Todd Graham, in his post-game video, seems to be petty content with the way the troops are taking to the new Command.  He singles out Street and Saddler as having TDs on big, ‘explosive’ plays.  Had some long drives on offense and the passing game seemed to click.  I’m sure he dialed the defense back down from its super-aggressive play on Saturday to give the Offense a chance to get back to firm footing.

The HC mentions Gonzalez had another ‘big day’ as QB2 with Myers still sitting out with a jammed thumb. Long snapping was good and he mentions the kicking game producing with our Punter and Place Kicker putting them deep.  Something that was obviously missing from the program last season was the energy level and interest that the players seem to have as the season went on.  That seems to have been readjusted with this new staff…

The guys really got after it today and they were extremely physical. I really think that when we came here these kids were tough. Most of them had that already, and I think we’ve built upon that. It was a lot of fun today, and I saw a lot of smiles. You can work at it, be physical, play with a hard edge, and have fun too.

But, the players have had a lot thrown at them over the last five months and the last three weeks specifically.  It has been a time of changes and they seem to have weathered it well – according to Zeise of the P-G.  His article is here and talks about the team’s progress in that area.

Graham said the thing he liked the most about the most recent days of practice is that the energy level has been high and the players have had some fun without having a drop-off in production.

“I want our guys to be genuine and be who they are, but we all need one standard … they all know when we step across that white line we go to work,” Graham said. “But this is supposed to be fun and we had some fun. We had some jawing going back and forth [between the coaches] in a competitive fun way, so I like the team, I like the discipline.

Graham also talks about that specifically in his post-game interview, quoted here.  This is extremely important IMO.  There is literally a four month period where these young men are not going to be physically playing or practicing football, but are going to be sitting around shooting the bull, fueled by beer in some cases, about it on a regular basis.  This is when individual and team attitudes are cemented – not necessarily out on the practice field but off of it, in the locker room and dorm rooms and this is when the team’s student leadership has to step into that role.

DiPaola of the Trib has a piece on Jacobson and his travails in the switch to the Center position.  It has been pretty well documented so far and I’m sure we’ll see some botched snaps on Saturday.  I’m also sure we shouldn’t worry too much about them and remember that this is spring ball.  There are five months before the season starts and Jacobson will most probably have the muscle memory of the deep snap in place by then.

What I find more interesting are the random notes at the end of the column:

Backup quarterback Mark Myers was limited yesterday with a jammed thumb, but Graham hopes he will be ready for a complete workout tomorrow. … Graham said defensive coordinator Keith Patterson hasn’t decided on a starter next to senior Tristan Roberts at inside linebacker, but rising redshirt sophomore Shane Gordon is pushing senior Max Gruder. … Graham said sophomore cornerback K’Waun Williams “can be as good a cornerback as we have coached, and we have coached some good ones.”

Myers has missed almost a week of practice and how well does that play into his comfort factor with this new offense?  Especially given how Gonzalez is producing in his time out on the field.  Looks like Roberts is set inside and we all have been keeping an eye on Max Gruder’s hold over that other Inside Linebacker slot.  If Graham wants “Speed, speed, speed” on the field this will be a position to watch in August.

Staying with the LBs, rising media personality Pat Bostick kicks out another detailed Inside the Huddle article on those Panther, Spur, Will and Sam positions…

Pitt’s new multiple 3-4 defense will put a premium on linebacker play, tasking these players with a multitude of responsibilities. The Panthers’ multiple front defenses will showcase the Pitt linebackers in a variety of different alignments. As the defensive line shifts, so will the linebackers. Thus, these linebackers must be able to take on varying responsibilities.

I still think that by the ends of the season the coaching staff will have to find a way to get Todd Thomas on the field of play, he’s too good an athlete to be given a spot-duty role.

And we all have wanted to see some new faces at the DB position; from the sounds coming out of camp K’Waun Williams might be that guy.  He played well in his limited time last season and could surprise this year.  Wouldn’t that be nice? Finally?

