University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Panthers Hold First Scrimmage of Training Camp
8/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 15, 2006
Dave Wannstedt
Training
August 15, 2006
On the scrimmage in general:
I think we got about 60 plays in. It was good. For the first scrimmage out of the block, I think the encouraging thing was, and history has proven, that your defense had better be a little bit ahead of your offense. I haven't been involved with a good football team on any level where you're watching the first scrimmage and the offense is going up and down the field and scoring a bunch of touchdowns and then all the sudden you become good on defense. I was pleased. I thought both quarterbacks threw the ball well. We didn't have an interception. We didn't have a turnover. We had two penalties, and they were both by the same guy. So for the most part, there were no penalties for the first group. No penalties for the first group, no interceptions, no fumbles. When you come out of the block and have the first scrimmage, that's something that's important. It's important all the time, but particularly early. I really thought our defense played with a lot of emotion - the first group from time to time. We got an opportunity to look at a lot of young players.
On the defensive line:
Right now, I can't wait to look at the film because we really pretty much stayed with your first group, second group, third group. But I think that after today, in all fairness, we'll watch the film, and if there are some position moves which I anticipate, we're going to do it - get that right combination. [Gus] Mustakas showed up today at tackle. . .he made some plays. But [John] Malecki and Rashaad Duncan both made plays. That was encouraging. [Charles] Sallet had a good day. The thing that is unsettled right now is maybe the tackle. Some of those backup tackles are rising up, particularly Malecki and Duncan.
On Kevan Smith's progress at quarterback:
You're talking about [Nate] Byham and [Kevin] Collier, [Elijah] Fields and T.J. Porter, but the kid that's probably come out here and had to learn the most and [been] thrown into the fire as quick as any of them, more than any of them, is Kevan Smith. Think about that. He's come out here and been the second quarterback since day one (due to Bill Stull's injury), and today he threw two touchdown passes. He has been very consistent the entire camp. He has been a real pleasant surprise, and no one's talking about him. We had a couple things today that weren't quite as smooth, and you're still working through some of those things.
On the depth chart after the first scrimmage:
I've got to look at those defensive linemen. We've got to look at the running backs. And then the rest of them are probably backup spots right now. We've got to look at that weak-side linebacker. Tommie Campbell has showed up a bunch. Derron Thomas has done a nice job, but we've got to take a good look at that spot.
On the depth at the wide receiver position:
[Oderick] Turner was alternating with the ones and the twos. He and Marcel [Pestano] kind of split the time and [Derek] Kinder took the rest. T.J. Porter made a couple of plays. I think we're probably going to be a little better there with some of these young kids than what anybody thought.
On players out with injuries:
(Conredge Collins) has a sore hamstring.
(Jason) Pinkston had a mild concussion yesterday, and the doctors wanted to hold him today.
(Ernest "Mick" Williams) should be fine in a couple of days. He's seen a doctor, and he's doing better. But it's probably going to be a couple of days. He's coming off a concussion.
On the impact of injuries after the first week of camp:
We shouldn't lose them for bumps and bruises. That's what makes you mad. That's what bothers you. If guys are hurt, they're hurt. But I've been real pleased. We've got guys out here with knocked-out shoulders. Our football team has shown some good toughness and good maturity as far as battling through the bumps and bruises of training camp.
On the defense being ready to start the season:
No, we're not ready by any means, but I think that we have good leadership over there with [Clint] Session and [H.B.] Blades. And then you have [Darrelle] Revis. I think that the competitiveness with that defensive line is what caused there to be a lot of energy there.
On the kicking game:
I thought that Adam [Graessle] punted the ball well. He's been punting real well. We missed a couple of field goals. The purpose for sticking kicking in the middle of a scrimmage is to try to put our kickers under some pressure before the
On the placekicking competition:
[Dan Hutchins] has done a nice job. It's between him and Conor Lee right now. David Abdul was here today. He's going to meet with the doctors, and we should get word on him by tomorrow whether he'll be cleared medically or not. But it's right now between Hutch and Conor, and nothing has been decided.
On Dorin Dickerson's injury and the impact it has on his learning curve:
He's behind now. He got banged up in the Big 33 game if you remember. He limped around for two or three weeks after that, and then he got hurt out here in the first or second day. He's playing catch up right now. Hopefully tomorrow I expect him. He's close. Hopefully in the next day or two I should say. He's close.
On if this setback would make him a redshirt candidate:
No, we're still looking to use him. Nothing's been determined and probably won't be for another two weeks.
