I DONT LIKE NARDUZZI PITT SHOULD HAVE WENT WITH A YOUNG UP AND COMING HEADCOACH

Could care less about his sideline actions. If they would have won it wouldn’t even be mentioned.

Start Dane Jackson and Hamlin at CB and let them start learning. The corners have to be taller than 5’8″.

I am with Narduzzi, it is unbelievable to me that the CB are in position on most plays and can’t hit the ball away. It really isn’t that hard to do it the majority of the time.

Boo Boo – The mounties stink

notrocketscience – Agree 100% with your CB comments. Jackson, in his one opportunity, played better than any CB on the team thus far this year (not that that’s any great achievement in and of itself), and Hamlin is the guy with the most potential. That said, Mitchell has outplayed Webb, yet Webb was back in last week, so I’m not sure what’s going on.

Our DBs keep on getting dumped on. I don’t think it’s fair, DBs in both college and the pros have an incredibly difficult job.

Narduzzi’s tendency to go NUCLEAR is something that was known before being hired at Pitt.

There were times when he used to LOSE IT as a Defensive Coordinator at Michigan State. However, back then it was restricted to the Coaches Box where it was mostly out of Public View.

As a Head Coach, you’re on the Main Stage. You are the image of the Football Program.

Yes, Narduzzi is NOT the first Head Coach to throw a TANTRUM on the Sidelines. There is a history of other Coaches who’ve done it. Some of the Great Coaches have done it like Woody Hayes. And today Coaches like Jim Harbaugh have thrown a tantrum or two in the Heat of the Battle.

But, you can’t go ON and ON as Narduzzi did last Thursday. And to have to be restrained by your Assistant Coaches? Not Good.

It’s OK to show emotion from time to time. But you also have to show the ability to practice some SELF-restraint and get your Head quickly back into the Game.

What Narduzzi did last Thursday looked BAD. Bad enough that the local Press is talking about it and we’re talking about it here.

NOT something you want as a Head Coach or a Program… especially when you got Recruits and their Parents watching at home.

Let’s HOPE Narduzzi has learned from the experience.

My bet is he has.

I disagree. Part of the coach’s job is to work the officials. Its only human nature to be really careful b4 that same official calls PI on Pitt again. And the refs have stunk this year. Does anyone realize that the winning TD in the last 5 seconds against Pitt at NC should have disallowed by penalty. NC had only 6 men on the line of scrimmage and you must have 7. Also in that same NC game Pitt was called for an illegal man downfield and again the penalty was called wrong because the pass was behind the LOS.

Pressuring the QB can be more effective than starting young and inexperienced cornerbacks. Kaaya was sacked 8 times in a recent game. Conner to DE would be helpful, Ollison and Ibrahim can pickup the slack on offense. By now Conner has tape of what he is capable of as a running back.

Connor is a running back. He won’t make it at the next level as a DE. He is a running back.

As for the Cornerback situation and Miami…

You can bet Narduzzi will work Maddox back in as soon as he’s fully ready to go.

But Dane Jackson has got to be on the field. Now that Damar Hamlin’s Redshirt is burned… him too!

Let’s find out what they got.

In my opinion, the Odd Man OUT would be Ryan Lewis.

Outside of his BIG PICK against Penn State and few plays here and there… have NOT been too impressed with him… ESPECIALLY being a Redshirt Senior.

I could care less about HCPN throwing a fit on the sideline. I just want him to figure out how to stop opposing QB’s and WR’s from having record setting days against us!

And as for Conner… he averaged 7.4 Yards per Carry against a BIG and FAST VaTech.

In fact, he was the main REASON we were even in the Game.

Looking for him to have another “Conner-like” Performance against Miami which is ranked #47 in Rush Defense.

I really didn’t think Narduzzi was a maniac on Thursday. I like it when the coach shows emotion toward crappy officiating. It shows a depth of care that you don’t get from the stoics.

