I like how our defense is shaping up

[pitt2533]

Overall the Defense is not good obviously. But I am seeing kids in position to make plays. The flip side is they are not making those plays. Not even close.

We are the worst tackling team I ever saw. To me that is our biggest issue right now. Is that coaching? Is that lack of talent? Probably a combo of both but it is terrible.

 

[Pittx9]

I think our secondary is going to be fine. We've got good recruits in that department and I think enough will pan out. But we need to bring in guys who can get to the qb. This system is garbage if you put no pressure on the qb. Already we're seeing guys stuck alone in coverage for what seems like hours at times. Our defense could be very good in a year or two, but we need better LBs and D-linemen. Right now I'm still worried about those two units.

 

[revampedpanthers]

I think the interior DL will be good but the DE's look bad.

 

[Toddy_Too_Hotty]

Can't say I share your opinion. I don't see anything on our team now that looks promising...are punter is pretty good though. I only see hope where the people playing are young, such as our kicker who got the 55 yard FG.

THere has only been marginal improvement since week 1

 

[Pittx9]

I think the interior DL will be good but the DE's look bad.

I do like the promise of watts and camp.

 

[rmf05]

This D is nothing without pressure. Is Hendrix a bust? Weaver is showing the most promise but needs to improve. I do like our young DT's though.

We also need to have a SS that can cover slot receivers and an OLB that can cover TB's. With Whitehead leaving after the season who steps into those rolls? As of right now, our DB's are shaky next year but Miller, Hamlin and a few others have potential. This is Pitt however. Potential is an ugly word around here.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

With the game Hamlin had, and Whitehead being such a stud. With Ford and the slew of other young dbacks we will have a very solid group next year.

The Dline looks to be developing nicely as well, they are all so young that this year is tough, but next year I see promise.

Just need some linebackers to step up. I havent liked the size of the LBs being recruited the last few years, I think we need a 6'4 250 lbs mlb type, but I think we have some tweener DE types that can be used off an edge type, then use the zeise type guys as passing LBs.

Its amazing watching Pitt over the last decade or 2 and seeing recruiting shape up along the lines of whoever is coach... chryst, offensive, Narduzzi, defensively.

I like your optimism, but unfortunately, the facts don't support your contention.

So far, teams who had "passing offenses" threw the ball very well against Pitt.

Two teams (the Nits and GT) struggled to pass - because of the inaccuracy of their QB's - so they ran the ball instead - and their superior running attack determined lopsided outcomes.

So what have we learned? That teams that pass well feasted on Pitt's back seven (or eight), and teams that run well ran the ball down our throats.

Yeah, we're young, and next year might bring improvement. But right now, we're struggling in all aspects of our defense.

 

[President Stache]

I like your optimism, but unfortunately, the facts don't support your contention.

So far, teams who had "passing offenses" threw the ball very well against Pitt.

Two teams (the Nits and GT) struggled to pass - because of the inaccuracy of their QB's - so they ran the ball instead - and their superior running attack determined lopsided outcomes.

So what have we learned? That teams that pass well feasted on Pitt's back seven (or eight), and teams that run well ran the ball down our throats.

Yeah, we're young, and next year might bring improvement. But right now, we're struggling in all aspects of our defense.

Yeah, but we were also without Whitehead.

And again, we are struggling on Defense, and we are struggling on offense. I am in no way saying our defense is a unit to be feared now. Merely saying I can see some talent in the younger guys that give me optimism. In comparison, I dont see talent in the QB situation, and dont see the talent so far in LB. I actually would like Patrick Jones to play some OLB on occasion, especially in run situations.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

We are the worst tackling team I ever saw.

Yep, huge issue.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

With Whitehead leaving after the season who steps into those rolls?

Whitehead has been mediocre since his freshman year. He shouldn't be playing any position that requires you to think. With the tape he's putting up, he'll won't be getting drafted until the last day.

 

[President Stache]

Whitehead has been mediocre since his freshman year. He shouldn't be playing any position that requires you to think. With the tape he's putting up, he'll won't be getting drafted until the last day.

Yeah.... sure. You can just ignore the fact he was 7th in ALL OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL in tackles before his injury last year.

I do agree that he wont be a high draft pick and he needs to wise up and put in a solid season next year, and with his size and speed, I do think he will be a first round draft pick

 

[VolPanther]

Absolutely, because, you know most all mid 20 to upper 30 classes immediately make a team a national championship contender when they are freshmen.

