In Defense of HCPN's Defense

[VAPanther91]

Some positive thought:

(1) His defense has programmatic components which can take more than a season or two to fully implement and sync recruiting while stabilizing other aspects;
(2) His approach to island coverage is a message to recruits----this is the base defense that you need to play to make it to Sunday. If you can make it in this, you are ready for the league. If you think you're good enough to play this way, come to Pitt.
(3) Most good leaders are flexible in some areas and rigid in others.
(4) Walt's second year was the worst in his tenure. I believe we went 2-9 despite a very close early season game against LaVar and PSU at Pitt Stadium
(5) As others have pointed out. We have lost 3 games by a total of 11 points---all against ranked teams. We have a defense designed to take risks to create that one or two plays per game needed to add that extra touchdown. We haven't received the benefits of that schema yet but maybe with anothe season we will see those incremental benefits that produced a winning record against ND, UM, and PSU from a school that has no greater tradition than Pitt.
(6) We have the defensive line that can beat Miami.

Go Pitt!!!!!!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

The fear is that his philosophy of leaving CBs on islands with no Safety help only worked in the Big Ten against mostly pro-style offenses without the intricate passing games that you now see week in and week out (heck, even in the B10 now).

 

[PITTLAW]

Some positive thought:

(1) His defense has programmatic components which can take more than a season or two to fully implement and sync recruiting while stabilizing other aspects;
(2) His approach to island coverage is a message to recruits----this is the base defense that you need to play to make it to Sunday. If you can make it in this, you are ready for the league. If you think you're good enough to play this way, come to Pitt.
(3) Most good leaders are flexible in some areas and rigid in others.
(4) Walt's second year was the worst in his tenure. I believe we went 2-9 despite a very close early season game against LaVar and PSU at Pitt Stadium
(5) As others have pointed out. We have lost 3 games by a total of 11 points---all against ranked teams. We have a defense designed to take risks to create that one or two plays per game needed to add that extra touchdown. We haven't received the benefits of that schema yet but maybe with anothe season we will see those incremental benefits that produced a winning record against ND, UM, and PSU from a school that has no greater tradition than Pitt.
(6) We have the defensive line that can beat Miami.

Go Pitt!!!!!!

Fair points, but how many points a game is this defense giving up? The answer is 32.4 [and trending up]--tough to win many games against decent opposition when you are giving up that many points. I look forward to seeing what the defense can do with all his recruits, but in the mean time, the program has to sell some tickets and keep fans interested in supporting the program. I think Pitt stands a chance versus Miami...but be sure, their QB and receivers must be licking their chops. Hail to Pitt!

 

[vegasgreed]

this is a legitimate concern. even during his last year at MSU, the 3 best passing teams lit him up pretty good.

also our defensive coaches, do they have the chops for the ACC? we have 2 from FIU, one from Wyoming and one from Youngstown State.

The fear is that his philosophy of leaving CBs on islands with no Safety help only worked in the Big Ten against mostly pro-style offenses without the intricate passing games that you now see week in and week out (heck, even in the B10 now).

 

[yourhired]

I have two criticisms of Coach Narduzzi. 1. When your talent is lacking or inexperience at the CB positions you need to adjust and he hasn't. 2. It's becoming evident to me that Josh Conklin is over his head being a DC he may have been fine at Florida Atlantic but he isn't ready for the ACC that Narduzzi should have hired someone with more DC experience.

 

[TD_istheman]

I have two criticisms of Coach Narduzzi. 1. When your talent is lacking or inexperience at the CB positions you need to adjust and he hasn't. 2. It's becoming evident to me that Josh Conklin is over his head being a DC he may have been fine at Florida Atlantic but he isn't ready for the ACC that Narduzzi should have hired someone with more DC experience.

We still don't pay for good coaches, not compared to whom we compete. Many we have on staff should have cut their teeth elsewhere. Not a knock on Duzz, but it's hard with a staff of non recruiters learning their upgraded positions. FIU is a joke l, can't believe Pederson almost hired a part time coach in CRYSTAL BALL from there. Wow

 

[CaptainMurphy]

The fear is that his philosophy of leaving CBs on islands with no Safety help only worked in the Big Ten against mostly pro-style offenses without the intricate passing games that you now see week in and week out (heck, even in the B10 now).

With the corner situation being what it is, does pulling a safety off the line matter much? I still think our pass defense is bad and our run defense would suffer even with safety help. Perhaps Narduzzi believes the chance for opponent error is greater with the passing game and he is willing to roll the dice for now. As others have mentioned, we are only 11 points away from being undefeated.

 

[yourhired]

In fairness to Pitt I believe Pitt paid Chaney a big salary because Narduzzi wanted to hire a big OC then he went the cheap route on the Defensive coaches. My feeling is we will see a new DC next year who is more established it doesn't guarantee success.

 

[MajorMajors]

The fear is that his philosophy of leaving CBs on islands with no Safety help only worked in the Big Ten against mostly pro-style offenses without the intricate passing games that you now see week in and week out (heck, even in the B10 now).

VT's passing game didn't look very intricate. Most of it was throw it up and rely on their WRs to outplay our DB for the ball.

I can still see our DB (Motley?) lying on his back on the ground and flailing at the ball bouncing around just above him - and the ball ends up not being an in-completion; not being an interception; but being a completed pass for VT... Good grief...

Go Pitt.