Joe Starkey Trashes HCPN

[TD_6082]

"TD_6082, post: 1639939, member: 510"]We haven't been blown out, but then again, we haven't played any real powerhouses either.
Really, ND, UNC, Iowa were not bad last year?

We were blown out last year by Navy and Notre Dame. So yes, We've had some blowout losses under Narduzzi.
I did not see a blow out by ND, Pitt came back, made it closer, but of course you did not count UNC and Iowa last year having 10+ Wins last year either as Powerhouses?

Did Pitt lose to OSU & MSU badly last year and Michigan this year by huge scores before Half Time like PSU?

Did WVU not get beat badly by a Texas Team in 2014, or TCU and Baylor by 30+ points or more in 2015?

Did ND lose 55-31 to ASU or USC 49-13 IN 2014?

Did USC drop to Oregon 48-28 or 41-22 to Stanford in 2015?

When I said we haven't played any powerhouses, I was talking about 2016. However, since you mentioned it, no, I would not consider UNC or Iowa powerhouses last year. Both were very flawed teams. Heck, WVU & PSU have a chance to win 10 games this year, but neither of those teams are anything special. Not even close.

Notre Dame last year was 42-17 with about 6 minutes to go. We got 2 garbage scores against backups and Rudys. It was an easy win for the Irish.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

When you look in the mirror, do you see a psycho looking back at you? Or do you just leave that to other people that have the misfortune of crossing your path?

You'd probably be far less agitated in life if you saw a specialist - JD's curlies being caught in your throat has to be annoying.

You're a jackass, phil. No one cares what you think because you're a worthless, brainless moron. If you can't handle facts and the truth, don't read it. It will make your life, as unbearable as it apparently is, a little bit more tolerable. Just don't post here and bother us Pitt fans with your garbage.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

This quote from Starkey, more than any, shows his ignorance:

"I keep hearing about all the excitement Narduzzi has engendered and how different his Pitt teams are from those of recent vintage.
I just don’t see it."

His memory has gotten bad - may he took a hockey puck to the cranium? He's forgotten all of the recent Pitt teams that never fought back after falling behind. Or the Pitt teams of Wanny vintage that out-'n-out quit when the going got tough.

And how this team has been scoring waaay more than most teams in Pitt football history - and has an offense that has shown more imagination than (at least) 80% of the teams in the NCAA.

Granted, the Pitt pass defense has a long way to go. But at least some of us can see that Pitt is on the right path, and they've finally got a coach who can lead them to where they want to be.

Starkey is just one more "glass-is-half-empty" Pittsburgh sportswriter. We need another one of those like Jerry Sandusky needs a babysitting job.

 

[Pitt-Chains]

or not call the jersey grabs that our CB's got away with EVERY play.. Please stop with the whining...

ball in the air versus... your lack of knowledge is "whining"

 

[Safety Blitz]

Pitt could have won the UNC, VT, and OKSU Games in that order and could, have lost the GT, PSU, & UVA in that order, the Coaches have done great with Game Plans in all 6 games and add MU & VU too.

There were communication problems on Defense in OKSU & UNC, There were Execution problems in all 6 games too, but Players did improve in GT, UVA and VT on Defense, they were in front, missed some flicks but tackling was improved versus OKSU & UNC?

Sorry, disagree with respect and one can agree to disagree with me!

I like the Players Attitudes and Coaches Game Plans, it does take preparation, technique, and execution on Game Day, and PSU, OKSU, UNC, GT, UVA, & VT Players also were well prepared and know they played a tough Pitt Team in winning or losing.

I saw no Blow Outs did anyone else? This is good coaching not questionable in my view. They are coming up short but they are playing hard with many Players playing too, not just 22?

