At some point, Tino Sunseri will just decide not to speak about anything, ever. It just is not worth it for him.
Ever since Fraud Graham fled, Sunseri has avoided taking even the smallest pot shots at the guy. This, despite, being the public whipping boy for Graham (and most Pitt fans) all of last year. He showed incredible restraint, and just seemed happy to put the whole season behind him.
Finally, though, he said something.
Asked to compare coach Paul Chryst’s offense to what Graham installed last year, Sunseri said, “It compares from a high school offense to a pro-style college offense.”
He also contrasted the various complexities that players must learn this season.
“Last year, there weren’t a lot of plays, there weren’t lot of different formations, there weren’t a lot of different motions,” he said. “This offense, it’s coming from making sure you understand shifts and motions and making sure you understand different routes and converting versus different coverages. Guys had to make sure they got in their playbooks, which they did.”
Reminded of the absence of much fanfare this season, Sunseri said Chryst’s approach is different.
“I feel like Coach Chryst has done a great job of just going to work,” he said. “You know what I mean? He’s not here to do shows. He’s not here (to hang) signs. He’s not here to make people laugh or giggle. He’s here to win football games.”
I have some mixed feelings here.
I could care less about the shots at Graham at this point. They are obvious, but also seem to be a bit after the fact to come as the season is just about ready to start.
I will say that part of what Graham was expected to do was try and re-energize the fanbase in the first year. The style may have grated, been disingenuous and too much about himself; but Graham was supposed to be selling football.
As for the simplicity of the offense from last year. There’s nothing inherently wrong with simple. Especially with a complete change to the offense. You want to keep it basic. The concepts of the Air Raid offense that Mike Leach and his acolytes preach are relatively simple for the team. The stress is instead on the repetitions, and practice to get it right. There at least seems to be the implication that the offense didn’t buy-in last year, because it seemed so basic that they didn’t have to work at it. Which would explain some more of the problems with the WRs who have admitted not enjoying getting to a spot rather than a route.
It’s obvious Sunseri is more comfortable in a pro-style offense, but, uh, we knew that last year.
I don’t know if it is, much like his play, everything with Sunseri is so hyper-scrutinized after the past year, or something else. Like, how after a good game when Sunseri was feeling his oats and got a little too confident in talking — there was the noticeable lack of consistency the next game.
So, now I’m terrified for how he will do in the first couple of games. That he will be too cocky that all is right in a system he likes and the same problems that plagued him — regardless of the system — will be as present as ever.
It does, however, seem that he has learned a little.
When he was asked if he feels like he has more support this year, Sunseri said: “I have support from my teammates. That’s all that matters.”
I’m not sure how to take that one. I asked the question and was looking to get a response that Chryst might have his back more, but Sunseri left it open to interpretation. Maybe he learned a lesson last year. He knows he has to perform well on Saturdays to get the full support of the coaching staff.
Or he’s reached the naturally cynical point where he’s just going to wait and see how Coach Chryst talks about position play after a bad game.
Gameday can’t come soon enough.
No value in sugar coating it anymore and it’s not hard to figure — the kid needs to grow up, plain and simple, and no mystery why Chryst blew up at him and silenced camp in the process. I hope he performs well, but remember how great he was in 2010? How many flutter bombs and hopelessly ill-timed throws did he launch in the vague vicinity of Jon Baldwin that year…or to other guys. There has been so much talk about returning him to his comfort zone…which I’m very eager to see get established if it exists.
He didn’t do either adequately.
First, he turned out to be a lousy coach. Since Chas invited the comparison, Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense works because he coaches it well. He gets his players to buy into it. T. Graham’s system failed either because it was a “high school” system or because he could not coach it. Either way, he failed as a football coach.
T. Graham did not succeed in selling football to the fanbase. He tried. He talked a lot. But in the end, people left after half time or chose not to go. That is because his team was underachieving. His team underachieved because it played a “high school” or because he failed as a coach to implement it.
Mike Norvell is not Gus Malzahn or Chad Morris. Check out Graham’s record with Malzahn/Morris calling plays opposed to Herb Hand/Norvell.
Reminds me of Miami Hurricanes before Jim Kelly.
People are plenty excited about Chryst and he isn’t about the talk or signs. I think Tino is entitled to criticize T. Graham and, if he plays well this year, may be vindicated and make all of us who have blamed him in the past look like idiots. We will see.
That’s all that counts….hear that Tino!
He also said that he developed chemistry with Shanahan and street over the summer. He has only been there 5 yerars with Shanahan and what 2 or 3 with Street.
Anybody watch some of the HS games on ESPN lately.
I watched the Byrne(SC) game… spread, no-huddle, look to the sidelines for signs, signals etc…
But… ask NFL coaches… they have a hard time selecting players that played in a spread in college… so if you have NFL aspirations, you are better off in a pro style offense in college.
The entire offense was out of sorts
FACTS:
1) Sunseri was asked a direct question and he responded with his OPINION in answering said question.
2) Graham installed a no huddle, quick draw, spread type offensive system last year.
3) Chryst is in the process of installing a Pro set style offense this season.
4) Sunseri gave his opinion between the two systems when asked that direct question.
Now last time I checked, the USA is still a free country and we still enjoy the liberty of free speech. None of us seem to have a problem in expressing our own OPINIONS on any and everything associated with college football on this blog without the fear that our very essence of our beings will be disected and examined every single time we express said opinions.
Sunseri should be extended the same opportunity to express his opinions as well, especially when asked for it from the media.
Now he could have expressed much more by stating much less. Maybe a simple sentence could have summed it up nicely with just a knowing grin and a wink to conclude the answer, such as “that simply would NOT be a fair comparision” end quote, smile and wink.
