2017 Pitt Football Camp: Day 14, Videos, Photos & Quotes
8/16/2017 3:30:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—The Pitt football team practiced for the 14th time of training camp on Wednesday morning on another sunny and warm day on the South Side of Pittsburgh at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex.
Head coach Pat Narduzzi met media in his routine morning session before practice. Following Pitt's practice, wide receivers coach Kevin Sherman, linebacker Elijah Zeise, defensive lineman Shane Roy, running back Chawntez Moss, defensive lineman Dewayne Hendrix and defensive back Phil Campbell also participated in interviews.
Coach Interview Videos: Narduzzi | Sherman
Player Interview Videos: Zeise| Moss | Hendrix | Campbell
Below are transcripts from all seven media sessions.
Head Coach Pat Narduzzi
Opening statement:
"We have another beautiful day here. We picked some great weather for camp. Yesterday and today are two really good, hot days at 87 and 88 degrees. We had a great, tough practice yesterday. You talk about toughness, we did a 10-play drive so that you can see who could go 10 and who couldn't. Saw a lot of things there: who was going to melt in the heat, especially with a 10-play drive. We had some good periods yesterday, so I am excited about where we are there."
On whether playing 10 straight plays is something new that he incorporated this camp:
"No, we have done it in the past. I just didn't tell you guys, so I'd figure I would tell you today."
On whether playing 10 straight plays is a test for the young defensive linemen:
"It's a test for everybody. I think you have to progress to it. I don't think that you go out on the first day and do it. I think that it is something that once you learn how to carry your pads, you get out there and you have to sustain a drive offensively and defensively. There is going to be long drives defensively. We want our offense to be out there for a 12- or 15-play drive. We'll probably do a 12- or 15-play drive next week just to keep them out there. It doesn't matter if you don't get a first down. If you get a three-and-out on offense, we're going to keep the drive going."
On which receivers behind Jester Weah and Quadree Henderson have stood out to him:
"You look at [Rafael] Araujo-Lopes, he has done a great job. He works his tail off. He's been very consistent, maybe the most consistent of all. Maurice Ffrench has done a nice job. Those are the guys that stand out to me and are probably the top four at this point."
On his thoughts of having joint practices with other schools:
"I don't know anything about that. I'm okay with it. Bring Duquesne over here or whoever. Let's bring Robert Morris over. I think that it would be great. It would be nice to have a preseason game like the NFL."
On if he feels like he would hold back if there would ever be a joint practice:
"No, I think that the game comes down to fundamentals to begin with. So it's not about the scheme. Everybody thinks that it is all scheme. It's not about scheme; it's about fundamentals. Fundamentals win games offensively, defensively and on special teams. We focus on the fundamentals, just to go out and hit somebody different. That's the toughest thing about coming out of preseason. How do we look? 'Oh, we look great against each other,' but what does that matter? We have an opponent on September 2. How do we match up against them and how do we match up against somebody else? I think after practice 17 and 18, our guys will be sick of hitting each other, I think that's for sure. So I think that it's nice to get some new meat out there."
On the development of Jester Weah as a receiver and a leader:
"He's maybe progressed more off the field than he has on the field. We've been going through some leadership stuff at night in some of our team meetings, and he has done an unbelievable job. The other night, he mentioned to the team that, 'I've come a long way off the field." When we first got here, he was probably one of the grumpiest, moodiest guys to coach. It's like, 'What happened to this guy?' But now, he's totally, totally different as far as his attitude off the field, so he has come a long, long way off the field."
On if he has certain matchups between cornerbacks and receivers in practice:
"No, they have to work against all kinds of different types. Whether it is one-on-one's, we tell guys, 'hey, don't go in there if that guy is not a challenge for you. Don't go against him, let someone else go. Just because you're the next guy up, you don't have to go.' That's about the only matchup. Otherwise, it's 'just go play football.' You're going to have different guys that you are going to have to cover. Everybody has a little different release, so you want to go against a bunch of different types."
On the strength of Jester Weah:
"I don't think that it is overlooked. I think that some of the NFL scouts that are out here like his size and his physicalness. We know that he is fast and he has ball skills, but then you look at the physical type of receiver that he can be. Just like when you look at Dontez Ford the other night with Detroit—physical wins. The bigger those wideouts get, the more physical they get, the bigger those corners better get. That's where you have those mismatches."
