Pitt Football Thursday QB Notebook: EJ Manuel Breaks Down Slovis v. Patti
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PITTSBURGH -- Weary eyes have been watching the Pitt Panthers navigate a quarterback battle for the past 17 days. Head coach Pat Narduzzi has given no indication of who is leading the race to start Week 1 against West Virginia and limited views into practice haven't provided much further insight. But on Thursday, the Panthers hosted some visitors that were able to provide a fresher and more detailed evaluation of the competition between Nick Patti and Kedon Slovis.
The ACC Network was in town, visiting the Panthers as part of their ACC Football Road Trip series. EJ Manuel, one of the best quarterbacks in Florida State history during his playing days and now an analyst for the ACC Network, spoke with assembled media after practice. Manuel says that Pitt is in a rare, fortunate spot. With two competent quarterbacks on the roster, they can boast both a talented starter and valuable insurance against injury.
"I think coach Narduzzi has a hard decision, but a good decision," Manuel said. "When you have two quarterbacks you’re always in a good spot because it’s a long year. If you want to go to a championship, we’re talking about 13, 14 games so if something does happen to the first one, it's good to know you have a confident one behind him."
The competition is far from over, Manuel said and added that he believes training camp will yield the correct decision. Because both players are in their first season with new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti and his offense, neither had a predetermined advantage.
"The good part for both of them is that you have a new offensive coordinator," Manuel said. "So neither guy necessarily has a leg up on the other. Nobody necessarily has the time on task with the OC or anything like that. Whoever they do decide it’s going to be, is going to be a fair decision."
But Manuel also said that this competition could be decided by the players themselves, who tend to gravitate towards natural leaders at quarterback. Someone trying to become a starter at the position needs to be personable off the field in addition to productive on it.
“It entails leading by example first," he said "You want to be a guy that shows up early, leaves late — somewhat of the cliche things that you have to do as a quarterback — but also relationships. Do you hang out with the guys off the field? Do the guys trust you? Can the guys talk freely around you? Do you think you’re what guys in the locker room would call a 'fed'? Are you going back to coach and tattling and all that stuff? You got to be one of the guys."
Manuel, who watched practice all afternoon from the sidelines, was complimentary of both players, but praised Slovis' work in the two-minute drill in particular.
"Both were super accurate," He said. "Today, Kedon looked great, especially in situations like the two-minute [drill]. Two plays — a big throw and then a red zone seam that he banged."
Manuel and the rest of his ACC Network co-hosts will appear on the network at 7 p.m. Thursday night to showcase what they gathered from their day with the Panthers.
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