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April 18, 2016

If anyone can actually tell me what Conner is saying I’ll buy them a beer.  I got “great weather“, “opportunity” and “LA” …I think this is what wbb commented on yesterday.  That will be a great venue for Mr Conner to get his message across though.

“He will travel to Burbank, Calif., on Tuesday to tape a segment of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” that will air at 4 p.m. Thursday on WTAE-4. His message to cancer victims: “Keep fighting.”

Here is a nice longer video of Peterman.  Note that he talks about the fact that the NCAA allows staff coaches to be present during the summer player’s workouts as long as there isn’t a ball there.  But get this, the NCAA changed the rules and now allow the staff to require the players to attend mandatory eight hours per week practices over the summer months.

Let’s talk some more about those mandatory workouts...

Major college football coaches can now require their players to participate in up to eight hours per week of summer activities.

The NCAA amended its bylaws in late December to allow such mandatory activity, which can include conditioning, weight training and up to two hours of film study per week. In the past, any organized team workouts in the summer were supposed to be entirely voluntary.

How “voluntary” those workouts really were, though, has long been a subject of controversy. The coaching staff wasn’t allowed to have any contact with the players during the summer months, and any lack of participation by players wasn’t supposed to be punishable.

Get that?  “…wasn’t supposed to be punishable…“. Hmmm, OK then!  Fast forward to the NCAA kneeling down and orally spit shining the Big Football Dog school’s shoes in granting the request that the summer practice be made mandatory:

In the final proposal for the new football summer rules, there is a “rationale” given, which states that it “recognizes the importance of the accrued academic benefits of summer school attendance … Student-athletes who enroll in summer school, particularly early in their academic careers, tend to experience enhanced academic success during their collegiate enrollment.”

The proposal goes on to state that the “relationship between coach and student-athlete” will be enhanced by these new rules.

The new rules also allow coaches to require summer activity of players who aren’t enrolled in summer school, as long as those players have achieved a minimum, cumulative 2.20 grade point average.

I put that bold emphasis on that last part because even with all the bullshit rationalization the NCAA explains above they  genuflect even deeper in making all football players attend these – unless they have, in essence, failed to meet the school’s academic requirements.

Good God – is there any wonder why these kids want to get paid fairly and  even organize into a union as the Northwestern players tried to do after this NCAA ruling was announced?

Honestly, I think this is somewhat akin to formalizing athletic slavery in a sense – what other type of university scholarships require year ’round attendance in the classrooms or laboratories?  Are there any?  There weren’t when I went to Pitt.

What we now have is allowing a head coach to preach ‘fairness in competition’ and ‘talent will out’ as far as kids moving up the depth chart due to the hard work they put out in the practices of the spring and fall camps – yet you just know that the HCs are internally using these mandatory sessions as a ‘Go no Go’ point for the players.

Blah……

Here are some Monday morning news clips.

From the Trib-Review:

Lots of inconsistent play at the spring game.

But the game largely was devoid of offensive consistency, considering it was not designed for any side to excel. The first- and second-teams were broken up and sprinkled onto both sidelines, and Narduzzi had no interest in showcasing much of the system new coordinator Matt Canada is installing.

“You saw probably a vanilla offense,” Narduzzi said. “We held some things back. There are a lot more tweaks and stuff that we have in there.”

The Blue defeated the Gold, 19-17, before an announced crowd of 8,033. The running game was virtually nonexistent on both sides, with the Blue gaining 155 yards and the Gold 13.

It would have been worse if not for a 64-yard touchdown run by Blue wide receiver Quadree Henderson on a reverse that he said wasn’t installed until Friday. Henderson, showing speed and elusiveness, led all rushers with 107 yards on four carries.

 Quadree Henderson looked good out there Saturday:

Given those rules, returner Quadree Henderson was asked how many of his returns he could have turned into big gains.  “All of them,” he said.

He was kidding, but in reality he may turn into the game-changer Pitt will need with the loss of wide receiver Tyler Boyd to the NFL.

Henderson didn’t catch any passes, but he ran four times for 107 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown on a reverse.

That came four months after he returned a kickoff 100 yards against Navy in the Military Bowl.  “I made a name for myself,” he said. “Going into the 2016 season, I can make a bigger name. My role in the offense will be to make plays like I did (Saturday).”

The Pitt News weighs in with their three best performances of the scrimmage and as we wrote on here yesterday Weah’s play in front of fans can’t help but give him a better feeling about his abilities:

But in Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage,Weah finally flashed his abilities in front of a crowd. With receptions of 42 and 47 yards, Weah displayed his ability as a vertical threat that Narduzzi said his team lacked last season.

“It was good to see Jester Weah on offense,” Narduzzi said. “He showed you guys what he’s shown us over the first 14 [practices] with two long catches.”

The primary source of Weah’s in-game troubles, according to the 6-foot-3, 205-pound receiver himself, is his lack of confidence. Saturday’s performance may have returned some of Weah’s lost mojo, quarterback Nathan Peterman said.

“I thought it was good to come to Heinz Field and do that again, especially for him, mentally,” Peterman said. “Now, in the season, he can come back with this mentally and be like, ‘I made plays here, I’ve done it before.’

Keeping with the Weah theme – WR Jester Weah and DL Shakir Soto won the annual Ed Conway Awards for their respective sides of the ball.