By the way, WE BEAT CLEMSON last year with those recruits

Whose asking for a NC caliber team I just want a competitive team that has a legitimate shot at winning 9 games a year and not getting embarrassed by every team that's better than them. There is no reason they can't be in the 20-35 range each year in recruiting and turn those classes into top 20 results. I am not in any way expecting Pitt to be a top 10 recruiting school but they should never finish outside the top 40 either. Pitt is an 8-9 win potential team or should be with hopefully a magical year where you get some breaks and sneak a win or two you usually lose so a 10-2 or even 11-1 season every 10 years shouldn't be an impossible feat.

 

[President Stache]

Whose asking for a NC caliber team I just want a competitive team that has a legitimate shot at winning 9 games a year and not getting embarrassed by every team that's better than them. There is no reason they can't be in the 20-35 range each year in recruiting and turn those classes into top 20 results. I am not in any way expecting Pitt to be a top 10 recruiting school but they should never finish outside the top 40 either. Pitt is an 8-9 win potential team or should be with hopefully a magical year where you get some breaks and sneak a win or two you usually lose so a 10-2 or even 11-1 season every 10 years shouldn't be an impossible feat.

Yea, I get it, and that is not unreasonable, actually, should be the case, and we as fans should be upset when it doesnt happen.

But, there are reasons for bad years, every team goes through it (that isnt Alabama), and this year we are sabotaged by horrendous QB play... again...

Just impossible having so many holes to fill and expecting 9 wins from Pitt. We can expect 9 wins when things are clicking.

 

[Pittfan85]

Whose asking for a NC caliber team I just want a competitive team that has a legitimate shot at winning 9 games a year and not getting embarrassed by every team that's better than them. There is no reason they can't be in the 20-35 range each year in recruiting and turn those classes into top 20 results. I am not in any way expecting Pitt to be a top 10 recruiting school but they should never finish outside the top 40 either. Pitt is an 8-9 win potential team or should be with hopefully a magical year where you get some breaks and sneak a win or two you usually lose so a 10-2 or even 11-1 season every 10 years shouldn't be an impossible feat.

Pitt had a chance, during the wanny and down big east years, to go to consistent BCS games, and win 9 or 10 games a year. It wasn't because pitt has that potential in a good conference, but because pitt was in a very mediocre conference.

Instead, we inecpixably let cincinatti and uconn take advantage of their chances.

If wanny could have won the cincy game...if he could have held a two game lead in conference in 2010....wanny might still be here. At the very least there wouldn't have been a Hayward mess.

That would have meant though that wanny wasn't a choker though.

 

[VolPanther]

Yea, I get it, and that is not unreasonable, actually, should be the case, and we as fans should be upset when it doesnt happen.

But, there are reasons for bad years, every team goes through it (that isnt Alabama), and this year we are sabotaged by horrendous QB play... again...

Just impossible having so many holes to fill and expecting 9 wins from Pitt. We can expect 9 wins when things are clicking.

Yeah this is just one of those years but its vital not to make this the norm and year 4 is a big one for him in that area. I just want to watch a team who has a chance to win every week and after this game Saturday I don't see another one where I say that's a definite win. I hope they turn things around but like you said lots of holes to fill and just too many at key positions

 

[VolPanther]

Pitt had a chance, during the wanny and down big east years, to go to consistent BCS games, and win 9 or 10 games a year. It wasn't because pitt has that potential in a good conference, but because pitt was in a very mediocre conference.

Instead, we inecpixably let cincinatti and uconn take advantage of their chances.

If wanny could have won the cincy game...if he could have held a two game lead in conference in 2010....wanny might still be here. At the very least there wouldn't have been a Hayward mess.

That would have meant though that wanny wasn't a choker though.

Very true looking back at the opportunities we had to win a bad conference and never did is really sad. That Cinci game was a dagger.

 

[Teh Teh]

Just a perfect storm on offense this year, add in the suspensions that hurt the team and probably demoralized the team, and we had a miserable start

 

[President Stache]

Pitt had a chance, during the wanny and down big east years, to go to consistent BCS games, and win 9 or 10 games a year. It wasn't because pitt has that potential in a good conference, but because pitt was in a very mediocre conference.

Instead, we inecpixably let cincinatti and uconn take advantage of their chances.

If wanny could have won the cincy game...if he could have held a two game lead in conference in 2010....wanny might still be here. At the very least there wouldn't have been a Hayward mess.

That would have meant though that wanny wasn't a choker though.

