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April 14, 2015

The Secret Leadership of Ray Vinopal

Filed under: Football,Players — Chas @ 7:18 am

One of the things that stands out to me during spring practices has been how the defensive players all seem to speak so highly of Ray Vinopal. How he was the guy everyone on the defense looked to. How he played. How respected he was by his teammates.

Jevonte Pitts:

Last season wasn’t a waste, however. Pitts said he learned by watching safety Ray Vinopal, who since has graduated.

“I’m faster and in my eyes a lot better just from learning from Ray,” he said.

And how they want to step up as leaders now that he is gone.

It’ll be good for Mitchell to have a handle on the X’s and O’s because his responsibilities on this Pitt defense likely will go a step farther.

With Ray Vinopal’s graduation, there’s a leadership void in the back end of the defense that coaches hope Mitchell can help fill.

“Ray was a great leader,” Mitchell said. “I watched him a lot last year, just seeing the little things he did to keep us motivated. I’m definitely going to try to take that role this year.”

When Vinopal transferred to Pitt from Michigan, it was in Graham’s first year. Vinopal was forced into early play by injury and lack of depth at Michigan and did not fair well. Becoming a target of fan ire and frustration with a bad defense. He sat out a year only to see the coach that recruited him to Michigan and was a familiar face that helped lead him to Pitt, bolt for Arizona. Followed by Fraud and the rest of the staff.

Flash forward to the start of the Chryst era, and Vinopal must have been feeling deja vu all over again.

He was lost in the first two games. Getting burned badly and became the target of blame by Pitt fans. He saw playing time reduced. Yet in his final two years, he returned to being a starter and kept improving and was a team captain.

He was one of the defensive players front and center to the media after wins or losses to speak for the defense. Now, it has become obvious just how much of a leader he was, and how much the other players looked to him. It is yet another new coach. A shift in the defensive approach, and the players are talking about Vinopal for as much the locker room and sideline, as on the field.

One other thing that was worth noting from the Jevonte Pitts article.

Pitts likes Narduzzi’s less complicated defense that he said allows him to play faster.

“Everything is more dumbed down as opposed to we had so many checks last year,” Pitts said.

This goes to what Pat Narduzzi has talked about with being faster on defense. Keeping the system simple means that the players can just play. They aren’t trying to read and react. They get things nailed down and just go. It means getting burned at times. It almost certainly will mean more penalties. But that is the trade off for a defense that will hopefully be faster and make more plays.





FWIW, I remember how prepared Vinopal was for the Pitt Pro Day, outperformed most of the participants and wowed some of the observers. While he may not be drafted, he is surely going to be signed as an FA … Best of luck to him.

Comment by wbb 04.14.15 @ 8:11 am

–An article I read about the Coach Duzzi defense made it sound like the safeties have to react to whether their receivers are going down the field or not. Sounded like a critical read – if they miss it, then someone is running free deep. So I don’t understand where the statement “They aren’t trying to read and react” comes from – although it may be more true for the backers and linemen.

–I suspect it may be more about the ability of the coaches to coach the defense. From personal experience, knowing how to do something in sports yourself is a lot different than actually having the ability to coach others to do something in sports. Some people are truly “coaches” and some just have the title.

–Will be interesting to see what the D looks like in the spring game.

Go Pitt.

Comment by MajorMajors 04.14.15 @ 8:12 am

I do think the defense will be more of an attack style as opposed to the reactionary style we saw the last 3 years. While Wanny’s defenses were usually pretty sound, I’ve always wished he was more aggressive.

Here’s more on Vinopal’s pro day link to blog.triblive.com

Comment by wbb 04.14.15 @ 8:17 am

I was one of the ones on him early and often.

He progressed into an excellent player and excellent leader.

He will forever have my heart for the two interceptions against Notre Dame.

Especially sitting with two Notre Dame uncles, and two Notre Dame cousins!!!

He’s got dinner on me anytime he wants it!!!!

Comment by Dan 04.14.15 @ 8:32 am

I am still angry about the great sideline interception he made that was called out of bounds. Would love to see the replay on that one. Would have won us one more game if it was good.

Comment by gc 04.14.15 @ 9:00 am

Don’t remember a guy going from a goat to a hero like he did.

