Tommy DeVito, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Josh Black Press Conference | Sept 15

[OrangeXtreme]

THREAD: Player press conference with QB Tommy DeVito, DB Ifeatu Melifonwu and DL Josh Black. LIVE updates to follow.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Josh Black on d-line: "As a group, I feel like this new front seven did a great job. We need to focus on tackling this week. Last week was like entering a 50-wing eating competition and only eating 47."

Black on being better prepared for Pitt because of week one competitor: "In terms of physicality, yes. But we both played football games last week as opposed to sitting out."

Black on wearing 'Equality' on uniform: "We like using our platform for getting messages out there. There's a lot of problems going on in this country right now and they need to shine a light on it."

Black said the Covid-related protocols for travel were significant. Testing before check-in upon arrival at hotel, quick turnaround postgame. Prep was affected including Friday night meetings as well as pregame atmosphere. Players wary of getting close to opposing personnel.

Black on rFr. LB Steve Linton: "He's understanding how to use his speed, his strength, his long arms to his advantage. It's awesome to see how far he's come with his technique."

____________________

Spallina Break !!

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Melifonwu on facing a top-25 team in week one: "I think you get more out of playing a top team and losing. Losing is always a good lesson. You learn a lot from it."

Melinfonwu on team's vibe following Saturday's game: "People are generally happy the season's here and that it's actually happening. Everybody is happy football is back."

CB Ifeatu Melifonwu on now. He was happy with how the D played at UNC, too. Said the 3-3-5 isn't dramatically different for him, individually. Syracuse played a lot of man coverage last weekend.

Melifonwu asked about Trill Williams not being targeted by UNC. Mentions that he was often matched up with Dazz Newsome, a 1,000-yard receiver last year.

Melifonwu said he's not surprised by Garrett Williams' strong play. They put extra work in together after practice last fall. Those extra minutes paid off for Iffy as an underclassman.

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DeVito on playing UNC last week: "I'd rather play the top-25 team. I'd rather play four-quarters of tough football rather than having a running clock on the end."

QB Tommy DeVito said the UNC game didn't feel like last year. The mistakes were marginal. The tiniest changes in timing, angles, etc. -- "the slightest detail" -- could lead to significant improvement as soon as this weekend. He said it's frustrating, but also provides optimism.

DeVito said he doesn't like to use the truncated offseason as an excuse. Every team had their preparation affected.

DeVito said he and backup QB Rex Culpepper stayed away from each other while eating and meeting at UNC. If one of them tested positive, the other would avoid being ineligible due to contact tracing.

DeVito said "not having spring ball was a big hit" in regard to meshing with OC Sterlin Gilbert. Offensive personnel had to work quickly in the fall to make up for that lost time. "There's only so much you can do through Zoom."

DeVito said Pitt has a "solid" defense. "It's going to be a challenge, but I'm game for it."

 

[AngryOtto]

I would have liked the offense to play four tuff quarters of football. However our offense probably played about 1 quarter total in the game and I am not sure you could say they played tuff.

 

[TheCusian]

I would have liked the offense to play four tuff quarters of football. However our offense probably played about 1 quarter total in the game and I am not sure you could say they played tuff.

Unfair and unhelpful.

 

[Chip]

DeVito said "not having spring ball was a big hit" in regard to meshing with OC Sterlin Gilbert. Offensive personnel had to work quickly in the fall to make up for that lost time. "There's only so much you can do through Zoom."

Well, you can apparently learn calculus!

 

[OrangeTarheel]

Unfair and unhelpful.

To be fair his name IS AngryOtto

 

[AngryOtto]

I am a die hard fan but I will not wear orange colored glasses. Anyone that watched the game saw the same issues with TD as last year. This is the same offense with a few changes. It’s not like the defense that had a whole new system but somehow was able to excel. I hear about timing but again the only receiver that left was Jackson. I know TD threw a majority of his passes to him but he has been working with the other receivers for years. There is not an issue pointing out facts.

 

[RandomGuy]

I am a die hard fan but I will not wear orange colored glasses. Anyone that watched the game saw the same issues with TD as last year. This is the same offense with a few changes. It’s not like the defense that had a whole new system but somehow was able to excel. I hear about timing but again the only receiver that left was Jackson. I know TD threw a majority of his passes to him but he has been working with the other receivers for years. There is not an issue pointing out facts.

