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John McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 11.19.20
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John McGonigal
2:00
Good afternoon, everyone. Thanks for joining the weekly Pitt football chat. Plenty to talk about ahead of Senior Day. Let's get to it.
Guest
2:01
beating a dead horse here, pitt football program going nowhere, what coach out there would come to pitt that has ability to help them out? would they pay top dollar for a name coach?
John McGonigal
2:04
As I seem to say every week, I get the frustration. But Pat Narduzzi is under contract at Pitt through at least the 2024 season. I don’t see them moving on this offseason with the state of the pandemic finances and don’t see the point in discussing potential replacements until something concrete happens. Maybe Mark Cuban comes in, fronts the buyout bill and pays Urban Meyer $20 million a year. Seems reasonable.
Touchdown Tony
2:04
John, do you think Pitt's inability to run block is because they do not start in a three point stance?
John McGonigal
2:07
Eh, I don’t think that’s the issue. The line was in a three-point stance early in the Florida State game, and the run game was getting stuffed. Meanwhile, the line wasn’t in a three-point stance when Vincent Davis broke off a 28-yard run. The issues stem from scheme and execution.
RJ
2:10
I am concerned about the quarterback situation next year if Kenny Pickett leaves for the NFL draft.  The back-ups have not impressed. Thoughts?
John McGonigal
2:14
Joey Yellen looked capable at Miami before really, really struggling against Notre Dame. But hey, Notre Dame is a College Football Playoff finalist as it stands. So I would caution reading too much into two games. Obviously, knowing what you have in Kenny Pickett is comforting and encouraging. He’s impressed me this season in Year 2 under Mark Whipple, even though the points per game aren’t what either wants to see. If it’s Whipple or someone else calling plays next year, they’ll have a couple of young guys to choose from in Yellen and Davis Beville. And I’d expect growing pains. No one’s perfect from the jump (unless you’re Tua or Trevor Lawrence).
Greg
2:17
Any chance Pickett stays for another year to help his draft status?
John McGonigal
2:21
I don’t see it. Spoke to Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy and a couple other draft experts (https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2020/11/19/kenny-pickett-nfl-...) who all said they like Pickett landing with a team this year as a Day 3 pick. And I don’t think his stock would get any better than that. He’s capped by average arm strength despite his pocket awareness, mobility and everything else you like in a polished senior quarterback. Plus, sometimes it’s just time to move on. Barring a bad injury, it seems like Pickett’s time.
Guest
2:23
Any chance of enticing Luke Fickell to come to Pitt?  If he can get Cincinnati in the top 10 in less than 4 years think what he could do at Pitt!
John McGonigal
2:27
Luke Fickell is a name I’ve seen pop up here over the last few weeks. He’s a really, really good coach — and he’s probably looking for a job better than Pitt. The Michigan State gig had issues surrounding it, but from what I’ve read, that was Fickell’s job if he wanted it, and he turned it down to stay at Cincinnati. Current Michigan State coach Mel Tucker is getting paid $1 million more than Narduzzi is, so that says a lot. Geographically, Fickell would make a lot of sense. But he’d also make sense at Michigan if the Wolverines moved on from Jim Harbaugh.
V. Fontaine
2:29
This seems like a very winnable game. Offensively, Tech runs the ball well but struggles to protect the QB. This would be the week for Pitt to try to commit to running the ball as Tech gives up almost 200 yards on the ground. So it to me it comes down to Pitt stoping the run and being able to run. Do those two things and they should win.
John McGonigal
2:34
It seems that simple. But I thought if Pitt stopped Notre Dame’s vaunted rushing attack, they’d keep it close, and we all saw what happened there. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Pitt a 34.9% chance of winning. We also have to consider that Pitt will have guys missing this game due to COVID protocols — and we won’t know who they are officially until Saturday afternoon. So it’s not quite as straightforward as run the ball, stop the run.
Retire
2:34
Read Coach PN's comments about Notre Dame either being a full part of ACC or not at all. Is that the overall sentiment at ACC schools and what do you think will happen?
