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April 12, 2016

Here are a couple of podcasts to listen to while working.  First is Jerry DiPaola being interviewed by WTAE’s Junker and the other Guy about the Spring Game… and talks about the closed practices.  He makes a good point (again!) about being able to watch only the calisthenics, then the kicker and the punter punting.  He hates it, every media person hates it, I hate it and some at Pitt even dislike it.

DiPaola’s Guy and Junker Interview 4/11/16

He also talks about how the offense looks unbalanced at this point because of the dearth of receivers with any game experience at all.  Challingsworth and Ford are the only two WRs on the roster who caught passes last season.  He quotes Nate Peterman as saying “Wait and see which WRs we can count on.

DiPaola reiterates that Stocker is slowly cementing the QB2 position.  Stocker is a big QB and is also a good runner – DiPaola mentions “Wildcat” a few times.  The subject of bringing in a FBS transfer QB in (Schneider) and how that signals that the staff isn’t happy with our current #3 and #4 QBs.

What is shaping up is a competition for the 2017 starting job between Schneider and MacVitte.

Our backfield is crowded also and so far both SO Hall and true FR Chawntez Moss are coming off the bench before Ollison.  We’ll see about that.  I wrote on here two years ago that Darrin Hall did really well in the last Chryst fall camp and that the staff had a tough choice to make between him and James and James won the match.

We saw what Ollison did last year with 1000+ yards and winning the ACC rookie of the year… so I think we’re seeing the red cape of Hall and Moss being waved in front of Ollison to get him charging forward.

Then we have a good give and take about AD Scott Barnes’ use of that search firm. Interesting to listen to but I have to agree with one point – if Brandon Knight wasn’t ever going to get a HC job at Pitt then why 1) interview him and then 2) speak publicly about it.

Secondly and a more detailed podcast is Chris Peak’s Monday morning edition when he has a 15 minute interview with DC Josh Conklin.

Peak’s Podcast for Monday 4/11/16

Peak’s guest for a solid 15 minute interview is Josh Conklin, our Defensive Coordinator.  He has some interesting things to talk about and he goes in-depth in some issues. One is the middle of the defensive line – something that doesn’t surprise any fans that even remotely follow Pitt football.

Peak delves into the actual production of the three players, now gone, who rotated into the DT position last season – K.K. Mosley-Smith, Darryl Render and Mark Scarpinato… who totaled only 4 tackles for loss last season.Given that Narduzzi and Conklin were touting a  defense built on QB pressure from the “4” in the “4-3” defense, that production fell a mile short of the mark.

That’s about it for this morning – no other news stories out there.

OK – let’s start planning the meet & greet for the Blatherite Uprising & Happy Hour on Saturday.   The game starts at 1:00 pm and will probably last about 90 minutes.  Narduzzi says it will be played in a ‘full game format’ but I very much doubt they will play four 15 minute quarters.  In the past the staffs have shortened the game format down to 7-8 minute quarters with a small halftime break.

As I wrote yesterday, with the personnel-draft they are doing prior to the game we aren’t going to see the true #1 Defense playing against the true #1 Offense because the starters on those units will be scattered between both the Blue and the Gold teams.  That is something to remember when we start talking about what transpired with the player’s efforts after the scrimmage.

I’ll be attending the media event for the “Spring Game Team Draft” at 10:15 at the Southside facility then drive over to Heinz afterward.  If anyone is having a tailgate or wishes to meet up prior to the game then please suggest something in the comments here – time is moving fast toward Saturday.

 





Reed, thanks for the info. The closed practices are really lowering the buzz about Pitt Football. Very few comments on your last few entries, at least football talk.This can’t be god for the turnout on Saturday.

Comment by gc 04.12.16 @ 7:08 am

For us out-of-area guys, is the Spring game going to be televised? Internet or otherwise. A few years ago it was on espn3, don’t see that this time… Anyone?

Comment by 1618mt 04.12.16 @ 7:27 am

DiPaola is another Guy who really has very little insight to draw from.

Don’t think so?

Just listen sometime to the questions he asks during post practice or post game interviews.

Or you might want to check out his past predictions of Games or projections of various Players.

NOT being critical of his primary job of reporting. His efforts there day in and day out are truly appreciated.

But that is where it begins and ends.

