Pat Narduzzi knows that when it comes to evaluating one of Pitt’s practices, the naked eye goes only so far.
There’s simply too much happening simultaneously at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex for Narduzzi to properly assess in real time.
That’s what after-practice film reviews are for. After the Panthers resumed practices Tuesday following spring break, Narduzzi did not anticipate being pleased when he does take a deeper dive.
“Without watching the tape, sometimes I’m wrong,” Narduzzi said. “Sometimes I walk off the field and I think it was a good practice, then I watch the tape and it’s a bad practice. Some days I’ll think it’s a bad practice, I’ll watch, and it’s a good practice.
“I walked off the field today and my first impression was it was sloppy. Time away — we were gone for nine days. I wasn’t happy with just the details. It wasn’t as clean as I’d like it to be.”
The Panthers, in their fourth of 15 practices this spring, committed two fumbles Tuesday, per Narduzzi.
“It’s a bad day when you turn the ball over,” Narduzzi said.
Granted, Narduzzi admitted that a step backward could have occurred any day and wasn’t necessarily tied to the team getting back in action for the first time after spring break (March 9-13).
That said, a handful of player absences Tuesday were tied to the break.
Redshirt junior wideout Blue Hicks, the team’s leading receiver from a year ago, was among those not present, because of travel issues.
Narduzzi, sounding far from pleased about Hicks’ absence, suggested disciplinary action of some kind could be in store when the Miami, Fla., native does return.
“He’s having trouble getting back,” Narduzzi said. “We’ve had a couple other guys who had trouble, and they found a way to get back. Some guys flew into Columbus and took a rental car over from Columbus to get it done.
“When I talk about the blue vase — find a way to get it done. I don’t want to hear any excuses. (Hicks) let our team down, so he’s not back from spring break yet. It’s not helping him in the classroom, it’s not helping us on the field today. He’ll pay the price.”
By Tuesday, Narduzzi had also gotten the news about Pitt’s April 11 Blue-Gold Spring Game at Acrisure Stadium, which, because of logistical complications related to the NFL Draft’s presence in Pittsburgh, will be closed to fans.
The draft, set for April 23-25, will have its main stage and theater for selections just outside Acrisure Stadium, compromising parking capacity and maneuverability on the day of the spring game.
While lamenting an experience being stripped away from fans, Narduzzi also expressed disappointment in not being able to generate the desired atmosphere at Acrisure Stadium for his team.
To be sure, the stadium wouldn’t come close to looking like a normal game day in terms of attendance, but playing in front of a crowd on Pitt’s home field is still useful for new players and freshmen.
But, with the draft coming to Pittsburgh potentially being a once-in-a-lifetime event, Narduzzi isn’t taking things too hard.
“Obviously, not excited,” Narduzzi said. “Happy for the NFL Draft to be here and to have 500,000-700,000 fans in Pittsburgh. It’s crazy. (But) not happy about it. Some things are out of our control as a university. ESPN has taken over that whole parking lot; there’s no parking. … It’s just a logistical thing.
“Everybody’s excited about the draft, so it’s one of those years. When’s the next time we’re going to have the draft in Pittsburgh?”
