A lot of criticism has been issued at the staff this year (and last) on everything from coverage technique, to burning redshirts, and QB choices. I think it’s comical that Narduzzi’s stubbornness gets cited over and over again for missing out on a bowl, or a 10 win season, etc. This year’s season was frought with challenges, but I do see some legit areas of concern.
Criticism I’m buying (agree with):
- Managing the O Line: No doubt that losing O’neal For the majority of the off season made a tough situation even worse, but the problem was exacerbated with all the juggling of the O line during camp, and the 1st 4 games. JJT playing left tackle for much of spring and summer camp clearly hurt his effectiveness early on in pass blocking at the right tackle spot. Some pointed out his technique was awful. Thankfully he got better as the season went on, but getting him comfortable at right tackle should have been a bigger priority for the off season.
-In game adjustments: One pattern I’d like to see improved is playing better in the second half of games. One of the surprises of the Miami game for me is that we didn’t hand the 3rd quarter over to Miami. Conservative play calling, not anticipating changes, not sure what it is, but i generally get the sense we are getting outplayed coming out of halftime.
Criticism I’m Selling (Don’t agree with):
- Narduzzi is Hardheaded on Defense: From last year’s scheme to this year’s QB rotation, lots of criticisms on how he is too set in his ways. Well the defense improved mightily this year over last, there were some tweaks but much of it was that the players got better, whether it was the cbs making plays on the ball or LBs knowing their keys and assigments. Let’s not forget Whitehead was suspended and Hamlin was injured for our first games of the year. Here’s the thing, if Narduzzi makes big changes half way through last season the players get more confused and play worse. Knowing and reacting to what you need to do are so important to this defense, that I absolutely think it’s the best thing for the players to fully grasp the base defense before layering in wrinkles. I have no doubt that losing our projected MLB for the season, and Whitehead for 3 games slowed the development of the defense. It’s like losing 2 on-field coaches. When the players were ready for more, the coaches layered in more wrinkles. I expect to see more of these next year.
Speaking of being ready...
Criticism i’m not buying or selling (Not clear cut, or way overblown):
- Pickett should have started since the Duke game: Here’s the thing about the back up QB or the fan favorite to get playing time, we fans don’t see the whole story. We only see 3 hours a week while coaches see another 20 hours in practice. Here’s another thing about practice, players use it to get better during the season. Pickett is a big example. He was the scout team QB so he basically hasn’t practiced with the scheme until the week of the NC State game. He played in that game and outright sucked. Missed throws, missed open players, etc. There is just no comparison on his play against NC state vs his play against Miami. None, zero.
Pickett’s play was demonstrably better than Dinucci’s play, but it was even more so than his own play earlier in the season. Narduzzi has been very open to playing back-up QBs . Voytek, Browne, and Dinucci were all replaced by backups within their first 3 starts. If anything he probably pulled the trigger too soon on Pickett. His performance against NC State probably made him more gun shy about making the change sooner. And as for Dinucci’s performance, well, he beat Duke, beat Virginia, and scored 31 points against North Carolina. Maybe Picket should have entered sooner after the bye week, but I don’t see it as clear cut that he should have started against VT. He definitely should not have been playing before he was ready, as the NC State game demonstrated. I also don’t think you have to play a qb for him to get better. Pickett got much, much better without playing, because he practiced.
-Player discipline: something that hasn’t been discussed often is Narduzzi’s role in the discipline issues. Too many problems are a reflection of the programs culture. A rash of suspensions the last year on key players has undeniably hurt the team. The blame is squarely on the players who committed the actions, but the culture set forth by Narduzzi plays a role in prevention. He did what he needed to do with the suspensions, but the jury is still out. Another rash of problems next year and it will be time to question the culture of the team.
Honorable mention:
Recruiting sucks: we’ve graduated from lower middle class to upper middle class. There is undeniably more young talent on the team than we’ve had in a long time. Still work to be done, but far less reaches, and a few of those guys are having a pretty big impact (Sear and Pickett are 2 examples).
Play calling sucks: no doubt that Watson’s year doesn’t compare to Canada’s one year here, but Canada had one of the top Olines in a generation and an NFL QB. Some plays are frustrating, but so are play calls with virtually every offense in every televised game college or Pros. Watson had a good game to build on for next year. We have a QB, and an RB. What happens to the O-line is a question mark he will have to manage better next year.
