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Post-Gazette Pitt football chat: 12.05.19
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Pitt Football Insider
11:01
As Pitt awaits its bowl destination (and reflects on the 2019 regular season), we chat. Let’s get to it.
Charlotte John
11:04
Happy Thursday to all, what a disappointing end to this season regardless of bowl outcome. I am sure most, if not all teams, in the ACC Coastal feel the same way. Although PITT did show glimpses of future promise, What on the offense stood out as next years biggest concern; scheme, talent (o-line and RB), Pickett’s development, other?
Pitt Football Insider
11:07
I don’t want this to sound like a cop-out answer (because it includes all the things you mentioned) but I think the biggest concern moving forward is solving the inconsistency. It was the first year in the system, and Kenny Pickett, Mark Whipple and the offense have some bright spots to look back on. The final drive at Duke was efficient and effective, and people forget the “Pitt Special” series vs. UCF was a 12-play, 79-yard march. But seeing those glimpses of what could have been is frustrating for coaches and players. Both expressed confidence throughout the season that it would get better (what else are they supposed to say, I guess). But it just never got better. It never settled down. It was erratic and unreliable. That’s on Whipple. That’s on Pickett. That’s on the offensive line and the playmakers who fumbled/dropped balls all year. Everyone has to improve to ensure the offense isn’t again disjointed. Perhaps having almost everyone back will help.
Jake
11:12
Have you heard anything regarding whether or not the coaches are happy with Pickett?  Is there a chance that there could be an open competition at the qb position in the spring?  He is just so inconsistent that I would have a hard time putting him out there for another season.
Pitt Football Insider
11:14
Barring injury, I think Pitt’s 2020 starting quarterback is Kenny Pickett. I’m not giving Pickett a pass here because he made some poor decisions for a second-year starter. But he went from basically being a handoff robot to college football’s second-most frequent passer in a new offensive system with a team that’s near the top (if not at the top) nationally in drops. He’s been inconsistent and sometimes, just flat out bad. And the way he ended the year at Virginia Tech and vs. Boston College is not encouraging at all. But I don’t see them dumping him after one year with Whipple.
Steve
11:16
Do you foresee Heather guiding PN to get discipline instilled? The pre-game stunts didn't work out to well.
Pitt Football Insider
11:20
I would be more worried about the 71 penalty yards per game (121st nationally) than the brief pregame dustups. Narduzzi said all season that penalties/discipline is something they work on … but it never improved. Pitt had 25 penalties in its first four games, and 30 in its last four games. That has to get corrected. Then worry about what shenanigans happen pregame.
Todd
11:23
There are true freshman all over CFB playing in intimidating environments and making huge plays left and right. If Beville is playing as well as Duzz said, how do you not at least have a competition next year to see what you have? I’ll take playmaker over game manager all day
Pitt Football Insider
11:27
Not here to dispute whether or not Davis Beville has played well on the scout team this fall. But let’s remember: It’s the scout team. Your point stands that true freshmen are making impacts across the country, and Beville was a four-star kid. I’m sure he’ll get a crack in spring practice, just like Patti. When asked about the QB situation, Narduzzi will say there’s competition at every position. But I have a hard time believing Beville will overtake a guy who Narduzzi stood behind after throwing for 8 yards against Clemson last year.
George
11:28
Will I ever see a Pitt team again that isn’t starting a Grad Transfer at TE?
Pitt Football Insider
11:28
Will Nelson Agholor ever learn how to consistently catch the ball?
Ronald
11:30
My wife’s boyfriend Gary said we can go to the bowl game as long as Pitt plays a P5 team. What are the odds we draw Navy? I’ve been wanting to get to a bowl game for awhile!
Pitt Football Insider
11:31
Sounds like an interesting situation you’ve got there, Ronald. If it’s the Military Bowl, it’ll likely be Navy. If it’s the Pinstripe Bowl, Pitt will play a Big Ten team. Could go either way. Good luck to you.
