After reading Graham’s press conference yesterday I felt that if we put the recurring storyline to rhyme it would be easier for us to recall after each game and will save us the time of having to actually listen to him talk.
“O” is for offense, believe it or not
“F” is for FUBAR and that’s what we got
“F” is forget to get rid of the ball
“E’ means elusive like winning at all
You get the picture.
Zeise of the P-G has an article and a blog on Graham’s public display of disaffection yesterday and both detail what is a very candid and, hopefully, honest assessment from Graham about what the ills of the offense are at this time.
It’s becoming a recurring theme that the players aren’t able to fully grasp what this offense requires of them and, in turn, they lose any chance at being consistent in any form. This is what he states and this is what we have seen when we watch the games.
“We’re just not executing the offense. [Against Notre Dame], we had guys not run the right routes, we had more mental mistakes then we had in the games before so we have to eliminate those things and get better. We haven’t been consistent, [Sunseri] hasn’t been able to get the ball out on time to be able to execute what we need to do. We have at times, but nothing close to what we need“
It’s no secret that Sunseri has been holding the ball too long. Every PITT fan has said exactly the same thing over the course of the first four weeks.
“He must have used the phrase (or some version of) “not getting the ball out quick enough” no less than seven or eight times (including when someone asked him about the sacks the line gave up) in this news conference and he is clearly irritated by it. But he also knows this – looking at the quarterback position right now, there really isn’t another option yet. Trey Anderson may be the guy soon, but Graham said he needs experience and until he gets it, Sunseri will continue to be the man”.
Then, to give us a glimmer of hope we read this about a possible change:
“Pay particular attention to the underlined part in this quote – he is saying that Anderson isn’t playing yet because he is still learning.
“Tino Sunseri still gives us the best opportunity to win a championship,” Graham said. “For every person it’s a process and for some players it happens faster than others.. I like getting [Anderson] some experience because he has a different skill set. He also walked here in August so he is still learning. He is a talent and I am thankful for him. We will give him some series from time to time like last week. He will play but our starting quarterback is Tino. We have to get some things corrected but he has the most experience. We have to put the person out there who gives us the best opportunity to win and that is Tino.”
That is unless Graham is blowing smoke of course. Its one thing to talk about getting Anderson some experience and it is a whole other thing when he puts the kid in for a total of three series out of 16 quarters of play. You have to wonder if: 1) Graham is serious about having this option of a different QB at all and 2) even if he is serious is he ever going to have the guts to do it?
It isn’t like we are going to be producing any blowout wins where the second string guy can come in for an extended period of time. No, Graham has to insist in his own mind that sitting Sunseri down and trying the alternative is important enough to face any risk in doing it. As many of us have said before, where is the downside at this point in doing so?
Fans take note. This is week five now and there has been no mention from Todd Graham about Myers at QB. That might not mean anything if we were seeing even decent production out of the QB and the offense but we know it is in shambles. The fact that week after week we hear Graham talk about Anderson as the only alternative to Sunseri defines what the reality of the QB situation is.
But it isn’t only the woes at the QB position that is holding the offense back. When asked about what was wrong with the offense Graham said: “Someone asked me today, what do you think is wrong with the offense?,” Graham said. “We’re not running it. That’s what’s wrong with it.”
Well, short, sweet and to the point I guess. As our commenter wbb mentioned yesterday, a lot of the problem is just wrong execution of the plays themselves.
“The biggest thing that happens is that our offense is one that is very technical and very specific about what you’re supposed to do,” Graham said.” If the route calls for you to release outside, you have to release outside. It’s not optional. So we get a lot of that, because before it was just ‘best release;’ well, you can’t do that. You know they know that, but what happens is that players with all the right intentions operate outside the system. It’s just little silly things…
“Two times in the game, Devin took the wrong release,” Graham said. “Okay, there’s two things that messed up a play. Then we didn’t read the right cover-down guy on the pass concept, or we misread the read-zone, and then all of a sudden you get done and you have 17 plays where you didn’t have a chance to have any positive yardage. And that goes back to just being sold on what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. I think the kids want to.”
