2017 Pitt Football Camp: Day 13, Videos & Quotes
8/15/2017 3:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—The Pitt football team held its 13th practice of training camp on a warm and muggy Tuesday morning on the South Side of Pittsburgh at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex.
Head coach Pat Narduzzi spoke to the media in his regular morning session before the workout and included his thoughts on the passing of legendary college football coach Frank Broyles. After Pitt's practice, offensive line coach John Peterson, offensive linemen Connor Dintino and Jimmy Morrissey, wide receiver Jester Weah, running back Qadree Ollison and defensive lineman Rashad Wheeler all spent time answering questions from the assembled media.
Coach Interview Videos: Narduzzi | Peterson
Player Interview Videos: Weah | Ollison | Dintino | Morrissey | Wheeler
Below are transcripts from all seven media sessions.
Head Coach Pat Narduzzi
Opening statement on the passing of Coach Frank Broyles:
"It's been a tough month really for college football. When you look at Ara Parseghian, Dick MacPherson and yesterday Coach Frank Broyles passed away. Growing up in the coaching profession, it's tough. They are three legends, and I have had communication with all of them. Dick MacPherson is a Cincinnati grad, so we always had him out to practice there. Ara Parseghian actually coached my dad at Miami (Ohio) back in the day. And Frank Broyles, I got to know him at Little Rock for the Broyles Award [in 2013]. I had an intimate breakfast with him and four coaches and it was like, 'wow,' to hear some of the stories. So my condolences go to all of their families. They impacted a bunch of people. When you think about all of the players out there—they went through thousands of players that they impacted. But I just wanted to throw that out there. We had a great day of practice yesterday. We were in shells yesterday and we are back out in pads. We'll go in pads the next two days and then try to lighten it up before another scrimmage on Saturday. We'll just keep stepping forward and do some good things."
On how he wants to be remembered as a coach:
"I'm too young. I want to be remembered as a players' coach, one who did everything that he could for the players. That's why we coach: for those guys out there. It really is. Today, the word of the day is enthusiasm. Practice 13, some guys start to lose their enthusiasm. I want to be known as an enthusiastic coach that had fun going out to practice every day and impacted the kids' lives."
On if he is still waiting for any players to emerge at certain positions:
"We're waiting on everybody. At a team meeting last night, I threw out the depth chart and said, 'hey, this thing can continue to move.' We are in practice 13 and this is the dog days of camp right now. This is when some guys will fall flat on their face and some guys will rise to the top. So there is still stuff going on, or else we would just give you the depth chart, say, 'let's go,' and stop practicing. There is still a lot of work to do. Who can you trust for a long period of time? You don't gain trust in a week and say, 'okay, let's go.' It takes time to develop players and develop a trust in players to get the job done."
On how many players Pitt has that can play center this season:
"I would say that it is three or four guys. Alex Bookser took snaps yesterday at center, and 'A.O.' [Alex Officer] we know can do it. Obviously, there is [Jimmy] Morrissey and Connor [Dintino] working there. We are always going to find our five best guys."
On if the extra week of practices in camp stretches out the competition battles:
"Yeah, they could. Obviously, it's a week and we are going to take another week to evaluate them and make sure that we are getting the right guys at the right spot. Certainly, another week for us to evaluate and for things to come out a different way."
On what he has seen from his freshmen tight ends:
"I have seen a little bit of everything. A lot of good from Tyler Sear all the way up to Charles Reeves and [Grant] Carrigan. They have done a great job and continue to learn the playbook. They each have different strengths: some are big, some are small, some are fast, some are quick and some of them have better hands. They have an assortment of everything."
On the progress of new walk-on and former long jumper Kollin Smith:
"He looked good in shorts yesterday. He's fast. The first thing that I liked about him is that he has a good personality. He pays attention in meetings from what I see, and he has a smile on his face. That's the first test."
On how the extra week of camp prepares the freshmen to be ready to play:
"It gives you an extra week. It does [help], but it can also wear you out and tear you down in different ways. They were here all summer, so our kids did a good job of coaching them up. They have had that time, whether it was with us or with them; they were going to get that time."
Offensive Line Coach John Peterson
On the competition between Jimmy Morrissey and Connor Dintino:
"They are both high-character, quality, competitive young guys who know that competition is healthy. Those guys are friends off the field, but on the field they are competitive."