I agreed with TD, in this press conference. I saw issues that could be quickly fixed, unlike the beginning of last year. This is not last year.

Last year, the line was moved around, all camp. Adams was pissed about that, because he wanted time to work his position. Heckel went down, and made for more line issues. They didn't repeat that mistake, this year. Even with an insane amount of guys injured(insane), the line was decent at pass pro. Not perfect. Last year? No. Tommy was teed off on until he was injured. Leadership is sometimes playing through what most guys can't.

I don't blame him for expecting the same. It wasn't the same. It wasn't perfect, but that's football. My father was a regional Olympic coach. He always told me, "for every one time you do something wrong, it takes 2 times to fix it." Of course, that's in reference to technique. Tommy has great technique. To a lesser extent, I don't blame him if he needs to wash the hangover off from last year.

Unlike the posters on this forum, he'll know what was on The Line, the WR, the line call, RB, or on him. He has eyes, ears and a heart. I watched him win a couple for us in 2018. Last year was a mess, all around. I expect improvement in the Pitt game, even against a stouter defense. Hopefully, P.Davis can at least double his reps, and we find improvement in the running game. Devito is my QB. I'm good with that.

 

[sufandu]

Unfair and unhelpful.

It was a cheap shot, but how is anything on a fan forum helpdul?

 

[TheCusian]

I am a die hard fan but I will not wear orange colored glasses. Anyone that watched the game saw the same issues with TD as last year. This is the same offense with a few changes. It’s not like the defense that had a whole new system but somehow was able to excel. I hear about timing but again the only receiver that left was Jackson. I know TD threw a majority of his passes to him but he has been working with the other receivers for years. There is not an issue pointing out facts.

we need an allegory for the opposite of orange colored glasses

pooh-colored glasses where all you see is

 

[TheCusian]

It was a cheap shot, but how is anything on a fan forum helpdul?

If the goal of a fan forum is constructive, interesting debate that had none of it

 

[ImperialOrange]

I am a die hard fan but I will not wear orange colored glasses. Anyone that watched the game saw the same issues with TD as last year. This is the same offense with a few changes. It’s not like the defense that had a whole new system but somehow was able to excel. I hear about timing but again the only receiver that left was Jackson. I know TD threw a majority of his passes to him but he has been working with the other receivers for years. There is not an issue pointing out facts.

So what purposed solutions do you see? Would you go as far as starting Rex or one of the kids at qb?

Personally I thought play calling alone can help to some degree and equally having that first game film to break down will help as well.

I'm not ready to quit on this season yet

 

[AngryOtto]

So what purposed solutions do you see? Would you go as far as starting Rex or one of the kids at qb?

Personally I thought play calling alone can help to some degree and equally having that first game film to break down will help as well.

I'm not ready to quit on this season yet

I am not ready to quit on the season but I also do like excuses that covid was the cause of all the issues. The defense was placed in the same position and played great. Elmore moved to a position he has not played since high school and did good on very limited time.
The wr did not help but I was hoping for marked improvement in TD and the offense. I did not occur other than a couple of runs he continues to not go through his progressions while rolling out, fixes on his first option and holds on to the ball to long. We can criticize the offensive line but you can only hold the defense back so long you have to make quick decisions.
Concerning playing culpepper or the freshman. I do not see a problem giving the freshman a couple of series in live action. If we are only going to gain 170 yards with multiple three and outs we need to look at all options.
I feel all fans have a right to express their frustration in the offense. Especially those of us that have been supporting this team 25, 35 and 45 or longer.
Now maybe Saturday TD will go out and metamorphosis into that elite 11 qb that everybody hoped for and I will eat crow. If not than the criticism is warranted and the team needs to look at all available options.

 

[McNabb2Brominski]

I am not ready to quit on the season but I also do like excuses that covid was the cause of all the issues. The defense was placed in the same position and played great. Elmore moved to a position he has not played since high school and did good on very limited time.
The wr did not help but I was hoping for marked improvement in TD and the offense. I did not occur other than a couple of runs he continues to not go through his progressions while rolling out, fixes on his first option and holds on to the ball to long. We can criticize the offensive line but you can only hold the defense back so long you have to make quick decisions.
Concerning playing culpepper or the freshman. I do not see a problem giving the freshman a couple of series in live action. If we are only going to gain 170 yards with multiple three and outs we need to look at all options.
I feel all fans have a right to express their frustration in the offense. Especially those of us that have been supporting this team 25, 35 and 45 or longer.
Now maybe Saturday TD will go out and metamorphosis into that elite 11 qb that everybody hoped for and I will eat crow. If not than the criticism is warranted and the team needs to look at all available options.

