It looks like North Carolina is getting +4.5 points in the betting line today. That sounds about right to me.  The above website predicts a bigger 29 – 17 Pitt win though. The over/under is 48.5 points

That sounds about right also.

But this is the great thing about college football – things can change on a dime (or the cost of Retro Air Jordan 3s shoes at $2500 per pair).

Football aside, what type of idiot pays $2500 for a pair of sneakers? Honest to God, that right there is society’s problem today. That’s exactly why I refuse to wear any clothing with any advertising on it. I believe the business who is labelled on the apparel should pay us to be walking billboards for them.

But that’s just me.

Game time is listed at 12:20 but will probably be delayed for a bit for Pat Narduzzi to get his NSA contractors in place to steal the Tarheel’s signs.

Retired Coast Guard Officer with a lot of time on his hands and working a hobby that he enjoys and is actually free - writing.... on all different sorts of things but mostly Pitt football. You can see my more public articles and essays at WWW.pittblather.com, reedkohberger.wordpress.com and the new Pitt football blog www.pittpov.com.

871 thoughts on “North Carolina Game Day Thread 2018”

  1. Late prediction here, Pitt 34 NC 21, can’t wait to give these uniforms to the homeless people, ( if they’ll take them), and get some classic home and away unis.

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  2. Seriously these uniforms? Is PITT trying to use subterfuge to fool the public into not knowing who is playing? What ever happened to the front porch and identity? Always thought the idea was to be recognized?

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  51. This game is in the defense hands. They will have to stop UNC. Pickett and PITT do not have a downfield passing attack. It’s midget leauge type crap. UNC is not all that bad though.

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  62. Because our WRs aren’t that good Annie…hence the transfers in like Mack. Pitt fans are going crazy about him but he’s been average so far for us. He has 8 catches in 3 games which isn’t enough for a team’s leading receiver.

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    1. When you practice against this offense it’s easy to look good. Also it’s impossible to get better on either side when you practice against sub par talent

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  68. The pass D is probably technically better than last year.

    However, the unfortunate most notable improvement so far this season has been the increase in “forcing” more opponent drops.

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  79. Pickett may not be as good as Tino. He runs a little but that’s about it. WRs pretty much blow. And for everyone who bought into Narduzzi’s bs regarding this improved secondary…keep watching. They’re just as bad as the last 2 years. UNC owns us in every sport.

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  82. Can I reverse my prediction?

    I’m back on the fire Narduzzi bandwagon.

    I don’t think this team can beat any team with a passing game.

    Maybe two more wins the rest of year.

    Tex

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  86. Pitt comes out once again soft and conservative. NC is being given space, time and easy reads with Narduzzi’s defense. Pickett has to make plays faster and his recognition is so slow. Have to admit as unprepared as they were for PSU, this is really troubling. Have to accept the fact this staff is just not good enough.

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  102. I can’t say it enough. I’ve really liked Ollison since he got to Pitt. Really solid, underrated back at Pitt. Oh, and only 1 of 6 Panthers to ever have a 1,000 TD season at Pitt.

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  116. Hot knife thru butter no tackle D undisciplined just giving this game away. NC is kicking our asses!!

    I don’t think we can stop NC any time today. Embarrassing and disgraceful!! I too have had it with Narduzzi.

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  122. Narduzzi will say the same shot at the press conference….out defensive mistakes are communication and are correctable but they never are corrected

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  131. The defensive coordinator should not be allowed on the plane home. PN should take over that position and if he can not improve the situation he should be gone as well.

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  136. Total breakdowns on defense. Third and 13 and they give up the first down. Then the big plays. Pitt cannot win in a shootout. If they don’t start getting some stops it will be a long day.

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  139. Don’t mind watts defending his teamate there.

    The 300 lbs unc guy was sitting on our Pitt guy, who had a guy under his back, and was bending Pitt guys back into the player. Looked painful.
    Watts trying to break it up and save him.

    Pitt linebackers and safeties need to get their stuff together or its a long game.

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  166. Did anyone note the trivia question about 1,000 yard backs….Didn’t Ironhead run for 1,700 or so in ’87?

    I may have misread, I thought they missed a couple backs……

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  172. It’s now half time, go back and reread this game thread from the beginning and see how ridiculous many of you sound. me included….

    PITT will have to step up their second half scoring for sure.

    Halftime adjustment questions will be answered in the next 30 minutes of football…

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  173. This is Narduzzi’s 42 game as head coach and his defense is still bad. Inexcusable but doing the same thing expecting different results is why he is the poster boy for Einstein. NC is terrible yet Pitt gives up 250 yards in one half.

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  177. Hoping we put together a 2nd half for the FIRST time all season.. but make no mistake.. this defense is BAD.

