Apparently the media meeting had Coach Graham focusing on the expectations of the players off-the-field.
“I guarantee you guys that don’t meet the standard for the Pitt way, they will not cross that white line. I don’t care how good they are. I don’t care if it’s (starting running back) Ray Graham. I don’t care if it’s (starting quarterback) Tino Sunseri.”
Graham said “the Pitt way is not negotiable.”
“We want to win in the classroom. We want to win off the field. We want to win in the community. If any of those areas are sub-standard, I believe it affects your play on the field.”
Graham said winning the national championship is one of five goals he set for his players, but at the top of the list is to “develop championship fathers and husbands and citizens.”
Graham said he will expect players to look him in the eye during meetings, come prepared to take notes, sit without slouching, wear hats properly, tuck in their shirts and take off their earrings and bandanas inside the practice facility.
Graham said he wore an earring in college, but his ban represents “a physical symbol that this isn’t about you, it’s about team.”
The earrings and bandanas stuff has always struck me as a cosmetic (no pun intended) thing of little consequence, but at least the restriction only applies to going to the practice facility and stadium. I just don’t see much harm in those personal appearance options. So, I’m kind of meh on that. (Yes, I wore an earring in college and up into my early 30s.)
I do like the stance that he is (at least publicly) taking with standards and playing. I think that is something of a top-down order from Pitt’s administration. Not that Coach Graham disagrees with it, but that he is under pressure to carry that through. At least he is trying to be upfront and go at things hopefully before anything happens.
Graham said his approach to discipline is “proactive as opposed to reactive” and that he believes if players are made to hold each other accountable discipline will take care of itself because there will be fewer problems. But he has set high standards for what is acceptable, and those who cross the line will be held accountable.
“Sorry, in many cases, is just not going to be good enough,” Graham said. “And, if we have those situations that happen, I can tell you that there is going to be accountability. I believe there needs to be values and standards.
“The temptations they face are difficult, but, at the same time, we have a responsibility to represent this university with integrity, and that will be first and foremost in our program. And how can I talk about integrity and character as the foundation of the program, then allow substandard behavior. The players know that they don’t have to make an appointment to come and talk to me, my door is not shut.
“We’re building trust.”
I don’t expect a lot of off-the-field turmoil in this first season. Players just saw their coach fired and no doubt heard plenty about how the off-the-field stuff their teammates engaged last year contributed. So, there is going to be some presumed cautiousness by the players.
Still, let’s be honest. What we really want to know more about is the on-the-field product.
Graham’s continued emphasis on character veered slightly from the messages he most tried to get across at the more public press conferences following his hiring and on signing day earlier this month.
At those, Graham accentuated the on-field qualities of speed, explosiveness and innovation, promising a “high-octane” product that fans and players alike would enjoy being part of.
Graham still did talk of instilling into the Panthers a more high-tempo style for spring practice, which will begin March 15 and run each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday up through the spring game at Heinz Field on April 16.
“We want to line up and snap the ball more than any other team in the country,” Graham said. “We’re not a no-huddle offense. We’re a no-huddle team.”
As for who would be taking all those snaps, Graham did not commit to incumbent Tino Sunseri starting at quarterback, but did speak complimentarily about him.
So much for that, at the moment.
The news that Pat Bostick would not be on the squad was the biggest real news out of it. It wasn’t surprising to many since Bostick has focused increasingly on his post-college football life. Getting his degree. Looking to the future. He is smart to focus on it, and I wish him well.
Also unsurprising was that the new strength and conditioning program focuses more on speed and explosiveness.
Otherwise, the session struck me as something done as much to try and get to know the media and vice-versa.
