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August 16, 2011

One feature we can look forward to seeing in Pitt’s offense this year is use of just about every eligible skill player of offense to catch a pass.

Having three experienced, game-ready wide receivers is not enough for him. He wants six to eight capable catchers.

Fortunately, he has a healthy crop of young receivers that have shown promise in the first week of camp.

Juniors Mike Shanahan and Cameron Saddler and sophomore Devin Street are firmly entrenched starters at the three wide-receiver positions in the Panthers’ new offense, and rightfully so.

Shanahan was second on the team in catches behind the departed Jonathan Baldwin with Saddler, who missed much of last season because of injury, getting seven receptions and Street getting 25 in 2010.

But newcomers and younger players, highlighted by redshirt freshman Salath Williams and true freshman Ronald Jones, are part of the list of players that could see playing time this season.

And not just to give the starters a rest.

“If they can’t play a substantial amount, then they won’t,” Graham said. “But all of them are competing right now to play.”

In addition, Ed Tinker, Josh Brinson, K’Wuan Williams put the number up to 8 receivers who will get opportunities to contribute. Lots of possibilities, configurations and combinations.

Cam Saddler gets some love as the X-factor in the receiving game. He’s been a talent, but between injuries and receiving sets that rarely had more than 2 WRs at a time has done very little.

At Gateway, he returned seven kickoffs for touchdowns over two seasons — one short of a national record — and Rivals.com rated him the No. 8 all-purpose player in the country.

His Pitt career has developed slowly after he tore his ACL during his first summer camp in 2008. Three years later, he looks like a natural for coach Todd Graham’s hurry-up, speed-based offense.

In the first practice last Monday night — under the lights at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex — Saddler raced into the open to catch a long pass in the corner of the end zone.

He fell to the ground, and skidded into a small scoreboard, tearing his gloves to shreds, but holding onto the football. No one was sure if he was hurt, but he quickly jumped to his feet, skipping away and shouting, “Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.”

“It hurt,” he said, “but once I heard everybody yelling, I was like, ‘I don’t think I can lay here.’ I jumped up and let everybody know I just made a big-time catch, so you all should pay attention to me.”

Getting Saddler committed at the time was a big deal. As much because he was kept from making a mistake with WVU — plus burying the Hoopie coaches:

“Coach Gibson told me, ‘We have no guys that can do the same things you do,’ which was just ridiculous. They have all types of players. I looked like clones with these guys. For him to say stuff like that, I kind of was like he’s not serious.

“A couple days after he was hired at Michigan, he said, ‘We truly have no guys that can do what you can do.’ Now you tell me the same thing and I’m supposed to believe it?”

And I’m sure he and Coach Tony Gibson have since had a very awkward laugh over Saddler’s comments.

While Brock DeCicco is transferring, Hubie Graham looks solid at the H-back/TE spot after sitting out a year following his transfer from Illinois.

The H-Back — or three-back as Todd Graham labels it — is a tight end who can run and catch without sacrificing his blocking.

“He has (to line up) in the backfield, (be) an inline (blocking) tight end,” Todd Graham said. “He has to split out and has to be involved in the play-action game and protections.”

Not to be facetious, but how is that significantly different from a regular tight end? I guess the splitting out part, but the description doesn’t sound too different. I guess we will see.





Chas, it is different because there were a few more parentheses omitted from Coach’s statemnt …
“He has (to line up) in the backfield (when we decide to use him), (be) an inline (blocking) tight end (only when we are in short yardaage),” Todd Graham said. “He has to split out and has to be involved in the play-action game and protections.” (in other words, he either is a decoy or blocks)

Comment by wbb 08.16.11 @ 12:25 pm

to follow up on my message above …. Tulsa had 280 pass completions last year, 6 went to a TE (a guy named Sears. 5 other TEs were on the roster and compiled 0 catches.

