Narduzzi doesn't trust the local media

[Sean Miller Fan]

We say all the time how the local media is pro-PSU. I think Narduzzi believes that and its why he has taken extra measures to keep the media away from his team BEFORE the Penn State game including pretty much closing off training camp.

Chris Peak said in a Podcast that Dantonio did something similar to this for Michigan week (allowing only captains to speak to the media) because there were rumors of writers with Michigan allegiances trying to bait players into getting bulletin board quotes or.....and Peak didnt say this......but having writers with Michigan allegiances actually getting information to UM.

If you analyze what Narduzzi was saying in his presser, I believe he is legitimately worried about pro-PSU media fanboys getting information to PSU. Not that Jerry DiPaola would call up James Franklin and give him the game plan but since there are many PSU fans that work with Pitt reporters, I think his fear is that a Pitt reporter may unintentionally leak information to a PSU fanboy media member. I think this is why everything has been so secretive.

Also, I think Narduzzi has special packages that he absolutely does not want to see leaked such as Stocker's read option package and new packages with Whitehead. I'll go out on a limb and say there's a package with Whitehead at QB doing some read option or even Conner at QB with a jumbo package and extra blocker just road grading.

 

[OH Pete]

Most in the Pittsburgh media don't understand the game of football well enough to be able to clearly articulate what it is that they see at practice anyway, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

 

[vegasgreed]

pat does not like the pittsburgh media, that is clear. but here is the thing, the media only got the first 25-30 minutes to view practice. so, they were seeing the team doing exercises and that was about it. they wouldn't even had a chance to see any special packages for this game.

if you ask me, narduzzi needs to be a lot more concerned about having his team ready to go out of the gate. all facets of the game. execution is crucial. the team was not prepared well week one.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

pat does not like the pittsburgh media, that is clear. but here is the thing, the media only got the first 25-30 minutes to view practice. so, they were seeing the team doing exercises and that was about it. they wouldn't even had a chance to see any special packages for this game.

That's partly my point. Narduzzi has never been as open as Wanny or Chryst but he let them cover more of fall camp last year and never closed practice, not even for the UNC game which was kinda like a defacto a Coastal Championship game.

 

[CorsosRevenge]

Why should he? The Post Gazette has two guys on their staff in Cook and Smizik who have openly championed Penn State and Paterno - the latter to the point of arguing and debating posters on his blog. They never seem interested in putting their best writers on the beat.

Then you have the fanboy honks in local TV and radio like DUI Paul Alexander and Guy Junker who can't let go of their glory days in college either.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

With friends like Ron Cook, I don't blame him. As some of these older guys retire or die off, then it may change. But too many of these guys are either Nit grads or get starry eyed at the sight of big glasses and flood pants.

 

[pittdan77]

Actually, Cook has an article today called "1981 Pitt loss to Penn State worst in program history"...

Not linking it. Just proving the point.

 

[PITTLAW]

pat does not like the pittsburgh media, that is clear. but here is the thing, the media only got the first 25-30 minutes to view practice. so, they were seeing the team doing exercises and that was about it. they wouldn't even had a chance to see any special packages for this game.

if you ask me, narduzzi needs to be a lot more concerned about having his team ready to go out of the gate. all facets of the game. execution is crucial. the team was not prepared well week one.

I have no problem with Coach closing practices if he feels it is in the best interest of the program. While it is unfortunate for fans that want to read stuff other than puff pieces fed to the media by the SID, that is a tradeoff worth accepting if it results in wins on the field. I do not think Narduzzi is alone here. There are plenty of coaches at all levels that close practices and refuse to give anything but what is required by way of information about their players, etc. May be a bit paranoid, but if it works for you--I am okay with that. Hail to Pitt!

 

[JS School]

pat does not like the pittsburgh media, that is clear. but here is the thing, the media only got the first 25-30 minutes to view practice. so, they were seeing the team doing exercises and that was about it. they wouldn't even had a chance to see any special packages for this game.

if you ask me, narduzzi needs to be a lot more concerned about having his team ready to go out of the gate. all facets of the game. execution is crucial. the team was not prepared well week one.

Narduzzi may not like the Pittsburgh media as a whole, but it would be a good idea for him to get the reporters seen as pro-Pitt or neutral on his side. I have no problem with the blackout this week, but going forward the entire media should not be treated with disdain. The ones that are obviously anti-Pitt should not be given the time of day, however.

