Here is a link to the transcript of the video above. Here is something I don’t get with Narduzzi – he’ll talk forever about things that ‘could have’ happened if just one thing changed (see quote below) but he never has addressed head-on his terrible pass defense that gives up all the other non-hypothetical points.
This bit starts at about the 1:16 mark:
“When you look at a top 25 team, it’s another three-point loss, you’re in the game till the end. That’s what I stress with our kids, you’re right there, you’re right there, there’s so many opportunities in that game for us to get that three points back.
Fumble kickoff return equals three. You throw an interception, equals three. Our defense did a heck of a job like I told you in the press conference afterwards.
Other situation. We get an interception, and we’re lined up off-sides. There’s another three. We drop an interception at the goal line, that leads to seven. So if you add that nine and seven up, that’s 16 points that, golly, you’d like to see us not do those things and you win the game. Even if you don’t do two out of the three, you have a chance to win the game. That’s how close you are. It’s a game of inches. Good football team.
Man, that is deflection at its finest. How about these plays:
2nd and 10 at VT 21
(14:21 – 1st) Jerod Evans pass complete to Isaiah Ford for 27 yds to the VTech 48 for a 1ST down
1st and 10 at PITT 37
(13:23 – 1st) Jerod Evans pass complete to Isaiah Ford for 24 yds to the Pitt 13 for a 1ST down
2nd and 13 at PITT 38
(14:52 – 2nd) Jerod Evans pass complete to Isaiah Ford for 26 yds to the Pitt 12 for a 1ST down
2nd and 10 at PITT 30
(8:42 – 3rd) Jerod Evans pass complete to Bucky Hodges for 23 yds to the Pitt 7 for a 1ST down
1st and 10 at VT 32
(1:35 – 3rd) Jerod Evans pass complete to Bucky Hodges for 20 yds to the Pitt 48 for a 1ST down
1st and 10 at PITT 37
(0:23 – 3rd) Jerod Evans pass complete to Cam Phillips for 35 yds to the Pitt 2 for a 1ST down
2nd and 10 at VT 25
(13:09 – 4th) Jerod Evans pass complete to Bucky Hodges for 31 yds to the Pitt 44 for a 1ST down
That’s seven passes for 186 yards with four of them taking the Hokies down to the Pitt 13, 12, 7, and 2 yard lines. That’s what should be the topic of discussion and questioned by the media – not self-depreciating softball stuff like… (this reporter should be dragged out and shot)
“Q. You spend a lot of time going over personnel. Does it bother you when you get questioned by people like me that don’t know too much about football?”
If you ask a silly question you get a silly answer like this:
“I don’t expect you to know football. Doesn’t bother me at all. I’d like to have a clinic someday, I think it would be good, a media clinic, just to talk ball. I’m serious about that.“
But here is an interesting part of an answer he gave yesterday that makes fans wonder just exactly what goes on down on the sidelines when the match is being played:
“Q. Do you second guess anything you did Thursday night?”
“You always do. Like I said, any time we win, it’s a team effort. Every time we lose, it’s a team effort. We lose as a team.
I question a lot of things, especially when you don’t get the ball back at the end. I question coverage at times, could we have done this, should we have put this in if we’d known they would do that, should you put this in there. Of course, you always do that.
Is it too much for your guys? That might be the other thing you question. So no doubt about it.”
Now I might be one of those guys who needs a Football 101 lesson from this guy (for only a $500 donation to the Panther Club!! Sign up now!!) but I sure as hell know on-site leadership and I have to ask this; If you question these things after the game what in hell were you doing when their offense was ripping the legs off our defensive backs?
Oh, that’s right – screaming your head off and jumping up and down on your headset – but you don’t need the headset anyway because it is pretty damned obvious you aren’t talking to DC Conklin up in the coaches sky box.
Honest to God – I have to start attending these post-game interviews in person instead of running out of Heinz to the first bar I can find. These questions are way too tame.
This goes back to his telling us he is completely hands-off our DC and the DC’s decision-making during the game. Well, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it… but if it is broken then damn well do something about it. Make in-game adjustments or fire Conklin at halftime or something.
I know exactly how to fix our pass defense problem and this just may be the only way we’ll win anymore games this season. First you look at our roster of DBs and list them in ascending quality order. Something like this:
43-Jay Stocker
11-Dane Jackson
38-Ryan Lewis
You start the game with DBs Dorsey and Boatwright and have them play tight up to the opponent’s two best WRs. As soon as the ball is snapped they run up and kick the receivers squarely in the balls. We get an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and our two kids get kicked out of the game.
