Telling quote from Ejuan Price...

[MajorMajors]

In discussing the defense, Ejuan Price:

“I don't know if it's more aggressive,” he said, “but I'd definitely say it's more sound than stuff we've done in the past. It's more foolproof. Like if this happens, we have a plan to do this.


“I feel like it's more thought out.”

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9217671-74/defense-pitt-price#ixzz3nt4DbdZ2

This is certainly encouraging for the future and damning for the recent past. On the positive side, it reminds me of when Walt Harris came in and before the season started Pistol Pete was asked about the new offense. Pistol said something like "This offense has answers. Whatever the defense does, we have an answer for it."

That is one of my all-time favorite Pitt player quotes -- and I keep waiting for another Pitt QB to say something like it.

The big question for the defense though - can they continue to improve and then sustain the good play for several games in a row?

Go Pitt.

 

[Farnox]

I think one of the most important things that he said was that everyone has bought in. When you have a system that works and the players recognize this, everything goes so much smoother. Confidence in what they are doing produces results. The players did not have confidence in House's defenses and it showed.

 

[MajorMajors]

I think one of the most important things that he said was that everyone has bought in. When you have a system that works and the players recognize this, everything goes so much smoother. Confidence in what they are doing produces results. The players did not have confidence in House's defenses and it showed.

Yeah, I heard that one of the current players said that last year it seemed like they were playing a different defensive system every week...

Go Pitt.

 

[PITTLAW]

Yeah, I heard that one of the current players said that last year it seemed like they were playing a different defensive system every week...

Go Pitt.

Now if only we could get the guys on offense to say something similar? Oh wait, they do seem to be playing a different offense not just each week, but in each quarter. As much as I am impressed by the defense this season, I am equally troubled by the offense. Yeah, I know, #24 is hurt...but I am not seeing any identity...and use of personnel and the QB's has been beyond troubling. Will be interested in seeing what they do versus Virginia on a nice dry day at Heinz Field. Hail to Pitt!

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Now if only we could get the guys on offense to say something similar? Oh wait, they do seem to be playing a different offense not just each week, but in each quarter. As much as I am impressed by the defense this season, I am equally troubled by the offense. Yeah, I know, #24 is hurt...but I am not seeing any identity...and use of personnel and the QB's has been beyond troubling. Will be interested in seeing what they do versus Virginia on a nice dry day at Heinz Field. Hail to Pitt!

you do realize that 2 of the first 4 games were played in less the pristine weather conditions. What other personnel decisions trouble you? Voytek was not completing passes, had to make a change. RB rotation has been about can be expected given the injury to Conner.

 

[PITTLAW]

you do realize that 2 of the first 4 games were played in less the pristine weather conditions. What other personnel decisions trouble you? Voytek was not completing passes, had to make a change. RB rotation has been about can be expected given the injury to Conner.

Which is why I said it will be interesting to see what they do versus Virginia. The QB situation was pretty much manufactured by Chaney. Voytek is a better passer when he is moving and Peterman is not a runner--yet we continue to see plays called which do not play to either guys strengths. Why did they start Hall when Ollinson is head and shoulders better? Has a screen been called this season? Surely even you can see the offense is not producing. Like I said, let's see what they do on a dry Heinz Field Saturday. I am very pleased with what I see coming from the defense. Punting strategy and execution and offense--not so much. Hail to Pitt!

 

[#99HUGHgreen]

“It's more foolproof. Like if this happens, we have a plan to do this."

This is the quote I like. It tells me we have a head coach (and defensive staff) at Pitt with answers. Very refreshing. Hallelujah!!!

Any coach can get players to believe their system will make the team better. At the beginning of just about every season you'll hear Pitt defensive players telling the media that they feel the defense will be better. But it is quite rare to hear them talk about how the coaches have prepared them for different situations an offense may throw at them and how exactly to respond to each specific situation.

It would be great to hear Chaney talk about specific plays that didn't work, why they didn't work and and what things need to be fixed so they do work moving forward... In other words, Let's hear some answers - The way Narduzzi and Conklin are always talking about answers to breakdowns on defense.

Narduzzi touched a bit on some things that he might have done differently on offense during Monday's press conference. He mentioned he would have had Chad throwing the ball as well as running it (which makes one wonder if Narduzzi will get a little more "hands on" with the offense). I sure hope so.

 

[Pittx9]

Guys, I'm not a very good athlete but technically I still have eligibility. Watching this defense makes me want to play for them.

 

[Pghfan]

House was over his head.. This isn't hindsight either, many of us said it at the time of hire, myself included. Of course the apologists called us haters but you cant hide incompetence and ignorance, not in the football coaching world anyways..