 

[pittdan77]

I feel bad for the half dozen guys that actually do a nice job covering the program. But to be honest, Narduzzi is making a point because the media is mostly pro PSU in Pittsburgh. If nothing else, he's sending a message and not making their life easier. All of the negative press about it is funny. Especially when the "this game matters more to Pitt than PSU" crap starts.

 

[pittdan77]

Narduzzi may not like the Pittsburgh media as a whole, but it would be a good idea for him to get the reporters seen as pro-Pitt or neutral on his side. I have no problem with the blackout this week, but going forward the entire media should not be treated with disdain. The ones that are obviously anti-Pitt should not be given the time of day, however.

Why not? It's more a matter of style more than anything. Tomlin says nothing for an hour every week and the media takes side swipes at him but nothing else. Really think most are showing up for the free food anymore. Look around. It's getting like that everywhere.

 

[pittmeister]

We say all the time how the local media is pro-PSU. I think Narduzzi believes that and its why he has taken extra measures to keep the media away from his team BEFORE the Penn State game including pretty much closing off training camp.

Chris Peak said in a Podcast that Dantonio did something similar to this for Michigan week (allowing only captains to speak to the media) because there were rumors of writers with Michigan allegiances trying to bait players into getting bulletin board quotes or.....and Peak didnt say this......but having writers with Michigan allegiances actually getting information to UM.

If you analyze what Narduzzi was saying in his presser, I believe he is legitimately worried about pro-PSU media fanboys getting information to PSU. Not that Jerry DiPaola would call up James Franklin and give him the game plan but since there are many PSU fans that work with Pitt reporters, I think his fear is that a Pitt reporter may unintentionally leak information to a PSU fanboy media member. I think this is why everything has been so secretive.

Also, I think Narduzzi has special packages that he absolutely does not want to see leaked such as Stocker's read option package and new packages with Whitehead. I'll go out on a limb and say there's a package with Whitehead at QB doing some read option or even Conner at QB with a jumbo package and extra blocker just road grading.

BINGO! He doesn't trust the local media and that's why he's closing practices. He didn't want to come out and say that at the press conference.

Even though he denies it, he doesn't want the players to give PSU any bulletin board material.

 

[vegasgreed]

he doesn't really say anything in press conferences. this is a veteran team, he's not trusting his players. i hate to see what he'll do when he has a young team. hopefully saturday is not another slow start. hopefully the team is loose and ready to go, time will tell.

 

[Pantherman43]

Also, I think Narduzzi has special packages that he absolutely does not want to see leaked such as Stocker's read option package and new packages with Whitehead. I'll go out on a limb and say there's a package with Whitehead at QB doing some read option or even Conner at QB with a jumbo package and extra blocker just road grading.

I would fully expect some kind of wildcat or read option. If Pitt has the same running lanes Kent State had then I expect Pitt to run until the legs fall off.

 

[JS School]

Why not? It's more a matter of style more than anything. Tomlin says nothing for an hour every week and the media takes side swipes at him but nothing else. Really think most are showing up for the free food anymore. Look around. It's getting like that everywhere.

Most of the local media love the Steelers, though. I prefer Tomlin's approach, but Pitt could use a little help in public relations. If a reporter is fair to Pitt treat him fairly in return. Give him a little something every once in a while that you wouldn't give the PSU guys.

 

[Pittguy1980]

I mean I don't blame him with the media treatment of Pitt.

Remember the absurd starkey article review Graham's first year giving it an F? Graham was a prick, and his year here wasn't great but an F? I really think the media is one of the reasons he bolted.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I would fully expect some kind of wildcat or read option. If Pitt has the same running lanes Kent State had then I expect Pitt to run until the legs fall off.

Yep. Whitehead or Conner in the Wildcat.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

BINGO! He doesn't trust the local media and that's why he's closing practices. He didn't want to come out and say that at the press conference.

Even though he denies it, he doesn't want the players to give PSU any bulletin board material.

I think the fear of bulletin board material is overblown. A Pitt player can come out and say "I hate Penn State. They are a cult. We are going to annihilate those losers" and it wont make one bit of differencd in the final score.

I do think Narduzzi has a lot of special things planned and he's trying to keep that stuff as secretive as he can. He mentioned DiPaola and Melendez "pry" at his presser and I think he is trying to avoid them prying the players to divulge game plan or special package info.