The one WEAKNESS in Canada’s Offense remains his reluctance to have a Play Package that puts a Fullback in front of Conner.

What killed Pitt last week was the couple of “Three and Outs” in the Second Half when the Offense sputtered… giving the Ball right back to the Opposing Offense.

In my opinion, that might be avoided by simply putting Conner in the BEST POSSIBLE position to do what he does BEST.

Finally, for the first time this year… Conner looks READY to take over Games like he used to.

With Pitt Ahead or even CLOSE in the Second Half, it would seem to make sense to put Parrish or someone else back there to lead the way for Conner to get the Second Level where he does his DAMAGE.

I know Canada’s “Smoke ‘n Mirrors” Offense has been working GREAT. But the truth is… it hasn’t always worked… like in the Second Half when the LAST THING Pitt needs is to give the Ball back to the Opposing Offense.

Sometimes you just have to say to the Defense “this is what we’re going to do. Try and stop it.”

You would think Pitt with its Offensive Line and Conner with a Fullback leading the way… would have the tools to get the job done.

The question is would Canada and Narduzzi be willing to give it a chance.

I believe Narduzzi felt strongly that the VT receivers were not being called for repeated offensive interference and he was making a statement for not only the game last week, but also going forward. He also knew the risk of a fine and reprimand for his post game comments, but wanted to emphasize his case. The play of the DBs has improved, seldom are any opposing receivers left totally uncovered. It seems he wants the DBs to pursue interceptions and breakups more aggressively, rather than being in position to make a tackle after the catch. In reality he has made more progress with the DBs than in finding a front four that can pressure the QB. He is not going to change his defensive scheme, either the present players will execute it, or he will finds players that will.

I applauded PN’s sideline actions with the officials. Having attended Pitt football for the past 46 years I don’t recall any of the prior head coaches that fired up the crowd during a game like PN did against VT. That night the coach got the team and the fans to leave it all on the field. That is a sign of a great coach (in development).
Jimbo , Dabo, Jimmy H all worked the officials over without the criticism that PN received . Why ? Because they have been in the head coaching ranks (pro and college) longer than PN. PN has to be himself and that is fiery, support him and watch him join the ranks of the great college head football coaches.

The reason Narduzzi was irate, I would imagine, is because VT’s receivers (the big guy in particular) pushed on almost every reception, plus a few obvious blown interference calls. Yes, Narduzzi over-did it, but he’s learning to be a HC, and I’d rather he need to tone it down as he matures, then have him stand on the sideline like a punching bag and wishing he would wake up. I’m more concerned about winning and the staff’s player selections (to start) right now then any sideline show.

This is all moot…if you believe Pedo St fans in Twitterspere Narduzzi to Purdue is a done deal. They even got a hashtag going #Purduzzi…

Yes – Nard Dog will become the next coach of Purdue because the Big 10 is such a better conference than the ACC. And his chance of winning a conference title are much better there than at Pitt.

Confession from a Methodist: Father, forgive me, for I have sinned. As I watched PN run up and down the sideline chastising the officials (this was after I had acknowledged to my wife, that yes, we are grabbing shirt on every pass, but they were pushing off on every pass), I turned to her and said, “I hope to H€ll he has some 4* and 5*s at the game tonight!! Who wouldn’t want to play for a coach who sticks up for his players like that??”

I seek repentance, now that I see how the rest of the world interpreted his passion.

This stuff about having to have better CB’s to have a better defense is garbage.

As I posted elsewhere, tiny Wake Forest, who recruits no better than 2-3 star players, if even that. Has a much better defense than Pitt. Who’s recruited higher rated players.

Total Defense – Wake # 45 Pitt # 70
Pass Efficiency Defense – Wake # 64 Pitt # 115
Red Zone Defense – Wake # 2 Pitt # 128 (dead last)

It’s all about coaching up the players you got.

I can’t add anything to your post 1618mt other than to say I totally think you get it.