Oh, I forgot one final FACT, Todd Graham proved, he is a FRAUD.
they were just to find a open spot on the field and it was up to tino to find them then right.
Hoping for the best and hope Tino is adequate.
HTP
But he’s probably better served by staying quiet.
There’s a couple problems with him (and other players, for that matter) opening their mouths on this issue:
1. Tino was at best mediocre in a pro-style offense in 2010. If he was at least average Pitt does better than 7-5 that season.
And also, Tino didn’t get better as the season went on. He peaked at the Rutgers game (#7) and then declined; wasn’t he something like 9 of 19 for 120 yards in the bowl game against a crappy Kentucky team? Looks like an offense that doesn’t improve as the season goes on wasn’t a problem that just Fraud Graham had.
(note: Tino did run for about 60 yards in that game)
2. By putting a lot of the blame on Fraud for last years problems, Pitt players – plus the fans and the media – are putting a lot of pressure on the team.
Because if they go 7-5 (which, amazingly some fans here think is acceptable, since that is the equivalent of 5-7 last year) or worse, then it looks like Fraud Graham WASN’T the problem (especially if he is doing well at Arizona State).
And unfortunately, we know how well Tino and the rest of this team has fared in pressure situations over the years.
It’s a win lose situation for me personally because I am on record for being a Sunseri basher and petitioning for somebody, anybody to replace him. But in this situation I would gladly humble myself for the betterment of the team and a final BE outright championship.
Man, am I hoping that Tino makes me look like a total blowhard that has no idea of that which I speak. Because if that occurs, it means that Pitt Football is having a fantasic season. And you know what,that’s just fine with me, I’ll be glad to take one for the team.
HAIL TO PITT.
What he said about Graham is no different than what he said to PC which brought coach’s thunder down on him. He was trying to make an excuse to PC and his answers in respect to TG was an excuse for his play last year.
Like I said he needs to do it on the field but at the same time quit trying to make excuses for his play.
People need to give tino a break. Does he deserve criticism? Yea cuz last year he was awful, but when people boo a college student-athlete just for being put in the game… Thats discraceful. Some people act like tino is the only reason pitt hasnt been ultra successful. Hes a part, but not the sole factor
Saying I am not good enough is an acceptable answer and is not his fault. If he plays,that means the coaches think he is the best “win” option. It is not his fault that he is not great. He keeps playing because he is better than what we have right now. I do expect our true freshman qb to get some playing time in every game and take over full time by game seven.
Pitt is not going undefeated this year so it is best to get the freshman so meaningful snaps because although everyone is annointing Savage as a starter for next year, he still hasn’t proven himself either. That is why we compete. I would rather know this year if ourfreshman qb has what it takes to be great, or whether he will just be serviceable as a D1 QB.
I think we all need to remember that when he came out of high school his highest rank was 23rd and some of that was based off his being a coaches and players son, somewhat like cliff stoudt’s kid. Tino didn’t get better and neither did Stoudt’s boy. Nuff said. Ohhh, and for giggles, take a look at the Scout top 30 QB’s for 2008 and see how many names you recognize or had any success. You might know 5 names.
My intense dislike of him all these years is now vindicated
The team did not deliver in the clutch and most of the time (90%) it was the offense that was the culprit.
And dare I say who runs an offense ? That’s right the QB.
Funny thing Urban Meyer is bringing the Spread to Columbus to transform a lumbering conference into something more fun to watch and to be able to compete against the more speedy SEC, Big 12 and yes even the PAC 12 (14). I can’t keep track of these conferences anymore and how many teams they have in them in a given year.
And we certainly understand that a Spread offense can’t function with a lousy QB. Perhaps we should go to the Wishbone. haha 🙂
That would have tore him up !!
Another thing and a once in a lifetime opportunity Smiley f*cked up.
HAIL TO PITT.
Comment by Dr. Tom 08.29.12 @ 8:11 pm
I second that statement Doc. You and I can be the blog blowhards, just get us to the Orange Bowl. I’ll join you for some crow dinner and wine ! 🙂
Pre-dinner drinks on me !
Veritas et Virtus
I don’t recall anyone taking Tags to the woodshed for unflattering comments he made about Flat Top. But when Tino says anything, it is hyper-scrutinized.
I really don’t care what Tino says or thinks and if he wants to take shots at his former coach who quite publicly eviscerated his play, well, I understand that too.
Others have said it here…the quality of his play is what matters most to me. What he thinks and says about Flat Top is his business. Don’t like it? Don’t ask.
@ Emel, great minds think alike. Just cause I’ve been a Tino hater in the past doesn’t mean that I won’t be glad to ride his ass all the way to a BCS bowl. Could happen, if they take my advice and start him on the valium Rx I’ve previously suggested. Something has to work, so he can stand up to the pressure when the game is on the line.
Just so many variables that are going to interact this year for the Panthers. Really, we could realistically be any where from 3-9 to 9-3 by season’s end. Thats why they play the games. We’ll start to figure it out for real in about two days.
HAIL TO PITT!
The qb is a leader. When you get sacked often and your players don’t pick you up, they have no respect for you. Hence, no leadership.Quit whining and limping around only to have a miraculous recovery when you do something right. Be a winner!This is not the olympics. Second place against your opponent on Saturdays is not a good thing!
In other notes, Rivals reports that PSU 4 star verbal, OLB Issah has opened his recruiting.
Like say, on the road at Cincy in week 2 and Sir Tino gets clobbered on a blitz and throws a dying quail up for grabs. This team (as well as the fan base)and especially Tiny could use a total mind wipe.
