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August 27, 2015

Fall Camp – Practice #17

Filed under: Coaches,Football,Players — Reed @ 11:01 am

(Read Chas’ piece posted this morning before this one please)

It has come at last, today is the final day of the 2015 Fall Training Camp.  We’ll have one final press release regarding the practice and then we’ll get some interviews like always.  After that “Cry Havoc and let loose the dogs of speculation

What have we learned?  I have an in-depth article in draft that will address that question.  But for now here is the latest from Pitt on Wednesday’s work the team put in (after the videos and Kickoff info).

As Chas mentioned in his latest piece, last night was the annual PITT Fan Fest held at Heinz Field.  Here are the players and Pitt families with their kids interacting on a nice Pittsburgh almost-football weather evening.

Tomorrow the pre-season sort of officially ends as far as the media goes anyway with the 2015 Pitt Kickoff Luncheon at the Westin Convention Center from 11:30 (reception) and the festivities start at noon.  If you haven’t had a chance to meet Narduzzi and hear him speak up close and personal then this is probably your last chance until 2016.  I highly recommend you do so and when you do really listen to what Narduzzi is saying and meaning because behind all the excitement and energy he projects there is good info… it is just hard to decipher due to the “OK”s and the “You Know”s.

zwhzet

Here is the latest Press Release from E. J. Borghetti with the videos and interviews… looks like the focus of this last day was on the offense.  But before you read it take a look at this latest overhead video of the Panthers practicing on the Southside fields… it was taken by the official Pitt flight camera the “UPMC Paul Chryst” because it drones on for hours before crashing back to earth.

Hate losing Rachid Ibrahim as I have always thought he needed way more touches than Chryst and Rudolph gave him.  But it looks like the offensive backfield will be set anyway especially with the emergence of Darrin Hall.

Pitt Football Training Camp: Day 17

August 26, 2015

VIDEO: Coach Pat Narduzzi

VIDEO: Running Backs Coach Andre Powell

VIDEO: Running Back Darrin Hall

VIDEO: Running Back Qadree Ollison

Coach Pat Narduzzi

On freshman running back Darrin Hall filling in for Rachid Ibrahim:

“Darrin has been playing very well. Rachid had been banged up prior to the injury a little bit [giving Hall increased reps]. He was sitting with a little shoulder injury and his play was a little hampered by that.

“Darrin Hall has been playing well so it just gives another guy a chance.

“I don’t want to focus on one guy because it’s a team effort and it’s time for other guys to step up. With that being said, anytime you lose a guy [like Ibrahim] that has played for you in the past you lose experience, but you move on and keep going.”

On whether Darrin Hall has a similar skill set to Ibrahim:

“There is no doubt about it. He can run the ball, he is very good in pass protection and he’s very intelligent. Rachid was getting pushed by Darrin to improve constantly.”

On Chris James’ workload in camp:

“Chris is back to 100 percent right now and had a nice day yesterday too. It’s a work in progress.”

On practice yesterday at Heinz Field:

“I didn’t think we were focused and paid little attention to detail. I didn’t think our focus was where it needed to be. I put it on myself to start off doing what our pregame is and trying to teach the players how we will act when we go out on the field. We got off to a thud-type tempo, which won’t be the case at the stadium. We are trying to stay up and stay healthy so we don’t have guys all over Heinz Field. It was good to get that practice out of the way.”

Running Backs Coach Andre Powell

On losing Rachid Ibrahim:

“He was choked up shortly after they told him what it was [Achilles tendon injury] and what the recovery process was, but that afternoon he was in meetings talking with everyone. He is a tough kid and a leader on the team so he’ll fight through it.

“You lose experience and knowledge. I hate for him that he got hurt, but we have some good talented guys and we will be able to move forward and be productive.”

On other players stepping up following the injury of Rachid Ibrahim:

“It’s a big opportunity for all of those guys. They have exceeded our expectations. We knew Darrin [Hall] was talented but he’s smart and he’s tough. Chris James had a good summer and certainly improved so I’ve been very pleased with those guys.”

On depth behind James Conner:

“We felt like we had quality depth before the injury and we still think we have quality depth after. We have four guys that we can put in the game that can operate within our system and make plays. We hate that we lost him, but we still have pretty good depth.

“It will be about game plan. All of our guys have to be able to operate if we are passing the ball, if it’s four-minute offense or if it’s short yardage offense. We will play it sometimes by reps, fatigue and if a certain player is hot on the field making plays.”

