Press Conference 9/20/2011 (PITT week)

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Starts at Noon ET

UND All Access

 

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PITT has similarities to Tulsa because of the new coach, of course

 

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PITT's defense plays alot of different coverages, so they will keep the play calling fairly simple for Rees

 

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The foundation of the program has to be built with the lines

 

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Conversion on 3'rd downs on the 90 yard drive were the key and consistency. Looks for that to be the norm

 

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Tim Hinton is a great ball coach. Hinton takes responsibility if any RB fumbles. He is very valuable to the staff

 

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Salvi knocked himself out during camp on kick coverage, he goes all out every time. He has the mindset that the stereotypical walk-on would have.

 

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At Cincinatti noon start to games were a concerned. But is not concerned here at ND because the schedule at ND already gets the players ready for early mornings.

 

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Josh Atkinson won't see the field soon, but will get work because they need more depth in the secondary

 

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Positive news on the Shembo situation. No details though

 

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Likes the way this team plays the game, they just get sloppy. They control the line of scrimmage in all three games and can run the ball effectively.

Pass defense played how they would like this past game.

 

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Change of pace QB, has lost focus because of the QB change early on. But it is still in the works and is game to game if they use those packages.

 

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Fleming had his best game of the year and hopefully it becomes a trend

 

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Message this week, continue to develop in practice. Don't think "we have arrived", still alot of work ahead of them.

 

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They felt strongly about Blanton coming into the season and he has exceeded expectations so far.

Has a great swagger and confidence about him, on and off the field. That is needed in the defensive backfield.

 

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Watt is a very physical player.

Martin is a great player and if you were shown the film you would not believe the things he can do.

The whole O-line has really developed.

 

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Clarification, TJ Jones penalty after the TD is NOT a penalty. Its only a penalty if they stick the gloves in the opposing teams face

 

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Coach knew the gloves would be something to deal with throughout the season, but the team knows what is right and wrong

 

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Lynch is an extremely genetically built man. He is very relentless, some players have it and he does. With his relentless mentallity and build, makes him a great player. NFL scouts already think he looks like an NFL player.

 

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Lynch is able to bulldoze a tackle or beat them with a first step, to be able to do both is very valuable

 

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Kelly don't allow players to talk during the game, he had discussions with Blanton about it. He has changed from talking on the field but still talks off it.

 

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PITT will continue to improve as they learn their schemes. Some what similiar to last years ND team.

 

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Talking about Lynch, Tuitt, Nix, Johnson, KLM, Ishaq, etc. The depth will keep everyone fresh and cause problems for the opponents offense, especially if they have to pass alot.

 

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Floyd has got better at the nuances of being a WR. He is very physical and understand where he fits. He can move to every WR position and understand everything. Kelly is impressed with his burst.

 

[koonja]

Just so you know, I'm reading these and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Thanks for the work!

 

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If you put the stats of all three games up against eachother, the MSU game would be the one you say ND did not win. But that is not how games are won.

 

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Toma is a very valuable player, but they want to really get Riddick into a grove before they start rotating too much.

 

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Just so you know, I'm reading these and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Thanks for the work!

Thanks I was starting to wonder after awhile, lol

 

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TJ has been playing with tremendous speed.

The offense is hard to defend if Floyd, Jones, Riddick and Eifert are all clicking along with the running game.

 

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Rees knows he can count on any of his receivers. This gives him the ability to look to the left and right of the offense without feeling only one or two of his receivers can catch.

It is good for the development of a young QB