Questions for the season:

#1 - Interior OL
No complaints about last season. I more optimistic about the Gs than the C. (Animus already has a thread about this)

#2 - Passing Defense

Biggest concern this year for the D

#2a - LBs

I think Mason *can* do a decent job there. Will be interesting to see how he does at Utah and more passing teams. Will the real Greg Williams please show up?

#2b - DBs and S

I like the way Holley played last year. I don't expect much from Tags until midway through the season because of the knee injury from last year. Will Jackson make a contribution? How about Reed - can he learn from last year where he was beaten many times in the ND game after taking over for Berry (IIRC)?

#3 - Can Sunseri duplicate Stull's performances?

#4 - How will Pitt open and finish the season?

First 5 games have Miami at Heinz and at Utah and at ND. Last 4 games are at UConn, at USF, WVu, and at Cincy.



Should be an interesting year!

2: Passing D is certainly a concern of mine as well. And with Berry gone could the Pass D even be worse....

3: I actually think Sunseri will have a better season than Stull. But there's going to be some growing pains. We'll know about him right away with games at Utah and Notre Dame, and at home against Miami.

4: If we start strong and come out of the first 5 games relatively healthy then I say we're going to have a strong year.

I'd put the QB position as the biggest question mark simply because it is the most important position on the team. No slight against Sunseri, but he is replacing a 2 year starting senior.

I think the linebackers are question mark #2. The will be young, and only Mason looks like an answer right now (if he knows his assignments)

DBs are 3 for me, only because it looks like Imoru seems to have the skills, Reed looks like he improved a lot in his skills based on spring ball coverage, and Buddy Jackson has to be 1 year smarter (I hope...).

I put the interior OL at 4, because I think this group has one of the best coaches on the staff developing them. Jacobson will be a good replacement, but center and one guard position is still in the air.

I think the OL makes or breaks this team. We need them to perform. With a new starting QB, we need to run the ball. If we can't do that, we're in for a long season. If the running game holds it's own, Tino can take his shots and grow into the position. He isn't ready to carry the offense.

I think we are fine at LB, but I don't think Williams keeps his starting position. He has had enough time to learn it, he is a capable backup but nohing more.

At DB, I think we are better this year than last. For all of his physical gifts, Aaron Berry dissapeared in some games. Although none of the replacements are as gifted, as a unit, I think they'll be better. We get Tags back and Holley has good experience now.

(05-25-2010 12:48 PM)Shannon Panther Wrote:  I think we are fine at LB, but I don't think Williams keeps his starting position. He has had enough time to learn it, he is a capable backup but nohing more.

I'd like to see Manny get that spot sooner rather than later. Not because he has earned it in spring but because he's a Clairton kid. And you all know I have that Clairton bias.

I said last year that once Stull won the starting position, I wanted him to succeed. I am not a know it all fan who hopes for bad things to happen so I can be right. I had reservations about Stull last year and I was wrong. I'm very happy to have been wrong. If Manny beats out Williams, I hope he has a great season. If Williams keeps his position, I hope he has a great season too.

(05-28-2010 11:46 PM)Shannon Panther Wrote:  I said last year that once Stull won the starting position, I wanted him to succeed. I am not a know it all fan who hopes for bad things to happen so I can be right. I had reservations about Stull last year and I was wrong. I'm very happy to have been wrong. If Manny beats out Williams, I hope he has a great season. If Williams keeps his position, I hope he has a great season too.

So far, it appears that a few of the questions may have been answered - like the cornerback situation will be at least respectable if not outright better than last year. Tino appears to be putting it together - having the ability to make all of the throws is a good upgrade, but still inexperienced. Only real questions remaining in my mind is the interior OL. The OL questions may be starting to get answered with Karibin appearing to be making progress in playing center. Right Guard is still a concern.

It's interesting to take a look at this thread now. I just need a little distraction from what occurred yesterday. SP better have an ace up his sleeve and make the right hire. Just say no to Tom Bradley, Al Golden, and NFL retreads.

Who they hire will certainly be cause for a lot more talk.

So much for that hire Hoquista.