Fix some of that and you take a little pressure off the QB and allow him to complete the play as designed. It’s really a breakdown in both the player’s following the script and the coaching staff being overconfident about what this offense could actually accomplish coming out of training camp. The fact that we were lining up, getting the playcall in and snapping the ball in 15 seconds means nothing if you perform a Chinese fire drill right afterward.
Contrary to the article I put up yesterday (and Chris Dokish’s blog the day before) Graham said ‘he also doesn’t want to see too much “quick game” passing even if the Panthers can’t protect Sunseri. He said he wants to see the ball “get out on time” and get down the field because that’s the only way the offense will work.
Now, I’m not sure what he actually means by ‘quick game’ passing when he’s been singing the mantra of “One, two, go!” every time he opens his mouth. But he states he needs to see us stretch the field vertically… which if you have a QB who can’t pass accurately over 20 yards isn’t an easy thing to do.
We’ll always have Shanahan, Street and H. Graham getting intermediate passes and I can’t imagine that Graham wants to start flinging deep balls every chance he gets so, my assumption is that we’ll see the quicker receivers working seam routes and crossing patterns where the shorter passes can be effective in getting yardage after the catch. In other words, less passing horizontally, thank God – get rid of those silly quick passes along the LOS, and more short-intermediate routes to get the ball to the players who can motor and move vertically.
One last thing. The HC wants to see Ray Graham carry the ball 30 times per game. No mention of Zach Brown or Cory Davis getting some plays at RB. Well, OK. How about doing something different then running Graham into the teeth of the DL every play then? What exactly was the pitch out to Graham when you have a 3rd & 1 at the two yard line supposed to accomplish when we never run that play at any other point in the season? It looked like he was shocked when that play was called. Use Graham’s speed to effect around the end. Then when you try something different at the goal line at least everyone will be familiar with the play.
Chill out people … but before then, don’t be too hard on any QB because he isn’t meeting your expectations. Especially since, as Dokish pointed out, he doesn’t have the tools or experience to effectively run this offense. All you can ask is that he makes earnest effort.
That said, if Graham really is serious when he says “We have to put the person out there who gives us the best opportunity to win and that is Tino.“, and in saying that infers it could be someone else in the future…then perhaps that will drive Sunseri to work harder and better play or risk actually losing his job.
But after three weeks of spring camp, four weeks of training camp and four weeks of season play I also don’t think it’s a reach to think that Sunseri should be able to grasp the importance of getting the throw out on time in this offense and then do it. He isn’t being asked to master 100% of the playbook or 87 different formations. He is being asked one thing, to get the ball out on time.
It isn’t a physical limitation like someone not having the strength to throw a deep pattern or not being able to run effectively. If that were so I think his problems with this offense would be better understood by fans. But the part and parcel of his shortcomings isn’t physical according to the HC, it’s his inability to mentally adapt to the new requirements.
That is hard to understand given the opportunities he has had to get it right. Hell, no other QB on the roster even got a shot because the staff concentrated so hard on making sure Sunseri could grasp this concept.
The main thing going forward, IMO, is that Todd Graham looks in the mirror and realizes that as a head coach he’s the one who has to make the hard decision and live with either the success or failure of that decision. Right now it feels like Sunseri is still the starter by default and that may be true given the lack of experience Graham says Anderson has. But sooner or later if things continue on we’ll come that fork in the road and I just hope Graham doesn’t stick with Sunseri because it will be the easier thing to do.
1. Graham always points to the staff as needing to do a better job.
2. Graham has adjusted the D and O system for this team.
3. If Anderson would have had any success when he is in the game he will either stay in or play another series.
4. Everyone complains about no deep passes. Street and Shannahan both dropped deep passes against ND.
Last but not least…..
