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DB
Darrelle Revis |
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2005
Statistics |
Coach:
Dave Wannstedt
5-6,
1 year |
2005
Record: 5-6 |
|
NOTRE
DAME |
LOST
21-42 |
at
Ohio |
LOST
10-16 (OT) |
at
Nebraska |
LOST
6-7 |
YOUNGSTOWN
ST. |
WON
41-0 |
at
Rutgers |
LOST
29-37 |
CINCINNATI |
WON
38-20 |
SOUTH
FLORIDA |
WON
31-17 |
SYRACUSE |
WON
34-17 |
at
Louisville |
LOST
20-42 |
CONNECTICUT |
WON
24-0 |
at
West Virginia |
LOST
13-45 |
|
2005 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2006
Outlook |
One
year under the new administration
of head coach Dave Wannstedt failed
to yield many of the offensive improvements
promised. Few things truly changed
in Pitt’s ball-moving profile.
Hailed as the perfect man to take
the Panthers to the next level, Wannstedt,
a defensive specialist, brought fellow
alumnus Matt Cavanaugh in to run the
offense. In turn, Cavanaugh revamped
little, except for taking the game
out of the capable hands of Tyler
Palko, and the results have been less
than encouraging.
The
coaching staff told everyone what
they would do (run, run, and keep
running) and how they would do it
(til it worked, which it never consistently
did), so it is no surprise most of
their worthy opponents had the right
ways to stifle such in 2005. With
no changes in the foreseeable future,
2006 should yield similar results.
Something will have to give for Pitt’s
offensive efforts to yield more than
its ‘05 ranking of 85th. Senior
Palko needs to get the call more (his
overall production aggregately dropped
over 60 yards from 2004 through 2005)
so he can both establish new deep
threats with this capable receiving
corps and improvise when nothing develops
out of their basic play-calls, or
else opponents will continue to stack
the box to stop the Panther’s
simplistic running schemes. See, the
Panthers have a bunch of big, lumbering
linemen, who, though experienced,
really have to operate by pushing
forward. Unless they quickly prove
to be superior at this, the hulking
(but quick) RBs will struggle. True
TB Stephens-Howling is the lone exception
and can make his own plays on the
outside. But he alone is just not
enough to carry Pittsburgh to a higher
level of overall offensive production.
The
defense is really good, and will again
be strong enough to keep Pitt competitive
in most games. DC Paul Rhoads is the
lone carryover from the Walt Harris
days, and proved he knows who’s
who with last year’s stronger
defensive showing. He only needs to
re-bolster the secondary, and he has
the depth that can step into the vacated
slots to keep foes in check for 60
full minutes. The front seven will
surprise many with its improvements,
and as all 11 gel, consistency here
can win games from this side of the
ball.
Overall,
this campaign will probably play out
like the last one – better,
favored opponents will continue to
beat this team like a drum. That means
at least four losses loom, and a worse
team having a good day is likely to
do what Nebraska and Ohio did in ’05
(Pitt held both to a combined 16 points
and still lost to each). Ergo, as
already alluded to, Pittsburgh has
to show something has changed offensively
to pull off any upsets. Early home
tilts with non-cons Virginia and Michigan
State will tell if new wrinkles can
lead to the explosiveness that has
been desperately missing, or if their
predicted old-school running attack
will weigh the win total down yet
again. This is a championship town
with great, knowledgeable pigskin-savvy
fans who all painfully know the truths
disseminated here. Please, just give
the ball to Tyler and let him work
some magic back into the Panther’s
great legacy.
Projected
2006 record: 8-4
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PITTSBURGH
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 4 |
DL
- 2 |
RB
- 2.5 |
LB
- 4 |
WR
- 2.5 |
DB
- 3.5 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Tyler Palko, 341-193-9, 2392 yds.,
17 TD
Rushing: Larod Stephens-Howling,
96 att., 434 yds., 0 TD
Receiving: Derek Kinder, 37
rec., 374 yds., 3 TD
Scoring: Tyler Palko, 6 TD,
36 pts.
Punting: Adam Graessle, 60
punts, 42.2 avg.
Kicking: David Abdul, 2-2 FG,
6-7 PAT, 12 pts.
Tackles: H.B. Blades, 121 tot.,
67 solo
Sacks: Chris McKillop, 3.5
sacks
Interceptions: Darrelle Revis,
4 for 12 yds.
