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The 2016 season is about to start, but before that happens, the Pitt football team has to endure three weeks of training camp. What's that experience really like for the players?
This year, former Pitt center Artie Rowell will provide Panther-Lair.com readers with a unique perspective on what it's like to go through training camp. Today, Artie starts the series with a look at Report Day, the weeks of camp, Fan Fest and more.
Everyone in the Pitt community, or “Panther Nation” as Coach ‘Duzz likes to call it, has their eyes set on the 1:30pm kickoff on September 3rd. However, I can tell you from experience, the 100+ guys that will be suiting up to take Heinz field on September 3rd, are not thinking about playing Villanova right now.
Why? Prior to week 1 preparations, they will go through the most physically grueling and mentally taxing two weeks of the year. Training camp has finally arrived. Everyone hears about the surprise trips to the movies to see films like ‘Straight Outta Compton’ or having guest speakers such as Tony Dorsett, Coach Majors, and Coach Tomlin speak to the team on a variety of topics, but I am here to provide insight on a few things that you haven’t heard about.
Report Day
An exciting time to be a college football player. The first part of the day includes moving into Sutherland Hall. I realized through my 5 year experience, the older you are, the less you bring. Year after year, freshman over pack by preparing for every possible situation in “all of their free time” over the next 2 weeks (little do they know what is ahead.) On the other hand, redshirt seniors arrive with their pillow, play book, iPad, tooth brush, and phone charger.
The second half of the day includes several hours of meetings. Speakers and topics include, an introduction by the athletic director, compliance updates, a quick how-to when addressing the media, medical updates by team doctors and athletic trainers, and equipment room updates.
Report day is also the official start to the offensive line “Camp Shirt” competition. The rules are simple: pick one shirt and wear it through the duration of training camp without washing or cleaning it. If you are spotted without wearing your camp shirt, you are disqualified. Losers have to fund a pizza dinner at the end of camp.
Week One
Better known as installation week. 90% of the playbook will be installed during the first week of camp. Practices tend to be longer with a lot of coaching and teaching points. This is quickly where players begin to separate themselves mentally. A prepared player that spent the summer studying the playbook and watching film will be able to handle the volume of material that will be thrown at them during the week. In order to play fast, you have to know what you are doing. Smart players play fast, fast players play in games.
Week one culminates with the first jersey scrimmage. There is a homemade point system that allows either the offense or defense to win the rights to wear the blue jersey for the following week. There are a few ways to approach the first scrimmage. Guys that are competing for a starting position will have their first opportunity to be evaluated in a game-like setting. I have seen depth chart changes based off of performances during the 1st jersey scrimmage. On the other hand, a more experienced player will have limited reps, while the maintaining the objective to stay healthy for the season.
Week Two
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. During the second week of camp, players will separate themselves based on physical abilities and mental toughness. As a coach once told me, jobs are won and lost during the second week of training camp.
What makes it so challenging? At this point, every practice will be full pads and full contact. Practice scripts seem to be never ending, and often include upwards of 60 reps of live contact. To put that in perspective, games tend to be around 75 reps on either side of the ball. You are essentially playing a game every day for seven days straight. For a player competing for a spot, Jersey Scrimmage #2 is the most important practice during training camp. Film evaluations will inevitably set the depth chart going into Week One.
Week Two is concluded by moving out of Sutherland and back into your apartment or house for the rest of the school year. The end is in sight.
Fan Fest
Every Pitt football player’s favorite two words during the month of August. Camp has finally come to a close. The energetic atmosphere at Heinz Field during the annual Fan Fest event provides a much needed change of scenery for the guys. Family, friends, girlfriends, and fans all join to celebrate the beginning of a long season.
At a time when you start questioning if the payoffs associated with preseason training camp are worth it, the appreciation and excitement that each fan brings during fan fest certainly leaves no doubt that all the pain and suffering was worth it and we would do it time and time again.
I may not be suiting up this year to practice but you better believe I have my “camp shirt” ready. Do you?