Then put Bernsdorff and Stocker in – line up the same way and at the next snap they gut-punch both receivers in the solar plexus. Our guys get kicked out again.
Put in Stocker and Garner and they jab their fingers into the receiver’s eyes and get kicked out. Then keep doing it.
Yes, they will move downfield and yes they will probably score a TD but after their first few series the other guy’s receivers are beat to shit and scared to death and we have our best defensive backs in for the rest of the game.
Hey – it could work… nothing else has. At the very least it would be entertaining as hell.
pittpov.com 
asdf
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From the last post;
Jarrett and Soto already have 59 tackles vs 35 all year for Render and Mosely -Smith.
Really doing the job in the middle. Going to be missed next year.
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Reed .. love your aggressive play calling as our D.C. Could work…lol
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Reed, you know you can’t do that. That’s too many personal fouls and they would just pull your team from the field. Just have someone punch the opposing QB right in the throat first play and get it over with. Glad to be of help.
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……Before leaving last posts discussion…..
Football is an ever changing, evolving sport. No one uses the “T” formation any more and the round football has been changed to have a nose on both sides of it so it can be thrown forward. So, giving a coach 4 yrs to install a defense that he has already used for 6 years is putting yourself in a position of being passed by (no pun intended).
New spread offensives have changed the game and the wrinkles of offensive creativity are continually changing. To have as your base defense as “stopping the run” has already put you light years behind how current college football is now played.
Sure, if you by chance play one of the few run happy teams the base needs to be an 8-9 man front. Likewise, if you play Baylor, Oklahoma St., NC, Texas Tech, etc, etc, etc, you need to have 6-8 men back. You adjust and adapt to the team you are playing!!!! To say proudly “our D stops the run” when you’re playing a Baylor or Texas Tech who throws 60 times a game is like hunting with a 300 mag moose gun during quail season. When you moose hunt you use your 300mag, when you quail hunt you use a shotgun with 8 shot.
Simple!
You adjust to the team you are playing and it is not hard to have a flexable D that is geared to stop what the opposition is known to do. D’s now have to become as creative and flexible as the Offensives they are facing!!!!
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Reed, I’ve seen you mentioned that you don’t think that Pitt will pay up for Narduzzi. Is it just history that causes you to believe that or do you have sources.
As a student here in my fifth year I can tell you that a lot had changed since my freshmen year when Nordy was Chancellor. Under the new administration, there have been multiple meetings with administration where they’ve asked us what we think needs upgraded our what does the campus need to build.
Additionally, they administration has really been pushing commercialization of research to make money. Seems to me like they are going to be spending some money now.
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@gc – Thanks for confirming with stats something I had perceived. Our d-line is shockingly more effective this year than last year. Entering the season the conventional wisdom was that the defensive tackle position would be a serious weakness this season. That said I don’t understand Narduzzi’s continuing scheme to stuff the run with shallow safety help when it seems the front 7 may be able to do it alone. At least try it until it is proven wrong.
I also don’t understand not using the bigger corners if the opponent is trotting out 6’5″ receivers and throwing jump balls.
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The coaches lack of seeing the need for change in the defensive game plan is scary. The Steelers next door have similar problems with their dbacks, but at least they have a bend don’t break philosophy, and gives them a chance to out score opponents.
The clutch and grab technique of the Pitt defenders is painful to watch and in spite of interfering on most plays the passes are completed any way. If PN does not correct this his time here will be short. Also that immature crap on the sidelines was disturbing, emotion is fine, but reality is his backs interfere on most plays and jumping on the officials will not cure the problem.
I had high hopes on his hiring, but they are rapidly declining.
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Like you Reed, I reached my wits end last Thursday night as Pitt lost 18 jump ball contests against VPI in front of 30,000 or less uninspired fans on a raw frigid night at Heinz! I also came up with a number of inane solutions for our d back problems. Then I remembered….playing HS football.
While it sounds easy “when the receiver turns his head, you turn yours” it is actually one of the most difficult things to do in sports…as a d back, running full speed turning your head without slowing down! (Of course it’s made even more difficult when you trail the receiver by 2 steps!
Or….you blow the coverage and the receiver is standing wide open.)
