Deep Dive: Purdue training camp practice No. 10
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It’s informative, it’s analytical, it’s opinionated, it’s the Deep Dive, a look at today’s football practice on a warm, beautiful day in Tippecanoe County as the freshmen nestle into their dorms. Where to hang that poster of John “Bluto” Blutarsky chugging a bottle of Jack?
• Short practice today: Just 12 periods after the team scrimmaged on Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium. The team was off on Sunday.
• What did Ryan Walters think of the scrimmage?
“I liked what I saw. We kind of accomplished what we wanted to accomplish. Obviously, held out some guys that we already know what we’re going to get from them. Then wanted to give some controlled reps to some guys that we think will be the guys for us that we count on from a production standpoint this fall, and get them out, and then sort of let the rest of the roster show what they can do and prove whether they need to be or not be on the travel roster.
“So, stayed healthy coming out of that, and that was a main key, obviously, dealt with a little bit of banged up guys, and so to be able to give our stalwart guys a chance to have two days of rest I think was beneficial in the long term.”
• Was there a winner or loser in the scrimmage?
“I don’t know,” said Walters. “It’s Purdue on Purdue, you know what I mean? Guys made plays on both sides of the ball. The plays that were made were competitive plays. We thought we tackled well. I thought we blocked well. I thought we covered and caught the ball well. So, obviously, there are some things to clean up, especially with some guys that haven’t had a ton of reps, but from the first scrimmage standpoint, I thought it was a good day.”
• Walters is not sure if or when his squad will scrimmage again in camp.
“I got to adapt and adjust to the roster,” he said. “If we need it, we will. If we don’t, I won’t. I’m not doing things just because that’s the way I’ve seen it done since I’ve been in this profession.
“College football, and the landscape, is completely different. And I think that’s one of the advantages of having a younger staff. We can adapt with the times. And whatever we need, we’re going to do.”
• Purdue brought is a “Georgia mafia” in the offseason, importing RE CJ Madden, CB Nyland Green and WRs De’Nylon Morrissette and CJ Smith from the portal.
“They’ve seen what it’s like to win a championship,” said Walters of the four former Bulldogs who national titles in Athens. But still, really, the only vocal guy out of that group is probably CJ Madden. Nyland is a heck of a competitor. CJ is heck of a competitor, and both tough as nails, same with De’Nylon. But CJ is really the only vocal one in terms of bringing guys along. So I just think they know what it looks like, and kind of really embraced our culture.”
• It was fun to watch special teams coordinator Chris Petrilli fire tennis balls at players as they practiced fielding kicks and punts.
It’s just a tennis ball gun for a dog in the park. But, Petrilli calls it “The Judge.” Just like a real judge, you do the crime (poor technique, feet, eyes, hands, etc.), and The Judge hands out the punishment! Petrilli usually tries to aim for a center mass chest shot, but he’s gone after head, hands and feet on a case-by-case basis. Petrilli is a fun, energetic and smart coach who the players love.
ST coach Chris Petrilli takes aim at Devin Mockobee.
• Lots of key players missing today:
CB Nyland Green, WR CJ Smith, WR Kam Brown, DL Joe Anderson, OL Rod Green, WR Jayden Dixon-Veal, OT Corey Stewart, TE George Burheen, S Anthony Brown, ILB Winston Berglund, OT Joshua Sales, NT Cole Brevard, DB Salim Turner-Muhammad and S Koy Beasley.
• TE Max Klare was back, but he was wearing red. DL Damarjhe Lewis was back after missing Friday.
• A staffer was working on DB Kyndrich Breedlove, who looked to have tweaked something.
• Walters offered a detailed breakdown on injuries today. The big news: Smith and Green will miss the opener vs. Indiana State on Aug. 31 but should be back for the next game vs. Notre Dame on Sept. 14 following a bye.
“At first when the schedule came out, I was not happy that we had a bye that second week of the season,” said Walters. “And now I’m praising the Lord. … “
• How was the field-goal kicking in the scrimmage”
“It’s still early,” said Walters. “We just got a true freshman, and all those guys are competing, and so got good work. There’s probably a kick or two that they would like to have back, but they made them for the most part. Still ways to go.”
Spencer Porath and Ben Freehill are battling.
• Walters assessed the No. 2 QB battle between Marcos Davila and Ryan Browne.
“Still got three weeks before you play that first game. I think Ryan Browne has made a lot of strides, and I think Marcos is starting to overcome that freshman learning curve a little bit. So, we haven’t named a backup yet, and so when we do, you guys will know.”
• Scouts from the Bills and Falcons were on hand.
• Two AC/DC songs today: “Shoot to Thrill” and “Highway to Hell.” Kudos to that.
Thanks for reading! Purdue is back on the field on Tuesday.
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