Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/120607
Q&A With jim bridge The following is a brief question-andanswer session with Purdue offensive line coach Jim Bridge. Gold and Black: Through the first three weeks of spring, you've used a lot of combinations on the line. Bridge: "I try to use a lot. Combinations, they have to get used to each other. This is a combative game. Guys do get injured and guys miss time. We have to have a seamless transition if ever that were to happen. My philosophy is guards need to know how to play tackle, tackles need to know how to play guard. Centers and guards need to know how to play each other because some day we're going to need them to go win a Big Ten game, so we need to keep rotating and find the best five, and after we find the best five, find combinations that'll work off of that." Gold and Black: Of those redshirt freshmen, who has stood out? Bridge: "The guys are working hard. The best part about it is they all have a clean slate, whether they're a redshirt freshman or a senior. The whole offensive line is making strides, so to point one out would be unfair." Gold and Black: How would you describe your coaching style? You seem to have a good sense of humor when you're on the practice field. Bridge: "If you're doing this, you might as well have fun. In any walk of life. I love my job. I love working with people and I love try- ing to get young men to do something they didn't think they could do. I enjoy seeing them grow, whether it be as human beings, whether it be as students, whether it be as sons or as football players. I think that's one of the most important aspects of my job. Out here on this practice field, it's the most important thing I do at that time, and I'm into it just like they're into it. I like to think I dive in 100 percent with them. I tell them that I'm going to demand their best every single day, and in return, they should demand my best, and it's a two-way street." Gold and Black: Why do you like coaching the O-line? Bridge: "It goes back, I played tight end and I love this part of the game. I love the part that there's really only two people watching them, myself and their mothers. Their fathers are watching the game. I actually like that underdog part of it. Yet I like the fact that we get blamed for everything. We need to embrace that and I just like this part of football a whole bunch. It's the science of it, the philosophy of it and the combative part of it I really enjoy." Gold and Black: How do you want the line to play? Bridge: "Violent." Gold and Black: Are they catching on to that? Bridge: "I think so. We're making strides." Tom Campbell Akeem Shavers will have a workout in Dallas on Wednesday a couple weeks before the NFL Draft. not be played. The extended forecast The two teams will be selected is calling for a cool, clear day with a on Wednesday, with rosters available high in the high 40s, low 50s. Saturday at concession areas. TWIN CITY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM 650 Sagamore Parkway South Lafayette, IN 47905 See the 2013 Jeep Wrangler! 800-562-4581 twincitysuperstore.com GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 28 • 10