Here is the award’s background;

“Until his passing in 1974, Ed Conway was the radio voice of Pitt football for four years and a tremendous friend and supporter of the Panthers program. In appreciation of his work, the football team presents an annual award in his honor to the most improved players each spring”

Past winner include (for the last 10 years):

2006

Offense: C.J. Davis (OL)

Defense: Clint Session (LB)

Special Teams: Kennard Cox (DB)

2007

Offense: Jeff Otah (OL)

Defense: Gus Mustakas (DL)

2008

Offense:

Dorin Dickerson (TE),

Cedric McGee (WR)

Defense: Mick Williams (DL)

2009

Offense: Pat Bostick (QB)

Defense: Max Gruder (LB)

2010

Offense: Greg Cross (WR)

Defense: Antwuan Reed (DB)

2011

Offense: Anthony Gonzalez (QB)

Defense:

Tyrone Ezell (DL),

Buddy Jackson (DB)

2012

Offense: Ryan Turnley (OL)

Defense: Shayne Hale (DL)

2013

Offense: T.J. Clemmings (OL)

Defense: Tyrone Ezell (DL)

2014

Offense: T.J. Clemmings (OL)

Defense: David Durham (DL)

Special Teams: Todd Thomas (LB)

2015

Offense: Dontez Ford (WR)

Defense: Tyrique Jarrett (DL)

Before anyone gets excited about this year’s winners, and it is a great accomplishment to win it, much like investing mutual funds  ‘past performance guarantee future results‘.  Take another look at the names and you’ll see what I mean.

 





Chryst was so much better at recruiting offensive linemen that even two D linemen that he recruited Herndon and Dintino have been moved over. that is one reason we have so few D-linemen.

For the first time in years we should have a decent pass rush, but will we be able to stop short third down plays?

Comment by gc 04.19.16 @ 8:47 am

@gc, I totally agree with you on all three incoming Freshmen that I mentioned above. In an elite program all three of these talented guys ride the bench wearing red shirts as they mature, beef up, learn & simply wait for their turn on the future two deep roster.

Here’s the thing though, Pitt is far removed from being elite, where they just reload with talented red shirts and never miss a beat, year to year. The defensive line is an obvious weak spot position that was victimized by our opponents opportunistic offenses. The chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link and the DL proved out to be that weakest link for Pitt’s defense last year.

All that I’m saying is that the guys that I mentioned are talented enough to make the leap to the college game as true freshmen, IF they come in mentally prepared to accept the challenges that come along with that opportunity. It is more of a, “we need you on the field to contribute” rather than, “you are so damn good that we can’t keep you off the field” situation here.

That being said, both Watts & Camp have the “bulk” right now to be thrown into that interior line rotation if they can handle the mental side of the college game as Freshmen. In so doing, their contributions could be realized in the statistics of our veteran troops on the DL rather than themselves simply because with having more bodies involved in the rotation gives these veterans the chance they need to remain fresh and play at 100% on every snap that they are out there on the field themselves.

Who knows, I didn’t even mention Rashad Wheeler, maybe he will be the guy who rises to the challenge, although I think that he redshirts. Somebody needs to contribute as a true Freshman on the DL. Who is it going to be?

Comment by Dr. Tom 04.19.16 @ 8:52 am

Good points Dr Tom. Remember when we thought Herndon and Dintino would be defensive studs.

Hope these new guys are the real deal.

Comment by gc 04.19.16 @ 9:17 am

On paper Watts is head & shoulders above either Dintino or Herndon when comparing their HS resumes. The only reason that we got lucky with Watts at the 11th hour recruiting push was that Watts understood the opportunity that he had to compete for early playing time under the instruction of a true defensive minded coach like Narduzzi. He will be given every chance to contribute early.

Comment by Dr. Tom 04.19.16 @ 9:51 am

Excuse me, I meant Camp, the kid from Florida in the previous post, not Watts, although Watts ain’t no chopped liver either!

Comment by Dr. Tom 04.19.16 @ 9:57 am

Tossing – My 7-8-9 wins comment was not either optimistic nor sarcastic. It is my opinion as I see the football team this coming year and the program in the future.

To address your first thought. I think we have a killer schedule for 2016 because, top to bottom save Villanova, there is not one team on there we can consider a ‘gimme’ as far as a win.

I agree 100% about the Marshall thoughts above – they have had a better program than Pitt has had over the last few years carrying a 33-7-0 record. In doing so they beat Maryland, Purdue, UCONN, N. Illinois, FIU, LA Tech and Southern Miss (x3). Let’s be honest and say that Pitt would have had some tough games with those same teams and would have lost at least a couple over the last three years.

So I could easily see us losing that game especially if we get beaten in two out of the previous three games against PSU, OSU and NC… which I fear might happen.

Anyway, that’s why I look at 7 wins and think that will be a darn good coaching job to get there. As to whether it would be a good thing for us to get 9 wins and have Narduzzi leave? Well, I think Narduzzi isn’t going to be the long term HC everyone wants him to be, I would like that but I just don’t think Pitt can hold him back if he starts winning big here.

But I think you really want to know what I think of Pitt football overall and what we’ll be like in the future. Here it is.

I am not under any illusions as to what level of college football programs Pitt is and has been over the last 30+ years. We are firmly ensconced in the middle third of all the D1 programs IMO. We rarely if ever even break into the Top 25 even for a couple of weeks.

We have ended up in the final Top 25 three times in the last 20 years (’09, ’04 and ’02). In other words we are now and have been an average football program since before a hell of a lot of Pitt fans were even born.

OK – that said, I think Pitt is also a great football program to follow and to enjoy as a writer and a fan.

Why? Because personally I like uncertainty and I like not knowing how each and every year is going to turn out. Honest to God I’d go batshit crazy If were were like Alabama and had such an overpowering presence in the college football scene, won almost every game and was almost separate from the rest of the University’s missions.

