University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Dave Wannstedt Comments On Day One Of Training Camp
8/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 7, 2010
PITTSBURGH -
Opening Statement:
“It was a good start today. I was pleased with the effort with both groups. Obviously we’ve made some adjustments and some changes, both offensively and defensively. So there were some new things, basic things that we were working on today that obviously didn’t make the practice run as smoothly as you would like. I thought the effort was good from the older guys this morning. It was neat to stand back and see who was going to be vocal, from a leadership standpoint in the huddle. We don’t have John Malecki, Cedric McGee, Mick Williams. Who are going to be the guys in the huddle? So, that was interesting to see. I think the guys are feeling their way a little bit. It was good to get Andrew Taglianetti back and Dom DeCicco, guys that were out in the spring. They all worked today. This afternoon, I thought it was a pretty basic practice from the freshmen. As I told them, if we were only having one practice their reps would be cut by 75 percent. So we’re giving all the freshmen a chance to get some reps and showcase a little bit of what they might bring to the table. I’m really excited about our freshmen defensive line. When (Bryan) Murphy, (Aaron) Donald, KK (Mosley-Smith), and TJ (Clemmings) line up in there, that has to be four good looking freshmen defensive linemen as any in the nation. They can all run and all make plays. So, I was really excited about that group. It’s going to be interesting to see. K’Wuan Williams and Brandon Ifill, both of those guys did some good things today. So, that will be interesting to see if they can work into the mix in the secondary. Receiver-wise, Devin Street, a guy that was redshirted last year, I thought made a few plays. Tino (Sunseri), for his first practice as the starter in the huddle, had a good first day. I believe the guys will rally around him and we’ll continue to get better.”
On practicing without pads and the risk of injury:
“If it were up to me, we’d be in full pads the first day. The linemen don’t get anything out of this without hitting. It’s a contact sport. Without being able to have contact, it moves slowly. We tried to get some legislation passed a few years ago to come out and wear what the pros wear, the spider pads — shells, but that was voted down. It is what it is and we just have to deal with it.
On splitting the players into two practice groups:
“We’ll do that today and tomorrow. That’s what we did last year. It will give the freshmen two days to get all of the reps, get on tape, and to get coached. I think it’s a nice little springboard for the rest of the year.”
On who will be the vocal leaders on the team this season?
“I’m standing back and watching it. It will be interesting to see. It’s only the first day. I think today was a little quiet out there. Everyone was feeling their way around and that’s normal. Every year it’s kind of that way. They are waiting to see who will step forward. It’s tough, because some of our leaders, (Greg) Romeus, (Jabaal) Sheard, (Jason) Pinkston, some of our older guys, without pads on what are they going to do?”
On Dan Mason and the linebackers:
“Dan Mason is going to be exciting, a leader and a playmaker. I’m really excited about Dan Mason. Tristan Roberts was working with the first group today. He’s had a very good summer. We have a good competition between him and Greg Williams. They are splitting time. It’s an even battle. Max Gruder is on the other side.”
On Jarred Holley:
“Think about this. A year ago at this time Jarred Holley was the fifth cornerback. He’s back there now making checks and getting guys lined up.”
On this defense potentially being his best yet:
“It could be. I think every year from a coach’s standpoint we like to think that. The players should be thinking that. I like their attitude. We’ll see after we put the pads on and we have that first scrimmage. If anybody can tackle Dion (Lewis) or Ray (Graham), then we’ll talk about it. I think we’re going to have better depth in some positions than what people think. I believe in our guys and I believe that some of these young players that haven’t done much are going to step up just like guys did last year and seize the opportunity.”
On the interior offensive linemen:
“It’s very difficult to tell without pads. It would be very difficult to even make an assessment at this point.”
On Russ Grimm and Ricky Jackson being inducted into the Hall of Fame:
“Tony Wise and I were both here when Russ Grimm and Ricky Jackson were both recruited to Pitt. It makes me very proud to be a Pitt man and to have two Pitt guys, two guys that I know personally. I kept good relationships with both of them and it makes me awfully proud and it should make all ex-Pitt players and Pitt people proud that two of our own are going into the Hall of Fame.”
