Hazellball: Right Direction So Far

BS was on the scene at one of Coach Hazell's open practices last week and if you haven't read B-dowd's excellent write up on his observations, you should go do that. I'll wait.

Okay, you're back now.

The Spring Game is fast approaching (1 PM on April 13) and will be played rain or shine and will be four quarters. Well, no kidding, you might be thinking, but this sort of info is pertinent, as last year's Spring Game was on a day with lousy weather, so the Danny Hope Gestapo moved the proceedings indoors to Mollenkopf, and then Tom Schott's button men ejected interested parties from the premises. You know, the people who were so devoted to a mediocre program that they had made the trek to campus on a miserable day to get a little bit of a Purdue football fix. As was the norm at the time, solid PR work by the Purdue athletic department.

So Coach Hazell has decreed that the game will go on and will be a complete game. This is good. Click here for more information on the activities of the day surrounding the Spring Game. In addition, BTN has decided to grace the Boilermakers by streaming the game live via their BTN2Go app and the broadcasting it on real, actual television on April 15 at 9 PM. Unless Ohio State hires a new strength and conditioning coach or something, presumably.

You also see the photo above marketing the upcoming season. The marketing folks responsible got this one right, in our opinions. They also did well back when Danny Hope started at Purdue (the "ONE" campaign, which, at 1-5, scared us because, well, what if Purdue went 1-11?), so maybe all it takes to wake up marketing is a new coach. Let's hope winning soon follows and the program markets itself on the football field.

In addition to the Spring Game, this Saturday is another chance to see your Boilers on the field at Ross-Ade, as they'll put on a "Jersey Scrimmage" for all interested parties to attend. Purdue faculty and staff get to come onto the field beforehand with the team and then will be addressed by Morgan Burke and Coach Hazell -- this outreach is another nice touch. You can find the rules to the Jersey Scrimmage here -- it will be offense versus defense and while these rules may a seem a bit cumbersome, you can bet the players will know how to keep score and this will be competitive. Check it out if you have the chance.

One more item to note that you can find on the Purdue football page of Purduesports.com is Purdue Football 212, billed as a "behind the scenes look at Purdue football." I watched the first YouTube video they have up there and I already feel like I've seen more of Purdue football behind the scenes than I did in four years of General Hopeissimo.

Obviously, none of this means much once the games begin. However, it seems clear to us that Darrell Hazell is making the right moves in his early months on campus. There's a discipline and an intense work ethic already coming across, while at the same time welcoming us outsiders in to see what's going on.

The Hazell Era is off to a good start. 

Big Day on Campus Highlighted by Big Men, LewJack, Grads and Speed

I didn't know it until I was on campus, but today was a graduation day...so it was busy at our alma mater.  Baby Boilers v. 2.0 (too soon?) would be displayed for the first time to Boiler faithful, some Purdue favorites would suit up in the gold and black once again and the football team had its first official practice.  On top of that, it was a sultry 97 degrees and humid outside...and the threat of t-storms were looming overhead.

Inside Mackey, here's what happened:
-It was over 100 degrees in the cheap seats.  I sat and got drenched. I'm pretty sure Mackey's court would have been drenched had it not been for the kids regularly wiping up sweat.

The black and gold teams wore sleeved shirts made for the day with their names on the back and the number that they wore while on campus. Real refs officiated the game, and Painter coached the gold squad while Keady was over the black.

There were around 15 players on both teams...so subs were performed like line changes- 5 at a time, each time.  The first half was 20 minutes...fouls were called and the clock would stop. The second half was a 10 minute stanza.

Former player and current grad assistant and good guy, Ryne Smith took a moment for a photo with LBD...Marcus Green, Todd Mitchell, Chris Kramer, Justing Jennings and others in the background getting ready for the first alum game.