John McGonigal
2:37
Can’t say I’ve chatted with Mack Brown or Dabo Swinney recently, but I don’t think Narduzzi is alone in his thinking. As far as what will happen, I don’t see Notre Dame giving up its independence. Even after needing to the join the ACC for a season, the Irish are in a position of leverage. The five-game agreement is good for the ACC, and if the conference wants to end that agreement, 1) it would be stupid and 2) Notre Dame would easily find five games elsewhere.
JF
2:39
John, lets be realistic,  The offensive line is mediocre, can't take a defensive line off the ball for a QB sneek from the 1 yard line.  Paul Chryst's lineman are gone.  Running backs are way to small.  Receivers are starting to be a bright spot.
John McGonigal
2:42
Agreed on the offensive line. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Vincent Davis is a good back when Whipple and Andre Powell utilize him in the right way. Third-and-goal from the 1 is not the right scenario. And the wide receivers have definitely been a bright spot. Jordan Addison, Taysir Mack, Jared Wayne and Shocky Jacques-Louis will be a good group for Yellen or Beville to work with.
Ryan
2:44
Shocked to see someone like Jason Pinnock and Phil Campbell intend to leave. I thought they would come back for another year
John McGonigal
2:46
While it would be a plus for Pitt’s defense to have Pinnock back alongside Damarri Mathis, I don’t know how much better his stock would get. He’s a bigger corner and likely an undrafted free agent either way. And Campbell will be 23 in May. Sometimes it’s just time for these guys to move on. But as Narduzzi said, they can still change their minds and return with the blanket waiver.
Guest
2:48
How do you grade the d-line  and o-line for next year
John McGonigal
2:50
Defensive line: A-
Offensive line: C-
Only real knock on Pitt’s defensive line was its inability to get home in the NC State game. The offensive line, meanwhile, has done a nice job pass blocking. But man, the run game has been bad. And those guys would be the first to tell you that, too.
Moses John
2:51
Kenny Pickett is projected as a 5th or 6th round draft choice if he leaves Pitt.  His best move is to come back next year.  He can buy an insurance policy to protect against injury.  If he can improve his draft position to the 3rd round, it would be a much better financial situation for him.  If Pickett comes back, Pitt could compete for a top 25 ranking.  That would positively impact his draft position.  Also, we Pitt fans would have what we want most, a competitive 9-10 win team.
John McGonigal
2:54
I disagree that his stock could rise to the 3rd round. I don’t see it improving much more next year, and if Mark Whipple is out at coordinator, he’d have to learn an entirely new offense. Also … if Pitt loses Patrick Jones, Rashad Weaver, Jimmy Morrissey, Damar Hamlin, etc., it isn’t competing for a 9 or 10-win season even with Pickett. The 2021 team will have some pieces, but I think growing pains are in its future.
Guest
2:55
does B. Kamara have a chance to start next year with some linebackers leaving? Do you think he will be a good one
John McGonigal
2:57
Starting? Probably not next season. SirVocea Dennis, Cam Bright and Chase Pine are your likely 2021 starters. But I like what Bangally Kamar has shown so far. He’s rangy and has the athleticism Narduzzi wants in an outside linebacker.
Lturk
2:57
How are the new State and County COVID rules affecting the game?
John McGonigal
2:58
A team spokesperson told me that Pitt and Virginia Tech are exempt from wearing masks during the game. As for fans, I’m under the impression that they still plan on having a reduced capacity crowd at Heinz Field. Nothing official from Pitt, though.
9NC
3:00
Do you see W Davis starting next year? Is his rehab going as planned?
John McGonigal
3:00
It'll be either Wendell Davis or Chase Pine next year. Davis slipped my mind with his injury. No word if he'll return this season or not.
3:01
Well, that's all the time we've got today. Thanks for joining and dropping your questions. We'll be back with our regular 2 p.m. Wednesday live chat next week.
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