Comment by wbb 08.16.11 @ 12:38 pm

All the flashy WR speed guys are going to get the press in camp. One thing Mike Shanahan DOESN’T possess is breakaway speed, which of course we all know by now, is Todd (Speed) Graham’s middle name. Make note of this comment Chas for future reference. Shanahan ends the season being either the 1st or 2nd best receiver this season regarding # of completions. IMO, my man Shanahan will impress Graham with his HANDS! And when you really need that 10 yard completion to keep the chains moving on a 3 and long, Shanahan will end up being that man more times than not as the season wears on. Mark my words

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.16.11 @ 12:55 pm

Chas, Not to nitpic but K’Wuan Williams is a starting cornerback not a reciever.

Comment by Jeff in CPa 08.16.11 @ 1:28 pm

What you probably meant to write was Salath Williams.

Comment by Jeff in CPa 08.16.11 @ 1:32 pm

“I was here last night watching film and I watched every single thing that he did throughout the whole practice, and he looks like he’s been doing it,” Graham said on Tuesday. “He doesn’t look like some guy that just moved over and started doing it; he looks like a guy who’s a natural doing it. So he’s pretty natural at that position.

link to pittsburgh.rivals.com

Who’d da thunk

Comment by steve 08.16.11 @ 2:27 pm

I’m glad to hear all these receivers are going to be good. That’s one less excuse Zeise and the other apologists can use if our offense falters.

Let’s see if that is the case, say come mid-October.

Comment by melvinbennett 08.16.11 @ 2:49 pm

I guess when you have 4 QBs on the roster you find ways to use the best athletes. Sounds like what I would have have liked to see happen with Greg Cross…

Comment by BCPITT 08.16.11 @ 3:04 pm

If the 6’3, 215 Gonzalez is H-Back/TE material, then that more or less confirms that B DeCicco (6’5 240) probably made the right choice .. and despite Coach’s description, it is not the traditional TE position.

Comment by wbb 08.16.11 @ 3:06 pm

H-Back/TE = Dorin Dickerson

Dorin is pretty much the easiest way to sum up the ideal player for that position.

Comment by BCPITT 08.16.11 @ 3:14 pm

“That’s one less excuse Zeise and the other apologists can use if our offense falters.”

melvinbennett, I, for one, enjoy Zeise’s columns and articles. I find him to be competent and professional.

Comment by BigGuy 08.16.11 @ 3:56 pm

I hope Rushel Shell doesn’t read this blog!

Comment by cnorwoodaz 08.16.11 @ 3:57 pm

@cnorwooddaz. You mind explaining why Rushel Shell shouldn’t be reading this blog? I’m not pickin up what your layin down.

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.16.11 @ 4:12 pm

Yes, cnorwoodaz, please explain?? I’ve thought about it from several angles. 99% of the comments are pro Pitt. The running back gets heavy duty in Graham’s O’. ????

Comment by Dan 08.16.11 @ 4:28 pm

Rushel,
If you are reading, please make Pitt your college choice. And, don’t wait until October to announce. The suspense is killing me, and I need to go on with my life.

Comment by TX Panther 08.16.11 @ 4:29 pm

Dr. Tom,
Based off the fact Shanahan was picked by Graham to attend the BE Media Day, i think he’s already impressed Graham. I agree what Mike lacks in speed, he makes up for in guts and great hands. He’s not afraid to go across the middle and take a hit.

Comment by Pete 08.16.11 @ 4:36 pm

IMO, Ziese does a good job of reporting detailed information from practice (to the extent the coaches allow the media to view) with a mixture of his own opinions/thoughts. I look forward to his Redshoe Diaries daily.

Piggy-backing off that, I love what I read today in the Redshoe Diaries. Thomas pushing Williams for the “spur’ position, Price getting ample opportunity to get on the field and make plays behind Lindsay and Gonzalez taking some reps at the HBack position. Graham doesn’t appear to be affraid to play the youngr guys and seems as if he looks to maximize talent.

One of the most interesting things to me coming into camp was Graham’s approach of adjusting to the talent on the roster. Until the season starts I guess we do not know for sure but from what is being reported from camp, I like what I hear so far.