I'll agree to disagree, Captain.
And it is very much a respectful disagreement. You are always one of the class posters on this board and I appreciate the opportunity to exchange thoughts with you.
My disagreement is this:
Narducci puts his corners out on an island. And his current corners have proven game after game that they currently do not have the skill set to survive on those islands.
I know he believes in his scheme, but good coaches adjust their schemes to fit their current players in order to achieve the most success. But Narducci is being bull-headed. He's playing HIS scheme come heck or high water. His corners are drowning in that high water and it is costing his team opportunities to win games.
This isn't junior high, teach fundamentals and prep kids for the varsity football.
This is the big leagues.
Pitt has three losses. All were potential wins. Would adjusting his coverage schemes made a difference in those games? I'm not bright enough to give you a definitive answer. But what we all know is that by failing to adjust or try something different, his corners got smoked like a southern BBQ and his team lost three games because of it.
I'm not saying Pitt SHOULD be 8-0, but I think everyone who posts here knows Pitt COULD be 8-0 with better secondary play.
I'll give Narducci relatively high marks in many areas, but -- in my opinion -- he refusal to adapt to his talent and/or make necessary adjustments with the W or L on the line is a huge failure.
I do not know the man, so I am in no position to factually state it is an ego issue. But I will say that this stubborn streak combined with his sideline antics have left me very disappointed. I thought he was an impressive hire at the time, much better than I thought Pitt would be able to pull off, but I now have some doubts. He still has a lot to prove to me and, based upon what I've seen on this board today, there are others who share part or all of my opinion.

Edit: Holy crap, autocorrect misspelled the name. Not intended. Apologize for that.

 

[jtownknowitall]

Well, it only took a season and a half for the PGH media to completely ditch the process. Starkey is an a** and one of the many reasons why I find it so hard to find legit PITT football coverage in this city.

LINK

Boo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

This quote from Starkey, more than any, shows his ignorance:

"I keep hearing about all the excitement Narduzzi has engendered and how different his Pitt teams are from those of recent vintage.
I just don’t see it."

His memory has gotten bad - may he took a hockey puck to the cranium? He's forgotten all of the recent Pitt teams that never fought back after falling behind. Or the Pitt teams of Wanny vintage that out-'n-out quit when the going got tough.

And how this team has been scoring waaay more than most teams in Pitt football history - and has an offense that has shown more imagination than (at least) 80% of the teams in the NCAA.

Granted, the Pitt pass defense has a long way to go. But at least some of us can see that Pitt is on the right path, and they've finally got a coach who can lead them to where they want to be.

Starkey is just one more "glass-is-half-empty" Pittsburgh sportswriter. We need another one of those like Jerry Sandusky needs a babysitting job.

The results are the exact same. Narduzzi is Wannstedt II which isnt a bad thing because I liked Wannstedt but Narduzzi is no different. Old-school, stubborn defensive-minded coach.

After Pederson's self-imposed sanctions of the Haywood/Graham/Chryst era, we are back on the 7/8 win track of Wannstedt.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

Only at Pitt would a sportswriter write an article like this and the "fans" take the side of the writer and not the team. How the hell can you look at this team under Narduzzi and not see improvement over Chryst? Did everyone expect us to be Michigan St. 1.5 years in??

 

[TD_6082]

If you agree that a coach should not be given time to bring in the players he needs and should be a lights out coach without the needed talent than yes, it is a fair article. So since it is obvious after a year and a half that this guy can't coach let's go ahead and blow the whole f**cking thing up....AGAIN.

Uh, Go back and read his article again. He clearly said, big picture, nobody can judge Narduzzi for another year or two.

 

[pittdan77]

Only a Pitt fan could lose their mind 1-1/2 seasons into a coaching regime after losing to a ranked team to drop to 5-3.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

Uh, Go back and read his article again. He clearly said, big picture, nobody can judge Narduzzi for another year or two.

Then he's hypocritical. "Nobody can judge him for another year or two..." but Starkey precisely did just that.

 

[sappycrease]

Apparently this guy hates Narduzzi too. Although I'm not too sure who he is?

http://www.todaysu.com/acc/pittsbur...-narduzzi-defines-pitt-loss-to-virginia-tech/

 

[Panther Parrothead]

Apparently this guy hates Narduzzi too. Although I'm not too sure who he is?

http://www.todaysu.com/acc/pittsbur...-narduzzi-defines-pitt-loss-to-virginia-tech/

His bio, from Football Nation:

