Not sure why both papers have done such a poor job covering spring practice. I sort of get that Zeise at the P-G was shifted between the NCAA Tournament and WVU. Yet the Trib has hardly been impressive without a similar excuse. You would think that with Pitt’s potential for 2010, plus the quarterback competition that was expected (even if it didn’t happen) there would have been a push to stay on top of the spring intrigue.
The only ones enjoying this are Panther Digest and PantherLair. They have been covering practices, but it is all behind paywalls and thus restricted information to paying customers.
What stories have been published, have focused a lot on the offense. Ray Graham is not displacing Dion Lewis, but he has come out ready.
Graham’s talent has always been apparent, Walker said. But Graham excels at taking concepts out of video sessions and team meetings and applying them on the field, even if they are difficult to grasp at first.
It is that attention to detail that has sparked Graham’s improvement the most, Walker said.
“That’s probably the thing that’s most encouraging for me,” he said. “I know he can make a play and do some things, but it’s all the little things that maybe go unnoticed that he’s also doing that have been nice surprises.”
As he prepares for the start of his second collegiate season, Graham hopes he can continue to perform well in practice, push Lewis to better himself and compete for as much playing time as possible.
And, he hopes he can show a little more versatility in his game.
“You’re going to see me catch a little more,” Graham said. “I’ll show you my Reggie Bush side.”
As others noted in the comments, that sort of statement suggests using Graham to catch passes out in the flat and use his speed in open spaces. What wasn’t mentioned, and one of the factors that will play a large role in his playing time — holding onto the ball.
Graham struggled last summer and in some action last year. We all know how Coach Wannstedt feels about turnovers.
Another member of the backfield hoping to do more, fullback Henry Hynoski.
Hynoski primarily has been a blocker in his first two seasons, but his role is going to expand in the fall. The Panthers lost two of their top four receiving threats when tight end Dorin Dickerson and receiver Oderick Turner graduated, and the coaches are looking for new weapons in the passing game.
“Henry is a guy who is a better player with the ball in his hands than anyone gives him credit for,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “With Dorin gone and Nate [Byham] gone, we’ve got to find some ways to get the ball to some people. One guy [defenses] know we’ll get the ball to is Baldwin, and they’re going to have three guys covering him, so it’s pretty simple that we’re going to have to find other people, in other ways, to throw the football to. And Henry is capable of doing that.”
Not to be negative, but exactly how much passing is going to get out there? This is still a Wannstedt team, and it will be a Sunseri in his first year back there. Dion Lewis is a weapon no one forgets.
There is Baldwin and Shanahan obviously should get a lot of the passes thrown their way. Then Cruz and Devlin can’t be just blocking the entire time at TE. Now there’s Graham and possibly Hynoski? To say nothing of other receivers that could step up like Saddler, Devin Street, Todd Thomas and Ed Tinker. Let’s also not forget that Greg Cross has been looking pretty good. The euphoria and optimism of spring and possibilities must still be tempered.
The defense this year, has been more beaten up and dealing with injuries, so the offense has looked really sharp for 1st and 2nd teams.
“The best thing we did on offense was both the first and second units played fairly clean,” Wannstedt said. “You didn’t see the ball on the ground, you didn’t see any turnovers, there were very few penalties. When we play like that on offense, we’re very tough to stop because of our balance.”
Wannstedt praised both quarterbacks, who threw for a total of 251 yards and five touchdowns yesterday. Sunseri completed 13 of 18 passes for 129 yards and four scores, while Bostick was 10 of 14 for 122 yards and the touchdown to Cross.
Dion Lewis carried nine times for 64 yards, and Chris Burns netted 35 yards on 11 carries. Jason Douglas and Ray Graham combined for 53 more rushing yards on 24 carries, Graham with 22 on 11 and Douglas with 31 on 13, while Mike Shanahan and Jon Baldwin each had touchdown catches.
There have been some bright spots on the defense. Tyrone Ezall looks really good at DT. He has shined this spring.
The corner positions look a lot more stable than expected with junior college transfer Saheed Imoru and Antwuan Reed. Apparently because the coaching staff has gotten away from having the corners play so far off the receivers. Showing tighter and more bump-and-run style of coverage. Depth may still be an issue, at the spot but at least it is not looking horrid.
