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August 18, 2012

Scrimmage Day

Filed under: Football,Practice — Chas @ 11:52 am

Today’s the second scrimmage of training camp. As noted yesterday, plenty of minor injuries. That’s also the theme in both papers today.

The upside, is that players potentially buried on the depth chart get a chance to show what they can do in the 1st team. Some receivers have taken advantage of that.

“Ronald [Jones has] done a heck of a job, stepped up and done really well, and Josh [Brinson] has done some real nice things,” Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph said. “He now knows multiple spots, which is invaluable, you need guys like that.

“Those guys are taking advantage of their opportunities right now.”

The article notes that Jones seems to be connecting well with Sunseri — which has had him thriving. Brinson, though, might be the one to get the increased playing time when the season starts because of his versatility and size.

Jones is Cam Saddler size, and it makes it unlike he will be out there in multiple receiver sets at the same time as Saddler. Brinson is over six-foot and a bigger target. Being able to play wherever needed simply translates for more chances to be out on the field.

[An interesting note/aside from the end of the receiver story.

Pitt men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon spoke to the players after practice Friday. “He was addressing how we’ve got a good administration behind us, so much support,” defensive lineman Tyrone Ezellsaid. “We should just go out here and not take this for granted. This is a privilege.”

Hard not to see that as a not-too subtle refutation of Fraud Graham’s latest attempts to repair his image, and justify his actions. Briefly, because that is all he is worth, Graham has now claimed that there were divisions in the administration. Heavily implying that there was dysfunction at the top that undermines the football program. After all, it’s not his fault.

PittScript Bryan at Cardiac Hill did the heavy lifting of breaking down the lies this time. Associate AD/SID E.J. Borghetti added the final smackdown.

“Todd Graham’s credibility problems are well documented. Further comment on that subject would be simply piling on.”

And that is all the energy I care to devote to this.]

Back to the injuries. Just a few players are out right now.

One day, an unofficial count revealed 20 players missing either a few plays or the entire session. Third-string middle linebacker Dan Mason has been playing on the first team with projected starter Shane Gordon and backup Joe Trebitz out. Redshirt freshman Jason Frimpong has joined the first unit at outside linebacker while Todd Thomas and Eric Williams deal with injuries. Even freshman Deaysean Rippy had a brief venture as a starting linebacker.

Coach Paul Chryst, who will put the team through a fully padded scrimmage Saturday to end two weeks of drills, speaks about injuries reluctantly and only in vague terms.

Most players, with the exception of Thomas, who had knee surgery in January and whose absence doesn’t figure to end soon, are “day-to-day,” Chryst said. That means they might return the next day — or they might not.

Senior safety Andrew Taglianetti isn’t surprised by the heavy traffic in the trainer’s room.

“Everyone should be hurting at this point in camp,” he said. “You just have to find it within yourself to determine if you can keep practicing or not. You just have to keep pushing through. Coach Chryst is going to go find those guys who want to do that.”

That’s because Coach Chryst is looking for football players. Players who like football. Who love to strap it on. Who are old school. With passion!

Wait, not like that!

 





What position is Gonzalez working out yet?
With Anderson now injured…
will they workout Gonzalez or Ronald Jones for QB.

Comment by Joe D 08.18.12 @ 12:48 pm

great post Chas… the Ferotte clip was inspired. Is the scrimmage open to the press?

Comment by Jeff in CPa 08.18.12 @ 12:56 pm

Yes. The media can see the scrimmage. I believe Reed will also be attending and filing a report at some point.

Comment by Chas 08.18.12 @ 1:03 pm

How about the rb situation. Gonna be rb by committee with Crockett, Bennet and Graham. If so, who will be the “go to” guy?? Or just wait to see how it pans out??

Interesting pleasant stat on one of the ESPN networks put up on the screen, during a show on Ohio States camp with Urban Meyer.

During the show, they put up a sack leader board for the last two years, Pitt was 5th and they went over the top 6 or 7, so Pitt and our couple DE’s got some pub, and I was happy that every time the guy mentioned us, he called us Pitt, not Pittsburgh.

Certainly doesn’t mean a thing, especially with two different coaches, but, just a nice little thing that people in the country still know who Pitt is.

Comment by Dan 08.18.12 @ 1:18 pm

For the life of me, I googled it for 15 minutes, could not come up with that stat.

Also, don’t know if was the whole team defense, or just the front line sack totals???

Comment by Dan 08.18.12 @ 1:19 pm

Post Gaaette Redshirt Diaries has a summary of the scrimmage.

In a word… Defense.

Comment by PittofDreams 08.18.12 @ 2:40 pm

“But the current Pitt coaching staff believes that if players really have a love for the game, if the game is truly important to them, then they will work hard and improve and play well. That’s what Chryst looks for in football players, and it’s what he’s hoping to find in his football team.”

