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April 16, 2015

Spring Game Roll Call & Notes

Filed under: Coaches,Football,Players — Reed @ 8:22 am

First, the Panther Spring Game Draft has been completed and here is a set of photos proving that even a .500 ball team can still have fun.  Also, here is the front page of The Pitt Live Wire Blog which has more tweets and stuff about said draft.  Apparently there is some wagering going on between the people involved.  From Jerry Dipaola…

Then the Trib follows up with Marty Stewart writing a nice article on DB Dennis Briggs.

Sam Werner of the P-G chips in with another Spring Game overview.

Time to get serious if we want to try to meet other Blatherites at the Spring Game.  I’m driving up from MD for it and will have media credentials that will allow me to roam the sidelines during the scrimmage.  With that I will be assigned parking in the West Lot probably closest to the stadium.  I’ll park there but will wander to wherever anyone wants to meet and I really want to get together if possible beforehand.

I’ll be driving a silver Prius Wagon (I know… but at 45 miles to the gallon I’ll take the jokes) and will be the tall (6’6″) guy with a mustache and wearing blue “Coast Guard” ballcap.

Here is the venue website  and here is an overhead view of the stadium and parking lots.  They are advertising taking 4,000 fans into the stadium. I’m not sure how but the place holds 3,500 seats.  I also am wondering if we’ll really pull 3500 fans into the stadium for the game. I hope so and there does seem to be a uptick in interest and energy among fans.  Apparently the stadium lots will open up at 11:30

Lets do try to arrange something – I’ll chip in $$$ for beer/booze and provide sparkling, even if politically incorrect, conversation.  Someone take charge and arrange something.  I’m the writer not the party planner. If we miss each other before the game then let’s pick a bar to go to afterward.

(BTW — anyone who lives in the tri-state area and doesn’t go to the game isn’t a real fan. Seriously, you’re not.)

 

 





A quote from an ESPN article (worth the read) which says a lot.

Rob Harley on Narduzzi, “I know how demanding he can be,” Harley said. “This is an environment that’s not for everybody. And that’s not to say it’s bad. It’s just not for everybody. It’s demanding. It’s tough. It’s tough on the coaches, it’s tough on the players. It’s an atmosphere that is intense at all times. So there is no honeymoon here…”

Entire article: link to espn.go.com

Comment by notrocketscience 04.16.15 @ 8:31 am

Reed

6′-6″ in a Prius? Do you drive with your head out the sun roof? 🙂

Comment by notrocketscience 04.16.15 @ 8:34 am

Notrocket, I also have a Hyundai Sante Fe and I have more headroom, legroom and cargo space in the Prius. Seriously, it is the most comfortable car I’ve owned.

As to your comment – it will be very interesting to see who leaves the program between Saturday evening and the beginning of Fall Camp in early August. There may be some kids who don’t want to face the increased tempo and stress this staff is laying on.

Of course there will also be the kids Narduzzi gently pushes out the door by arranging transfers for them because they won’t see playing time.

Comment by Reed 04.16.15 @ 8:40 am

Thanks for respecting the enviroment Reed.

Comment by alcofan 04.16.15 @ 8:49 am

I agree, kids will leave.

Some freshmen will earn playing time especially on D and I guarantee that a freshman wide receiver plays and makes an impact this year.

Comment by notrocketscience 04.16.15 @ 8:50 am

I’m glad you put that last comment in Reed. Sounds like it’s time we all do our part as fans to assist Coach Narduzzi in turning the perception of this program around.

Comment by Timmeh 04.16.15 @ 9:07 am

Reed I’ll be there with my Honda CR-V. I’m looking for a GPS now because my distance vision is bad and I don’t know Pittsburgh well after living in Harrisburg for 32 years. I got lost going home after the LOI event. I went past the Polish Hill Restaurant until Route 8 and then I found the North Side again.

Comment by gpm 04.16.15 @ 9:25 am

Steak and Lobster for the winners … hot dogs and beans for the losers. They should do this for the entire team after each game.

