Do not Blame Jeff Sims for this loss.

Overall Sims played well. It's just tough to overcome the impression that two picks (one of them for six) on the first two passes makes, especially when you have a bad history of turnovers. That's why people think he played worse than he did.
 
Overall Sims played well. It's just tough to overcome the impression that two picks (one of them for six) on the first two passes makes, especially when you have a bad history of turnovers. That's why people think he played worse than he did.
He did well, especially without McGowan playing.

Pitt owned our defense today
 
I love watching these guys play. They are amazing athletes doing crazy things.
 
In the post game presser, Sims said he never saw the defender in front of him on the first pick. There were actually two coming at him. There was a replay from behind him and I can't figure out how he couldn't have seen them. He about stuck the ball in the defender's face mask. And I don't have a side in the Sims/Yates discussion, but there were people hollering to put Jordan in. That confused me. Sims wasn't playing bad and Jordan would not have been a game changer Saturday.
 
In the post game presser, Sims said he never saw the defender in front of him on the first pick. There were actually two coming at him. There was a replay from behind him and I can't figure out how he couldn't have seen them. He about stuck the ball in the defender's face mask. And I don't have a side in the Sims/Yates discussion, but there were people hollering to put Jordan in. That confused me. Sims wasn't playing bad and Jordan would not have been a game changer Saturday.
Good to great QBs develop the habit of focusing their eyes downfield and ignoring what is happening in the pocket, they "feel" the pocket while always looking downfield.

If a QB starts looking around the pocket, then he'll have trouble refocusing his eyes on WRs downfield and it will make him late and more inaccurate on downfield throws. (leading to more Ints downfield)

This proves that Sims is doing the right things fundamentally, this is why OL play is critical, this is also why they teach OLs at the NFL Level to just take the 10 yd holding penalty, it is better than exposing your QB to hits, strip fumbles, tipped passes etc that lead to turnovers while that QB has his eyes and attention downfield .

I'm still shocked that our OLs are smart enough to stay eligible at GT, but can't seem to figure out that holding is always better than letting the DL cave in the pocket - 1st of all ACC Refs miss a lot of holding - 2nd of all 10 yards is a much better tradeoff than a potential turnover, especially when we have a running QB that can break contain and pick up 15-20 yds in a blur, and then add to that skill players like Gibbs etc.

I don't know if it is poor coaching by CBK or our OLs just having brain farts under Game pressure, but we don't seem to play with street smarts on the OL.
 
Going through the condensed game, it seemed like it took some time for sims to get comfortable throwing and on many plays he seemed to favor the the really short throws as his first option.

I need to rewatch the whole thing, as I'm curious if he was doing his check downs or not. It certainly could've just been poor sample size.

Since it's the topic here, I'll add that the ol and play-calling seemed like bigger issues than sims for the offense. But with how the game was going, I do think Yates and 4 & 5 wide sets would've been better against Pitt loading the box.
 
PressManCoverage, don't big cry me. If you watched our games you would realize this is a recurring problem extending through last season. Sims throws low into the line A LOT
Tell the friggin' OLine to not let the damn pocket get caved in so much.

BTW, the last 2 games Sims is at 73.9% completions - 10 for 13 and 24 for 33(?)
 
Tell the friggin' OLine to not let the damn pocket get caved in so much.

BTW, the last 2 games Sims is at 73.9% completions - 10 for 13 and 24 for 33(?)

Yes. Sims has been ridiculously accurate over the last 6 quarters. Its easy to see why the staff is so high on his potential when you add in his athletic ability and arm strength (his TD pass to Nate went 55 yards in the air and he pretty much flicked it with his wrist while flat footed).

Definitely things he needs polish on:
  • Ball handling
  • Pocket awareness
  • Throwing over the middle
 
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In the post game presser, Sims said he never saw the defender in front of him on the first pick. There were actually two coming at him. There was a replay from behind him and I can't figure out how he couldn't have seen them. He about stuck the ball in the defender's face mask. And I don't have a side in the Sims/Yates discussion, but there were people hollering to put Jordan in. That confused me. Sims wasn't playing bad and Jordan would not have been a game changer Saturday.
In the 4th quarter I was one of those. We weren’t going to win and I’d rather not have Sims get injured in some meaningless situation. I was surprised Pitt left Pickett in so long. He goes down and they’re completely screwed.
 
He completed 72% of his passes today. That wasn’t good enough for ya?
I’d bet he wasn’t happy with his performance. You can’t spot the other team 14 points to start the game.
 
Good to great QBs develop the habit of focusing their eyes downfield and ignoring what is happening in the pocket, they "feel" the pocket while always looking downfield.

Perhaps the pocket awareness isn’t quite there yet if he’s unaware that the play is about to get blown up by a rusher.

JRjr
 
People are idiots, that should come as no surprise.

To be fair, when your turnover-prone QB throws picks on his first two throws, it’s not unreasonable to think about the backup.

Thankfully Sims settled down, but I don’t begrudge anybody for wanting a steadier hand after the way the game started.

JRjr
 
To be fair, when your turnover-prone QB throws picks on his first two throws, it’s not unreasonable to think about the backup.

Thankfully Sims settled down, but I don’t begrudge anybody for wanting a steadier hand after the way the game started.

JRjr

I've said before, the balls were tipped. Haven't seen evidence to refute that.
 
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