Yes... exactly... if only Wanny didnt call for that missed extra point. I dont know why he called for that, but sure riled the fans up enough for stupid smiley to dump Wannstedt.

That is why it is important that ADs dont read message boards... or parents for that matter, since, A. most people are pessimist B. So many flamers C. Its so reactionary, and seldom to people look at the big picture.

 

[Pittfan85]

Yes... exactly... if only Wanny didnt call for that missed extra point. I dont know why he called for that, but sure riled the fans up enough for stupid smiley to dump Wannstedt.

That is why it is important that ADs dont read message boards... or parents for that matter, since, A. most people are pessimist B. So many flamers C. Its so reactionary, and seldom to people look at the big picture.

You have GOT to be kidding me. Maybe wanny shouldn't have kept kicking to gillyard over and over?

Maybe wanny should have won one big game in his final three years here?

 

[TD_6082]

So what happens if Pitt beats Cincy? It doesn't change anything long term or elevate the status of the program. It just means Pitt gets a trip to New Orleans to get curb-stomped by Florida. It doesn't really do squat going forward.

Graham & Chryst had a chance to win the lousy Big East too ya know. How did that work out?

 

[JokePa]

It is a silly argument.

Fact is Wannstedt talked about a wall around Pittsburgh, and he was getting very good recruits. He knew the area, had great contacts, and would have continued to be a good recruiter (albeit not a great game day coach).

In the college game, that is what you need. Keep feeding the recruits, and hire good coordinators to develop game plans. Was Wannstedt perfect? Far from it, but no doubt his comments infuriated the penn state media and made him a target for the rivals.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

So what happens if Pitt beats Cincy? It doesn't change anything long term or elevate the status of the program. It just means Pitt gets a trip to New Orleans to get curb-stomped by Florida. It doesn't really do squat going forward.

Graham & Chryst had a chance to win the lousy Big East too ya know. How did that work out?

If Wannstedt beats Cincy, that's a 10-2 record and Big East title meaning he would not have been fired the following year after 7-5. If he beat Cincy, he may still be here and we wouldn't have suffered through Haywood, Graham, and Chryst.

 

[President Stache]

You have GOT to be kidding me. Maybe wanny shouldn't have kept kicking to gillyard over and over?

Maybe wanny should have won one big game in his final three years here?

You are dumb huh? Gillyard had a 26 yard return on the last play, a ball that was kicked away from him and short that he went to get.

The kick return for a TD was in the first half.

 

[sibleyfan91]

If Wannstedt beats Cincy, that's a 10-2 record and Big East title meaning he would not have been fired the following year after 7-5. If he beat Cincy, he may still be here and we wouldn't have suffered through Haywood, Graham, and Chryst.

I don't believe they cared a bit about Wannstedts record. I don't think they pay much attention tbh. They were paranoid about the spurt in arrests and it offended the Pitt leadership. Plus based on the weak sauce they immediately replaced him with, there was a desire to cut costs too. More flawed leadership that they still haven't learned from. I know, stop whining and quintuple our donations...

 

[TD_6082]

If Wannstedt beats Cincy, that's a 10-2 record and Big East title meaning he would not have been fired the following year after 7-5. If he beat Cincy, he may still be here and we wouldn't have suffered through Haywood, Graham, and Chryst.

Nobody held a gun to anyone's head and forced them to fire Wanny. If they are that stupid, then it's little wonder why we are where we are.

 

[Pittfan85]

You are dumb huh? Gillyard had a 26 yard return on the last play, a ball that was kicked away from him and short that he went to get.

The kick return for a TD was in the first half.

He had 256 return yards in the game...enough said. Even on the other retu

Nobody held a gun to anyone's head and forced them to fire Wanny. If they are that stupid, then it's little wonder why we are where we are.

Wanny was fired because he had three years in a row that he had superior talent to the rest of the conference, in a bad league, and lost. End of story.

Wanny could recruit, but was an absolutely horrendous coach. He got less out of more than any pitt coach his century.

Think Leonard Hamilton for FSU basketball. He is basically wanny.

 

[TD_6082]

Pitt won 27 games those 3 years. Flip back to the early 80s to find a better stretch. It's SEVEN YEARS LATER, and we still aren't back to that level, and it's questionable if we are even close.

 

[Pittfan85]

Pitt won 27 games those 3 years. Flip back to the early 80s to find a better stretch. It's SEVEN YEARS LATER, and we still aren't back to that level, and it's questionable if we are even close.

Walt did almost the same thing his last 3 years, in a much tougher conference.