Comment by PittofDreams 04.12.16 @ 7:47 am

Interesting that PSU seems willing to play us in BBall now that their program is getting competitive. I say find another B1G team to play unless they are willing to play us in football every year.

Comment by gc 04.12.16 @ 8:03 am

Also interesting that both Dixon and Knight have gone to schools where coaching careers go to die. We will really find out how much talent they have now.

Comment by gc 04.12.16 @ 8:05 am

Reed I think you meant Chris James and not Darrin Hall in this statement

“I wrote on here two years ago that Darrin Hall did really well in the last Chryst fall camp and that the staff had a tough choice to make between him and Ollison”

Hall was a true freshman last year and couldn’t have been in the Chryst camp, unless I’m mistaken, which is often true.

Comment by FoolOfPitt 04.12.16 @ 8:15 am

Fool – thanks and its fixed – I was trying to listen and type at the same time.

Comment by Reed 04.12.16 @ 9:25 am

Pitt playing PSU in BB may help with an extension in football. I don’t see PSU with a couple of decent recruits changing the dynamic anytime soon. Pitt actually with good guard play can surprise next year. Also don’t think closed practices are so necessary during the spring season. Stallings and staff have some talent to work with.

Comment by Chethejet 04.12.16 @ 8:16 am

A little off topic. Anyone read the article in yahoo today regard Pitt’s hiring of Stalling and use of search firm? Everyone continues to shake their heads at this one.

Fire Barnes Now!

link to yahoo.com

Comment by Pitt Fan in Atlanta 04.12.16 @ 8:36 am

They couldn’t win on that. If they didn’t interview Knight, there would have been a firestorm in the media and from fans

“you couldn’t even give the kid a friggin’ interview” “after all he’s done for Pitt, you just kick him to the curb?”

Not to mention the racial angle that would have certainly come in if they didn’t interview him.

Hell, that angle did come in by some for not naming him the head coach, even with the interview.

They had to interview him at least.

Comment by Dan 04.12.16 @ 8:45 am

Whatever the expect to gain by these closed practices is lost in good will, and publicity for the program.Used to really enjoy the reports coming out of camp every day. Now we get press releases.

Comment by gc 04.12.16 @ 9:09 am

Maybe – just maybe – due to the lack of positive press coverage by Pittsburgh papers and the PS slant – HCPN doesn’t want anything to be news until after the PSU game.

Comment by markp 04.12.16 @ 9:44 am

Maybe because we have a new OC who is now implementing a whole new offense, Nardog is going full bore on keeping the new O a secret until game #2!! If that’s the reason, it’s fine with me.
Plus, many of the top schools keep there practices closed – the fans don’t care because they love the record at the end, but the media wants to see it all from the beginning. Just the way it is as we are transitioning into a better program. H2P

Comment by pittman4ever 04.12.16 @ 10:01 am

link to espn.go.com

Pitt at #30 and expected win-loss is 7-5.

H2P!

Comment by panther94 04.12.16 @ 11:11 am

panther 94, Pitt is actually rated higher (slightly) than Wisc and Mich St although we won’t win more games

Comment by wbb 04.12.16 @ 11:37 am

Bettis’ is always a convenient place to meet for a few beers before a game.

Comment by rayhpgh 04.12.16 @ 11:50 am

wbb,
That seems crazy that Pitt is rated higher than those 2 teams. I agree we won’t win more games, though. I just listened to the first podcast above and they talked about a serious possibility that we could come in under .500 this year.

Comment by panther94 04.12.16 @ 12:15 pm

Here is my “way too early” W-L record for the year:

9-3

Losses coming at the hands of UNC, OSU, Clemson. If we lose to PSU, we will start the year 1-3 and panther fans will be pissing and moaning.

HTP

Comment by Pitt IT is 04.12.16 @ 12:19 pm

I could care less if we play PSU in hoops but would love to get the WVU game back.

Comment by spiritofsection22 04.12.16 @ 12:26 pm

I don’t follow recruiting super hardcore like many do. Who is this Schneider character at qb?

Comment by AJ 04.12.16 @ 12:31 pm

Thanks for the link PFiA

Fire Herman!

Wow, not that I would hire Stallings or Pastner, but I would surely take Stallings over Pastner. Pastner assumed a team that had been in the finals and sweet sixteen the previous two years (coached by Calipari) and then never again placed beyond the round of 32. Last two years no tourney at all. Stallings tried to beat that low but did make the play-in round this year. Plus Pastner presumably had fewer academic challenges to contend with at Memphis than Stallings had at Vandy.

