Pitt Spring Practice #2 is in the books and here are some links and quotes to get the fan blood running.

One common theme we are hearing from the players is that these practice sessions are more “energetic” than the ones under Paul Chryst…  “As a whole, it’s extremely energetic. The way they approach practice, lifting, is different. Not to say that our last staff didn’t bring energy, this is just a whole different level”.  I think that is great although I am a bit wary of too much ‘pumping up’ of players (or workers or students, etc…) in preparation for something because the more you try to infuse that higher level of energy and attention the more susceptible you are of seeming phony and losing your target’s trust.

Let’s hope that things go as planned and the team plays with some extra spring in their step.  At points last year it looked as if they might have been going thru the motions as we were losing the game.  A fresh start all around in the name of the game this year and with it comes new approaches.

DiPaola of the Trib comes in with a nice article on Chad Voytik and then follows it up with a short piece on his blog with “a couple notes”:

After two practices of a scheduled 15-session spring, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has a lot of work to do and decisions to make. Some won’t be finalized until August, and maybe not even then.

But Dontez Ford and Zach Challingsworth are stepping up as the wide receivers lining up opposite Tyler Boyd with the first team. Don’t read too much into it, but it’s worth noting. “Those are the two guys I have to rely on to free me up out of double coverage,” Boyd said.  At least in the spring.

On defense, coordinator Josh Conklin likes what he has seen from safety Reggie Mitchell and cornerbacks Avonte Maddox, Malik Henderson and Phillipie Motley.
Mitchell, a junior, can play both positions. Henderson is an early-enrollee freshman and Motley was redshirted last year during his freshman season.

Conklin said he was impressed with how three-year starting cornerback Lafayette Pitts, a senior, stayed after practice Tuesday to work with some wide receivers on his footwork at the line of scrimmage.

“Those are the things you want to see from that kid,” Conklin said. “He has a lot of experience. We are challenging him every day to come out and be consistent. The corners can’t hide. What we ask them to do, every rep they have to be on.”
What’s interesting to note is that Jordan Whitehead arrives from Central Valley this summer, and will add to the competition at cornerback. Maybe there actually will be some depth in the secondary.

Sam Werner, Post-Gazette posted another article on Voytik and you may wonder if it is a coincidence that the two local beat writers write about the same subject. It isn’t; they are responding to player and coach interviews (see below) for their subject matter.

Here a great paragraph from Werner’s article that might make a very big difference in Voytik’s play in 2015:   Fortunately for Voytik, Chaney has some experience working with shorter quarterbacks (Voytik is listed generously at 6 feet 1 on Pitt’s official roster). He spent four years as Purdue’s offensive coordinator when Drew Brees, the prototype for diminutive quarterbacks, was the starter.

We saw time and again him having to scramble around to find a throwing lane behind the big OL kids we have out there.  With Cheney’s experience and teachings Voytik and the OL may be able to learn to minimize that hesitation and movement.  One thing that has impressed me with Brees is how well he could stand in the pocket and slide one way or another almost effortlessly, to get that line of sight.  Interesting stuff! (Note: you guys didn’t really believe me last year when I said there was no way Voytik was 6’1”. I’d say even giving him 6’ is a real stretch.)

Here are the Post-Practice Video Interviews:

Video: Coach Pat Narduzzi

Video: Defensive Coordinator Josh Conklin

Video: WR Tyler Boyd

Video: RB James Conner

Video: OG Alex Bookser

Web Link: Coach and Player Transcripts

 …and here are some of the more interesting quotes:

Coach Pat Narduzzi on progress after two practices:

“So far, so good. We have a lot of things to clean up. There was a lack of focus—tempo might have been a little bit faster. We made progress from practice one to practice two. You’re looking for attitude and effort on the field. In the classroom, you’re looking for attention and their focus to detail.”

On if there’s an adjustment period for the players:

“I think so. The first practice we had there was an adjustment and today was a little bit better. We still have a way to go. I don’t know what it was like before, I just know what we like to do. It’s either an adjustment or something they have to figure out.”