 

[sibleyfan91]

Utah

It is a silly argument.

Fact is Wannstedt talked about a wall around Pittsburgh, and he was getting very good recruits. He knew the area, had great contacts, and would have continued to be a good recruiter (albeit not a great game day coach).

In the college game, that is what you need. Keep feeding the recruits, and hire good coordinators to develop game plans. Was Wannstedt perfect? Far from it, but no doubt his comments infuriated the penn state media and made him a target for the rivals.

Yeah. Wannstedt was far far far from perfect. But the years after him have been largely wastes of time (last year was a decent one thanks to the intriguing offense). It's because recruiting increasingly needs to be supported from leadership, boosters on down, coaches alone can't deliver top players. Wannstedt thanks to his NFL pedigree and local ties seemed to fare better (not great but better) without that support. The guys we've had since couldn't be more different as far as personality, but all uniformly struggle in recruiting, due to the absence of the manna from above, which will likely always continue because the school simply is not interested. So they should have just kept Wannstedt.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Walt did almost the same thing his last 3 years, in a much tougher conference.

Were those last 3 years you speak of a "much tougher" conference? 2002 was, not so sure I'd say that about the other two. Walt's OOC games weren't tougher. It's more like a wash schedule wise.

 

[Jpripper88]

You are dumb huh? Gillyard had a 26 yard return on the last play, a ball that was kicked away from him and short that he went to get.

The kick return for a TD was in the first half.

Yeah, that return set them up at the 39. Before that Gillyard had a 50 yard return that started them inside our 25. He killed us.

 

[President Stache]

Utah

Yeah. Wannstedt was far far far from perfect. But the years after him have been largely wastes of time (last year was a decent one thanks to the intriguing offense). It's because recruiting increasingly needs to be supported from leadership, boosters on down, coaches alone can't deliver top players. Wannstedt thanks to his NFL pedigree and local ties seemed to fare better (not great but better) without that support. The guys we've had since couldn't be more different as far as personality, but all uniformly struggle in recruiting, due to the absence of the manna from above, which will likely always continue because the school simply is not interested. So they should have just kept Wannstedt.

Totally agree. And... that is why I am hesitant anyone just yells fire when we have a bad few games (which happens ALL THE FREAKING TIME ON THIS BOARD). Now, it is the same people doing it, over and over. But, why do the same thing again and again and hope to have different outcomes? We went 'big' so-to-speak to get Narduzzi, as he was the assistant of the year. The guy has huge energy, local ties, and knows how to get things done. It is ridiculous to think we get rid of him and not screw the program up... just ridiculous. Same was said of Wannstedt, love him or hate him, throwing the program into disarray on purpose is plain idiotic.

 

[Pittfan85]

Totally agree. And... that is why I am hesitant anyone just yells fire when we have a bad few games (which happens ALL THE FREAKING TIME ON THIS BOARD). Now, it is the same people doing it, over and over. But, why do the same thing again and again and hope to have different outcomes? We went 'big' so-to-speak to get Narduzzi, as he was the assistant of the year. The guy has huge energy, local ties, and knows how to get things done. It is ridiculous to think we get rid of him and not screw the program up... just ridiculous. Same was said of Wannstedt, love him or hate him, throwing the program into disarray on purpose is plain idiotic.

I find it ironic that the best two coaches pitt has had recently were graham and chryst, and the were universally hated by these boards, while narduzzi (who has MAJOR questions) and wanny (Underachiever, terrible coach) were absolutely loved for some reason, or are still pined over in wanny's case.

Wanny stunk. He took a solid program and put it in the tank immediately, then his best years were in a terrible conference he couldn't win.

Narduzzi had a good first two years, largely built off of chryt's offensive recruits for the most part. He is a defensive specialist, who's defensive is atrocious.

 

[sibleyfan91]

Totally agree. And... that is why I am hesitant anyone just yells fire when we have a bad few games (which happens ALL THE FREAKING TIME ON THIS BOARD). Now, it is the same people doing it, over and over. But, why do the same thing again and again and hope to have different outcomes? We went 'big' so-to-speak to get Narduzzi, as he was the assistant of the year. The guy has huge energy, local ties, and knows how to get things done. It is ridiculous to think we get rid of him and not screw the program up... just ridiculous. Same was said of Wannstedt, love him or hate him, throwing the program into disarray on purpose is plain idiotic.