Regarding the VT experience, I was also at the game and actually think the opposite. I think the crowd fired Narduzzi up, not the other way around. It was obvious Pitt was getting jobbed and the fans knew it.

My view before the season started was that Narduzzi didn’t need to win 12 games. He needed to win one. He did that. I am as frustrated as anybody else but the man is in the early stages of rebuilding a program that has been a train wreck. And he clearly intends to do it his way. Good for him.

And by the way, let’s stop calling these weasels at the local rags journalists. In order to be biased one has to be intellectually capable of formulating positions and opinions for yourself. To quote Thomas Jefferson “somebody who reads nothing at all is better educated than somebody who reads nothing but newspapers “.

lol wally.

I have no problem with the Nard Dog displaying some emotions. Isn’t that men are supposed to do in PC America. Display emotions. Oh wait…that’s ok if they cry in public or on TV. Not get angry.

Pitt more than likely ‘got jobbed’ and nothing worse than just some slug standing there and not showing that they are not happy.

Make America Angry Again 🙂

^Isn’t that what men are supposed to do in PC America.

Hey Narduzzi is Italian right? He’s passionate, he’s emotional and he was mad as hell and wasn’t going to take it anymore!

Hey he didn’t punch anyone or throw a chair or water bottle on the field.

Give the guy a break he was pissed off.

@savannah

Any really nice places in the tourist area on east bay to get a really good meal?

Wow…yes the VT receivers pushed off all night, but how could you not also have noticed that the Pitt DBs were also holding all night long…I’m talking jersey stretching holding and not being flagged…HCPN was throwing a fit for the same reason I was on Thurs night…he is sick and tired of watching his DBs get torched.

Based on the latest ranking, Pitt beat #12 and lost to #s 18,19 & 20 by a total of 10 points. If I were HCPN I’d be more upset with VT’s face mask on JC and their OL holding. At least ESPN agreed with him enough to write an article about the poor refereeing in the ACC.

What HbgFrank said. Perfectly said, I might add.

Correction: I meant to echo what HbgFrank said at 11:15 AM. Perfect!

I presume everyone realizes that Pitt would be 8-0 and in the hunt for the CFB playoffs if we had even a marginal (instead of all-time record awful) secondary?

@@@@@@@

Duzz has a pulse….would you prefer Chryst instead?
Not me.

HbgFrank – Yes, obviously, both teams could’ve been called for interference in that game. My only point was that Narduzzi was sticking up for his guys on the bad calls, pretty simple. Like I said, when he learns how to be a HC, he will mature in this area. And not everyone was getting torched, Jackson did a fine job; he’s the only one thus far, this year that looks like a starter at the position, albeit at a tough position to play.

Too bad Motley got hurt. He looked okay is his limited opportunity. I like Dane Jackson’s athleticism and he is about 6-0 so he has a little bit of size. Hamlin’s rs is gone so he has to play, and play a lot.

I still don’t get Webb playing over Mitchell. Obviously, the coaches know best but I thought Mitchell would get more snaps by now.

I agree that the fans got Narduzzi going. I never look at the coaches on the sideline & was booing my lungs out at the horrid officiating taking place on the field. I’m proud of my fellow Pitt brethren for booing loud & long. I think we may have set a new record for booing. It went on for a long time & even had an injury & timeout in the middle. I’m sick & tired of getting jobbed by these good ol boys who need to get over the fact they lost.

JAM05Pitt – Yes! Agree just about 100% with your comments. The only exception would be that I guess I wasn’t quite as impressed with Motley as you were, but I thought Dane Jackson looked like the best CB we’ve had on the field this year, easily. I also agree that now with the RS burned, we would benefit long term from getting Hamlin more and more experience, and finally, I’m completely baffled as to why Webb is playing over Mitchell (unless Mitchell shortsheeted Narduzzi’s bed and it didn’t go over well).

