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PBP: Lafayette Pitts intrigues Miami Dolphins as CB prospect

Perfect72

Perfect72

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The Miami Dolphins have promoted to the active roster a cornerback who once committed to play for Dave Wannstedt at Pittsburgh and grew up a fan of Darrelle Revis.

After nine weeks on the practice squad, rookie Lafayette Pitts is getting his chance.

“It’s exciting,” Pitts said. “I put in a lot of hard work so I’ve been waiting for this call for a long time. Just keep being consistent in practice and show them I can do it against our first team guys. And once they see that then they’ll probably promote me and maybe play me.”

Despite going undrafted, one of Pitts’ greatest strengths is his confidence.


“Swagger,” head coach Adam Gase said.

Gase said Pitts opened eyes in training camp and has impressed since.

“I know he gives our receivers fits as far as any time we do any kind of scout team.” Gase said. “He competes. And then when we do one-on-ones he shows the right things and he competes on balls and gets his hands on balls and attempts to have an interception. He’s a tough guy for our guys to go against and we like the attitude he brings and we feel like he has good knowledge of our defense.”

Pitts is from Duquesne, Penn., not far from where Revis grew up, in Aliquippa.

They’ve met only once, but Pitts has studied Revis closely.

Pitts, 5-feet-11, 196 pounds, says he feels comfortable in both press and off coverage.

“I am confident and physical,” Pitts said. “Just overall, I feel like I can get the job done.”

More at LINK: http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachp...itts-intrigues-miami-dolphins-as-cb-prospect/
 
"“I know he gives our receivers fits as far as any time we do any kind of scout team.” Gase said. “He competes. And then when we do one-on-ones he shows the right things and he competes on balls and gets his hands on balls and attempts to have an interception. He’s a tough guy for our guys to go against and we like the attitude he brings and we feel like he has good knowledge of our defense.”"

I like the sounds of that, but, if it's without hyperbole, why is he just now being activated?
 
fansinceGWilson said:
"“I know he gives our receivers fits as far as any time we do any kind of scout team.” Gase said. “He competes. And then when we do one-on-ones he shows the right things and he competes on balls and gets his hands on balls and attempts to have an interception. He’s a tough guy for our guys to go against and we like the attitude he brings and we feel like he has good knowledge of our defense.”"

I like the sounds of that, but, if it's without hyperbole, why is he just now being activated?
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Probably has a lot to do with having 2 2nd year players in Bobby McCain and Tony Lippett and a rookie in Xavian Howard. 3 of your 5 CBs are really young. The fact that he's done so well basically forcing the Dolphins to call him up would seem to indicate this isn't hyperbole.
 
Two things about him:

1) He's healthy

2) He is not converted from another position...nor is he a "tweener"

Welcome aboard...
 
He was noticeable in preseason. Hopefully he has built on that while on the practice squad.
 
Going into his Senior year at Pitt, some "draft experts" had him as a 3rd round pick. Anyone know why he dropped all the way to an UDFA?
 
SnakeoilSeller said:
Going into his Senior year at Pitt, some "draft experts" had him as a 3rd round pick. Anyone know why he dropped all the way to an UDFA?
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Pitts was a four-year starter with the Panthers but was oft maligned by fans. His promising freshman year made it seem like he had the potential to be a star, but that never really happened. He played in every single game during his time with the team and started each time except for one. Pitts keeping his job for four years proved the Panthers didn't really have better options, but his spotty play made him an easy target for criticism.

One thing he brings to the table is in the return game. In his first two seasons, he returned 49 kickoffs for just over 1,168 yards. He wasn't used much in that capacity later in his career with the emergence of Tyler Boyd and others, but he has the ability to pitch in there.

Pitts finished his career with four interceptions, 152 tackles, and 25 passes defended.
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http://www.cardiachill.com/2016/4/3...s-udfa-football-pittsburgh-panthers-nfl-draft

Looks like inconsistent play as a college CB. He's got good speed (4.46 40-yard, 1.59 10-yard split, 6.81 3-cone) and size (5' 11" 190 lbs at his pro day). Seems like inconsistencies and the fact he didn't follow up a very good freshman campaign with significant improvement over the next 3 years.

08/27/13 - 2013 ACC BREAKOUT PLAYERS: Pittsburgh: CB/KR Lafayette Pitts...The Panthers ranked 17th in total defense last season and no small reason was the play of Pitts. As a redshirt freshman he started all 13 games and had a team-best nine pass breakups. Pitts also averaged 24.3 yards on 30 kick returns. Expect more recognition on what will again be a strong defense and perhaps he can break a kick return against one or more of the high profile ACC opponents. - Jeff Reynolds, The Sports Xchange
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He showed in the pre-season he was pretty good. He'll do well on ST's and rotation.
 
I watched a lot of U of Pitt games being an alumni of Pitt and Pitts was o.k. He was good at man to man coverage and could jam a receiver well. The problems that he had was he didn't turn his head a lot when a pass would come his way. He was inconsistent with that so he would get hit for penalties and wouldn't get that many interceptions.

And yes, I had to deal with Dave W. as the coach of my favorite team twice. He actually wasn't that bad at Pitt and brought some good players and toughness back to Pitt. He just couldn't win the big game when it mattered to win the Big East. Not that that would surprise anyone here.
 
hefe4711 said:
I watched a lot of U of Pitt games being an alumni of Pitt and Pitts was o.k. He was good at man to man coverage and could jam a receiver well. The problems that he had was he didn't turn his head a lot when a pass would come his way. He was inconsistent with that so he would get hit for penalties and wouldn't get that many interceptions.

And yes, I had to deal with Dave W. as the coach of my favorite team twice. He actually wasn't that bad at Pitt and brought some good players and toughness back to Pitt. He just couldn't win the big game when it mattered to win the Big East. Not that that would surprise anyone here.
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Given your statements, I find his comments about really focusing on eye discipline and understanding his leverage to be positive. It sounds like he has taken the coaching from VJ and company to heart. I am actually curious now.
 
How likely is it he sees the field though. Probably slim to none minus ST
 
If Maxwell plays a **** half of football Id run Pitts right out there. With his speed he could probably hang with Lippet right now.
Maybe they could have him play free safety in a nickel so his speed could prevent a deep ball.
 
I'm interested to see what the hype around here is all about with this guy. One if the few young guys I really didn't pay attention to or watch college tape on.

They must feel he has a possible future here to bring him up, especially considering how many young corners we have on the roster already. People forget we also have Jordan Lucas rostered. 2 2nd year corners, and 3 rookies.
 
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