The above quote from the Rivals link says all I need to know about Chrys’t view of the current players at camp,commits and future recruits. Players can come to Pitt after having stellar HS resumes and the stars which come with them. But if I am reading PC correctly, the ultimate determining factor of players coming to Pitt and seeing the field is their desire and work ethic in respect to playing football. No one is handed a spot based on potential. They are handed a spot by truly earning it with their overall play.

The coaches’ stance on the above sheds light on why Wisky could succeed with lesser recruits and why those 2-3 stars were offered for the 2013 class. It also explains why players such as Trebitz and Manny Williams have gotten first team reps. The players have to prove it on the field.

In respect to Gonzo, he may have been an all state QB but his QB skills are limited and had not gotten any better during his time as a QB at Pitt. His game was predicated on his athleticism, projection and not his QB passing skills. I guess they could use him a pinch but don’t expect too much out of him.

At running back I am not ready to bail on Shell seeing playing time this season. If Ray takes longer to be ready and Shell learns the finer points of running at the collegiate level. I expect he will indeed play.

Comment by Kenny 08.18.12 @ 3:00 pm

Great to hear Shane Gorden is back scrimmaging. Gonna need a good middle linebacker.

Comment by alcofan 08.18.12 @ 4:48 pm

Curious as to the rash of injuries… these are not the major type of injuries (ie. acl, etc).
– Are the injuries real or exagerrated?
– Are the injuries conditioning related or lack thereof? interview of S&C coach who prided himself on lack of injuries in previous programs..
– Is it the Iverson attitude… Practice… we are talking practice!!!

Comment by Joe D 08.18.12 @ 5:03 pm

I doubt it’s attitude and hopefully not conditioning — the latter is something we will have to wait and see to determine

It’s bumps, bruises and dings. By most accounts this has been a very physical training camp.

I think there are two issues in play.

There seems to be a certain cautiousness by the coaching staff not to risk players long-term if they aren’t up to the full practice.

Then there is the fact that this is a new staff in first training camp with everyone including the freshmen. Keeping players out of practice with small injuries gives them a chance to play kids on the 2d and 3d team higher to see what they can do — without the questions, issues and problems of reporting a player taking 1st string reps over another.

Comment by Chas 08.18.12 @ 5:19 pm

Guys – I just now got back after driving down from PGH. I’ll have another detailed report like I did for last week’s scrimmage but I’m going to ask for your patience as we also have house guests this weekend.

I’ll try like hell to get something up for your Sunday morning coffee.

Comment by Reed 08.18.12 @ 5:39 pm

Everyone has a maximum potetnial, I think that Gus Frerotte had just simply hit that wall. Obviously, didn’t listen to his HS school coach when he offered the advice of “keep your head up and look into the tackle”!

Had to be both soooo awkward and embarrasiing simultaneously.

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.18.12 @ 6:15 pm

Chas,

Agree with both your points about injuries and I might add another reason. New coach + new staff + + new focus on physical play = extra physical camp due to kids realizing they need to seize the opportunity to get on the depth chart.

We should have a better idea in a couple months.

I also think keeping Shane Gordon healthy for the season is going to one of the keys to a good year. Who would have ever thought that?

Comment by Bowling Green Panther 08.18.12 @ 7:06 pm

Spot on, Kenny.
Chryst wants players who want to play for him. No room for prima donna’s who want to be flaunted and cajoled and stroked. In other words, we extend offers, but we will not kiss your ass to get you to come here.
Joe D has lamented (bitched) about the lack of four and five star recruits, but I would take a worker over a star any day of the week. And as much as it pains me to say, not only did Wisconsin make the most out of average recruits, but so did WVU

Comment by Gas 08.18.12 @ 7:34 pm

Reed, relax after the long drive. And thanks for doing it.

Interesting about the injuries. I was told that last year’s training regimen was the toughest so far. And there seemed to be fewer pre-season injuries.

Now practices are longer and harder and appear to be taking their toll.

We’ll see what this all means soon enough.

Comment by steve1 08.18.12 @ 7:39 pm

Gas…
I like those players that put the work in…
Love Voytik… and Holtz.. and they are 4stars.
But, Chryst had better kiss ass to get good players to come… who also put the work in!!!
It is well known Shell did not put any work in at HS… never lifted weights, etc. skipped practices or allegedly injured in HS in order to skip practice but always ready to play game day. Funny how that works.
I hope Chryst plays the players that put the work in.. whether that be a freshman or a senior.

Comment by Joe D 08.18.12 @ 7:42 pm

If Pitt is truly going to become a physical football team, then it starts with practice.

Forget intricate plays and gimmicks. And what you did in high school is already forgotten. Earn playing time and practice all of a sudden becomes highly relevant each week.

Nothing is better for a football player than true competition: screw seniority and stars. Everyone now has a reason to practice hard. Sounds simple doesn’t it? But people have a way of complicating the obvious.