Wide Receivers Coach Kevin Sherman
On the depth of the wide receiver group:
"We're down in numbers a little bit, but I think we've got enough guys to get through what we need to get done. We're getting better every day. Now having Aaron Mathews out here working with us, that's going to help our depth. That'll just allow us to move guys around a little bit and see who can handle the offense and step up and compete on a consistent basis."
On if true freshmen will get in the mix during games:
"We're still feeding them the water hose; we're overloading them a little bit. They're getting a lot of volume of the offense. They have to play fast, they have to see things quicker, see things faster. And then they have to execute. Now, are they doing things perfectly? No. But they're seeing themselves on film, getting better and they're learning. They're hearing in the room what we're trying to get accomplished, why we're doing what we're doing and how to get there. I think the extra meeting time with a guy like Tre Tipton is helping those guys out tremendously right now. I think that he's been a big help, helping those guys when I'm not around. They're getting extra meeting times. They're getting better and we have a lot of work to do."
On how Jester Weah can be better this year:
"I think he has to step up and take his game to another level. I think he's been consistent. I think he's been an every-down guy, every-play guy and every-week guy. He's just making consistent plays down the field. He's going to get played differently this year. I think going against our defense helps him every day on a daily basis to compete. Going against Avonte Maddox every day helps him get better as a football player."
On Quadree Henderson's role in the passing game:
"I think Quadree [Henderson] has bought in to what we are trying to get accomplished in the throw game. I think he's getting better just route-running and seeing things. He's getting better at playing in the slot because I think that's a new position for him, playing on the inside lane. He's getting better. Is he perfect? No. Is he getting better every day? Yes. He has to get used to making those plays in the throw game."
On Ruben Flowers III contributing this year:
"I am really, really excited about what he's capable of doing. I think he's shown that the past couple scrimmages and practices. Once again, it's just consistency. It's making that play when we need to make a play. We have to have chunk yards; we have to have big plays; we have to have explosive plays. He's very capable of doing those things. I think once he sees himself on video and competes against our guys every day and makes those plays, his confidence is starting to rise as well."
Linebacker Elijah Zeise
On his excitement getting back into practicing and playing coming off an injury:
"I'm very excited, honestly. It's probably been more than a year because I had small roles on special teams since I've been here and I'm really excited to get out there and really be doing something."
On the growth of his understanding of the defense through camp:
"I think I'm pretty far along. I think where I was at this point last training camp, I'm miles further as far as an understanding goes. Last year was a lot of just knowing what I had to do on any given play. Now I have a big, broad understanding of the defense, so I feel pretty comfortable so far."
On the biggest adjustment he made going from Star linebacker to Money linebacker:
"I think just being in the box more. When I was at star, it's more walked out, matching up with receivers and stuff. Now I'm more involved in the run. I think that's been one of the biggest changes. It's a little more physical."
On how the linebackers work together:
"I think we're a pretty athletic group. I think even when sometimes we make wrong reads and get caught out of position, we're athletic enough to make up for it a lot of times. I think that's one big advantage that we will have going forward."
Defensive Lineman Shane Roy
On what it's like guiding younger players:
"It's easy. Those guys make it easy. They come out every day just happy to work and have a good time. We just have fun out there and it makes practice go by fast."
On adapting to the position and fighting for a starting job:
"I'm having a good time with it. I definitely struggled last year with the technical parts. Coach Partridge came in and is really teaching the small things and I'm really picking it up now."
On playing for defensive line Coach Charlie Partridge:
"He definitely has a little bit of head coach in him, you can tell. He's always doing everything the right way. He is always setting a good example for us in meetings and out on the field. He also knows how to have fun and have a good time with it."
On young guys coming to him for advice:
"We're all good friends. We talk about school and especially football. I ask them questions as much as they ask me, I feel like though, because every day is a struggle."
Running Back Chawntez Moss
On helping the freshmen running backs A.J. Davis and Todd Sibley Jr.:
"We've been helping them a lot. Just adjusting to the coaching, being able to take coaching and be able to move along with the pace of practice and the pace with the lifts. We have been holding their hands a little bit through it and make sure that they are ready."
On how much faster the game is in college compared to high school:
"That was the first thing I noticed. The linemen are stronger, so the holes close up faster. In high school, you were faster than everybody, you were stronger than everybody and you could run over linebackers. Here though, everybody is big, everybody is strong, everybody is fast and so you have to be more precise with how you play."
