Editor’s Note:Geez, I did that whole podcast and didn’t even consider if George is eligible for 2018 or not.  Actually he may not be as he played last year for Illinois.  Damn, we really need him this season… Well, next year also. 

Hey!  Just read he is eligably this coming season!  Yeah us! 

Jeff George, Jr – Started five games in 2017.  Career wise he was: 132 of 275 (48%) for 1743 yards and 11 TDs to 15 INTs. 

Illinois was poor all around last year on both offense and defense His surrounding offensive cast pretty much sucked, especially on the Offensive Line as they were 105th in Sacks Allowed with 42 and TFLs Allowed with 98. 

Does that sound familiar?  We were 101st in Sacks allowed with 31 and 99th in TFLs Allowed with 79.  Let’s hope that changes this year. 

George was 13/39 for 140 yards and 2 TDs with no INTs in a 31-27 win over MSU in 2016 even if MSU sucked that season. 

Here are the full Upgrade, Downgrade or Draw articles written about the 2018 Panthers:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

Reed Kohberger
Retired Coast Guard Officer with a lot of time on his hands and working a hobby that he enjoys and is actually free - writing.... on all different sorts of things but mostly Pitt football.  You can see my more public articles and essays at WWW.pittblather.com, reedkohberger.wordpress.com and the new Pitt football blog www.pittpov.com. 

We need to be fair, here.  PN was likely looking for someone to come in who clearly understood he was the back up QB.  This means finishing their career, barring injury, in a back up mode.  Most players want to go to a situation where they are promised they will at least be able to compete for the job.  Pitt will not get a top prospect to come in just to handle the clipboard.  If the Town experiment has been a flop, then give Narduzzi credit for getting another back up in place before the season starts.  Narduzzi most likely has a plan to start Patti for two years as was mentioned, which gives him a QB for the next 5 years, plenty of time to recruit a top flight QB. 

Geez, most schools recruit at least one qb per class.  We should hope Patti gets recruited over.  That’s what you want.  If he’s the real deal, great, but they should always be looking for the next great one.  If you burn a redshirt so what.  Your recruiting should, I say should, cover for that! 
I also like the idea of ? George, or someone like him.  I’m not sure how good he is, but I also think the coaches were in panic mode.  The biggest upset of the year would be getting 6 games out of Pickett.  Wish him well, but it’s hard to be a star when you’re on your back. Oops, somehow that didn’t come out quite right, but you know what I mean. 

I love my man Reed, but I’m not sure how I understand his logic sometimes.  How can you think is worth taking a chance on a guy like George (whose limited stats are unimpressive anyway) but not feel the same way about Chris Clark?  I understand that Clark didn’t work out, but how are they different, other than the fact that Clark was a higher rated recruit?  I’m not saying take in every talented transfer on the open market (See: Kam Carter), but generally I don’t think you have much to lose if there is a logical explanation for why a kid is looking for a fresh start and he’s not otherwise a troublemaker.  I realize that QB may be a more important position than TE.  Commander, are you in favor simply because you don’t believe any of the other QBs are capable of stepping in if KP gets hurt?  Anyone know if he’s immediately eligible? 

If you don’t get the sense of Reed’s podcasts I don’t know what to say?  The big guy is smooth and refreshing.  like an IPA, oh that’s right he doesn’t have a sponsor.  I know I bust his balls sometimes (he needs it) but he also knows I love him.  The work he puts into the POV should be greatly appreciated and I know it is.  I know I do.  Thanks Reed.. . .  .your good buddy ike..

I think you’re right about Town.  Jeff George is an insurance policy.  Now, if we have to rely on him for an extended time we are in trouble.  If, however, he’s used as a 1 or 2 game stop gap, I think he will do nicely. 

I do not rule out the thought you could be right Mark but I don’t think you are.  I’ve said it several times.  This is the first year we may see if Narduzzi has done or accomplished anything so far for this PITT football program but he will be at PITT at least until the end of next year.  Then we will see who has the last laugh. 