Running Back Qadree Ollison

On losing Rachid Ibrahim to injury:

“Rachid is a great player and we hate to lose him. He is a brother to us and after it happened I texted him to keep his head up and told him God has a plan for him. He will be back from this in no time. We hate to see a guy go down, but we are going to keep rolling and pushing forward.”

On Ollison overcoming a minor hand injury in camp:

“I feel good. I’m taking a lot of reps because obviously everyone is banged up from camp. But that’s what camp is for. Being able to bounce back from the minor injuries is what makes this team really strong. You might have a guy that was banged up the day before, but he will be back on the field the next day. Our hats go off to the training staff for getting us back out to practice as soon as possible. It’s great to be back out on the field running around with my teammates getting ready for the season.”

On comfort with the offensive schemes:

“I feel very comfortable. I like thinking of myself as a student of the game. We all are. You have to know what you have to do before you can go out there and do it. This year is different in the sense that we all are being held to a higher standard of not just knowing what we do individually, but also knowing things conceptually. We have to know how run plays are blocked and everything off of it, which makes you an all-around better football player. You have to know the smash and flood concepts. If you know the concepts, you have a better understanding of the game and how things work. Coaches aren’t just up there drawing up anything. They do things for a reason and you have to learn why they draw up the plays that they do.”

On freshman running back Darrin Hall:

“Darrin has really done a great job. He’s not afraid to ask the older guys questions. He is a big running back, which is what this university brings in. He brings a lot to the table. When he first came out here he didn’t play like a freshman. He played like he had been here for a couple years. He is picking everything up quickly and we are all just getting better every day.”

(Note: The emphasis above is mine.  Someone obviously forgot to mention to Ollison that Dorsett, Martin, McCoy, Lewis and Graham, etc. weren’t big running backs and they did OK here also.)

Running Back Chris James

On returning from minor injury:

“I was able to jump right back in. Even though I was out for maybe a day or two, I was still locked into taking mental reps and what not.”

On mental reps helping him improve:

“Yeah, because when I was going through some of the film and watching them I thought, ‘Wow, I kind of do the same thing.’ When you get back, now you know to slow it down a little bit more on that certain play.”

On improvement goals from his freshman to sophomore year:

“Patience. Last year I kind of rushed things a little bit because I was just trying to make a play out there as a freshman. Now I’m just ready to go this year. New me.”

On being more of an all-purpose back:

“Yeah, absolutely. I know this year he’s [Coach Andre Powell] definitely been working with all of us on the pass game, knowing how to block, knowing your assignments, and knowing how to chip and then get out on your route. Last year we were kind of broken up into first, second and third down backs. I was more of a first-down back with James [Conner] and then third down was Rachid [Ibrahim]. I’m just glad that he [Powell] is getting the ball to all the other backs as well.”

Running Back Darrin Hall

On Rachid Ibrahim’s injury:

“Rachid has been like a brother to me since I got here. I looked up to him, so him going down is hurtful. It hurts the team.

“It makes my stomach sick, you know? He is a great guy. All of the backs are great guys, but he’s going to fight it and he’s still going to support us.”

On how he’s become a smarter running back:

“I’m reading everything a lot better. I’m more comfortable and I’m relaxed. I’m not bouncing out every play. I have confidence in myself. I’m just hitting the holes.

“I just do everything [Coach Powell] tells me to do. I came in here since day one trying to get at least five percent better [each practice] like he wants us to. Everything else played out on its own.”

Wide Receiver Zach Challingsworth

On separation between players at the wide receiver position:

“Closer to game time you have to make the adjustments and everything. Obviously, not everyone is going to play. With that being said, we don’t have any solid starters right now. Well, obviously Tyler [Boyd], but he’s not in the first game. We just have to come out and work every day to get better and leave it up to the coaches. It’s their decision, but all we can do is come out and work hard and try to solidify that spot for one another, but that’s about it.

“I think we are ready as a group. A lot of people say we’re unproven, but we don’t worry about that. We know what we can do. We know what we’re capable of as a group and individually. We can’t wait. We’re hungry. We want to go out and make plays like we know we can. The first game should be a fun one, we’re really looking forward to it.”

