I am a long time subscriber, infrequent poster. But over the years a lot of posters have given Pitt grief about playing it safe.
The thing I like about HCPN is that he practices what he preaches - play to win and everything is a competition and every day is a day to get better.
The infamous shot has a lot of other threads and hopefully this isn't a repeat but I think it fits into a pattern for our head coach. He played it safe at Iowa and loss and every since then he has played to win be it on 4th down or the aggressive blitzing scheme that they came out with against GT in the second half. His defense is in general about forcing negative yards and getting interceptions.
But I think it is also a part of his DNA - his defense is based on taking it to the offense and not merely reading and reacting. I think the quote is more a shot across the bow of PSU that we are not going to be little brother anymore. This seems like a page out of the MSU book regarding Michigan. But more importantly, like a good defense it is well designed. The PSU offense is taking a beating in the local and national media, an important RB recruit is going to see this in local media and now national media. And finally, there is no effective counterpunch. If Franklin engages it boost the rivalry, media attention and shines a spotlight on their offense's troubles. If he ignores it, HCPN got in a free zinger that got picked up nationally.
It is also a competition, we don't play until next year but we are competing for recruits. Competing for fans (HCPN is trying to create a generation of Pitt fans) and far media coverage. Chryst's approach is fine if you are in Wisky and are the biggest game in town, but we have the Pens, Bucs, Steelers and college football to the East, South and West. When you have the opportunity you have to drive the coverage and force attention onto your team.
Lastly, Pitt is the city school and it should have swagger. I don't think we want to go as far as the U in their heyday, but the city school should be a little brash. Pittsburgh as a city likes tough people, the Steelers were until recently most celebrated because of their tough D. This seems like it has a lot to do about recruiting and saying to 2016 and 2017 that we are not backing down from anyone, least of all the "107" crowd. Anytime Pitt is getting positive national media attention is a good day. I think with Narduzzi as coach EJ's job is about to get a lot busier.
Hail to Pitt
The thing I like about HCPN is that he practices what he preaches - play to win and everything is a competition and every day is a day to get better.
The infamous shot has a lot of other threads and hopefully this isn't a repeat but I think it fits into a pattern for our head coach. He played it safe at Iowa and loss and every since then he has played to win be it on 4th down or the aggressive blitzing scheme that they came out with against GT in the second half. His defense is in general about forcing negative yards and getting interceptions.
But I think it is also a part of his DNA - his defense is based on taking it to the offense and not merely reading and reacting. I think the quote is more a shot across the bow of PSU that we are not going to be little brother anymore. This seems like a page out of the MSU book regarding Michigan. But more importantly, like a good defense it is well designed. The PSU offense is taking a beating in the local and national media, an important RB recruit is going to see this in local media and now national media. And finally, there is no effective counterpunch. If Franklin engages it boost the rivalry, media attention and shines a spotlight on their offense's troubles. If he ignores it, HCPN got in a free zinger that got picked up nationally.
It is also a competition, we don't play until next year but we are competing for recruits. Competing for fans (HCPN is trying to create a generation of Pitt fans) and far media coverage. Chryst's approach is fine if you are in Wisky and are the biggest game in town, but we have the Pens, Bucs, Steelers and college football to the East, South and West. When you have the opportunity you have to drive the coverage and force attention onto your team.
Lastly, Pitt is the city school and it should have swagger. I don't think we want to go as far as the U in their heyday, but the city school should be a little brash. Pittsburgh as a city likes tough people, the Steelers were until recently most celebrated because of their tough D. This seems like it has a lot to do about recruiting and saying to 2016 and 2017 that we are not backing down from anyone, least of all the "107" crowd. Anytime Pitt is getting positive national media attention is a good day. I think with Narduzzi as coach EJ's job is about to get a lot busier.
Hail to Pitt