Comment by wbb 04.16.15 @ 9:35 am

Please take pics of the crazies who show up and post them. And, I would be there if I lived in Pgh still.

And, I drive an Audi A4 wagon with 99932 miles on it. So, I am in no position to make any comments about your Prius.

H2Prius

Comment by pmdH2P 04.16.15 @ 9:37 am

Well sorry to say I have a Land Rover that swallows gas and shits on the environment. Haha…

Have a great time guys. I have hit the TCU Spring Game. Hope turnout is good and no rain for ya’ll.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 10:08 am

More important this spring game BS is…… Can Reed suit up and play Center for Pitt Basketball? Any eligibility Reed?

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 10:09 am

My brother bailed on me. We went to the opener Monday and he is golfing Sunday, so I’m pretty sure his wife told him he had reached his fun quota for one week.

Me and my dad are still going down. Kinda playing are pre gaming by ear so if any blatherites are tailgating or hitting up a local establishment just say where. I’m still guessing if attendance exceeds 4,000 they will start turning people away. Wish there was a way to reserve a seat, but I have not heard anything

Comment by Pap76 04.16.15 @ 10:13 am

Pap76 – Only way they play at this stadium is if they expect less than 3k people. If they expected more and people are turned away then that is bush league.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 10:19 am

Just had a memory. After the Spring Game of 1976 (or maybe 75) I walked onto the field at PITT Stadium and low and behold, as I was walking across the field to the west, Tony Dorsett was walking east! We gave each other a “high 5”.
I’ve always felt that “high 5” is what propelled TD to win the Heisman Trophy and National Championship that year!! :>)

Comment by pittman4ever 04.16.15 @ 10:24 am

< lo and behold

Comment by pittman4ever 04.16.15 @ 10:27 am

Pittman – You mind me flying you to Dallas and giving me a High Five? You have the golden touch.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 10:35 am

All I’d have to do is drive up I45 Upitt. Live in Texas now.

Comment by pittman4ever 04.16.15 @ 10:43 am

Reed…I expect 6000+ so we’ll see. Will look for you pregame and will be at the Sheraton bar post game. I am 6’3″ and will have a cream Panama hat on my head or in my hands.

Comment by Dan 72 04.16.15 @ 10:48 am

I like all this talk about meeting up in DFW. Do we know if the game will be broadcast anywhere? ESPNU?

Comment by tedsptman 04.16.15 @ 11:29 am

The weather forecast for Saturday is sunny in the mid 70’s. Bring some sunblock, it’s supposed to be beautiful.

Comment by Nick 04.16.15 @ 12:15 pm

Dan 72, may I suggest Bar Louie. More relaxed atmosphere, better beer and food selection and better prices.

Comment by wbb 04.16.15 @ 12:29 pm

Will be in Cape May, N.J. helping my uncle put a balcony on. Don’t know what makes him think I know how to do it. Pair of hands and arms I suppose.

Enjoy yourselves, look forward to seeing Reed’s report and all of your reports.

Comment by Dan 04.16.15 @ 12:38 pm

Is this game on any network? Internet feed? Hoping to watch from Nashville!

HTP

Comment by Pitt IT Is 04.16.15 @ 12:45 pm

Reed,
My wife and I will be at the game. Vintage script blue tee shirt, Pitt (non-script, alas) lid.

We too have a Prius, one of the best ever.

Could you see — through EJ — whether the Athletic Dept is filming the game (so non-attendees can see it on YouTube)?
Thanks.

Comment by PetePitt73 04.16.15 @ 12:52 pm

Grandsons birthday party Sat . Can’t attend the game but have watched every game I could at the stadium or on TV or Internet.. After what we’ve seen how can you not call me a real fan?

Comment by Fred filopek 04.16.15 @ 1:04 pm

Come early … come shirtless!

Free ‘Team AD’ or ‘Team Fritz’ to the first 4000. Gates open at 11:30.