Dave Holcomb is a fantasy sports writer for The Sports Network and co-editor at Motor City Bengals. He is formerly a high-school sports reporter for NJ.com at The Star-Ledger in New Jersey and co-host of I-80 Sports Talk with FN Senior Writer Tom Pollin at MTR Media. Holcomb graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in June 2013. He was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania until he turned 13 and moved to Bergen County, New Jersey. Holcomb interned two summers for Football Nation and FFChamps, and he has been writing articles since July of 2011. In 2012, Holcomb began hosting and producing "Monday Morning Huddle". Season three concluded in February and the 99 episodes of the show has accumulated over 33,000 listens. Holcomb writes daily fantasy pieces at The Sports Network and covers the Detroit Tigers at Motor City Bengals, but in his spare time, he still loves producing quality, thought-provoking content for Football Nation, mostly non-fantasy related. Last December, Holcomb and Pollin teamed up to host and produce I-80 Sports Talk on MTR Radio, which aired every Wednesday and Friday. The pair are currently searching for a new outlet to host a live sports show. Holcomb is always looking for other outlets of work to continue to master his writing and radio broadcasting craft.

 

[Farnox]

Then he's hypocritical. "Nobody can judge him for another year or two..." but Starkey precisely did just that.

Precisely, you can't have it both ways. You have to give a coach at least 4 years to set up his program, bring in his players and establish himself. This crowd would would never have let a coach like Frank Beamer turn around VaTech. I see much to be excited about in the future with HCPN but it seems no one wants to admit how depleted the defensive side of the team has been of talent and that it will take some time to build it back up again. Remember as well, that this is only Pat's second year as a head coach, there will be some growing pains there as well.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

Then he's hypocritical. "Nobody can judge him for another year or two..." but Starkey precisely did just that.

Exactly...makes me wonder what his actual opinion is versus what he writes to get clicks.

 

[OriginalEther]

He's been here a year and a half and we lost the last three games by a total of 11 points. What a horrible job he is doing [sarcasm]. Does everyone forget what the 1990's were like?

As a Raiders fan, I have had to put up with a lot of crappy teams. I knew it wasn't going to happen overnight, but they are in a putting the right pieces in place. Give HCPN a chance to do that for crying out loud.

I understand everyone wants to win the conference NOW. But that is unrealistic.

The issue isn't that Pitt has lost....and won....some close games, but how.
Teams are putting up record performances each week.

I get that the defense isn't great, but it's inconceivable that it is this bad. Especially from a head coach that is touted as a defensive genius. And no, I don't want to hear the four year argument.....we've seen it before, and it didn't work then either.

 

[drp1tt]

Refs called it bad both ways , end of story. They sucked, we all agree, but they sucked for everyone

Sorry 80-20 for VT. That's how I saw and I am just stating my opinion...just like Starkey.

 

[TD_istheman]

The results are the exact same. Narduzzi is Wannstedt II which isnt a bad thing because I liked Wannstedt but Narduzzi is no different. Old-school, stubborn defensive-minded coach.

After Pederson's self-imposed sanctions of the Haywood/Graham/Chryst era, we are back on the 7/8 win track of Wannstedt.

Wamnstedt is better at this time, and he recruited much better as well

 

[TD_istheman]

Only at Pitt would a sportswriter write an article like this and the "fans" take the side of the writer and not the team. How the hell can you look at this team under Narduzzi and not see improvement over Chryst? Did everyone expect us to be Michigan St. 1.5 years in??

So, we can't think for ourselves , and think there is merit to the article?

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

"TD_6082, post: 1640001, member: 510"]When I said we haven't played any powerhouses, I was talking about 2016. However, since you mentioned it, no, I would not consider UNC or Iowa powerhouses last year.
Really, Iowa won 12 games, and played for the Big Ten Championship and NCS Playoffs, but you demand Pitt win 10+ games and if losing by 7, 3, and 1 point, you expect Posters to take you seriously??? Iowa barely lost to MSU that blew away PSU that barely lost to Pitt by 3 and beat OSU by 3 this year?

UNC went 11-3, barely losing to Clemson and SC and Baylor and beat Pitt by 7 and you demand more from Narduzzi, than you do from Franklin and Holgrosen, and Kelly? You have odd logic on CFB?

Both were very flawed teams. Heck, WVU & PSU have a chance to win 10 games this year, but neither of those teams are anything special. Not even close.
Well, Pitt has not been blown away like WVU last Year and PSU last 3 Years? Is the point.

Notre Dame last year was 42-17 with about 6 minutes to go. We got 2 garbage scores against backups and Rudys. It was an easy win for the Irish.
Scores are Scores, that is what Starkey wrote about, but you say otherwise when they don't match up for your odd sense of knowing CFB?