Kickoff returns: Larod Stephens-Howling,
5 ret., 30.2 avg., 1 TD
Punt returns: Darrelle Revis,
28 ret., 11.6 avg., 1 TD
|
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QB
Tyler Palko |
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PITTSBURGH |
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OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 6 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Tim Murphy-FB, Raymond Kirkley-TB, Erik
Gill-TE, Charles Spencer-OT, Dale Williams-OG,
Josh Cummings-K, Rashad Jennings-TB
(transferred), Greg Lee-WR (NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Thomas
Smith-DT, Phil Tillman-DT, J.J. Horne-WLB,
Bernard Lay-CB, Tez Morris-FS |
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2006
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Senior
Tyler Palko is the main cog in a run-first
offense. His savvy leads to great decisions
and movement in the pocket that allow the
Panthers to keep things rolling. Palko was
turned into a drop-back QB/game manager in
2005 with then-new head coach Wannstedt, which
we feel is a marginal mistake given Palko’s
4.6 speed and mind for making plays. But Palko
plays team ball and will again competently
do what is asked if this is the call. Still,
from 2004 to 2005, Palko ran the ball 59 fewer
times AND was called on 78 less times to throw
it, a true misjudgment by coaches who need
to realize that Pitt wins when Palko has the
ball. Another year of a diminished role for
Tyler will not lead the Panthers to better
offensive numbers. Palko’s superior
improvisational skills need to be a centerpiece
once again. Backup Bill Stull had another
amazing spring and, as the heir-apparent,
should see more reps come season. Stull is
a pure passer who has great vision that allows
him to hit anyone, anywhere who may be open.
In this basic offense, this sophomore can
likely step in so Pitt doesn’t skip
a beat if Palko goes down to injury.
Running
Back
As
a true freshman, LaRod Stephens-Howling
led the team in their rushing-by-committee
approach. A small, quick juker-type, Stephens-Howling
eventually went down to an ankle injury,
and this poses questions as to his durability
in this run-first offense if he is a workhorse.
But his speed and toughness are there when
called upon. Pittsburgh lost three 225+-pounders
(two to graduation, Jennings transferred),
so the “thunder” to compliment
LaRod’s “lightning” will
now be sophomore Brandon Mason and RS frosh
Shane Brooks. Mason is a step quicker than
Brooks, while Duquesne-local Brooks is 230lbs
so he may see more reps in two-RB formations
as a FB/decoy. Soph Conredge Collins is
the slated FB, and this Miami-native knows
the system well after his redshirt was pulled
and he became an important part of the backfield
in ’05. Collins has speed (4.53) to
go with his bruising style, and also has
the prep résumé to warrant
getting many more carries than the modest
amount likely planned. This unit has the
potential to “carry” Pitt far,
so hopefully the coaching staff can put
together play-calling that makes the most
of their deep talent pool here.
Receiver
Every
two years, Pitt loses its primary deep threat,
and this time Greg Lee realized his role
lacking and vacated for the NFL. This means
a new deep threat has to be found, and between
junior Derek Kinder and former walk-on Joe
DelSardo, the Panthers have the weapons
needed. DelSardo has been an overachiever
and proves he can do anything asked of him.
Kinder has the size of Lee, and seems to
have those sticky hands fans love. Cedric
McGee and Oderick Turner, both RS freshmen,
are prep track stars (McGee in the triple-jump,
Turner as a high jumper) who also have the
height to win those long throws. Super speedy
Terrell Allen, proven on special teams,
should often see status in three-WR sets.
This area has the talent to thrive, but
needs to have more intermediate and deep
balls tried – not only for their production,
but to keep DBs from crowding the box which
stifles the running game.
Tight
End
This
is an area which could provide the deep
threat spoken of above. Senior Steve Buches
is big enough to be an every-down TE, for
he pushes DLmen as well as he goes over
the middle to distract safeties. But ex-WR
Darrell Strong has the size, proven numbers
and the speed to truly burn defenses. These
two guys need to be utilized in two-TE sets,
which will aid both offensive dimensions.
Offensive
Line
Four
returning starters here should make last
year’s marginal offensive numbers
finally become more consistent and productive.
The inside looks the best with senior Joe
Villani calling the blocking sets from his
center slot. Villani has yet to truly replace
Pettiti, but should use hard lessons learned
to his advantage. John Simonitis at right
guard is an athlete who also has 300+lbs.
(325 to be more precise) with which to push.
Simonitis has started 30 games over the
last three campaigns, more than any other
player on the roster. These two seniors,
along with sophomore left guard C.J. Davis,
comprise a huge inside presence that has
to improve for Pitt to get its running legs
underneath them, the only way Wannstedt’s
schemes can begin to work. Davis started
as a true frosh, so his upside this year
looks promising. Junior Mike McGlynn is
a starter since midway through the ’04
season, and still is consistently (working
on) improving his game, and it has shown
even this past spring. He makes the right
side the obvious strongest side, which leaves
only the left tackle slot to worry about.
