Like the other offensive coordinator at the other side of the building on the South Side, Pitt’s Frank Cignetti, Jr. has taken his share of heat this season.
Actually, for both Matt Canada and Cignetti, the criticism has dated back to last season, as both Pitt and the Pittsburgh Steelers offenses have struggled with both moving the ball and scoring points.
The darts have been out for Cignetti for a number of reasons, namely the poor play of his quarterbacks, questionable play-calling, lack of imagination with his offense and personnel usage. Other than that, Pitt fans are totally ok with the work of the offensive coordinator (sarcasm).
During his weekly Monday press conference today, Pat Narduzzi had at least one comment that got my attention and it had to do with his running backs.
“C’Bo has stepped up as a leader when Matt Goncalves went down. He plays his tail off. He’s played hard. Rodney didn’t start, but Rodney’s good too. Gotta go with the hot hand. We’re going to play the hot guy. Maybe Rodney rushes for 150 yards this week.”
Ok, where do I begin.
First off, this isn’t an attack on Flemister, who from all accounts is a great kid and has been a nice addition to Pitt since transferring last season from Notre Dame.
The job of a coaching staff is to play the guy who gives your team the best chance to win and someone with the best skillset to produce not the player who’s the best leader and guy who plays his tail off.
That player is clearly Rodney Hammond and not C’Bo Flemister. It’s not even close.
Since arriving at Pitt, Hammond has been a playmaker and has only been stopped by injury and having Izzy Abanikanda as a teammate.
In 2021, Hammond carried the ball 102 times for 504 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and 5 rushing touchdowns. The following season, Hammond rushed 109 times for 459 yards (4.2 yards per carry).
With Izzy off to the NFL, many thought this would be the season for Hammond to showcase his skills but that hasn’t happened. Despite this Pitt team desperately needing a playmaker on offense, Cignetti and Narduzzi have not given Hammond an opportunity. Quite honestly, as has been the case with many of his decisions, I have no idea what Cignetti is doing or even thinking.
Through Pitt’s first seven games, Hammond has just 60 carries all season, which averages to about 7 carries per game.
Hammond’s Carries Per Game:
Wofford- 5 carries, 25 yards
Cincinnati- 6 carries, 21 yards
West Virginia- 14 carries, 49 yards
North Carolina- 14 carries, 83 yards
Virginia Tech- 7 carries, 18 yards
Louisville- 11 carries, 50 yards
Wake Forest- 3 carries, 1 yard
At today’s press conference, Narduzzi said you “gotta go with hot hand.” Well, it’s hard to get the hot hand when you’re not getting the chance to get hot, despite showing the ability to do so in the past.
Come to think about it, Hammond’s two most productive games this season were when he had his most carries. The funny thing is that in both of those games after running well on the opening drive, Cignetti quit giving Hammond the ball.
Opening Drive vs. West Virginia: 7 carries for 41 yards. The rest of the game, Hammond received just 7 carries.
Opening Drive vs. North Carolina: 7 carries for 31 yard and a TD. The rest of the game, Hammond received just 7 carries.
Because real answers are never given at the Monday press conference and the offensive coordinator rarely, if ever speaks during the season, it’s impossible to know the real story behind this mystery.
To be honest though, this shouldn’t surprise anyone because for two years, Cignetti has ignored one of if not his best pass catching weapon in tight end Gavin Barthomew.
This along with a bunch of other offensive decisions make any sense and is a big reason for Pitt’s embarrassing 2-5 record. And a big reason why Pitt could be in the market for a new offensive coordinator at the end of the season.
Narduzzi’s comments about the RBs, as reported in this article, are pure jibberish. Regarding Tight Ends, when do the HC and OC think Gavin Bartholomew will get the “hot hand” and start throwing the ball his way? 17 receptions for GB in 6 games is absurd.
Narduzzi would rather lose playing his favorites than win playing better players. He likes the gritty underdog. Doesn’t bench Temple. Doesn’t play hammond. Doesn’t throw to Bart. Keeps starting Dejean Reynolds, Kept handing off to Daniel Carter, kept playing Phil long after his expiration date….It’s a long list.
Well said.
PN likes “good guys” and seniors.
While we may not want it, Hammond will transfer. Why not?
And PN will keep adding from the portal..
Oh boy if ND recruited you then he must start..Phil and C’Bo…
Duzz is a clown.
I was there Saturday live in WInston-Salem. The timing and accuracy was off just a hair on seven to ten Other passes. It’s for good reason, Wake’s defense played a good game like ours did. We nullified one another on almost every drive. Bub Means, Gavin B. Kenny J. had other targets that were either slightly off target or just disrupted in timing by the defense. The play action plays were tossed but the receivers were well covered. There was only one errant throw that could have got intercepted and one out Pass in the flat that look pre-determined that… Read more »
It’s mind blowing how EVERYONE can see this train wreck, except Narduzzi! I’m not sure if he puts too much faith in his idiot OC or just can’t see who the better players really are, but there is no comparison between these 2 RBs or the 2 QBs. But hey, they are good at showing up early to practice, so lets give them the reps!
H2P!!!
I actually quit listening to or reading anything Narduzzi says anymore.He talks nonsense and quite honestly the more he talks he sounds like a complete idiot.If I was Hammond.I’d be in that portal as soon as Pitt loses to Duke at seasons end.There is no reason he should be playing behind Flemister..Other than injury,and by reading what Narduzzi said in this article.That’s not the case..
Speaking of “hot hand” Will there be an open tryout for a new punter this week?
“…Pitt could be in the market for a new offensive coordinator at the end of the season.”…best statement I’ve read here all season…so you’re saying there’s still some hope for us Pitt fans?
Not really. PN doesn’t like coordinators who are better than him, and who challenges him.
Does ANYONE honestly think there will be a new OC next year? And if there is, will he be Shawn Watson 2.0?
“The job of a coaching staff is to play the guy who gives your team the best chance to win and someone with the best skillset to produce, not the player who’s the best leader and guy who plays his tail off.”
Amen.
Been saying this for two years. This staff is clueless