University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Concludes Day 3 of Football Training Camp
8/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2006
Dave Wannstedt
Training
August 10, 2006
On the difference between the two practice sessions:
"This (afternoon) practice shouldn't be any slower than the first. It is the younger guys (working out in the afternoon). I think the advantage these guys have is that we are running the same plays in the afternoon that we run in the morning. We are putting in new defenses and new offenses the night before, then we come out in the morning and we practice them for the first time. Then we meet before we come out so everyone is seeing the plays. And then we are bringing the young bucks out and repeating the same plays. That may have something to do with it. I think that is great. There is nothing like a picture to give these guys some help in their learning process, particularly earlier. By the end of this week we will have nuts and bolts in place and a good foundation set. So (the differences in practices) shouldn't be the case. We weren't sharp this morning. We didn't throw the ball very well and we didn't catch the ball very well. I was not pleased at all. For as excited as I was the day before, this morning we did not take a step forward. We kind of leveled off."
On increased intensity:
"Today was the first day with pads so that had a little bit to do with it. We are still not tackling, but at least the linemen are able to block somebody. So we had some good stuff to teach from. It was good. We have one more day like this (with helmets and shoulder pads) and then we are full tilt on Saturday."
On Dorin Dickerson's injury:
"I don't think it is anything bad. I think he just twisted it. At least that's what I was told. Aaron Berry just fell on him. It was an innocent play."
On the varied groups of players practicing together:
"That is where I need to do a better job. Matt Cavanaugh and I talked about it. We always have to remember that if Tyler (Palko) is in the huddle here, then you have T.J. Porter out there and you have Kevin Collier in the backfield. We have to constantly look and remind ourselves to be aware of who are the eleven guys in the huddle. And there is going to be a drastic mix. This morning Jeff Otah had a good start today with a bad group. I don't know if he realizes what he is doing. But I use him as an example because he is a freshman and he doesn't know. We have to do a good job as coaches of balancing that. Right now we are installing and seeing who can handle what. That is what's great about this. We are finding out what players are capable of handling and how much. Then we have to sit back and draw the line in the sand and say okay, this is it."
On the day's practice standouts:
"(Jeff Otah) had a very good day on the offensive line. This afternoon a guy who has never played center before, Scott Corson, did a nice job. So, I was pleased with both of those guys in practice. Shane Brooks had a good day today. He started off the spring super and then after two weeks we weren't calling his name any more. But the consistency thing has to be a part of his game if he is going to help us."
On freshman Aaron Berry:
"He is a player. He is off to a fast start. You have Reggie Carter and K.C. (Kennard Cox) who both did some nice things this morning. Jovani Chappel -- he is a pit bull out there. He may be as tough of a guy as we have in the secondary. So we have some serious competition for that extra corner spot. Due to the late position change, Elijah (Fields) may be two or three more days off and then he will be showing up more. He has been meeting extra and doing a lot of extra film study to try to get caught up. He is a natural."
On Bill Stull:
"Billy had a very good spring. I think it was evident in the Spring Game. If Billy is lining up tomorrow and we are going to go out and run our offense, I think Billy will do good. I think the spring proved enough to us for confidence in him."
On Mark May's enshrinement in the College Hall of Fame:
"I think it is a great honor for Mark. I was in
