I don’t think anyone is surprised that Coach Wannstedt won’t be naming a starting QB until Thursday — at the earliest. Nor will it be a shock to read that he is planning to give both playing time in the Grambling game.
“I would expect both guys to play,” Wannstdt said. “I think that’s the approach we’re going to have to take. I didn’t want to get into that, but you have to do what you have to do. …
“My obligation to this football team is to play the best player that gives us the best chance to win.”
Wannstedt said he and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh will base their decision not only by how Smith and Bostick throw the ball in practice but how they handle themselves in the huddle, prepare for the game and make necessary checks in red-zone and two-minute drills.
I have no problem with that. While we all presume Pat Bostick is the future star and is a freshman, Kevan Smith is only a sophomore who has possibilities of his own.
Some feel that it should be Smith’s job to lose, because of what happened at the start of training camp.
Wannstedt should start Smith. It’s an easy decision.
Smith did not leave preseason camp due to undisclosed personal reasons and he definitely has the respect of his teammates, something Bostick has to earn.
“I though I did well and I know the guys have full confidence in me,” Smith said. “I was prepared for this. And if they call on me to start next week, I’ll prepare myself for that.”
Wannstedt will be tempted to start Bostick, the 2006 Gatorade Pennsylvania High School Player of the Year. Bostick and McCoy are Pitt’s future and plans to redshirt the quarterback this year no longer exist.
Given his camp departure, Bostick’s ability to lead should be questioned. And, given Pitt is playing an inferior opponent Saturday, Smith deserves the chance to start. He never left and there’s nothing like some padded numbers to build confidence.
Arguably, any freshman has to earn the respect of the teammates. Given Pitt’s situation the last couple of years, I’m guessing the “respect” issue is secondary to the guy they have more confidence in, and who they feel will help them win. (Or that could just be the fans.)
Regardless, Pitt will need a running game. That means a functioning O-line.
The problem was a familiar one — Pitt’s offensive line had far too many breakdowns to give the running game a chance to get any momentum.
Wannstedt said that fixing the running game has to be his main focus because the Panthers will line up Saturday with an inexperienced quarterback regardless of who wins the job.
The coaches want to make the run a prominent part of the game plan to take some pressure off a young quarterback, and Wannstedt said Pitt will have to run the ball much better to be successful this season.
“That was the one main disappointment for us from Saturday, the way we ran the ball,” Wannstedt said. “I was really excited about unleashing our running game, but it is evident that we have a lot of work to do in that area. I promise you we are going to be working our tails off to get this corrected.
“We didn’t block well, and it wasn’t just the linemen, though that’s where it begins. Sometimes, it was the tight ends missing a block or the fullbacks, but the bottom line is we just didn’t get it done up front.”
Wannstedt’s frustration with the running game was clearly directed at the blockers, not the running backs. He said he was happy with the performance of freshman LeSean McCoy, who ran 10 times for 68 yards and said starter LaRod Stephens-Howling (16 for 67) played well considering he did not get much help.
The run offense was ineffective in the first half when there was absolutely no blocking. In the second half both had the bulk of their yardage — Stephens-Howling 11-63 and McCoy 6-60. The one extra dimension that LSH has that McCoy still needs to develop — catching the ball. McCoy also had 2 catches for 24 yards (one was a 19-yard gain). Whether on design or as a safety valve, a RB who can catch as well is vital for Cavanaugh’s West Coast offense.
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