What I agree with apprentice head coach Naruzzi (where’s the D?) is how we fail to make a play when we do all the other things correct and are standing there right next to the receiver……over and over…no play made. Maybe a kick in the nuts is appropriate!
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Dave, the metrics people go by stats how ever old or obsolete they are. They want to invest thought into little liars that when tickled or tortured they will confess. What happened under Nordy and especially the football killer Nazi “the steve” is no longer relevant considering PITT football. The fans on the other hand are still the same. PITT will need to address the attendance issue first and that could start by hiring better asst coaches.
Barvo: PITT doesn’t have bigger corners with experience and they certainly aren’t near 6’5″. The NFL doesn’t have this size corner. Be patient, considering it still is a bit of a work in progress, PITT is fielding a quality team and giving the PITT fans quality and fun football.
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Love that solution Reed. Basically have your DB’s mug their WR’s. This was John Thompson’s theory of how to win at basketball when he coached at Georgetown !
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Dave .. thanks for posting … good to hear from a current student’s perspective- keep expounding..
So if there becomes a lot of job openings and Duzz is approached does PITT extends Duzz’s contract or take a wait n see approach?
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When Narduzzi left Michigan State he was coaching a defense with two 1st round CBs, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round DEs, and a 6th round FS.
Think this scheme will play better with a couple lock down corners and some pressure off the edge? The only upperclassmen DBs with P5 offers are Lewis (Colorado and Utah) and Maddox (Purdue).
Narduzzi is working with almost no talent on defense and he is ahead schedule…
You could argue that Pitt shouldn’t even be in contention against passing offenses like OSU – #12, UNC – #19, VPI – #39 – let alone in position to WIN games.
Look at the scholarship upperclassmen on D… Did any of them have P5 offers? Caprara, Galambos, Webb, Motely, Blair, Mitchell, Wirginis, Folston, Taleni, Roy… None of them are P5 players. Idowu is a walkon starter!
Narduzzi inherited a defense full of players who shouldn’t be in the ACC… He’s an excellent defensive mind – not a miracle worker.
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OK Reed that strategy (somewhat modified) has been used very successfully in the past. You only need to go back to the 48 – 14 game and watch unflagged cheap shots our two wideouts got on routes over the middle and away from the play after the first 14 points happened so quickly. My grandmother would have run crisper routes to the center of the field after that. So we know the strategy can work.
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I have not had any conversations with Gallagher but I talked with Nordenberg yearly. My take is that Pitt keeps money seperate between the university’s academic / research, etc. missions and it’s athletics.
For instance Pitt won’t ever use endowed $$$ or it’s interest $$$ for sports. The athletic costs come directly from athletic gains (ACC and TV money, ticket sales, merchandise, etc).
But even so I very much doubt Pitt is going to shell out double what HCPN makes now for him or any coach. Everyone I have talked to keeps saying that Athletics has its place in the University but will never become so big it’s a draw on other missions money.
This Chancellor may make different decisions than the last one has but he still has the Board of Trustees to answer to and the fact is that Pitt’s BoT has always been conservative when it comes to athletics. This explains their relationship…
“General administrative, academic, and management authority is delegated to the chancellor. However, the board retains ultimate responsibility for all University affairs.”
Fans think the Chancellor can do whatever he wants to do at Pitt but that isn’t the case, everything that is a major expenditure has to go through the Board of Trustees also.
Pitt has long history of putting every other mission areas of the University above or at par with Athletics. This is the way it should be, so they don’t go out on a limb to spend money like other bigger programs do… they never have and I believe they never will.
It is more like them to maintain a reasonable budget and tried to make something happen with that but they won’t go overboard to try to ensure that will have championships or Top 10 seasons.
Pitt will ride with Narduzzi until something changes but I very much doubt if somebody offered big dollars to him that we’re going to match that and I’m talking about $3.5M to $5M.
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Good to see you btw.
Total Defense – Wake # 45 Pitt # 70
Pass Efficiency Defense – Wake # 64 Pitt # 115
Red Zone Defense – Wake # 2 Pitt # 128 (dead last)
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Sounds like a scheme that could work with the personnel they have.
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We need to ditch Conklin and hire this guy.
Mike Elko begins his third season as Wake Forest’s defensive coordinator after previously serving in the same role under head coach Dave Clawson at Bowling Green.