    21 points in the first half to UNC?! Uggh.

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    1. Guys the reason we suck in the second half is because every coach we go against our screens out plans and out coaches nor doozy in the second half.

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  198. “I disagree that it’s important to win by this many or that many points. Just win. And enjoy it without an asterisk if we do.”…

    Says every fan of bad teams– or people who know nothing about sports.

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  203. Now time to watch us go three and out with the following three plays.

    Inside zone / counter – they will stop us for 1 yard with 9 in the box.
    Jet sweep – they will bring down the safety.
    Rollout – will now be expecting it

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  222. As long as it’s not being called consistently I suppose we should not complain.

    With the way the d is playing they would have scored anyway

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  234. Everyone STOP making negative comments. I don’t want to read the “optimists* point out the “disproportionate” number of posts in a Pitt loss… they hate the truth.

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  243. Now we see why Ford doesn’t play. He seems lost out there. First a 3rd and 13, now a 3rd and 17. Really? Now a fumble. Not feeling good about this game…

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  261. This is year 4 and the defense looks as bad as year 1. The head coach refuses to adapt HIS defense to the personnel. It was obvious in the Baylor bowl game (when he was at MSU) that the defense had holes, and that OC’s around the country had figured it out, yet he refuses to change.

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  270. 2106 Pitt had one of the best offenses in the country, and the worst secondary I have ever seen in football… any football. Not sure what they are being taught but it the secondary is still terrible. No progress year after year.

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  274. The tarholes are safely in for this win. Pitt does not know how to score in the 2nd half – no flags on unc yet today and the refs can throw flags on every play, so Pitt will see plenty of them.

    Sad…how bad this team really is.

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  276. Well guys, I started painting my son’s bedroom. Doing the trimwork right now. I can’t sit and waste 3 hours watching this team if they can’t play better than this. I can watch the replay if something good happens. I’m so disgusted.

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    1. 14!! He was so good at MSU and he wears that linebackers sleeve on his wrist to look cool. We may lose Gorill arms to West Allegheny or Baldwin.

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  283. Well, this is why I don’t bet. This NC team is one you absolutely have to beat. Well, torches and pitchforks. Not only are they losing to a team playing short handed, they look horrible in doing so. No excuses. No way they hit 5 wins now. I really wonder how Narduzzi survives this year?

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  285. Pitt hires a defensive guru. Four years later it’s defense is among the worst in football.

    Narduzzi has to go this year. Like after this game.

    This is on coaching. What second half adjustments?

    Always being out coached. Recruiting stinks. Player development non existent. Poor staff.

    Yet let’s continue paying him $3.5 Million.

    Fire him. Fire him now.

    Jackie

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  294. Even if something works in first half need to assume an adjustment and have a ready answer. Also I wonder about the conditioning since they seem to fall apart in the second half.

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  297. I wanna see a beat reporter grow a set and ask:

    Why have u failed to develop any semblance of a functional defense?
    Why did you go to Australia for a 33 yard punter?
    Why do you shut down the offense at halftime?
    Do you think this is an adequate performance?
    Do you think you are committing theft for accepting a paycheck?

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  303. The process is getting thru the season. Heather better have that list in her FRONT pocket! This team is really, really bad. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen receivers so open. With exception of two guys this defense sucks. Now watch, they’ll quit like dogs.

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  307. Even if something works in first half need to assume an adjustment and have a ready answer. No strategic analysis or response. Also I wonder about the conditioning since they seem to fall apart in the second half.

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  308. Still rooting. Still hope we win. But any of you that have been defending this bafoon are MORONS. Yes, MORONS.

    I’m signing off. Can’t take this.

    And, I’m offering the rest of my tickets for the rest of the year to the optimists that still think Narduzzi needs more time.

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  314. One thing is obvious. We have very few if any, legitimate Power 5 conference starters on offense, defense or special teams. Weaver? Hamlin? Lower tier schools maybe. No WR has separated from others. I had hope for Mack and Jacques-Louis but French and Arizona Lopes and others get as much PT. Picket is running for his life but he is limited too. I had optimism Hall would have a big year but now he gets 7 carries a game. Kessman looks better but punter is awful. You just can’t punt 32 yards with no pressure. It is disappointing we cannot recruit better players. Why can’t we get better players?

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  325. You can almost see it in Narduzzi’s face. He knows this is a disaster and he doesn’t know how to fix it. He knows his days are numbered. Lyke isn’t going to put up with this too long, not with the money he’s making.

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  339. There is really no defense for this Jay. Some saw it coming earlier than others, sort of like Stallings. Attendance will tank. If they aren’t embarrassed by this, they have no shame. Just a total embarrassment.