Comment by JAM05Pitt 08.16.11 @ 5:25 pm

melvinbennett, I, for one, enjoy Zeise’s columns and articles. I find him to be competent and professional.
Comment by BigGuy 08.16.11 @ 3:56 pm

That’s nice BigGuy….congrats. (You aren’t Zeise are you?) 🙂

Comment by melvinbennett 08.16.11 @ 6:01 pm

Well specifically, the blog post and related articles/videos on which it was based, discussed Graham saying he needs 6+ WRs and multiple RBs making lots of catches each game to make the offense work. Not exactly what one of the top RBs in any class would want to hear.

Tangentially, and not that we should be expecting Tulsa’s offense, but their top RB had 64 carries, the whole year. Dion had 220 as point of comparison.

Lastly, if we’re lining up every 12-15 seconds, just to hand the ball off, that probably means that Tino is not capable of running the offense the way it’s supposed to be run and we will be incredibly easy to defend. A RB run heavy, hurry up, no huddle, shotgun-based, spread offense? Does that sound logical? Would certainly be novel.

I think Shell was smart to postpone his announcement until October. It does sound like he’s leaning towards Pitt. Hopefully we show him enough balance and RayG is ripping it up by then and we seal the deal and get him to commit.

Comment by cnorwoodaz 08.16.11 @ 6:23 pm

Shell like Graham is a 4-star and both have a terrific burst, going from 1st to 4th in a blonk of an eye.

One more thing about the both of them .. when you are as talented as both of them are, you can thrive in any system. OC Magee used to call plays at WVU, and if anyne cares to remember, it was the running of White and Slaton that scored 38 vs Georgia and 48 vs Oklahoma. While you will see more passing here at Pitt, any coach worth his salt will utilize a talented RB.

Comment by wbb 08.16.11 @ 8:06 pm

Sean Keeley of SB Nation preliminary talks between Kansas and Big East have started.

Comment by FRANKCAN 08.16.11 @ 8:14 pm

not sure if this is good or bad
link to espn.go.com

Comment by wbb 08.16.11 @ 8:24 pm

Kercheval also posts talks between kansas and big east.

Comment by FRANKCAN 08.16.11 @ 8:39 pm

Pitt cannot leave it’s fate in the hands of these commish bozos. Those three are trying to postpone the inevitable and probably work out some short term gentlemen’s agreement on what schools may be off limits to poaching by one another. At the end of this, the Big 12 won’t be around since the Pac 10, SEC and Big 10 are in the driver’s seat. Kansas in the Big East makes sense if the conference doesn’t lose significant numbers, but I see all three of these conferences taking a huge hit.

And, Zeise is about as balanced in reporting as Reed…just bustin your balz. I like the reporting from both so don’t change a thing.

Comment by TX Panther 08.16.11 @ 8:41 pm

Graham NEVER had any running back talent like Ray Graham or Rusell Shell at Rice or Tulsa so looking at their previous stats is meaningless. What Graham HAS stated as an operational philosophy of his is that you play to your personel’s strengths. IF Rusell Shell comes here, he will get used to his maximum potential. Now it may not be just rushing yardage that tips the scales as much as total all purpose yardage that needs to be considered for a talent such as his. If Shell is the team player that he seems to be, then he shouldn’t be considering how the coach runs his offense and whether it will fit him so he can shine for big personal stats. He should be considering how can I fit into the system and can I make it even better with my contributions to it? Shell says he wants to join the average team on the up swing and take it to competing for the national championship. That sounds like a team player to me. He’ll do just fine at Pitt. Then he can see if he can break all of Tony Dorsett’s college records here too.

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.16.11 @ 9:17 pm

cnorwoodaz, excellent points, points taken.
I will say, that I have heard Graham say many times, if they have a workhorse running back or receiver who continually moves the chains, they will get the ball.

I think he may want to wait, and see how Graham (RB) and, is it Brown from Wis, do??

