Let’s get together and celebrate our new 2017 class of young men who have decided to become Pitt’s latest football student/athletes. First on February 1st we’ll break bread and drink mead (drinks on Reed – no exceptions!) at Bettis’ Grille I’ll be there at 3:30 – then we’ll go over to the North Club at around 5:00 pm for the event… and to ask the coaching staff the hard questions.
I’ll pay $20 to anyone not named Reed who asks Narduzzi face-to-face why Qadree Ollison didn’t get hardly any playing time this season. (I’ve tried and got a deflection par excellence).
Thanks for responding and I hope you all can make it… it may be crowded so again – look for a 6’6″ guy with a mustache and a blue Coast Guard ball cap.
<<<<<<<>>>>>>
pittpov.com 
Reed, not looking for an argument but I asked in the last article or two about the amount of snaps between Conner, Aston, Ollison, Hall and Moss. Not rushing attempts but plays. Do you that kind of info? I’m thinking Ollie played more than we think??
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The answers you are likely to get from HCPN are:
Canada was in charge of the offense, and/or
hey, we scored 42 ppg, what the hell do you want?
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Ollie did play more than we realize. The BIG PROBLEM is it was not running the ball. He played special teams and had blocking assignments but only ran the ball sparingly. Seems like classic “dog house” to me.
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wwb..excellent deflection !
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I get that Pittman and that was my point. The kid was healthy and not completely benched.
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Reed, will you be in a sleeveless t shirt so that everyone can see the new POV tattoo? Or maybe no shirt, if you can handle the attention from all the women.
Take a PC and hook me in through Skype. I want the $20.
H2P
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Reed, what a contrast in pictures! On one, you look like a Trump nominee …. on the other, you look like a roadie for the Doobie Brothers
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…..Guys …. 1) Quadree Ollison … 2) Darren Hall ….. and yes, 3) Chawntez Moss —-> none of the three are all that good.
Hall and Ollison got their carries and made nothing happen. James Conner played this year only a few months after beating Malignant Cancer and yet no other running backs could even get carries.
Ollison got some carries and didn’t make anything happen. Darren Hall ran like he thought he was still in Ohio High School and ran right into defenders with no wiggle, and averaged maybe 4.0 yards per carry. Chawntez Moss showed he was no Dion Lewis / (laugh out loud) LeSean McCoy / or Ray Graham.
Narduzzi is trying to get two more Running Backs after Todd Sibley because Pitt has no talent there, contrary to popular belief!
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I don’t know why you think Moss is not all that good. The players think he is. PN thinks he is and 6 & 34 thinks he is. We will just have to see what happens next year.
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LoL — @ Reed you totally look like a Rock-Star in your recent pictures 🙂 🙂
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— Sorry @Reed, video time!! — But (Another Florida Recruit, why not!) A.J. Davis is wholly expected to choose Pitt, and this is the RB of the future I think.
6 foot tall, Great ‘Wiggle’ and elusiveness. I think if he commits he is Pitt’s #1 Running Back against Penn State.
P.S. his highlight tape is against Top-Tier Florida kids including tons of other college recruits not scrub competition.
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Videos are nice Dark… one or two! BTW- Ollison is good if he gets in a game and gets enough touches to grab a rhythm.
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WTH? Bleacher Report is showing some love for Nathan Peterman but has Dorian Johnson and Ejuan Price in their “Biggest Faller” categories for their respective positions. Price is a bit small, I get that…but Johnson was at one point a bona-fied 1st rounder. Not sure what the paid sites are saying.
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Is Johnson healthy? Remember e was injured in bowl game, and I believe, bailed out of the Senior Bowl
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I recall several press pieces about how Ollison showed up to camp not knowing the new offense and generally unprepared. When it looked like Conner wasn’t going to make it to the home opener the tone changed slightly along the lines that Ollison showed “improvement, etc.” Once Conner announced he was ready all stories about Ollison vanished. IMO, he should up to camp fat and unprepared. The coaching staff tried to make it not look so grim when they thought Conner wasn’t going to return, then once Conner was ready they just put Ollison out to pasture.
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Green Bay Packers: associate head coach / offense Tom Clements will not return, Mike McCarthy indicated today.
Hmmm…AVP getting a promotion?