Oh i agree, i really didn't mean at all to diminish Narduzzi. I think he cares and works hard (not so sure that was true of Chryst or Graham). But Narduzzi seems to struggle in recruiting just as much as they did. So there seems a common problem and it isn't the HC. Still, it's pretty clear Pitt's leadership isn't going to loosen any reins on funds, boosters, discipline or academic shackles (one can only imagine how frustrated the suspensions and the internal restriction on Ford made Narduzzi). Dumping the coaches won't help that. It will only make things worse.

 

[President Stache]

Oh i agree, i really didn't mean at all to diminish Narduzzi. I think he cares and works hard (not so sure that was true of Chryst or Graham). But Narduzzi seems to struggle in recruiting just as much as they did. So there seems a common problem and it isn't the HC. Still, it's pretty clear Pitt's leadership isn't going to loosen any reins on funds, boosters, discipline or academic shackles (one can only imagine how frustrated the suspensions and the internal restriction on Ford made Narduzzi). Dumping the coaches won't help that. It will only make things worse.

Well, I think some of the issues came to light today in the basketball scandal.

 

[sibleyfan91]

I find it ironic that the best two coaches pitt has had recently were graham and chryst, and the were universally hated by these boards, while narduzzi (who has MAJOR questions) and wanny (Underachiever, terrible coach) were absolutely loved for some reason, or are still pined over in wanny's case.

Wanny stunk. He took a solid program and put it in the tank immediately, then his best years were in a terrible conference he couldn't win.

Narduzzi had a good first two years, largely built off of chryt's offensive recruits for the most part. He is a defensive specialist, who's defensive is atrocious.

Narduzzi definitely has to improve the defense.

And i regret that Graham didn't work out. I was genuinely psyched at his hiring. I think a school on the fringe like Pitt needs an offense like his to have any chance against big dogs. Plus he had an attacking defensive style that i also think is the only way for a fringe school to compete.

And Wannstedt was poor on game days fit sure.

I don't share the love for Chryst. Nice guy. But a colorless lump in style. It's not a style that will win anywhere but the Big Ten Imo. And he NEVER was going to remain at Pitt. The fix was in there with Wis. So his years were a waste of time.

Frankly all of it is mostly a waste of time.

 

[President Stache]

I find it ironic that the best two coaches pitt has had recently were graham and chryst, and the were universally hated by these boards, while narduzzi (who has MAJOR questions) and wanny (Underachiever, terrible coach) were absolutely loved for some reason, or are still pined over in wanny's case.

Wanny stunk. He took a solid program and put it in the tank immediately, then his best years were in a terrible conference he couldn't win.

Narduzzi had a good first two years, largely built off of chryt's offensive recruits for the most part. He is a defensive specialist, who's defensive is atrocious.

I think you live in bizarro world.

Chryst was a great OC. He is not a great HC. He is at Wisconsin for one reason only, that is because they had their own head coaching mess and needed a local guy to stabilize.

Graham was also a good coordinator. He was a fish out of water here, and a used car salesman.

Both Graham and Chryst ran under Wannstedt's recruits, am I missing something there???

Narduzzi and Wannstedt (2 way different guys) are the only actual HC type personalities we had/have. Wannstedt is a bowden/paterno type coach. Narduzzi, is more a hands on guy

 

[Pittfan85]

I think you live in bizarro world.

Chryst was a great OC. He is not a great HC. He is at Wisconsin for one reason only, that is because they had their own head coaching mess and needed a local guy to stabilize.

Graham was also a good OC. He was a fish out of water here, and a used car salesman.

Both Graham and Chryst ran under Wannstedt's recruits, am I missing something there???

Narduzzi and Wannstedt (2 way different guys) are the only actual HC type personalities we had/have. Wannstedt is a bowden/paterno type coach. Narduzzi, is more a hands on guy

I almost died laughing. Did you just compare wanny to Bowden?

Wanny SUCKED. Get over it.

 

[vegasgreed]

Graham is a defensive coach, not a OC.

This thread is a piece of work...

 

[TD_6082]

He had 256 return yards in the game...enough said. Even on the other retu


Wanny was fired because he had three years in a row that he had superior talent to the rest of the conference, in a bad league, and lost. End of story.

Wanny could recruit, but was an absolutely horrendous coach. He got less out of more than any pitt coach his century.

Think Leonard Hamilton for FSU basketball. He is basically wanny.

So screwing the pooch by a narrow margin with superior talent is worse than finishing middle of the pack with middle of the pack talent? I don't think so.

They replaced him with Mike F'n Haygood. Explain what part of that makes sense.