University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Training Camp Transcript: Scrimmage 2
8/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 18, 2010
PITTSBURGH -
Opening Statement:
"As I told the players earlier, we were really good in one area, and we can win some games that way. We've got some strength, but we also have some areas of much needed improvement. That would probably be the best way to put it.
"I told the players that we've been on teams where we've led the NFL in rushing, and we couldn't win a lot of games, we couldn't win a Super Bowl. We led the league in sacks, but we didn't stop the run well. So, it's not one phase that wins you a championship. Right now, we need these next four or five days. They're very, very important to us.
"I thought the effort was good today, the kids were competing. There were a lot of good things out there. I've been very pleased with our kickers. Dan Hutchins and Kevin Harper have done very well in the scrimmages. Defensively, the only plays we gave up today were on two blitzes. Our base defense, fronts, coverages, I thought were very, very solid today. Jabaal Sheard only played 10 plays, and Greg Romeus didn't participate, so some other guys stepped in and rose to the occasion.
"Offensively, we have to get in sync a little bit. We aren't consistent enough right now. It's a dropped pass, then it's 2nd-and-10. It's turn somebody loose for a sack and it's 2nd-and-10 or get hit at the line of scrimmage and it's 2nd-and-10. Those negative plays are very difficult to overcome. We have the guys there that are willing to work. The offensive coaches know what we have to get done. We have to improve as a team."
On Tino Sunseri:
"I think he had some drops. I thought that the pressure was real strong today from a defensive standpoint. We had a few throws that we could have made, that we didn't. I would really look at the big picture and say that we really need to tighten some things up."
On players that stood out in the scrimmage:
"I think that Myles Caragein showed up today and made some plays. Justin Hargrove and Jason Hendricks are a few guys that come to mind. On offense, Mike Cruz continues to get better. I think he's had a very good camp. Those would be the guys, without watching the tape, that kind of jump out and played well."
On Ricky Gary:
"Every other camp that we've had here, the bumps, the bruises, the heat, the screaming, the yelling and everything that goes into training camp, Ricky Gary would have a little meltdown. He has been a real soldier from the standpoint of showing up, and doing his best at being a tough guy. He's been playing pretty good football the entire camp. He has shown a sense of consistency that he hasn't shown since he's been here at Pitt. That's good. We're going to need him."
On Ray Graham:
"He's doing a lot better. He's improving every day. We're taking it day-by-day."
Closing statement:
"We gave the players a night off of meetings tonight, and we're going to give them an hour or two extra to sleep in tomorrow. This will be the first night that they haven't been here, in the building, until 9:30 p.m. since we started camp. I thought that they could use a night away from the coaches, and the coaches could use a night away from the players. We'll get back at it tomorrow, and take full advantage of these last few days of training camp."