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Maybe Clements has other plans … Pgh native / plenty of QB and some OC experience / pro style
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finally, something from CoachingSearch.com about Pitt OC .. it’s start at least!
http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Pat-Narduzzi-explains-what-he-wants-from-his-next-offensive-coordinator
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Glad Narduzzi narrowed down the qualities he is looking for after 2 months. Proactive I must say. Bet he makes a hire by July.
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hey, practice doesn’t start until August
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The more I look and read about Proctor, the more I think he sticks with VT. He seems to be a great kid and doesn’t like to tell people no. I can’t seem him going back on his initial word.
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you are correct… Proctor is staying with Va Tech
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wwb. You have seen that or are guessing it?
H2P
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DiPaola reported it
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Mr. Positive Pitt – Jerry DiPaola – why would anyone not believe his reporting…
At least he asks the hard questions in the interview rooms. Narduzzi blows him (and other tough questions off) but he asks them.
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the enemy is invading …. https://twitter.com/SteveRotstein/status/824701281088499712
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I heard psu is trying to flip Adams of Central Catholic from his nd commitment.
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Well I’m sure Garbutt sticks with VT too. So now we are down to needing Debose and/or Thomas. Unfortunately they aren’t deciding til 2/3 and 2/1 I believe. We could get left empty handed on the DE position at the end of the game.
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JJ – do you know something on Garbutt or is that just a gut feeling?
Predictions are in Pitt’s favor with both Proctor and Garbutt.
My gut says we get AT LEAST one of these two studs.
HTP!
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jimmie “one finger” franklin probably is in town to visit his long lost Aunt…..or not!
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I’ll say this – losing out on a few of these big guys wasn’t because of lack of effort. They went all out to get a couple of these guys. It seems like Narduzzi has really built the culture that he’s wanted to attract the right type of players. The things he can’t control like the separation of the stadium and facilities and the lack of game day atmosphere and crowds may be the things that are keeping some of these big guys from hopping on board.
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JJ, think your right. Narduzzi offered 40 DE’s and ended up with 2 projects. This was the number one position of need and he repeatedly got snubbed.
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What Narduzzi can’t overcome is the small crowds that show up at many of the Pitt home games. Practicing with the Steelers is a nice benefit IMO. But all our recruiting opposition has to do is to show a YubeTube video of a Pitt home game in a half empty stadium to tip the scales in their favor. Narduzzi will just have find 3 stars that end up playing like 4 and 5 stars to succeed at Pitt.
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Pitt had a hard core group of about
38,000 football fans before two 8 win seasons. Now Pitt has a hardcore group of 39,000. It is what it is!
Raze the Pete. Build a domed stadium on campus!
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Guys – serious about no political stuff on here. Hate to piss people off even if it is humorous but that’s the rule on here.
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Only 7 attendees so far – I’m pinning this at the top of the home page
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Pittsburgh: HC Narduzzi is taking his time finding a replacement for former OC Matt Canada. Narduzzi says he is looking for the ideal candidate who will run Canada’s offense. According to Narduzzi, most OC’s want to enter a new program and have the players adapt to their style of play calling. That is not what the Pitt HC wants – he likes the style Canada called and will patiently wait for the right fit.
Not the case on the defensive side – the players MUST adapt to Conklin’s defensive schemes.
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I registered for the Pitt signing day event but unfortunately I will be stuck up n Jacksonville Florida that day, if anyone wants to use my reservation let me know.
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#LSU inquired about getting #ESPN300 & UA @AllAmericaGame RB AJ Davis in for an OV this weekend. Davis still visiting #USF though. As tweeted by Gerry Hamilton of ESPN today.
Canada messing with Duzz again…friends forever?
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Dark Knight not gushing about our current crop of backs?
The meds seem to be working.
I thought Ollison was the best of the three.
And to think a freshman will come in and blow the doors off the offense is asking too much.
And wasn’t Matt Cavanaugh promoted to OC for the Redskins?
Maybe Wanny was the reason the offense was a quagmire.
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after our debacle vs Clemson on Saturday which begins at noon, we can watch Nate and Biz in the Senior Bowl which begins 2:30
http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012617aaa.html
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That looks like Moorehead with Franklin. Probably headed to his alma mater Central Catholic. He was my choice to replace, Chryst.
