A few plays that define the Defense

[Gunga_Galunga]

1) First TD run - Briggs completely whiffs with unbelievably poor form and no awareness that he's the last line of defense. This had nothing to do with his lack of physical ability. It was an unbelievably poor attempt at a tackle for a 5th year senior.

2) Third TD - NC spreads it out with 4 wides and Pitt remains in their base defense. Idowu, Wirginis and Zeise on the field. NC then sends the RB out late right up the center of the field which has been vacated by every defender. Even if Wirginis stays home, there is no way he's going to cover a small speedy RB running straight down the field.

3) 3rd Quarter - tied 28-28 and NC has a 3rd and 17 from the Pitt 44. Once again, Idowu, Wirginis, and Zeise are on the field. This time with 3 down lineman. Idowu blitzes, Zeise stands around uncertain what to do and then finally rushes, and Wirginis stands by himself 5 yards beyond the LOS. QB tosses a lollipop rainbow off his back foot that somehow gets completed when it should have been picked and returned for a TD. Two plays later they score.

Why these 3 plays? Because the rockhead staff continues to do the same damn thing over and over again even in the face of continued failure. Briggs isn't well coached, he isn't athletic, yet he continues to play. Why in gods name do you need 3 LBs on the field against obvious passing formations or on obvious passing downs? 4 wides, or 3rd and 17, why in the hell are Zeise and Wirginis on the field?

It's not on Briggs, Zeise, or Wirginis that they get put into situations where they will certainly fail. The first two should be playing special teams and the third should be off the field unless it's a run situation.

 

[revampedpanthers]

Probably should have one MLB and then 2 safeties as LBer in 3rd and 10 or more

 

[California Gold]

4) The dropped pick 6 near the end of the 2nd half.

Overall, the lack of big plays and basically not taking advantage of these opportunities also define this defense.

 

[Black_Man_Panther]

1) First TD run
2) Third TD
3) 3rd Quarter - tied 28-28 and NC has a 3rd and 17 from the Pitt 44.

I went back to watch #2 a couple times. Zeise just took off w/o a read on the QB to double the slot receiver. Wirginis and Briggs went opposite direction. Like zero communication... no one knew what the other was doing.

#3... how many times have we seen this crap over the past 4 years?? Different characters... same results... blown coverage.

Great job picking out the 3 plays which define Pitt football under Narduzzi.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Does this sound right?

1. Urban Dictionary: clusterfu-k
   
   
   
   
   
   A situation that is totally fu-ked up, especially as a result of managerial incompetence. Originally of military origin; a double play on the word "cluster," both evoking multiple fu-kups, as used in the term "cluster bomb," and evoking the oak leaf or star "cluster" insignia of the REMF who did the fu-king.
   

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

3 good examples, in which none showed any pressure up front at all, zero.
The front seven has dictated almost none of the play since House save for the first 6 games or so when Narduzzi took over. Partridge got paid/promoted but hasn't done much either.

 

[BFo8]

I’m hoping that 3rd and 17 play doesn’t end up defining the season.

 

[Pittx9]

Just the whole scenario of that 3rd and 17 was an embarrassment. And really on all obvious passing downs in general, how is a base 4-3 even an option? Our linebackers couldn’t cover linemen let alone receivers, these are the situations where ford needs to be on the field.

 

[thebadby2]

There have been lots of individual missed assignments and unforced errors for sure. Beyond that we just don't seem to have anybody out there defensively who can make a play, which is just as big of a problem. Where is the big sack on a 3rd and long? Where is the timely pick or pick 6? Where is the forced fumble and recovery when the opponent is on the march? Where is the key pass breakup on a 3rd and long in the red zone? Where is the big hit that fires up the D and demoralizes the opposing O? These are plays that mos often result from individual athletic ability, instinct and effort. Other than Wirginis, there is a major lack of individual productivity defensively. Some of there guys play a whole game without having their name mentioned-Hendrix and Zeise for example.

 

[upj87]

4) The dropped pick 6 near the end of the 2nd half.

Overall, the lack of big plays and basically not taking advantage of these opportunities also define this defense.

5)..Third and 5 or more to go. If NC gets first down game over. If Pitt stops them plenty of time to tie or win.... NC goes into wildcat with a wide receiver taking the snap. For some odd reason and me not being a high paid college coach...I assumed run all the way... Pitt's end rushes like a maniac on a sharp pass rush angle and kid simply runs (as dummy me knows he would because they ALWAYS do) outside of him untouched for an easy first down...