PITT will only be better in the next few years.  Just watch.  Questions for you Mark.  Who is PITT’s long snapper and that means the guy who hikes the ball to the holder not a sexual reference like I’m sure you thought it did.  BTW who is the holder for extra points and field goals, name the punter and I hope like hell you know who the field goal kicker is but i can’t be sure. 

FFrench taking snaps at RB just in case.  I think the freshman RB redshirts.  AJ Davis is going to play this year.  Beville has been lights out this year.  Plus they like Patti so the QB position will be very good next year.  Not since Walt will Pitt have three real quality Div 1 QB’s in 2019.  Palko, Getsy and Flacco. 

I agree with that actually. 
Sometimes putting a true freshman in too soon can hinder them.  See Pat Bostick as a case in point.  We don’t know how well he do if he had a full Redshirt year he was limited physically.  But still it would have been good to have him have that whole year to really get acclimated to the college game. 

Pitt has no open scholarships.  I’m guessing George is paying his way for a year and getting a scholly next year.  He has two years of eligibility but if he already red shirted or sat out a year then he’ll only have one year left I believe.  If he is a grad-transfer he could walk on this year. 

Pitt has Nick Patti on the roster already and a QB in next years class …

Depth should be fine moving forward … but, QB is a high transfer rate position so you can’t have enough. 

Interesting, cause the old man, (jeff George) had his best seasons after transferring from Purdue to Illinois. 
And was the #1 overall Pick in the 1990 NFL Draft.  And led the NFL in passing in 1997.  He was also the first national Gatorade Player of the Year (lol)

One wonders what is going on, other than he will be a better backup option than Town and means we
can probably safely redshirt Nick Patty. 

I think you are exactly correct Emel on both those things.  Patti might have had to see action if Pickett got hurt.  This way we can save him a year extra. 

Now the question is when does Town take off?  Both he and George have two years of eligibility left so I think Town either leaves on his own or the staff moves him on themselves.  George will get a scholarship sooner rather than later and we won’t keep 4 scholarship QBs on roster. 

Yea, probably Reed.  Cause you would have Pickett, Patti, George, & Beville next year.  You might keep 4, but certainly not 5.  Beville could de-commit though if Clemson or South Carolina offer him, since he’s a SC kid. 

George, Sr.,  started as a freshmen versus Pitt in 1986, threw two quick TDs, then threw four INTs and Pitt led, 41-14, before being benched.  George transferred to Miami first, thought Jimmy Johnson would hand him the job then ended up at Illinois. 

He led the Illini to a 10-2 recordin 1989.  Incredible release, but a spoiled brat throughout his career. 

FFrench is just a precaution.  don;t read anything more into that.  But his speed is still a factor and with Shockey they can motor.  Shockey is a game breaker in ability.  He will turn some heads.  He needs to gain experience and Pickett has some nice weapons to play with.  Add in Tipton, Lopes, Mack and Butler you have some real talent. 

Predictions this year will be all over the map from 10 to 3 wins and you can now bet legally in many places
I think we get 1 win we do not expect but 2 losses we will violently curse that will break the POV comment record

Do you know the enemy?  I’ve been playing this song daily multiple times for reasons I don’t want to share with all but….  Excuse some language but it hits my heart for my family and for PITT and the POV!!!!!  Check it out.  it’s made loud to play loud…

A 22-year-old man was arrested on Thursday by Penn State police after tweeting a threat on Aug. 8 threatening to commit a mass shooting at Beaver Stadium.  Charles Thomas Hitechew of Gibsonia, Penn.,  was charged with two counts of terrorist threats, and he was arraigned and released on Thursday with a bail of $15,000.  He’ll have a preliminary hearing on Wednesday. 

I hate PSU as much as the next guy, but the article lends to believe he isn’t a student there.  Plus this can happen anywhere, not just State College, and we should be concerned about it, especially after what just occurred again.  There are better things to rag on PSU about but this in today’s society seems in bad taste to me. 