John Bachman was the backup in ’05
and should step up with his quickness to
secure the other outside spot, but nothing
is in stone here. Save Bachman, this is
a lumbering two-deep crew that seems to
lack the speed to recover when beaten, a
key factor as to why the Panthers had such
a low average per carry (3.2) and why an
elusive guy like Palko was sacked 30 times
in ’05. Something has to give or they
will again drag the running game down in
today’s realm of faster bigmen lining
up opposite them.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Promises
under the new coaching staff didn’t
exactly change much, besides taking the
bulk of the decisions away from Palko, which
turns out to be more harm than help. Wannstedt
and OC Matt Cavanaugh told foes they would
run it first, and they must have listened
when looking at Pitt’s meager ground
numbers. The talent is there at RB once
again, but the linemen seem to be too big
to truly pull and/or get downfield after
their initial contact. And with Greg Lee
moving on, no true deep threat exists, though
the WRs have the talent to do anything asked
of them. Cavanaugh has to establish the
ability to stretch the field – if
not, the box will again be stacked, so when
one play works, then the next is blown up
at its inception. Palko needs to again be
put in position to make plays, so giving
him the room for improvisation (like he
proved he can do in 2004) is key. If there
are no changes from last campaign’s
approach, expect the same results –
an offense ranked nationally in the bottom
third (82nd in ’05).
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OG
John Simonitis
|
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PITTSBURGH
2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Tyler
Palko-Sr (6-2, 220) |
Bill
Stull-So (6-3, 200) |
FB |
Conredge
Collins-So (5-11, 225) |
Mark
Yezovich-Jr (6-0, 245) |
TB |
LaRod
Stephens-Howling-So (5-7, 165) |
Shane
Brooks-Fr (5-10, 215) |
WR |
Joe
DelSardo-Sr (5-8, 195) |
Cedric
McGee-Fr (6-1, 190) |
WR |
Derek
Kinder-Jr (6-1, 200) |
Marcel
Pestano-So (6-1, 190) |
TE |
Steve
Buches-Sr (6-4, 250) |
Darrell
Strong-Jr (6-5, 260) |
OT |
John
Bachman-So (6-4, 260) |
Frank
Kochin-So (6-4, 280) |
OG |
C.J.
Davis-So (6-2, 290) |
Dominic
Williams-So (6-4, 300) |
C |
Joe
Villani-Sr (6-3, 300) |
Chris
Vangas-Jr (6-2, 300) |
OG |
John
Simonitis-Sr (6-4, 325) |
Mike
DeLuca-Jr (6-3, 300) |
OT |
Mike
McGlynn-Jr (6-5, 325) |
Chase
Clowser-So (6-7, 340) |
K |
David
Abdul-Sr (5-10, 200) |
Conor
Lee-So (5-11, 195) |
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2006
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
The
losses at both tackle spots are of marginal
concern, but security and depth with both
ends makes the Panther’s line strong
enough so developments inside won’t
hamper improved production. Chris McKillop
has the speed and toughness to give foes fits.
This converted-LB/FB led the team in both
sacks and TFLs, and he will occupy two hats,
or foes will again pay. The other end is Charles
Sallet, a senior who proved he can use his
quickness as a way to consistently get into
opposing backfields. His six sacks in the
final spring scrimmage (though coaches were
using a quick whistle to protect their QBs)
say it all. Depth with Craig Bokor (also made
huge strides in spring), Vernon Botts and
Joe Clermond assures no lulls will occur from
the outside. The inside is a competition between
three bigmen who are surprisingly quick. Nick
Williams (4.7), Corey Davis (4.65) and Rashad
Duncan (4.9) all saw time in the rotation
in ’05. All are sophomores, as is Gus
Mustakas, a DE/DT hybrid who will find time
to fit in wherever needed. Four-star recruit
John Malecki is too good to be redshirted,
but there is enough talent that, bar injury,
he could wait til next season. The line should
gel quickly with so much potential, and will
then rank much higher than last season’s
did as run stuffers (94th). Sacks will also
increase.
Linebacker
This
area is loaded with talent, and the Panther
defense starts and pivots around MLB H.B.
Blades. Blades makes our first-team all-American
squad for good reason - he is everywhere
and anywhere the play goes, with 4.5 speed
leading to great coverage ability. Sustaining
a block on him is rarely seen. This senior
will lead the front seven to better overall
production just due to foes just trying
to avoid his presence, an impossibility
(especially seeing how he led the conference
in tackles). Classmate Clint Sessions is
going to have his own standout campaign
after 2005 saw him hindered by leg injuries.
Also a speedy Floridian (Pompano Beach)
like Blades, SAM Sessions strong career
proves that when teams try to run away from
Blades, he assuredly makes the play. The
third starter from the 2003 recruiting class
is junior Derron Thomas, who has more size
and is therefore often a highly productive
fifth down lineman. Thomas will be the only
new starter. Unlike his brother, Scott McKillop
has remained a valuable part of the LB corps,
and backs up Blades so there is little drop
off if the all-American is ever out. McKillop
killed in spring drills. Brian Bennett and
Adam Gunn (two blocked kicks) are two quality
backups that represent the assured depth
Pitt truly has here.