In addition to his position as defensive coordinator, Elko coaches Wake Forest’s safeties. Elko’s 2015 Deacon defense ranked 38th in the nation, allowing just 363.8 yards per game. The Deacons also ranked among the national leaders in red-zone defense and pass defense. Wake Forest’s shutout of Boston College was the first by the Deacons in nine years.
In 2014, Elko’s defense proved to be one of the strengths of the Demon Deacon club. Wake Forest finished 12th nationally in passing yards allowed and was a top 40 team in total defense. Wake Forest had five defensive players earn All-ACC honors last year.
Elko spent five seasons as Bowling Green’s defensive coordinator. The Falcon defense led the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense, total defense, rush defense and pass defense in each of his last two seasons. In 2013, four BGSU defensive players were named to the All-MAC first or second team.
Elko’s Bowling Green defense excelled at forcing turnovers and stopping opponents on third down. Over his five seasons as defensive coordinator, the Falcons forced 106 turnovers or 1.7 per game. Bowling Green held opponents to just 35.9 percent third down conversions over those five seasons. In both 2012 and 2013, the Falcons ranked in the top 10 in the nation in both total defense and scoring defense.
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Screw the scheme, hire a competent DC.
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I would presume Pitt could outbid tiny Wake Forest for Elko’s services.
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Our defense I’m sure would look a lot better, and be much better statistically, if our non-conference schedule was Tulane, Delaware, Indiana, and Army like Wake Forest’s non-con schedule.
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest defensive coordinator Mike Elko has been named the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week by Coachingsearch.com following the Deacons’ 28-9 over Syracuse on Oct. 8.
Elko’s defense held the high-powered Orange offense to 168 passing yards and 326 total offense yards. Syracuse entered the game averaging 370 yards per game through the air and 495 yards of total offense. Syracuse had been averaging 29.0 points per game and 31.2 completions per contest before being held to nine and 16 respectively.
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I doubt our defense will hold Syracuse to below 30 points. Do you ?
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So that pretty much blows out of the water….the excuse and the theory that you have to have 4-5 star rated players to have a great defense.
http://cdn1.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/980×551/public/2015/05/21/_dtw106_50309829.jpg?itok=_4RpkNme
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https://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/battleship-blown-up7.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=500
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Worried that Reed believes HCPN to be a douche. Reed has intel, and aside from the obvious shortcomings, if there is more going on, all I can say is that another tour of mediocrity is more than I can handle.
I also don’t get the Conklin bashing. If Conklin is running this inept outfit, that’s on Nardo for allowing it. If Nardo is the puppet master, again on Nardo.
Finally, explain how folks complain about the head coach and then a minute later, they are worried about someone nabbing him.
So far, let him leave. We have beaten PSUcks and that is about it. And defensively, since getting clobbered by Navy, we have actually digressed.
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This will piss Reed off but imo, he’s still mad about the closed practice’s. He was just starting the POV and he just loves fall practice. Forgive and forget big fellow.
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Narduzzi is one of the most highly regarded defensive minds in college football. The scheme isn’t changing – neither is the coordinator.
Overhauling the entire defensive side of the roster with athletes that can play the way he wants to takes multiple recruiting classes. Just be glad there is enough talent on the Oline and in the backfield to win games while doing so.
As far as spending money – didn’t they shell out like $700k or $800k for Chubs last year? Multi-million dollar upgrades at Trees, the Pete, and the southside?
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The staff and scheme are not the problem.
Just keep signing guys like Whitehead, and Henry Miller, and Paris Ford, and Hamlin, and Watts, and Camp, and Coleman, Pugh…
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I thought it was panic in Detroit but there is panic in Pittsburgh that actually has a better ring to it. If PITT had got blown out the three losses many would be much happier right now.
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We didn’t have a great pass rush last year either.
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And as far as the staff, the jury is till OUT of them !
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^ the jury is still OUT on them ^
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lol, where is that confounded bridge…..(edit button)
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Thanks for the responses guys. I do agree that athletics should be kept separate for the most part. However, it is clear that athletics can bring in money to universities. I was hoping that this administration might realize that.
I understand that $2 mil more a year is a big number, but keep in mind coaching stability and winning can bring in better recruits, who will hopefully be more likely to go to the NFL and then be able to donate more money back to the university. I know of some somewhat recent Pitt players who were only in the NFL for a few years that have donated over 20k back to the university in a single phone call. Winning also will cause more excitement for games and increase ticket sales which generates more money.
