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RB Antonio Pittman (Official Thread)

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BCSBust said:
I have this theory on Pittman, and I feel bad for the guy if I end up being correct.

In Pittman's freshman year, he was clearly the best back, in my opinion. However, we all know that Tress favored Ross and Hall, due to being seniors.

Last year, in his sophomore year he was clearly a RB with plenty of potential. Now, with Wells coming in, it seems like they may split carries, and Pittman's on-field action will be reduced.

Therefore, I feel like he may leave early after his junior season because Wells seems to be the clear favorite over Pittman.

In my opinion, Wells could be the most underrated Buckeye ever.
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I agree with this (although I'm assuming you meant to say Pittman in the last sentence, and not Wells). I've said the same thing to many people before. For some reason I've spoken to several OSU fans who don't want to give Pittman credit for having what was IMO a phenomenal year last year. He provided us with a legitimate threat at RB that we haven't had since MoC.
 
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BCSBust said:
Wells seems to be the clear favorite over Pittman.
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The favorite of whom? Fans who are ready to pre-emptively award Chris Wells 4 consecutive Heisman's? That doesn't matter. The only thing that would matter is if the coach's were favoring Chris Wells or anyone else over Pittman, and I haven't seen any evidence to support that. The fact that Dick Tressel has publicly declared Pittman to be the clear #1 tailback, and that Chris Wells didn't even get the majority of carries with the ones in the spring when Pittman was out, doesn't seem to suggest that CW is the clear favorite in the minds of the coaching staff.
 
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BCSBust said:
In Pittman's freshman year, he was clearly the best back, in my opinion. However, we all know that Tress favored Ross and Hall, due to being seniors.
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Well, it's not that black and white. Tress played Ross and Hall over Pittman not because they were seniors, but because Pittman had some disciplinary issues. Nothing major, but if I remember correctly, he had some trouble getting to class and/or practice on time. That won't fly with Tress, no matter how old you are.

In my opinion, if Pitt can stay healthy, the job is his to lose.
 
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That's exactly what I was saying. Better to leave after being the guy than after splitting major time. Also, we can/should assume that Wells is going to leave early. That being the case, JT may bring him along slowly this season, but he'll be getting most of the time the following year, Pittman or not. Hopefully, Pitt will see that and make the most of his opportunity. Why would you not maximize the time you have with a star because you want to feature a solid senior?
 
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AJHawkfan said:
Well, it's not that black and white. Tress played Ross and Hall over Pittman not because they were seniors, but because Pittman had some disciplinary issues. Nothing major, but if I remember correctly, he had some trouble getting to class and/or practice on time. That won't fly with Tress, no matter how old you are.

In my opinion, if Pitt can stay healthy, the job is his to lose.
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He also wasn't ready to carry the ball as many times as he did last year. He put on some weight and worked his ass off to become what he was last year.
 
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BCSBust said:
I have this theory on Pittman, and I feel bad for the guy if I end up being correct.

In Pittman's freshman year, he was clearly the best back, in my opinion. However, we all know that Tress favored Ross and Hall, due to being seniors.

Last year, in his sophomore year he was clearly a RB with plenty of potential. Now, with Wells coming in, it seems like they may split carries, and Pittman's on-field action will be reduced.

Therefore, I feel like he may leave early after his junior season because Wells seems to be the clear favorite over Pittman.

In my opinion, Wells could be the most underrated Buckeye ever.
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You're contradicting yourself. First you say that Ross and Hall got priority over Pittman despite being inferior runners just because they were seniors, but you imply that the same won't happen for Pittman when he's a senior. If Ross and Hall got primary PT while seniors, Pittman surely will, as he's far superior a running back. And I'd like to see your source for your statement: "Wells seems to be the clear favorite over Pittman".
 
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Pit

I agree that Pittman is one of the most underrated Buckeyes of recent memory. From my perspective, it seems some fans are not sold on him as a big time back, and I find that absurd. He is an excellent back.

Sharing time with Wells this year will be good for him. I don't think he'll leave early. Pit will still be the man this year, so when I say "share" I'm thinking somewhere in the neighborhood of an 80/20 split. He'll still crack 1,000 yards, but it won't be enough to be projected as a first or second round pick, and he'll come back as a senior. Just a WAG.
 
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BlitzDorsey said:
He'll still crack 1,000 yards, but it won't be enough to be projected as a first or second round pick, and he'll come back as a senior. Just a WAG.
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For those of you questioning whether or not he is a big-time back, consider this:

If he goes for over 1,000 yards each of the next 2 years (ave. of 77 yds/game), he will end up #2 in rushing yards in OSU history - Eddie has 3768 and right now, Pitt has 1763.

(He needs to average 1913 per season to catch Archie though.)
 
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MililaniBuckeye said:
You're contradicting yourself. First you say that Ross and Hall got priority over Pittman despite being inferior runners just because they were seniors, but you imply that the same won't happen for Pittman when he's a senior. If Ross and Hall got primary PT while seniors, Pittman surely will, as he's far superior a running back. And I'd like to see your source for your statement: "Wells seems to be the clear favorite over Pittman".
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OK Miliani, I'm sorry if I come off as a dick or unknowledgeable... really I am. And in no way am I being sarcastic. You have more knowledge of the Buckeyes than I do. However, I don't like to think of myself as unknowledgeable (and I'm not saying that you said I was).