On rotating players to find his starting five:
"It's difficult. You have to force yourself to put guys in uncomfortable positions and try to find their best matchup. That's why you teach concepts and guys learn more than one position. They learn by concept so that they can go from one position to another."
On his options at center:
"[Alex] Bookser has proved through the spring and summer practices that he can handle it. A.O. [Alex Officer], well we know what he's proved. To really have four high quality centers is just a tremendous thing to have on any team."
On if any players have surprised him along the offensive line:
"I wouldn't say surprised…expectations are high. Playing offensive line at Pitt, there's a tradition from the guys that have come before. They know that there is a tradition here with the mentality that they have. They take great pride in that. It is a group effort that they understand what they need to do."
On the versatility of his offensive linemen:
"That's part of cross-training. That's what we have to do to blend guys and find guys that may be tackles, or may be guards. Obviously A.O. [Alex Officer] and [Alex] Bookser are guys who can go center, guard or tackle even. Connor [Dintino] is versatile, also. The key is to get guys who can understand concepts and fit into different pieces at any given time."
Running Back Qadree Ollison
On how much he thinks he has changed since last fall camp:
"I have a different role now as far as being a leader on the team. Now, guys come to me if they need help or have questions on certain things that are going on. Last year, that guy was James [Conner], of course; but now I am kind of that leader because I am the oldest in the running back room. I have more of a leadership role in the running back room and on the team in general."
On what he has learned from James Conner:
"I think what I learned the most from him is how to be a leader on and off the field. You can watch his story or look up the story and just tell that he is a great leader. You don't have to know him to know that he is a great leader on and off the field, so I think that is the most of what I have learned from him."
On trying to be more elusive in the secondary:
"Coach [Andre] Powell just wants us to reach our maximum potential. He is giving someone each day something to focus on, whether it is making a guy miss or not crossing your feet on pass protection. So each guy has something to work on every day. He wants to maximize our potential in the room."
On how he is handling the expectations set by Coach Powell:
"You want coach to be hard on you. I don't want a coach that is going to be babying me. I told Coach Powell to tell me when I am wrong. Don't let me slide because that is what's going to make me the best player that I can possibly be. I know that he has a high expectation, not just for me, but for all of us. The standard is the standard. That's kind of the motto that we have going on around here. You heard [strength and conditioning] Coach [Dave] Andrews say, 'The standard is the standard. It doesn't change whether you are a fifth-year senior or an incoming guy. The standard stays the same for everyone.'"
Offensive Lineman Jimmy Morrissey
On his competition with Connor Dintino:
"Not only have the coaches, but everyone has been fostering competition between all of us. Connor [Dintino] and I have enjoyed it a lot. We make each other better every day. There is competition at every position, though."
On having Alex Officer to help him learn:
"A.O. [Alex Officer] is the man. He has really helped me a lot. I told him during the spring that he helped me so much. Anytime I have a question, he is the first one I go to, every time. He knows everything. He's definitely the most efficient lineman we have."
On the responsibilities of playing center:
"There is a lot. You just have to be prepared every time before you come out here. But it is the same with every position. You just have to prepare.
On weighing focus on learning assignments versus the physicality of playing offensive line:
"I would definitely say it's probably a little bit of both. When you know more, you play better, faster and more physical. When you know your assignments, you don't have to focus on slowing down to think; you just play."
Wide Receiver Jester Weah
On how he has maintained his energy throughout this longer camp:
"It starts with your attitude. You have to have gratitude for every day that you get to come out here. I want to get better. So I feel that if I want to get better, I have to give everyone else the right attitude each day."
On his progression from a freshman to today:
"I would have never have thought if you asked me a few years ago that I would be in the position that I am in today. A lot of hard work and dedication has paid off."
On how well the corners have been covering him in practice:
"They are doing well. They are keeping their game up. I feel like I am only making them better when they try to match up with me."
On the offense's capabilities under Coach Shawn Watson:
"I feel like we are on pace to do the same thing that we did last year. We are clicking each and every day and getting better. You have to set your goals high, and that is what we are doing as an offense."