Are you not the one that said Franklin needs more time due to Sanctions and OL problems and yet his coaching has been blown away in games you Judge Narduzzi for Teams he barely loses too????? But Teams that win 10, 11, 12 games are flaws and not Powerhouses.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I'll agree to disagree, Captain.
And it is very much a respectful disagreement. You are always one of the class posters on this board and I appreciate the opportunity to exchange thoughts with you.
My disagreement is this:
Narducci puts his corners out on an island. And his current corners have proven game after game that they currently do not have the skill set to survive on those islands.
I know he believes in his scheme, but good coaches adjust their schemes to fit their current players in order to achieve the most success. But Narducci is being bull-headed. He's playing HIS scheme come heck or high water. His corners are drowning in that high water and it is costing his team opportunities to win games.
This isn't junior high, teach fundamentals and prep kids for the varsity football.
This is the big leagues.
Pitt has three losses. All were potential wins. Would adjusting his coverage schemes made a difference in those games? I'm not bright enough to give you a definitive answer. But what we all know is that by failing to adjust or try something different, his corners got smoked like a southern BBQ and his team lost three games because of it.
I'm not saying Pitt SHOULD be 8-0, but I think everyone who posts here knows Pitt COULD be 8-0 with better secondary play.
I'll give Narducci relatively high marks in many areas, but -- in my opinion -- he refusal to adapt to his talent and/or make necessary adjustments with the W or L on the line is a huge failure.
I do not know the man, so I am in no position to factually state it is an ego issue. But I will say that this stubborn streak combined with his sideline antics have left me very disappointed. I thought he was an impressive hire at the time, much better than I thought Pitt would be able to pull off, but I now have some doubts. He still has a lot to prove to me and, based upon what I've seen on this board today, there are others who share part or all of my opinion.

I am not disagreeing with anyone on specifics on how and why Pitt's Coach Pat & Staff is having growing pains on creating a Defense capable of keep Scores under 20 points instead of being near 40? I respect your points above and views and I won't deal in trying to explain it, i can't and won't and admit my limits. Other Posters can argue back and forth on it and I trust and enjoy reading those Posts like your own above, and still don't know, and until Narduzzi changes it with Pitt Players together!!! So, not my point at all and respect your own posts!

The article was about judging Pitt by the points and scores, and I am just saying Narduzzi has done better than that than many coaches with far more experience and talent his last 21 games than PSU, WVU, ND, USC, last 21 games? Some of these Coaches with more Talent have been blown away not having their Players ready on Game Day in those last 21 games than Narduzzi is my point!

I very much appreciate the specifics of why you think Pitt's Pat & Staff can't seem to fix what is happening still all year long with the Defense, I don't know and up to him to change it, just seeing Pitt has not been blown away like many others in less games than, if scores are the judgments? Narduzzi has his Team far better prepared and shows up in the scores too!

 

[Panther Parrothead]

Wamnstedt is better at this time, and he recruited much better as well

Wanny coached in the Big East, and he couldn't even win the championship in that conference - even when he had it practically given to him on a silver platter.

 

[mjsdoc3]

Good god, does this fanbase suck.

Two individuals seem to be hell bent on derailing this fan base and football team! One plays a lot of Poker, and the other is TD_isn'taPittman!

 

[CaptainMurphy]

So, we can't think for ourselves , and think there is merit to the article?

You can think whatever you want but it's ridiculous to start criticizing the coach 1.5 years in when he has improved this team from day one. He sees the deficiencies in our secondary and I trust he is doing everything within his power to fix it. Fans (and media) need to have a little faith and patience.

 

[Piranha]

Wamnstedt is better at this time, and he recruited much better as well

Wanny was 11-12 after his first 2 years playing in the BE.

Narduzzi is 13-8 playing in the ACC.

Don't let facts get in the way of your idiotic opinion.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

Wanny was 11-12 after his first 2 years playing in the BE.

Narduzzi is 13-8 playing in the ACC.

Don't let facts get in the way of your idiotic opinion.

Wanny also inherited a pretty talented roster and made them worse for a few years. There was definitely a learning curve (even though he had been a head coach before) and he improved in year four...when his recruits were running his system. Narduzzi took Chryst's roster and made them better in year one in his first year as a HC. Pretty sure we'll be in good shape by year four.