-Ryne Smith, LewJack, Mark Wohlford, David Teague, Troy Lewis, Todd Mitchell, Brandon Brantley, Justin Jennings, Matt Keifer, Travis Best, Brian Cardinal, Bubba Day, Bobby Buckets, Chris Kramer, Tim Ervin, Chad Kerkhoff, BJ Caretta, Carson Cunningham, Brett Buscher, Dave Barrett, Roy Hairston, Marcus Green, Todd Foster, Terrance Crump, Chris Reid, Kenneth Lowe and Steve O'Neal from the c/o '66 all played.  I feel like I'm missing someone...but it's not from lack of trying to remember.

-I was hoping someone would heat up and take over the game...BUT, the substitution pattern really didn't allow that. A few guys came close to that- LewJack, Troy Lewis and David Teague. Teague's shooting and Chris Reid's tough work on the glass kept the gold team with the balck team all day...on paper, it looked like the black team (coached by Keady), would win going away.

-The final score was 70-73.  LewJack threw in the dagger...and taunted Painter and Smith after doing so.  The crowd was pretty solid- loud and enthusiastic...and in spite of the intense heat and motionless air in Mackey, they stuck around.  The lower level was full...the upper level about 1/3 full- Probably around 10 or 11,000 in attendance (my estimation).

-Keady's introduction drew the largest crowd reaction and a stand ovation at the urging of Troy Lewis and Todd Mitchell. Kramer, T. Lewis and Cardinal's intro also got a pretty warm welcome.  But, Lew's game winner was probably the biggest eruption of the day.

-David Teague looks very lean...and he had a pretty smooth and impressive fast break dunk. Same goes for Kramer, except his dunk was in traffic. Brandon Brantley and Chris Reid also threw down a few dunks that seemed to bend the rim. Carson Cunningham looked like he wore hiking boots, but still had some pretty fun moves to watch... and the only guy who came close to staying with a trimmed down LewJack was Travis Best...who I barely remember in a Purdue uni.

The Young Guns
-AJ Hammons has already leaned down since high school...a good sign for Purdue, in my opinion.  Many thought his work ethic might be a concern coming into Purdue...but effort didn't look at all questionable today.  But, he did get pushed around a bit by Marcius; who played very well.

Hammons hit two shots from outside of 19 feet, one a three pointer- I didn't know he had an outside shot...but this might be able to help him and his teammates on offense until he builds up the strength to be able to hold the post on offense.  His defense seems to be a game changer. He occupies a ton of space and gets in the way of a lot of shots. He has very long arms, good footwork and good timing.

-Ronnie Johnson is quick and fast, if that makes any sense.  On two occasions he broke out of traffic and away from defenders to get the ball up court. He's also very athletic.  In warm-ups he dunked at least twice; once with one hand, once with two...both with ease.  That's impressive, because he does look pretty small on the court.  Defensively, he's got some work to do, offensively, he's surprisingly-far along...at least from my perspective.

-Raphael Davis is a leaner player than I thought.  I thought his body type would be a bit more like TJohn's when he arrived on campus...but he looks physically very ready to play.  His defense will make him a fan favorite right away, I believe.

-Donnie Hale looks bigger and stronger.  It showed on the glass as he was able to both track down boards as well as grab them in traffic. Outside of rebounds, he was pretty quiet.

-Sandi Marcius seemed to have the most-noteworthy game, to me anyway. He carved out space on offense, cleaned the glass and dunked two or three times.  One, on a break away off of a Ronnie Johnson pass...over one of the walk-ons who had no options other than to desperately try to set up for the charge...he was in the circle.  Sandi flushed, turned toward the crowd and seemed to yell, "Woooooooooooooo!" He was energetic and fun to watch.

Many sought refuge from the heat in the West Club...LBD, Mrs. Boilerdowd and recruit, Kendall Stephens were just a few of those- can you find any of them in this shot?

-Conversely, Travis Carroll was pretty quiet. But, I was very impressed with Carroll's change in body.  While I wish he had bulked up a bit in the shoulders, he looks very lean which will help him on defense in the coming season.  That said, unless something changes, it seems like Marcius and Hammons might have the edge at this point. Jacob Lawson had a few boards and a nice looking jumper from around 16 feet- he sported a fauxhawk which suits his personality...and seemed to be more comfortable than last year, especially on defense.