I know 99% of the people on here would love that and give their right nut for it to happen, but that’s not me. I still think the most exciting season we have had since I moved back to the East coast and really started following Pitt football again was 2007. I enjoyed all the twists and turns, ups and downs, players coming out of nowhere to contribute, etc… and then to top it off with 13-9 was fantastic.

Above I said Pitt is “average” now and I meant considering the last few years together. Granted 8-5 is a good season for a new HC. But it is one year and basically when all is said and done and with how the season ended it was just one game better than 7-6. I don’t buy the ‘cupboard was bare’ because every new HC has to deal with the other HC’s players. That is just an excuse in my eyes especially when an excuse doesn’t have to be made for a good 2015 season.

That doesn’t mean we can’t have winning seasons and win a conference championship or get into the playoffs. Narduzzi might just be the guy to do that. I don’t think he’s the great coach some on here do but I like him and won’t be surprised if he has a pretty good winning average when he departs – whenever that will be – and hopefully not for some time.

But You can call me skeptical, a realist, a bad fan, a optimist – whatever you want to but I just don’t think we will ever see another National Championship in my lifetime (I’m 43!). That doesn’t mean it can’t happen, just that I don’t think I’ll see one. Nor do I think we will ever see another sustained winning decade like 1974-83 when we went 94-23-2.

We have never been able to hold our winning HCs in the modern era and I can’t see anything that is so different now that makes me believe we would hold Narduzzi if he wins big also.

I don’t believe the “Deep Pockets” stuff fans are throwing around when talking about Gallagher, Barnes and the athletic department. Pitt hasn’t and won’t spend the BIG $$$ needed to keep a winning coach at Pitt. We never have, ever, and I believe we never will.

I do think a lot fun is ahead with Narduzzi at the helm. Again, I like him but I am not impressed with Barnes so far at all and my jury is still out on Gallagher as a “Pitt Sports Fan’s Chancellor”.

Gallagher has talked a big game but all he’s done so far really, aside from the inevitable firing of SP, is to maintain the status quo in hiring an AD and two HCs who are stepping up from a lower level in ether the school’s level or the previous job’s level to get here to Pitt.

In a nut shell I see us have winning seasons under Narduzzi and then having to start all over again with another HC because of it.

Comment by Reed 04.19.16 @ 10:01 am

@@@@@@

The Stallings hire was a good one.
Spring game at Heinz Field smart move for players.

Marshall series another huge mistake by SP. why play a bandit
school home and home???

Not hiring Knight as HC smart move.
FB schedule is difficult 7-5 would
be acceptable at least.

Transfer QB on board plus incoming Frosh
Playing in the military bowl was a good call
getting gashed by Navy was embarrassing;
we should have been able to score v their D

Comment by JR 04.19.16 @ 10:04 am

Reed –

Thoughtful comments, all really good stuff imho. I agree with your FB prognostications too. Slightly disagree on Narduzzi, nobody knows whether he would bolt if he were successful, but he does have several attributes that would bode for him staying put if successful. I hope we get the chance to be concerned about him leaving… I could also foresee Pitt forking over the dough (tons of it) for the right guy, time will tell, we have to get him first to find out. Narduzzi is totally unproven as a HC, but he does have the needle pointing in the right direction, so no reason not to be excited. H2P.

Comment by 1618mt 04.19.16 @ 10:17 am

Reed you may be called many things but “optimist” won’t be one of them. Just spewed my coffee when I read that line of yours. Skeptical, most of the time. Certainly a realist, an optimist, HaHaHaHaHa!!

Guys like Erie Express and me are the optimists among us. I know what an optimist and you ain’t one, not that there’s anything wrong with that. You should have been born in the “show me” state because that is your mandate usually, wait & see, prove it kind of guy that you are.
You’ll come around on Narduzzi with time. He will prove to you that he is the ral deal soon enough.

Every car needs a rescue mirror but it is unwise to drive when fixated on the view out the back window. The future is where sizzle is and this bar-b-q is preheated any ready to slap the beef on it.

You are right this is a tuff schedule. A winning season will be success for Narduzzi in 2016, even if he can’t match the 8-5 record done last season. But it what’s going on behind the scene that spells success in the future with Pitt football. Especially in the recruiting department.

This staff is tireless in their recruiting efforts, they know who they need and they are not shy about going up against the big boys to compete for those better HS players. Just look at the offer sheets on our incoming Freshman and it is obvious that Narduzzi has been successful with this class in bringing in a better class of athlete than we have seen since Wanny was at the helm.

Will that ever result in a better W-L record than 6-6 to 8-5 mediocrity, who can say? But The optimist in me can only be excited by the recruiting that Narduzzi doing. If he keeps that going in the correct direction, then we Pitt fans are in for an adventurous ride during this current Narduzzi Era. May it be long and prosperous!

Hail to Pitt!

Comment by Dr. Tom 04.19.16 @ 10:39 am

Sorry for the misspelling, on my iPhone now and trying to do 2 things at once, which I’m not very good at apparently! LOL!

Comment by Dr. Tom 04.19.16 @ 10:43 am

Provided that we beat PSU, we will very likely be favored for 7 home games this year. Georgia Tech won’t be easy but we did beat them at their place last year.

And we likely will be favored for the game at Virginia.

If so, there is 8 wins.

link to fbschedules.com

Comment by wbb 04.19.16 @ 11:55 am

Thanks Reed – that’s what I needed to see. You enjoy Pitt football but you have no real expectations for the program nor will you hold anyone accountable to set the bar higher. I believe the last 30 years have taken the biggest toll on your generation of Pitt fan than anyone else’s; probably because you’ve seen the lofty heights Pitt has reached and how Pitt squandered it’s opportunity to walk with the giants.