Comment by wbb 04.16.15 @ 1:07 pm

Free Team AD or Team Fritz ‘SHIRTS’ to the first 4000.

Comment by wbb 04.16.15 @ 1:09 pm

I already asked EJ that question yesterday morning. There won’t be complete video coverage but the Media Dept will have a good highlights package up as soon as they can. They are also planning some other media nuggets to ensure we all have things to talk about between the spring game and the fall camp. If anything breaks in the way of follow up media on the Spring Game I’ll post ASAP.

I just got a press release regarding a call-in press conference with NFL Draft analyst Mike Mayock on Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 PM ET… so you can probably watch a replay sometime this afternoon or this evening.

Apparently he has TJ Clemmings rated pretty highly and in the Top Five OT prospects.

Here is some more info on the NFL network covering the draft. We PITT fans need to watch and keep our eyes open for Ray Vinopal to be the surprise of the draft now that Chas has ‘outed’ Vinopal’s latent talent.

“NFL Network provides live coverage of the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft from Chicago Thursday, April 30 at 8:00 PM ET, followed by Rounds 2-3 Friday, May 1 at 7:00 PM ET and Rounds 4-7 Saturday, May 2 at 12 Noon ET.

On Wednesday, April 29 at 8:00 PM ET on NFL Network, Mayock unveils his first – and only – mock draft of the year in a one-hour special, Mayock’s 2015 Mock Draft. On the eve of the 2015 NFL Draft, Mayock, joined by Chris Rose, predicts how the first round of the draft will unfold and provides full analysis of each selection.”

Comment by Reed 04.16.15 @ 1:10 pm

@Steve1, where are ya? It’s that time of year.

Your Rangers are odds on favorites to take it all.

As for the Pens, I’ll quote or para-phrase the
Emperor Chas Noll………..

“we have problems, and they are many.”

Comment by Dan 04.16.15 @ 1:28 pm

The team coached by OC Chaney will not have Voytik, Boyd, or Conner. It will be interesting to see what kind of production he gets out of his offense without the big 3 on his team…

Comment by Pap76 04.16.15 @ 1:35 pm

I am making a Command Decision (mainly because I miss it so much and when I try it at home people ignore me), and here is the deal for Saturday. Pre-Action Plan is to meet somewhere in the parking lot from 1130 on until game time at 1300 (1:00pm).

After the game action is finished… regular rules, refs and 12 minute quarters BTW… we segue into the Post-Action Plan and will advance toward Bar Louie for a wet rendezvous, stopping first at the Sheraton to pick up stragglers and rest the feet. Once at the final destination of Bar Louie we will have many drinks. tell many lies and engage in wild speculation about how great the defense is going to be and how, really, Conner should be at DE.

After that someone can carry me to the casino. Here is the map for the Stadium, Sheraton and the Bar Louie.

It would be really great if a bunch of us can bond over PITT’s glorious football history of 1920-1930.

Comment by Reed 04.16.15 @ 1:37 pm

With such a display of leadership, Reed is now the favorite to be the AD. No, wait .. he forgot to attach the map .. ooooh, sorry!

Comment by wbb 04.16.15 @ 1:41 pm

Ah, quickly covering up for your gaffe … you are back in the lead.

Comment by wbb 04.16.15 @ 1:42 pm

I also forgot to check when the PITT AD was going to be advertised. I was serious about applying for the job so, at the very least, I’d get another rejection letter to add to all the college ones I got back in HS. It would have been a kick to get an interview though – imagine that conversation.

Gallagher: “So Reed, what did you think about Dave Wannstedt’s tenure at PITT?”

Me: “Pat, funny you should ask…”

Comment by Reed 04.16.15 @ 1:45 pm

One of the draft gurus had Clemmings tied for 5th highest rated tackles in the draft. I was watching a replay of SB 14 on nfl network yesterday & the top 5 at each position kept running across the bottom.