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Anonymous- Or could it be that Franklinstein had to talk Moorehead out of interviewing for the Pitt OC position? Just fun speculation…
Northern Arizona: Former Indiana State offensive coordinator Brian Sheppard has been named offensive coordinator at Northern Arizona.
Pittsburgh: HC Pat Narduzzi is looking for an offensive coordinator replacement for Matt Canada who will run the same system that generated 42 ppg in 2016. Pitt TE coach Tim Salem appears to be the lead candidate at this point in time.
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to any PSU alums who are eligible to vote for Board of Trustees: vote for Jay and Sue ,,, Please!
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I see co-coordinators being names. Tim Salem being one.
Narduzzi is waiting until after LOI day to name the other.
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The longer the delay in naming an OC, the more it is looking like Tim Salem. And won’t be announced until after LOI day in order to keep the recruits on the offensive side from decommitting. Cheap and absolutely boring if that is the case.
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Is that not the Pitt way?
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maybe Tim and younger brother, Brad, will be the co-coordinators
http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brad_salem_599865.html
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The reason and OC hasn’t been named (My Theory).
It has to be someone from outside and they are good recruiter so they are continuing to help their current university sell the big lie (that that coordinator will be at your school).
Once signing day is over the new hire will announced by Pitt and the kids at the other school that he recruited will be pissed and either get over it or transfer.
I also believe that this indicates the candidate is from a smaller school not in the SEC because guys will only perpetrate the lie unless big money is involved (ex. Canada).
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not quite sure I understand the last sentence
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SOP no matter how you cut it. Major Programs make hires in weeks like LSU. Pitt 2-3 months who cares right? It is a joke and embarrassment. Pitt is Run like the f-ing DMV!!!!
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I’m agreeing with UPitt on this one. I know we’ve made a few overtures and didn’t get interviews – but no names as yet.
I think it is more like we can’t find the right combo of experience = $$$ money willing to pay.
Remember we only offered Canada that $1M after he was super successful late into the season. There is no way we are going to pay that money to someone who hasn’t shown he can be successful at a Power-5 program yet.
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The Arkansas Guy turned us down. Not sure if they made him an offer or he just declined the interview but he was a no. They are prepping us for a Tim Salem moment.
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(in another reality) If I was a bigtime football recruit from Central Catholic, I would be more inclined to go to a school other than Pitt, just for a change of scenery and get out of Oakland. Of course some kids are homebodies and prefer to stay close. To each his own, H2P.
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I don’t know guys but to me it makes no sense at all that the new OC hire will come from inside the program. I don’t understand the need for the wait. At this point considering the length it has taken, I figure there may be a reasonable explanation at the end of the rainbow. Such as contract stipulations and LOI implications. If we don’t know who the coach is by the end of next week then I will start to worry. For now, I’m trying to be a good little fan and be patient and understanding. I’ve been fooled before though.
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Ike – we saw this happen almost exactly with Paul Chryst waiting and then hiring Matt House from within – which at this point in time given our worse defenses after the last two years looks like a good hire.
We did hate it at the time though…
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That did occur to me Reed but I figured with a completely new group of people in charge, I can’t see how that would be the M.O……again? You’re right though, that didn’t go over very well at the time. If the same thing happens again, the poop will hit the fan.
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Pitt’s 2015 defense finished 37th in total defense with the current coaching staff. It helped that 3 of the 4 DBs (Pitts, Maddox and Whitehead) actually had speed. Nonetheless, the defense got lit up the two times it faced a really good passer — ND (KIzer) and Miami (Kaaya) both led their teams to comfortable halftime leads before going into cruise control.
In 2016, Pitt faced no less than 6 QBs and even more WRs who likely will be playing in the NFL .. and its only 2 DBs with speed were out > 3 games with injuries. The other reason for the poor defense was as follows:
https://pittsburgh.rivals.com/commitments/football/2012
https://pittsburgh.rivals.com/commitments/football/2013
I too am concerned about the OC hire but won’t fret until the announcement is made.
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that’s 37th out of 130 teams. This year they finished 100th.
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Just joined the team, looking forward to expressing my opinion on posts
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Welcome DMW!