UPitt, do something completely unexpected and say something positive!  You are not a pitt fan and never will be.  Your wife could run for 300yards and 2 touchdowns and you would bitch that it wasn’t 5 touchdowns.  Say something nice for once. 
Religion, politics, bluecher!! 
Reed, enjoyed the podcast especially about the unknown soldier portion.  As you know my dad is buried about 100 yards away, we appreciate all that you do for vets. 

An A for effort Mark but way off.  The player from Australia who kicks a football for PITT is the punter Kirk Christodoulou from the land down under and I may have not spelled his name right either.  Kessman is good and from Michigan and the holder is Cal Admontis.  It’s not like he’s important at all, right? 

The Long Snapper never gets the hirl Ike.  Welll Kessman is a boxer.  That counts for something. 

Richman – I wish I wasn’t sometimes.  If you want to talk about giving your all and body parts for Pitt I will gladly go with you.  Currently I have 2 shiukder surgeries and a knee in the Panther name.  I will wait. 

Agreed as usual UPitt…..hence the hope nothing changes so we land the Beville youngster.  Maybe we start recruiting a decent qb every year.  The problem with these kids is that once they are slotted on the depth chart and don’t play, they leave, thus creating a void.  Recruiting over kids is a good thing.  Recruiting a bunch of equal talent leads to hurt feelings and transfers because the differences are negligible between players and athletic politics, not poloitics, politics comes into play.  It’s all about recruiting. 

That would be awesome if you make it to cbus, upitt.  Would gladly meet up for dinner and beverages, as I would with anyone on here if you are in the cbus region. 

My best bet to travel for a game is unfortunately, Syracuse, at Steeler Stadium.  I was hoping for UCF in Orlando, but I am booked in salt lake city on the 30th, 1st and 2nd of October.  Ugggh!  I used to go to the USF games in Tampa Stadium when they were in the Big East. 

Weekend schedules are booked pretty heavily around our house due to sporting activities with kids. 

Open questions to the POV board. 
Who here is a season ticket holder?  Secondly, what away games are you going to this season? 

For me, I’m all in for the UNC & UCF games.  If the Panthers amaze the prognosticators & surprise the ACC by being in the hunt for the ACC’s Coastal Div crown by season’s end, then WF & Miami get penciled in for other trips to see my Panthers in person this too. 

Let me know when you’re sure that you’re going to the UCF Game & we’ll meet up.  That will be an essential thing to do if Pitt is 2-1 or better by then.  Just so I can razz your ass appropriately if that be the case. 

UCF’s QB will be even a stiffer test for our defensive secondary than McSorley. 

Season ticket holder Dr and have tickets and a room reserved in Charlottesville Va for that game.  I doubt we get any further south than that one.  but maybe Wake Forest.  North Carolina is the game to go to as PITT will finally beat them and the BigB holding a Big T as in Tailgate. 

BigB has taken the wife & me under his wing.  He’s got us tickets, arranged accommadations for us with his Tarheel friends at Chapel Hill & as you said gets us into a five star tailgate at UNC.  Bernie got a big❤️.

It must have been quite an experience at that Miami game.  Wish I had opted for that one instead of the game at Blacksburg the prior week.  That !*# €!  game killed me at the end!  Then the next game, I’m questioning, “WHO ARE THESE GUYS”?  That’s Pitt football in a nutshell. 

Bernie has some great North Carolina friends some of us met at the UNC game at PITT last year.  Great people and with the BigB and JeanieB along with those guys and girls expect to be treated like a king.  I will try and be there but he doesn’t look very promising at this point. 

If your pain is too great Reed, then that should be your priority to take care of it.  I’ve planned surgeries before but sometimes the surgery plans you.  See you in a few days.  ike

247 came out with their top 100 for 2021.  Only 2 PA prospects.  One is Marvin Harrison’s son out of Philly who has already pledged to Miami and the second is a safety from Gateway that is looking at Terry Smith and the Dairy High School. 