Defensive Lineman Rashad Wheeler
On how difficult it is with only one senior defensive lineman:
"It's not very tough. I feel like we all have that mindset where we all were just born leaders. We can all just look at each other for guidance, whether it's me, Keyshon [Camp], Amir [Watts]. Also with the older guys like Shane Roy and Allen Edwards. We are all leaders in our own way."
On his impressions of Kam Carter:
"I watched a couple of episodes [of Last Chance U], and from what I saw, he is a completely different guy. I knew that he was different. I don't know when that show was filmed, but since he has been here, we have had no problems with him. He's just doing his thing on the field and trying to get better every day, just like us."
On what it is like playing under Coach Charlie Partridge:
"It's great. I feel like I have been making a lot of progress from the spring. We talked in the spring. I don't really think I had a good spring; but coming into the summer, I had a different mindset and Coach Partridge believed in me the whole time. He knew that I could do it, and a big part of that is getting in better shape. I feel like I am in better shape and feel like I am playing a lot better."
On if he feels like the defensive line will be better even with the departure of Ejuan Price:
"Of course I feel like we are going to be better. We have more people who can make plays now, so it's not going to be depending on one person. I know last year, we had a lot of good players like Tyrique [Jarrett], Shakir [Soto] and Ejuan [Price], but we have good players this year. We are just ready to take that step and make plays this year."
Offensive Lineman Connor Dintino
On the competition for the center position:
"We're progressing and getting better. It's a competition, so we have to challenge each other, grow and get better as a team. That is what we are doing."
On the versatility of the offensive line:
"It's pretty versatile. You just have to play everything, so if someone goes down, you have to find that chemistry to move over to the next spot. Just know everything because it makes you a better player. If you are limited to one spot, you're just there for one spot, so just know everything and expand your knowledge."
On how hard it is to switch positions within the offensive line:
"For me, it's like you have everything in your head for the center position and once you get moved over to guard, you just have to have everything for guard in your head. You just have to switch everything over, so it takes practice and reps; but once you get it, you get it. You have to think like that and you have to have a switch and turn everything over."
On how he thinks he is a better player now than in the spring:
"I am seeing things differently. I am learning and understanding football more as a whole. I am seeing the defense and how it shifts, just expanding my knowledge. That is what you have to do because you may think that you know everything, but you don't. There is so much more, so you have to just keep plugging away, keep your nose down and keep getting better."
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
Head coach Pat Narduzzi spoke to the media in his regular morning session before the workout and included his thoughts on the passing of legendary college football coach Frank Broyles. After Pitt's practice, offensive line coach John Peterson, offensive linemen Connor Dintino and Jimmy Morrissey, wide receiver Jester Weah, running back Qadree Ollison and defensive lineman Rashad Wheeler all spent time answering questions from the assembled media.
Coach Interview Videos: Narduzzi | Peterson
Player Interview Videos: Weah | Ollison | Dintino | Morrissey | Wheeler
Below are transcripts from all seven media sessions.
Head Coach Pat Narduzzi
Opening statement on the passing of Coach Frank Broyles:
"It's been a tough month really for college football. When you look at Ara Parseghian, Dick MacPherson and yesterday Coach Frank Broyles passed away. Growing up in the coaching profession, it's tough. They are three legends, and I have had communication with all of them. Dick MacPherson is a Cincinnati grad, so we always had him out to practice there. Ara Parseghian actually coached my dad at Miami (Ohio) back in the day. And Frank Broyles, I got to know him at Little Rock for the Broyles Award [in 2013]. I had an intimate breakfast with him and four coaches and it was like, 'wow,' to hear some of the stories. So my condolences go to all of their families. They impacted a bunch of people. When you think about all of the players out there—they went through thousands of players that they impacted. But I just wanted to throw that out there. We had a great day of practice yesterday. We were in shells yesterday and we are back out in pads. We'll go in pads the next two days and then try to lighten it up before another scrimmage on Saturday. We'll just keep stepping forward and do some good things."
On how he wants to be remembered as a coach:
"I'm too young. I want to be remembered as a players' coach, one who did everything that he could for the players. That's why we coach: for those guys out there. It really is. Today, the word of the day is enthusiasm. Practice 13, some guys start to lose their enthusiasm. I want to be known as an enthusiastic coach that had fun going out to practice every day and impacted the kids' lives."
