I love what Bookser says at the 1:27 mark “Worse drill of the day… worse drill of the day…”

April 13, 2016

BLUE-GOLD ROSTERS | PHOTO GALLERY

PITTSBURGH – Rosters for the 2016 Spring Game at Heinz Field were finalized on Wednesday morning at the second annual Blue-Gold Draft.

The seniors were drafted on Tuesday by the coaching staff, and those seniors then drafted the remaining players to form Team Cavanaugh (Gold) vs. Team Dorsett (Blue).

Team captains for Gold were: Chris Blewitt, Mike Caprara, John Guy, Tyrique Jarrett, Dorian Johnson, Scott Orndoff, Jaymar Parrish, Nathan Peterman, Terrish Webb and Chris Wuestner.

Captains for Blue included: Adam Bisnowaty, Bam Bradley, Dontez Ford, Matt Galambos, Ryan Lewis, Reggie Mitchell, Ejuan Price, Pat Quirin, Shakir Soto and Manny Stocker.

Once a specific player was drafted, the two teams then traded picks within that positional group before moving onto another position.

Offensive tackle Brian O’Neill was the first overall pick and was drafted by Team Dorsett (Blue).

Other notable selections include running backs Chawntez Moss and Rachid Ibrahim going to Gold, with Darrin Hall and Qadree Ollison being selected by Blue.

Quarterbacking the Gold Team will be Peterman and Ben DiNucci, while Stocker, Adam Bertke and Ryan Adzima will represent the Blue Team.

The 2016 Spring Game is set for 1 p.m. this Saturday at Heinz Field. Admission is free and open to the public.

Practice #14 Post-game notes: April 14, 2016

QUOTES (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY

Coach Pat Narduzzi Quote Sheet

Opening statement:

“We had a really enthusiastic practice today. It gets a little more enthusiastic with the draft yesterday. You see the defensive guys rooting for the other side and the offensive guys rooting for the other side. During the spring, it’s the offense versus the defense, and it’s a war.

It doesn’t matter if the third defense is out there or the third offense, but, today, when the offense makes a big play, you see the defensive side of the sideline explode and get excited, and that’s what you want. You want to see that excitement and to play that game.

You have to play a game to get that true meaning of spring ball. We’ll get the true meaning of spring ball. So it’s exciting and the kids are fired up and ready to go, and it’ll be fun.”

On level of improvement since spring ball started:

“It’s always different. Every year will be different. For some guys it’s the same. You’ve got some young guys in and you’re trying to get them up to par with the other guys. Even the freshmen that didn’t play or the freshmen who played or the incoming freshmen are different. But everyone takes a different step.

We want to increase everyone’s level of knowledge offensively and defensively. Offensively, it’s a brand new terminology, so you’re going to see more strides on offense as far as from day one to day 15, maybe less on defense, but, overall when you look at it, it was a very productive spring. I think the kids are excited, and I think it will make for an even more productive summer with Coach [Dave] Andrews.”

“Overall when you look at it, it was a very productive spring.” Coach Narduzzi

On strongest area of defense:

“It’s too early to see it because depth is so important, and we had some guys who weren’t able to practice. You can’t say the linebacker corps is a strength after the spring just because you don’t have some guys out there.

You don’t have Bam [Bradley] out there, Quintin Wirginis is not out there, and Anthony McKee Jr. is not out there, so some of those things will change. It’s hard to comment on the strengths of the defense. You have people who are strengths, guys who are strengths, and then you’ve got to develop some depth around every avenue.”

On development of QB Nathan Peterman as leader:

“I think he has become a leader. I think kids understand what he’s doing. If you just watch him in practice, if you just sat and observed him, how he talks to the running backs and receivers, talks to the offensive line. The quarterback knows everything. He knows the protection. He knows who’s supposed to be where. They’re the field general, and I think he is that. He didn’t get last spring, and I don’t think he got last fall with the battle that was going on.”

On growth of LB Brian Popp:

“Brian Popp started off in the spring as a two or three at linebacker, and he started off at outside linebacker. We moved him into Mike. He was a backup Mike. He got every snap as a backup Mike linebacker. I think he really developed. I think he’s really got knowledge of what we’re trying to do, which he didn’t have last year.

You talk about a guy came from down here to up here, and you say, `Hey, that guy can get us out of a game.’ Is he going to help us win an ACC Championship right now? Probably not. But you just see him develop, and that’s our job as coaches. It doesn’t matter how talented they are. They’ve got to be able to go out there and finish a game for us, and I think Brian can do that as you watch him this spring.”

