The pads come tomorrow. The coaches were ready from get go, now the players are itching to go at each other.
But by the time the workout yesterday reached the later stages, with the offense and defense lining up against each other, the players seemed ready for the next challenge.
That’s when the taunting began. It wasn’t so much confrontational — although there was one minor altercation — as it was about this message: Let’s move on to full contact and see how things shake out.
That happens tomorrow in the Panthers’ next practice, when they will be allowed by NCAA rules to don pads and go full speed.
“Within the front seven, it will be a thousand times more physical, and after we run a route or catch a pass, it’s going to be more physical,” senior tight end Erik Gill said.
Judging from yesterday, it could be more vocal, too.
“They thrive on taunting us and getting in our heads,” junior receiver Greg Lee said of the defense.
Pitt will practice tomorrow and Thursday before getting a week-long break for Easter.
“The enthusiasm was good, but it’s time to put the pads.
One of the most important thing about Spring Practice — that nobody gets hurt. Last spring, injuries wrecked the receiving corp and by extension the kick and punt return game. Last spring Pitt lost Brockenbrough and Allen for the season.
Tight Ends Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, Greg Gattuso, was stressing blocking in the first couple of practices.
“It’s pretty simple: They’re not going to play if they don’t block,” Gattuso said of Pitt’s talented tight ends. “When we get good at blocking, then we’ll go out and catch.
“We have a lot of talent to catch the ball, but blocking is all about heart and soul.”
Darrell Strong gets a piece about working at tight end. Looks like he’s back there after coming to Pitt to try QB then moving to TE then to WR. Tight End was what other schools wanted him to play when he was recruited. Small correction to the article, though, Strong is a regular Sophomore. Not a “redshirt.” He was a true freshman last year, and played in a couple of games.
The most important thing learned at spring practice: kicker, Josh “Sunshine” Cummings cut his hair short.
