It’s late, I’m tired and here’s what we have: the post practice presser, a Q&A from Zeise and Gorman’s blog impressions.
The press conference transcript was on the light side today. Guys coming off of major injuries last year were in the morning practices. The main reason for the freshmen to work in the afternoon was so they could get more information on what not to do. Er, “have a chance to see the film and hear the corrections from the morning practice,” to keep the practice moving faster.
Really not much info from the presser, other than everyone is competing. That and a chance for Coach Wannstedt to complain about no pads allowed yet.
A lot of good stuff in the Paul Zeise Q&A (as Reed K. has his immediate impact) to read. Questions regarding the slimmed down offensive linemen — which was became a widely distributed AP Story — receiver sets, Coach Wannstedt handling the special teams,the impact of Fullback Henry Hynoski moving to 2nd on the depth chart and hopefully the final season of questions regarding Wannstedt’s readjustment to college coaching.
Q: Do you think the Pitt coaches have finally settled in as college coaches and the college game?
ZEISE: Yes — and I think that adjustment period to the college game took a little longer than normal and mostly because Dave Wannstedt had been in the NFL for so long. Perhaps the three biggest signs that the coaching staff — and in particular the head coach and offensive coordinator — have finally adjusted to the college game are (1) the Wildcat offense, an admission that a pure pro-style West Coast offense is a dinosaur in college football, which is why few teams still use it (2) the hiring of Phil Bennett, a college defensive coordinator with experience defending college offenses, as opposed to one of Wannstedt’s NFL cronies and (3) the recruitment of Greg Cross – a multiple-threat quarterback with the skill set to run a variety of spread and option offenses. I think this change from a pure NFL mentality to a college mentality was easy to see at some point during last season and to me it is the biggest reason I expect this team to improve dramatically this year.
Jonathan Baldwin looked good in the afternoon practice according Kevin Gorman.
What I was most impressed with about Baldwin wasn’t his leaping grabs – those who have seen him play football or basketball have come to expect them – but his ability to catch passes with defenders draped on him and balls thrown at his feet.
At best, Baldwin could make the position battle at split end interesting. At worst, he has a chance to develop into a nice complement to veterans Oderick Turner and Cedric McGee.
I’m going to assume he just means for this year in terms of development.
Freshman Cameron Saddler actually struggled with punt returns on day 1. Shariff Harris probably helped himself on the RB depth chart by showing excellent hands in catching the ball as well.
