University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Football Camp: Day Five, Photos & Quotes
8/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
2016 Pitt Football Training Camp, Day Five Coverage
Head Coach Pat Narduzzi
Opening Statement:
"Good morning. You never know exactly what's going on when you watch practice out there live and something looks sloppy. But when you go back and watch tape, there is a lot of great things going on--a lot of intensity and attention to detail. We're just looking to get better each day."
On what he's seen out of the young wide receivers:
"They've all got a chance. When you look at Aaron Mathews, he's a big, tall guy that can run. He goes up and gets the ball. He has been impressive. Maurice Ffrench has been impressive. Ruben Flowers III has done some good things. I would say Aaron Mathews has probably shown the most as far as being a deep ball threat. Maurice Ffrench is catching the ball out of the backfield well. Everyone matures at different levels, so I'm impressed with all of them. You look at [Tre] Tipton and Rafael Araujo-Lopes, those guys are just puppies; they've redshirted. They have a little bit further to go."
On the size of Aaron Mathews:
"Go take a picture of him. Just go and look at what he looks like down there. He's a specimen, and we're excited to work with him."
On yesterday's early meeting with the players:
"That's our job; that's why I pulled them in. The reason at the beginning when I put them on a knee was to address them on coming out here a little bit late. That's something you can't have. If somebody's got an excuse like `my shoulder pads are broken', I tell them you've got all day. Get your business done. If you guys [the media] came here and your phone's weren't working, then you've got issues."
On evaluating players when they're in full pads:
"There's definitely more weight on those days. It's the game of football, opposed to the first two days in shorts. Today is a big day, and tomorrow [scrimmage] will be the biggest day because it's show time."
On how they are handling the heat:
"Our guys have done a great job of just making sure that we're on top of it before there is an issue. There are certainly going to be heat-related issues; it's hot. That's why I put on this long sleeve shirt. It's like putting a trash bag on. I'll be soaked after practice, because I want to feel what they are feeling. I could come out here with an air-conditioned shirt and say `it's great out here isn't it', but that's not how I want to go about it."
On the role of Avonte Maddox:
"We try and tell all of our guys you have to lead in some way. Avonte has to lead the corners and be a mentor to all of those guys."
On the emergence of a backup quarterback:
"Right now, if I had to guess I would say Manny [Stocker] is a little bit ahead of [Ben] DiNucci right now, but they've been neck and neck. And then [Thomas] MacVittie has shown some good things out there as well, so there's some competition at that spot. After day six, the heat will be on with the live reps and decision making. Everybody has to play until they get hit."
Wide Receivers Coach Richard Sherman
On incoming freshmen wide receivers:
"I think they are working very hard right now. We are working with all three of them. Aaron Mathews, Ruben Flowers III, and Maurice Ffrench are making plays. They are doing it at different times, which is a good thing to see. They are stepping up and making plays that count when we need to make plays. They are all willing and able. Ruben [Flowers] made a big-time catch today. Aaron [Mathews] has made some plays and is a physical presence on the football field. Maurice is a guy that is very explosive and stepping up as well."
On the freshman during live plays with full pads:
"They were fine. They got their hits out of the way and the jitterbugs are over from that standpoint. So they are now back to playing football full speed and being confident and making plays."
On consistency from the younger wide receivers:
"We want consistency with the whole group. Right now we are overloading the freshman and they are fighting through it. We understand that they are going to make mistakes. When they make mistakes, they do it full speed; when they watch film, they learn from it and get better."
On Dontez Ford:
"One of the most important things from him as a senior is for him to step up and be a leader. Not just from an emotional standpoint--but from coaching on the field too. He tells them how to handle themselves, what questions to ask, to be on time, and all the little details it takes to be a college football player. He's helping the younger guys, and he has stepped up. He's an even better leader in the meeting room than he is on the field. In the meeting room he's being very vocal and talking to the younger guys. On the field he leads by example."
Offensive Line Coach John Peterson
On the depth chart:
"Every day is a day to adjust and allow guys to experience different positions. We will continue to do that every day."
On Alex Officer playing center:
"I would expect him to play some center."
On Alex Bookser playing center:
"He's a guy that has played a lot since the spring time. He'll continue to work that position. The key to this line is going to be the ability to create different sets of five."
On Adam Bisnowaty and Dorian Johnson being leaders and their strength:
"I think once we get to game time you will see their experience and their knowledge. They are comfortable next to each other and playing the game."
On the offensive line's conditioning in full pads:
"Our guys have a great strength program and they had all of summer to prepare. The fine line between full pads and the shells for the offensive lineman is a six inch knee pad."
On choosing Pitt's starting five offensive linemen:
"Time will tell. I don't make decisions past today. The next 12 hours we will study tape and get ready for tomorrow's practice."
Defensive Back Avonte Maddox
On being a leader:
"Every day I try to be lead the young guys. I'm out there with a lot of experience. I have a big opportunity to speak a little more. I always tell them keep going until you hear the second whistle. Even if they tell you to stop, keep jogging towards it. We all bond together. I'm always talking to them, trying to get together and get plays right. The freshmen are always coming to me asking questions. I was in their shoes once, and anything they need I'm willing to give them. I never hold anything back from them."
On the relationship between the punter and the gunner:
"[Ryan] Winslow and I have been working together since freshman year because I started on punt team. We have to have a connection because I know he's going to hang it up there for me, and if he hangs it up there for me I know I can get a fair catch for him. If he just gives me a few seconds, I'll get down there."
On Special Teams Coach Andre Powell spraying water when he's catching punts:
"He's spraying my visor. He's just taking me back like in the Akron game. He's spraying water just to make it harder. I was catching it anyways."
On if he'll be Pitt's top punt returner this year:
"That's not my place to answer. I'm just out there playing. If Quadree [Henderson] is out there and can get it done, there it is. If I can do it and get it done, there it is."
Defensive Lineman Tyrique Jarrett
On the biggest challenge for Shakir Soto switching from DE to DT:
"You want to attack the guy that you're lined up against as fast as possible so that the other guy doesn't get a chance to double you. I'm happy that he's stepped up and has given me a lot of hope for the defensive line. I'm just trying to bring everyone together--the new guys, the sophomores, the juniors. We talk a lot and try to make sure everyone is on the same page."
On going against Pitt's offensive line in practice:
"It's a constant battle. Every minute we're going head to head. The guys are good but we don't take no for an answer. They get good blocks but we get good plays as well. It's a competition and we compete."
On defensive end Dewayne Hendrix:
"Hes a good player. It's a team sport. If he blows the guy up and I get penetration, then it's an easy sack for me. That's just what you need in a defensive line: people that are going to work together. Him and Ejuan [Price]--that's a good combination. Me and Shakir in the middle--that's a good combination."
Defensive Lineman Dewayne Hendrix:
On going against the Pitt's offensive line in practice:
"It makes you better every day. They're incredible. You have to know what you're doing. I watch film every day and try to figure out different moves where I can beat them. Every one of them is good."
On Coach Pat Narduzzi convincing him to come to Pitt:
"I think he's a good coach. Not only is he a good coach, but he is a great person. Now that I'm here with him, I know that I was right [to come to Pitt]."
On his work ethic:
"My work ethic just comes from my mom. She preaches to me that nothing is going to come easy. Waking up late isn't doing anything for me. If I wake up early and get started, I'm going to come into practice with a great mindset."
On his excitement to play after sitting out last year:
"I'm very excited. Last year was hard, but I got through it and it made me better. The most difficult part would be watching the big games and knowing that I could have helped. Especially those big games that we lost. That was the hardest thing."