On if the competition at the running back position adds more motivation:
"We push each other every day, so there is not any added motivation. We motivate each other because we want to reach our ultimate goal, which is an ACC Championship."
On what he learned from last year and how it can help him this year:
"I learned that the season is long and taking care of your body is definitely a priority if you want to make it through the season."
Defensive Lineman Dewayne Hendrix
On getting back to practice after being injured:
"Yeah, it definitely feels good to be back out there with the team. I missed those guys a lot. Just seeing them get better without me really hurt me. Now that I'm back out there, I'm grateful for it."
On working with defensive line Coach Charlie Partridge:
"I went through three D-line coaches. You get to the point where you think you know a lot, but when you are with Coach Partridge, you don't know that much. He comes in with something new every day and he really strives to make everybody better. He is probably one of the best D-line coaches that I have ever had, so I am glad that we have him."
On what he has been working on to round out his game:
"The main thing that I have been working on is just my 'get-off' and my hands. I feel like it will play a good role, especially at the defensive line position."
On trying to replace Ejuan Price:
"Replacing him, to be honest, is impossible. But I feel like, as a unit, we can try to replace him. So if I do something and someone else does something, eventually that play will be made, whether I am making it or someone else is. Plays will still be made without Ejuan Price."
Defensive Back Phil Campbell
On what he has learned from Dennis Briggs about the boundary safety position:
"I go home and I watch his film every day. He knows the defense in and out and it's just good to learn from a guy like that because he has experience. He has played on the field for a couple of years. I watch the other guys' films—Terrish [Webb] and Reggie [Mitchell]—from last year. It's just good to learn from the older guys like that."
On what he thinks is the most challenging part of the boundary safety position:
"I'm not really sure. It's just getting the mental part down, knowing my keys for every play and just playing fast."
On if knowing when to communicate with the other players is a challenging part of the position:
"Being a safety in this defense, you have to communicate every play. So that is probably the hardest thing, I would say."
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
Head coach Pat Narduzzi met media in his routine morning session before practice. Following Pitt's practice, wide receivers coach Kevin Sherman, linebacker Elijah Zeise, defensive lineman Shane Roy, running back Chawntez Moss, defensive lineman Dewayne Hendrix and defensive back Phil Campbell also participated in interviews.
Coach Interview Videos: Narduzzi | Sherman
Player Interview Videos: Zeise| Moss | Hendrix | Campbell
Below are transcripts from all seven media sessions.
Head Coach Pat Narduzzi
Opening statement:
"We have another beautiful day here. We picked some great weather for camp. Yesterday and today are two really good, hot days at 87 and 88 degrees. We had a great, tough practice yesterday. You talk about toughness, we did a 10-play drive so that you can see who could go 10 and who couldn't. Saw a lot of things there: who was going to melt in the heat, especially with a 10-play drive. We had some good periods yesterday, so I am excited about where we are there."
On whether playing 10 straight plays is something new that he incorporated this camp:
"No, we have done it in the past. I just didn't tell you guys, so I'd figure I would tell you today."
On whether playing 10 straight plays is a test for the young defensive linemen:
"It's a test for everybody. I think you have to progress to it. I don't think that you go out on the first day and do it. I think that it is something that once you learn how to carry your pads, you get out there and you have to sustain a drive offensively and defensively. There is going to be long drives defensively. We want our offense to be out there for a 12- or 15-play drive. We'll probably do a 12- or 15-play drive next week just to keep them out there. It doesn't matter if you don't get a first down. If you get a three-and-out on offense, we're going to keep the drive going."
On which receivers behind Jester Weah and Quadree Henderson have stood out to him:
"You look at [Rafael] Araujo-Lopes, he has done a great job. He works his tail off. He's been very consistent, maybe the most consistent of all. Maurice Ffrench has done a nice job. Those are the guys that stand out to me and are probably the top four at this point."
On his thoughts of having joint practices with other schools:
"I don't know anything about that. I'm okay with it. Bring Duquesne over here or whoever. Let's bring Robert Morris over. I think that it would be great. It would be nice to have a preseason game like the NFL."