Comment by gc 04.14.15 @ 9:01 am

Im glad it isnt an article about the Secret Tackling of Ray Vipopal or lack there of. He can rep out all day long but in his angles and lack of speed dont translate to NFL. Great Leadership and Heart. Glad he shared that leadership but I dont see a pro career. Just look at the film.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.14.15 @ 9:55 am

Chas – excellent, thanks.

Majors – I am skeptical of the plans for the offense for just the reasons that you noted above. I can’t help but wonder what will happen with our non-Nardizzi recruited players when they are asked to provide run support 80-90% of the time. It is a recipe for passing disasters.

Comment by Reed 04.14.15 @ 10:04 am

^^^ …”I am skeptical of the plans for the DEFENSE…”

Comment by Reed 04.14.15 @ 10:05 am

I think Narduzzi/Conklin will have to adjust the defensive scheme a bit. A lot more spread and speed in the ACC. You seen what Baylor did throwing the ball. Can’t give up 500-600 yds passing every game.

Ray Vinopal represented himself and the university with class. Like Chas pointed out, he always was available to the media. Even after the epic meltdown in the bowl game. I think with better coaching he could have had a better career here

Comment by Pap76 04.14.15 @ 10:20 am

@Comment by Upittbaseball 04.14.15 @ 9:55 am

If guys like Ross Ventrone can stick around the League for 3 or 4, no reason Vinopal can’t. Special teams is 100% balls and effort.

But I agree… despite his impressive workout… I don’t see an NFL DB.

Comment by BostonsCommon 04.14.15 @ 10:24 am

Boston – Very True. Haha.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.14.15 @ 10:29 am

@@@@@

We need guys like Vinopal. Wonder how
many of the guys on this site ever played
major college FB?

Key comment from players defense has been simplified.
Thank you Wisconsin for setting us free!

Mike Thorn visiting UK; not a good sign for
us. We could use this guy big time.

Comment by JR 04.14.15 @ 11:08 am

I’m looking forward to a PITT D that is once again known for being hard hitting strikers instead of “maintainers” H2P

Comment by pittman4ever 04.14.15 @ 12:13 pm

Pap76 and others – I am working on an article highlighting defense and should have it up tonight or tomorrow…

Comment by Reed 04.14.15 @ 12:56 pm

Saw this on a MSN Sports.

2. Holy cow, Boston College. Get this: If you’re a Boston College fan and want to watch BC play Notre Dame at Fenway Park this fall, four tickets will cost a $25,000 donation to even get an opportunity to buy them at $400 apiece. So, yes, for a family of four, it will cost close to $27,000 through BC. I know, I know — this is a rare event and BC isn’t concerned about making it available for families to enjoy a night out; it’s targeting wealthy boosters who don’t care about the price. But that’s an insane donation price. No sporting event in the world is worth $27,000.

Pitt fans didn’t know how good they had it, having Notre Dame on the schedule all these years.
Something Pedo State & WVcc would die to have.

Comment by Emel 04.14.15 @ 1:35 pm

Has anyone heard what Pitt plans to do if people start to exceed the 3,500 capacity for the spring game. Is there going to standing room or are they going to start turning people away?

Comment by Pap76 04.14.15 @ 1:41 pm

I would assume the Dropkick Murphys are the half time entertainment.

Comment by wbb 04.14.15 @ 1:42 pm

I’m sorry, I don’t doubt he was a good leader but he was incredibly mistake prone. I watched him specifically a lot during games and he would take terrible angles on opponents a lot. He had some bigger highlights and good games when he would gamble right, but many times he was the source of my cursing while sitting in the stands. I wish him well and I think he is as athletic as he showed on pro day, but sometimes I think he gets too caught up in the moment on plays and loses his head

Comment by Burger 04.14.15 @ 1:45 pm

link to youtube.com

ha, didn’t even know the name of that group. But had a hunch. Only really know it from ‘The Departed’. One of the better flicks in the last decade.

Comment by Emel 04.14.15 @ 1:57 pm

a real Boston favorite … and has sold out Fenway a few times

Comment by wbb 04.14.15 @ 1:59 pm

46 million views…I’d say they have a few fans.