What is nervous making is that all three main contenders for the two DB spots have some real and valid question marks.  Reed has shown some poor mental aspects of play out there, Jackson has been potential unfulfilled and K. Williams is inexperienced.  This type of thing happens to every team from year to year but that position wasn’t a strong point even with experienced guys out there last season.

Odds and Ends:

The Spring Game format will be two squads, 1s and 2s split up, playing against each other as in a actual game.

DiPaola at the Trib talks about how this offense will be friendly to PITT’s ‘playmakers’ and in it QB coach Dodd is candid about where we stand right now:

Anointed the starter because of his experience and the fact that redshirt freshmen Anthony Gonzalez and Mark Myers have none, Sunseri must play well for Pitt to thrive.

Quarterback coach Todd Dodge believes that will happen, but in a new offense, it’s not an overnight makeover. “There is no substitute for being able to start 13 football games (last season),” said Dodge, who played quarterback at the University of Texas from 1982-85. “It has shown some, and we have to get better at it now in making better decisions in certain situations.”

And here Dodd states what is expected at the position with a slight modification of what we had heard before:

Dodge’s vision of a quarterback in this system comprises the ability to pass and run. That includes, he said, a 90 percent completion percentage on sprintouts, nakeds and bootlegs, 60 percent on intermediate throws, two or three successful deep throws and about 45 yards rushing per game.

OK. ‘Two or three’ successful deep throws is a large difference from ‘We are going to take ten shots of over 40 yards outside the hash marks per game’… unless Graham and Dodd are happy with a 20% or 30% completion rate with those plays.  So, already we are seeing some changes based on Sunseri’s limitations – which is a good thing.  It shows the staff is willing to adapt to the tools at hand.

Phraseology Alert! New saying coming out of the Southside: “We want to slay ’em with our arm and hurt ’em with our feet.”  Of course the sequencing there is a little backwards; it should read “hurt them with our feet and slay them with our arm” but who’s counting and you have to love the sentiment.  We fans have been used to “We want to lay siege to the opponent’s defenses and outlast them on the battlefield…hopefully…if all goes according to plan that is… can’t guarantee anything you know.”

The PITT website has a nice video of DB Coach Tony Gibson posted.  It shows a bit of the drills he runs the kids through.

PITT is hyping the final scrimmage of the spring season and, as they do every year, and are making it fan-friendly with an emphasis on families with kids – as it should be.  Also, for you Western PA people The Spring Game will be on Pitt Panthers Television on The Comcast Network (Ch. 188 or 210) | Game coverage begins at 1:30 p.m.

Pitt fans will get their first glimpse of the new-look Panthers under Coach Todd Graham this Saturday, April 16, when the team concludes spring drills with the Annual Blue-Gold Game at Heinz Field at 2 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to arrive at the stadium beginning at noon for Pitt’s “Spring Football Festival” presented by Western Pennsylvania Chevy Dealers. Activities include:

A free youth clinic for kids (8th grade and under) beginning at 12:30 p.m. Kids will receive personal instruction from Pitt players and coaches right on the playing surface of Heinz Field.

Pitt’s radio flagship, 93.7 The Fan, will broadcast live from the Gate A plaza. Gregg Giannotti, Joe Starkey and former Pitt standout Darnell Dinkins will be talking Panthers football and host an array of Pitt-oriented guests from noon to 4 p.m.

Fans will be treated to live music, games, prizes and face painting throughout Heinz Field. Official Panthers merchandise and season tickets will also be on sale.

Admission for the Blue-Gold Game is free. Parking is available for $5 in Gold lots 1 and 2.

Former QB Kevan Smith is tearing it up with the PITT baseball team and here is some game film on our newest WR recruit, Josh Brinson.  The film is from his senior year in HS.

Next Practice: Thursday, April 14^th.