PITT WILL WIN THE CONFERENCE THIS YEAR!
Just play Trey! Enough of this coddeling / Local kid from Central fairytale. Tell him to transfer to Buffalo.
Apparently the headlines were right, Wanny recruited athletes but I guess they lack the intelligence to pickup the system.
The guys on The Fan believe that Graham feels is too much under the gun for a failing offense due to all of the preseason hype he spewed out in all of his interviews.
I believe that there is some credence to that but then again, he has said a handful of time that we have to coach better (but doesn’t mention any names.)
I fairness, they probably did coach better this week on defense.
It will take a while to fully implement Graham’s system .. maybe a bit longer than anyone had imagined including Graham
Please, let’s give Coach a break here. This team will come around….they have a Wannstedtian learning curve!
He knows the only way he gets sit down is if he throws interceptions and he’s afraid of just winging it, since he doesn’t trust his accuracy, therefore he hesitates. And he takes sacks as well, for fear of throwing the pick.
He threw the 2 picks in the 3rd quarter of the Maine game and watched the 4rth quarter from the bench. Good thing because those 7 points Trey quarterbacked the team to, were the deciding points of the game.
Some of these comments are getting contradictory.
The fact is that if the QB is sacked after only 1,2,3, then the OL has to have some culpability. Most QBs can make successful plays when they are given time to do so …. as we all should have have taken note on ND’s 4th quarter scoring drive; Rees had very little pressure on him and went 8 for 8, often finding his 3d or 4th option.
Thru 3 quarters on the road at a Big 10 school, PITT was up 24-3.
We had the long run after catch by Street, and the flea flicker pass by Ronald Jones.
Then another long drive, got down to the 2 or 3 yard line and the Tino fumble and then settled for the FG, 27-10 PITT.
From that point forward the offense has bumbled, stumbled and fallen flat on it’s face.
What happened in 1 week, that supposedly these receivers are not running routes correctly, we know the problems persist with Tino’s hesitation and lack of accuracy of anything over 15 yards.
But it appears something else is going on with this team, the way TG describes the mass confusion on offense. As predicted it’s getting tougher and tougher to run the ball, as team’s disregard Tino’s ability to throw accurately downfield. Thursday night is going to be interesting!
Or is they’re belief in Tino wavering, as I suspected it did last year. Well we know it did.
It was the defense that bumbled and stumbled and most certainly fell flat on its face, offering little or no resistance on 3 straight drives.
And reed thank you for taking the time to put up these posts they make my day.
The Offense produced zero points in the 4rth quarter. Had one 3 and out and got two first downs the whole frickin 4rth quarter, which is why Iowa comeback. Note the time of possession, the 3 times Pitt had the ball.
4th Quarter
Drive Log: Pittsburgh Panthers @ Iowa Hawkeyes, 4th Quarter
Start Time Time Poss Drive
Began # of Plays Yards Gained Result
9:55 1:53 PITT 37 6 27 Downs
6:19 1:45 PITT 20 3 5 Punt
2:51 1:05 PITT 9 6 28 Int
What game were you watching?
So he loses a game tino is all ready doeing that so whats the big deal . at least we would be doeing something to make the team better in the long run am i right melvin.
The longer Tino plays the more likelihood we’re stuck with him next year as starter again.
I’m not defending Tino’s play, but I understand where Graham is coming from.
I think there are only a couple people on this blog whose “belief in the system” is wavering. The rest of the wavering is confined to Tino.
The defense allowed Iowa to go right down the field for 3 TDs .. all within a short time, not taking much time off the clock. At least the offense got a few 1st downs.
Week after week we hear the same story. “Well Tino played like shit but he’s my guy!”
Is that really the message this guy was brought here to send? I thought he was going to allow for real competition at each position on the field.
Now I remember why I was pulling for Tom Bradley. Graham is a phony and his retread Michigan staff is getting the same results they had in Ann Arbor. Well at least I can write off this season early and spare myself the disappointment for three more months.
