. Do you think next year’s unit will be better/worst/same as this current unit?
John McGonigal
2:40
It’s tough to say because who knows if players leave early? Maybe Ford or Twyman want to test the NFL waters. They’ve played well enough, even though I’m sure NFL scouts will want to see more tape on both of them, especially with Ford playing safety for the first time this season. I would say to just appreciate this defense while Pitt has it. Never know what the 2020 group might look like.
Bobby
2:41
Why won't Bob Nutting spend money to add legit players to the team? I don't get it. Firing everyone won't matter if he won't up the payroll.
John McGonigal
2:41
Sir, this is a Wendy’s.
Frank
2:42
Do you think the Pitt football program will ever be good enough to get commitments from 5 star recruits?
John McGonigal
2:44
Maybe a one-off, 5-star kid from the area wants to stay home and go to Pitt. But only seven teams signed multiple 5-star prospects in the 2019 cycle: Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, LSU, Texas A&M and Michigan. Four of those teams have made the CFP in the last two years. Pitt has a long, long, long way to go before it’s signing 5-star prospects.
Mark Whipple
2:44
Should I be blamed for our second half scoring woes game after game? Whatever we talk about in the locker room at halftime doesn't seem to be working. Maybe Kenny running back and forth to talk to me every play makes him tired by the 3rd and 4th quarters. What do you think?
John McGonigal
2:45
Hello, fake(?) Mark Whipple. I don’t think you deserve all the blame here. Guys have to execute. For example, if Nakia Griffin-Stewart catches that third-down pass in the red zone in the fourth quarter at Syracuse, Pitt probably scores a touchdown instead of settling for a field goal. Also, the whole Pickett running back and forth thing … I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. In fact, Kenny said weeks ago that he likes it because he can visualize the play/his reads as he jogs to the huddle to deliver the play. Don’t think that’s something worth looking too far into.
H2P
2:47
I love PITT's secondary talent, BUT who is responsible for the "stupid plays" we see week to week, coaching or players? You can't hold on a 4th and forever that essentially ends the game!
John McGonigal
2:48
The players are committing the penalties, but that 4th-and-25 holding call should have never happened. Dane Jackson should have never been running press man. Play off, even prevent if you want, and let Syracuse’s backup try to complete a 25-yard pass. That’s on the coaches.
Duzzy of a Coach's Decision
2:49
Bad planning on her part: we’ll be at my girlfriend’s nephew’s out-of-town wedding on Saturday, and I really need your sage relationship advice: How much time can I spend in the bar checking out the Pitt-Miami game without resulting in an angry girlfriend?  How much extra time beyond that can I slip out and still salvage the relationship with flowers?  Finally, does faking an illness and excusing myself safely buy me more game time, or will that stunt just make matters worse if/when I get busted?  My current & future happiness rests in your capable hands.
John McGonigal
2:49
Uhmmmm, watch the game on your phone under the table? Fall weddings are the worst.
Steve
2:50
Can I coach the second half
John McGonigal
2:50
You’ll have to ask Heather Lyke about that, Steve.
Scott
2:51
In your opinion, do you think this Narduzzi’s best team at Pitt?
John McGonigal
2:52
Best defense? Absolutely. Team? Not sure. A 9-3 record is realistic, but the Panthers can’t afford to continue living dangerously in the second quarter. If they do, it’ll catch up with them.
Lotusscissors
2:53
How do you think the rain affects the game Saturday? I doubt Whipple put together a run-heavy offense for this week during yesterday and today's practice. Not much time considering tomorrow should be a walk through. I know GT put up 200+ on them last week, but our run game hasn't been excellent.
John McGonigal
2:54
No one likes playing in the rain, but rain doesn’t affect the passing game as much as wind does. If anything, a wet/muddy field could help receivers / hurt corners who are simply reacting. Don’t think rain (unless it’s a monsoon) would change Whipple’s gameplay.
Fred
2:55
And word on Houy/Kradel situation for this week?
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