Hey, it actually could be worse!

A national columnist and non-JD fan, Pat Forde, wrote that column two weeks after the hire. The failure still resonates….

Comment by Barvo 04.12.16 @ 12:57 pm

I agree with gc the media blackout really kills the buzz around FB. It’s not working Il Duce and his Minister of Propoganda; bring on freedom of the press. In fact I didnt protest much when She Who Must Be Obeyed asked be to take care of a family matter at noon Saturday. Y’ll enjoy yourselves. H2P

Comment by rkb 04.12.16 @ 1:27 pm

I wonder if more than a handful of people (reporters not included) actually care about not being able to watch spring practices.

Comment by deepelemblues 04.12.16 @ 1:39 pm

Upittbb – I have a (professional) question for you. In the event you read this, could I run something by you some time?

Comment by 1618mt 04.12.16 @ 2:11 pm

With you PittofDreams on DiPaola. He is useless in my book and his “insights” are always suspect.

Comment by FG 04.12.16 @ 2:51 pm

@Pitt IT is, yes, I’ll be pissing and moaning if we lose to PSU. May be digging a shallow grave.

I won’t say something stupid like I’d trade a Pitt win against PSU even if it meant we lose the other 11 games.

But, I’ll tell ya, in my situation, with a sister and brother n law who are PSU’ers, all three of their adult children PSU grads, an Uncle and several cousins…………..

I want this game as bad as I’ve wanted one since I was a kid in high school when I lived and died with Pitt.

We are a close family, I say this only, to make the point, that we celebrate holidays together, text each other, go on vacations together.

I think that sets the picture.

Most will be there, at our tailgate. I believe the number will be around 13 PSU 5 PITT people at the tailgate.

All in good fun, but I really don’t want to hear the noise from all sides for a whole year.

Comment by Dan 04.12.16 @ 3:09 pm

@Spirit, agreed. WVU hoops games had rivalry intensity.

Much prefer PSU football
WVU hoops.

Comment by Dan 04.12.16 @ 3:14 pm

Keep in mind folks, neither Pitt nor Penn State
have their non conference schedules filled up after 2019 when the series ends. They have a game or two scheduled, but not filled.

I think this is a little different than the one time shot back in 2000.

You’re gonna have the momentum of 4 games in a row. If the games are huge, it’s gonna be hard not to continue the series.

Comment by Dan 04.12.16 @ 3:38 pm

Dan – we had the same Thanksgivings at our hose except it nearly all Pitt. Now a few generations removed, a few PSU pukes, uh cousins have graduated from there. Hating all things PSU are a part of my DNA. If my extended family could not get to the game, we all collected together in one room and watched on TV. We kept a rat towel on top of the TV with a wet tip. When Paterno was shown on TV, a designated person had to run to the towel and snap Coke Bottle Joe before the camera shot changed. If they successfully snapped him (with the towel actually snapping the image of weepin’ joe), my family let out a jovial roar and the person was high-fived and hugged. There was a fight to see who got the next opportunity. God forbid if someone didn’t get the snap off in time! It only happened once and everyone booed and threw stuff at them! What great memories from being a kid.

As a kid I was allowed one time to make the attempt. I was “coached up” by all of my older cousins and uncles/aunts. Then was given the ever encouraging “don’t miss!”. I lunged at the TV and successfully got the shot off. What a feeling that was – I thought I was a big man!

That’s why I can’t wait for September.

HTP

Comment by Pitt IT is 04.12.16 @ 4:03 pm

Will the nits who claim a vast majority of the #107 could care less about playing Pitt the program is too superior to waste time on a Pitt game have that same position after they lose to Pitt.

Comment by Chethejet 04.12.16 @ 4:13 pm

And thats why we must play the Pedos. So we can snap Coke Bottle Sandusky’s ass each time they show a child on TV. Just remember CULT = Cover Up.

Comment by TX Panther 04.12.16 @ 5:42 pm

Leaving Miami on Flight to Burg!!! Land at 10pm. In Oakland by 11pm. Who is meeting me for Primantis and Beers. I will be dressed like Im flying in from Miami and 80 degrees.