Taking what upitt indicated earlier, my concern is that if Pitt pulls off a 9 win season this year, we are not positioned to capitalize on our good fortunes because we are not “in” on any elite level talent going forward.  That is one of the recruiting questions that I ponder, often.  We aren’t prepared for success and as such, when it happens, we get average results.  How much mileage did we get with elite prospects for beating Clempson?  It was a great victory for the fans, but in the large picture, we didn’t parlay that into something much bigger. 

Ike, I didn’t say they would suck.  What I typed was that they are ill-prepared to pounce on elite players if/when they have a great year, such as a 9 win season.  Let’s say they win 9 games and surprise everyone this year (which would be great).  They are not “in” on a lot of elite players at this time for 2019, 2020 or 2021.  If they have a big year with wins, they aren’t positioned to capitalize on their good fortunes of that winning.  That was the point. 

I watched the tape on MacVitti too & without trying to sound negative, I saw a couple deep balls that were big gainers with exceptional grabs, in actuality that were under thrown INTS with a good CB defending. 
Tom’s always a Pitt guy in my mind.  Good family that are huge Pitt fans.  Good to see him playing & doing well. 

I wouldn’t get too carried away with the depth chart one week before the psu game.  Some paybacks for a few of the guys that have been around for a game against Albany.  but there are some interesting names in interesting places.  While some names are not even mentioned. 

Big news from Centre County Pa.(State College for the uninitiated).  Police and SPCA raided a farm and arrested 3 or 4 men for sodomizing their animals near State College.  TV showed cows, horses, goats and sheep being herded out.  They apparently liked variety.  Maybe they rubbed off on you know who up there.  On a more serious vein Narduzzie early on stated his goal to recruit a QB each class to hold 4 0n the roster and provide progression .Transfers screw that up.  Wish I still had season tickets but that ship has sailed for me(health) but I still manage one game per yr.  and get my kids together at the same time.  Then I spend the next day or so recuperating.  Loved season tickets .  You get to know most of your neighbors and that makes it very enjoyable also. H2P

Pitt 60 — so true about season tickets and the people around you.  But I only found out thru Reed’s POV that Lastrow, Scooter and Cousin Tom are in the same section I’m in… I knew they looked familiar at Fran’s first POV tailgate, then we figured it out…

I agree with Reed here, no offense to Roy personally but he is not a D1 starter on a DL.  The same could be said of Maddox after his junior year and he accomplished a radical improvement in his final year; I can’t see this happening with Roy, but who knows.  I think it’s fair to say that PN is obviously conservative and plays favorites/experience over talent, he is trying to carve out a path of slow, steady progress rather than taking a little risk.  I’m not agreeing or disagreeing, just saying…

One area where I could see considerable ‘movement’ during the season is at WR, with Butler-Jenkins, Shocky & Mack.  Tipton & Lopes I like, I just think those other 3 could get a lot of time as the season progresses. 

Mr Huff the Third.  It’s what we each and all think of his recruits.  I have stated and back this up.  PITT is only in the position to get 3* commits at this time and in which you astutely point out is mostly caused by a really tough OOC schedule.  You have to win football games!  When you don’t you have to recruit 3* players and there are two factors to consider.  One, it’s going to take time for them to see the field and two, do the coaches have the recruiters eyes to get the best of the those players with the highest potential..

That I can’t say is true with these Narduzzi recruits but I do want to believe it to be true.  I strongly believe PITT has many recruits waiting in the wings that will be plenty good but I don’t know that to be true or false. 

If PITT wins 9 games this year which I do not think they will it means one thing and one thing only.  Narduzzi has won 3 of the 4 years he’s been at PITT.  Am I still going to hear the cry that many of the players are PC’s?  I sure hope not.  IKE! 