 

[yourhired]

I believe Pat is learning from his first year and without question he's learned from MSU how to build upon of not being number 1 in your own state. I'm sure the plan was to have a few wrinkles but I really believe he has these kids so focused they will be calling PSU plays. At least I hope so

 

[Panther Holla]

Actually, Cook has an article today called "1981 Pitt loss to Penn State worst in program history"...

Not linking it. Just proving the point.

This old-timer agrees about that game. Pitt was at its apex, trailed the series with PSU by one game. Then in one unbelievably bad afternoon, goodbye #1... followed by Jackie out, Foge in, and you know the rest. Neither Notre Dame in '82 or the Cincinnati debacle rise to the level of 48-14 as a tipping point for the program. There have been many other "awful" defeats -- pick any Temple, Rutgers, MAC or YSU horror stories, or Graham at Iowa. But none as significant as Pitt's Waterloo.

 

[Piranha]

I don't trust the PS Cultists in the Pittsburgh media either. Good for PN.

 

[pittdan77]

This old-timer agrees about that game. Pitt was at its apex, trailed the series with PSU by one game. Then in one unbelievably bad afternoon, goodbye #1... followed by Jackie out, Foge in, and you know the rest. Neither Notre Dame in '82 or the Cincinnati debacle rise to the level of 48-14 as a tipping point for the program. There have been many other "awful" defeats -- pick any Temple, Rutgers, MAC or YSU horror stories, or Graham at Iowa. But none as significant as Pitt's Waterloo.

Won't disagree about the game but Cookie sure has great timing.

 

[pittdan77]

Most of the local media love the Steelers, though. I prefer Tomlin's approach, but Pitt could use a little help in public relations. If a reporter is fair to Pitt treat him fairly in return. Give him a little something every once in a while that you wouldn't give the PSU guys.

I think that's the normal MO. But there's no doubt that locker room would have been crawling with goobers asking stupid questions. There was a lot less to lose than there was to gain with all of the distraction.

 

[Farnox]

Narduzzi may not like the Pittsburgh media as a whole, but it would be a good idea for him to get the reporters seen as pro-Pitt or neutral on his side. I have no problem with the blackout this week, but going forward the entire media should not be treated with disdain. The ones that are obviously anti-Pitt should not be given the time of day, however.

Agreed, give access and info to the reporters who are being positive to Pitt and shut off info to the PSU shills who regularly beat on Pitt in their coverage. Don't totally ban the others but help out your friends.

 

[Zeldas Greenhouse]

If you watched the Nightly Sports Call last night; ( incredibly I watch it from time to time ) you would of found two grown men having a coniption over this media blackout. Cook and Pompeani actually yelling at the camera. I don't blame Narduzzi a bit.

 

[Piranha]

If you watched the Nightly Sports Call last night; ( incredibly I watch it from time to time ) you would of found two grown men having a coniption over this media blackout. Cook and Pompeani actually yelling at the camera. I don't blame Narduzzi a bit.

Cook would be praising Joe Paterno if he did the same thing. It is a-holes like Cook as to why this was the right move.

 

[BanksvilleDave]

Oh no! Ron Cook is missing out on naked college kid interviews! Oh the humanity!

 

[Joe Magarac]

If you watched the Nightly Sports Call last night; ( incredibly I watch it from time to time ) you would of found two grown men having a coniption over this media blackout. Cook and Pompeani actually yelling at the camera. I don't blame Narduzzi a bit.

Cook loves to argue.
He lives to argue.
He has a job in which he plays the contrarian role better than most.
I don't understand why anyone heeds a thing he says or does.

 

[PHATWOOD]

Ron Cook was going to publish that article this week media blackout or no.

Which I guess kind of puts a bow on the whole thing.

 

[BigNittanyLion]

Wow. You people don't know how good you have it. Pittsburgh has professional journalists, who have been exposed to big ticket stories, especially in sports. They are well seasoned and professional. They can't be intimidated like we have seen with small town newspapers, yes by even Joe.

And you guys trash this? Wow. These guys were completely fair and rational during the whole Sandusky crisis and wasn't rash to judge and prosecute like the rest of the world. I guess maybe because they have experienced alot and are comfortable in their own skins that they didn't feel like they had to write hatchet pieces to try to gain attention and a name.

