Things I Like and Stuff I Don't

 

Things I Like and Stuff I Don’t

I’m missing the articles-based format of the POV and Blather. Anyone else?

Both The Good, Bad & Ugly and the MMQB formats were mostly good, even if the former title was tilted towards negativity. Deserved after some losses, a bit lame after some wins.

Of course, we’d all react/respond to those columns with our own thoughts and I thought I give my own on this Labor Day:

Eli’s Coming – I really thought we’d be seeing Nate under center before last week and was
OK with that. A good kid who stayed around since recruited by Mark Whipple with a demonstrated ability to put a ball in the right place. And he’s professed a love for Pitt. What’s not to like about that?

Eli’s first drive along with subsequent plays helped me understand Kade Bell’s decision. I’m encouraged… he looks the part of a QB… is athletic, shows he can make quick decisions and made some great throws. But its early and as we will keep saying all week – it was Kent State. Not just a MAC team, but a lowly rated MAC team.

But Eli looks like someone we will enjoy watching this year and I’m anxious to see him against the Bearcats. His attempt at conducting the band post-game was rookie-like… perhaps he will get another chance this year?...

A hobbit at halfback! Desmon Reid ran into small spaces like Frodo dodging an orc. A diminutive back with burst. I’m encouraged and hopeful, particularly after the Hammond news. But lets see how he does against better talent. The claims that he’s just Western Carolina material will continue until he shows his stuff against ACC competition. (I expect WVU to shut him down)

Ben Sauls – he nailed a 50 yarder with room to spare. A far cry from his freshman year.

The Return of Gavin Bartholomew – we missed you, Gavin! And I 100% blame Frank Cignetti for wasting his talent. WTF was he thinking… did he not see him hurdle over that Vols DB?  Between Bart and Kenny Johnson, we have some bona fide receivers for Eli. Thank you Kade Bell (and Chris Bickell).

Red 5A Crew Returns – Nice to see most of the truly loyal fans come back for another year, despite threatening weather…. which we largely dodged. A couple folks didn’t get the memo on wearing a royal blue shirt, but we will blame that on a concoction called Banana XXX.

For those who don’t know this, Wolfe and Fran are at the parking lot gate – without fail – when it opens 5 hours before game time. The parking lot employees know them well and give us special treatment.  We had a brief guest appearance by Missing WLAT which was nice and Erie Express – who hasn’t had time to make the move to Pitt Discourse – was there with his better half.

The Pitt Band – they continue to put on a good show. “Radar Love” by Golden Earring made the playlist, which this 64 yr old thinks is pretty cool. The half time show noted earlier was a great tribute to Oakland. Catch it on YouTube.

 

As for Stuff I Didn’t Like:

Leaky LT – Ryan Jacoby was a bit slow to contain the pocket and Kent State’s edge rusher beat him more than once. The OL was a bit inconsistent. Ryan Baer did fairly well, but even he got spun around once.

Unsafe Safety Play – Sr. Phillip O’Brien made a number of mistakes on Saturday and yet was on the field most of the day. I hope they can coach him to be a bit better… or give more PT to a youngster.

Left side of the DL – they got pushed around in the 2^nd half. By Kent State. Let me repeat that - by a weak Kent State team. The runs they allowed gave the Golden Flashes hope an energy. I’m a bit worried about this. Duzz said he thinks it can be cleaned up. We’ll see.

Punting – Caleb Junko was only called on a couple times, but his kicks were unimpressive. And he (allegedly) beat someone out for the spot? Because his name is Junko, he needs to be better than average. The ST coach is brand new so lets hope he made an objective decision and can coach the kid up.

The Real Joe of Red 5A  –  Rain or shine, Joe and his Irish Coffee have been mainstays at Red 5A.  Cold weather or hot, he’s got the brew. We missed him this past week and understand he’s not doing well. Offering best wishes to him and we keep him in our thoughts. Nice pic of him with Lisa…