Larry
11:33
Any early rumblings about players putting in paper work for draft grades? Who do you think stays and goes?
Pitt Football Insider
11:38
Funny you should ask. We have a story on those eligible underclassmen, discussing their draft prospects with a Scouts Inc. expert (https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2019/12/04/pitt-football-nfl-...). He thought, based solely on film, that Patrick Jones is the most prepared to move on. And I agree with him. Jones stepped up in the absence of Rashad Weaver and Keyshon Camp, tallying 18 hurries, 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Assuming those two return to full health, will he get that production again? As far as Twyman and Ford, they’re first-year starters and, in terms of improving their stock, should come back.
But I'd be surprised if those three didn't put requests in for underclassman grades. Can't hurt.
Libby the Lib
11:40
Will Baby Yoda verbally commit to a Big 10 school or SEC? He feels like an LSU kinda guy
Pitt Football Insider
11:41
Well, Baby Yoda is definitely not committing to Alabama. I’d like to think he wouldn’t join the empire. But I think you’re on to something with LSU. Kid has five-star talent and a five-star personality. Pairing lil Baby Yoda and Ed Orgeron would be electric.
King
11:43
Who’s cuter: Baby Yoda or Stitch?
Pitt Football Insider
11:44
Baby Yoda. Sorry, Stitch.
Oh deer
11:46
Why isn’t there much stability or consistency in the program? Why is every season disappointing?
Pitt Football Insider
11:48
I understand how this season can be rationalized as a disappointment. The losses to Miami and Boston College were bad, and the Virginia Tech game was just ugly. But the Vegas over/under for this team was 6 wins. It got to 7. It’s not a “successful” season considering how some of those winnable games went … but if you thought before the season that this team would win 9 regular-season games, you’re lying. Maybe it’s just that expectations aren’t properly set.
Toby
11:50
Pitt yourself in Duzz shoes for a second. You’re visiting one of the 4 star kids currently committed in this class and after watching the last 2 games they are now unsure if Pitt is it. How do you spin it or sell them this program is still trending up?
Pitt Football Insider
11:52
- ACC Coastal champion in 2018
- 4 out of 5 seasons with a winning record in the regular season
- If you’re a skill player: We throw the ball a lot
- If you’re a defensive player: Look what Randy Bates just did
That’s your “trending up” pitch, along with sharing a facility with the Steelers, etc.
Johnny Michelolsen
11:54
Well it's time to start looking at next year.  Recruiting reportedly was good.  Do you see improvement?
Pitt Football Insider
11:57
Well, it’s hard to be any worse than the offense was (115th nationally in scoring), and the defense will be stout again if some combination of Twyman/Ford/Jones return (with the boost of getting Weaver and Camp back). I think the team as a whole improves. Too early to make 2020 predictions...but the road schedule next season isn’t easy: Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Virginia.
GSMP
11:59
Isn't Detroit more likely a bowl destination? Wake to the Pinstripe and UNC to the Military?
Pitt Football Insider
12:00
Military can certainly take North Carolina if it’s available, and technically the Quick Lane in Detroit is a possibility if Pitt doesn’t make a Tier One bowl. But I wouldn’t say Detroit is “more likely” than Annapolis.
FatBuddy
12:00
When will Pitt overcome its second half disasters?  The second half of games and the second half of the season?
Pitt Football Insider
12:01
The thing is, the second-half disasters at Duke and Syracuse were self-inflicted. Narduzzi admitted to going conservative with big leads, and Pitt nearly lost those games. When (and if) the Panthers have big second-half leads in 2020, they’ve got to keep the foot on the gas. This offense isn’t designed to kill two quarters of clock.
12:03
All right folks, that’s all the time we have for today. We’ll have another chat next week at the normal time: 2 p.m. Wednesday. We’ll know Pitt’s bowl destination/opponent by then, so bring your questions. Have a good one.
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