On his health:

“I’m feeling good. I just tweaked my hamstring a little bit before, but I got in with the trainers and strength coaches and worked it out. I’m healthy now and working back towards one-hundred percent, and I couldn’t be more excited to be back.

On the quarterback competition between Chad Voytik and Nate Peterman:

“Both are great quarterbacks. Both know the offense inside and out. They both study film. Like I said, they’re great quarterbacks.

“If Chad goes down then I’m fully confident in Nate. As a receiver you have to be confident in both quarterbacks, and we have that here at Pitt. I think the battle is good and made them both better this camp. It’s a positive.”

Wide Receiver Elijah Zeise

On knowing who to expect on the field at wide receiver:

“Right now I think it’s still anyone’s spot to grab. Obviously ‘T.’ [Tyler] Boyd is not going to play in the first game, but after that I think it’s still pretty wide open.”

On other receivers taking the pressure off of Tyler Boyd:

“It’s kind of a chip on our shoulder, you could say, because a lot of people are looking at us as inexperienced, which I guess we are. But at the same time we’re going to be ready when they put us out on the field.

“The mindset is to go out and make plays. Obviously we want to make the simple ones and try and take a little pressure off of him [Boyd], but at the same time we’re all out there to make plays.”

On tight ends helping out in the passing game:

“Oh, a lot. The tight ends are really good. J.P. [Holtz], Scott [Orndoff], and Jaymar [Parrish]—who is starting to develop some hands—are definitely going to be a big attribute to us in the passing game.”

Wide Receiver Dontez Ford

On his role:

“The coaches give us all different roles. We all have to be able to learn different positions, so right now I’m just trying to make sure I master every part of the craft and be able to play any spot. So whenever [Tyler Boyd] gets back, I can be thrown in wherever they need me and I can make plays.

“Obviously I have to take pressure off of [Tyler], but I’m just going to go out there and compete and play the best that I can.”

On how the receiving core is shaping up:

“The coaches are going to play the best players at the end of the day, but I think all of our receivers have been doing a good job this camp. Everyone’s been going out there and making plays. The quarterback has been spreading the ball out to everyone. It’s been good.”

On the younger receivers stepping up in the season opener:

“I think we could put any of our receivers on the field. We can all go out there and make plays.”

On yesterday’s practice at Heinz Field:

“There was a lack of focus, especially in the beginning of practice. We came out sluggish, but we picked it up and I think today we came out even better. So that’s the most important part—that we bounced back and we learned from it.”

Offensive Lineman Brian O’Neill

On having the body type to switch from tight end to tackle:

“I’m weighing in at about 293 pounds right now. I feel more and more comfortable each day with what I’m asked to do.”

On when he started gaining weight for the position change:

“I started at about 260 pounds. It took about six or seven weeks.

“I usually would eat around six full meals. I’d wake up at 3:30 in the morning and eat two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Then when I woke up again, I’d have another big breakfast before I got to the facility. If there ever was a time when I was hungry, that meant I had to have food in my mouth.”

On if he played any offensive line in high school:

“No, I did not. I was pretty much a split end/wide receiver in high school.”

On what his reaction was when he found out he’d be playing offensive line:

“[The coaching staff] didn’t necessarily come to me and tell me I was a tackle. It was more of a conversation back and forth to see what I thought. I wasn’t forced to do anything. [Coach Narduzzi] said we were only going to do it if I wanted to do it, and after talking with my family and people I’m close to I decided that it was what I wanted to do. That was what the team needed and I went to Coach the next day and said I wanted to move to tackle. We haven’t looked back since.”

On making the decision to switch positions:

“I had to make sure that I was going to be fully invested in it, just like anything else. I just needed time to think. I mean, [Coach Narduzzi] talked to me at three o’clock in the afternoon and I texted him the next morning at six a.m. It was a pretty simple decision.”

 

 





There is no question Bo would love to win this game … his first at YSU, vs fellow Younsgtowner HCPN, and just being fired from his previous post.