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  353. Lyke has to see what’s happening, I hope she has an out in his contract or her hands could be tied for a few years. Pitt will be selling tickets to tumbleweeds in the meantime.

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  377. I hate that I was right in my game prediction. I am moving closer and closer to the dark side. I mean Jesus Christ, what the hell is this pass defense…against a back up qb. It’s embarassing, and defense is what we were supposed to hang our hat on in year 4 of PN. GTFOH!

    No game management whatsoever…and again, I called it. I knew Narduzzi wouldn’t have a good game plan against the unc offense. He never does. What a joke.

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  383. The fix is in, I have seen multiple non-calls today in the second half today. At least 5 obvious holds on unc not called. Home brewin’

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  384. I hate even with all the modifications on the definition of a catch anymore. It among other tinkering of rules is killing football for me

    But they made the right call lol

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  385. I love my Panthers. I really believe in these kids. I’m so bummed out. No excuse for giving a cobbled together team and so so quarterback a breakout game.

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  388. I know a guy who claims he’d make a good head coach. Claims He’s a guru. Never was a head coach but worked under a good one. He can come cheap.

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  399. Somebody posted this..

    “As bad as the D is, they get no help from the O.”

    We’ve scored 35 POINTS! How much help does the D need??????!!!!

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  413. HCPN:
    “Well, I don’t know why we fall apart in the second half. We make adjustments at half time based on Madden ‘18 suggestions. I also text Mike Tomlin for his input. And of course, we have a ouiji board. So we’re gonna keep plugging along.”

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  428. It’s so obvious that Narduzzi is the most over paid coach in college football.

    Yet my tuition keeps going up every year.

    I guess Pitt places a greater value on losers.

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  437. I just want to go on record that when PN was hired, I wanted it to work…I was excited he seemed to fit in the mold of a Yinzer type of coach (strong on D). You can make fun of me about the Yinzer thing and that is fine. I just thought he was a great fit for the role.

    UPITT, vented as well as others about the not ready for primetime and this program needed to go bigger/better. I didn’t ignore it but I too did an eye roll (let’s give this guy a chance is what I said to myself).

    I was also a supporter of Chryst…still am given where we were with the Graham/Haywood fiasco…I think he did a fairly decent job. I won’t be one to denigrate him.

    But as I have read more/heard more/seen more it is now clear…this guy does not have it. I think calling him a MAC coach is an insult to all MAC head coaches.

    There will be no change I get it, but I won’t sit here and pretend because of a win last week or next week that all has been righted with the ship.

    This program has been in trouble for a decade now. Wanny had his limitations, but at least he gave us a team that was in contention. Since his purging this program has been a train wreck.

    I will continue to watch and root for my alma mater, but it will make very little difference until the BOT decide to commit to the program.

    Dave Dellett

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  442. Just saw the final score. My wife Suz caddying today. I told her we’re like abused husbands or wives, we just keep coming back for more.

    She says we should get a restraining order ! Anyone want to join me filing a Pitt fan restraining order to keep us from following Pitt Football.

    Save us all Lord, it just never stops.

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  443. I posted and admitted I was wrong last week against GT..

    Where were jrnpitt (who talks ALOT), VOR, ike, Tossing Thabeets and the rest of the guys that constantly call us (me, Reed, upitt, etc.) “negativos”?

    Well, gentlemen. Explain this one.

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    1. Still here. I never post much or read much in season. Work picks up and kids sports are in full swing. I said this is his make or break year … and it’s definitely breaking. There are really only two or three I’ve called negative.

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  445. Yes. Narduzzi needs his two stars to develop and prove to us all that he can win.

    We just have to wait and lose 20 more times.

    Pitt is a cross between the bungles, clowns and stillers. All their worst attributes.

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  447. I’m going to listen in our duties press conference and count how many times he blames someone other than himself and make excuses. I bet it’s 12 to 15

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  452. Dan72.

    I know a Dauphin County judge. Maybe I can get us a PFA.

    Make no mistake folks. This is a BAD team with BAD players and and AWFUL coach.

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  453. Why wait. Fire him now. Write off the season. Have a coach hired by years end.

    And never let Heather involved with football again.

    Her extension of the coach, marketing failures, inability to raise money for the program, hands off approach to staff hires, allowing closed practices and refusal to tarp shows me that she is in over her head.

    Blame the boss.

    Gallagher can you please pick up the phone and call tressell?

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  454. I’d like to say that I’m disappointed in this game but I’m not really. I figured we would lose even though I predicted them to win because that’s what I do, I go with my heart sometimes. But it is very evident now that this is not a good football team and I think that the problem is we have no real depth at all past the first string. And our first string isn’t that good either.

