You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 8.22.17
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Brian Batko
11:01
Good morning, everyone. Let's get into it, eh? Feel free to submit questions about whatever you'd like ...
11:02
11:04
I'll take this one first, since it's a question from Twitter that I never got to on Twitter. I guess no, there really is no essential need for Pat Narduzzi to name a starting quarterback, but I still think it's gonna happen. No need to keep people guessing or keep that as a distraction, really. Max Browne has been the clear leader all along, but it's something of a college football formality.
SOMDPanther
11:04
Given the (probably ineffective) handling of Damar Hamlin's burned freshman season, how do you think HCPN will manage Paris Ford's playing chances?
Brian Batko
11:06
Interesting question, SOMDP. Obviously, Narduzzi laid it on pretty thick yesterday about Paris Ford being headed for a redshirt: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2017/08/21/Prized-freshman-Par...

But with all the talk of Ford's energy, personality, positive attitude, is that really likely? Not to mention his off-the-charts talent? I'd be surprised if we don't see him this year. He was working with the punt returners this morning at practice, which indicates to me that the coaches are already thinking of ways to use him right away.
Will Paris Ford redshirt?
Yes (15% | 3 votes)
 
No (85% | 17 votes)
 
Total Votes: 20
Moops
11:07
Watching the Clemson replay and seeing again how bad the pass d was, its nearly amazing Pitt won 8 games. There's no way it can be that awful again, right?
Brian Batko
11:08
Good day, Moops. And good question, but heaven forbid this becomes a "famous last words" situation, right? I still think this secondary might struggle. It's quite inexperienced beyond senior corner Avonte Maddox and junior safety Jordan Whitehead, who you might recall is suspended the first three games (two of which are probably the two best passing offenses Pitt will face). Sure, the premise is sound that it would be tough to be worse, but I'd be surprised if it's much much better.
SOMDPanther
11:08
Offensive Line Questions: Best guess on how the OL lines up against YSU? How does that change with Bookser back?
Brian Batko
11:09
My best guess for the first 5 of the year on Sept. 2, left to right: Brian O'Neill, Alex Officer, Jimmy Morrissey, Brandon Hodges, Jaryd Jones-Smith. After that, once Alex Bookser is back? I'm guessing Morrissey drops out and one of the Alexes moves to the middle, but it'll be interesting to monitor, for sure.
H2P
11:10
With Macvitte running with the punt team do you think he is in for a position change? Or is this just a testament to his athleticism
Brian Batko
11:11
I did see redshirt freshman quarterback Thomas MacVittie out there this morning running down on a punt coverage. Do I think that's a big deal? Not necessarily, but it is intriguing. He's 6-5, 225, and was known as a decent speed guy in high school. I think it's more testament to his athleticism and the Pitt coaches appreciating that/trying to find a way to use it.
Ryan
11:11
It seems like the coaches are happy with Ollison as the starter, but I feel like little has been said about his backups. Could Davis or Sibley challenge Moss and Hall for playing time?
Brian Batko
11:13
Well, I wouldn't say not a lot has been said; we've heard from RBs coach Andre Powell fairly often this month. But he certainly hasn't tipped his hand much to the hierarchy, nor has Pat Narduzzi, other than giving the two freshmen positive reviews here and there. And honestly, I'm not sure there will be a set rotation or order throughout the season. Could be very fluid, with five guys getting a chance to make their mark and get hot, or at least maybe four guys between Ollison if he's the feature back he seems to be trending toward.
peanutbutter
11:13
who do you think starts at corner opposite maddox?
Brian Batko
11:14
Great question, PB. I think Vegas would give you better odds on redshirt sophomore Dane Jackson, maybe thanks to his experience, but I'll be a bit more bold and say true freshman Damarri Mathis. Just think all the talk about him from coaches and other players has been legitimate, rather than just hype.
