Spring Football Practice Notes, LINK!

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

ARTICLE & LINK:

After two practices of a scheduled 15-session spring, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has a lot of work to do and decisions to make. Some won't be finalized until August, and maybe not even then.

But Dontez Ford and Zach Challingsworth are stepping up as the wide receivers lining up opposite Tyler Boyd with the first team. Don't read too much into it, but it's worth noting. "Those are the two guys I have to rely on to free me up out of double coverage," Boyd said. At least in the spring.

On defense, coordinator Josh Conklin likes what he has seen from safety Reggie Mitchell and cornerbacks Avonte Maddox, Malik Henderson and Phillipie Motley. Mitchell, a junior, can play both positions. Henderson is an early-enrollee freshman and Motley was redshirted last year during his freshman season.

Conklin said he was impressed with how three-year starting cornerback Lafayette Pitts, a senior, stayed after practice Tuesday to work with some wide receivers on his footwork at the line of scrimmage. "Those are the things you want to see from that kid," Conklin said. "He has a lot of experience. We are challenging him every day to come out and be consistent. The corners can't hide. What we ask them to do, every rep they have to be on."

What's interesting to note is that Jordan Whitehead arrives from Central Valley this summer, and will add to the competition at cornerback. Maybe there actually will be some depth in the secondary.

Read more: http://blog.triblive.com/college-locker-room/2015/03/18/a-couple-notes-from-pitts-spring-drills/#ixzz3UkmfMuXJ

THIS LOGO REMINDS ME OF COACH NARDUZZI ATTITUDE FOR PITT PLAYERS!

DEEDS THAT LEAD AT PITT!


This post was edited on 3/18 12:08 PM by CaptainSidneyReilly

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Our annual 'has a lot of work to do' article.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Followed by the 'passes the look test' article.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Re: TIGER-PAUL, Question For You & Other Posters!

I am of the view of lower expectations on this years Pitt season. It is based on watching Wannstedt, Graham, and Chryst when they took over did have a learning curve and time required to put in their systems as well as Assistant Coaches selecting, learning about the limit capacity, and teaching the players.

At the same time, just based on my observations and "Just a Hunch" I can't help having a feeling that Coach Narduzzi may be the real deal as a Coach ready to be a Great Head Coach and will show it this year.

I have nothing to go on except this feeling and PN's background and how Coach Pat conducts himself since his arrival. Yet, I know other Lair Posters such you and many others have better insight and would appreciate you're and their insight, in thinking how he will do and what you expect even with this short time evaluation.

I just know Coach Pat without a doubt knows how to build and rebuild a Defense, but I cannot gage his abilities of choosing a Staff, and their abilities to engage the players, and develop the talent Pitt has into being a better Team this year, usually a New head Coach like anything else needs some time.

Yet, the Offense should be ready to go and that will help but I just don't know and hope the you and the Posters weigh in with their own opinions for 2015!

Any thoughts and expectations?

 

[shortball]

There is never assurances the team will gel under coach PN new system and style immediately. The possibility exist that a learning curve could potentially slow things down and not create the improvement we are expecting. However aside from the defense and just reading comments the new staff has made it sounds like the team pretty much as a whole was well coached.
At least this appears for the most part to be true with the offense. A lot of the basic fundamentals and techniques are good and just may need some minor changes based on style of play. IMO I think this team will come out on the offensive side in stride and make things happen fast. The defensive side will be another question with lack of depth in certain positions but I still think we will see a lot of improvement immediately.So this all adds up to a very competitive team against most of the ACC competition. I am not going out on the limb and say we will take down Clemson, ND or other well ranked teams but I think we will for the most part win the games we are suppose to and not lay a egg against teams we should not lose against. I see us winning a solid 7-8 games and with some luck maybe even 8-9. That would be a great start for PN on all fronts especially for player confidence and most of all recruiting. I don't no why but I just feel this guy is going to make positive things happen pretty quickly.