Todd Dodge is quoted as saying he couldn’t get over the fact that Anderson’s high school team used the same terminology in this Triple Option Spread when discussing the plays with Trey.
So yes, I think it was pretty close to the same exact offense. Go watch Trey’s video and see how this offense works when you have a QB that knows how to operate it.
What I see is that Graham is learning about his players on the job just as much as they are his system, and both sides are making mistakes. I would rather they get on the same page now for the BE season & lose 2 tough non-cons then struggle with wins against weak non-cons and not get better for BE season. The goal is to win the BE, just like it was under DW. There is no reason to think that is unattainable.
I’ve got news for you coach, its your job to make sure the players “execute your system” and the ones that can’t should not be playing.
melbennett, you posted Pitt’s offense in the 4th quarter but seemed to mint the FG
Now post Iowa’s offensive drives for the 4th quarter
Facts are facts, the offense didn’t run any clock, had the offense had one long drive and ran about 5-6 minutes off the clock, Iowa wouldn’t have had enough time to come back. I think the info I posted above speaks for itself.
Certainly the defense caved, but they were gassed.
The offense didn’t keep them off the field enough.
I personally don’t think that is the reason Trey is not playing as it is just Tino has more experience and Trey may not be ready to be the starter as true freshman yet.
Unfortunately we may be stuck with Sunseri. But i still want to she Trey play for several series to see what he can do. I still believe in TG and in the long run we will be better than under Wanny. At least for now I will think that.
you posted Pitt’s drive (and omitted the FG)
now post Iowa’s drives.
I just don’t know what everyone wants or expects, considering it’s pretty apparent the previous administration didn’t stock the team with as much talent as we thought. The o-line is bad, linebackers are slow, and WRs are struggling to learn the details of the position. 3 things that a smash-mouth, ball-control system needs. The needs for this system are drastically different; it is unreasonable to expect players to adapt to or have the skill set to play a completely different system when they weren’t arguably executing in the system they were recruited to play.
I didn’t miss the FG, that’s because that FG drive started in the 3rd quarter. I did mention in the first post on this subject, that Pitt drove to the 2 or 3 yard line and then Tino fumbled and we settled for a FG. There was 12:49 seconds left in the 4rth Quarter at that point.
I watched a couple of Tulsa games last year. One against East Carolina. The other against ND. So, I have seen his offense work to dramatic results. It is not time to give up on it yet. Anybody who is probably didn’t want Wannstedt gone in the first place.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_758925.html
Trey will win all the rest of the games and coach will kick him self in the ass for not doeing it sooner.
There is a old saying fortune favors the brave.
then Iowa has 3 long TD scoring drives .. which you continually refuse to post
The attack occurred late Saturday as spectators left Milan Puskar Stadium. In a news release, the Morgantown Police Department said someone threw a rock through an open window of the vehicle carrying the four fans.
I don’t know why some of us want these scumbags along with us to the ACC.
Several people then approached the car and began assaulting the driver. The three others in the car were also assaulted.
The Charleston Daily Mail reports that the most seriously injured LSU fan, Marcus Mason, of Pittsburgh, sustained a broken nose, a crushed eye socket and other injuries. He was taken to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for surgery. The newspaper reports that his wife, Hannah, who is 22 weeks pregnant, also was involved in the altercation.
Morgantown Police are investigating the attack with the university’s Department of Public Safety.
Read more: Pittsburgh man, pregnant wife attacked after WVU-LSU game – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_758925.html#ixzz1ZAInbNAV
In 2001, Pitt started 1-5 and then ended 5-0 including a win over Va Tech 38-31 and Nc State and Phil Rivers in Tangerine Bowl 34-16 … you asked
Disgusting fans they have.
In answer to your first question in Post #1.
I’m getting damn close.