Having said all that, what do you think the expectations of the current administration are? Gallagher has said he wants Pitt football on the front porch of the University? Big talk. Do you believe that’s what Gallagher wants? Or is that just to appease the alumni?

The hiring of Barnes tells me that is indeed what he wants … fundraising. The hiring of Narduzzi also indicates that is indeed what he wants … excitement. You can’t fundraise without excitement. The two go hand in hand as do Barnes and Narduzzi.

You mention spending $$ and Pitt’s history of being thrifty but that’s really tied to the aforementioned fundraising. Alumni donations are what really truly drive successful athletic departments … Not self sustained athletic department budgets that Pitt’s been operating with the last 30 years.

Pitt has the largest alumni base in the ACC and lowest alumni donations. It’s why Gallagher hired someone like Barnes … to bring up donations to align with how big the base is. It’s not an easy or quick fix. It will take time and effort. That’s the reality.

I posted a pretty detailed post last spring about how when Pitt goes all in on football they have always risen to the top.

Do you think Pitt is all in on football right now? Or are they half-assing it for show?

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 04.19.16 @ 12:13 pm

@TT, you gotta find two more wins my friend. Remember,,,,,,10-2.

Comment by Dr. Tom 04.19.16 @ 12:17 pm

We will be very fortunate to have 7 wins this year. HCPN must have looked at that schedule and thought SP was nuts, as we all knew he was. When you are recovering from the mess we had with coaches you do not commit to that type of scheduling. Should learn from the Pedos!
I understand putting fans in the seats, and if we were stable and established this would be great, but sadly we are not.
I fear if we verschedule, or some would say adequately schedule BB we may suffer the same fate.
PSWho is scaring me more and more, as they have better talent and may now have better coaching( than they had before). Hope JF can still screw it up!
Hope all the Texas Blatherites are safe and dry!! H2P

Comment by JoeKnew 04.19.16 @ 12:27 pm

Dr Tom – I think I’ve made it pretty clear on here that Narduzzi has done well enough so that my ‘show me’ attitude has been satisfied. It should be obvious that I like him and if I didn’t get the point across that I’d like him to stay then I should have.

I just don’t think he will.

Good and highly professionally talented guys want to be at the top – in college football that means the ‘big dog’ programs, perennial Top 10 or 15 programs, and a shot at not just ‘lightning in a bottle’ championships.

I believe that if Narduzzi gets this program to 9-10 wins they will come a’courting and he’ll stop performing off-Broadway and move directly onto 42nd street and on the nation’s biggest Broadway stages.

But I know enough about life to know that there are only so many sure things in every walk and in sports.

Not too long ago I posted up the list of our 4* & 5* recruits over the last 10 years and how many turned south as soon as they got to Pitt. I’ll find it and repost it later – but that is in part why I take that attitude with Pitt football (to say nothing of the reality of the history of the program).

Comment by Reed 04.19.16 @ 12:36 pm

The good Dr – haha- last year was different. This year has Clemson on the schedule so there is one un-winnable game in my mind. I thought every game was winnable last year. I think they can and should win at least 9 games. I wouldn’t say I’d be happy with 9 though. I want the bar season in and season out at 10 games regardless of schedule. I think the defense will be better this year. I also think that if Conner plays, the offense will be significantly better.

I will complain, like I did last year, if they don’t win 10 games though. If enough people set that bar, there will be pressure on Pitt to deliver. If most take the approach Reed is taking in that he’s just happy with the ebbs and flows of the college game then Pitt will remain a 2nd or 3rd tier P5 program.

In reality, the first “big” year under Narduzzi should be in 2018 or 2019. It’s when last year’s class is the base of the entire football team and the 2017 class (which should be better than 2016) will start getting on the field setting the tone for Pitt’s return to the national stage in 2020.

Patience is a four letter word for Pitt fans but as long as we’re not suffering through 6-6 season I think we’ll finally be rewarded. Show improvement every year and then strike when the stars align. 6 and 7 win season though, won’t garner the excitement or momentum for 2018 and 2019 that Pitt will need to make the jump to national prominence.

If we lose our coach because of success so be it. Culture not coaching has been Pitt’s biggest obstacle … and I see a cultural shift in the athletic department … despite the Barnes gaffes.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 04.19.16 @ 12:45 pm

??? 4* or 5* recruits “turned south” as soon as they got to Pitt. Don’t buy the implied logic, sorry. stats can be dangerous when pointed in the wrong direction.

Sorry TT, I won’t complain if we don’t win 10 games this year. Timing is everything. I admire the teams (ala Penn St) that have a strong front 7 as their foundation, that alone tends to keep teams in games. When we get to that point, I’ll like our chances a lot more.

Comment by 1618mt 04.19.16 @ 12:55 pm

1618Mt – I agree with Reed that there are not any guaranteed W’s this year, including Marshall. But outside of Clemson I don’t see any guaranteed losses either. That’s where coaching and shear will make the difference. If PN’s the coach I think he is and if this team has enough heart (the further we get away from Chryst the more heart and less quit you’ll see) they can win 9 games. I’ll still want and demand 10 though. Just like last year, this is not a prediction. This what my bar and expectation is. I see 11/12 winnable games on the schedule. To expect 9 or 10 wins should not seem outlandish.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 04.19.16 @ 1:18 pm

TT – I agree with Reed too in terms of his realistic assessment, but don’t get me wrong, I’m pulling for the same thing you are…

Comment by 1618mt 04.19.16 @ 1:22 pm

I’m not too worried about it right now.

