Maybe Pitt coach Todd Graham should just keep things simple

Back on September 29th, in Pitt's 2011 Big East opener, Todd Graham's high octane offense never looked better, as the Panthers racked up 523 yards in a 44-17 victory over then ranked South Florida on a Thursday night at Heinz Field. After the game, Coach Graham indicated that he had scaled back his very sophisticated playbook leading up to that game.

In Pitt's next two games, the Panthers offense never looked worse in losses to Rutgers (34-10) and Utah (26-14).

In fact, that Utah game was so horrible--Pitt quarterbacks Tino Sunseri and Trey Anderson combined to throw for 50 yards--that an ESPN studio host felt compelled to apologize to viewers who had to witness such an atrocious display of "offense."

However, just last week, the high octane offense was back for the Panthers in a 35-20 win over Connecticut at Heinz Field. Tino Sunseri looked amazing, passing for 419 and two touchdowns.

Just like after the South Florida game, Graham said that he simplified the playbook and had his team practice the plays that they were comfortable with.

OK, Coach Graham, let's go over this. In two games with a simple approach, your team put up 1052 total yards and scored 79 points.

In two other games where you evidently went back to trying to implement your very high-tech offense, your team scored one offensive touchdown.

Shouldn't that tell you something?

Sometimes, less is more. If a football player is out there thinking too much, he's not going to perform at a high-level. I know you came in as a new coach and set a very high standard. I like that. As a long-time Pitt fan, I'm tired of the mediocrity. However, before you can walk, you have to crawl.

A great coach doesn't try and force-feed his philosophies on players who may not be ready or equipped to grasp them immediately. No, a great coach adapts to the kind of players he has and slowly indoctrinates them to his teachings over time.

Besides, it's football being played by 18-22 year olds, it doesn't have to be that complicated.

Keep it Simple S...................