On if he feels like he would hold back if there would ever be a joint practice:
"No, I think that the game comes down to fundamentals to begin with. So it's not about the scheme. Everybody thinks that it is all scheme. It's not about scheme; it's about fundamentals. Fundamentals win games offensively, defensively and on special teams. We focus on the fundamentals, just to go out and hit somebody different. That's the toughest thing about coming out of preseason. How do we look? 'Oh, we look great against each other,' but what does that matter? We have an opponent on September 2. How do we match up against them and how do we match up against somebody else? I think after practice 17 and 18, our guys will be sick of hitting each other, I think that's for sure. So I think that it's nice to get some new meat out there."
On the development of Jester Weah as a receiver and a leader:
"He's maybe progressed more off the field than he has on the field. We've been going through some leadership stuff at night in some of our team meetings, and he has done an unbelievable job. The other night, he mentioned to the team that, 'I've come a long way off the field." When we first got here, he was probably one of the grumpiest, moodiest guys to coach. It's like, 'What happened to this guy?' But now, he's totally, totally different as far as his attitude off the field, so he has come a long, long way off the field."
On if he has certain matchups between cornerbacks and receivers in practice:
"No, they have to work against all kinds of different types. Whether it is one-on-one's, we tell guys, 'hey, don't go in there if that guy is not a challenge for you. Don't go against him, let someone else go. Just because you're the next guy up, you don't have to go.' That's about the only matchup. Otherwise, it's 'just go play football.' You're going to have different guys that you are going to have to cover. Everybody has a little different release, so you want to go against a bunch of different types."
On the strength of Jester Weah:
"I don't think that it is overlooked. I think that some of the NFL scouts that are out here like his size and his physicalness. We know that he is fast and he has ball skills, but then you look at the physical type of receiver that he can be. Just like when you look at Dontez Ford the other night with Detroit—physical wins. The bigger those wideouts get, the more physical they get, the bigger those corners better get. That's where you have those mismatches."
Wide Receivers Coach Kevin Sherman
On the depth of the wide receiver group:
"We're down in numbers a little bit, but I think we've got enough guys to get through what we need to get done. We're getting better every day. Now having Aaron Mathews out here working with us, that's going to help our depth. That'll just allow us to move guys around a little bit and see who can handle the offense and step up and compete on a consistent basis."
On if true freshmen will get in the mix during games:
"We're still feeding them the water hose; we're overloading them a little bit. They're getting a lot of volume of the offense. They have to play fast, they have to see things quicker, see things faster. And then they have to execute. Now, are they doing things perfectly? No. But they're seeing themselves on film, getting better and they're learning. They're hearing in the room what we're trying to get accomplished, why we're doing what we're doing and how to get there. I think the extra meeting time with a guy like Tre Tipton is helping those guys out tremendously right now. I think that he's been a big help, helping those guys when I'm not around. They're getting extra meeting times. They're getting better and we have a lot of work to do."
On how Jester Weah can be better this year:
"I think he has to step up and take his game to another level. I think he's been consistent. I think he's been an every-down guy, every-play guy and every-week guy. He's just making consistent plays down the field. He's going to get played differently this year. I think going against our defense helps him every day on a daily basis to compete. Going against Avonte Maddox every day helps him get better as a football player."
On Quadree Henderson's role in the passing game:
"I think Quadree [Henderson] has bought in to what we are trying to get accomplished in the throw game. I think he's getting better just route-running and seeing things. He's getting better at playing in the slot because I think that's a new position for him, playing on the inside lane. He's getting better. Is he perfect? No. Is he getting better every day? Yes. He has to get used to making those plays in the throw game."
On Ruben Flowers III contributing this year:
"I am really, really excited about what he's capable of doing. I think he's shown that the past couple scrimmages and practices. Once again, it's just consistency. It's making that play when we need to make a play. We have to have chunk yards; we have to have big plays; we have to have explosive plays. He's very capable of doing those things. I think once he sees himself on video and competes against our guys every day and makes those plays, his confidence is starting to rise as well."
Linebacker Elijah Zeise
On his excitement getting back into practicing and playing coming off an injury:
"I'm very excited, honestly. It's probably been more than a year because I had small roles on special teams since I've been here and I'm really excited to get out there and really be doing something."
On the growth of his understanding of the defense through camp:
"I think I'm pretty far along. I think where I was at this point last training camp, I'm miles further as far as an understanding goes. Last year was a lot of just knowing what I had to do on any given play. Now I have a big, broad understanding of the defense, so I feel pretty comfortable so far."
