University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Meet the Press: Coach Wannstedt Previews the 2006 Panthers
8/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 7, 2006
Dave Wannstedt
Pitt Football Media Day
Aug. 7, 2006
On the off-season and leadership:
"We needed a great off-season, we needed a good recruiting class, we needed to have a good spring season. I really feel that at this point we are ready to start practicing. I feel we've accomplished some real positive improvement. We're doing all those different steps and I really like the leadership of our football team. Our leadership is great. We don't have a big senior class but I believe it's a good one.
On David Abdul's health status:
His situation, as of today, he has not been cleared medically. This is a total medical situation. He has to be cleared by the doctors before he can start practice. He will not practice during training camp. When school starts, if something changes, he would like to come back. If he is approved to come back, we would love to have David back. We will be optimistic that when training camp is over he will come back. He might not be ready to kick in that first game against Virginia but who knows as the season goes on.
On the coaches' different perspective from last year:
I think the biggest thing that has happened for me since last season is, number one, we all have a very clear picture of what we need to accomplish as a football team. We all have a very clear picture of what we are capable of accomplishing. We have a clear picture, from a coach to player standpoint, knowing who can do what, who's capable of making certain plays and who has experience to do certain things.
On the split practice regimen (veterans and newcomers) during the opening week of camp:
There's been a lot of conversation about how we're going to practice these first five days. There's been a lot of conversation about this incoming class. Let me clear this up. The number one reason for splitting up the practices is to give every member of our football team a chance to get as much work as we can get that individual. And number two is to evaluate and give every player an opportunity to go out and show and prove where he might fit in on our team. It's a great opportunity for walk-ons. This is a great opportunity for those kids who normally would be third, fourth, fifth on the depth chart to get more work. So at the end of the five days we'll have a clear picture of our players, how committed they are and where they stack up from an ability standpoint. At the same time our freshmen will get a chance. Coaches get caught in a trap of making emotional decisions. This will help avoid that.
The guys that line up against Virginia will be the guys that give us the best opportunity to win, regardless of their class.
On how the coaches will handle split practices:
The coaches will double up. It will be pretty much the same practice schedule. We'll get started at 6 a.m. and will be starting our coaches meetings at about 10 p.m. It will be a grinder for the first five days but it's time well spent.
On the offensive line:
I thought this spring the offensive line took some steps forward, and the key is to start where we left off (and) not go back to square one. Mike McGlynn improved his bench press in the off-season about 45 pounds. So we had some significant improvement in the weight room and areas like that. That led me to believe that our offensive line has improved. I do think we'll be better. It's just going to be a matter of depth.
On Craig Bokor's position switch:
Craig Bokor will start on offense. I got a real good picture of what he can do on defense (at tackle) but since we lack depth in the offense, if he can go over there he can (contribute at) offensive guard. We're going to start him at guard.
On the potential emergence of key players in key areas this year:
I'm not worried about Clint Session and H.B. Blades and Darrelle Revis. These guys are going to have a great year. For us to take a major step, the guys on our defensive line need to take a major step and really mature. The other thing, too, is we need to determine who our best four receivers are. We need to determine the running back position. Is Brandon Mason going to step up? We know what LaRod (Stephens-Howling) can do. Is Kevin Collier going to be in the mix?
On other potential position switches:
We had a long talk with the freshmen last night. We told them we want to try to get them on the field as quickly as we can but there are going to be some position changes. John Pelusi is coming off knee surgery, John has not been cleared. With that in mind, our tight end position is a little bit of a concern depth wise. We'll see how the depth situation goes.
On other injuries:
Nick Williams will not be out there because of medical reasons. Dave Weber will not be out there because of medical reasons. John Pelusi will be out there but he will be limited for most of training camp.
On having a "go to" player at tailback:
I'd like to have one guy. I would like to have one player to do most of the plays. I've had more than one before but it's difficult - mostly because of practice time. It's tough for these kids to get better if they don't get enough practice.
On Coach Wannstedt's perspective headed into his second year at Pitt:
I am more comfortable, more excited and more focused on our team than a year ago. Last year, I was thinking, `I can't wait to see what these guys do.' Well, we're not going to wait to see what these guys do, we know what they have to do. I think I learned a lot about time management, where we need to spend our time, where we don't. From a time management standpoint, I feel about 1000% better.
On who could emerge as a pass rusher:
I think we have several guys. Gus Mustakas, we're going to work him in at tackle. I can't wait to see Mick Williams out there. I don't want to get ahead of myself but I love his explosiveness. Chris McKillop is going to be someone special.
On improving team speed during the off-season:
I think we've improved team speed and confidence. Players have a tendency to play faster when they know what to do. When a player seems hesitant, it is usually because he's uncertain of what he needs to do.
