Pitt Notebook: Defense starting to come together
August 23, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
With camp breaking, it is clear that the defense is closer to being ready for the season than the offense.
In the past week, the defense has begun to impose its will on the offense. And that has been primarily without All-American defensive end Greg Romeus, who has been out with back spasms.
But Pitt defensive coordinator Phil Bennett isn't ready to declare his unit anything more than a team with a lot of potential, although he has seen good signs from some players he wasn't sure he would be able to count on.
"We're still a work in progress, no question, we're not where we need to be," Bennett said. "But we're getting there. There is clearly room for improvement but we're getting better."
One big reason for his optimism is that the secondary is coming together better than expected, to the point it could turn out to be a team strength.
Starting cornerbacks Antwuan Reed and Ricky Gary have been consistently good, and safeties Jason Hendricks and Andrew Taglianetti appear to have solidified the nickel back and bandit positions.
"Kolby Gray had a good camp. He's starting to learn the speed of the game," Bennett said. "Taglianetti coming back is crucial, the guy that I am really pleased with -- of course, my guy [Jarred Holley] has played very well all camp -- and Jason Hendricks has played very well all camp."
Romeus, Graham healing
Romeus and tailback Ray Graham (knee) have missed extensive time during this camp but Wannstedt said they are on the mend.
Romeus has done some light work over the past week and is the closer of the two to returning, but Graham did some running Sunday and will test how well his knee holds up today when he makes cuts and changes directions.
"[Graham] is coming along, we just don't want to do anything faster than what we need to," Wannstedt said.
Quick hits
Sunday was the last official day of training camp, but the Panthers are already doing some work to prepare for Utah, their first opponent. "We're starting to zero in a little bit now," Wannstedt said. ... Wannstedt said the extra time to prepare for Utah has been welcomed. "It has been very nice. That is why I was all for moving this game to the opener. It just made more sense with the travel and obviously playing a Top 25 team in the country, the few extra days we have to prepare will definitely be used wisely."...
August 23, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
With camp breaking, it is clear that the defense is closer to being ready for the season than the offense.
In the past week, the defense has begun to impose its will on the offense. And that has been primarily without All-American defensive end Greg Romeus, who has been out with back spasms.
But Pitt defensive coordinator Phil Bennett isn't ready to declare his unit anything more than a team with a lot of potential, although he has seen good signs from some players he wasn't sure he would be able to count on.
"We're still a work in progress, no question, we're not where we need to be," Bennett said. "But we're getting there. There is clearly room for improvement but we're getting better."
One big reason for his optimism is that the secondary is coming together better than expected, to the point it could turn out to be a team strength.
Starting cornerbacks Antwuan Reed and Ricky Gary have been consistently good, and safeties Jason Hendricks and Andrew Taglianetti appear to have solidified the nickel back and bandit positions.
"Kolby Gray had a good camp. He's starting to learn the speed of the game," Bennett said. "Taglianetti coming back is crucial, the guy that I am really pleased with -- of course, my guy [Jarred Holley] has played very well all camp -- and Jason Hendricks has played very well all camp."
Romeus, Graham healing
Romeus and tailback Ray Graham (knee) have missed extensive time during this camp but Wannstedt said they are on the mend.
Romeus has done some light work over the past week and is the closer of the two to returning, but Graham did some running Sunday and will test how well his knee holds up today when he makes cuts and changes directions.
"[Graham] is coming along, we just don't want to do anything faster than what we need to," Wannstedt said.
Quick hits
Sunday was the last official day of training camp, but the Panthers are already doing some work to prepare for Utah, their first opponent. "We're starting to zero in a little bit now," Wannstedt said. ... Wannstedt said the extra time to prepare for Utah has been welcomed. "It has been very nice. That is why I was all for moving this game to the opener. It just made more sense with the travel and obviously playing a Top 25 team in the country, the few extra days we have to prepare will definitely be used wisely."...