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Good to see ya…
(I thought it was UPitt posting as DMV until I looked closer) 😉
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Flying and visiting recruits is a heck of a lot of hours and work this time of year. As a head coach, you only get 1 in home visit per recruit I believe.
While I suspect coach is still finding time to review potential OC candidates, my feeling is he is putting most of his focus on shoring up the future team.
Also, without the assistance of an AD, finding a great OC is even more difficult.
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Welcome DMW…
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Welcome DMW. We are a great bunch, who occasionally get cranky.
H2P
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The soon to be named OC is recruiting for his current school.
SOP as in SOP fans. No news is ALWAYS bad news.
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The longer we wait the more the pile stinks….
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Hey it’s not rocket science right? His current employer doesn’t want him to take recruits with him… That’s how I have it figured..
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“…who occasionally get cranky…” ??
The OC hasn’t even been named yet but according to the experts here – he’s already an idiot!
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Good to see Nathan Peterman doing well at the Senior Bowl. Also like the helmet he chose to wear…throwback helmet worn for PSU game…H2P!!!
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Chris Dokish @ChrisDokish 23m
Pat Narduzzi is on the Pitt AD search committee.
So between this and last minute recruiting, how can you expect him to find an OC?
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Here is the search committee .. can’t believe they didn’t include UPItt:
Randy Juhl: Committee Chair, Acting Athletic Director, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy, Dean Emeritus, School of Pharmacy
Patty Beeson: Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor
Marcus Bowman: Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief of Staff
Andin Fosam: Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Student-Athlete, Molecular Biology Major, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
Dan Furman: Baseball Student-Athlete, Communication Major, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President
Jay Irrgang: Member and Co-chair of Senate Athletics Committee, Chair and Professor of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Wendy Meyers: Executive Associate Athletic Director for Business Administration and Human Resources
Pat Narduzzi: Head Football Coach
John Pelusi: University Board of Trustees, Chair of Trustees Athletic Committee, Former Pitt Football Student-Athlete, Executive Managing Director HHF
Bill Valenta: Assistant Dean of MBA and Executive Programs, Katz Graduate School of Business
Geovette Washington: Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer
Alonzo Webb: Head Coach, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country
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Is the general feeling that Van Pelt is out of consideration for OC?
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My 2 cents: the guy from Alabama, who contract stipulates no leavee before signee day.
Because Nick dots his i’s and crosses his t’s…like getting former NFL players for the practice squad.
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I believe it is the Bama coach. He is a strong recruiter in areas that Pitt needs more connections and waiting to after LOI day is common for leaving after the fact. Secondly their may be a buyout of some sort that is reduced after LOI day as well. Recruits have been told on the offensive side they will like the hire. Narduzzi my guess had this in place for weeks.
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That committee is a joke. Pitt puts being PC in front of winning.
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Family guy? You guys mean the quarterback coach? Sad to say we can’t get an actual real offense of Cordinator. I still think it’s an interior promotion coming
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Hey – Kevin Stallings is portrayed to be an “Offensive Genius”, he is in house and has 18 years of experience sitting on a bench – he obviously does not care much about basketball anymore and a change of venue may be good for him … why not kill 2 birds with one stone … 😉
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Glad he’s not on the committee…
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Damn Voice Text
Billy Napier makes zero sense. He is from Georgia and wouldn’t come north to coach. Plus aren’t we legit enough to hire a real live breathing Offensive Coordinator not a WR Coach????
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Guys – I’ll be glad do do Basketball Game Day threads if you all want to talk about the game when watching it – should be fun.
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I vote we go D3 in Hoops and tear down the Pete and build a football stadium.
They are having a “Blackout?” I bet the fans wish they “blackedout” 10 mins in and we are down 18.
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lol! I’m not voting but it could be fun stuff during a snow storm. Obviously it will be a great station for some to vent their over-all general aggravation and constant negativity.. (it could be a hoot)………………..ike 🙂
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Ike
Who might fit that description? Not Dr Tom. Not Dark Knight (although he is tough to predict). Umm, Upitt?
I like the idea from a few threads back—let Upitt write a post on Stallings and Pitt BB. The names alone would make it well worth a read.
H2P
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Napier was OC/QB coach at Clemson for Dabo his first couple of years there.