Gotta spend money to make money
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They had like 40 sacks last year, basically doubled their total in year 1….
I agree, jury still out on all of them. But all these guys had great reputations before coming to Pitt. Duzz, Conk, Harley.
Let’s see what the D looks like with their players.
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It ain’t the Xs and Os…its the Jimmies and Joes.
Amazingly, some of us have forgotten or simply ignore important parts of the HCPC era. That guy didn’t like to recruit and didn’t land the same caliber of players on D as his did on O. The guy wasn’t allowed to spend money on a DC, so we got OutHouse. House couldn’t recruit either in addition to running a D.
And yet, some of us expect the current coaches to transmogrify DBs recruited by a guy who didn’t even get to pick his own DC when hired away by Wisky into Deion Sanders overnight. I can hear some of you already, “well so and so did it in his first year at NE West Virginia A&M.”
Dan72 – my whole crew went to the game and we were well inspired – and cold. Our section was also inspired. I think you are mistaking we who actually showed up at Heinz for those who stayed at home because of (pick a lame reason).
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BostonCommons – +1 on your posts today.
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Dave – “Winning also will cause more excitement for games and increase ticket sales which generates more money. Gotta spend money to make money ”
Econ major perhaps? 🙂
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As funny, and effective, as your scheme is I worry about your mental health. This is better than having sideline hissy fits? 🙂 The abysmal defense has affected you and Narduzzi equally. You both are $20 buck nuts. Next week he will be blaming the Russians. 🙂 (I love sarcasm – see how low you are slipping). 🙂
On a sort of serious note as has been pointed out he needs to abandon his defense which is fine for the Big but will not work in a wide open pass happy ACC and to get a real defensive coordinator who can take the aggressive approach he likes but knows what works in the ACC
By the way $20 is not enough for a kick in the balls. 🙂
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The Russians line was great ^^. Some other despot is now trying to use that !
I’m with the Nard Dog ! Make America Angry Again !
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Wake Forest lost to Army at home. Their 4 non-con games were Army, Delaware, Indiana and Tulane.
But they do have a good defense, no doubt
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according to the selection committee, we beat the 12th ranked team …. don’t ask me how!
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In case anyone’s interested, Wak e is 5-3, 2-2. They’ve beaten Tulane (allowed 3 points), Duke (Allowed 14 points), Delaware (allowed 21 points), Indiana (allowed 28 points), and Da Cause (allowed 9 points). They’ve lost to NCSU (allowed 33 points), Army (allowed 21 points), and FSU (allowed 17 points). I could find nothing on how their D did against OK State, UNC, or Va Tech.
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Well look at what Wake did to Eric Dungy and Syracuse. Is anybody willing to bet that Pitt is going to hold Cuse to 9 points and 168 passing yards ?
And I very highly doubt Pitt is going to hold Duke to 14 points.
They have the #2 RedZone defense in College Football with 2 star and 3 star players. Perhaps not even 2 star players since they haven’t had a winning season since 2008.
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And they held Florida State in Tallahassee to their lowest point total of the season.
What would Pitt give up, 40+ or 50+ points at FSU ?
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So I’m not buying this….we need to recruit 4 star and 5 star CB’s. Cause if that is the case, that is not going to happen. Those kind of kids don’t generally come to Pitt and Western Pa doesn’t produce the speed you need on the Corners.
Wake’s CB’s are both 2 star recruits.
https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/8195
https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/12580
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BostonCommons has it together. Did you folks realize the 3 losses are to teams ranked in the CFP top-25? So… Pitt is 1-3 against top-25 teams. Not too shabby considering like BC pointed out… the severe lack of talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Price, Soto, Jarrett are good college players. Whitehead has potential to make a career of football. The rest of them… they better get their degrees. No future of playing further nor are any of them on the same level as Price/Soto/Jarrett.
I can almost guarantee coaching changes on the defensive side of the ball in the offseason.
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So who are the common opponents between PITT and Wake?
I like this Elko guy but how did he become a topic of discussion?
Is Narduzzi taking him to Purdue with him or is he about to become PITT’s next head coach?
I get it, it’s what we do and I’m down with it.
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Just trying something here.
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Taking an anonymous blog to a higher level
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Emil, I’m with you. I don’t think Narduzzi or the Administration are lIke the SOP sports departments of the past, without accountability. (Matt House). Unless the defense has a major turn around, someone needs to be held accountable. Hill and Conklin would appear to make the most sense . I’D love to see a defensive minded fired head coach join Pitt Ala Gene Chizik at NC. (What is AL Golden doing, and what was his area of expertise ? )
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Also, where is the DC from HCPC’s first year now?