 

[pittdoc57]

You guys are missing the obvious reason here. Yeah, the coaching has looked disjointed, but the real issue is just the utter lack of true talent. What you are seeing is what lightly recruited players look like on the field. It was always a myth that Narduzzi was stacking talent at all positions, according to so many preseason postings here. These guys are what they are, and no amount of coaching is going to change that. You can't coach up players that don't have true talent; you can only coach up true talent that either wasn't recognized, or was not developed properly before their arrival. These guys are doing their best.

The handful of talented guys out there get exposed because they have nobody around them that can play. Their level of frustration is even higher, because they are used to having success. Hence, the tweets etc.

Recruiting is the lifeblood of this sport. It is job one and job two, in importance.

However, you could certainly argue that the defensive scheme should match the limitations of the available players.

 

[upj87]

You guys are missing the obvious reason here. Yeah, the coaching has looked disjointed, but the real issue is just the utter lack of true talent. What you are seeing is what lightly recruited players look like on the field. It was always a myth that Narduzzi was stacking talent at all positions, according to so many preseason postings here. These guys are what they are, and no amount of coaching is going to change that. You can't coach up players that don't have true talent; you can only coach up true talent that either wasn't recognized, or was not developed properly before their arrival. These guys are doing their best.

The handful of talented guys out there get exposed because they have nobody around them that can play. Their level of frustration is even higher, because they are used to having success. Hence, the tweets etc.

Recruiting is the lifeblood of this sport. It is job one and job two, in importance.

However, you could certainly argue that the defensive scheme should match the limitations of the available players.

" Yeah, the coaching has looked disjointed, but the real issue is just the utter lack of true talent. "...uh, yep somehow "talent" is there in first halves but disappears in second halves(ie post locker room adjustments or lack there of)...yep, that's it, lack of talent...

 

[pittdoc57]

Not letting the coaching off the hook, but merely opining that his job at coaching is a lot harder because he also sucks at recruiting. The line about the Jimmies and the Joes is very true.

 

[Black_Man_Panther]

Other than Wirginis, there is a major lack of individual productivity defensively. Some of there guys play a whole game without having their name mentioned-Hendrix and Zeise for example.

Except on the 31 yd TD reception it was Wirginis who blew coverage.

 

[thebadby2]

Except on the 31 yd TD reception it was Wirginis who blew coverage.

Not suggesting he's mistake free--no player is--but he's the best and most productive defensive player we have and it's a steep dropoff to #2.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

The one thing we were all so confident in was the idea that our experienced LB group of seniors would know what to do, where to go, where to line up.

They knew the playbook, they were experienced so what they lacked in talent, they would make up in experience.

I miss those days.

 

[Black_Man_Panther]

Not suggesting he's mistake free--no player is--but he's the best and most productive defensive player we have and it's a steep dropoff to #2.

I suggest you go over to PSN and check out Alan Saunders film study. He highlights a couple plays where your boy Wirginis just flat-out fails. One... where he literally is jogging over to the vicinity of the play... see's everyone else flailing and finally starts running hard only to over-run the play. The ONLY player on this play who actually did what he is coached: Hamlin. No wonder Hamlin wants to quit - he's surrounded by 10 doofus's.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

yeah, you watch that film and it hard to believe they have 2 wins.
Also, Bookser getting killed at OT so far.

 

[Pittx9]

5)..Third and 5 or more to go. If NC gets first down game over. If Pitt stops them plenty of time to tie or win.... NC goes into wildcat with a wide receiver taking the snap. For some odd reason and me not being a high paid college coach...I assumed run all the way... Pitt's end rushes like a maniac on a sharp pass rush angle and kid simply runs (as dummy me knows he would because they ALWAYS do) outside of him untouched for an easy first down...

That’s why we always keep linebackers on the field though, so they don’t run all over us. That may have not even been the worst play of that drive, wasn’t the very first play a 9 yard run on 1st and 10?

It’s amazing every single team we play can stack the box or go nickel things like that.... and it works, they totally shut our offense down. But our coaches think everything other than a base 4-3 is so risky the other team will score every time we switch it up.

In all seriousness.....
What risk is there in playing 5 DBs on 3rd and 17? They’re gonna run a draw and get 18 yards? The chances of that are so far less than gaining the first down through the air against the 4-3, as proven last Saturday.

What do they really think is gonna happen if you load up to stop the run on 1st and 10 with around 3 minutes to go? Narduzzi’s whole ordeal is not using more DBs because he wants to stop the run at all costs, well then at the very least put them in position to stop the run in those situations!