If they are sitting on the bench playing tidly winks, then maybe, but, I have a feeling Graham and Brown will be having big years.

We’ll have to wait and see.

Comment by Dan 08.16.11 @ 9:29 pm

Tx panther, nail on the head. These three are whistlin’ through the graveyard!!! Hopefully Nordy is having some of his own calls to people.

Comment by Dan 08.16.11 @ 9:32 pm

And BTW, why even consider what Sunseri is going to be doing with Pitt’s offense now when considering how it relates to Shell’s decision on coming to Pitt. By the time Shell is tearing it up, Chad Voytek will be throwing the ball all around the yard and Tino will be but a dim memory by Shell’s sophomore year. Like Nike says “just do it” and lets make history together with our 10th national championship “Rushel” Shell. Sorry about the hacked spelling of your first name in my previous post

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.16.11 @ 9:36 pm

Hey, fellas, it’s not just us. Looked on the Syracuse, WVU and a couple other boards. Everyone is tense.

Guy from Syracuse put it bluntly and too the point, speaking of the Syracuse a.d..

“I love our rivalries with UCONN, Pitt and WVU, but, and ideally, all together, but, if push comes to shove, he better be ready to jump to keep us in the game”.

Couldn’t have said it better. Would love us to stay together in the Big East with some new members. All of us go to the ACC. Like the fella said, if push comes to shove, Nordy has got to be lookin’ out for Pitt. Then, he needs to look out for Pitt, and finally, he should look after Pitt.

Yes, some hard feelings if things come to pass, but Nordy has got to make sure Pitt is relevant if football and basketball in the future, even if means taking a leap.

I’d rather take a leap by myself into something stable, than hold hands together with some friends on a ship that is going down.

Comment by Dan 08.16.11 @ 9:37 pm

I agree with Dan the man. Graham’s fast no huddle offense just improves the odds of your impact players making the most of their talents. Open up the field with 3 or 4 receivers spread wide and watch the running lanes open up for somebody with Graham’s or Shell’s break away speed when they squirt through the line on a quick hitter. LIGHTS OUT, TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE, nough said.

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.16.11 @ 9:42 pm

Great stuff, Dr. Tom. I just happen to disagree with most of it. I believe Rushel Shell would be a complete idiot (which he is not) if he has not thoroughly considered how any coach runs their offense and whether or not it will prepare him for a future career in pro football and ultimately the rest of his life. Which, by the way, I don’t think has anything to do with being or not being a team player. Unless Ray Graham, goes pro after this year, it’s unlikely Shell would break any of Tony D’s records. TD averaged 270 carries a year. No way any one player sees the ball that much in Graham’s offense. Would be something special to see for another Quip, for sure. Hope for the best, expect the worst?

Comment by cnorwoodaz 08.16.11 @ 9:45 pm

Again Txpanther, I have to make one more comment before beddy bye!! Yes, you can just hear them, “hey, ah, you’re not gonna talk to Maryland, BC or Virginia are you?”, “oh no, no, of course not, you’re not gonna be talking to Pitt WVU or Syracuse are you??”

This is bad for Pitt if Marinatto thinks he has found some frends. I hope he is not that naive, Swofford will be stealing teams from behind as he’s smiling at Marinatto.

Wow, if something happens, I hope Nordy and Pederson are on this.

You end up not in one of the biggies, your program is about shot.

Also, if someone told me tomorrow, the next three teams to the Big East would be Kansas, Kansas St and Missouri, I’d lock that up for 20 years.

So much could happen though, Missouri may be a prime candidate for the SEC, not to mention the Big Ten.

And, don’t think that Delaney from the Big Ten isn’t keepin’ his pulse on all of this. Scares me that nothing has been heard from him!!

Comment by Dan 08.16.11 @ 9:45 pm

You are right Dan if we can keep it together fine but dont wait to long better to be some were safe in bed with the big boys then to find ourselves out on the street with no were to go. go to 10 or 12 football schools or move to the ACC or to the SEC if they will have us i dont trust marinatto he looks out for the bb schools we need some one to look out for pitt.

