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Chat Reel: Latef Grim

Latef Grim ready for the spotlight

During the 1999 season, Latef Grim reached 100 yards receiving in six games. Rick Stewart/Allsport

CNNSI Host: Thank you for joining our college football chat with Pittsburgh wide receiver Latef Grim. Welcome Latef.
Latef Grim: Thank you, it's great to be here.

From Hail2Pitt: Latef, for the first time in years, Pitt fans are going into this season with expectations. A bowl game should end this season. Seven wins are definitely attainable. How do you and your teammates react to these expectations?
Latef Grim: Well, I think me and my teammates are feeling good about the season coming up. We need to work hard at training camp and after that let the chips fall where they may.

From Justin Mounts in Wheeling, W.Va.: What is the biggest obstacle facing this year's Panthers' squad, a team that many people pick to surprise the Big East? How healthy is David Priestly? Here's to a great season. Fight Pitt Fight!
Latef Grim: First off, David Priestly is getting healthy. How we are going to overcome the obstacles is to stay together as a team, and don't let anyone from the outside come between us. Right now I think it's too early to tell because we haven't been through training camp yet.

From John Hoke in McKeesport, Pa.: Sports Illustrated ranks Pittsburgh 52nd in the nation and fifth in the Big East. Do you think the team is better than this assessment?
Latef Grim: Well, you know, everybody always has their own opinions. What we want to do is work hard, play hard and let people see us play. And let that be the reason why we move up in the rankings.

From Scott in Tampa, Fla.: Latef, let me wish you and the team great luck for the upcoming season, everyone is extremely excited. A couple years ago, when we played in the Liberty Bowl, that team was noted as having great senior leadership. Do you think the current group of seniors are ready to take that to a new level? And are the younger guys willing to listen to such guidance? Hail to Pitt!
Latef Grim: First, I want to thank Scott. The seniors on this team know what we have to do and we know what it takes in order for this team to win. And we have some younger players that look up to the seniors, so we have to show great leadership at all times. Doing that, I think we'll be successful.

From Brett in Palm Harbor, Fla.: Latef, do you think the pressure about you being a candidate for the Biletnikoff Award will affect your presence in the 2000 season?
Latef Grim: Well Brett, pressure is for those who are not prepared. and I feel that I've prepared my mind and my body throughout the spring and summer. So I don't feel any pressure at all. I just want to go out there and play my best and help my team win games.

From Todd Currier in Margate, Fla.: I know it is hindsight but will you miss playing at Pitt Field this year? Do you feel its absence will affect your game preparation?
Latef Grim: No I don't. We'll play anywhere. Whether it's in somebody's backyard or in the street. We're ready to play wherever it is.

From Loco: Latef, How has Rod Rutherford looked? Do you feel he will be the starting QB at Pitt?
Latef Grim: As of today, Rod looks great. But it's going to be a constant competition. All I can do is do my best, as in catching balls to help him out.

From Tampa: Do you think the major coaching turnover will affect the team this year?
Latef Grim: Yes I do. It's going to affect us in a good way, because everybody responds well to the new coaches.

From Greg Carlucci in Moon Township, Pa.: Hi Latef, I am a diehard Pitt fan who really despises Penn State. I believe since Pitt has been so close the past few years, especially last year, at pulling off the upset, optimism has to be high. What do you think the chances are this year of Pitt beating Penn State?
Latef Grim: The chances are good. But, right now we are focusing on Kent and Bowling Green. That's the third game on our season so we don't want to look too far ahead.

From Guest in White Oak, Pa.: : Off the football subject, where is your favorite place to eat in Oakland?
Latef Grim: My favorite place to eat in Oakland would be the Starbucks Cafe.

From Guest in Rocky River, Ohio: Latef, did coach Harris have you playing opposite Hank Poteat most of the time in practice and how did it affect your game? Is there a certain defensive back that you think you are having a positive effect on?
Latef Grim: Me going against Hank Poteat everyday in practice made my game rise because I know everyday that I wanted to beat him. So I had to bring my game face every single day. And now we have different types of cornerbacks so it's a different type of challenge.

From Mark Piraino in Syracuse, N.Y.: Latef, you are the man, I can't wait for you and Bryant to rip up the Big East this year. Does Coach Harris script the first 10 to 15 offensive plays? How many touches do you feel you need a game to get into the "flow?" Do you consider yourself a Heisman candidate?
Latef Grim: Yes, the first couple of plays from what I understand are scripted. The type of player that I am I love to get the ball as much as possible as early as possible. And to be up for the Heisman, I have no control over that. All I can do is play.

From Loco: : Latef, do you sense a turnaround at Pitt? Do you feel that Coach Harris is leading the program to new heights?
Latef Grim: Yes I do think he is leading us to new heights because he's a no-nonsense guy and if it's not done the right way, it's gotta go.

From Reginald Wes in Augusta, Ga.: Is Dustin Picciotti the real deal?
Latef Grim: So far, what I've seen in pads, he looks like the real deal. But we don't go to full gear until Wednesday. So until then I won't have full grasp on that.

From Guest: Any concerns about Bowling Green? They were pretty good last year.
Latef Grim: Bowling Green is a good team and my only concern is with my team. We need to execute in all three phases of the game -- special teams, offense and defense.

From Hail2Pitt: Do you feed off of the fans during the games? The team has been getting good fan support in recent seasons, especially from the student body.
Latef Grim: Definitely, you definitely feed off the fans. Because I feel the fans are paying money to come to the game, so they should be entertained.

From Ted in Shenandoah, Pa.: Who do you see as your replacement in the up and coming years?
Latef Grim: I really don't know because at any given moment players can switch positions and things like that.

From PittMan10: How is the situation with Kevan Barlow? Is he ready to saddle in and be one of the senior leaders on this football team?
Latef Grim: Yes, Kevin is. He's doing all the right things. And he has his head on straight, and he's ready to go.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Latef Grim. Thanks for joining us Latef, best of luck this season.
Latef Grim: Thanks.

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