On the biggest adjustment he made going from Star linebacker to Money linebacker:
"I think just being in the box more. When I was at star, it's more walked out, matching up with receivers and stuff. Now I'm more involved in the run. I think that's been one of the biggest changes. It's a little more physical."
On how the linebackers work together:
"I think we're a pretty athletic group. I think even when sometimes we make wrong reads and get caught out of position, we're athletic enough to make up for it a lot of times. I think that's one big advantage that we will have going forward."
Defensive Lineman Shane Roy
On what it's like guiding younger players:
"It's easy. Those guys make it easy. They come out every day just happy to work and have a good time. We just have fun out there and it makes practice go by fast."
On adapting to the position and fighting for a starting job:
"I'm having a good time with it. I definitely struggled last year with the technical parts. Coach Partridge came in and is really teaching the small things and I'm really picking it up now."
On playing for defensive line Coach Charlie Partridge:
"He definitely has a little bit of head coach in him, you can tell. He's always doing everything the right way. He is always setting a good example for us in meetings and out on the field. He also knows how to have fun and have a good time with it."
On young guys coming to him for advice:
"We're all good friends. We talk about school and especially football. I ask them questions as much as they ask me, I feel like though, because every day is a struggle."
Running Back Chawntez Moss
On helping the freshmen running backs A.J. Davis and Todd Sibley Jr.:
"We've been helping them a lot. Just adjusting to the coaching, being able to take coaching and be able to move along with the pace of practice and the pace with the lifts. We have been holding their hands a little bit through it and make sure that they are ready."
On how much faster the game is in college compared to high school:
"That was the first thing I noticed. The linemen are stronger, so the holes close up faster. In high school, you were faster than everybody, you were stronger than everybody and you could run over linebackers. Here though, everybody is big, everybody is strong, everybody is fast and so you have to be more precise with how you play."
On if the competition at the running back position adds more motivation:
"We push each other every day, so there is not any added motivation. We motivate each other because we want to reach our ultimate goal, which is an ACC Championship."
On what he learned from last year and how it can help him this year:
"I learned that the season is long and taking care of your body is definitely a priority if you want to make it through the season."
Defensive Lineman Dewayne Hendrix
On getting back to practice after being injured:
"Yeah, it definitely feels good to be back out there with the team. I missed those guys a lot. Just seeing them get better without me really hurt me. Now that I'm back out there, I'm grateful for it."
On working with defensive line Coach Charlie Partridge:
"I went through three D-line coaches. You get to the point where you think you know a lot, but when you are with Coach Partridge, you don't know that much. He comes in with something new every day and he really strives to make everybody better. He is probably one of the best D-line coaches that I have ever had, so I am glad that we have him."
On what he has been working on to round out his game:
"The main thing that I have been working on is just my 'get-off' and my hands. I feel like it will play a good role, especially at the defensive line position."
On trying to replace Ejuan Price:
"Replacing him, to be honest, is impossible. But I feel like, as a unit, we can try to replace him. So if I do something and someone else does something, eventually that play will be made, whether I am making it or someone else is. Plays will still be made without Ejuan Price."
Defensive Back Phil Campbell
On what he has learned from Dennis Briggs about the boundary safety position:
"I go home and I watch his film every day. He knows the defense in and out and it's just good to learn from a guy like that because he has experience. He has played on the field for a couple of years. I watch the other guys' films—Terrish [Webb] and Reggie [Mitchell]—from last year. It's just good to learn from the older guys like that."
On what he thinks is the most challenging part of the boundary safety position:
"I'm not really sure. It's just getting the mental part down, knowing my keys for every play and just playing fast."
On if knowing when to communicate with the other players is a challenging part of the position:
"Being a safety in this defense, you have to communicate every play. So that is probably the hardest thing, I would say."
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DB/WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ FootballNC State Week | Ryan Baer, Kenny Johnson, Tamon Lynum
Wednesday, October 22
Pitt Football | Pitt 30, Syracuse 13 | Field Pass
Tuesday, October 21
NC State Week | Jeremy Darveau, Randy Bates, Braylan Lovelace
Tuesday, October 21
The Book of A.D. | Chapter 1 | In the Beginning
Monday, October 20