On lack of depth due to lack of available players:

“Every year is different. Darryl Render is over there. He walked out the door, so you’re always losing guys. Every year you’re trying to develop depth, and every year it’s a battle to get what you need out of it, so every year I think it’s a yearly battle.”

“We’re short on numbers. We’re going to bring in another 22 guys, and we just can’t wait to bring those guys in and find out who’s in there. It could be the best player in our class or whoever the highest ranked player is. He might be the guy and he might not be the guy. He might be the guy who walks in here as a walk-on.”

On level of curiosity heading into Spring Game:

“You’re always curious with what you’re going to see. I think the great thing about this spring is that we’ve been to Heinz Field, so they’re not walking into a new place. Even last year going to Highmark Stadium, they walked in to there like, `Where are we going?’ Whether it’s been snow or sun, we’ve been [to Heinz Field]. And I think you’re curious how they’re going to react with some people in the stands, too.”

On amount of injured players who could go Saturday:

“We talked about those shades of yellow. Some guys who are on the injured list may go. We’ve still got almost 48 hours until game time, and that’s why those trainers get paid the big bucks. I got a text from Jackie Sherrill saying stay healthy and if you don’t it’s the trainer’s fault. Interesting text from Jackie Sherrill.”

On difference between allowing players to wear shorts more this spring:

“I think it’s more maturity as far as why we went into shorts. Our kids were more lively out there today than they were on Tuesday, and I think it’s because they got teams, and they feel like they’ve got something new as opposed to in day 13 and we’re hitting the same guys and rooting for the same guys. I think it’s a renewed energy just going in to the spring game.

It really has nothing to do with that because if you watch the way we go, the only thing we’re lacking when they come out in shorts, and they don’t know it, is knee pads. If you look at Ejuan Price, he’s not wearing knee pads in a game anyway.

The NCAA said they don’t have to have knee pads in. They’ve got their pads crammed up halfway to the top of their thighs, so it’s still physical. But I think what it does is it makes them stay off the ground more. Most of the time we’re not going live anyway. But as long as they can play fast and play hard with shorts on, it’s a benefit.”

Moreover:

“I’ve been around teams where, as soon as you put the shorts on, you have an awful practice. That Pitt student-athlete, they’re pretty smart. Whatever we ask these guys to do, they do. If we tell them, `Hey, we’re going live today with your shorts on,’ I think they could come out in their underwear and still practice hard.”

 Defensive Coordinator Josh Conklin Quote Sheet

On how far they’ve come with the defense this spring:

“You always want to keep the guys uncomfortable, but you want your coaching staff to be comfortable. I think from the defensive line, the linebackers and all the way to the back end, getting coaches on the same page is important. Whether it’s a full-time coach, a graduate assistant, or quality control, you become more efficient when everybody is using the same language, knowing what you expect of each guy.”

On the goals of this spring as opposed to last year:

“I think last year some of the goals were focused on the objectives we were trying to get done. Learning the defense and understanding how you fit in the defense, its more knowledge based. This year we have a body of work done so you can emphasize on some of the things you struggled with.

I think that’s the biggest focus. It’s easier when you don’t have to watch Michigan State tape but can watch your tape and guys can see video of themselves doing it. Seeing what they need to get better at and our defenses and certain packages that we’re running.”

On who has stepped up at the linebacker position:

“I think Elijah Zeise has done a really good job at that position and Oluwaseun Idowu is doing a good job as well. Both those guys have had really good springs and I hope they develop and mold themselves into being that guy since they’ve both taken so many reps at it.”

On who has stepped up at the cornerback position:

“Both Phillipie Motley and Ryan Lewis have played well. We also have some incoming freshmen there who will get a solid look and see what they can do. It’s probably the position where you can jump into as quickly as any out there.”

On Jordan Whitehead:

“His mental aspect has picked up and I think it’s really slowed down for him. It’s allowing him to become a more complete player, understanding the defense and how to disguise. About every snap the quarterback is looking at him for his pre-snap key and he’s been able to lock into that.

He’s been able to disguise and pick up on it this offseason. He’s taken on more of a leadership role, too. We want him to lead within his personality, he’s not extremely vocal, which is fine, he’s more of a quiet guy. He leads by example and will say what he needs to say when it’s time to say it.

I’m really pleased with him. He’s had a really productive spring and he’s getting better and I think the guys have a lot of confidence with him. He’s played both the boundary and the field and I think he’s developed at both of those positions really well.”

