Ferrizzi’s Fridays Ep. 34
What to expect from Anthony Campanile’s defense, can the Pacers go up 3-1 and reviewing my US Open picks heading into the weekend
On the Jags…
Keeping with the theme I have taken recently, I want to take a look at the Jaguars newest defensive coordinator and what everyone can expect from the defense this season.
Anthony Campanile hails from the great state of New Jersey and was most recently the linebackers coach for Matt LaFluer’s Green Bay Packers.
Before that, Campanile held the same position with the Miami Dolphins from 2020-2023, even being featured prominently in HBO’s Hard Knocks.
I bring this up because I think his comment which he made in Hard Knocks can give us a glimpse into what Campanile’s defense will be like.
“Everybody understands ass whooping,” Campanile said. “I can go to Greece and somebody starts getting their f***ing ass whooped, we all understand what’s happening. We’re all speaking the same language. We might not be able to communicate, but if somebody is getting their ass kicked, nothing’s lost in translation.”
If this line means anything, I think it elucidates Campanile’s wanting to be physical on defense.
This isn’t a guy who wants to beat you schematically, he wants to line up across from you, and physically dominate you into the ground by being bigger, stronger and faster than you are.
That obviously starts up front with what could be one of the best defensive fronts the Jaguars will have since the Sacksonville days.
Between Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Emmanuel Ogbah and Dennis Gardeck are Arik Armstead, Maason Smith and Davon Hamilton.
That is a solidly deep and talented group of pass rushers that could play like a top 12 unit in the NFL.
In 2024 the Jaguars recorded 34 sacks as a team and only four teams recorded less sacks in the league.
Between having more talent and that new culture we mentioned, I would expect the defensive line to at least improve on that front under Campanile.
Additionally, that extends to the linebackers.
With the addition of Notre Dame’s Jack Kiser, the already strong linebacking corps only gets more solid.
Foyesade Oluakon usually ranks as one of the league leaders in tackles and Devin Lloyd was recently named to Pro Football Focus’s top ten linebackers in the NFL.
If the defensive line takes a step forward, I would expect the linebackers performances to gain more recognition under Campanile.
Not to mention the fact that Campanile has worked with linebackers at his last three stops.
The final group to mention is the secondary.
Under Ryan Nielsen last season, the Jags struggled mightily and this is the group which I think will improve the most.
Even with the departure of Andre Cisco, the additions of Jourdan Lewis, Travis Hunter and Eric Murray should elevate the floor of the room.
Often getting stuck in cover one man coverage with little to no safety help and battling injuries last season, the secondary was often left in poor situations with no help.
Just by virtue of this coaching staff wanting to put more effort into actually doing their jobs, I would say they would be better.
On top of that they have improved the room with more depth and talent.
Travis Hunter alone just became the first primarily defensive player since Charles Woodson to win the Heisman.
Jouran Lewis is the NFL’s highest paid nickel corner and Eric Murray provides the secondary with a veteran presence they haven’t had in quite a while.
All in all, with additional talent and depth and a new culture being built around the unit, Anthony Campanile has a pretty low bar to exceed in 2025 and I have a feeling he will do so.
On the Finals…
After splitting the first two games of the series in Oklahoma City, the Pacers and Thunder headed to Indiana for game three of the finals.
After a relatively quiet first two games outside of a game one game winning shot, Tyrese Haliburton showed up big time coming close to a triple double in the opening game win in Indiana, giving the Pacers a 2-1 series lead.
Benedict Mathurin also showed up putting up a team leading 27 points hitting 9/12 shots from the field.
The NBA’s reigning MVP—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—gave the Thunder 24 points second only to Jalen Williams who scored 26 points, but the Thunder struggled to find quality offense outside of them.
Game four is set to be played later tonight and if the Pacers can take a 3-1 series lead, I can’t see the Thunder making a comeback.
I am a firm believer in momentum and the Pacers have stolen and ridden momentum all the way to the present moment and I could see it taking them all the way to the franchise’s first championship.
Haliburton has made his big shots, but for them to win this finals and for him to cement his legacy, he needs to continue the performance he had in game three.
If he isn’t able to make buckets early and often and be the leader the Pacers need, I could see Shai and the Thunder defense making this a very difficult series for the Pacers.
Either way, I am excited for the basketball yet to be played and I think we are in for an excellent finals.
On the U.S. Open…
For the U.S. Open, instead of giving more picks, I thought I would review how my three picks I gave last week are doing heading into the weekend.
Scottie Scheffler
Currently sitting at +4 and T35, the current world number one is set up to make the cut at the writing of this article.
He has been able to get a solid amount of birdies on the card, but has also bogied a lot too.
Specifically, he has struggled to break even on the par fours.
While Scheffler isn’t too close to the top of the leaderboard, he normally heats up on the weekend as it is.
His Saturday charge at Quail Hollow put him in a good place to win at the PGA and I think something similar could happen at Oakmont.
Jon Rahm
Rahm’s opening round 69 had me feeling good about this pick but he currently sits at +4 and T35 with Scheffler.
While Rahm’s second round has not been ideal, Oakmont has been tough for many to conquer and Rahm’s opening round gives me confidence he can find a rhythm this weekend.
Couple that with a strong showing at the PGA, and I think Rahm wants to prove he can close a major out.
If he can capitalize on his putting this time around, I think he can put himself into contention heading into the weekend.
Rory McIlroy
This has easily been the worst pick I made and I had a feeling it could be a bad pick.
McIlroy has had a mediocre showing since his Masters win back in March and missed the cut at the RBC Canadian last weekend.
He currently sits at +8 and T98 and will miss the cut for the second straight weekend in a row.
McIlory will look to improve his major showing when the Open is played in his native country of Northern Ireland.