I hope this continues. Hard physical play will do very well in the ACC.

Comment by SFPitt 08.18.12 @ 7:53 pm

Joe you may have to get with Chryst and let him know about sucking up to recruits. While he may not be oblivious to the practice, perhaps your intervention will make him see the light…

Comment by Kenny 08.18.12 @ 7:59 pm

It is to soon to know and i hope i am wrong.
but do you remmber when the new conditioning coach
or weight coach or what ever he is was hired
there were rumors that his progrom in NCS or were ever he came from.
did not work and he was fired or not retanied
becuse half the team was always injuried
does any one else remmber that.

Comment by FRANKCAN 08.18.12 @ 8:23 pm

frankcan..
I read an article about him… I will try and find it…
Some people call the S&C coach a Yoga instructor in disguise.

Comment by Joe D 08.18.12 @ 9:09 pm

Frank,
You have a hell of a memory..
See article regarding Rice and injuries and NCState..
Seems Pitt has a conditioning problem!!!

link to backingthepack.com

link to power-systems.com

Above article regarding stetching… he had 1 hammy pull in 3 years… well, Shanny got 1 already and season didn’t start yet.

link to weightliftingexchange.com

This article has some stats of injuries… I think his stats are BS!!!!

Comment by Joe D 08.18.12 @ 9:20 pm

From our girl at ESPN, Andrea Adelson (10-19-11)
“This is not a strength-and-conditioning issue. It’s not muscles, it’s bones, and it’s happening at the line of scrimmage. Three players have broken bones, three players have injured knees, and two others have ankle injuries. O’Brien attributed them to legal but costly blocks.

“Last year we stay healthy, we miss two games all year on defense and we win nine games, get ranked, the whole thing,” O’Brien said. “Right now we’ve already missed 24 games by guys on defense, and they’re all at the same spot, defensive tackle, defensive end and one linebacker.

“It’s broken bone. We’ve got guys with broken bones in their foot. We’ve got guys who have been cut-blocked at the line of scrimmage that have knees and ankles. If you start pulling muscles, then I’ll start talking about strength and conditioning. When you’re getting chopped and your ankle or your knee goes, that’s a structural problem.”

link to espn.go.com

And this is how the blogger at Backing The Pack ended his piece about Rice resiging: previously held the same position for five seasons at Boston College under Tom O’Brien.

I’m not going to pretend to know anything about the job Rice did here at NC State, though if there was some connection between Rice and the injury epidemic we’ve endured, it’s strange that the same sort of thing didn’t happen while he was with TOB at Boston College. And TOB has never hinted publicly that he felt the strength and conditioning program was a problem. If anything, he’s deflected attention away from S&C.”

His insinuation there borders on par with the bloggers whom fed fuel to fired the rumor Clemson and Florida ST were headed to the Big 12

Comment by Kenny 08.18.12 @ 9:34 pm

The injuries are piling up because look at the number of snaps these guys are going through. A ridiculous amount more then Wanny and TG. PC is pulling a Junction Boy camp on these guys. May not pay dividends right away but down the line for sure. HAIL2PITT

Comment by Sean 08.18.12 @ 9:35 pm

JD thank you it makes you think my be it is his
stetching program.
not saying it is just wondering well we will know as the year goes bye.
thanks for finding that i was sure it was out there some were.

Comment by FRANKCAN 08.18.12 @ 9:50 pm

Kenny,

I’m with you 100 percent.

Nothing worst than a phony.

Comment by PittofDreams 08.18.12 @ 10:07 pm

@Kenny, you are totally correct. JoeD does have a point though.

Love the 2-3 guys that work. And we have a few solid 4’s.

I would like to think Coach Chyrst can get the program going, and if we start to become a top 20 or so so program, along with the great work ethic guys, we can get several 4’s and a few 5’s that work also.

Both valid points IMHO. That would be the ideal mix for Pitt I feel. We’re not Texas or USC, so I have no delusions. But if we win, we will have Coach Chyrst’s work ethic and being able to find the coachable 2’s and 3’s, and through some horses into the mix, would be great.

Comment by Dan 08.18.12 @ 10:15 pm

@FRANKCAN. Great memory, and if I do say so myself, I had it also.

The reason I had it, I remember posting that the guy from NC ST is the only sour point about everything going on with Pitt at the time.

No, going to the ledge, need time to see what he can do certainly.

However, I remember that article, and people at NC ST. saying the guy made the team soft and rubbery or something, but not hard and tough.

Oh, Okay, I see above you guys posted the article.

Comment by Dan 08.18.12 @ 10:18 pm

Dan right no ledge it might not be his fult
but it is worth keeping a eye on if it carrys over
into the real season.
I am glad you are back Dan you are a voice of reason.
Ihope tino is better this year so that EMel does
not have lose his mind and go to the bottle.