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What the Hell are we arguing about here?
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Dave Huxtable? I remember articles about him sleeping in his office after watching game film half the night…
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NC State DC
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Maybe DC from Michigan State may be available after this year….
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Emel Dungy will only get 125 yards against our Dbacks.
By the end of the first quarter. Scheme stinks and did someone say Conklin was respected? From the powerhouse of FIU? Our Defensive Gurus are 90% talk. No substance. Tweet that Narduzzi.
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How in the world does the Big 10 have 5 teams in the top 12 of the college football playoff rankings? Even Western Michigan is 2-0 against that conference.
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I’m seriously in shock. PSU at 12?! It does feel kinda good knowing that, if it wasn’t for our win over them, they’d be close to the top 4 spots.
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Guys,
How in the world can ANYBODY defend ANYTHING about our pass defense????????
We are the WORST team in the COUNTRY!!!!
We are # 128 out of 128 teams in the nation!!!!
…. if it smells like $h!t, looks like $h!t, and taste like $h!t – it’s $h!t!!!
Some of you guys have been eating $h!t sandwiches for so long you’ll even defend them to the end!
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Reed’s smokin crack.
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The selection committee has, and has had, a large B10 bias.
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Pitt has one of the toughest schedules in the country according to the current committee rankings. Played vs 12, at 18, vs 19, and at 21 … and will play at #2.
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BostonCommons explains the obvious but the problem is that he needs to explain the obvious to the rest of us!
This Pitt team has more talent riding the pine right now than is playing on the field as starters.
Guys like Camp, Watts, Pugh, Pine, Hamlin, Miller, Coleman, Campbell, Weaver & Zeise are either not quite ready or injuries on our defense, contributing nothing in our starting line up.
Narduzzi isn’t “deflecting” anything, he’s given his opinion on where the problems lie on defense. Those are, not enough QB pressure being the exerted by our front four and DBs that are too often out of position and when they are in position, they have failed too often in making the play that is required by them to stop offensive drives. Very straightforward answers. Reed, you just don’t like the answers. Why, BECAUSE YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!
The team chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. Right now that weakest link is the size & athletic talent level of our CBs, not our scheme, not our coaches, not because we don’t play in our own OCS.
Remove the weak link. Start Hamlin from here on in and burn RSS on guys like Coleman, Miller or Campbell. Get this future talent game experience right now like against Miami in 3 days! These guys are our future, somewhere with these guys is the answer to the defenses problem. We may not get past 6-6 with that strategy this season but we’ll be in better shape going forward if we institute it now.
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Anyone have a guess on who Pitt’s ACC crossover game will be in 2017?
My money would be WF – lol.
The BIG Joke conference is way overrated – other than LSU losing to Wisky, who have their out-of-conference games been against (weak).
Oh, and LSU fired their HC a short time after that game.
The pedos at #12 sets the stage for the Ohio fake team to leap back into the top 4.
I still hate pedo state!
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Erie, Great point On PSU being ranked at #12 to get The OSU back in the playoff picture. DAMN, the NCAA is nearly as dirty as our political system . This just adds more fuel to my fire that Pitt really was getting jobbed by the refs to help V Tech along!
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@ Reed
I think the main reason Narduzzi dances around the pass defense being the problem is as follows:
He knows that he cannot publicly state that he simply needs better players. You do this and you risk losing the team. Although Wanny famously did this during the 2005 drubbing to WVU when the sideline reporter said what do you need to do to slow down Pat White & Co. in the second half and he stated, “We just need to run faster”. I don’t remember him receiving much criticism for those comments. He also went out and recruited his tail off and got players that could run that resulted in 13-9 and later 27 wins over a three period.
Do you suggest Narduzzi should just say A. Maddox, T. Web, R. Mitchell and the communication on defense (M. Glammbos) flat out sucks?
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Erie Express – I believe it’s NC State
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Ike, I’ve forgotten about closed practices long ago, believe me my opinions on Pitt football don’t have anything to do with that.
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Erie, Home games next year for Pitt are Youngstown St, Rice, Oklahoma St, Miami, UNC, Virginia, and NC State. Away games are PSU, VT, Duke, Georgia Tech, and Syracuse.