Comment by Emel 04.14.15 @ 2:02 pm

There’s always going to be a little read and react. But HCPN system has the safeties closure to line with a priority on stopping the run but they have to be ready to cover “react” and cover receivers.

Comment by Pittastic 04.14.15 @ 2:23 pm

Interesting to see that Reed has some apprehension about the defense, when most everybody else is treating Narduzzi as a savior on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t know the nuances of his system, but i’d guess there is a simple read that the safties have to make, but it’s probably not anything as complicated as what House had them do. Again purely from hearsay. I agree that it will be interesting to watch this defense on the field, but I’ll say that I’m slightly more optimistic than Reed.

Comment by Atlanta Panther 04.14.15 @ 2:54 pm

Emel,

Steve Pederson before being fired secured the haltime entertainment for the Spring game. “We are very excited to energize the 3,234 Crowd with Carrick’s own Dropkick Yinzer’s” Said Steve Pederson….They are finishing a renowned tour of the Southside and Waterfront before playing at the futbol stadium.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.14.15 @ 3:03 pm

Durand Johnson no longer with the basketball program.

Comment by Mailman 04.14.15 @ 3:17 pm

I don’t consider that a big loss. He seems to have gotten better by his absence, plus Cam Johnson seems to be a younger (and hopefully) better version of DJ

Comment by wbb 04.14.15 @ 3:21 pm

according to Pantherlair, he left the team. Got his trip to Hawaii and booked …. hope he got his degree

Comment by wbb 04.14.15 @ 3:24 pm

I think it speak volumes of Pitt Football when we are extolling the virtues of Ray Vinopal.

I’m sure he is a class act but….

Comment by Yeti 04.14.15 @ 3:25 pm

Don’t sell yourself short Reed, you’re a little skeptical about the plans for the offense too.

I’d bring on Ray on staff in a heartbeat if he wanted to come back to Pitt as a coach someday. The way he turned himself from a truly putrid player into a very solid safety and defensive signal-caller his last 1 1/2 seasons – in a defense led by Matt House no less – impressed the hell out of me.

Comment by deepelemblues 04.14.15 @ 4:02 pm

DJ, another huge recruiting miss. Left with absolutely no impact on the program. Add him to the list of misses over the last five years.

Bad enough that we can’t recruit the elite players, but how many of three stars that leave without playing can we afford?

Comment by gc 04.14.15 @ 4:05 pm

As per Zeise Durand J. to transfer

Comment by jp 04.14.15 @ 4:06 pm

You got to be kidding me…Durand Durand is going to transfer.

And every network announcer used him as some sort of excuse of why Pitt stunk this year.

Even though he never agv’d even double figures or shot more than 43% fg.

Hope he enjoyed the free trip to Maui.

Comment by Emel 04.14.15 @ 4:46 pm

The Program is one part cyanide, One part Who gives a Fuck and one part Bad Hair.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.14.15 @ 4:48 pm

He served his penance and yet …..no longer wanted to play for Dixon.

On the bright side, we have another slot for Jamie to add another stiff Center.

Any late late bloomers, stretches in the WPIAL this year ?

Comment by Emel 04.14.15 @ 4:48 pm

Hopefully some of that Youngstown magic is going to be in play for Nard Dog. Ala Vinopal against Notre Dame. Made his career.

It better be !

Comment by Emel 04.14.15 @ 4:53 pm

Maybe Pitt is worth more to the ACC as a football power (player) than it is in basketball.

They already have several high powered bball programs. They didn’t really need us for bball.

Now football is another story. They need more than just FSU& Clemson. And they need a northern school to be that 3rd power for the TV ratings.

At least I’m trying to put together some story… that might justify believing that something is going to change, (in a good way) for Pitt football.

Comment by Emel 04.14.15 @ 4:58 pm

It’s Spring after all. And hope springs eternal.

Yep that’s it !!

Comment by Emel 04.14.15 @ 5:00 pm

Zeise on The Fan said that this was Pitt’s decision to have Durand move on. Not Durand deciding he didn’t want to play for Dixon.