Anyway, I probably could have worded my previous post a little better than I did. In my opinion, there is a ton of excitement with Chris Wells becoming a Buckeye. And I believe that many people want to see him suit up, and play immediately. This would take carries away from Pittman. While I agree that Wells should get some carries, I do also believe that Pittman should carry the bulk of the load (which I assume, as do most of you, that he will).

Also, you are correct. I did technically contradict myself. However, there was not near as much hype when Pittman came in. The fact that we have Tress as coach, will make the decision on whatever he chooses much easier to go along with.

However, I feel that the "less knowledgeable" fans want to see Chris Wells play because he's a big recruit that landed with their team. That's just my opinion, though.

Personally, I think it's a shame that I had to bring this up in the first place. I think that a back that carries the ball for 1,300 yards and over 5 yards per carry, shouldn't even have this to worry about. It's amazing at the fact that he was only a sophomore, as well.

Either way, we're set, but I have some sort of loyalty to Pittman. Don't ask me why, because I don't know. I just truly believe that he's a special back, and I would hate to see his talent go to waste.
 
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BCSBust said:
OK Miliani, I'm sorry if I come off as a dick or unknowledgeable... really I am. And in no way am I being sarcastic. You have more knowledge of the Buckeyes than I do. However, I don't like to think of myself as unknowledgeable (and I'm not saying that you said I was).

Anyway, I probably could have worded my previous post a little better than I did. In my opinion, there is a ton of excitement with Chris Wells becoming a Buckeye. And I believe that many people want to see him suit up, and play immediately. This would take carries away from Pittman. While I agree that Wells should get some carries, I do also believe that Pittman should carry the bulk of the load (which I assume, as do most of you, that he will).

Also, you are correct. I did technically contradict myself. However, there was not near as much hype when Pittman came in. The fact that we have Tress as coach, will make the decision on whatever he chooses much easier to go along with.

However, I feel that the "less knowledgeable" fans want to see Chris Wells play because he's a big recruit that landed with their team. That's just my opinion, though.

Personally, I think it's a shame that I had to bring this up in the first place. I think that a back that carries the ball for 1,300 yards and over 5 yards per carry, shouldn't even have this to worry about. It's amazing at the fact that he was only a sophomore, as well.

Either way, we're set, but I have some sort of loyalty to Pittman. Don't ask me why, because I don't know. I just truly believe that he's a special back, and I would hate to see his talent go to waste.
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settle down there champ
 
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Pittman

I just have a feeling that since Pittman has atleast two able body backups this year, the coaches will feed him the ball even more and he will be more aggressive with the ball, as we saw toward the tail end of the season last year.

Last year, we only had Maurice Wells (with Eric Haw in the doghouse). This year, we have a reformed Haw, awesome Chris Wells and an improving M. Wells. I'm hoping the coaches will take the reigns off of Pittman and let him smash into people early in the season (like that awesome touchdown vs. Illinois last year).

I just see the capability of the backups allowing for Pittman to get more reps without the worry of injury or exhaustion. I can't wait to see him against Texas. He's going to be a monster.
 
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BuckBojangles said:
I just have a feeling that since Pittman has atleast two able body backups this year, the coaches will feed him the ball even more and he will be more aggressive with the ball, as we saw toward the tail end of the season last year.

Last year, we only had Maurice Wells (with Eric Haw in the doghouse). This year, we have a reformed Haw, awesome Chris Wells and an improving M. Wells. I'm hoping the coaches will take the reigns off of Pittman and let him smash into people early in the season (like that awesome touchdown vs. Illinois last year).

I just see the capability of the backups allowing for Pittman to get more reps without the worry of injury or exhaustion. I can't wait to see him against Texas. He's going to be a monster.
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I see exactly what you're saying, and I'm hoping your theory turns out to be correct. However, on a side note, I think it's a disappointing that we have such a talented backfield (all of whom are capable of decent playing time on any other team), and they won't be able to star in college. Any of these guys that stick with tOSU, are definitely true Buckeyes in my book.
 
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I see Pittman getting 20-25 carries a game and getting breaks in between with the stable of running backs we have. When Wells/Wells/Haw sub in we shouldn't miss a beat. Troy Smith will get to throw the ball more when we want to vs. when we have to. Troys overall numbers will be down this season as far as yardage and attempts but he should have great passing percentage and yards per attempt. All this because Pittman is ultra reliable and will be fresh for the whole season. Barring injury (knock on wood).
 
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pittman is not very big. He would do well to return to college for another year. Also, the NFL will notice the game film of Pittman wearing down at times in 05 when he was the only good RB on the team.
BCSBust said:
In Pittman's freshman year, he was clearly the best back, in my opinion. However, we all know that Tress favored Ross and Hall, due to being seniors.
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for all the talk about 'tress favoring seniors' we do have a heck of a lot of underclassmen start very early in their careers.

In 04, pittman got the ball against UM and struggled a lot.
Therefore, I feel like he may leave early after his junior season because Wells seems to be the clear favorite over Pittman.
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who is calling him a 'clear favorite'? The majority of OSU posts I've seen say there's no way Wells will take pittman's job this year. If Pittman is that impressive to keep Chris at #2, then I can't imagine him plummeting and riding the pine in his 3rd year after two great years.

If CWells does set the world on fire, then I doubt anyone would look down on Pitt for splitting carries with him. USC 05, Auburn 04... two RBs can be stars on the same team.
 
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