Comment by FRANKCAN 08.16.11 @ 10:12 pm

They took a pole in kansas star news paper they ask if big 12 goes away were should kansas go 62 percent said they should go to big east at least we have there fans support.

Comment by FRANKCAN 08.16.11 @ 10:38 pm

Shell First wants to Win second wants to impress the scouts for Pro career. This offence gives him a great chance to do both. Hail to Pitt

Comment by 63 Team 08.16.11 @ 11:17 pm

I hope you’re right ’63! A little early to tell exactly what “this offense” is all about though.

On a different note, this Miami football stuff, if true, makes SMU and Ohio State look like Boy Scouts:

link to sports.yahoo.com

Comment by cnorwoodaz 08.16.11 @ 11:58 pm

@cnorwoodaz, no problem with agreeing to disagree. I hope that next year at this time we can be debating with each other again on how Graham should best be utilizing the talents of Rushel Shell in this offensive system. It would improve Pitt’s stock however if Ray Graham has a couple 100 yard games under his belt and we’re at least 4-2 by Oct. 14th, which Shell has stated will be his coming out party on where he has decided to matriculate. If so, that should give Shell some warm fuzzies about this system if Pitt is the school he has decided on. We’ll see soon enough.

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.17.11 @ 7:41 am

Wow! I just read a good portion of that article and if things were that bad for that long and coaches were knowledgeable and/or involved I can’t imagine that Miami would be able to avoid the death penalty.

Comment by BCPITT 08.17.11 @ 7:48 am

The focus on Pitt getting Shell is comical. He is one player out of thousands around the country. Whether he attends Pitt or another school will have little impact on Pitt’s future success.
Just as funny is someone stating a RB won’t have success in this offense. Sit back and watch the numbers Ray Graham puts up this year and you will see.

Comment by notrocketscience 08.17.11 @ 7:57 am

what is sad that the U has a reputation of a football school, is located in probably the best area for HS recruits and had plenty of national exposure … yet since 2002 when they lost in OT to OSU in national title game, they have not been a major player in the ACC let alone on the national level. Thus, all these illegal perks didn’t do much to propel their program.

Comment by wbb 08.17.11 @ 7:59 am

Another guy I get to disagree with! Not so fast my friend Mr. notrocketscience, IMO Rushel Shell will prove to be a franchise player for whatever team he plays for, especially if it is NOT a current powerhouse team deep in 4, 5 star recruits. Him coming to Pitt would be a game changer. Shell is special and if he stays healthy, will be a player that develops into a real sensation. Pitt getting him would be huge!

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.17.11 @ 8:12 am

“franchise player”, that is a little extreme even for you Dr. Tom, lol. Lets remember all the 4,5 star kids that do not have success. No one recruit is ever that important.

Comment by notrocketscience 08.17.11 @ 8:19 am

@Rocket, I have to agree with Dr. Tom. No one is putting their eggs all in one basket, but, to be down to the final 4 or 5 picks, of one of the best running backs in the country is a pretty big deal.

He’s not a 2 star out of Germantown.

You are right, 4 and 5’s fail, but, I think with the QB out of Tennessee and him, would really get the ball rolling for Coach Graham.

I think, if you follow my thoughts, it’s not a terrible thing if we don’t get him, we’ll keep moving forward, but, I believe it would be huge if we do.

Comment by Dan 08.17.11 @ 9:01 am

Lost in all this talk about the future is some surprising news on the depth chart. At least for now it appears Sunseri starts, Trey Anderson (walk-on) is the back-up, Gonzalez will be h-back and 3rd string qb, with Mark Myers 4th string. Of course, Gonzalez will sit out first 2 weeks. About 4 days left for changes in camp.

I thought there was something behind the move to get Anderson to walk-on. That was a big financial committment for him without some hope of playing or getting a scholarship soon…

Comment by Bowling Green Panther 08.17.11 @ 9:05 am

“ball rolling for Coach Graham”….I meant that as in even helping pick up the recruiting and pick up a few others.