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Special K He was a Co -OC. If hood he wouldn’t be coaching WR’s in Bama.
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I hope they hire him….great recruiter in the South.
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Swing & a miss times two with Garbutt & Proctor who both decided to hang with the Hokies. Both are good recruits. Too bad for us.
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Napier has a nice resume IMHO. However, it’s my guess if successful at Pitt, he would leave as fast as our last two OC Coordinators for a similar position in the SEC like Canada or as a head coach in the South.
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You’re probably right jrnpitt. Which brings us to Salem. If Narduzzi values continuity and loyalty that much, he’ll most likely be the guy. Although if that is the case I don’t know why he doesn’t make the announcement. This is why I don’t think he’ll (Salem) be the OC.
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Co OC again for Napier and Salem?
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Perfect….
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I say Narduzzi immediately travels to Waco for an OC
New Sports Headline: Dallas Morning News @dallasnews
#Breaking New Baylor lawsuit cites 52 rapes by football players in 4 years.
Includes a student trainer who was raped by a FB player and given
full education for signing a nondisclosure agreement.
We’re in Ped State territory here
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Maybe some Baylor recruits going back on the open market….
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If he’s going there for an OC he might as well poach a couple of recruits who are going to get cold feet about signing there. That place has turned into a dumpster fire.
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BTW, wondering what the presence of Youngstowners Pelusi and Narduzzi does for Tressel chances .. if indeed he is interested
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Dr Tom … these coaches really bust their a$$e$ to get recruits and swing for the fences casting a very wide net .. total commitment and talk about perseverance that is Duzz and Co…. couldn’t imagine how it would feel to get a “no thanks” so many times during the recruiting process…we are getting there-this is a team process including all of us encourging folks to attend games- one of our weakest links- half-a$$ed crowds at home games. I usually go to away games since I live in NC… away game attendance is solid and boisterous …
We are blessed to have these coaches.. Thanks for being our coaches
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Salem auditioned during the Navy debacle.
Why would yinz ever want him for OC?
I appreciated his dogged recruiting, but puhleeeze…..
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The defense stunk mostly that game….but Salem knows Canada’s playbook now. I agree…..I’d like to see another good OC hire from Narduzzi.
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UPitt… medical update? Hope your world is calming … advice for tomorrow’s BB game .. join the blackout by wearing blinders.
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Look fellas, we need to broaden our thought processes for a minute. Let’s say Narduzzi announces his OC today. What can happen.
Potential recruits that are already committed verbally, open up their recruiting if they don’t like the new OC;
Competing coaches/recruiters Monday morning the decision and use it to negatively recruit to flip our verbals;
Why chance the reaction in the world of texting and social media. Narduzzi is doing the recruiting and keeping it together. Let it alone fellas. We have our second real nice class in a row.
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Afree Huff with the second nice class of recruits. I have the thought that it isn’t PITT worrying about naming a new OC but the team he may or may not be leaving and plucking a few players that were thinking about going to his about to be former school. Chryst took a few players with him. Clemet and Hornibrook at least.
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10-4 Ike. A good Head Coach makes the contracts for his Assistants expire “the respective day following national letter of intent day” for that particular year. In addition, the contract can also read that the”coach cannot contact any recruit that has been offered a scholarship until national LOI has expired for said Year”.
It is a restricted non-compete that if written and explained appropriately, should withhold legal muster.
Look, Narduzzi knows his verbal guys. Why mess that up by announcing a potential klutz. He could name me the day after LOI and there would be ZERO defections. Name me now and we lose four recruits….lol at only four.
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I agree with the notion that if it was Salem it would be done by now. I don’t see it, but maybe after not getting his first two or three choices he has turned to Salem and if that is the case wait until next week because the PITT message boards will be melting down. That said, I don’t see it.
Narduzzi is getting a lot of flack for net getting Proctor and Garbutt. Two guys who were VT leans since before they got VT offers. Narduzzi looks to have been close to getting both of them and seemed to be a lot closer than the other 20 P5 schools that offered them. Narduzzi has really risen the expectations of the PITT fan base for recruiting.
This class and last years class are the best classes we have had in decades. Wanny had better ranked classes but they had a lot of guys that were way over-rated and did not have the offers the current 3 star recruits have in the last two classes. I lot of Bostick, Shell, Hale, Durant and Rippy type players. I don’t believe the last two classes have that.
