Things I Liked And Stuff I don’t
It’s Sunday morning following a Pitt win and yet I have case
of agida. One IC Light – Hail to Pitt can… and that was it. I like what Pitt
has done thus far… they have exceeded my expectations and probably yours… and
yet, I’m worried about the coming games. Are you?
THE SCORE – Anything short of 60 points by the offensive
would have had me concerned. Someone pondered early in the game if Pitt could
score as much as James Madison and we got the answer to that. 73 points – as scripted
as Duzz said post-game.
DUZZ – I really liked his tribute to his father. Old school short-sleeved dress shirt and tie. And since we’ve thrown around some Italian slang… his deeply personal vendetta against Youngstown was finally realized. Might be okay to put that aside now…
DID YOU KNOW The last time Pitt faced Mike Tomczak, it was
the 1984 Fiesta Bowl. Tomczak threw a 39 yard TD pass with – coincidentally –
39 seconds left in the game to beat the 15th ranked, Foge Fazio-led Panthers.
Of course you also remember that… we washed the stink of that bowl loss off
with two straight home losses the next season to Robbie Bosco & BYU and the
Oklahoma Sooners featuring Troy Aikman
and Brian Bosworth. Ugh… a tough stretch.
SPEAKING OF PLAYERS NAMED TOMCZAK – Mike Tomzak’s nephew Max
is a football player. Smart player, gets open… Yes, he’s a bit diminutive, but an
FBS level program might want to take a look at him.
TACKLING – Anyone wondering what Pitt should work on during
the off-week? It was unsettling to see
Kent State runners break free in the opener… understandable to see the Bearcats do the same
and I expected the Hoopies do as much. But the Penguins?... folks, we have a legitimate
problem here. Is it technique or talent?…
PASS COVERAGE – Mike Tomczak knew how to get Penguin
receivers open. Duzz and his defensive unit have some work to do.
CHE NWABUKO… FINALLY! – I was really excited to see the
coaches figure out a way to get this speedster into the game plan as a running
back. Did you see him turn the corner on that 57 yard TD run?!! I don’t care
that it was Youngstown State – speed is speed and burst is burst. I’d like to
see him get more touches.
AND SPEAKING OF RUNNING BACKS – I thought it was smart to
get Reid rested up and perhaps out of the headlines for a bit in advance of ACC
play. Good to see other guys including Daniel Carter and Derrick Davis get some
touches. Is Davis OK? … it looked like a knew sprain, but didn’t hear anything
later. Pitt needs both guys to complement Reid.
QUARTERBACK – Eli had an OK game. Loved his scrambling and
he made some throws. But only one to Mumpfield all day? The sack he took was
awful… I guess he thought he could scramble out of it? He cannot do that in
another game where the competition will be higher, and in some cases a lot
higher. But good for him to learn a lesson without much of a penalty.
I thought Nate Yarnell looked poised and made good throws.
At the same time, he just looked less dangerous than Eli and let’s face it… it
was mop-up duty against an FCS opponent. But glad he got game snaps and let’s
hope that preps him for more mop-up duty and only that.
ESPN+ ANNOUNCERS – meh. Color analyst was simply trying too hard at times to make an uninteresting game interesting.
Two of the flags were flying high yesterday. It may cause a little confusion when UVA comes to town, but Im sure UVA fans making that mistake will be greeted warmly by the Red5A crew. A tip of the cap to those who made it to the game. Charge!!!!
BIGHORN AHEAD? - Meanwhile, Louisville and Clemson are looking like tough opponents. Cal played the Seminoles tough on the road...not sure what that says about either team. Did you watch the BC – Spartans game? Bill O’Brien (who I really like) has done a nice job with the Eagles… no surprise that Jeff Hafley left him with some decent defensive players. An emotional win for them as well as they played the annual red bandana game.
UP NEXT – UNC took it really hard on the chin at home yesterday. Mac Brown may now know what Johnny Majors II felt like (please just don’t retire/resign until after the Pitt game)… They meet Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham next Saturday @ 4pm on ESPN…
Rumors that John Swofford has urged Jim Phillips to get it on ABC at 8pm are unfounded – even if plausible. Bless his heart. I like that these two will play next week. Let the Tarholes try to rebound against Dook instead of Pitt.
Was a great Tailgate yet again at red light 58. Goes to show you that we have the best place to tailgate. In the sun when we want to in the shade when we want to, and when it starts raining, we just move under the overpass. Also we have plenty of room when extra people show up. Not to mention the people that are showing up every week. It is a fun time. Joe, I agree with all your points and one of these days when we do a blitz they might actually recognize the screen pass. It seems to happen every week , we blitz they screen and score
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss the whole flag replacement???
ReplyDelete