The pads went on yesterday, and suddenly things changed.
Today, however, the Panthers put on the shoulder pads and that meant the speed of the game went up a few notches as the drills became semi-live (meaning there is contact but players must do their best to stay on their feet and not tackle to the ground) and it was easy to see the difference because Sunseri struggled.
He threw two picks, was not nearly as accurate as he was the first two days, missed some easy throws and by the end looked a little bit rattled.
That’s not a big deal – in fact I expected as much from him because the speed of the game was so much different from yesterday until today. I also expected the offensive line to be a step behind as they got used to a full speed rush and they were as well.
When camp started, even Tino Sunseri was well aware that things change when the pads go on.
“All the great quarterbacks that ever play started somewhere, and that’s what I’m going to do now,” Sunseri said “I want to be able to step into that role right away and be able to move the team and have no concerns and start scoring points for this team.”
The live defense in camp will help.
“Whenever you’re in the offseason, nobody has pads on,” Sunseri said. “Even when the defensive line’s coming at you a little bit, they’re not totally rushing. You need to be able to step up in the pocket, make throws under pressure and be able to deal with that.”
Clearly, he isn’t lacking for confidence.
“I don’t need baby steps,” Sunseri said. “This is my third year here. I think we understand the weapons we have. I think we need to be ready to roll early on.”
In Coach Wannstedt’s press conference, he acknowledged that the offense did not look particularly crisp. He’s hardly worried, though.
Opening Statement:
“We had our first complete practice with freshmen and varsity today, and everyone else combined. It was the first time the schedule was a little different. We had walkthroughs this morning and our kids handled that well, dealing with the change. We put the pads on today, and with things being a little bit warmer, we had a descent practice. It wasn’t one of our better ones, but nothing happened out there today that cannot be corrected.”
On the quarterbacks in a pass-rush situation:
“I think that the best thing about what we have going right now is that Tino Sunseri understands that we have some outlets for him. If Jon Baldwin is covered, we have Cameron Saddler who’s having a good camp, we have Mike Shanahan, Henry Hynoski and we have Dion Lewis. We have a lot of avenues that are going to be available for getting rid of the football. I think when you have a first-year starting quarterback it’s important for him to know that, and understand it.”
On the offensive performance in today’s practice:
“We threw a couple of interceptions today that as an offense we can’t throw, and we won’t throw. There were some good plays by our defense, and we have to give them credit. We have to obviously eliminate the turnovers – that is the priority.”
The third WR spot behind Baldwin and Shanahan appears to be Cam Saddler’s to lose.
Wannstedt said redshirt freshman Devin Street is having “a great camp, and he is going to be in the mix by the time we get to Utah (for the opener Sept. 2).” Fifth-year senior Greg Cross has been limited by an ankle injury but is expected to return this week. Freshman wide receiver Todd Thomas (left elbow infection) could get his stitches out today and return to practice.
Of course, there remains some question as to whether Thomas really will stay at WR or if Coach Wannstedt will move him to the defensive side to help the secondary. I presumed that Thomas was going to be in line for a redshirt this season if he stays at WR because of the depth at the position.
It seems odd at the moment. In the spring, the concern was depth in the secondary after Elijah Fields’ dismissal and Dom DeCicco’s return from injury. That was also a factor in wanting Thomas at Safety. Now, the concern is more for the cornerback spot. Things aren’t as encouraging.
Q: I know secondary is going to be one of the biggest questions going into this year. In all the reports I’ve been hearing from camp they all seem to mention Saheed Imuro getting first team reps and Antwuan Reed doing well covering Jonathan Baldwin but I haven’t heard much about Ricky Gary. What is his status and the status of the secondary in general?
ZEISE: Ricky Gary and Saheed Imoru are battling right now for the starting job at corner and I’d say that neither one has been even a little bit impressive. Both have struggled, both have a lot of work to do in order to secure the spot and both have a lot of work to do in order to make coaches feel comfortable with that spot. Reed has been very good and should be a very good, productive player. And then there is Buddy Jackson, who, despite his enormous physical talents, can’t seem to figure it out. If this second corner spot can get figured out, then the secondary should be very good. Right now that is a big if.
Imoru struggling is especially worrying since most of us had him penciled in as the starter. The concern to me with Ricky Gary is that he just isn’t that big a kid. Gary seems to have the upper hand at the moment. He definitely has the experience on his side as a 5th year senior.
Thomas, though, is a safety not a corner. Technically Jarred Holley converted to safety from corner, so conceivably he could be moved back. Realistically, that isn’t going to happen.
“Think about this. A year ago at this time Jarred Holley was the fifth cornerback. He’s back there now making checks and getting guys lined up.”
I’m just hoping Imoru comes around soon.
I don’t want our players to keep on wondering if the defense is that good or the offense, that bad.
On the quarterbacks:
“I think that it’s going to take a little bit of time. I’ve never been around a team that’s been very good where the offense has come out and just moved the ball up and down the field. When you have a new quarterback in there, you’re working on timing; you’re working on the perception aspects of it. It’s going to take a little bit of time. I think that every day is kind of a learning experience for the quarterbacks as a group. As long as they keep the attitude that they have now and keep working hard, they’ll be fine. They probably have more to think about today than what they’ll have going into the first game, simply because we’re adding so much every day.”
1. Forget about any true FR QB ever playing again under DW – he has stated numerous times that will never happen under his watch after the 2007 fiasco. Janocko or Cross would play as a 3rd string QB before Myers sees the field IMO.
2. Sunseri is the anointed Chosen One by DW and it is not possible for Pat Bostick to unseat him during training camp. Forget all the romantic stories and feel good approach to sports fans tend to have… DW went out on a limb early and often with Sunseri and is way too stubborn to change that. The only real question is whether or not DW has the moxie to change QBs if Sunseri starts costing us games with poor play and INTs during the season. DW has not replaced a QB starter because of poor play in the five years he has been here – he has only done it due to injury, even in Kevan Smith’s case. Sunseri has taken ever single first team snap in both the Spring Camp and this Training Camp, despite throwing INTs and getting three passes knocked down at the LOS yesterday. I don’t think that means you switch QBs – but it may be prudent to give #2 some 1st team reps here and there to keep the offensive players understanding that there is more than one QB on the roster.
3. Don’t forget that even if a lot of PITT fans weren’t sold on Stull during camp last season he did have the benefit of having a full year of experience under his belt as a starter, which is invaluable. History shows that second year starting QBs usually make huge leaps in production by virtue of that year of experience. Sunseri does not have that regardless of who the OC is. Be prepared for a rocky start by our rebuilt interior OL and our new QB at least in the first third of the season.
Our defense really needs to keep us in some of these early games IMO.
And Dave’s history with QBs is not pretty, be they pro or college. His history could use some revisionism in my opinion. Shorten the playbook and give Meyers a chance.
Also, let’s not forget that Pat’s playing in 2007 was not by anyone’s choice, least of all his. Under the circumstances, he did an admirable job. Everyone remembers the 13-9 WV win, but what about the upset of Cincy in October 2007?
I say Pitt is very fortunate to have a seasoned veteran who finds ways to win as a back-up QB. Let’s also remember that Pat has had 2 years to work on his conditioning etc., and by all accounts has done just that.
To do that we must have a QB who poses a threat to go long at any time.