Comment by Nick 04.16.15 @ 2:12 pm

On a non-sports related Pitt subject, Wall Street Journal just posted the top 40 richest university endownments. Pitt was 36.

Comment by Bruce F 04.16.15 @ 2:25 pm

The spring game should be a blast with over 3500 in that beautiful venue along the Mon.

Pre & Post Game in one of the nicer bars in Station Square. (quite a few to pick from)

Wish I was up there to go and coordinate the post game activities, ie. buy the drinks.

Comment by Emel 04.16.15 @ 2:33 pm

Comment by Emel 04.16.15 @ 2:34 pm

@@@@@@

Hoping that at last we have leadership
in PN and his staff. Would love to see
PN win 8 or 9 games including a decent
bowl TY. PN might be our Chuck Noll?

Comment by JR 04.16.15 @ 2:57 pm

I am gonna miss this one getting married on Sat and i think i would get in a ton of trouble if i even try to stream it. Is it on espn3 where i could watch it later?

Comment by dacs 04.16.15 @ 3:12 pm

How on God’s green earth is this not on TV somewhere or one of the 400 ESPN Shit Channels? Deportes??? I’d meet in Dallas guys but we can’t even get it on TV tape delayed. Bush League.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 3:53 pm

dacs – Congratulations and Good Luck.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 3:54 pm

Emel – We should play all games there and tell the world we sellout every week. LOL 3500. I bet we get just under 3200

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 3:55 pm

~ Dan-o

So cool about your cousin marrying Jackie Sherrill.
Are they still married.

Answer to your question regarding if there was a Johnny Majors TV show.

~ Dan-o
Yes it started with the Johnny Majors Show and continued with the Jackie Sherrill Show.

What was also great about those shows besides showing all the highlites of Pitt wins in those great years, was the background music they used during the highlites, that the coaches spoke over.

They always used music of The Crusaders. So I always equate the last great era in Pitt football with The Crusaders albums of the 70’s and early 80’s. Which were also great.

Comment by Emel 04.16.15 @ 2:05 pm

Comment by Emel 04.16.15 @ 4:12 pm

Upitt, why am I not surprised that you drive a LandRover???

Comment by Dr. Tom 04.16.15 @ 4:16 pm

I just found out the great Joe Sample died. 🙁

Co-founder of the above mentioned Crusaders.

Joe wrote the music to the Crusaders iconic song.
link to youtube.com

Guy was my favorite pianist/keyboard player.

Comment by Emel 04.16.15 @ 4:23 pm

No! I love Sample’s work.

Here is a another taste to enjoy…

link to youtube.com

Comment by Reed 04.16.15 @ 4:36 pm

Reed …. Love your plan and will pitch in.
Where is at Louie’s ?? Hopefully close

Comment by Dan 72 04.16.15 @ 4:50 pm

Joe Sample, what a musical genius.

Besides his phenomenal solo work, co-founder of the Crusaders and before that the Jazz Crusaders.

He was the keyboardist on Steely Dan’s great song Aja and played the Clavinet on Black Cow.

Was the keyboardist on Pittsburgher Michael Frank’s classic album…The Art of Tea, along with Larry Carlton & fellow Crusader, Wilton Felder.

And played with countless others including Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, B. B. King, Joe Cocker, Minnie Riperton, Al Jarreau and Anita Baker. Both live and as a studio musician.

One of my favorite all-time Joe Sample songs off of Spellbound. Grammy award nominee 1990

link to youtube.com

Comment by Emel 04.16.15 @ 5:01 pm

To the Esteemed Doctor – LOL. They aren’t much $$ than the new explorers kind sir. Ford? Land Rover? Made the choice easy for me.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 5:05 pm

Should we bring beer? Booze? Any requests. I had planned on having a few at bar before game, but if you guys are tailgating and don’t mind if me and my dad crash the party…

Comment by Pap76 04.16.15 @ 5:33 pm

And also with one of the great underrated artists, Ms Randy Crawford, although didn’t really care for Street Life

Comment by JoeKnew 04.16.15 @ 5:35 pm

Great loss indeed (Joe Sample)

FWIW, I knew the girl (actually knew who she was) who Michael Franks wrote about on ‘Popsicle Toes’

Comment by wbb 04.16.15 @ 5:37 pm

Congrats to Bri Kiesel being selected in the 13th pick by the Tulsa Shock.