To me a ten person search committee where people below the AD are part of the committee is quite odd.
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The only thing Salem is good for is a smoke after dinner. Not as an OC.
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Agree that a Co-OC situation is likely where PN goes with Salem and the Alabama QB coach as most likely candidates. Both are aggressive recruiters and that is high on PN’s list of requirements. Also provides a safety net if either decides to move on quickly ala Canada. Unfortunately, that’s the Pitt coaching MO.
I hope the offense can carryover and I think it will with the strength of the O-line shifting from the left to the right. O’Neil and Bokser could be great. Browne will start, but hopefully MacVittie gets some playing time so we can see what we have for the future. If he doesn’t show anything then its Pickett time. I disagree completely with Darky, Moss is the real deal and will have a breakout year. If we get Davis out of Fla, we’ll have RB depth that most teams will envy.
The real question is will the recruiting class of 2016 and all the defensive talent that it supposedly had in it, step up and give us a shot at winning even if the offense doesn’t put 40+ on the board. If Hamlin, Pugh, Watts, Hill, Coleman and Miller (and possibly Ford) live up to their billing, it could be Suh-weet.
If not, I’m worried the offense isn’t going to be able to save the day again.
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Taxing, when you have a defensive line that gives up 3.4 yards per carry then that is the centerpiece of our 2016 defense. Our linebackers and our defensive backs couldn’t carry the weight but the surprise play of the Interior defensive line by guys who were lightly recruited, was the only good point of our defense at all. The problem is I don’t see in the pipeline anybody that’s going to replace those linebackers or defensive backs right away. We may well see another year of defense like we did last year… not as bad perhaps but even with a superstar freshman Jordan Whitehead coming back to the defensive backfield this last season we still sucked.
And unfortunately I don’t think our quarterback play is going to equal anywhere near what Nate Peterman did for us in 2016. I like Browne but I also don’t think that he’s going to be the surprise breakout player that Nate Peterman was last year. So it will be up to the offense to try to match last year’s offense which was the savior of our season. Lightning will have to strike twice at that position.
This is going to be a very interesting year because it will be the first season that really falls on Pat Narduzzi’s shoulders as far as getting his own kids onto the playing field and into starting positions and to see how well they’re coached.
The problem is when you don’t have an offensive coordinator who is established on staff before the spring practices, which are more important than most people think they are. That is when all the O players on the roster have to learn the new offensive coordinator’s style of play, terminology, pace-of-play and the offensive playbook itself which is intense. That is a awful lot of change from one year to the next and which is why Pat Narduzzi is looking a similar type of offensive coordinator that we had in Matt Canada.
We will see coming out of fall camp just what town that we have on hand and of course she’ll be surprises and disappointments but I hope that Saleem Brightwell and McKee and Wirginis is can carry the weight there at linebacker. If not then I think we’ll have real problems.
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Too many holes to plug on defense to expect a complete turnaround on that group. I’m just hoping we can go from absolutely dismal play to just a not so dismal defense.—On offense as Reed posted adequately replacing Peterman is the biggest question mark IMO. The potential still exists for a very exciting offensive which will be very dependent on just what our new OC brings to the table. But as I previously posted, replacing Canada will bring a great deal more pressure on the new OC than is warranted.
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Pine, Hendrix, Miller, Campbell, Camp, Watts, Pugh, Coleman, Stocker, Wheeler, maybe even Paris Ford if he is as good as advertised will be all the reinforcements that our defense needs to transform that unit once Narduzzi pulls off their RS plastic wraps and gets them on the field.
Last year at this time we were lamenting the loss of TB to the Draft, me included! James Conner was in the midst of chemotherapy and we were just hoping that he could defeat cancer, and of course we had the QB controversy with Voytik leaving. Look back at old threads, we all were worried about our offense for 2016. How’d that turn out?
I know, I keep harping on this prediction, Mr. Unreasonably Optimistic! But next season it’s the defense’s turn to go through a metamorphosis. If guys like Zeise, Whitehead & Maddox can provide the leadership that I think they can, then this defense could be good to begin with next season. If so, with playing time experience, they’ll only get better as the season progresses. In fact Maddox most likely will be providing his leadership from the sidelines more times than not by season’s end.