-DJ Byrd hit a few deep shots, but never got into a rhythm. He took some very deep threes that seemed forced. I'm pretty sure he's ready to show his improved shot...and I believe his shot is probably better...but I didn't see a ton of proof today. The scrimmage format wasn't really bringing out the best in some of the guys- some seemed a bit lethargic...but once again, it was in the triple digits in Mackey.

-The team shot free throws very poorly.

-Rob Hummel, JJ, Brandon McKnight,  and other alums of the program were on hand, but didn't play.  A ton of recruits were also in the blazing-hot Mackey Arena making visits.

-Painter seemed laid back- he was all over the court during the scrimmage and not on the bench ever...he left that for his assistants.

-After the three-stanza format, Painter lined some of the guys up for sprints...seemed cruel in the heat...but I was kinda glad to see it.

On the Gridiron
-I didn't see any football players walking around Mackey- I believe their practice occurred at the same time, or just after it. The practiced was in shorts and outside in the high heat and humidity...The skies opened up after practice.

-Every account of the opening scrimmage seems to ring the same tune- the speed was high and the team was intense for a first practice.

-The only guy not practicing is Ralph Bolden, at this point.  Specifically, Henry and Cottom both saw reps and looked good in limited action.

-Hope said TerBush and Marve threw well...but Henry wasn't as sharp while passing, but moved well and the receivers caught the ball well. He seems to have some concern about the o-line at this point.

-Robert Marve was one of the graduates who walked through today; congrats to him.

-Dwayne Beckford ran with the 1s on defense...not surprisingly, he's in great shape; he's always been a specimen.

-Both Ben Knauf and Danny Anthrop are both getting a look returning punts.  In spite of Purdue's prowess in KO returns last year, punt returns were a weak spot.  Gravesande was trusty, but not much of a threat...and Allen's lone try back there, he fumbled.


Note: Thanks to everybody I ran into today who expressed appreciation for the site! It always humbles me to know some of you value reading what we have to say!

Quick look at practice (Day 2)

Hope looks like he's in mid-season shape already

Two-a-days are still three days away as are full pads for Hope's squad, but the team seems to already be moving forward and adding wrinkles...Day 2 notes:

-The offense ran a no-huddle for 20 minutes...and every offensive player was asked to play faster. Hope mentioned Siller (again) and ATM as a couple guys who made big impressions as they are getting comfortable with what's being asked of them.

-Hope liked what he saw out of Peters Drey as well...thought he made significant improvement from the first day. Also mentioned Foy and Schmeig as guys who are making noise.

-Really likes the quickness of the freshman in the defensive backfield.

-Hope is already gameplanning (kinda) for UND as he thinks the no-huddle offense helps the defense prepare for the rapid fire offensive style Brian Kelly coaches at UND.

-Blitzes and alignments were stressed during today's practice by the defense.

-Robert Marve's build reminds me (in pictures) of Jeromy Masoli at Oregon a bit- he seems solid which hopefully will help Marve evade the blitz as the pocket collapses. Hope reminded everyone that even Drew Brees wasn't perfect in his senior season (he watched the OSU game from 2000 on BTN this week) and says we shouldn't expect anything close to perfection from Marve either...but thinks his leadership style is comparable to Brees' back at the beginning of the decade.

Football Practice begins

Not a ton to happened at practice that's noteworthy, but a player that coaches and fans alike are interesting in seeing in uniform wasn't able to practice.

Al-Terek McBurse was held out of practice due to NCAA Clearinghouse issues...That doesn't mean it won't change int the coming days, but Purdue's luck for guys who have come across transcript and academic requirement issues hasn't been good the last few years.

I have no idea how they're going to be able to run a full scrimmage on the 4/18 with this group of wide receivers...but the game is at 1:00 in just a few weeks.

If you'd like to see some pretty vanilla footage of yesterday's action, click here. (thanks to Gold and Black for the video)

Get back to work!
I guess the Senate has nothing better to do than this.

Oooh, I know a solution to this problem that doesn't involve pointy-headed politicians.