Thoughts? Opinions? Counterpoints? Bring ‘me on.
Criticism I’m buying (agree with):
- Managing the O Line: No doubt that losing O’neal For the majority of the off season made a tough situation even worse, but the problem was exacerbated with all the juggling of the O line during camp, and the 1st 4 games. JJT playing left tackle for much of spring and summer camp clearly hurt his effectiveness early on in pass blocking at the right tackle spot. Some pointed out his technique was awful. Thankfully he got better as the season went on, but getting him comfortable at right tackle should have been a bigger priority for the off season.
-In game adjustments: One pattern I’d like to see improved is playing better in the second half of games. One of the surprises of the Miami game for me is that we didn’t hand the 3rd quarter over to Miami. Conservative play calling, not anticipating changes, not sure what it is, but i generally get the sense we are getting outplayed coming out of halftime.
Criticism I’m Selling (Don’t agree with):
- Narduzzi is Hardheaded on Defense: From last year’s scheme to this year’s QB rotation, lots of criticisms on how he is too set in his ways. Well the defense improved mightily this year over last, there were some tweaks but much of it was that the players got better, whether it was the cbs making plays on the ball or LBs knowing their keys and assigments. Let’s not forget Whitehead was suspended and Hamlin was injured for our first games of the year. Here’s the thing, if Narduzzi makes big changes half way through last season the players get more confused and play worse. Knowing and reacting to what you need to do are so important to this defense, that I absolutely think it’s the best thing for the players to fully grasp the base defense before layering in wrinkles. I have no doubt that losing our projected MLB for the season, and Whitehead for 3 games slowed the development of the defense. It’s like losing 2 on-field coaches. When the players were ready for more, the coaches layered in more wrinkles. I expect to see more of these next year.
Speaking of being ready...
Criticism i’m not buying or selling (Not clear cut, or way overblown):
- Pickett should have started since the Duke game: Here’s the thing about the back up QB or the fan favorite to get playing time, we fans don’t see the whole story. We only see 3 hours a week while coaches see another 20 hours in practice. Here’s another thing about practice, players use it to get better during the season. Pickett is a big example. He was the scout team QB so he basically hasn’t practiced with the scheme until the week of the NC State game. He played in that game and outright sucked. Missed throws, missed open players, etc. There is just no comparison on his play against NC state vs his play against Miami. None, zero.
Pickett’s play was demonstrably better than Dinucci’s play, but it was even more so than his own play earlier in the season. Narduzzi has been very open to playing back-up QBs . Voytek, Browne, and Dinucci were all replaced by backups within their first 3 starts. If anything he probably pulled the trigger too soon on Pickett. His performance against NC State probably made him more gun shy about making the change sooner. And as for Dinucci’s performance, well, he beat Duke, beat Virginia, and scored 31 points against North Carolina. Maybe Picket should have entered sooner after the bye week, but I don’t see it as clear cut that he should have started against VT. He definitely should not have been playing before he was ready, as the NC State game demonstrated. I also don’t think you have to play a qb for him to get better. Pickett got much, much better without playing, because he practiced.
-Player discipline: something that hasn’t been discussed often is Narduzzi’s role in the discipline issues. Too many problems are a reflection of the programs culture. A rash of suspensions the last year on key players has undeniably hurt the team. The blame is squarely on the players who committed the actions, but the culture set forth by Narduzzi plays a role in prevention. He did what he needed to do with the suspensions, but the jury is still out. Another rash of problems next year and it will be time to question the culture of the team.
Honorable mention:
Recruiting sucks: we’ve graduated from lower middle class to upper middle class. There is undeniably more young talent on the team than we’ve had in a long time. Still work to be done, but far less reaches, and a few of those guys are having a pretty big impact (Sear and Pickett are 2 examples).
Play calling sucks: no doubt that Watson’s year doesn’t compare to Canada’s one year here, but Canada had one of the top Olines in a generation and an NFL QB. Some plays are frustrating, but so are play calls with virtually every offense in every televised game college or Pros. Watson had a good game to build on for next year. We have a QB, and an RB. What happens to the O-line is a question mark he will have to manage better next year.
Thoughts? Opinions? Counterpoints? Bring ‘me on.