Josh
11:14
Is Coleman hurt?  We havent heard much about him recently
Brian Batko
11:15
As far as I can tell, yes, Brashear grad Therran Coleman has been mostly limited in practice. You're absolutely correct that we haven't heard much mention of him from the coaches lately, even at a relatively thin CB spot.
BigPitt
11:15
What is the status of Damar Hamlin?  Is he even on the depth chart yet?
Brian Batko
11:17
There's not really much of a "depth chart" at this point. Pitt put one out for the purpose of its media guide in July, before camp even began, and no, Hamlin wasn't on it anywhere. He's still limited at practice as well, but maybe we'll get an update from Narduzzi soon on his progress. The head boss sounded bullish about his health about a month ago http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2017/07/19/pat-narduzzi-pitt-d...
poop
11:17
Odds Pitt starts 0-3?
Brian Batko
11:18
Hi, poop. I'll say 22 percent, since I don't think Youngstown State is any pushover, especially for a re-tooling team, while Penn State and Oklahoma State are very "low percentage" games for the Panthers. Deuce-deuce.
B
11:18
How do you see the running back situation playing out this season?
Brian Batko
11:20
Man, that's tough to say. I guess I'd have to give Qadree Ollison the edge going into the year, but I'm not sure I'd be shocked if any of the five scholarship backs led the team in rushing. How bout this, as it stands right now, Aug. 22, here's my ranking of RBs most likely to lead the team in yards:
1. Ollison
2. Chawntez Moss
3. Darrin Hall
4. Todd Sibley
5. AJ Davis
And hey, it speaks to the potentially scary depth in the backfield that the guy I put fifth got a nice name-drop from Narduzzi yesterday.
Daniel
11:20
Rank every single member of the Pitt football team from best to worst. Do not skip anyone.
Brian Batko
11:21
Sorry dude, just hit my ranking quota for the day
Ryan
11:21
Any of the young, untested receivers really standing out as someone to watch for as a breakout guy behind Weah and Henderson?
Brian Batko
11:22
From the little bit we see of practice, Maurice Ffrench and Aaron Mathews are right there as far as working with the starting group. Redshirt freshman Ruben Flowers might be in that next tier with Rafael Araujo-Lopes.
JoeScaz
11:22
Do you think the attendance problem at Heinz Field really bothers Narduzzi and recruiting as much as some have claimed?
Brian Batko
11:24
I think every coach wants his stadium to be full every game. Based on some insight we've gotten from AD Heather Lyke out of conversations she's had with Narduzzi and people around the football program, they believe they get a huge jolt of energy and confidence from the well-attended games. So, that leads me to believe that yeah, lots of empty seats might grind his gears a little bit deep down. But then again, my high school hoops coach used to tell us to never play for the fans.
Joffrey Ferruza
11:24
What is the new administration's expectations for Pat Narduzzi and this team going forward?
Brian Batko
11:25
Championship-level expectations, is what I assume they'd tell you. Lyke and her team supposedly have that aim for every sport, and if that's the case, that should be especially true for football, which is about as well-positioned as any for Pitt athletics at this time.
BurghGuy68
11:25
How has Hendrix looked at DE and do you think he can stay healthy an entire season? We need him and Edwards to be stalwarts at D End all season.
Brian Batko
11:26
He certainly looks the part, as he always has. Who knows if he can stay healthy? He's only missed a few days this month, best I can tell, and it doesn't seem like that nick or bruise had anything to do with last year's season-ending injury.
poop
11:26
whats your favorite cheese
Brian Batko
11:26
mac and
GD
11:26
Any word on how Kessman has looked so far?
Brian Batko
11:27
Comments from the coaches are positive, plus he apparently nailed a huge kick in a hotly contested scrimmage a couple weeks back http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2017/08/17/alex-kessman-kicker...
Burghguy68
11:27
Do you think they will give backup reps to both DiNucci and MacVittie in (hopefully) some blowout games?
Connecting…