If you take risks, you win some and you lose some. He tries to play it so safe with this defense though the only possible outcome is a slow death by a thousand nails.

 

[Black_Man_Panther]

It’s amazing every single team we play can stack the box or go nickel things like that.... and it works, they totally shut our offense down.

Especially when you have a sophomore QB who doesn't see the field very well. That said... the chubby UNC QB could have been exposed as well... you know like Cal and ECU did.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

You have two options, change the personnel or change the system. Doing the same thing with the same people guarantees the same results.

Wirginis is a good run stopper and a good blitzer. He can't cover at all. If you're going to leave him on the field in passing situations, you blitz him. He should always be moving towards the LOS.

 

[cruzer]

1) First TD run - Briggs completely whiffs with unbelievably poor form and no awareness that he's the last line of defense. This had nothing to do with his lack of physical ability. It was an unbelievably poor attempt at a tackle for a 5th year senior.

2) Third TD - NC spreads it out with 4 wides and Pitt remains in their base defense. Idowu, Wirginis and Zeise on the field. NC then sends the RB out late right up the center of the field which has been vacated by every defender. Even if Wirginis stays home, there is no way he's going to cover a small speedy RB running straight down the field.

3) 3rd Quarter - tied 28-28 and NC has a 3rd and 17 from the Pitt 44. Once again, Idowu, Wirginis, and Zeise are on the field. This time with 3 down lineman. Idowu blitzes, Zeise stands around uncertain what to do and then finally rushes, and Wirginis stands by himself 5 yards beyond the LOS. QB tosses a lollipop rainbow off his back foot that somehow gets completed when it should have been picked and returned for a TD. Two plays later they score.

Why these 3 plays? Because the rockhead staff continues to do the same damn thing over and over again even in the face of continued failure. Briggs isn't well coached, he isn't athletic, yet he continues to play. Why in gods name do you need 3 LBs on the field against obvious passing formations or on obvious passing downs? 4 wides, or 3rd and 17, why in the hell are Zeise and Wirginis on the field?

It's not on Briggs, Zeise, or Wirginis that they get put into situations where they will certainly fail. The first two should be playing special teams and the third should be off the field unless it's a run situation.

Answer: Because Narduzzi is a stubborn a-hole.

 

[JPitt76]

Narduzzi’s first season wasn’t great defensively, but the team seemed to bring pressure and make life more difficult on QBs. Now it’s so reactive and passive. What happened? Some of the posters could complete passes with zero pass rush. What a disappointment the defensive line has been.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Not letting the coaching off the hook, but merely opining that his job at coaching is a lot harder because he also sucks at recruiting. The line about the Jimmies and the Joes is very true.

Camp, Watts, Weaver, Wheeler all had decent P5 offers.

 

[pittdoc57]

Camp, Watts, Weaver, Wheeler all had decent P5 offers.

True. That makes 4.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

True. That makes 4.

and Hamlin, Hendrix, Chase Pine, Ford.....

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Narduzzi’s first season wasn’t great defensively, but the team seemed to bring pressure and make life more difficult on QBs. Now it’s so reactive and passive. What happened? Some of the posters could complete passes with zero pass rush. What a disappointment the defensive line has been.

^This^
After that first half of first season, the key sacks/pressures dried up reverting back to House sieve. And Partridge hasn't helped much so far.

 

[Pittx9]

Especially when you have a sophomore QB who doesn't see the field very well. That said... the chubby UNC QB could have been exposed as well... you know like Cal and ECU did.

Not to even mention he had quite possibly the weakest arm of any qb to ever play past the high school level.

 

[pittdoc57]

and Hamlin, Hendrix, Chase Pine, Ford.....

I get what you're saying. There are definitely some guys who had good offer sheets. My point is that there aren't enough of them, and that it's easier to coach up/prepare a player who is more naturally gifted. Narduzzi-the-coach's worst enemy is Narduzzi-the-recruiter. He makes his own coaching life a lot harder because of the amount of true talent that he's bringing in.

 

[thebadby2]

Narduzzi’s first season wasn’t great defensively, but the team seemed to bring pressure and make life more difficult on QBs. Now it’s so reactive and passive. What happened? Some of the posters could complete passes with zero pass rush. What a disappointment the defensive line has been.

Ejuan Price graduated.

 

[Delpanther]

Especially when you have a sophomore QB who doesn't see the field very well. That said... the chubby UNC QB could have been exposed as well... you know like Cal and ECU did.

Nothing worse than a fat QB making a defense look bad...