 

[Pittx9]

House was over his head.. This isn't hindsight either, many of us said it at the time of hire, myself included. Of course the apologists called us haters but you cant hide incompetence and ignorance, not in the football coaching world anyways..

No lie, first game of '13 against FSU, Pitt had the d-backs lined up giving the receivers about a 10 yard cushion. I wanted him gone then. Wasn't a knee-jerk reaction either, I just knew anyone who started a game like that and continued to do that had no confidence and no clue. I've never been more right, but I also never though it could get as bad as it was last year. Allowing the opposing team to score on the first play of the drive and keep time on the clock would've been their best strategy. Such a relief to watch this year's defense.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

"MajorMajors, post: 381263, member: 1140"]In discussing the defense, Ejuan Price: I don't know if it's more aggressive,” he said, “but I'd definitely say it's more sound than stuff we've done in the past. It's more foolproof. Like if this happens, we have a plan to do this.“I feel like it's more thought out.”
Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9217671-74/defense-pitt-price#ixzz3nt4DbdZ2
This is certainly encouraging for the future and damning for the recent past. On the positive side, it reminds me of when Walt Harris came in and before the season started Pistol Pete was asked about the new offense. Pistol said something like "This offense has answers. Whatever the defense does, we have an answer for it." That is one of my all-time favorite Pitt player quotes -- and I keep waiting for another Pitt QB to say something like it. The big question for the defense though - can they continue to improve and then sustain the good play for several games in a row? Go Pitt.
Agree, and hope Chaney can get the Offense in the same place that Harris and Chryst did a number of times, so Pitt has a complete Team.

I am not worried at all and actually looking forward to seeing if Pitt defense can continue to improve and it is going to be fun watching it against UVA, GT, ND, and that will be showing how good it is or how much more Pitt has to do in coaching and Players execution, but so far I see improvements on Defense since game one to today.

 

[steel1975]

Now if only we could get the guys on offense to say something similar? Oh wait, they do seem to be playing a different offense not just each week, but in each quarter. As much as I am impressed by the defense this season, I am equally troubled by the offense. Yeah, I know, #24 is hurt...but I am not seeing any identity...and use of personnel and the QB's has been beyond troubling. Will be interested in seeing what they do versus Virginia on a nice dry day at Heinz Field. Hail to Pitt!

Not just losing #24 -- losing our starting RT in preseason was devastating -- had a huge ripple effect on the OL -- and this was after we lost last year's starting RT to the NFL. We have a huge hole on the right side of the OL, and we have no answers for it. Can't run to the right, and we can't pass block on that side either. If we can solve the right side OL, our offense will suddenly improve dramatically

 

[thebadby2]

In discussing the defense, Ejuan Price:

“I don't know if it's more aggressive,” he said, “but I'd definitely say it's more sound than stuff we've done in the past. It's more foolproof. Like if this happens, we have a plan to do this.


“I feel like it's more thought out.”

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9217671-74/defense-pitt-price#ixzz3nt4DbdZ2

This is certainly encouraging for the future and damning for the recent past. On the positive side, it reminds me of when Walt Harris came in and before the season started Pistol Pete was asked about the new offense. Pistol said something like "This offense has answers. Whatever the defense does, we have an answer for it."

That is one of my all-time favorite Pitt player quotes -- and I keep waiting for another Pitt QB to say something like it.

The big question for the defense though - can they continue to improve and then sustain the good play for several games in a row?

Go Pitt.

I wouldn't put too much stock in player quotes for the most part. Vinopal, Pitts and some others were quoted similarly when asked about the scheme House put in. The results on the field now versus then are all you need to see.

I'd also add that while we were decent offensively under WLAT, we weren't great. We were never able to run the ball consistently and we lacked balance. Lots of third and longs. So I'd say there were some things our O didn't have an answer for back then.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Now if only we could get the guys on offense to say something similar? Oh wait, they do seem to be playing a different offense not just each week, but in each quarter. As much as I am impressed by the defense this season, I am equally troubled by the offense. Yeah, I know, #24 is hurt...but I am not seeing any identity...and use of personnel and the QB's has been beyond troubling. Will be interested in seeing what they do versus Virginia on a nice dry day at Heinz Field. Hail to Pitt!

Very perceptive as usual, glad you are posting again and learning from them!

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I wouldn't put too much stock in player quotes for the most part. Vinopal, Pitts and some others were quoted similarly when asked about the scheme House put in. The results on the field now versus then are all you need to see. I'd also add that while we were decent offensively under WLAT, we weren't great. We were never able to run the ball consistently and we lacked balance. Lots of third and longs. So I'd say there were some things our O didn't have an answer for back then.