02:14 IOWA 27 7 73 Passing Touchdown
01:37 IOWA 36 7 64 Passing Touchdown
01:31 IOWA 36 7 64 Passing Touchdown
Totals: 201 yds, 21 plays, 3 TDs all within 5 minutes 22 seconds (longest drive took 2:14)
I REST MY CASE!!
Defense seems improving (or was it ND’s offensive ineptitude)
Offense seems to be coming apart at the seams, so that indicates it’s regressing.
Thursday is make it or break it time, in my opinion.
They have got to get this offense back on track and the defense has to do whatever it takes.
The LB’s actually tackling would be a good start.
But I admitted in an above post this:
Certainly the defense caved, but they were gassed.
The offense didn’t keep them off the field enough.
Comment by melvinbennett 09.27.11 @ 10:40 am
I was looking back at the historical series with the Hillbillies, as we’ve played like 103 times.
For like the first 30 years of the series, we hardly played them in Hooterville. 25 of the first 30 games were played in Pittsburgh.
I guess there were no roads that went to Hooterville back then. Pitt probably had to take a mule team down there for transport. haha
Comment by FRANKCAN 09.27.11 @ 10:06 am
You posted this several times on the last post too, as if it proves that Trey Anderson should be playing. Yet Dokish also said that Trey Anderson was too raw and not ready to play. He said that our QB situation, all the way around, is pretty much screwed for this season. So you can’t just point to one thing (Tino is slow footed and slow decision maker) and make that into “The almighty Chris(t) Dockish has said that Tino sucks and should be benched and Trey Anderson should start in order to turn things around.” That simply isn’t what his post said.
We have a real problem at QB and that problem appears to be that we don’t really have one right now who is ready to run this system and run it well.
I, for the life of me, can’t figure out why so many people on here believe that a coach that is so frustrated with his team’s lack of execution on offense would intentionally start the worst QB on the roster and tank his season- especially when he said he wants to win now, not later. I sure as heck hope that one of these QBs pick it up, and soon, because this is getting painful to watch. But I trust that Graham is going to put out there the personnel he thinks will give him the best shot at winning. He has made moves at other positions. Why wouldn’t he at QB if he had a legitimate option?
And why do people assume that if someone like me says that Tino appears to be the best option, that somehow we are Tino apologists? I don’t care who starts. I want to see the offense step it up.
I thought I saw somewhere he was 6-4
Another site has him at 6-0
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Chad-Voytik-106437
Well maybe he’ll grow 3 inches before next year.
Voytik, who has verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh, had the breakout game he’d been waiting for this season. He scored on runs of 44, 2, 9 and 21 yards and rushed for 149 yards on 11 carries. Those scoring runs capped drives of 81, 66, 69 and 51 yards.
The gutsy Voytik’s 12-yard touchdown strike to D.J. Jones ended a relatively short 44-yard drive that pushed the Blue Raiders’ lead to 28-0 with 3:32 left in the third quarter.
Read the whole story, of Voytik’s team trashing the #4 ranked team in the state:
The other issue is booing a college kid when he is out there trying his best. I believe booing is much more reflection of the person doing the booing opposed to who is being booed.
So why not let trey play a half if you lose with him what is the diference.
when trey is on the field you can see he moves better than tino he can run and he can pass.
why dont you want to give him a chance. you most of all Wbb is tino your cousin or something.
On offense I think the system has been simplified as much as it can be. It needs to be executed properly. I think we are taking sacks by the QB for two reasons. One is that the Sunseri is holding the ball too long for whatever reason. If he does not see anything he has to make a quick decision to either throw the ball away or run if there is a lane. The second reason is that the receivers are still not sticking to the script for a given play and running the routes as designed. Coach Graham needs to keep pounding that into the receivers’ heads.
As for is Coach Graham the correct guy, I agree with Dokish. Give the man and his staff at least two years before you condemn him. At least he did not lose to a MAC school once yet let alone twice.
