Rookie minicamp: Orndoff's time at Pitt prepared him for 'trial by fire'

Of the 50 players at Steelers rookie minicamp at Rooney Sports Complex, few were better equipped for the challenge of quickly learning a playbook than Scott Orndoff and James Conner.

This is the third consecutive year the two former Pitt players have been required to learn a new offense, an invaluable experience when needing to memorize the intricacies of a playbook for the three-day minicamp, and a competitive advantage against others vying for a roster spot.

Conner's place on the roster is secure, but Orndoff is with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent and was one of three tight ends at minicamp. His ability to quickly absorb the verbiage and intricacies of the offense — at two positions no less — could determine how long he stays in the NFL.

He likes his chances.



"It helped a lot because through all those playbook I figured out how I learned best," Orndoff told DKPittsburghSports.com of his experience at Pitt following Day 2 of minicamp on Saturday. "I tried to take the methods I used to learn the other offenses at Pitt and use the same stuff here. Make associations with different terms or concepts. That’s what I’ve been doing this week so far. It’s been helping me out a lot."

Though Conner and Orndoff are two of four former Panthers on the Steelers' roster — defensive back Terrish Webb and linebacker Matt Galambos signed as undrafted free agents — their defensive counterparts did not experience as much change during their time at Pitt.

After Paul Chryst left for Wisconsin following the 2014 season, Orndoff emerged as a promising option in the passing game under Pat Narduzzi's first offensive coordinator, Jim Chaney.

Playing in the tight end-friendly offense led to somewhat of a breakout season for Orndoff. Though his snaps were limited because of struggles as a blocker, he caught five touchdown passes as a junior.

Then Chaney left to become the offensive coordinator at Georgia. Once again, Orndoff spent winter workouts alternating between studying textbooks and a new playbook.

The language in Matt Canada's playbook was drastically different, and Orndoff was required to learn the shifts and motions that were the foundation of the deceptive attack. That didn't slow him down.

He was outstanding for the Panthers in 2016, catching 35 passes for 579 yards and five touchdowns while starting all 13 games. He also became a reliable blocker, helping clear the way for the Panthers' 2,925 rushing yards.

“He’s an outstanding player,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said three days before Orndoff's 128-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Tigers. “He will pass protect, now next thing you know you get sucked in and he’s slipped out on you, and it’s some type of throw back.”

That earned him an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine in February. He did not have a flawless performance in Indianapolis, but improved his 40-yard dash at Pitt's pro day in March to show teams he has the athleticism needed at the next level.

That caught the Steelers' attention. Orndoff was invited for a pre-draft visit and contact with them increased leading up to draft day. When the event began last month, the Steelers told Orndoff they wanted him as an undrafted free agent.

Teams called throughout the three-day event reinforcing their interest, saying they planned to draft him on Day 3. That never happened. Once the sixth round began, Orndoff told himself that if he wasn't drafted he was staying close to his hometown, Waynesburg, Pa.

The Steelers' need for a tight end was an opportunity too good to pass up.

Ladarius Green, a $20-million free agency signing a year ago, was limited by various injuries in 2016 and reportedly has a history of concussions from his four seasons with the Chargers.

Jesse James, a fifth-round draft pick in 2015 who is more than five months younger than Orndoff, caught 39 passes and three touchdowns last fall but struggles as a blocker. The other tight end on the roster, Xavier Grimble, has similar issues.

It's a group Orndoff praised for its talent, but he sees an opportunity to carve out a niche.

"I looked at their tight end room now," he said. "They have good players and I think there’s a chance I can slip in there, try to make it if I keep doing well. I need to learn and do well in OTAs. Come out in camp and prove I’m good enough to be on the team. I think there’s definitely a spot in there I can go take."

That will require more performances like he had Saturday. Orndoff showed precise route-running and was a reliable target for the three rookie quarterbacks. When 11-on-11 drills began, he was lining up in two different positions — in-line tight end and in the slot. The other tight ends in minicamp were not given such a role.

"I know the more I know the better chance I have and the more they’ll trust me," Orndoff said. "It’s like a trial by fire with a playbook."

Learning both, and quickly, is his plan to separate himself from the other rookies vying for a coveted roster spot, and his experience learning three offenses in three years at Pitt was particularly helpful Saturday morning when the Steelers' coaching staff decided to install a new play.

At first glance, Orndoff could not find a way to memorize the play. Once he got on the practice field — the one 100 yards away from Pitt's — Orndoff quickly realized how similar it was to two concepts in Canada's playbook in 2016. His memory is filled with play calls, formations and the entire route tree.

"I felt it was an offense I can hopefully find a role in and obviously it’s nice being in a comfortable place — same city and having my support system," Orndoff said. "Of all the teams I could have gone to, I definitely think it’s the best opportunity I could have asked for."