Aug. 5, 2008

PITTSBURGH -

Head Coach Dave Wannstedt
Training Camp Day 1 Quotes
August 5, 2008

Opening Statement:

"We'll start with this morning's practice since we are dealing with two separate practices and two separate groups of players. Players that just recently had come off injuries like (Derek) Kinder, (Gus) Mustakas, (Nate) Byham and (John) Pelusi practiced in the morning session. The encouraging part was that they all worked and seemed to have no problems. Obviously we're not tackling or having a lot of contact but everything else is full speed from an execution standpoint. This afternoon we had many more of the younger players. They have a chance to see the film and hear the corrections from the morning practice. If they were seeing everything for the first time I think we would be slower. Overall it was a good first day. It was unfortunate we couldn't practice outside but it was a good start and we look forward to tomorrow."

On Pat Bostick and Kevan Smith:

"I thought they were both good. This morning both Bill Stull and Greg Cross took the majority of the snaps and I thought they did some good things. This afternoon I thought Kevan Smith and Pat Bostick did good things as well. It's too early to tell right now but none of the quarterbacks made any bad decisions and for the most part played well and that's where we want be right now."

"I think it's a combination of Jason Pinkston, Dan Matha and Chase Clowser not being here in the spring while Jordan Gibbs was the most consistent performer during that time. Right now its open competition. We are going into it open minded and the best two players will start."

On alternating them in the morning and afternoon sessions:

"During these first four days, if you're in the morning or afternoon it doesn't make any difference. We are running the same drills and the same plays. Everything is very similar.

On rules for no pads the first couple of days:

"No, I don't understand why we don't have at least shells on to protect our shoulders. We submitted a recommendation to the NCAA a year ago about wearing shells but they explained that there is even a better chance of injury with them. With helmet and no pads, I think you're more susceptible to injury than if you had any type of padding on your shoulders particularly when the sport is blocking and tackling."