Pitt notebook: Pat Narduzzi believes NCAA limit on padded practices won't hinder Panthers' physicality

The look from Pat Narduzzi said it all Wednesday morning.

He turned his head and looked askance at the reporter who asked about his team’s physicality. It was as if Narduzzi wanted to say, “How dare you?”

“We’re going to be physical, no doubt about it,” he did say, finally.

There is an NCAA limit of nine padded practices this preseason, raising the question in some minds — clearly, not in Narduzzi’s — that teams won’t be as prepared for the normal hitting and tackling early in the season. He brought up the issue early in camp.

Narduzzi said before Pitt’s seventh padded practice that his players have been diligent in taking advantage of their limited opportunities to be physical.

“We’re going to make the best of it. I really don’t like (the rule),” he said, “but that’s the rule, and that’s what we go by.

“Our kids have maturely gone out there and taken care of business. They understand there are only nine opportunities. You can’t lose one. You’re not going to gain it back.”

Deep dive into Pitt’s depth

Narduzzi said the battle at starting free safety between Erick Hallett II and Rashad Battle remains alive.

“Two really good players. It may not shake out until gameday,” he said. “We’re going to find out. It’s a good problem to have.”

Narduzzi is pleased he has two players capable of playing the position manned last year by Damar Hamlin.

“If it was already solved, that means we have one guy who can play in that position. The good thing is that it’s still ongoing,” he said. “I think we can win with either of them back there.”

He’ll likely rotate both players, similar to what he’ll do at linebacker and cornerback.

SirVocea Dennis can play all three linebacker positions, and he is competing with Wendell Davis in the middle and Phil Campbell III on the outside (money). Cornerbacks M.J. Devonshire and Marquis Williams also are dueling for playing time opposite Damarri Mathis.

With more depth on defense than they have had in six previous seasons at Pitt, Narduzzi and defensive coordinator Randy Bates will rotate players. No need to keep players on the field too long, especially in the September heat.

“These tempo offenses, you have to give these guys a break,” Narduzzi said. “The Boston College game still irritates me to this day. You blame it on yourself (for not getting enough players ready to play). You can’t run every rep.”

Of course, he has no intention of revealing where Dennis, who had 14 ½ tackles for loss last season, might see the majority of his action.

“(Opponents) are going to have to deal with him wherever it is,” he said. “He can play all three.”

The freshman wall

Freshmen tend to hit a wall late in camp — Wednesday was practice No. 17 — but Narduzzi said he hasn’t seen it.

He praised freshman running back Rodney Hammond, safety P.J. O’Brien, tight end Gavin Bartholomew and cornerbacks Noah Biglow and Tamarion Crumpley for maintaining focus.

“I have not seen a guy who stood out to me early who’s hit a wall,” Narduzzi said.