Good, free information on spring practices seems to be very limited. This is where we really miss the infodumps of Kevin Gorman’s blog. Everything else seems to be behind paywalls and subscriptions.
There’s a post-practice video interview with Jared Holley that lets you know he is happy to be back practicing and stuff.
A little old, but over at Cat Basket they talk a little about the opening of camp. Let’s just say they have their doubts over the actual openness of the QB competition.
Arguably, they are looking right in their predictions as Sunseri has practiced only with the first team — but Coach Wannstedt says not to read anything into that. Why would anyone do that?
Other details is that, yes, the TE spot is Mike Cruz’s to lose. Devlin and DeCicco have not shown Coach Wannstedt much yet.
Shayne Hale knows that he is not only learning to play DE, but that he is behind two of the best in the Big East. Still he is eager and has his cliches down cold.
“He hasn’t even played the position for a year yet, but he has really improved,” said defensive line coach Greg Gattuso. “We need him to be able to play 15 to 20 snaps a game next year and that is if [the two starters] are healthy. If we get an injury, we’ll need more, and if he isn’t playing that many there is something wrong.”
Hale, who is 6 feet 4 and 250 pounds, said he knows his time is now and he’s making sure he takes full advantage of the opportunity.
“I’ve been staying after practice working on things, I want to work with [strength and conditioning coach] Buddy Morris on getting even stronger,” Hale said. “I know I can be a big part of things in the future, but I have to start this year. Just getting on the field and making plays when my number is called, that is all that I can control.”
In controlled scrimmage, the retooled O-line got some work. Coach Wannstedt was upbeat (shocking and stunning) while offensive line coach Tony Wise, playing the part of crusty, curmudgeon coach was less so.
At times, Wannstedt liked what he saw during a 45-minute controlled scrimmage. But offensive line coach Tony Wise wasn’t overly impressed.
When asked if he feels confident about filling the gaps on an offensive line that lost three starters — center Robb Houser, along with guards Joe Thomas and John Malecki — Wise sharply responded, “No.”
Wise is expecting more from his returning starters, All-Big East left tackle Jason Pinkston and right tackle Lucas Nix. And he’s demanding more of the projected first-year starters — guards Chris Jacobson and Greg Gaskins, and center Alex Karabin — in the weeks leading up to the Panthers’ spring game April 17 at Heinz Field.
What is spring practice or training camp without concern over the O-line?