Defensive
Back
With
two all-conference guys departed, Pitt’s
third one from ‘05, junior CB Darrelle
Revis, returns to secure one side of the
field. Revis’ nine pass breakups and
team-leading four INTs say much, but he
is also capable of making solo tackles on
any play as he is left on his own island
to produce. Kennard Cox look to secure the
other corner, and the junior has the size
to take on big WRs, but so does soph Kelvin
Chandler, who is even taller and a step
quicker. Ball-hawking SS Sam Bryant is a
fifth-year senior who will be relied upon
heavily due to the other newbies finding
their way(s). Bryant is great as eighth
man in the box and reads plays well. Mike
Phillips started the first three games in
‘05 at strong safety until he snapped
his ankle, so he is the best candidate to
slide into the vacant FS slot. This junior
has been productive (at CB) when in the
lineup, so there will be little lull in
the secondary’s ability to play tightly
as a unit. Jameel Brady, a backup at either
safety slot, hits like “a concrete
post”, says DC Paul Rhoads. “He’s
a wall”, and is one of many backups
just waiting for reps (five DB recruits
in this year’s class are at least
three-star prospects). The Panther’s
No.2 pass defense won’t likely be
quite as highly ranked this campaign, but
strong number (like 2005’s 10 TDs)
will be reproduced and the entire D has
an ample safety net upon which they can
rely.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Like
in 2005, this crew has the ability to hold
foes for 60 full minutes to the bare minimum,
but consistency (from game to game) has
to be the goal so they can improve Pittsburgh’s
record. The four games in which they allowed
opponents 30+ points were all losses. Otherwise,
the Panther stoppers intimidated everyone
else to rank 30th in scoring allowed and
31st overall (the rest of their foes never
scored more than 20). The weak link, their
94th ranked rushing defense, looks like
it can drastically improve, therefore improving
everything Pitt will do on D. Blades, the
McKillop brothers, Sallet, Sessions and
the rest of the front seven assure this.
The secondary is built around third-team
all-American Revis, and is still deep and
strong (even with major departures). It
has been a stalwart, steadily improving
to where 2006 looks like it can be another
campaign the DBs will again excel. With
an unproven offensive scheme that could
again stumble, this D will be heavily leaned
upon, early and often, to keep Pitt over
.500.
|
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LB
H.B. Blades
|
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PITTSBURGH
2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Chris
McKillop-Jr (6-3, 245) |
Joe
Clermond-Jr (6-2, 250) |
NT |
Craig
Bokor-Fr (6-3, 290) |
Rashaad
Duncan-So (6-1, 280) |
DT |
Vernon
Botts-Sr (6-4, 260) |
Ernest
Williams-Fr (6-1, 260)
Gus Mustakas-So (6-3, 250) |
DE |
Charles
Sallet-Sr (6-0, 235) |
Doug
Fulmer-Fr (6-3, 210) |
SLB |
Derron
Thomas-Jr (6-1, 235) |
Adam
Gunn-So (6-1, 215) |
MLB |
H.B.
Blades-Sr (6-0, 240) |
Scott
McKillop-So (6-2, 240) |
WLB |
Clint
Session-Sr (6-0, 235) |
Brian
Bennett-Sr (6-0, 235)
Tommie Campbell-So (6-2, 190) |
CB |
Darrelle
Revis-Jr (6-0, 190) |
Jovani
Chappel-Fr (5-8, 175) |
CB |
Reggie
Carter-Sr (6-0, 185) |
Kennard
Cox-Jr (6-1, 195) |
SS |
Sam
Bryant-Sr (6-0, 230) |
Shane
Murray-Fr (6-1, 185) |
FS |
Jemeel
Brady-Jr (6-0, 205) |
Eric
Thatcher-So (5-9, 190)
Mike Phillips-Jr (5-11, 195) |
P |
Adam
Graessle-Sr (6-4, 225) |
.. |
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2006
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Senior
David Abdul seizes the starting slot he lost in
2004 after a car accident. Abdul has yet to be proven
from outside the 40, so a trio of worthy challengers
could see their chances depending on how Abdul performs.
Return coverage on KOs which relies on defensive
depth will continue to be strong.
Punter
Adam Graessle is a returning all-Big East (2004)
senior who booms for close to 43 yards per try
(career), and seems to have good control. But
Pitt’s net results were dismal (108th, gave
up two TDs), so out-punting his coverage cannot
continue if Graessle’s efforts are to have
the needed impact.
Return
Game
Terrell Allen proved he is the man on KO returns,
but Stephens-Howling also returned one for a score
in ’05, making Pitt stronger than most here.
Just as good is Revis returning punts. His 11.6
yards per try (one score) ranked him 20th nationally.
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