Personally, I think he has done an excellent job recruiting. Yes, lots of 2’s and 3’s, but, I have to laugh when I see some people questioning his recruiting………he just started in January!!! He needs time for the kids to see his team play, needs time to get to know the local coaches etc. etc.

I just think it would be a great start, and really get momentum for him in that area if he has an elite 11 qb and a top rb allready in his pocket.

Comment by Dan 08.17.11 @ 9:06 am

Don’t share current staff’s love of Tino just yet — didn’t see anything last year that proved he is the number one without question and not worthy of challenge…remember all those dying quails he chucked for passes over 15 yards. Hope he really has improved but how much can you improve your natural arm strength — it doesn’t really come from lifting weights or protein shakes…and he didn’t exactly look like Steve Young/Turner Gill with his athleticism either. I don’t get it — you can’t make a guy your number one just because he says all the right things during practice and meetings; the best, most talented guy has to start or otherwise you’re just cheating all the other players who are judged on productivity — and fans. The other guys must really be average at this point or something ain’t right in Denmark.

Comment by Matt N. 08.17.11 @ 9:20 am

I agree getting Shell would be great and it probably would help with getting other recruits. Just saying we have to keep it in perspective, wouldn’t be the end of the world if he goes elsewhere.
I stated before not to underestimate Trey Anderson. He is no “franchise player” 🙂 but he is good. IMO, a much better passer than AG and he has experience in a very similar offense.

Comment by notrocketscience 08.17.11 @ 10:08 am

I think we might be ok Matt. Like Graham and what he is doing. As rocket says above and the latest post, Anderson has moved up to 2 spot, so, I think Graham wants to win. Myers doesn’t fit his system, and he’s not trying to pound him in there just because!!

I hope Tino has improved, can get better velocity with mechanics, hopefully they have been coaching him, but, if he sputters, Graham does not appear to be someone who is going to keep him in if he’s not producing.

Comment by Dan 08.17.11 @ 10:15 am

The coaches always talk about Tino’s year of experience being key. That falls in line with wanting to win now. They don’t want to wait on a first year starter to develop. Experience is always overlooked in college. Very few first year QBs are successful.

Comment by notrocketscience 08.17.11 @ 10:30 am

WE need to hang 35-50 points per game(preferably more than 50) on Buffalo & Maine, so this offense(more specifically Sunseri) gets some confidence before the big trip to Iowa. If they come out struggling, to score points because of overthrows, underthrows, bobbled snaps and the like, I find it hard to believe TG is going to bench Tino for a freshmen walk-on QB. Thoughts.

MB

Comment by melvinbennett 08.17.11 @ 10:34 am

Let me revise my last statement, WE need to hang 50+ points per game on Buffalo & Maine. They would have scored at least 35+ with the Cignetti offense of last year, and with all the extra snaps on offense, 50+ is the goal. We hired TG for Tulsa type scores, not Cignetti/Wanny scores.

Comment by melvinbennett 08.17.11 @ 10:58 am

I would caution though Melvin, they are both D’s, but, I think Maine would be a D-, while Buffalo would be a D+. Allthough, they did lose Turner Gill.

Not making excuses, just leery. Hopefully we come out smokin’.

By the way, you posted somewhere else about shunning, I have started implementing that here at my office!!

Comment by Dan 08.17.11 @ 12:07 pm

My hope is for Pitt to hang 100 on Maine but only 35 on Buffalo since SUNY at Buffalo is my alma mater for grad school. I want both schools to do well that day. I’ll take Pitt 35, UB 10. UB will cover.

Comment by TX Panther 08.17.11 @ 1:15 pm

We are running Auburn’s offense. They run the ball.
A lot. Michael Dyer broke Bo Jackson’s freshman school record while still splitting carries with McCalebb and Fannin, not to mention Cam Newton.

Comment by Tony C 08.20.11 @ 3:36 am

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