Still, Pitt has the better talent and experience, with or without Boyd. I know season openers are always a crapshoot but Pitt has considerable more experience this year than the last time they played the Pens in ‘012 when they had 9 first time starters. You may remember that that team gave up 5 long scoring drives to YSU. (I can’t see that happening this year)

Comment by wbb 08.28.15 @ 1:53 pm

make that 9 first time starters ‘on defense’

Comment by wbb 08.28.15 @ 1:55 pm

Hey gc@1:36pm
…. maybe even dumber than Obama!!! :>)

Comment by pittman4ever 08.28.15 @ 2:05 pm

Upitt, FCS is D1-AA they just reclassified it a few years ago. RMU and Duquesne are in the same section it’s just that YSU consistently finds themselves ranked. I’m personally glad we kept things as is at the QB position to start the season as it allowed and allows the staff to prove themselves to the current players on the team and not just overhaul the entire system. Talent or not CV is a leader on the Offensive side of the ball and if Petermen didn’t seperate himself by a large margin it allowed us to hold onto some quality depth players who are not jumping to the NFL after this season. Time will tell this season.

Comment by tedsptman 08.28.15 @ 2:06 pm

“DK will you be wearing your Peterman jersey to the game, or watching on the internet from Mom’s basement?”

Hahaha I’m meeting you Half-Way-ish there —- Watching from my Momma’s basement (seriously why does she keep me around??? lol) — But with my Home-made Nathan Peterman Jersey made with a Sharpie and Hanes White-T V-Neck. 🙂

Comment by Pat "Dark Knight" Narduzzi 08.28.15 @ 2:13 pm

You can say what you want about the Dark Knight, but at least he has fashion sense!!!! LOL

Comment by pittman4ever 08.28.15 @ 2:15 pm

^^^^^ Before future-NFL-Starter Nathan Peterman Tears-It-Up and EVERYONE starts buying his Jersey like Delicious Hotcakes….I’ll be able to say I got on the “Train” / “Bandwagon” First!! 🙂 lol

Comment by Pat "Dark Knight" Narduzzi 08.28.15 @ 2:16 pm

2 ‘experts’ predict Pitt as Most Underrated in ACC

link to cbssports.com

Comment by wbb 08.28.15 @ 2:19 pm

So Louisville wants to be Pitt in academics, and Pitt wants to be Louisville in athletics. Maybe the schools should merge. Pitty-ville.

Comment by Iron Duke 08.28.15 @ 2:55 pm

Pitt picked to finish anywhere from 2nd to 6th. Seems about right. One of these years, all 7 teams in the Coastal, aka the ACC Norris Division, will finish 4-4.

Comment by Iron Duke 08.28.15 @ 2:57 pm

link to espn.go.com

Wow —- Tim Beckman at Illinois fired before the season (after I believe 3-full seasons as Head Coach?) —- this man was a MAC coach who was pretty-successful for 2 years after taking over a MAC squad…too familiar.

Yeesh at-best this would’ve been Mike Haywood at Pitt (At Best) —- THANKS Steve Pederson — (standing-ovation) Great-Job here at The University of Pittsburgh as Athletic Director.

Mr. Athletic Director Scott Barnes, Please Raise-The-Bar!!! And do not sweat that some will have their “Delicate Sensibilities” Hurt with what it takes to create a Top-Notch Program.

P.S. making Pitt into a Nationally-Elite Football and Basketball University (sorry 🙂 ) will not include giving out Candies and Lollipops to players who are not capable of Contributing to Wins 🙂

Comment by Pat "Dark Knight" Narduzzi 08.28.15 @ 3:03 pm

Come on Pat, you know you want to drive up to campus with Free Candy spray painted on the side and scoop up CV to tie up in your mother’s basement. 🙂
link to dcfud.com

Comment by tedsptman 08.28.15 @ 3:24 pm

Pitt captains 2015: Render, Holtz, L. Pitts, Powell

Comment by PeterPitt73 08.28.15 @ 3:53 pm

“If you don’t think Bo Pelini will have all the local WPA players fired up, you may be in for a surprise. This is a no lose situation for them.”

And? That’s to be expected. The team that’s supposed to lose is supposed to be fired up because rawr we being disrespected rawr no one giving us a chance rawr.

“Boyd is our biggest weapon and can score from anywhere on the field including special teams.”

And? We’re supposed to have all these speedsters now who can also score from anywhere on the field (Henderson, Tipton, Whitehead etc.) and good TEs who are supposed to finally get to see the ball now.

“This is a team that got beaten badly by Akron, with Tyler Boyd.”

I think Akron would wipe the floor with YSU.

“If you have been a Pitt Fan for more than a month and you take anything for granted you are dumber than Sarah Palin.”

