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have prevented him from capitalOffensive line coach Jim Bridge izing on his potential thus far. His If Purdue's offensive line25 catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns last season were career men take on the personality of highs. He had a combined 12 catches their new coach, 43-year-old Jim Bridge, the unit has a chance to during his first two seasons. Now, though, it's all-conference or be successful. Bridge's no-nonsense, highbust. Holmes can get the former by standard, high-volume, somebeing more focused, by developing times-gruff approach can be stronger hands, by making strides as tough to handle for his players, a blocker, by catching the ball more but they also quickly realize his purpose. consistently, he said. "I love trying to get young men And his teammates believe he will. to do something they didn't think they could do," Bridge said. "I enjoy "The scheme really fits Gabe," Henry said. "Coach Shoop has really seeing them grow. … Out here on the practice field, it's the most imgiven Gabe a lot of confidence during portant thing I do at that time, and I'm into it just like they're into it. I spring. Gabe has all the physical tools like to think I dive in 100 percent with them. I tell them that I'm going to that anybody could ever want, and he demand their best every single day and, in return, they should demand knows that. He knows what he needs my best." Bridge, a former tight end, has spent much of his 21-year coaching to do this summer to end up being a breakout player and being, and I tell career as either a tight ends or offensive line coach, including stints at him this, being the best tight end in N.C. State, Boston College, Eastern Michigan, The Citadel and Bowling the country, which we all believe he Green. He accepted the O-line job coach at Illinois in January but left after can be." But Holmes certainly won't be the only three months to join Darrell Hazell's staff just weeks before spring only tight end on the field: Shoop of- practice began. But Bridge's presence was felt immediately as one of the staff's most ten will use multiple tight end sets. And the No. 2 player on the depth animated and vocal coaches, sprinkling a sense of humor into his crichart just may be the position's most tiques of players while also quick to praise their successes. "He's pretty intense," center Robert Kugler said. "If he yells at you, reliable player. Junior Justin Sinz is one of the you have to understand he's not doing it because he doesn't like you. team's most sure-handed receivers, He's doing it because he wants to get you better. He's trying to make you while also showing an adept under- and make the team better. He gets his point across. We all respect him. standing of the offense. The former We bought into what he's doing. I think it'll translate on the field." — Stacy Clardie quarterback garnered praise from Hazell after spring ball for always "They all want to get on the field, no doubt about it, being in the right spot and simply being "very solid." so I think it provides them some motivation and offen"You can tell he's a coach's son," Parker said. "He's sive morale to where all those guys feel like they can got great football savvy, great football knowledge. He go play at times," Parker said. "We've got to get better, prepares well. He does all the little things the right way but I think we have enough ability in our room to block and has good ball skills." three-man surface runs but also be able to stand up There's little game experience beyond Holmes and and stretch the field vertically and horizontally in the Sinz. But seniors Sterling Carter and Patrick Bade, passing game. redshirt freshman Carlos Carvajal and freshman Matt "I'm anxious for August to get here." Burke also are in the mix for snaps. GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com Gold and Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 6 • 25