Tons of potential was being developed last season behind the scenes with this crew of RS freshmen. You’ll see it on the field come September. Fear not.
Hail to Pitt!
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Kind of a stretch there Doc in looking for Zeise to provide that leadership isn’t it? I hope your right, but asking a player who just switched from the offense to the defense and barely got on the field last season to provide defensive leadership may be asking a great deal.
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Some individuals are natural born leaders. From my following of this team, Zeise strikes me as one of those guys. Another one that you wouldn’t think of, is Dennis Briggs. Why? Both were lauded by their HS coaches for those very qualities that produce leaders in the first place. A Team attitude, coachability, smart, good communication skills, selflessness, etc.
Look at one of the team’s current leaders that is graduating, Mike Caprara. Great student of the game. Great person off the field. Involved in many charitable programs during his time at Pitt. Got along great with his mates. Mike was a great team leader but just an average LB from the standpoint of natural athletic ability and talent. That’s how it works sometimes.
Zeise fits that same profile IMO. An example of those “qualities in action” is exactly the point that you brought up, jrnpitt. LastSpring, Zeise unselfessly moved from WR to LB simply because his coaches asked him to, since they thought he “might” work out well there. In essence, it was an experiment, with Zeise being the subject. Think about that. If he didn’t work out, Zeise could pretty much have kissed his chance of getting playing time back at WR goodbye, as he got passed by other guys at that position. But without regard for that happening, Zeise committed to the position change because as he put it, “the coaches thought that I could help the team there because of our lack of depth, so I said yes, if I could help the team”.
Elijah is going into his 4th year with the team and his influence with the defense as an upperclassman will be something to watch. We’re losing a lot of leadership on the defense, besides Caprara, guys need to step up into those leadership roles in 2017 in a defense that will be young next year. Elijah Zeise, could be ready to assume such responsibility, we’ll see.
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To add to Doc’s leaders on D list – how about Wirginis (ultimate back-up for the past 2-years) who knows this defensive scheme and has played it on the field.
Also, Saleem Brightwell fits the Wirginis example above.
Two other darkhorse leaders for our D – Chase Pine who is a former HS QB (screams leadership potential) and did you see Paris Ford in the UA All-Star Bowl game and/or watch his highlight film? That kid IS a leader.
The D WILL improve next season – I’d predict a 10 point reduction per game. BOLD – but 2016 was really bad, so not to far fetched.
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Ford is a “leader in waiting” as soon as he steps on the field.
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On a less optimistic note regarding our D and recruiting –
Losing Procter and Garbutt to VATech these past two days feels somewhat like the Northwestern loss in the Pinstripe Bowl.
A lot can happen between now and LOI day next Wednesday and I’ll be paying attention, but it feels deflating. VATech???
I’m looking for a few rabbits to appear in the next four days…
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Why so serious? They were both VT commits that Coach Duzz was trying to flip. Reserve that head hanging for when we get our recruits flipped at the last moment before LOI Day. Which of course I hope never happens between now and Wednesday morning.
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I was lead to believe we would sign at least one of those two.
Still a chance and I’m done hanging my head over it. This current class is looking good…
HTP!
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As I have written before, Conklin and especially Salem are hired for their recruiting prowess … and they have reeled in more than their share of recruits, especially from NJ and FL, the last 2 years.
As far as the new OC hire, there is no need to overreact right now …. we waited this long, what’s another 5 days (hopefully).
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With Narduzzi making a Pittstop in Alabama 2 days ago, I’m guessing Napier is in the mix. Hopefully we won’t have to wait long after LOI day for an announcement .
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right now, we need a positive albeit brief article
http://herosports.com/news/college-football-2017-recruiting-pittsburgh-panthers-acc-title-hopes-max-browne-paris-ford
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Nice recruiting article (and state-of-Pitt FB) – why is that not written up in the Pittsburgh news (P-G or Trib)?
Seriously…
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Napier from Georgia. Whole life in South. Wife from South.
Same shit as Herman coming from Utah. He is not the right fit at all. If he came they would be dying to leave in 12 months. Pittsburgh is not Georgia. More bad planning and lazy hiring. You need a OC that has been a real live OC not a Co then left that to be a WR Coach. Let alone one who is from the South and so is his wife.