On what happens as the game slows down:

“Anytime the game slows down for you and you become more in tune with what the offense is giving you and how you fit into the big picture of the defense, it puts you in a better position to make more plays. What the offense is giving you and how you react, and it allows you to put yourself in the best position to make a play.”

On freshman cornerbacks coming in and playing right away:

“I haven’t seen it that much. It’s different compared to defensive lineman who have to come up and beef up some. Sometimes cornerbacks can come in and defensive backs can come in and play right away because the physical contact is not as much at the line of scrimmage.

They sometimes have more of an ability to do that than somebody in the front seven. The biggest thing with freshman coming in is their longevity. Can their bodies hold up through 12, 13 games with the physical demand from the week and then what happens on Saturdays.”

Defensive back Jordan Whitehead Quote Sheet

On goals set out at the beginning of the spring:

“After fourth quarter, we had meetings with the coaches and coach Narduzzi. My goals were just being more proficient on my keys and knowing everything. Knowing other people’s roles, the cornerbacks, and linebackers. We’ve all picked up a lot of knowledge and have been in the film room more. I feel like I gained a lot more knowledge this spring than last year in camp.”

On him disguising the defense:

“Last year it was more of just me picking up the defense, but now that I know it I can disguise and play with some different techniques. The coaches make the calls and we disguise them in the back end.

Repetition, practice helps you get a feel for it and then you just go out there and it’s easy. Even my alignments, every inch counts in football and I’ve been lining up more precise and not a yard deeper than they want me to.”

On a mental checklist of things he wants to see from himself for Saturday’s Spring Game:

“I do, I want to just make sure I get to the ball. Make sure I get in on every tackle. No mistakes, know my keys, and overall winning the game.”

On if he’s a tough critic on himself:

“I would say I can get on myself pretty hard. I feel like I’m out there, and I need to try to make every play. If I make a mistake, it’s hard to just get over it. It’s always on your mind. Defensive backs coach Renaldo Hill makes sure to get on you so you can just focus on the next play. He’s on you so you don’t have to criticize yourself until you get into the film room and then you take notes.”

On the game slowing down:

“It makes you play faster, that’s the biggest thing. Once you know your things you’re not afraid to make mistakes and you just fly around. I think going into next year, even camp, just learning more so I can play even faster.”

Linebacker Brian Popp Quote Sheet

On playing mike linebacker this season:

“Yeah, but for the Spring Game on Saturday I will be playing a little bit of Money again too. I’m trying to learn all three [linebacker positions].”

On what he’s working on this spring:

“I think I have really honed in on the details and extra film study of watching your keys. Reading your keys and figuring out tendencies within the offense have helped me get a little bit more an edge than last year.”

On what linebacker role he has been playing:

“I’ve been doing predominantly the second Mike. I switched over after the first week. We talked about it in the off-season that I was going to learn a little bit of Mike. I guess it is a little surprising but I feel good and I feel more comfortable in there. I’ve been learning a lot and that’s good.”

On which players have helped him:

“Matt Galambos, Q [Quintin Wirginis], and Bam [Bradley]. All the older guys are helping out all the younger guys. This is our first spring of really doing stuff. They’ve been giving us pointers, things to watch for, and helping us pick up on the little things that make them good players.”

On learning the defense:

“It took me a little bit. I finally got my feet under me, I feel comfortable making all the calls and everything. It’s been good.”

On his goals for this season:

“As a team we want to win the ACC, of course. I’m trying to work my way into special teams and stuff like that. I want to push my teammates to get better every day and get better as a team.”

Tight End Scott Orndoff Quote Sheet

On being the leader among the tight ends with Jaymar Parrish being injured:

“It’s been alright, having Jaymar out adds reps to everyone else; that hurt. Jaymar is a good player too. Zach [Poker] picked up fine; he played the offense in high school. He’s a smart kid, he’s an engineering major. He’s picking up on the offense just fine. He came along fast and all the other tight ends have picked up their weight too.”

On the amount tight ends will be used this season:

“There are a lot of similarities with this, the last offense, and even the one before it. There are a lot of routes where we have the opportunities to make plays, so we will definitely be used this season.”

On the amount tight ends will be used this season:

“We have a lot of two tight end sets, we use a fullback a lot and we have a couple three tight end sets. It’s very similar to last years.”

On what he hopes to improve on this season:

“In-line blocking. For the past few years I have been more off the line or split out some. It’s getting better at my footwork on the line and getting hand placement, all the stuff that goes along with blocking. I’m trying to make sure I’m more consistent in my play.”

Not sure what this means but someone more tech savvy than me may care (I read the word “Twitter” and my brain turns off).