Appears to be a much easier schedule .. NC State is the crossover
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on 2nd thought.. may not much easier .. just easier
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For me, a die hard Pitt fan for 50 years, in all honesty it’s going to be hard for me to watch any more games this year. For the first time I’ve given up and what’s so ironic is that this is one of our better teams over the last 30 years. But it’s just too hard for my health to continue at this point. Every team left on the schedule is going to take the snap and simply heave the ball up in the air and cruise down the field to score. And we’re going to say we can’t do anything about it. I can’t watch that, I’ve had enough. I’ve got better things to do like watch grass grow. If there’s nothing we can do why watch it??????
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from an entertainment viewpoint, this may be the best year ever, depending on how you look at it …… but I do feel your pain
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PittMan4 I understand that PITT has always been a pain to watch or for at least a long time. Here’s an old story.
Around 1980’s I went to a PITT game via bus with bunch of friends from the local brewery. Not sure but I think they were playing Navy and PITT was getting crushed by the half like 35-7. After half PITT mounted a comeback with an obscure big white running back that was tearing up the defense. Slowly PITT got back into the game and finally took the lead with little time on the clock. Navy (i think) moved into range either a last second field goal or last ditch effort of some kind. I look over at my buddy last play and his head is buried in his hands. I’m like wtf? After all we went through to come down to the game, then sat through a beat down and now a comeback. I asked “what are you doing”. He just said he just can’t bear to watch another second. Unbelievable to me but now I get it. Maybe you’ll take a sneak peak when you’re convinced the grass will be alright for a few minutes………………………………ike
H2P
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Oh that’s right I was playing around yesterday trying some things…
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Pittman4ever… It was the best of times.. it was the worst of times- just like A Tale of 2 Citied… love it n hate it .. but what an entertaining season !!! Literally had a stress test this week and Doc said I’m good to go .. told him I never exercise just watch a lot of PITT Panther football 🏈 Keeps the ticket pounding and the heart ❤️ yearning…never give up.. none of those kids on the field do ( minus Webb)
We have waited over thirty years and we are getting there.. I can smell it
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Above.. ticker
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Thanks Ike, but no sneak peak for me this weekend. I need a break from the insanity. What really bothers me also is that here’s James Conner fighting back from cancer and yet putting his body through tremendous pressure as he runs in “Beast mode” to win this game last Thursday night and the other teams QB only has to throw the ball up in the air (seems like anywhere) and they catch it and catch it and catch it and we lose. Can’t bear to watch it any more as we continue say “Oh well, there’s nothing we can do.” I can do something – not watch it.
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Big B,
Glad you’re heart is doing well! Mine right now is broke – as in heart broken!!!
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Dr Tom – I’m drafting an article to address some of your points and others; comments – should be up this afternoon…
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Based on the rankings now, HCPN was so right that the VT game was very important. Now we must really focus on Miami. H2P
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Pittman4ever..I mentioned in the last thread this loss has been the hardest one to experience for me in the last 2 years, heck go back 3 years ago when I put $200 on our boys in the Houston onside Kick-a Thon !!
I am going to put you on my prayer list for an immediate healing and complete recovery..I am now eligible for Medicare- our time is coming, no, not death but when Pitt is great again…
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Come to think of it watching our DBs defend the alley -pop was just like watching the Houston Onside Kick-a-Thon
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Alley-oop
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^^^^ WOW, NO ^^^ to one comment above.
Shakir Soto (at where he’s found ‘His Place’) at Defensive Tackle is 290 pounds, and looks slim. He gets up to a solid 300 (easy + that’s where All NFL Coordinators want their 4-3 tackles to be to play every-down) then he’s a potential 10 year starter at that spot based on how well he’s performed this year.
…….Ejuan Price is not an NFL Player????? —– Dang what happens when I log-off for 2 days YIKES .
Ejuan Price (Knock-On-Wood, PLEASE STAY HEALTHY), if he has an “Explosive Combine” (faster than 4.7, 20+ reps of 225, and great “Shutte Drill Times” for all the Scouts who need to back-up their “choices” with Stats for their Bosses) than Ejuan Price is going to get fought-over by NFL teams. Insane Comment There by a poster above 😦 😦 , and I slightly-disagree 🙂 .
Tyrique Jarret Not an NFL Player????? I was SHOCKED by his endurance this year, and how well he’s performed. I was dead wrong about him because I thought at 330-350 he was way too overweight; but he’s a MAN in there!! .