Comment by FRANKCAN 08.18.12 @ 10:44 pm

Dan, It’s nice know that somebody on ESPN refered to Pitt…………..as “Pitt” and not Pittsburgh. Good stuff. That and another piece, by Reed on Pitt football just in time, to read with my Sunday morning coffee.

Comment by Justinian 08.18.12 @ 10:52 pm

Boston College also put OL in the NFL year after year with that Rice as S&C coach. Probably recommended by Bostad,Hubuer, or Russell Wilson. I really think the injuries are just hard work and tons of snaps. I have no proof though.

Comment by Sean 08.19.12 @ 2:42 am

Good lord…please don’t start some bogus rumors that the strength coach sucks. That is a ridiculous theory. Do you really think PC, in his first opportunity to be a head coach, is going to hire a guy with a bad reputation.

Let me guess…bring Buddy Morris back is next.

Comment by notrocketscience 08.19.12 @ 7:32 am

To criticize the strength and conditioning coach at this point makes about as much sense as to go on and on about recruiting before Chryst has even had a chance to win a game.

Here’s something to go with everyone’s morning coffee — my personal favorite tidbit from yesterday’s scrimmage.

In case you haven’t already caught it, among those in attendance was Johnny Majors who had something to say about Chryst chances for success at Pitt.

“Paul Chryst is going to get the job done. You can mark that down.” — Johnny Majors former Pitt coach.

Comment by PittofDreams 08.19.12 @ 8:01 am

Yes, IMHO, we should chill on the S&C coach as a problem unless it becomes a regular and serious in-season problem for consecutive years. These kinds of things can become kind of like “urban legends.”

It is a given that irrespective of S&C coaches that some years you have bad luck and have more injuries than normal and some years you luck out and have fewer injuries than normal. I am inclined to this view unless/until proven otherwise over a couple of seasons–particularly as I am inclined to trust Chryst to have chosen his S&C coach wisely after conversations with his FB connections.

In addition, as all the press reports show, Chryst runs really, really tough and grueling practices as compared to his predecessors.

I am all for taking an extended “wait and see’ approach on this one!

Comment by pitt1972 08.19.12 @ 8:04 am

for those who inquired about Gonzales, this is an excerpt from an article in today’s Trib-Review:

Injuries to Hendricks and redshirt freshman Steve Williams also have allowed for a fifth talented athlete, former quarterback Anthony Gonzalez, to enter the mix as a backup strong safety.

Gonzalez is learning a position he hasn’t played since high school, but he has good instincts and size (6-3, 210). His interception in overtime clinched the 2008 PIAA Class AAAA championship for Bethlehem Liberty against Bethel Park.

Comment by wbb 08.19.12 @ 8:18 am

Football is a gruling sport of attrition. And fall camp is the epitome of that fact. There will be injuries both serious and minor that occur during any camp that consists two a days in full pads with full speed contact going on.

So far the only season ending injury that I know of is Ricketts going down with that shoulder injury in the first day of camp no less, not even in pads yet! Now I’ve heard that PC runs a very physical camp on the one hand, but then I also see that he holds guys out of needed practice time because he feels that they’re not ready to go yet. Now that’s BOTH tough and smart. It also sounds like Chryst lets the injuried kid’s opinion be the final determinate on whether he plays or not too, at least if the coach feels he can get back in there. I’m guessing that PC is holding Ray Graham out of there against Graham’s wishes however. Considering what Ray was stating early on in camp I would find it hard to believe that Ray was comfortable standing on the sidline yesterday for the entire scrimmage.

Of course that is why depth and solid recruiting is so vital for a longterm successful program. Almost any Div I school can put together 22 guys that can play at that level but once that game of attrition impacts those troops the underbelly of the programs that are thin in the two deep personel shows up pretty quickly. So what I’m seeing here is the glass half full, a lot of underclassmen/freshman get reps so that Coach can find out who the players are that can fill in when the time comes. I see that even the walk on WR, Wuenster has gotten the chance to show his stuff. So it’s all good as long as we don’t see any more train wrecks in camp like what happened with Ricketts.

BTW, this same attrition is what is going to knock the $hit out of penn state down the road in 2014, 2015 etc. Yeah, they still may bring in some good atheletes but there just arn’t going to be enough of them once the seasons move along. I also think the quality of the recruit will drop off too in direct proportion to the lack of success that they will see on the field as their sanctions begin to have an accumulated impact on their football program. It’s all bad for them, boo hoo.

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.19.12 @ 9:30 am

Maybe others did, FRANKCAN and I were both just remembering an article we read. We both stated we weren’t going out on a ledge, we threw no one under the bus, and we both just said it might be something to keep an eye.

We’re still allowed to bs a little on here aren’t we??? Geeezzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Dan 08.19.12 @ 6:38 pm

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