I wrote that Briggs would start again.  By my count that is 11 Chryst recruits/walk ons out of 22 positions out on the field.  Three more are transfers.  So 14 out of 22 positions are not being filled by Pat Narduzzi’s actual recruits in year 4 of his tenure.  How is his recruiting doing again?  That will probably change a bit as the season goes on but holy hell! 

That is the least confidence-building OL 2-deep I have seen in my life.  BTW – where is the great Lackawanna star Chase Brown Ike?  Not even in the 2-deep. 

Jeff George, JR will be the QB2 within a few weeks as soon as he has a grasp on the playbook.  Mark my words grasshoppers…

Narduzzi reads the POV and so he finally put Ollison back where he belongs – starting ahead of Hall. 

Right after Chris Peak does a podcast this morning on TE Jim Medure getting a scholarship and records an interview with the TEs coach Tim Salem where Salem says “He’s doing well as a TE.  If Medure had to play at TE this Saturday I’d lose no sleep over it…” Medure shows up as the FB2.  Which is why I take everything said by coaches in camp with skepticism. 

Motley over Jackson at CB surprised me but I’m not overly impressed with the rest of the DBs either which is why I think they are a downgrade from last season. 

Mathews gets his time to shine as a starter but I’ve a feeling it will be short lived. 

But in the starting lineup half are Chryst players Ike – look for yourself. 

In year 4, and with how most Pitt fans were slobbering about how great his recruiting was, this lineup should be heavy populated by PN recruits but only 8 starters were actually recruited out of HS by him.  8!  That’s pretty poor my friend. 

Below are the inherited Chryst players:

PITT’S OPENING DEPTH CHART

RB1: Qadree Ollison

FB1: George Aston

LG1: Connor Dintino

RG1: Mike Herndon

RT1: Alex Bookser

DT1: Shane Roy

$LB1: Elijah Zeise

MLB1: Quintin Wirginis

*LB: Seun Idowu

CB1: Phillipie Motley

SS1: Dennis Briggs

…and here is the sad part – of all those listed above only Idowu, Aston and Bookser have showed constant above average play.  Maybe add Ollison to that but really, the others aren’t that good they couldn’t have been recruited over yet here they are in the starting lineup. 

Reed, a serious question.  Are you blaming Chryst or praising him?  Other than Ollison you think all those players stink.  I have stated my opinion on this.  PITT is the type of football school that will be regulated to play the older less recruited players that have grown up into their abilities.  Keep your pants on as Do use to tell me. 

and seriously, That is not anywhere close to the final depth chart .  Pat is playing with you Reed and Jerry D

and Reed, being the second team fullback on the depth chart (Medure) for Albany means very little to me other than the fact that this PITT football wants to be a real threat at running the ball but hey, your all-star Ollison is first team.  and I don’t believe that one either. 

Best way to preserve Pickett is to run the ball effectively.  Hell Dane Jackson is second team, anyone believe that one? 

Lots of people laughed at me when I have said Narduzzi and other coaches hold back stuff first game against a weaker opponent.  PITT only has to beat Albany by one point for a win without showing jackschitt!  and btw, they will win going away. 

And Mack was probably still ineligible when they put the media guide together (which includes the depth chart) I would think.  Probably the reason he was left off entirely… Media guide is very in-depth and long.  Was not whipped up this morning

Absolutely wrong guys – I remember Pitt fans saying exactly the same thing last season and you need to go back and take a look at the difference between the two-deeps for 2017’s YSU, then PSU, then OK State games. 

There is none at all -in all three games the starting two-deeps (not just the starting lineup but the two-deeps) were exactly the same with the exception that we added Ffrench as a 3rd WR and dropped the FB for OK State. 

First I’m with Big B and Ike in that this depth chart is for a better word the Albany depth chart and it may well be listed the same the following week.  But in week 2 against PSU Pitt will probably trot out there a very different line up then what’s being posted as of now.  My guess is Narduzzi hopes to beat Albany by running the ball 75% of the time and hoping the defense completely dominates the Albany O so he doesn’t have to show anything on tape for our week 2 opponent. 