1618 – Shoot me the message. Mehalovich@hotmail.com

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.12.16 @ 5:54 pm

I have two sons. My oldest is a Pitt grad 05 and my youngest a PSU grad 09. My youngest succumbed to becoming a Penn State football fan despite my best efforts to teach him better but he still is loyal to Pitt hoops. We all have made arrangements to attend this years game. I fully expect to kick the living shit out of Penn State and will be mightily disappointed should we fail. Unfortunately I probably will tone down my enthusiasm for the victory out of sympathy for my youngest. Being a parent requires sacrifice.

Comment by spiritofsection22 04.12.16 @ 5:57 pm

Wish I could, UPitt. Safe travels! Regarding the relative quiet on Pitt FB news, I’m thinking the BB coaching drama stole some of FB’s thunder.

Comment by PittPT 04.12.16 @ 6:11 pm

It’s bad enough we get stuck with a retread coach and no respect ever for Pitt hoops, but now yahoo is making fun of our stupidity. Our only hope is if the Nardog can give us something to hang our hat on.

Comment by spiritofsection22 04.12.16 @ 6:23 pm

Bring a hoody upitt, it’ll be in the 30’s when you land.

Comment by Nick 04.12.16 @ 6:27 pm

I hope you order an Iron for old times sake. And just remember that the #1 selling item on the menu doesnt arrive until midnight. 🙂

Comment by TX Panther 04.12.16 @ 6:33 pm

Nick – You are 1 hour to late buddy. Haha. I will buy something tomorrow. I got the bump to first class and I’m 3 drinks in so self insulating. Haha.

Tex – Yuengling or IC Light. Haha.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.12.16 @ 6:56 pm

Spirit – That article has been on yahoos cover page for 2 days. Way to go Barnes/Herman Munster Douche.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.12.16 @ 6:57 pm

Tex – We getting any rain? I turned off sprinker system
This week?

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.12.16 @ 6:58 pm

Narduzzi develops talent and motivation. At least he did last year. Jimmy James has treaded water for two years and he’d be underwater except for Shoop and the cupcakiest of schedules. Shoop isn’t around anymore. Pitt should kill them but anything can happen.

Comment by Deepelemblues 04.12.16 @ 7:05 pm

I heard we are getting four Backyard Brawls in football after the four Penn State games. That would be an interesting alternating scenario, but would probably prefer an all PSU situation. Half my siblings went there so it makes for good shitake talking.

Comment by cnorwoodaz 04.12.16 @ 7:26 pm

Some rain. Wylie got hit with softball sized hail last night. Homes were literally destroyed…siding peeled off, windows smashed, shingles torn away. Ugly. I’m getting a new roof on my home from the half dollar sized hail I got 4 weeks ago. Still havent seen a Twister up close in my 15 years down here. But they’ve touched down within a few miles of me. Just a matter of time. Nothin like a Texas Spring.

Comment by TX Panther 04.12.16 @ 7:51 pm

Stick with IC or something from Penn Brewery.

Dont forget the ‘O’ fries

Comment by TX Panther 04.12.16 @ 7:59 pm

Are any Blatherites close to Oakland??? Damn! Im buying.

Tex – I saw the homes were literally destroyed by that hail.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.12.16 @ 8:02 pm

I sure hope ESPNs prediction of 7-5 is off. Anything less than 8 wins is going backwards. I bought the hype…I am ready for 9 or 10 wins.

Comment by HbgFrank 04.12.16 @ 8:20 pm

Upitt it’s gotta be the IC and a sausage sandy at primantis

Comment by Pitt it Is 04.12.16 @ 8:48 pm

Pitt It Is – Sounds Lovely!!! Let ya know! I’m currently in shock at the 40 degree weather and how people still live like this. Haha.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.12.16 @ 10:07 pm

Whatever you see from Pitt on Saturday will chance come the fall on defense. These three will all contribute this season, once they show up in fall camp, Hamlin, Watts & Camp.

Comment by Dr. Tom 04.13.16 @ 5:04 am

Dr. Tom – we could use one or two of the LB recruits to contribute as well. You comments ring true – I think all three will be needed to contribute on D this year.

On another note: at W.Va. – Led by a strong outing from junior pitcher Sam Mersing, the #35 Pittsburgh Panthers (15-13, 6-8 ACC) baseball team defeated wvcc on Tuesday, 4-1 in the latest rendition of the Backyard Brawl.

HTP!

Comment by Erie Express 04.13.16 @ 5:33 am

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