On if he is still waiting for any players to emerge at certain positions:
"We're waiting on everybody. At a team meeting last night, I threw out the depth chart and said, 'hey, this thing can continue to move.' We are in practice 13 and this is the dog days of camp right now. This is when some guys will fall flat on their face and some guys will rise to the top. So there is still stuff going on, or else we would just give you the depth chart, say, 'let's go,' and stop practicing. There is still a lot of work to do. Who can you trust for a long period of time? You don't gain trust in a week and say, 'okay, let's go.' It takes time to develop players and develop a trust in players to get the job done."
On how many players Pitt has that can play center this season:
"I would say that it is three or four guys. Alex Bookser took snaps yesterday at center, and 'A.O.' [Alex Officer] we know can do it. Obviously, there is [Jimmy] Morrissey and Connor [Dintino] working there. We are always going to find our five best guys."
On if the extra week of practices in camp stretches out the competition battles:
"Yeah, they could. Obviously, it's a week and we are going to take another week to evaluate them and make sure that we are getting the right guys at the right spot. Certainly, another week for us to evaluate and for things to come out a different way."
On what he has seen from his freshmen tight ends:
"I have seen a little bit of everything. A lot of good from Tyler Sear all the way up to Charles Reeves and [Grant] Carrigan. They have done a great job and continue to learn the playbook. They each have different strengths: some are big, some are small, some are fast, some are quick and some of them have better hands. They have an assortment of everything."
On the progress of new walk-on and former long jumper Kollin Smith:
"He looked good in shorts yesterday. He's fast. The first thing that I liked about him is that he has a good personality. He pays attention in meetings from what I see, and he has a smile on his face. That's the first test."
On how the extra week of camp prepares the freshmen to be ready to play:
"It gives you an extra week. It does [help], but it can also wear you out and tear you down in different ways. They were here all summer, so our kids did a good job of coaching them up. They have had that time, whether it was with us or with them; they were going to get that time."
Offensive Line Coach John Peterson
On the competition between Jimmy Morrissey and Connor Dintino:
"They are both high-character, quality, competitive young guys who know that competition is healthy. Those guys are friends off the field, but on the field they are competitive."
On rotating players to find his starting five:
"It's difficult. You have to force yourself to put guys in uncomfortable positions and try to find their best matchup. That's why you teach concepts and guys learn more than one position. They learn by concept so that they can go from one position to another."
On his options at center:
"[Alex] Bookser has proved through the spring and summer practices that he can handle it. A.O. [Alex Officer], well we know what he's proved. To really have four high quality centers is just a tremendous thing to have on any team."
On if any players have surprised him along the offensive line:
"I wouldn't say surprised…expectations are high. Playing offensive line at Pitt, there's a tradition from the guys that have come before. They know that there is a tradition here with the mentality that they have. They take great pride in that. It is a group effort that they understand what they need to do."
On the versatility of his offensive linemen:
"That's part of cross-training. That's what we have to do to blend guys and find guys that may be tackles, or may be guards. Obviously A.O. [Alex Officer] and [Alex] Bookser are guys who can go center, guard or tackle even. Connor [Dintino] is versatile, also. The key is to get guys who can understand concepts and fit into different pieces at any given time."
Running Back Qadree Ollison
On how much he thinks he has changed since last fall camp:
"I have a different role now as far as being a leader on the team. Now, guys come to me if they need help or have questions on certain things that are going on. Last year, that guy was James [Conner], of course; but now I am kind of that leader because I am the oldest in the running back room. I have more of a leadership role in the running back room and on the team in general."
On what he has learned from James Conner:
"I think what I learned the most from him is how to be a leader on and off the field. You can watch his story or look up the story and just tell that he is a great leader. You don't have to know him to know that he is a great leader on and off the field, so I think that is the most of what I have learned from him."
On trying to be more elusive in the secondary:
"Coach [Andre] Powell just wants us to reach our maximum potential. He is giving someone each day something to focus on, whether it is making a guy miss or not crossing your feet on pass protection. So each guy has something to work on every day. He wants to maximize our potential in the room."
On how he is handling the expectations set by Coach Powell:
"You want coach to be hard on you. I don't want a coach that is going to be babying me. I told Coach Powell to tell me when I am wrong. Don't let me slide because that is what's going to make me the best player that I can possibly be. I know that he has a high expectation, not just for me, but for all of us. The standard is the standard. That's kind of the motto that we have going on around here. You heard [strength and conditioning] Coach [Dave] Andrews say, 'The standard is the standard. It doesn't change whether you are a fifth-year senior or an incoming guy. The standard stays the same for everyone.'"