IMO there is something more involved with the Mack story than meets the eye.  When Narduuzi was asked how Mack performed in the scrimmage a week ago he had a very cryptic response.  I’m not sure if he got into the Narduzzi dog house by just showing up and not giving it his all or on something he said.  But my guess is Narduzzi is attempting to show Mack just who’s the boss around here. 

Listen, I’m not jumping up and down over Narduzzi’s recruiting, but aren’t “Chryst’s players” upper classmen, and “Narduzzi’s players” generally lower classmen???  My goodness, can’t wait for the season to start so we can discuss actual performance, good or bad. 

Last year prior to the YSU game I was bothered by bad dreams.  Dreams of us losing to the Guins.  A lot of you guys talked me off the ledge, and I was greatful, until the second half rolled around!! 
I really haven’t had the same experience this year.  At least in this first game.  I’ve heard Reed, and while he’s usually pretty good on this, I’m not really feelin his pain.  We roll this week, and if we don’t, last year will seem like a nc year in comparison. 

Reed as you all know I love and can’t wait to give him a strong hug come this Saturday has asked me in the kindest gentlest way possible to back off a bit from my commenting.  That’s very fair I think that may be best for me and all POV mental health followers.  Stick with this song as it cuts out. 

Reed as you all know I love and can’t wait to give him a strong hug come this Saturday has asked me in the kindest gentlest way possible to back off a bit from my commenting.  That’s very fair I think that may be best for me and all POV mental health followers. 

From here on out and it won’t be for a few days I will no longer be known as ike but Mr. Bob Dobilina

Firstly, DR.  Tom, I’m a season ticket holder, and we are looking to try to make it down to the UVA game as it is a family feud game, with a niece attending there.  Regarding the preponderance of Chryst recruits on the depth chart, I understand the concern but at the same time, if they are the best players, I applaud that they are being put out there, as often coaches/managers will put their recruits/draft choices out there just to show how smart they are….did that make sense, lol? 

With the Stiller pickup of Pitt killer Ryan Sweitzer.  It’s kinda funny/strange how the Stillers pickup or draft all these recent Pitt killers.  Mason Rudolph, James Washington who tortured Pitt for 2 years.  And now this Sweitzer kid who tortured us for 3 to 4 years. 

I think they like continually like ‘poking us in the eye’.  Becoming less of a Stiller fan every year.  Add in the fact they treat us like a D2 team at Ketchup Bottle with the crummy 50 yard logo, the no ACC on their crummy field and the joke endzones. 

Yea.  that two deep is not etched in stone.  Having said that.  the entire 2nd string of the OL are either RS FR or RS SO.  I hope there is some sort of rotation to let them gain some valuable experience for the future. 

I don’t get the concern that Chryst players are starting.  There is no coach in the country that just disregards the upper class players because he did not recruit them.  Especially since he has coached these kids for three years now. 

Positions where the starters will not change, unless there is injury or the player flat out sucks, OL, RB, QB, LB, TE, FB. 

Some positions will be auditioning for the first two games.  WR, CB, S.

These kids are more Narduzzi’s players now despite Chryst recruiting them, which seems ages ago.  Seven of those kids listed above I’m OK with starting.  The last two in the secondary, not so much, but I’m sure Motley and Briggs are not going to log a majority of the snaps. 

First thanks to the well wishers on health issues it is just part f being where you know over half the people born in your birth year are gone but you are not.  It is all down hill from there. I do miss a lot of my football and hunting.  The two things I felt made living in western Pa. so enjoyable.  I also am determined to see Pitt get at least a 10 win season so I have to hang in there.  Do not know where I would be if You had not started POV Reed and you guys put all your links in.  I am not to sharp on stuff like links and Twitter etc.  Hell my typing is a problem at times.  But its just great to be among other “like minded’ people as here. H2P