I mean, for bs’ing sake, what if HCPN got Pitt to the point that they were the dominant team in the Coastal Division??

Just say for kicks, for strictly bs’ing, that we went to the ACC Championship game several times in a row, and everyone was waiting for the Pitt V. Clemson game or Pitt V. Fla State game every year for 4 or 5 seasons. Maybe we don’t get in one year, but 4 out of 5 say.

Yes, HCPN would be a hot commodity.

Then it will be up to Chancellor Gallagher and the Trustees to decide whether they want to pay to be big, big time or not.

We have a long ways to go to get to that point, if HCPN can ever even get us to that point, so I don’t have any worries about that right now for the next several years.

Flip side, if he doesn’t get us to that point…then what are we losing? If he gets us a couple 8-4’s, 9-3’s and plateau’s and he gets a better offer???

Then maybe we lose a pretty good coach, who did a pretty good job getting us 1 or 2 more wins a year than usual.

I say, enjoy the ride for the next several years, I don’t see him suddenly bolting without having done a miraculous job at Pitt.

Of course, with college football and basketball coaching, he could be gone tmrw, does anything surprise anymore in college coaching.

I think he’s a pretty solid guy though, IMHO, and will do Pitt right for the near future.

First things first. Build the program, get a 10 win season or two, get us to an ACC Championship game, then we can worry if we want.

Comment by Dan 04.19.16 @ 1:33 pm

I might also add, that although some may consider him the defensive hotshot coming from MSU, he’s not a 35 year old hotshot.

He’s what, 49, 50?? I don’t believe that’s old, (beacuse that’s how old I am), but if he does spend 4 or 5 years here,

then suddenly he’s 53, 54 years old.

Again, this is not ageism, I’m the same age. I’m just saying in college sports……..

Comment by Dan 04.19.16 @ 1:37 pm

Tossing – I always have to smile when I read someone throw out the phrase “hold anyone accountable“. Let me ask you a question about that… how do you, Tossing Thabeets, plan to personally hold someone accountable for their actions in the football program? After all this is what you wrote:

…nor will you hold anyone accountable to set the bar higher.

I’ll ask you…

Is it withholding your seat donations and not buying season tickets?

Is it using commenting on this blog as your forum to get your wants and needs to the administration?

Or is it drafting and writing strong and detailed letters to the University Administration about your dissatisfaction with the football program?

Is it bitching about things at tailgates and your having great ideas but then never putting them on paper and sending them as Registered Mail to the Chancellor or AD Barnes?

BTW – I do just that and that way I at least know that I’ve done more than only talked about stuff on the internet.

I honestly want to know because I have heard and read that “hold accountable” phrase probably close to a thousand times in the years I have been writing on here…and not one person knows what that actually means or what actions would work without cutting their nose to spite their face as in withholding monies from the program.

You must pick and choose what you read from all that I write – I have put a lot of effort in all these years to help positively influence things by bring discussions to light that will raise questions about what is happening in the athletic department.

Because if you, as a fan, want to really understand things then reading everything written about it and then making your decisions based on what you feel is appropriate and reasonable info and opinions is the right course of action.

There are discussions that are public and discussions that are private and you have them, Dr. Tom has them and I have them. I put a lot of those discussions on the Internet for literally thousands of Pitt fans to peruse and think about. Chas does it also.

Am I any sort of a advisor or decision maker for Pitt? Absolutely not! Do I purposefully write things that may ruffle some feathers and get people, inside Pitt and outside, to pause for a moment and think things over with maybe a different POV – I sure as hell try to.

As to what I think about the Powers To Be at Pitt wanting for the program? well, I had some pretty detailed conversations with Pat Bostick Jr, and others around the dinner table, about just this issue in Annapolis before the bowl game. He assures me “It’s a whole new world at Pitt”.

When I asked why he pointed to the money side of things as more resources and he specifically talked about the good hire of Narduzzi as a ‘game changer’ for the football program. In his opinion, if I can speak publicly for him, is that yes indeed Pitt is ‘all in’.

OK – if that’s true then perhaps we’ll get to the mystical ‘next level’ that the Pitt administration has talked about ever since Danny Marino left Pitt, That BTW is another phrase I an quite sick of.

But I just can’t ignore the fact that this situation has been repeated when every new Chancellor came to Pitt, when every AD was hired, and when every incoming HC was ‘the right guy for the job’.

Fan’s have an exaggerated opinion of Pitt’s place in the football world because they know and love the University and so much want them to do well – I get that 100%. I want the same thing but quite honestly haven’t really seen anything since the day Chryst left that leads me to believe that things are all that different.

LOI Day for the fans? Been there, done that and Narduzzi had about the shortest one on record.

Open practices so that beat reporters and bloggers can help drum up interest in the program – that is a big “NO” and we actually went backwards on that front.

The athletic department really trying to get the pulse of the fans and donors? Well, we just saw Barnes stick his nose in the ari, look down it and insult those same people on two fronts.

Really, except for some minor and rather silly “Fan Committee” what have we seen that is so different than what we saw with DW or PC? Oh – that’s right Social Media… which when you peel the curtain is most probably a staffer tweeting out crap under Narduzzi’s account.

When I see real and permanent change than I’ll say we are getting closer to a consistent and winning program… but all I have seen in the last ten years is a circus of an average program that makes a fool of itself, or is made a fool of by its people, more often than not.

We’ve heard it all before.

Comment by Reed 04.19.16 @ 1:38 pm

One more thing throwing positives out there.

