On the bright side, it was a very nice day. Had a chance to get together one last time this year with some friends. Had a good stogie. Got inside early enough — go figure the lines weren’t particularly long — to cheer the seniors before the game.
Had to drive back that night, so no drowning the sorrows.
First half, the offense was doing okay. Louisville, was playing conservatively and not bringing a lot of pressure. The defense struggled. Inexplicably, Revis was not shadowing the 6’6″ Mario Urrutia on every play. Just about any time Cox was stuck on him, they were throwing his way. If Revis was on him, Brohm recognized and avoided many throws that way. Generally, Brohm always accounted for where Revis was on any pass play. Not that it really mattered. If they really wanted a completion, just a nice pass over the middle where the safeties were not up to the challenge. Jameel Brady, Mike Phillips, Sam Bryant, it didn’t matter. They were a step slow coupled with poor reads and tackles. If Elijah Fields really couldn’t match their effort, I’m afraid for the future and the development of the young talent upon which we are all hanging our hopes.
At halftime, the crowd mood was not confident being down only 7. Instead, the general reaction from fans was, “Let’s see which team shows up in the second half.” Yeah, most of the crowd had suffered through the WVU game last week.
The second half saw the usual. Well, kind of. It wasn’t the running game that killed Pitt. Still, their offense moved at will and the L-ville defense had a quickly growing lead. This allowed the defense to really bring the blitz. To the shock of no one, Pitt’s O-line couldn’t handle it and Palko started taking the hits. It also led to Palko to start forcing throws, and not setting his feet. Yes, that then led to the INTs.
Ugh.
You didn’t note the times Urrutia was covered by Bennett? Talk about lopsided.
I did note many instances where Pitt blitzed, not to mention 7-8 rushers sent on the 75-yard TD pass. None of them got close to Brohm, who had plenty of time to let the play develop and deliver the ball perfectly past an overmatched Cox. When Pitt didn’t blitz, the DEs always went straight upfield and took themselves out of the play. And CB blitzes were impossible given who would be left to cover the receivers – slow LBs and god-awful safeties.
Suddenly, I understood what DW has been saying. Pitt just doesn’t have the horses to blitz.
I’ll miss Tyler’s enthusiasm and abilities, but that was not one of his better plays.
As for the rest, well, I’m not an “X’s and O’s” expert but I do agree with the argument that any team-building begins with its line-play on both sides of the ball.
I especially enjoyed the conversational aspect of this Blog – it gives me a chance to talk (sometimes on a soap box I guess) about something I care about for a short time each day. Living outside the WPA area it’s hard to find someone to share this passion with. So, thanks to all you other posters too – you certainly gave me things to watch for and think about this football season.
My thanks to you as well. I live in Virginia and Pitt Football is one of my joys in life, this blog has added substantially to that joy.
As for Pitt, Harris knew he was leaving so he did not recruit strongly for the last 3 years. The current coaching staff is doing a good job recruiting, fans just have to realize it takes time to reload. My main concern is not playing young talent. This is a catch 22, recruits want to come to Pitt because they believe they will play right away, the coaches, desparate for a win play experience. The young guys get turned off because they know they are better, recruits see this and will eventually stop comming. Dave W is very loyal to his players, that’s a good thing, but maybe DW is a little too loyal. The loyality must first and foremost be to the institution, becasue once the institution is a winner guys like Palko and Blades will get the just rewards that DW wants them to get as well everyone else on the team. fo Institutional loyalty also extends to the coaching staff. In my estimation, DW is a great head coach for Pitt, he takes action when players get out of line. He communicates well with them. He is honest and he will be here as long as the fans support him. He works hard and he is the best recrutier Pitt has had since John Majors in the 70″s. South Florida and Rutgers have been building for years and have enhanced the Big East Conference. Pitt simply needs talent to catch up, but talent has to play regardless if the person is a freshman or a senior. It is not about strategy or play calling at this point for Pitt it is about talent. I wish DW and his coaches much success this off season, their job won’t be easy, but I beleive they are up to the task. Hail to Pitt!
so what can We look forward too..
Bostick lives a couple doors down from me near Litiz, PA….he seems to be a good solid kid….not fleet of foot…..he’ll need to work on that….but he’s strong….and can make throws….he surpassed Chad Henne’s (Michigan) QB HS stats..with much smaller and less capable receivers than Pitt’s current crop…..so it’s not like Wanny has nothing to work with….will he make an immediate impact if he starts ? He certainly improved his HS team’s performance from the minute he started as a soph….took a perennial loser (Manheim Twsp High) into the playoffs….yeah I think he’ll work out
The elusive big back that we’re still searching for is priority #2…after improved O line….it’s what Wanny preaches….but can’t seem to recruit and deliver…Collins could be the answer ?
As to speed and strength…..well if we can’t recruit for speed…then we better improve what we got….I think W needs to take a hard look at conditioning and toughness
Lastly….I don’t like this talk that we don’t have the horses to win….(even if it’s true)…confidence and loyalty to your players can sometimes inspire non-bluechippers to reach higher…..but they need to know the coach is behind them….it’s part of molding a team and inspiring winners….we need to see more of that out of W….I hear the same kind of talk about lack of talent out the Pirates organization….and we know how well that team has fared in the past…Ummmm 14 or so years….
Further, because my dogs quite literally (and rather narrowly) escaped a house fire 2 wks. ago, I’m just now getting current with the blog again.
The firewalt drama/ saga (and his/her now-known alias(es)) is the most inflammatory incident to hit this board. Take preliminary steps geared towards legal action — I probably don’t need to tell you, Chas, that policy/procedure exists to deter/ eliminate pests of this sort.
Last, your work throughout the football season (and seasons past) is appreciated. Will look fwd to the same/usual effort in upcoming posts regarding the bball team (subs required, or not).