Evidently Narduzzi doesn't know how good he has it.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Most of the Pittsburgh media sucks. I would give them very little info and hopefully the ACC network takes off. Win and tell the Ped post gazette to F off

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Wow. You people don't know how good you have it. Pittsburgh has professional journalists, who have been exposed to big ticket stories, especially in sports. They are well seasoned and professional. They can't be intimidated like we have seen with small town newspapers, yes by even Joe.

And you guys trash this? Wow. These guys were completely fair and rational during the whole Sandusky crisis and wasn't rash to judge and prosecute like the rest of the world. I guess maybe because they have experienced alot and are comfortable in their own skins that they didn't feel like they had to write hatchet pieces to try to gain attention and a name.

Evidently Narduzzi doesn't know how good he has it.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which covers Penn State women's volleyball when they arr really good literally did not cover ANY of the Sandusky stuff.....any of it. The organization is littered with PSU vermon.

 

[Jakey_John]

Wow. You people don't know how good you have it. Pittsburgh has professional journalists, who have been exposed to big ticket stories, especially in sports. They are well seasoned and professional. They can't be intimidated like we have seen with small town newspapers, yes by even Joe.

And you guys trash this? Wow. These guys were completely fair and rational during the whole Sandusky crisis and wasn't rash to judge and prosecute like the rest of the world. I guess maybe because they have experienced alot and are comfortable in their own skins that they didn't feel like they had to write hatchet pieces to try to gain attention and a name.

Evidently Narduzzi doesn't know how good he has it.

Nobody really mentioned anyone except Ron Cook who in fact blows. Seasoned or not he is awful.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Actually, Cook has an article today called "1981 Pitt loss to Penn State worst in program history"...

Not linking it. Just proving the point.

Oh, don't worry. I'm sure Cookie has a column for tomorrow about a big Pitt win in the series to even things out.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

But there's no doubt that locker room would have been crawling with goobers asking stupid questions.

Does Pitt ever open up the locker room for interviews? I don't know if it's still the policy or not, but it used to be policy that if you wanted to interview ANY Pitt athlete at any time you had to make a request of the media relations people and they set it up. Reporters rarely, if ever got actual locker room access to interview whomever they wanted like there would be with a professional team.

And for the record, Pitt was not the only school to operate this way. Not even close to the only one.

 

[DrTongue]

I believe that Narduzzi is petrified. He has been given the benefit of the doubt (regardless of the issue at hand) since he came to Pitt.

He has never actually "delivered", but he has not really shat the bed either...the jury is still out for many (at least some) of us.

Judgement day is Saturday...he is, again, petrified as to what said judgement will be. He knows that a loss will put an (almost) indelible stain on his stay at Pitt...he can overcome that because he is still early on in his career here. But what a hole he will have dug for himself...

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I believe that Narduzzi is petrified.

I believe that you are being ridiculous.

 

[Jakey_John]

I believe that Narduzzi is petrified. He has been given the benefit of the doubt (regardless of the issue at hand) since he came to Pitt.

He has never actually "delivered", but he has not really shat the bed either...the jury is still out for many (at least some) of us.

Judgement day is Saturday...he is, again, petrified as to what said judgement will be. He knows that a loss will put an (almost) indelible stain on his stay at Pitt...he can overcome that because he is still early on in his career here. But what a hole he will have dug for himself...

I was wondering when you were going to weigh in on this situation. Since he's arrived on the scene a common refrain around here has been in Narduzzi we trust. There is going to be a lot of strain on that trust if Pitt is not victorious. Regardless, I will have "the best seat in the house"... well in my dad's house anyway.

 

[ChazzMo]

I believe that Narduzzi is petrified. He has been given the benefit of the doubt (regardless of the issue at hand) since he came to Pitt.

He has never actually "delivered", but he has not really shat the bed either...the jury is still out for many (at least some) of us.

Judgement day is Saturday...he is, again, petrified as to what said judgement will be. He knows that a loss will put an (almost) indelible stain on his stay at Pitt...he can overcome that because he is still early on in his career here. But what a hole he will have dug for himself...

OK - this is the SECOND most stupid post I've ever read on this site.

 

[Jakey_John]

Whether he ( DrTongue) is far off or not, I can count on one hand the number of posters on this site who are more knowledgeable about Pitt FB than this guy. He's just not one of the loudest about it.