IF HCPN does get to the point, for simples sake, Pitt back to being a top 20 team for a couple years in a row, and someone throws a boat load of money at him

at that point, I would have to believe that Pitt would have some pretty good OC’s, and DC’s and other coaches that we would all be looking at to promote and be happy about it.

So, let’s hope that, that is our problem in a few years.

If Alabama, USC or Florida State are trying to steal him in a few years, we’ll be in great shape!

Comment by Dan 04.19.16 @ 1:42 pm

Dan – I’ll disagree a small bit. narduzzi was already offerd HC’ing jobs before he took Pitt’s offer. he is a well know commodity in college ball already.

I truly believe that if he would get us a nine win season this year against this very tough (for us) schedule then the big offers will come his way.

In essence the prevailing thought would be “Wow, if he can do that at Pitt of all places we better get him now.”

Comment by Reed 04.19.16 @ 1:47 pm

After 5 weeks of calls (9 with 3 returned) I finally ordered season ticks. Mini packs were sold out.

Did you know that Pitt does NOT run their own ticket office????? A private firm does. All employees paid by that firm…. Not Pitt! And we wonder why there are massive problems. Just like with SP and Barnes…. No need for accountability!!! SOP!

Comment by Dan 72 04.19.16 @ 1:51 pm

Any coach who is successful will have offers come his way, certainly doesn’t always mean the coach will leave. Let’s hope we have that problem to worry about some day.

Comment by 1618mt 04.19.16 @ 2:15 pm

Reed -To answer your question – “Is it drafting and writing strong and detailed letters to the University Administration about your dissatisfaction with the football program?”

I do that and I feel i’ve done my job as an alumni. I then ask others to do it here and I feel I’ve done my job as an alumni. I don’t have the time and effort to do anything else. I’m not going to rob myself of enjoyment by not going to games or not following Pitt football. I’m a Pitt fan after all and enjoy following Pitt.

I will bitch to the leadership. if you notice, I don’t bitch much here. I direct it at people who can make a difference. I have no idea if they listen or not. But that’s what I do. I do know if enough people bitch change happens … see Dixon and SP as recent examples as well as the move back to the Script. Just venting in this forum alone though will not do much. It has to be directed at people of influence.

Realistically, I don’t have enough financial influence alone to make a difference. I get that. No delusions of grandeur here. Hopefully, enough people with financial influence do complain though.

Now to the state of the program … you stated exactly what I wanted to know. Don’t take offense. I just wanted a clear understanding of where you stood.

You take the cable news approach to journalism sometimes (with good intentions) to drum up conversation and spark debate. This approach can mask where you truly stand though.

I’m not criticizing you. Let’s be clear on that. I asked questions because I knew you’d answer them and I appreciate the candor in your response.

The “hold accountable” statement was a little dig at you – i also knew you’d latch onto it 🙂 … I apologize but I also know you have a sense of humor.

What you just stated, however, almost makes Pitt football seem like a lost cause and that really does come across in your writing. What I took as sarcasm and over-compensation is not the case at all. You truly feel Pitt football, and maybe athletics overall, are a lost cause and not salvageable.

I agree with your opinion of Barnes although I think the intention was correct. It may have just been a miss on the hire by Gallagher. I can accept that. Barnes really hasn’t done much that is tangible yet, although, I’d like to see how fundraising has improved over the last year.

To your last point regarding permanent change … if the Gallagher and Narduzzi hires don’t give you hope that permanent change is within reach, what would cement for you that permanent change has happened or is happening?

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 04.19.16 @ 2:21 pm

@Reed, I agree with you on that thought put that way.

Never met the guy, his family or any of his friends.

Just faith, gut, what ever one may call it, I don’t think he’ll leave Pitt or his recruits in a lurch in his first 3 or 4 years.

Better men, have gone quicker certainly, but I just see him at Pitt for at least 4 or 5 years.

And no, I have not said that about every new coach that comes in the door.

Matter of fact, he’s the first one that has made me feel that way.

Just a feeling, that’s all.

I’ve got bigger problems. My one and only concern, is 9-10.

And immaturely, the optimistic talk of PSU’s Spring Game, and excellent QB play, now has me fretting when I think of the Pitt-PSU game.

We can’t lose!! I can’t take it for a year from these asshats. Love em’ dearly, jump in front of a train for them, but on 9-10, they’re asshats!!

LOL

Comment by Dan 04.19.16 @ 2:24 pm

Dan 72 – may be the same “firm” that hire Stallings as our BB coach. You never know…

Comment by Erie Express 04.19.16 @ 2:28 pm

Since it’s being discussed heavily here: the optimistic view of the PSU game is that they’re a mediocre Big Ten team, the disparity in talent between the ACC and the Big Ten has shrunk, and we hung with a much better Big Ten team in Iowa last year.

The pessimistic view is this is Franklin’s 3rd year, so some of the players from those good recruiting classes he’s put together are going to start seeing the field and having an impact, and this McSorley guy is for real and it’s going to be a challenge to shut him down along with Barkley at the same time.

Comment by Jeff 04.19.16 @ 2:49 pm

Pitt Agonistes!

At least once every 2 weeks in the offseason. Every week in the season.

The team is gonna do what the team is gonna do. I’m expecting a better season than Reed because I saw actual improvement last year and I see no reason for that to have stopped.

We are not going to have any idea of what the team looks like anyway until near the start of the season. Several very talented freshmen coming in who have good shots to see the field. And even then we won’t have much of an idea. PSU game is going to be the first real chance to see what kind of team Pitt is going to be in 2016.

