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first- or second-round selection in April's draft, was absent as he rehabs from a hamstring injury that also kept him out of action at the Combine in Indianapolis earlier in the week. Johnson, a cornerback, wanted to have a big day, particularly in the 40-yard dash, after being slower-than-expected in Indy. There on Tuesday, he ran an official 4.65-second sprint. But Friday's was closer to 4.4, he said after running inside the Mollenkopf Athletic Center. "I wanted to improve my 40 and show them that I'm faster than you think I am and not just quick," Johnson said. "I wanted to prove I could run. "I wasn't really confident in myself (in Indianapolis), as far as being in that stance for three seconds and I couldn't get a good push. Here, I only had to be set a second or two and I practiced more the day before with (Akeem) Shavers. I felt more comfortable." Johnson and the rest of the former Boilermakers worked out in front of scouts from about a dozen NFL teams. They went through various agility drills, the 40-yard dash, bench press and various position-specific drills. Johnson only did a couple of those, instead choosing to rest on his Combine numbers. In Indianapolis, he did a respectable 16 repetitions on the bench press of 225 pounds. He also did the three-cone drill in 6.99 seconds and posted a 35-inch vertical. But whatever his test numbers, Johnson's value — the three-year Purdue starter is projected Kyle Charters as a potential lateround pick — might Cornerback Josh Johnson had a solid pro day, he thought, he be most easily de- showing greater speed than what thehad displayed at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier in week. termined by his ex"It makes this very important tensive game film. because it's really your stage," said "The eye in the sky don't lie," he said. "They're going to read Shavers, who's hoping to get a and evaluate you off of how you late-round call or free agent opplayed, your downs and your ups portunity. "There couldn't a betand what you can improve on and ter place; it's somewhere I'm used to. I'm very comfortable here and if they can coach you." Shavers, on the other hand, glad I got to do it here." Shavers, who participated felt he needed to test well to get in all of the agility drills like the noticed. And judging from most onlookers, the running back did three-cone and 5-10-5, says he lifted 19 reps on the bench and exceedingly well. On Friday, Shavers ran in the jumped 39 inches on the vertical. "I set my standards very high," low 4.4s — perhaps as fast as 4.39 said Shavers, who ran for 871 yards — in the 40-yard dash. It was his only opportunity in front of scouts in 2012. "So even if something was from multiple teams, after not being below my standards, it still could be pretty good, I guess, in most invited to the Combine. cases. That's the way I look at it." Marve had to prove that his knee is healthy. He seemed to do so Friday, participating in the 40 and agility drills without wearing a brace on his left knee, which doesn't have an ACL. "Everyone asks about it," he said, "because they have this image, I think. Then, they come out here and see me and I'm flowing normal, just like a game. Everyone said the same things during games, 'Oh, he's not going to be OK.' But then I'm out there flowing normal." Marve came away from his pro day experience feeling good about his performance. "I thought I did well, the ball came out (well)," said Marve, who most likely will have to make a roster as a rookie free agent. "It's frustrating sometimes because you train, train, train, but then you throw to different receivers so the timing of it (is off ). But it was a good day overall. I thought the ball whistled out of my hand pretty well and I showed them my knee was OK, so that's always a plus. And there was a lot of questions." Maci, a linebacker and defensive end at Purdue in his final season, feels like he might be able to make a roster as a free agent. Maci, who will play in an allstar game in Florida later this month, is touting his versatility to NFL scouts. "(I'm) just the high-motor kind of guy," he said. "I'm going to put everything I've got into this. They saw my 40, I put in everything and I fell (down at the end). I'll give it all for a team and put it all out there." Ticket Sales Going Strong More than 4,000 new season tickets have been sold since they went on sale Feb. 7, perhaps an indication of fans' enthusiasm over Hazell's hiring this offseason. A year ago, there were 1,641 total new sales. Interest has been particularly high in the South end zone, which is sold out. To renew season tickets online, click here and to purchase new season tickets, click here. For fans who want to renew or order season tickets in-person or via phone, the athletics ticket office in Mackey Arena is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 765-4943194 or 800-49-SPORT. j GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 24 • 27