Comment by Yeti 04.16.15 @ 7:51 pm

Here is the address for Bar Louie’s in Station Square.

240 W Station Square Dr
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 394-0500

From the map it looks like it is about two blocks east of the eastern parking lots of Riverhound stadium; walking you would pass The Gateway Clipper Fleet (owned by which PITT LB’s Father?), then past the Sheraton where we will refuel, then one more block to Bar Louie’s. It looks to be on the waterfront and hard to miss.

I probably won’t hang out on the field after the game for the interview so I think if we all meet at the corner of West Station Square Dr. and the entrance to the Gateway Clipper place (where the sidewalks looks to be red brick) right after the game ends then we’ll muster and go from there.

Again, here is the Google Map of where we will be after the game.

Comment by Reed 04.16.15 @ 8:52 pm

The Jets Darrel Revis to join the Patriots for White House Super Bowl party on Thur.

Comment by alcofan 04.16.15 @ 9:10 pm

Yeti – Who is Bri Keisel? The Beard’s Sister? Tulsa Shock? If you are talking WNBA I’m sending you to Western Psych. Stop that nonsense. Just Kididng. a little bit.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 9:47 pm

Brianna Kiesel was one of the best athletes to play at Pitt since… well, probably since Upittbaseball.

She was the best kept secret in Pittsburgh sports – also probably like Upittbaseball.

Go Pitt.

Comment by MajorMajors 04.16.15 @ 9:52 pm

Reed…et al. Was at Louie’s tonight. Will bring a case of beer for early and $$ for post game. Cannot tell you how much I’m looking forward to meeting all of you. EMel…UPitt…really sorry you won’t be there.

My wife thinks I have a girl friend I spend so much time on this blog!

Comment by Dan 72 04.16.15 @ 9:57 pm

Dan72 – Next time brother!

Major Majors Woman’s Basketball doesn’t count. I would prefer a 72 straight course taught by Steve Pederson’s on rebranding than watch a WNBA game.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 11:21 pm

72 hour straight course.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.16.15 @ 11:21 pm

@Emel, thank you, I thought there was a Johnny Majors show before J.S..

The Crusaders!!! Right!!!

My Dad and my brothers and I would catch heat from my Mom, whenever there was some event coming up, (wedding, baptism, birthday) where they would be, we used to go around the house for a few days before, in I guess something like the Riddlers voice saying

Darryl Sherrill?? Darryl Sherrill?? Darryl Sherrill??

LOL

Like I said, met him many, many times at these functions, but more often than not he would not be there!!

Imagine me getting conned into going to some baptism, because Darryl and Jackie Sherrill would be there, only to get there and find out only Darryl was there.

“wtf is Jackie Sherrill. Mom where is Jackie??”

“well, go say hi to your cousin Darryl”.

“f Darryl, where’s Pitt’s coach???”

LOL

Comment by Dan 04.17.15 @ 8:05 am

By the way, second cousin or not,
Darryl Favro Sherrill was absolutely smokin’!!!

At 12 or 13, I’m sure I noticed, but hadn’t turned the corner yet, and was still more interested in
Pitt’s football coach!!

LOL

Believe they divorced after Texas A&M. Pretty sure she went there, remember there being some stink about “poor Darryl” has to move.

Ah, what the hell, 35 frickin’ years ago already, wow!

Comment by Dan 04.17.15 @ 8:09 am

My 11 year old daughter plays AAU ball so I have a semi-vested interest in Women’s bball. When my boy gets older we will re-assess my interests.

Comment by Yeti 04.17.15 @ 8:28 am

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