Comment by deepelemblues 04.19.16 @ 2:52 pm

It’s hard to get excited about the future of Pitt football without having a talented QB in place. Peterman is OK and MAY surprise us this year. Beyond the 2016 season it’s a crapshoot at this point in time. That’s why we already offered 7 QB’s for 2017, 6 of which are committed to other programs. Anyone else sense any desperation on the part of Narduzzi/Canada team on this score? I certainly do.—Right now I’m keeping my fingers crossed that MacVittie turns out to be that ace QB we have looking for since the Marino era.

Comment by jrnpitt 04.19.16 @ 3:24 pm

I do think we’ll have more talent than last season in most units – DL I’m not as down on as some. Whether it translates into Ws is a whole different thing.

BTW – I wrote an article when we were 8-3 that praised Narduzzi to high heaven and I sure did see some improvement over the season.

I also give Narduzzi a pass in losing the big games at the end of the season as a first time ever HC. Those aren’t easy games to win even if you have been around the block a few times.

Tossing – where I truly stand isn’t the purpose of this blog in any way. This isn’t MY blog and it doesn’t revolve around me. From the day Chas called me and asked me to write for the Blather I have felt it is all about the readers and especially the family of commenters we have.

I want the best of both worlds when I do an article – I want you guys to enjoy it, I want it to make your workday easier – that’s why I put so many news links – with my comments about them – into the weekday pieces. That way you spend time reading fun stuff and not searching for Pitt news.

Now that said – those are my articles. They are different from my comments. My comments are more freewheeling and more personal I guess you’d say.

Comment by Reed 04.19.16 @ 3:27 pm

This has been a really good thread since I left for my round of golf on this beautiful spring WPA day.

I think Reed is very realistic in his assessment of Pitt athletics in general and football more specifically.

I am optimistic for the overall direction of football and a little more cautiously optimistic about basketball. Any improvement in the rest of the sports would be greatly appreciated and long overdue.

I have expressed my opinions on why I don’t expect great things this year due to the weakness up the middle of our D. However football is a team sport and if the offense overachieves, a good year is very possible.

Even if Conner is not ready, we should be able to run the football very well. Hopefully Peterman is much better in his second campaign, and picks up a few more needed third downs.

We should have the dominant offensive line we have been waiting for. Excellent starters and experienced depth.

The defense will have better ends and a lot more experience all over. If some of the young guys contribute they may do well.

Something many fans forget is that the opposing teams have great players and good coaches and want to win as much as we do. Saying a game is winnable also means it is lose-able.

Sometimes you just get your ass kicked by guys that play a better game.

Usually the team with the better players win, but not always (13-9). Narduzzi is starting to attract better players, this years recruiting class is extremely important, hopefully he keeps the curve in the right direction.

Comment by gc 04.19.16 @ 4:37 pm

Reed – I get your point but you opinions influence your writing. You admit to egging us on sometime for the sake of conversation so it’s hard to distinguish that from you actual opinions. I know where you stand now. That’s all and I do think that’s important to know.

I would like to know how you define permanent change and when you recognize it. Is it only after Pitt wins a national title that you say the culture has changed? Or is it after some other arbitrary milestone?

Pitt, in the last 18 months has replaced it’s Chancellor, athletic director, football coach and basketball coach and replaced each with a polar opposite personality. How does that not qualify as permanent change or at least signify permanent change is on the horizon? Literally, you can’t really change much more than Pitt has recently.

You question “hold accountable” and “next level” as arbitrary phrases but permanent change is just as loaded.

Do you really see Pitt athletics, in particular football, as a lost cause?

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 04.19.16 @ 4:37 pm

@deepelemblues, thank you for my word for the day.

Have heard of Samson Agonistes by Milton, but never really knew. Learned how to pronounce it and it’s somewhat meaning. Can see “agony” in there of course.

“enduring an inner struggle” ??

Pitt Agonistes, yes, yes, yes.

Comment by Dan 04.19.16 @ 4:55 pm

—The overall quality of the incoming freshman class is light-years ahead of what we’ve seen — not since Wanny — but since the early 80s. If Coach Duzz can put together 3 or 4 classes like this, then Pitt will be a fixture in the Top 20 – IMHO.

Go Pitt.

Comment by MajorMajors 04.19.16 @ 6:43 pm

Been watching the recruiting closely. Hope we can do as well as last year. I think we will see more than a couple of Freshmen playing this year.

Comment by Frank MD 04.19.16 @ 7:09 pm

Reed i wont pile on i dont do that Nuzz has a Very Tough schedule ….give the guy a chance at least i will take 7-5 with this crazy schedule .. and move on to better things next year So Dont Kill the King Yet ..give and his staff a chance his a chance H2P

Comment by Boo Boo #1 04.19.16 @ 7:14 pm

One area I expect improvement will be within the coaching staff with game day preparation. Last season we had a football coaching staff that was quickly pulled together that didn’t really know each other. A more coordinated effort should be beneficial for prepping the team to meet game day issues. The change at OC should also support the improvement to game day prep removing the one piece of the coaching staff that marched to a different beat. Canada talks a good game about adapting play calling to the skills of his players and emphasizing the run game. With a talented and experienced offensive line we should be able to play ball control something Chaney did little of. This improvement in coaching cohesiveness provides me with hope that Pitt will be in every game and win more than their share.

Comment by Spindler's Spirit 04.19.16 @ 7:58 pm

Reed, loved your frank comments and opinions regarding Pitt FB’s “state of the union” from 10:01 am today. Strangely, I share your love of the emotional ups and downs of being a Pitt fan. I have many friends and family who are OSU fans. They feel entitled to win every game and boy do they cry when they lose!