Salem will absolutley be a Co-OC.
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This from 247Sports –
Running back Kyshaun Bryan (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) tweeted that he decommitted from South Carolina.
Bryan originally verbally committed to the Gamecocks April 30, 2016.
He officially visited Pittsburgh last weekend and is officially visiting Iowa this weekend.
The 247Crystal Ball reads 64-percent for Iowa, 29-percent for Pittsburgh and seven-percent for Miami.
The four-star recruit is ranked as the nation’s No. 34 running back and the No. 82 prospect in Florida in the 2017 class by 247SportsComposite.
In other RB news – 4-star (and higher rated than Bryan) AJ Davis from Lakeland, FL who officially visited Pitt, Louisvile, unc and USF (this weekend) is leaning towards Pitt.
The 247Crystal Ball reads 100-percent for Pittsburgh.
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How are you doing Pitt? You sound like your old self or usual self so that may be a good sign?..and this Bud is for you >>
I don’t think Reed invented the POV last year at this time when PITT had lost/forced out Chaney and went and hired Canada. Who himself was being canned at NCS. Raleigh is just a little north of Georgia. What was your reaction at that time? I can’t believe you weren’t turning that hire upside down. ( it’s in your D&A) ….and that turned out well enough. (you would have been wrong) Right now is the time PITT and Narduzzi have to win games and give a positive spin on the program. Who cares what Napeir’s long term plans are. If PITT can get two years of great recruiting from him then all the better for PITT. Plus being a QB coach and a first time OC at PITT, should limit his options for a few years imo. …feel better friend…. ike
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Meant to say, How are you doing Upitt?
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ike – Napier was the OC at Clemson a few years back under Dabo. This would not be his first OC gig.
On a lighter note – the real reason Franklinstein went to the Dirty O the other day was he and an assistant were visiting recruit OL Thorpe at CC. This is the P-G article –
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2017/01/26/pitt-penn-state-football-coach-james-franklin-the-o-hot-dog-shop-campus-pittsburgh/stories/201701260173
The last tweet in the article from a Pitt fan is a classic – lmao.
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I agree on that last tweet. Wish I had though of that one. It is a kind of “wait for it” one.
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Good points UPitt, just thought it would be nice to have a coach who could bring the perspective of 2 of the most successful college programs to Pitt. Perhaps we will be getting a member of the Youngstown FB mafia instead .
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Erie – Co-OC at Clemson. Once you are a OC or a Co-OC you don’t take a step back if good.
Aren’t we at the point we can just hire a real OC instead of potential up and comer.
Smells Cheap and a way to let Salem be a Co-Oc
Ike – Neurology appt on Wed. Still all jacked up but learning best I can to still live with it. It sucks man.
Canada thing was a success even if you lose him after 1 year. I still think his offense is gimmicky and that shit won’t fly in SEC in my humble opinion. I also don’t think Henderson will be as successful with a whole year for teams to prepare for the jetsweep.
I’m actually wondering if this issue could be thyroid related? I feel like I’m living in a fog. Anyone have thyroid issues?
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Upitt, whatever meds that they have you on seem to be having a positive effect. Your thoughts sound rational and I can’t ever remember you ever referring to your opinion as humble before! Steps in the correct direction! Continue on your mending ways!
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PittPT – I agree there is value there but a sweet ole Georgia Girl with miss home fast living up north. It is a mere bandaid. No sweet tea, hot summers and pig hunting with a AR-15 or greens/grits. Let alone nice people saying ya’ll
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WPA has plenty of rednecks to make her feel right at home, just right up the road from my house they are brewing moonshine and eating roadkill.
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Upitt, I see a balance test in your future. Loads of fun…
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BB Game Thread article up now – also it looks like we’ll have 13 POV’ers at Bettis’ Grille… yeah but all are welcome no matter who’s blog you read (seriously).
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I’m disappointed that Reed wasn’t picked for the AD search committee. I’m serious. He’d give the committee a different perspective and, with his experience, I bet he “reads” people pretty well.
I like Tim Salem but do not want to see him be the OC, or the co-OC. Give him a raise for his good work.
Go Pitt.
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