FWIW, I think installing a new of offense takes longer to get going than a new defense. This was the first live action for the offense. I gotta think (hope) the offense improves game by game as the season goes and adjustments are made. I imagine we see some other guys get some action this week, especially at WR; maybe more looks for Jackson, Hendrix, Benson.

 

[sufandu]

If the goal of a fan forum is constructive, interesting debate that had none of it

Is that the only goal?

 

[OttoinGrotto]

we need an allegory for the opposite of orange colored glasses

pooh-colored glasses where all you see is

I believe the term is "painting with a $#it brush."

 

[TheCusian]

Is that the only goal?

I'm not really the one to set a goal for the forum, but I've been around long enough and seen what gets banned enough to have an idea of what's valued around here. As have you.

I don't have a problem with dissenting opinions or negative takes if they have substance

 

[Newhouser]

FWIW, I think installing a new of offense takes longer to get going than a new defense. This was the first live action for the offense. I gotta think (hope) the offense improves game by game as the season goes and adjustments are made. I imagine we see some other guys get some action this week, especially at WR; maybe more looks for Jackson, Hendrix, Benson.

I understand that point for sure but I think the offensive tweaks were smaller - to me it's still Dino's system. The change on D was massive.

 

[Qbobby]

It was a cheap shot, but how is anything on a fan forum helpdul?

From what I have been told here, coaches frequently read and learn about football here.

 

[RF2044]

Impressive remarks from Tommy. Here's hoping he [and the entire team] bounce back and bring it Saturday.

 

[SUFan44]

FWIW, I think installing a new of offense takes longer to get going than a new defense. This was the first live action for the offense. I gotta think (hope) the offense improves game by game as the season goes and adjustments are made. I imagine we see some other guys get some action this week, especially at WR; maybe more looks for Jackson, Hendrix, Benson.

The whole offense is the same. That was the reason to hire Gilbert. Same system, new eyes on things. Hoping seeing different results.

 

[sufandu]

I'm not really the one to set a goal for the forum, but I've been around long enough and seen what gets banned enough to have an idea of what's valued around here. As have you.

I don't have a problem with dissenting opinions or negative takes if they have substance

Do you think what he said was ban worthy? I don't usually go there but have seen a million posts like that on here.

 

[TheCusian]

Do you think what he said was ban worthy? I don't usually go there but have seen a million posts like that on here.

I said what I thought in the first response to his post. Unhelpful is a good description. I don't know that we need to keep dancing - music stopped

 

[Keger03]

FWIW, I think installing a new of offense takes longer to get going than a new defense. This was the first live action for the offense. I gotta think (hope) the offense improves game by game as the season goes and adjustments are made. I imagine we see some other guys get some action this week, especially at WR; maybe more looks for Jackson, Hendrix, Benson.

But they are not installing a new offense. As Dino said, its rearranging vs remodeling as the Defense did.

 

[ImperialOrange]

I am not ready to quit on the season but I also do like excuses that covid was the cause of all the issues. The defense was placed in the same position and played great. Elmore moved to a position he has not played since high school and did good on very limited time.
The wr did not help but I was hoping for marked improvement in TD and the offense. I did not occur other than a couple of runs he continues to not go through his progressions while rolling out, fixes on his first option and holds on to the ball to long. We can criticize the offensive line but you can only hold the defense back so long you have to make quick decisions.
Concerning playing culpepper or the freshman. I do not see a problem giving the freshman a couple of series in live action. If we are only going to gain 170 yards with multiple three and outs we need to look at all options.
I feel all fans have a right to express their frustration in the offense. Especially those of us that have been supporting this team 25, 35 and 45 or longer.
Now maybe Saturday TD will go out and metamorphosis into that elite 11 qb that everybody hoped for and I will eat crow. If not than the criticism is warranted and the team needs to look at all available options.

That's fair. Admittedly I was ready to see Rex long before he came in on Saturday.

I do think the lack of Spring and Summer Ball hurt us more than most. Defense did play well but individual responsibilities on D are much easier to learn. Big positive that our young linebackers seem to have picked it up so quickly... Some serious talent in that room.

Let's hope UNC is just really good and with that game under our belt this weekend is much more fun to take part in