I really like Jackson too. He seems to be better at getting in position to make a play. He was in coverage for VTs last TD but he was right there with his arm between the receivers arms. VT just executed a great throw and catch. Sometimes you just have to give the other team credit for making a play.

I know he’s from a small school and was probably under recruited because of it, but 2* no P5 offer Dane Jackson isn’t the answer. I wish the kid the best and think he should probably play ahead of Lewis. But how is he not more of the same?

HbgFrank – re that last TD throw on Jackson, agree 100% with everything you said; plus Jackson made plenty of plays on the ball/wr earlier. Well said.

BC – Are you serious?? Listen, I just want the best player to play, but I also hope the coaches have enough intelligence to make that decision based on performance, not some pathetic star rating system (or politics). Any coach with half a brain plays the best player. Period. If Jackson’s performance dips, then sit him based on performance alone. By the way, I’m glad 3 star Aaron Donald selected us over his other (MAC) offers. He turned out pretty good, I think, despite his lack of star power. Or 2 star Tyrique Jarrett?

Most 2 and 3 stars that Chryst recruited are performing like 1 stars

On Defense that is

Donald is the exception. It’s not a shot at Jackson. I hope he develops into a great player. But offer lists are usually a pretty good talent indicator.

Kids slip through cracks – but with all the camps and 7v7 there are plenty of opportunities for recruiters to evaluate kids.

Wake Forest’s 2 starting CB’s were rated 2 stars by Rivals.

Yet in their scheme they held the prolific Eric Dungy and Syracuse to 9 points and less than 200 yards passing.

then they went down to Florida State and only allowed the Seminoles 17 points.

Think Pitt could do that ?

So is it the scheme or the players ?

Chicken or the Egg ?

Syracuse you say, some may scoff at that.

They have the #5 passing offense in D1 at 357 ypg

link to ncaa.com

BC – I disagree, Donald is not the exception, there are exceptions all over the place in college football, and even on Pitt’s roster right now. And more importantly, Jackson or any other player should be judged on performance and not stars. From what I’ve witnessed in a short one game sample, he’s our best corner right now at a position of desperate need and importance, so he needs to play unless his performance sinks, with no attention whatsoever to ridiculous stars.

Emel – I think most people would say the players are not good enough to play Narduzzi’s scheme. If I am PN (and I know some will disagree), I’d stick with the scheme with maybe the occasional safety support, and see if guys like Hamlin and Jackson rise to the occasion. What I’m afraid is going to happen, is PN will stick with 2 guys (the starters) who do not have the ability to play the scheme (see national pass defense ranking) and who are veterans with no hope of getting significantly better. I’m not down on Lewis & Maddox, but they are put in a position to fail, without the upside to grow (significantly) into the position. Younger players like Hamlin and/or Jackson have higher ceilings, so I’d go with the younger players. What’s the risk, that we drop from #123 in pass defense to #126?

~ 1618

Agree, it’s crazy to be playing Lewis & Maddox. One is terrible (we’ll always love him for his 1 career interception but that’s beside the point) and the other one is too short. And like you said, we’re going to get worse…how…by playing the younger players.

Although imo this scheme is not going to work in the more Pass Happy Spread offense going forward ACC.

Most NFL teams can’t even find CB’s to cover man on man, look at the Steelers over the last 20 years.

Granted Chryst was Better when it came to recruiting on Offense.

But the last time I checked, Chryst did… not great by any means… but NOT TOO BAD when it came to landing the majority of today’s POSITIVE Contributors on the Defensive Side of the Ball.

Looking back, Chryst was 1st in recruiting Whitehead and Primarily responsible for:

Jarrett…

and Bradley…

and Caprara…

and Galambos…

and Soto…

and Blair…

and Wirginis…

and Briggs…

and Winslow (Probably alone here. But, yes, I do count Punters as Defensive Players because that’s what they REALLY are.)

why do we still care about chryst?? the man bailed, just like graham. we have a coach who presumably wants to be here more than three years. though he maybe stubborn, he’s ours.