Agree, talk is great for the media, but walk the talk is more important and let their play do the talking! The Media wants to hear things so they publish it but Coaches just want the Players to play their best. I still remember how Krauser would tell the Media before every big game what he and the Pitt team planned to do and play, then go out a drop an egg, as UConn Playesr just said, they hope they can win against a good Team like Pitt? UConn often won those games and NCS too and shut Krauser by their play!

It great to have insight from the Pitt Players showing they like what is happening and Price is just commenting on the changes he sees, and not predicting anything unlike Krauser did, but we will know when Pitt Defense becomes a Championship Defense when they win a Championship?

In the meantime, Coach Pat & Staff are prparing the players for UVA and I will wait and see the walk and execution of the Game Plans on Saturday? Glad there are changes at Pitt Football, but I want to see every game now by the way they play and win!

 

[PITTLAW]

Very perceptive as usual, glad you are posting again and learning from them!

Thanks, although the new format blows. Still very hard to have a discussion/debate with a poster and follow the argument. Thread view is far more logical--which is likely why they scrapped it. Looking forward to seeing the team on Saturday. Hail to Pitt!

 

[pbrad]

Which is why I said it will be interesting to see what they do versus Virginia. The QB situation was pretty much manufactured by Chaney. Voytek is a better passer when he is moving and Peterman is not a runner--yet we continue to see plays called which do not play to either guys strengths. Why did they start Hall when Ollinson is head and shoulders better? Has a screen been called this season? Surely even you can see the offense is not producing. Like I said, let's see what they do on a dry Heinz Field Saturday. I am very pleased with what I see coming from the defense. Punting strategy and execution and offense--not so much. Hail to Pitt!

Law I agree. It seems the Offense is less cohesive than last year. I liked Chad by the end of last year and expected him to light it up this year. Its never good for last years starter to see a transfer come in that was recruited by the new co ordinator. Having said that, if they take care of business Sat. it will be a great start to this season.

 

[JSSTartan]

I believe that the offense is still trying to find out who it is as a until without the workhorse #24 back there. Still very much a developing scenario. Once series the O looks very good and is executing and the next, it's a total flop. We do have the talent on O (albeit a bit less now w/o #24) but we have yet to find a coherent scheme to continue to utilize. I love the power play that worked very well against VT. I also really like how our talented TEs are getting into the passing game. NP seems to go through progressions pretty well. The younger RBs have missed holes that were present in both Iowa and VT. Hopefully the young RBs will continue to progress and will be able to be counted on as we hit the stretch run. I also hope that we do have some games where weather is not a factor so as to be able to have NP move the pocket a bit and hit some receivers.

I'm thrilled where the D is at right now and have hope that the O is still figuring itself out.

 

[PITTLAW]

I believe that the offense is still trying to find out who it is as a until without the workhorse #24 back there. Still very much a developing scenario. Once series the O looks very good and is executing and the next, it's a total flop. We do have the talent on O (albeit a bit less now w/o #24) but we have yet to find a coherent scheme to continue to utilize. I love the power play that worked very well against VT. I also really like how our talented TEs are getting into the passing game. NP seems to go through progressions pretty well. The younger RBs have missed holes that were present in both Iowa and VT. Hopefully the young RBs will continue to progress and will be able to be counted on as we hit the stretch run. I also hope that we do have some games where weather is not a factor so as to be able to have NP move the pocket a bit and hit some receivers.

I'm thrilled where the D is at right now and have hope that the O is still figuring itself out.

Disagree about Peterman going through progressions well. There were quite a few times versus VaTech that he literally stared down his intended receiver from the moment they broke from the huddle. On one of those plays...it was so evident that he was throwing to Boyd that Beamer should have benched the DB for not intercepting the pass. Nate needs to make considerable and dramatic improvement to get to the level of QB play that Pitt had last season. Hail to Pitt!

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Disagree about Peterman going through progressions well. There were quite a few times versus VaTech that he literally stared down his intended receiver from the moment they broke from the huddle. On one of those plays...it was so evident that he was throwing to Boyd that Beamer should have benched the DB for not intercepting the pass. Nate needs to make considerable and dramatic improvement to get to the level of QB play that Pitt had last season. Hail to Pitt!

This is exactly why I enjoy reading post here from astute Posters that notice the little things that can change a game. I said it once and I'll say it again, the Lair is the Best Place to Post on Rivals. The Free Board has lost many great Posters o the Premium Board but we have many old and new ones still providing insightful information. This goes for PSU & WVU and Other Teams Posters that post here too, I truly enjoy the insights and even the banter at times!

I can't wait to see if that happens in the UVA Game and I hope it is corrected before Game Time, because Virginia has a great 5 Star DB that shut down Tyler last year?

