I remember a few comments on Ray Vinopal being quite negative at one point on the Lair, but as he worked harder at Pitt he just got better and better, and helped win some great games for Pitt. Pitt Alumnus Ray Vinopal is another one of those Youngstown Native sons that only know how to get batter, never give up, and just love learning to become better at Football......Hmmmmnnnn....sounds a lot like Tressel and Narduzzi when I come to think about it!!!!!!! I know it is an up hill climb to make any NFL Team, anytime, but that Vinopal never give sup, is smart player, and works his butt off to get better like he did at Pitt!
I am going on record too, Vinopal will make a Great Football Coach some day for some CFB or NFL Team.
Excerpt:
............Vinopal spent four years at Pitt, played three, started two and was defensive captain for one after transferring following a freshman season at Michigan. A Youngstown native, he signed with the Cowboys after going undrafted in 2015, but was cut after suffering a left ankle injury during the preseason opener. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers soon after their season ended in January.
How did you end up getting hooked up with the Steelers?
I started getting calls and (some feelers from teams), and by that point it was mostly after the season, futures options. I wanted to come to the Steelers to begin with coming out of college, so it was nice to get an opportunity here.
Is there anything different about the Steelers' style?
I will say that the atmosphere here is a lot different. Coach Tomlin likes to lighten the mood. We still get a lot of work done.
Do you view special teams as your best method for making an impression to make the team?
Absolutely, that's the first line of opportunity, no doubt. And I really feel like I can contribute and succeed on special teams here and make plays. That's going to be my focus first and then you earn your responsibility on special teams and prove yourself and work your way into defense and show you can handle the responsibility.
Is Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi someone you would have liked to have played for?
Coach Narduzzi, he's a Y-town guy too like myself. I loved playing under coach (Paul) Chryst and his staff, they were great. But I like the way what (Narduzzi) is doing with the program. He definitely seems like a player's coach. And talking to the guys there that I still know, they all love him, so I am sure I would have enjoyed it for sure.
Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at cadamski@tribweb.com or via Twitter @C_AdamskiTrib.
http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/10825329-74/steelers-teams-coach
I am going on record too, Vinopal will make a Great Football Coach some day for some CFB or NFL Team.
Excerpt:
............Vinopal spent four years at Pitt, played three, started two and was defensive captain for one after transferring following a freshman season at Michigan. A Youngstown native, he signed with the Cowboys after going undrafted in 2015, but was cut after suffering a left ankle injury during the preseason opener. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers soon after their season ended in January.
How did you end up getting hooked up with the Steelers?
I started getting calls and (some feelers from teams), and by that point it was mostly after the season, futures options. I wanted to come to the Steelers to begin with coming out of college, so it was nice to get an opportunity here.
Is there anything different about the Steelers' style?
I will say that the atmosphere here is a lot different. Coach Tomlin likes to lighten the mood. We still get a lot of work done.
Do you view special teams as your best method for making an impression to make the team?
Absolutely, that's the first line of opportunity, no doubt. And I really feel like I can contribute and succeed on special teams here and make plays. That's going to be my focus first and then you earn your responsibility on special teams and prove yourself and work your way into defense and show you can handle the responsibility.
Is Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi someone you would have liked to have played for?
Coach Narduzzi, he's a Y-town guy too like myself. I loved playing under coach (Paul) Chryst and his staff, they were great. But I like the way what (Narduzzi) is doing with the program. He definitely seems like a player's coach. And talking to the guys there that I still know, they all love him, so I am sure I would have enjoyed it for sure.
Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at cadamski@tribweb.com or via Twitter @C_AdamskiTrib.
http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/10825329-74/steelers-teams-coach