Fair to criticize Chryst on a lot of things.

In-Game Coaching and RISKY Play Calls would be two that come to my mind.

But “FAIR” is the operative word here.

Goalie… despite the RELENTLESS criticism he receives here… Chryst was instrumental in RIGHTING the Sinking Ship that was Pitt Football.

And contrary to your comparison to the situation with Graham… Chryst “bailed” to his ALMA MATER after clearly making clear the possibility to both Administration and the Players who FULLY supported his decision.

Maybe not Mr. Personality, but a CLASS ACT Chryst absolutely was.

As for the Current Coach… Narduzzi has my FULL support… UNLESS he loses to Miami on Saturday.

jk

you talked to all of his players? wow you have some insight. i just don’t know why we still talk about him, he’s gone, for two years now. it’s time to let him go or become a badger fan.

hahaha ok we agree on that!!lol

miami?? i’m worried about duke and syracuse! emel, through out some disturbing defensive figures..

I see Miami as the last Game this year in which Pitt SHOULD Win.

Clemson aside… Duke and Syracuse BOTH bring cause for worry.

miami?? should win?? i’m not to sure about that one..kaaya can pass.

Plus Miami over all has a much faster team than Pitt.

The big question is: since Miami has lost 4 in a row, have they ‘packed it in’ for the season ?

Or does Richt get them fired up to get to a low tier bowl game ?

As far as Duke, they’ve had to play with their 2nd string QB all season.

Plus they’ve lost their best RB for the season and their best WR, who was also their long ball threat.

So that is probably Pitt’s best chance for a win of the 4 games left

WLAT at 7:31 last night – sorry I didn’t reply to you last night. I was at dinner, and came back to the hotel and chilled w/NCIS, etc.

Savannah restaurants are really good – you can almost close your eyes and walk into a great meal. Although not right on Bay St, I really like Alligator Soul. Also, Mrs. Wilkes and The Pink House are “Must Eats”!
On Market St, try Belfords. Right across from Belfords is my favorite pizza joint (” Joint” is probably dressing it up too much, but GOOD selection of beer), Vinny Van Go Gos. If you Google “Savannah Restaurants” you’ll get a good listing.

Also, down on River St – touristy places – I like Chart House (chain restaurant) and Huey’s. Lots of others. I think I saved a restaurant rating last spring on my laptop. Send me your email contact
(blindquist@applied.com), and I’ll see if I can find it and send it to you

Dr. Tom – care to recommend a few of your favorites?

Too much BS about Narduzzie on sideline! More important is why the offense kept shooting themselves in the foot 1st Q. No matter what at this stage we need to keep a lid on it and support the coach and the program. Pat is intense and I will take that any day compared to potato sack Paulie. Isn’t it amazing now that now he is at Wiscy he can speak in complete sentences and thoughts. Was he really that disgusted here he could not think what to say on camera?

Offense is not the problem, the defense is not working at all regarding pass coverage they are close to being in the basement regarding yards per game given up.

I thought coaching was about adapt and exploit, the only adjustment I have seen is that the Pitt db’s are no longer getting beat by 5 or more yards on long pass plays because they constantly grab opposing receivers.

Very disappointed in the lack of strategy displayed by the Pitt defensive coordinator, every time they show press coverage they get burned.

@savannah panther sent you an email thanks

I still owe Savannah Panther and Dr Tom for recommending Pearls Saltwater grill. A twenty minute drive from Savannah.

Thanks to the Cubs for preventing Cleveland from calling itself the “City of Champions.”

Realize it’s just the Top of the 5th. But going with it.

I see Pitt beating only Duke to finish 6-6. If Pitt doesnt and goes 6-7, I doubt Perdue would want him

Correction I mean if Pitt loses to Duke and ends up 5-7 and no bowl game I doubt it Purdue would want Narduzzi.