IllustrateD volume 24, issue 4 43
f
f o o t b a l l : s p r i n g p r e v i e w
BY STACY CLARDIE
SClardie@GoldandBlack.com
C
onsistently executing assignments on offense,
defense and special teams.
Developing a defensive mentality fueled by pursuit
and running to the ball.
Establishing one specific phase of the run game.
Throwing the ball effectively daily.
Darrell Hazell has plenty of points of emphasis for
his second session of spring ball at Purdue.
But perhaps even more important than physical
skills and techniques being improved, the Boiler-
makers need to foster traits.
After a season in which it won only once and los-
ing key seniors from that team, Purdue needs lead-
ers to emerge, ones willing to speak up and push
teammates through encouragement, ones willing to
demand performance, ones who will display vicious
work ethic daily.
It needs to show real toughness, offseason physi-
cal transformations producing winning at the line of
scrimmage consistently, instead of sheer boosts in
numbers.
It must showcase some semblance of emotional
stability and mental fortitude — handling as much
adversity that can be generated in a non-game envi-
ronment.
It desperately needs to identify tough-minded,
strong-bodied players who are passionate, who thrive
in a competitive atmosphere, who will seize opportu-
nities when they're presented.
Are there enough of them on the roster right now?
Or will all of those personalities be flocking to cam-
pus in the summer with the 2014 recruiting class?
"Spring ball we'll have to find out which guys we
think can help us in the fall. I think that's very key,"
Hazell said. "But there are a lot of pieces who aren't
here right now that will play a factor in the fall."
Considering that, the version of Purdue football
displayed this spring likely won't be the same that
takes the field for the season opener in August.
But before those youngsters with big expectations
of playing immediately arrive, the current Boilermak-
ers desperately need to squeeze every ounce of worth
out of the 15 spring practices that start March 6.
There will be opportunity, now, to make impres-
Tom Campbell
Darrell Hazell's group likely won't look the same this spring
as it does once the season opens on Aug. 30. But that won't
stop Purdue from working to get all it can from its 15 practic-
es, starting March 6.
'Immense' Improvement Needed
Minus key pieces, Purdue needs successful spring