Comment by PittPT 04.19.16 @ 9:12 pm

Five things I hope (expect) to see this year:
1.) Continued improvement of the D. Baby steps are OK, but I think (expect) Duzz will ratchet up the defense efficiency each year;
2.) An offensive scheme that fits the talent. OCMC has said that’s what he will do, and I have no reason to doubt him;
3.) A large increase in Time Of Possession. Our D isn’t over powering yet, so our next best defense is to keep the ball away from the Bad Guys … Not “Slog Ball On Turf”, but using the clock AND scoring on more possessions. Greater Red Zone Success than last year.
4.) A higher percentage of 3rd down conversions (goes hand in hand with #3 above);
5.) Continued recruiting improvement.

I don’t know if these improvements will translate to more W’s this year, but continued improvement in these areas will pay off sooner rather than later.

Comment by Savannah Panther 04.19.16 @ 9:22 pm

Been out for a few days. I look for Pitt to be 1-0er the first weekend of football season. I am not concerned about any other game on the schedule.

I think many are underestimating the self promoting of Steve Pederson. He put a brutal schedule which would have been Paul Chryst’s 5th at Pitt, right? Under Chryst, with the very average talent he was bringing in, we could’ve reasonably expected to go 4-8. Chryst would have gotten fired and Peterson have skated through for another 3 years. Thank God, Gallagher listened to the Blather.

With regards to Navy, they were solid. Personally, after chewed up early. I would have toyed with putting 7LB’s as my front 7, in order to out quick them. Big doesn’t beat smaller and quicker. We never had a chance in that game. None.

A consistent product, where our team plays with passion and heart every time, every play is what I expect.

Comment by dhuffdaddy 04.19.16 @ 9:43 pm

PittPT,
As a Pitt fan, I don’t feel entitled to win every game, but I certainly feel just as bad when we lose as any OSU fan does when they lose. Every time.

H2P!

Comment by panther94 04.19.16 @ 10:06 pm

I get that panther94 , but I contend that the feeling of elation after some Panther victories is all the sweeter for the tribulations that we have seen in our recent past. I had a lump in my throat after the victory over GTECH last year that my OSU brother-in-law couldn’t understand.

Comment by PittPT 04.19.16 @ 10:18 pm

I’d suggest you guys look at Jerry DiPaola’s Pitt Locker Room(in Trib Review) last writeup titled “One More Look at Pitt’s Spring Drills” from yesterday. I’d be interested on whether you agree or disagree with his assessment of Pitt FB team makeup going forward. For me I think most of what he concluded is right on the money.

Comment by jrnpitt 04.20.16 @ 3:18 am

This years team…

Defense: The defense will be about the same, maybe slightly better. Remember the games last year that Pitt was obviously over matched talent wise? That does not change in one year. Chryst did not recruit D well and it will continue to hurt Pitt this year.

Offense: It will take few game for the new offense to gel, unfortunately Pitt doesn’t have a few games with PSU at the beginning of the season. By years end, we will be liking Mr Canada. Don’t count on Connor being the same player early. Moss and Henderson will become the play makers with Ford being above average. The running game will be really good.

Comment by notrocketscience 04.20.16 @ 6:27 am

New article up soon – will address jrn’s comment above

Comment by Reed 04.20.16 @ 6:31 am

Tossing, FWIW, I am much happier with the current state of the football program than I am with the men’s basketball program.

As a Pitt fan, I thought we were sold down the river by a flawed and biased hiring process. And even though I thought Brandin Knight was not a top candidate, I was enraged when I learned that he was not even interviewed .. especially considering that word went out that he was.

Stallings may end up doing well … I certainly hope so. And he passed his first test .. keeping all of the players in the fold. But he is definitely under the microscope.

Comment by wbb 04.20.16 @ 8:00 am

wbb. every P5 BB coach is under the microscope. And don’t get so enraged. Knight was not nearly as qualified as 2 of the assistants hired by KS so therefore should not be a head coach at Pitt yet. Knight is probably equal to the other assistant hired.

Comment by rayhpgh 04.20.16 @ 8:35 am

wbb,
I thought he was interviewed? When did that come out?

Comment by panther94 04.20.16 @ 8:48 am

panther94, good comment, because it made think of things said that we don’t have a passionate fan base and our fans don’t show up.

Total BS. WE DON’T HAVE THE NUMBERS!!!

For whatever reason. Not as big, not a big state school. Not as much true now since they’ve built some more dorms, but in the 80’s at least, I knew lots of people who commuted.

Yes, commuted. And I was one of those!! I had a pretty good job at a car dealership that I didn’t want to give up. Stayed on campus for Freshman year. Next three, lived at home, left the South Hills in AM for classes in Oakland, went back out in afternoon for work. Don’t feel bad for me, on Fridays I went back into Oakland for the weekend and did my share of damage.

More people like that than you would think. The point on that, maybe not the ties to the campus as much???

I digress. The point being, there is no more passionate fan even at Alabama, Michigan or Texas A&M than me, and I’m sure most of you.

It also bugs me when I hear radio people or others say, Pitt fans don’t show up.

What Pitt fans are you talking about?? I see 25-30K die hards at every game. We all show up!!

I’ve missed about 4 games in 20 years. Couple weddings and funerals. I’m sure the same for a lot of you.

We don’t have 100K fans. We don’t have that.

We have 30K, and hopefully pull 10-20K “Pittsburgh sports” fans in when the team is doing well or playing someone big.

Ahhhh, thank you, my rant is over.

Comment by Dan 04.20.16 @ 9:17 am

panther94, read this towards the bottom

link to pittsburghsportsnow.com

Now, I haven’t seen this anywhere else so not sure who to believe

Comment by wbb 04.20.16 @ 9:18 am

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