    This offensive line is not good, Pickett was under pressure every time he dropped back and we have to keep the TE on the line for extra blocking.

    It says something when your TEs have a total of 2 catches after 4 full games.

    I’m not impressed at all with DC Bates, he’s in way over his head and you can see why he was a career staff position coach.

    Our DBs coach should be fired this evening after we just gave up 313 yards on 71% passing to a QB who floated every pass he threw.

    NC is a bad team and they owned us in crunch time!

    We really do suck folks but Ill stick with my prediction of 5 wins, even though that might be hard to do.

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  455. On the bright side, my nephew (a freshman LB at East Stroudsburg) is getting his first playing time in college and made a couple of tackles.

    Maybe I’ll go to his games instead of Pitt.. they don’t give up 40 points per game. But their coach isn’t a “defensive genious”, either.

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  456. Narduzzi was crying this week about UNC stealing signs. Hey Pat, stop it with the excuses losing to a bad team. What is he going to cry about now? Pathetic that Narduzzi has never beaten Fedora. Last 2 years UNC has sucked beyond belief.

    A little over 3 minutes to go in the game and your defense has sucked all day…..so you decide to bypass a onsides kick…..and then the kick goes out of bounds. Sigh. 3rd and 5, get a stop and you get the ball with a chance to win. The D falters again. This is now the 4th year.

    Another game, another horrible 2nd half performance.

    Narduzzi is a meathead.

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  459. The air went out of the balloon after the PSU debacle. Narduzzi and his program was not close to a good program in his fourth year. But with a suspect NC I still gave him some benefit that even he couldn’t screw this up. I was so wrong to believe he understood where the program was heading and the urgency to address the issues. Now with that buyout any cosmetic changes are fruitless. He is not a head coach who can deliver.

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  462. A good coach, speed and superior recruiting obviously beats a moronic coaching staff with slow players – even with 13 suspensions and a bad backup QB. The rest of the season is only for the tailgates. And for those still clinging to “we can’t have another coaching change, it will kill our continuity and recruiting”…..I say I don’t want any more of “this” continuity and our recruiting sucks, so make the change.

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    1. Tressel can be both AD and football coach
      Would do a far batter job and cost less than what Pitt is paying these bozos

      Remember Heather extended Narduzzi. Heather is the Fanta Queen.

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    2. Heather extended him. She will look bad by firing him. Plus, who will pay for the buyout.

      So she will ‘force’ Narduzzi to make staffing changes. She may even say something about recruiting.

      But thats all she will do folks. Its postponing the inevitable. Its rewarding mediocrity and a losing culture.

      Heinz will have 50k empty yellow seats at each game next year.

      Pitt football will lose money.

      Pitt will be looking at cutting some Olympic sports teams like tennis, gymnastics and cross country.

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  465. ND’s new QB just went 25/34 for 325 yards and 2 TDs. He’s going to tear us up.

    UCF’s QB was 21/32, 306 and 3 TDs today…he’ll kill us next week also.

    Our pass defense is truly terrible (again).

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  466. another losing season
    another poor recruiting class
    another year of little player development
    another year of very bad defense
    another round of excuses
    another year of all hat and no cattle

    Football is setting up to look a lot like basketball.
    Fans lose hope and stop attending games

    Pitt deserves better

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  467. Chet..

    Some of us knew this long ago.. but your were busy with your snarky comments and personal attacks.

    Maybe try this.. “Listen more. Talk less.”

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    1. Agreed Jay. For a long time Chet was completely pounding the table on how Narduzzi was the right fit and had the program trending in the right direction.

      After the PSU loss, he’s all of a sudden singing a different tune.

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  468. I invite all members of the “League of Optimists” to go into the bathroom… look into the mirror… and REALIZE you are the reason for SOP!

    You may not think it… but you do deserve BETTER!

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  469. Let’s take a look at who and how many comments made after the GT game and this UNC debacle. It really makes me more sad then the PITT loss today. Some of you somehow lost your abilities to type in negative comments on the POV when PITT won last week and many of you checked in absent. Seems many of you are back on your high horses today shooting down PITT. Not that there isn’t room for despair and criticism. I’m here all the time win or lose thick or thin. PITT lost today. I can take it.

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    1. Because the fans want this bum gone Ike. You and 3 guys from Carrick like him. That is it. Don’t you ever get mad and want us to be respectable?

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  470. Just an average defense…PLEASE..is there something in the water on the South Side? Both Pitt and Steelers cannot play defense. Defense was to be PN’s strongpoint. I will not watch games ubtil defense improves. 4 years of pathetic defensive play is enough!

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  472. Exactly, POD!

    In the addict community, they’d call them enablers. Those of you who “support Pitt no matter what” remove any reason for Pitt to do anything to fix this.