Comment by JCE 04.14.15 @ 5:02 pm

With DJ and Haughton leaving Jamie has 2 more scholarships to give. Who worth anything can he get at this late date. This program continues to get worse

Comment by Chick 04.14.15 @ 5:05 pm

Dixon did state he was aware him being re-instated at Pitt was doubtful from the date of the suspension but the fact he held at this long and lost another season of eligibility unless he drops down makes me think one of two things. A) Thank goodness the signing period for basketball hasn’t opened and B) Johnson and Dixon had to think there was a way to get him back in school in good standing or they wouldn’t wait this long and have him lose a year of eligibility. In some cases, I wish school’s misconduct policies weren’t so vague because I guarantee this is being pushed in every kid and parent’s ear that Pitt gave this kid the shaft.

Comment by tedsptman 04.14.15 @ 5:09 pm

~ JCE

That only begs more questions. Move on….then he should have moved on…after the suspension.

This programs seems to be in total disarray.

Comment by Emel 04.14.15 @ 5:32 pm

They sign a stiff like Haughton, pay his tuition for a year (what $25 to $30K or more) and he doesn’t even have the talent to step on the court even in garbage time.

I mean wtf is going on ???

Comment by Emel 04.14.15 @ 5:34 pm

Deepem – I have an article coming on the Defense that will open some eyes with facts and lead to good discussions. You are correct though, I also have some doubts about the offense if the idea is to change it so much the opponent’s don’t have tape on it. As of now they only have the Chryst 2014 tapes. BTW – that I got info in a conversation, not an original thought.

Basically I don’t drink the Kool-Aid across the board. For example I was very happy with Paul Chryst on a lot of what he was responsible for in the football program – but also saw the real mistakes he made that held us back as far as winning games.

Comment by Reed 04.14.15 @ 6:14 pm

Always liked Vinopal’s tackling and thought he was a better ball hawk than he got credit for…everybody looked pretty stupid with House calling the shots for them. I think Donald covered up many of his sins in year one, but he got exposed (House, not Vinopal) last year.

Can’t wait to see a more aggressive, simplified D this year — lyric from a Warren Devon song comes to mind, “…hit somebody!”

Happy to see Bertke got meaningful reps in the scrimmages, and even the transfer QB from Air Force…eager to hear about the competition in the Fall and like that nobody seems to be getting preferred status based on last year. It really wouldn’t stun me if Voytik got beat out by either Bertke or the guy from Tennessee…only Conner and Boyd should feel some sense of safety in their spots before camp.

Comment by Matt N. 04.14.15 @ 11:44 pm

sorry, Zevon.

Comment by Matt N. 04.14.15 @ 11:45 pm

I will take a different slant on Vinopal. He had a lot of tackles because he was a step late for the interception or pass break up. He was out of position and took the wrong angles on too many occasions. Sorry, the film doesn’t lie.

What Pitts and Mitchell say is not flattering. That is the good ol boy network that they have learned. Say good things about your prior teammate. What do you expect them to say? Hey, Vinopal sucked and I couldn’t beat him out for playing time? Get real folks.

He seems like a good kid, but to praise him for his athletic prowess as a safety in my mind, is inappropriate. Finally, I would not bring him on as a coach. Vinopal will recruit for Pitt as a solid citizen in the community. He is an ex-player that we should try to place in the high school coaching fraternity and let him guide his high school players towards Pitt. Would like to see him coaching high school in eastern ohio area.

Comment by dhuffdaddy 04.15.15 @ 12:41 am

“inappropriate”? weird comment…sounds like you have an ax to grind on this one. How bad did all of our DBs look last year? Pitts always looked lost and frequently got beat deep…Maddox was okay but got burnt a lot too. If Vinopal was late, at least he played it safe because he knew no one was going to help him. Face it, nobody on D for us was a star last year, but House frequently made them look stupid.

Wanny rarely had more talent on D but they were lined up correctly at least. If not for Donald, our 2013 D would have looked just as bad as this year…I see only improvement possible for this year.

Comment by Matt N. 04.15.15 @ 1:14 pm

But Wanny’s O was stone age, so we still can’t find a guy who can manage both sides of the ball for years now. Maybe the new regime has what it takes?

Comment by Matt N. 04.15.15 @ 1:19 pm

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