 

[pittzap]

Wamnstedt is better at this time, and he recruited much better as well

Stupid freaking comment. Narduzzi has already won more games in 1 1/2 seasons than Wanny did in two full seasons.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Wamnstedt is better at this time, and he recruited much better as well

Wannstedt coached in a watered down league and still couldn't get it done. He went 5-6 and 6-6 in his first two years, losing to mighty Ohio in his first year. Give me a break, it's not even close.

 

[TD_6082]

Then he's hypocritical. "Nobody can judge him for another year or two..." but Starkey precisely did just that.

Criticism of a coach is totally different than already writing him off or saying he won't be successful here.

Big picture. The two key words.

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

Wamnstedt is better at this time, and he recruited much better as well

LOL go look at Wanny's first two seasons and first two recruiting classes but I doubt you will cause you are either clueless or a troll and both are dangerous

 

[PITTDC]

That article was fair & spot on.

A fair article presents two sides to the story or draws comparisons. This one didn't and I'm not saying that it wasn't factually correct as to where Pitt is today. Wonder what this guy will say in two years when he has athletes he recruited playing on the island? HCPN is not going to change his defensive scheme based on what a small city newspaper reporter writes. Nor should he in my opinion. They lost three games by a total of 11 points to teams with big athletic receivers and a QB able to get them the ball wide.

I'm patient enough to see if this guy will eat his words in a couple of seasons because I think he might have to.

 

[jtownknowitall]

Small city newspaper?

 

[Jpripper88]

You can think whatever you want but it's ridiculous to start criticizing the coach 1.5 years in when he has improved this team from day one. He sees the deficiencies in our secondary and I trust he is doing everything within his power to fix it. Fans (and media) need to have a little faith and patience.

He was quoted that he refused to do anything to fix it and the players would just have to play it better.

 

[Las Panteras]

Wanny was 11-12 after his first 2 years playing in the BE.

Narduzzi is 13-8 playing in the ACC.

Don't let facts get in the way of your idiotic opinion.

And since this date last year....throwing out Villanova and Marshall......

Narduzzi is 5-7

Every bit as factual.

See how that works??

5-7............

 

[CorsosRevenge]

Durrrrrr but he beat our equally irrelevant rival durrrrrr

 

[TD_istheman]

And since this date last year....throwing out Villanova and Marshall......

Narduzzi is 5-7

Every bit as factual.

See how that works??

5-7............

Wanny stopped WVU from a national championship as a 28 point dog, screw you idiots. Wanny loved pitt, his recruiting was getting better each year, another mistake by the TWO CLOWNS. PEDEY AND NORDEY

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Wanny stopped WVU from a national championship as a 28 point dog, screw you idiots. Wanny loved pitt, his recruiting was getting better each year, another mistake by the TWO CLOWNS. PEDEY AND NORDEY

Surprising that you would try and shift the focus.

 

[deepelemblues]

is the media just supposed to ignore how narduzzi's pass defense is one of the worst in the country by any measure?

 

[Pitt-Chains]

Wanny stopped WVU from a national championship as a 28 point dog, screw you idiots. Wanny loved pitt, his recruiting was getting better each year, another mistake by the TWO CLOWNS. PEDEY AND NORDEY

Wanny needed one more year...

 

[sherepower]

The issue isn't that Pitt has lost....and won....some close games, but how.
Teams are putting up record performances each week.

I get that the defense isn't great, but it's inconceivable that it is this bad. Especially from a head coach that is touted as a defensive genius. And no, I don't want to hear the four year argument.....we've seen it before, and it didn't work then either.

Whats scary is this defense has 8 or 9 starters back from last year.

Whitehead has regressed after being in the system a 2nd year.

Webb has regressed after being in the system for his 2nd year.

Maddox has regressed after being in the system after his 2nd year. Its not as if they regressed a couple of spots. They have regressed to the point of being one of the country's worst.........Is it talent?

I think Conklin, and the Dbacks coach need a serious sit down with Narduzzi at season end. I will gain great respect for Narduzzi if he shows he can make some tuff decisions in the off season. The technique these dbacks use is atrocious. That is a redflag when evaluating the coaching they are not taking too