I don’t buy into that particular Pitt cliché. I’m not ever going to worry about losing to a YSU before the actual game happens. I go crazy over enough other things to also go crazy about some FCS team because I shouldn’t take anything for granted with Pitt.

If they were playing Delaware again would anyone be worried? No. It’s only because YSU beat Pitt three years ago that anyone is worried. That’s not enough for me. That and Bo Pellini I guess. I’ll be damned if I worry over Bo Pellini.

Comment by deepelemblues 08.28.15 @ 3:56 pm

Pitt fans are a pathetic bunch. So three years ago we get beat by a FCS team because we had 6 players suspended from the 1st game an hour before it starts. The new coach had his head up his ass in the gameplan department and the rest of the team was like WTF? and came into it with no energy. Yeah we got beat, Huge Fail! Historic Fail! Won’t happen again.

ABSOLUTELY no way Narduzzi does NOT have his guys fired up to beat the snot out of YSU. He knows what transpired three years ago, as does every senior on this Panther squad, plus Nard Dawg has his own history with YSU concerning his DAD’s employment with them that didn’t end with exactly any warm & fuzzy memories.

If Pitt does not win this game going away with the Panther reserves playing mop up in the 4th Q, then my name is Smilie Steve. Come on Panther fans have a little confidence, even without Boyd and Blair in there, next man up!

Another unprecedented loss to YSU wouldn’t be a black eye for Narduzzi’s new program starting out, it would be more equal to a conjugal visit to Jerry Sandusky’s current residence, a long painful visit.

I’m not taking the Penquins for granted, not at all. I’m taking them very seriously, I seriously want to take them out to the woodshed and beat the living hell out of them, all game long. Now tha’s serious.

Hail to Pitt, punish the Penquins

Comment by Dr. Tom 08.28.15 @ 4:09 pm

Sounds like Louisville using its new ACC money to expand stadium. Hopefully ACC gets serious about cable channel. Maybe then we can think about on campus stadium.

Comment by Frank MD 08.28.15 @ 4:35 pm

Here a nice surprise. coach Narduzzi is opening up a viewing window of 30 minutes during the YSU game week practices…

2015 Pitt Football
Weekly Media Planner

Monday
Pat Narduzzi Press Conference Noon

Tuesday
Open Practice Window 9-9:30 a.m.
Select Assistant Coach/Player Interviews 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday
Open Practice Window 9-9:30 a.m.
Select Assistant Coach/Player Interviews 11:30 a.m.
Pat Narduzzi on ACC Call Noon
Media Dial-in: (719) 325-2428
Transcripts and audio files available on http://www.theACC.com.

Thursday
Pat Narduzzi Final Press Briefing 1 p.m.
Thursday practice is closed.

Friday
No scheduled media availability.

Saturday
Pitt vs. Youngstown State 1 p.m.

Comment by Reed 08.28.15 @ 4:51 pm

Not saying to worry just don’t take a blowout for granted.

Comment by gc 08.28.15 @ 5:38 pm

Pound the Penguins with no let up. Make sure “Bo knows” Pitt is back.

I like the fact that four SR’s are captains. L.Pitt’s and Render remember the YSU game. JP & Artie are class acts and lead by example. May each of them have break out seasons that lead to NFL opportunities. If that happens, TT may get what he expects and we Pitt fans will be rejoicing and forgetting the past 30 years of mediocrity.

I believe we will have 40 to 50 young men playing their hearts out for HCPN, staff and Pitt fans everywhere.

Pulverize the Penguins!

Comment by Erie Express 08.28.15 @ 6:22 pm

I’m looking forward to seeing our DT’s dominate the line of scrimmage.

That will allow our LB’s to make plays.

Better days ahead my friends…

Comment by Erie Express 08.28.15 @ 6:35 pm

Prediction: Pitt 34 – 10 with one of our backup CB’s getting beat for a late TD.

Conner with 150 rushing yards and 75 receiving and 2 TD’s
JP and Orndorff with 75 yards receiving each – both with TD’s
Chad with 250 yards passing in 3 qtrs of play

The D gets 4 sacks and 2 INT’s

Blewitt makes all PAT’s and 1 FG

HCPN gets the game ball.

HTP!

Comment by Erie Express 08.28.15 @ 6:46 pm

Speaking of predictions I just posted a huge (huge I tell you!) article with my take on the new staff, players and the upcoming season.

Comment by Reed 08.28.15 @ 6:51 pm

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