Goodness—— SPOILED BY AARON DONALD for some to not see Shakir Soto and Aaron Donald as Pitt’s DT’s and see they’re career, active-roster NFL’ers and potential starters. Without those two and Ejuan Price, Pitt’s Defense would be (YES!!!) SO MUCH WORSE!!! lol.
@Reed…..(The proper-vernacular at his point after this article); WUT??? lol
Damar Hamlin, 6’1” Dane Jackson (step-for-step with 4th year, 6’7” Bucky Hodges and Freakin 2nd or 3rd round pick Junior Isiah Ford — http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/nfl-draft-isaiah-ford-wide-receiver-donnel-pumphrey-zay-jones/1jbab1kq027py10lm13glvh9zm — *dang!!!) then Jay Stocker, Paris Ford, (PLEASE MY-MAN!) Lamont Wade, and Jordan Whitehead for one more year —- etc….. @ Reed it’s called, “Seeing the BIG-PICTURE” lol
Dang @Reed —- You were COAST GUARD??? — lol — ABANDON SHIP! ABANDON SHIP! JUMP OVERBOARD! …….DON’T BOTHER WITH THE LIFE VESTS WE’RE ALL GONNAAAA DIEEEEE!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 hahaha
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Dr. Tom – spoken like a true gentlemen. Year’s 3 and 4 are the years to judge a coach. Year 3, you can start to see the potential because he’s playing with his own kids. Year 4, if it’s going to work, is the year it really clicks. Same goes for early success. Herman down at Houston should be judged in year’s 3 & 4 when he’s playing with his own kids. This may just be a mirage right now.
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Time for Damar to become a Star!
It’s Miller time.
Play Coleman instead of the Old Men.
We’ LOL always have Paris.
Campbell (soup) mmm, mmm, GOOD!
I got a million of them! Play “the youtes” as my cousin Vinie would say!
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^^^^ & Sorry, but Pitt is gonna have to Pay Pat Narduzzi Top $$$$ —– You Honestly think all the top-Dawgs aren’t gonna be after him?? (including NFL??)
Going 8-4 his first season at Pitt and losing to a Senior-Laden, top-25 Navy vs. Keenan Reynolds, the player with the most Touchdowns for a QB (or player??) in NCAA history i his final game….
Then, in his next-year for a Pitt team that had gone 6-6 in FOUR STRAIGHT SEASONS PRIOR TO HIS ARRIVAL Pat Narduzzu “Continued to Improve a Pitt team that beforehand had ZERO PRESENCE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE”.
Paul Chryst was freakin’ hailed back for (what has ‘recently become’ of course) a Wisconsin Program that had been in 2 Big 10 Championship games the previous 3 seasons — and That Shlubby-Guy went 6-6 and 1-2 Bowl games his 3 seasons at Pitt .
Chancellor Gallagher and Scott Barnes are GONNA PAY THE MAN , if/when it comes down to it (*Thank Goodness 🙂 ).
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Dang Reed you’ve got video ads now????? (American Express / Delta Airlines / etc. $$$$$) Movin ON UP!!!
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Reed:
I appreciate your take on Pitt’s approach to spending on athletics.And it is evident in year-to-year results save for a few Harris years and two Wannstedt years. It results in playing in a half-empty rented stadium and not doing what California and Michigan did: update their historic venues. As fans we expect too much success on what you can call the enhanced mediocrity approach to spending on big time football,
You know Steve Pederson said moving to Heinz would improve attendance. And it has. But not as much as it could because the $$$ are never there to go all the way and consistently put a great product on the field.. If Narduzzi begins to win big, and the administration does not want to pay him, there will be an uproar from the fans.
Basketball season ticket holders had the balls to sue Jeff Long over Peterson event pricing. What will we do if the SOP allows talented coaches to escape
Mega-spending on football is an investment in all the sports Pitt offers.
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Reed, love the article and suggestion to help Conklin with the pass D!! However, I strongly disagree with your rating of T-Webb. Sorry, but he is TERRIBLE! He may be the only player in the NCAA that can spell the name of every receiver he has covered b/c he gets to see them all blow past him and read it on the backs of their jerseys as they run across the goal line. He should be in the first group of ball kickers. Remember how much more effective our pass defense was in the 2nd half of the game he was injured in? Not coincidence.
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