The Post-Game Thread Reclines Momentarily

The defense showed up big time. And people will say oh Pitt sucks they only scored 3 points. But Pitt was ranked preseason and picked by a majority to win the Big East. The offense from the first half to the second half was night and day. Penalties were bad. The Oline was bad at times. If the offense gets it’s shit together the season will go well. And I really hate to say it, but besides silly o-line penalties, right now the worst part of the offense is jacory.

 But coaches are coaches for a reason, and if Randy says that Jacory needs a break from being a press darling, then I’m willing to bet that that’s been true for a longer time than just recently.

Great Game! I enjoyed watching Hill play the opposite corner to Harris last night. Hill looked bigger and stronger than DVD has looked since the end of last year and even though the safeties blanketed Bladwin over the top, Hill looked decent running with receivers up the sideline. The rest of the team looked decent in light of the fact that we jumped all over Pitt from the onset of the game.
A couple of negative comments about the game: Travis Benjamin has looked sub par as a receiver this year. He’s had a couple of games where he’s fighting the ball and even after a catch, he dances too much rather than going straight forward. As well with Benjamin, on the first pick of Harris, I found that Benjamin was waiting for the ball to come to him rather than going to get the ball. On the second pick, he stopped his route short because the corner nudged him off the route and decided to jump for it but couldn’t reach the high point. Regarding Benjamin, I know he’s one of the top receivers and out of Hank, A. Johnson, Byrd and himself, he’s considered the deep threat. Regardless, I’d like Streeter to get into some of these games and play meaningful minutes attempting to run down the deep balls and going up for them rather than just playing garbage minutes. If not, have A. Johnson or Byrd run the deeper route and Benjamin run the crossing so Jacory can put some power behind his throw, rather than having to sail it into single coverage in the end zone.
Jacory looked decent today and should have created some more touchdowns in the first half had it not been for Hank dropping a nice ball in the end-zone or the miscommunication with Whipple after the offensive offside. The only poor play he has was when he under-threw Benjamin and the Pitt CB made a great play on the ball. Second last point point; Fig looked off yesterday at RT. Maybe it was his lingering injury or maybe it was the speed rush with no help off the side but something looked off. My question with regards to this is why can’t we give Henderson a shot. I know the coaches want to bring him along slowly but he looks great in those extra TE/OL packages when we need a couple of yards on the ground. Maybe it has to do with his release on passing plays but my assumption would be that his size and quick feet could compensate for any problems he’d have as a freshman. Regardless I expect him to take over for Franklin next year as his size and agility look too good to keep on the bench any longer.
Final point: Why was Nicholas and Ray Ray subbing in and out. I’m an admirer of both but if the safeties are going to make an impact this year and next with regards to a national title run, my belief is that Ray Ray is the man for the job. Even though he’s had a couple of drops on picks the last two weeks, Ray Ray has all of the size, speed, agility and sense to play a great FS and to flip to SS when we need Telemaque to play the deep ball. Not that Jo Jo isn’t decent but he wont be around next year when every game has National Championship implications, so why not keep Ray Ray starting and learning from his mistakes and have Jo Jo be the sub in the second half of blow outs.
Regardless great game by the Canes and I’m glad this non-conference part of the schedule is over with. We need to dominate the ACC this year, go to an Orange Bowl this year and set ourselves up for a great next year. Sorry for ranting and if you read all of this please give feedback. I’m from Canada and nobody can discuss Canes football up here. Go Canes!

It does look like Whipple leans heavy on the pass. BUT we won 31-3 and what QB does not like to throw? That should help with recruiting down the line. I think J12-6 can execute these plays in practice but struggles with them during game time – especially away games – otherwise, why would they call them? He also throws some nice ones too, always has. As for Pitt and pre-season rankings – I don’t put much stock into any rankings until the 4th or 5th game of the season – by then you can kinda tell who is for real and who is struggling. Pitt looked beyond bad.

Oh last thing – Sean Spence is a FOOTBALL PLAYER!

Not sure why Miami doesn’t run the ball, play great special teams and great defense. Why go to the turnover machine?