A mellower Walt Harris on Friday. Not a large amount of quotes (PDF version). He was vague on whether the scrimmage for tomorrow would take place and didn’t want to talk about the injured players who came back to practice today — beat reporters to fill in gap. A little special teams talk — apparently punter Adam Graessele is struggling. A couple comments about Darrelle Revis including a potential red flag — academics.

On defensive back Darrelle Revis’ academic progress:
“He took care of his business. A lot of people, I’m sure, were apart of that equation to help him figure that out and do what he had to do. It’s great. I think it was a family situation, too. I know they worked hard. I know (his uncle) Sean (Gilbert) was involved in being able to help him get help and to do well on all of the academic requirements he had to do, which is great. They’re a great family, by the way. They are really enjoyable. It was probably one of the most fun nights I had at a home (visit) was the night I went over there after a basketball game for an official visit to his home with his mother Diana and her brother Sean. I met Sean, but I had never had a chance to be around him before. He’s quite the personality.”

Didn’t know about the Sean Gilbert connection. Revis is a talent, but the academics bear watching.

Both beat writers do a full story on Coach Walt Harris’ very strong comments about the heart and will of the players. Zeise at the P-G called it “a line in the sand” for the team. Bendel for the Trib. considered it a “candid and powerful message.” Both said Harris was very frustrated by the number of injuries and at having to cut practice short for a second day.

Since they were there, and saw and heard much more, I will defer to them. Neither one seems to suggest that this was part of a “Not my fault” Walt moment. They seem to read it as a lighting-the-fire-under-the-ass type ploy. I hope it works. These sort of tirades to the media can blow-up on a coach real easily. You are still talking about dealing with pain thresholds and kids. With a young team, they are still learning about playing with and through pain.

As for walk-ons who could start, there look to be at least two. Rob Federick at Left Guard, and Joe DelSardo for the split-end WR position. DelSardo is also the subject of a puff piece. The kid is 5′ 8″ and 200 pounds. 5-8 and he appears #1 on the depth chart right now. Walt may have a real point.

Bendel’s notebook seems to very subtly suggest that Palko is starting to open up a lead in the QB derby. Freshman cornerback Allen Richardson has switched to offense and will play wide receiver.

Zeise’s notebook focuses on the number of NFL scouts attending Pitt practices this year. Zeise has more on other injuries.