All the attention seems to be on the offense. Which really is typical for the first week of camp. There are concerns. There have been articles about players or spots of concern on the defense. But there just doesn’t seem to be nearly the angst. If anything, a bit of swagger on the defensive side that things will be fine.
Even at cornerback, where Saheed Imoru has not grabbed the starting cornerback spot like everyone has expected from the JUCO transfer. Ricky Gary struggled early as well (“…somewhat of a disaster as neither Saheed Imoru or Ricky Gary has played particularly well. In fact, this morning both were beat several times each on long passes by insert-receiver not named Jonathan Baldwin’s-name-here”), but is now getting lauded (or puffed).
“I feel like I have to step up,” he said. “I’ve got to compete harder.”
Gary is working opposite junior Antwuan Reed as the Panthers break in two new cornerbacks following the departure of Aaron Berry, a two-time all-Big East pick, and Jovani Chappel.
Gary was one of the defensive heroes of Pitt’s practice Wednesday when he helped break up a pass intended for Jon Baldwin on a fourth-and-5 red-zone drill to end practice. As Gary was mobbed by his defensive teammates, everybody in white jerseys (offense) did 10 up-downs for losing the drill.
“He’s competing right now like I’ve never seen him go,” Pitt defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley said of Gary. “This is it for him. This is his last year here.”
Not that Imoru is the only guy that is vaguely disappointing right now. Buddy Jackson has been at Pitt seemingly for 7 years, yet never seems to make an impact after training camp.
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