Offensive Lineman Jimmy Morrissey
On his competition with Connor Dintino:
"Not only have the coaches, but everyone has been fostering competition between all of us. Connor [Dintino] and I have enjoyed it a lot. We make each other better every day. There is competition at every position, though."
On having Alex Officer to help him learn:
"A.O. [Alex Officer] is the man. He has really helped me a lot. I told him during the spring that he helped me so much. Anytime I have a question, he is the first one I go to, every time. He knows everything. He's definitely the most efficient lineman we have."
On the responsibilities of playing center:
"There is a lot. You just have to be prepared every time before you come out here. But it is the same with every position. You just have to prepare.
On weighing focus on learning assignments versus the physicality of playing offensive line:
"I would definitely say it's probably a little bit of both. When you know more, you play better, faster and more physical. When you know your assignments, you don't have to focus on slowing down to think; you just play."
Wide Receiver Jester Weah
On how he has maintained his energy throughout this longer camp:
"It starts with your attitude. You have to have gratitude for every day that you get to come out here. I want to get better. So I feel that if I want to get better, I have to give everyone else the right attitude each day."
On his progression from a freshman to today:
"I would have never have thought if you asked me a few years ago that I would be in the position that I am in today. A lot of hard work and dedication has paid off."
On how well the corners have been covering him in practice:
"They are doing well. They are keeping their game up. I feel like I am only making them better when they try to match up with me."
On the offense's capabilities under Coach Shawn Watson:
"I feel like we are on pace to do the same thing that we did last year. We are clicking each and every day and getting better. You have to set your goals high, and that is what we are doing as an offense."
Defensive Lineman Rashad Wheeler
On how difficult it is with only one senior defensive lineman:
"It's not very tough. I feel like we all have that mindset where we all were just born leaders. We can all just look at each other for guidance, whether it's me, Keyshon [Camp], Amir [Watts]. Also with the older guys like Shane Roy and Allen Edwards. We are all leaders in our own way."
On his impressions of Kam Carter:
"I watched a couple of episodes [of Last Chance U], and from what I saw, he is a completely different guy. I knew that he was different. I don't know when that show was filmed, but since he has been here, we have had no problems with him. He's just doing his thing on the field and trying to get better every day, just like us."
On what it is like playing under Coach Charlie Partridge:
"It's great. I feel like I have been making a lot of progress from the spring. We talked in the spring. I don't really think I had a good spring; but coming into the summer, I had a different mindset and Coach Partridge believed in me the whole time. He knew that I could do it, and a big part of that is getting in better shape. I feel like I am in better shape and feel like I am playing a lot better."
On if he feels like the defensive line will be better even with the departure of Ejuan Price:
"Of course I feel like we are going to be better. We have more people who can make plays now, so it's not going to be depending on one person. I know last year, we had a lot of good players like Tyrique [Jarrett], Shakir [Soto] and Ejuan [Price], but we have good players this year. We are just ready to take that step and make plays this year."
Offensive Lineman Connor Dintino
On the competition for the center position:
"We're progressing and getting better. It's a competition, so we have to challenge each other, grow and get better as a team. That is what we are doing."
On the versatility of the offensive line:
"It's pretty versatile. You just have to play everything, so if someone goes down, you have to find that chemistry to move over to the next spot. Just know everything because it makes you a better player. If you are limited to one spot, you're just there for one spot, so just know everything and expand your knowledge."
On how hard it is to switch positions within the offensive line:
"For me, it's like you have everything in your head for the center position and once you get moved over to guard, you just have to have everything for guard in your head. You just have to switch everything over, so it takes practice and reps; but once you get it, you get it. You have to think like that and you have to have a switch and turn everything over."
On how he thinks he is a better player now than in the spring:
"I am seeing things differently. I am learning and understanding football more as a whole. I am seeing the defense and how it shifts, just expanding my knowledge. That is what you have to do because you may think that you know everything, but you don't. There is so much more, so you have to just keep plugging away, keep your nose down and keep getting better."
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
Players Mentioned
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