Pitt Working To Solidify Team Before Opener
PITTSBURGH (93.7 THE FAN) - Pitt held its final scheduled scrimmage of training camp Tuesday, as coaches are working on solidifying their two-deep before the opener with Delaware on Aug. 30.
"We were trying some new things at the scrimmage," said likely starting quarterback Chad Voytik. "It's been good. A lot of learning tips. Every day you mess up on something and you can always learn from something. I have tried to take that each day and grow as a player mentally (and) physically."
Head coach Paul Chryst went into Tuesday's workout trying to solidify some of their depth in the two-deep.
"We (the coaches) met about it, and it is always ongoing, but certainly by the end of this week heading into Delaware, guys will know their roles," Chryst said. "You always have a group that is game ready and group that needs to develop."
And that includes Voytik who likely will start his first college game a week from Saturday.
"Continue to grow with the offense. It's never going to be perfect, but you can always learn new things about each play. Each day in the film room we will pick out a play and that has been helpful for me. You can always talk about (plays) and learn more about it. Coach Chryst is always good about not getting complacent."
Panthers have practice Wednesday and Thursday and then close their camp with Fan Fest at Heinz Field on Friday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Between now and then, Chryst would like to have some answers and define some jobs on the 2014 team.
"We have worked hard, but so has every team we are going to play," Chryst said. "I am pleased with the effort, but we just have to keep going. We have to keep cleaning up the details and keep going as a team."
Bam Bradley was used to playing, coming out of Trotwood-Madison high school near Dayton, Bradley won district championships every year in basketball and a state title in football his senior year. The linebacker redshirted his freshman year and last year at Pitt, Bradley totaled just 8 tackles in 11 games.
"I feel like I'm getting better and I have a lot of reason to get better," Bradley said. "Coming out of Spring, Coach (Matt) House (defensive coordinator) tried to talk to me about increasing my role and talked to me about how I can get better, and how he wants me to become one of the best guys on the team. Because he knows I can be."
Bradley is currently second on the depth cart at outside linebacker behind senior Anthony Gonzalez, but showed flashes with two-and-a-half tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in 2013 in limited action. Bradley can play all three linebacker positions and is athletic enough to cover receivers in the flat.
"I was able to get extra time in," Bradley said. "Get in the book and really learn the defense, ins-and-outs."
So could this be a breakout season for the sophomore?
"I really hope so. I got a lot to play for this year and a lot of reason to give it my all."
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