On watching tape from the initial practice:

“We have to have better motors all of the time. Our guys will figure that out because it’s a habit. People are creatures of habit and what they have done before—we need to break that [habit] so we can make them do what we want them to do.”

Defensive Coordinator Josh Conklin on the defensive players so far:

“I know they’ll come to work, which is a good thing. We challenged them pretty hard today. They need to understand how we operate, function and levels of expectation during practice. That wasn’t the expectation on Sunday so we changed that today. I feel like the energy is good and it’s just going to be a learning process. I like their work ethic. If we continue to do these things we’ll fit the pieces of the puzzle together to put a good product out there on the field.

“Sometimes they don’t really understand how to get to the ball and that’s just a habit. Getting that trained is a big deal. We’re going to get them to run to the football and put the effort where we want to. We have a great staff, so the fundamentals of technique will be coached up. The energy and tenacity that we want to play with, has to happen and has to happen quickly.”

On the role of the linebackers:

“I think the nature of the defense, and what Coach Narduzzi had done previously, is that everything is tied in so well. It’s an attack at the front along with an attack with the linebackers. Ninety-five percent of the time we want the linebackers focused on the run—‘Stop the run.’ They have to be physical and they’re doing a great job.”

Receiver Tyler Boyd on if today was a good practice:

“Yes, for sure. I have to go out there every day with this type of mentality. It’s what I love to do—just go out there with a smile on my face and do my job.”

On the attitude the coaching staff has brought to the practices:

“It changed the whole environment, atmosphere, and practice tempo.”

On if the players respond to this energy:

“The players are going to feed off of each other but if they see the coaches pumped up as well, then it’s going to be even more explosive. When you go out there and see the coaches pumped up and trying to get you to play at the best of your ability, then you know that the practice style is going to go way better.”

On being a student of the game:

“Even if [Coach Jim Chaney] didn’t tell me, I knew I had to be more of a student to the game. Not even just to myself, but to other young players to mature within the system.”

On Offensive Coordinator Jim Chaney:

“He’s a really cool and laidback guy. He knows everything that he’s talking about; he’s an intelligent guy. So learning and scheming off of him will improve my game.”

Running Back James Conner on his mindset going into practice with a new coaching staff:

“My mindset is like I am a freshman again. I try to make a point to everyone and gain respect from everyone: my teammates and coaches. I just stay grounded.”

On if Coach Narduzzi spoke with him about taking a leadership role:

“He hasn’t brought [Tyler Boyd and me] into his office and give us that specific talk but there’s a vibe. Tyler and I know that we’re leaders and that it’s our job.”

On what he’s doing to become a leader:

“Lead by example. I have a lot of young guys asking me running back specific questions. I’m just trying to share knowledge and lead by example.”

On if he feels pressure to repeat his success:

“Somewhat. But my mindset is just like I’m a freshman, trying to earn a starting job. I never want to be satisfied.”

Offensive Guard Alex Bookser, who redshirted as a freshman last season, on transitioning from high school to collegiate play:

“I changed my body and tried to lose my high school fat. I don’t know if I did that to the best of my ability, but I tried as hard as I could. Coming into this season, I told Coach Narduzzi that I would play any position that he wanted me to play. They have me at guard right now so I am embracing that as much as I can.

On playing guard:

“I feel like I’ve done everything that I can so far. I’ve been watching film a decent amount and I really haven’t played guard. It’s a newer position for me so there is still a lot of technique I need to get down.”

On his physical progress from a year ago:

“I feel a lot stronger. Even just my footwork and the right and strong steps I need to take.”

On if he’s built to play guard or tackle:

“I always thought I was a defensive lineman. (Laughs) I don’t know. It’s not up to me when it comes down to it. If they want me to play tackle, I will. If they want me to play guard, I will. It’s just about me getting on the field, not about where it is.”

On the players’ reaction to the coaches’ new tempo:

“As a whole, it’s extremely energetic. The way they approach practice, lifting, is different. Not to say that our last staff didn’t bring energy, this is just a whole different level.”

(Disclaimer: In these ‘In-Between’ articles I get the official PITT press release from the PITT Media Dept. and modify it by adding and subtracting stuff here and there.  So some text is borrowed and some is original.)