Thanks Pitt Law!

 

[thebadby2]

I believe that the offense is still trying to find out who it is as a until without the workhorse #24 back there. Still very much a developing scenario. Once series the O looks very good and is executing and the next, it's a total flop. We do have the talent on O (albeit a bit less now w/o #24) but we have yet to find a coherent scheme to continue to utilize. I love the power play that worked very well against VT. I also really like how our talented TEs are getting into the passing game. NP seems to go through progressions pretty well. The younger RBs have missed holes that were present in both Iowa and VT. Hopefully the young RBs will continue to progress and will be able to be counted on as we hit the stretch run. I also hope that we do have some games where weather is not a factor so as to be able to have NP move the pocket a bit and hit some receivers.

I'm thrilled where the D is at right now and have hope that the O is still figuring itself out.

If I never see the shotgun I again it will be too soon. Not sure we've run one successful play out of that set, not am I sure it would be possible to do so with our personnel. That takes a true dual threat QB to run effectively.

One thing that has stood out to me is that we seem to be telegraphing our plays. The best results were when we lined up under center in the I and offset I with Parrish at H back and 2 wide and ran off left tackle, just old fashioned power blocking and running. Can't do that all game, but maybe we need to lean more toward that power running game between the tackles. Our big guys seem a lot more comfortable with it and effective at it.

 

[MajorMajors]

--I keep expecting to see some kind of mis-direction plays, but I'm still waiting. Coach Chaney likes to load up one side of the line, which telegraphs where the ball is likely to go, and it seems to me we just keep running to the overloaded side, where a reverse, or even a naked bootleg, would be interesting.

--I still like that student-body sweep to the right or left that Chryst started using last season with Chad just keeping the ball. Having the QB run essentially gives you an extra blocker that the defense must contend with... With Aston and Jaymar in the game, that would be tough to stop.

--In camp we heard a lot about passes to the backs - that hasn't worked out yet...

--There was that one play versus VT where TB was in the backfield - Pitt called time just before the ball was snapped as the play clock ran out. Wonder what TB was going to do there - run it or throw it?

--As someone noted above, the offense has looked darn good for short stretches. Plus they had those two high-pressure 4th-down conversions at Iowa. So it's not like the offense hasn't done anything good.

--The plays against VT where NP hit Holtz for the TD and later hit Orndoff down the field are encouraging and what we should be seeing a lot more of. On the pass to Orndoff, NP did a terrific job carrying out the fake and hiding the ball on his hip. He looked like a pro on that play. I wish they would continue to look for Orndoff - at his size, he has to be a nightmare to defend...

Go Pitt.

 

[Somerset Panther]

If I never see the shotgun I again it will be too soon. Not sure we've run one successful play out of that set, not am I sure it would be possible to do so with our personnel. That takes a true dual threat QB to run effectively.

One thing that has stood out to me is that we seem to be telegraphing our plays. The best results were when we lined up under center in the I and offset I with Parrish at H back and 2 wide and ran off left tackle, just old fashioned power blocking and running. Can't do that all game, but maybe we need to lean more toward that power running game between the tackles. Our big guys seem a lot more comfortable with it and effective at it.

Agree. Glad the coaches figured it out at half time.

 

[Somerset Panther]

--I keep expecting to see some kind of mis-direction plays, but I'm still waiting. Coach Chaney likes to load up one side of the line, which telegraphs where the ball is likely to go, and it seems to me we just keep running to the overloaded side, where a reverse, or even a naked bootleg, would be interesting.

--I still like that student-body sweep to the right or left that Chryst started using last season with Chad just keeping the ball. Having the QB run essentially gives you an extra blocker that the defense must contend with... With Aston and Jaymar in the game, that would be tough to stop.

--In camp we heard a lot about passes to the backs - that hasn't worked out yet...

--There was that one play versus VT where TB was in the backfield - Pitt called time just before the ball was snapped as the play clock ran out. Wonder what TB was going to do there - run it or throw it?

--As someone noted above, the offense has looked darn good for short stretches. Plus they had those two high-pressure 4th-down conversions at Iowa. So it's not like the offense hasn't done anything good.

--The plays against VT where NP hit Holtz for the TD and later hit Orndoff down the field are encouraging and what we should be seeing a lot more of. On the pass to Orndoff, NP did a terrific job carrying out the fake and hiding the ball on his hip. He looked like a pro on that play. I wish they would continue to look for Orndoff - at his size, he has to be a nightmare to defend...

Go Pitt.

I thought we'd see more screens out of this team. I only remember one against YSU to Chris James that he slipped after catching the ball, but was still able to make a good gain.