DEs...

[MajorMajors]

Heard some of the Coach Narduzzi radio program. Billy H. asked him about the DE position with Rory Blair unavailable:

Coach said:
--that Juan Price could be an all-conference player. Yikes.
--that Allen Edwards has talent but is still learning. Crap.
--that Shakir Soto is good against the run and a powerful pass rusher. Hummmm...
--that Zack Poker can run... Okay....
--that James Folston is athletic and working on learning the new position...

Sounds like we need Edwards and Folston to have DE epiphanies...

Coach also did a shout-out that Pitt needs to bring in some DE recruits. (As of yet, we don't have a DE recruit in the next year's class.)

Go Pitt.

 

[ratking17]

As a freshman I assumed price had nfl talent. Injuries have killed him.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

If Price can stay healthy, he could have an incredible season. Unfortunately, luck has not been on his side. Here's hoping for an injury free aragon for him.

 

[vegasgreed]

the dl is going to be a problem this year. the pieces are just not there.

 

[Pghfan]

We are just a year away from having a respectable DE unit.. We need Price to stay healthy and Blair or Soto to get a lot better, very quick.. Was hoping Edwards would be ready but they are talking redshirt (which I didn't even know was possible with a juco).. Folston isn't ready either. Next year should be real nice with my boy from Tennessee and Gilbert signing (I hope) but dagnabbit if we just are looking at "not sucking" this year as a goal for the DEs.

 

[Cap pitt]

the dl is going to be a problem this year. the pieces are just not there.

I don't know about that I believe the D line is going to be better then we think, I think coach PN will have them ready and better prepared then House ever did

 

[Panther Parrothead]

I don't know about that I believe the D line is going to be better then we think, I think coach PN will have them ready and better prepared then House ever did

Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I'm gonna assume that they're gonna be better if only because they've now gotten some experience under their belts and they're a year older (i.e. bigger and stronger, and if better conditioned - faster).

 

[vegasgreed]

I don't know about that I believe the D line is going to be better then we think, I think coach PN will have them ready and better prepared then House ever did

I don't know about that I believe the D line is going to be better then we think, I think coach PN will have them ready and better prepared then House ever did

let me ask you this question. lets say your an opposing oc for another team. what players on our dl do you have to game plan against? who are the dl players that are going to alter their game plan?

 

[VAPITTALUM]

let me ask you this question. lets say your an opposing oc for another team. what players on our dl do you have to game plan against? who are the dl players that are going to alter their game plan?

For one, I would worry about the two experienced and massive DTs (645 pounds total) completely clogging up the middle and forcing plays to the outside. With 9 defenders in the box instead of playing soft covereage, the QB is going to be forced into making extremely quick decisions.

 

[vegasgreed]

playing 9 guys in the box is great if you have lock down corners. that part is imperative. those corners are on a island. after watching pitts for the last 3 years, i'm not expecting any miracles. we will give up some big plays in the passing game. our front 7 will need to be able to get pressure consistently, its not a given this year. i'm not expecting our dl to reek havoc with qb pressure. year 2 and year 3 will be better.

 

[ratking17]

We all know our teams weaknesses and strengths. We had so few turnovers last year. Our defense was a sieve. You hoped other coaches were just stupid and their team didn't execute. But how many games have we seen teams dink and dunk on us all game for small yards against slower linebackers? It seemed like our nickle packages for years has been to add a LB (I exaggerated, but you get the picture) I think Narduzzi knows exactly what we have on defense and he is banking on giving up big plays by the corners getting beat, BUT in return he wants more turnovers and sacks. I would expect bigger plays against pitts secondary, but for teams to have a hard time running against us.