GoldandBlack.com - Spreading the wealth; more Wednesday notes

August 22, 2012

Kyle Charters
LISTEN: Danny Hope after practice

Although it might be short on experienced running backs, Purdue is still hoping to have similar distribution to a season ago.

In 2011, eight players (non-quarterbacks) carried the ball at least 15 times. With Akeem Shavers and Akeem Hunt the only healthy, experienced backs on the roster, that number could change.

Or, it could stay similar. The Boilermakers will use Antavian Edison and Raheem Mostert in the backfield, and perhaps freshman Danny Anthrop. Plus, Purdue has three fullbacks in Brandon Cottom, Derek Jackson and Kurt Freytag.

So the Boilers still might be able to share the wealth.

"You don't find too many running backs carrying the ball 35 or 40 times a game, like Hershel Walker and Bo Jackson did," running backs coach Cornell Jackson said. "Of course, we're going to get it to the guys that can help us win. If that's five guys or two guys, we'll get it to them."

Shavers, though, is poised to get the bulk of the carries. After Ralph Bolden's injury in the season-finale - the senior is practicing but won't play Sept. 1 - Shavers rushed for 149 yards in the bowl game.

"We still feel he's the same guy that can do what he did in the bowl game," Jackson said. "He's a strong kid, he's tough, he's older."

The Boilermakers have worked to bolster their numbers in the backfield, moving former quarterback Robert Gregory to running back and more recently, putting tight end Jonathan Curry at fullback.

But it might be a little soon to determine whether the freshmen can affect the Boilermakers on the field in 2012.

"Whether those guys will play this year or not, I still don't know," Danny Hope said. "They still have a lot of work to do, but they're good prospects."

Flushing out the fullbacks
Cottom is returning from an ACL injury midseason, which has kept him out of most contact drills during training camp.

The sophomore, however, is expected to be available for Game 1, at least for a limited number of reps. That'll let Jackson and Freytag get opportunities as well.

"The most gifted big back that we have is Brandon Cottom," Hope said. "We've got a green jersey on him, he's recovering from an injury, but he's looked really good. He's been dodging and darting, and quick and sudden. We haven't had any live contact on Cottom, but he looks good carrying it.

"We look forward to him getting his feet back under him. It looks like it's going to happen."

And at right guard
Although Hope didn't directly say that Devin Smith would be the starter at right guard, he indicated that was the lean as of Wednesday.

Smith, a JUCO transfer, and Cody Davis have been rotating at that spot nearly all of camp. But Smith was with the 1s Wednesday.

"He's getting a lot of reps with the 1s and some with the 2s," Hope said. "But we're trying to force-feed from a training standpoint."

Part of the reasoning is that Davis is more versatile, having been in the program longer, and can backup at left guard and center.

"With Peters Drey coming off an injury, we want to make sure he doesn't get too much," Hope said. "We have Cody working in there at left guard to rest Peters some during practice and we anticipate doing the same during games."

A quick study
Because he was suspended for the spring, Dwayne Beckford has had to quicken his learning curve in Purdue's new defense.

After only two-and-a-half weeks of practice, it's so far, so good for the senior middle linebacker.

"I'm not surprised," Hope said. "Dwayne has a very good football IQ. We're very consistent with what we're teaching. We've said all along that the new package presents a ton of options for the play-caller and a lot of carry-over for the players. It's simple assignment-wise, and that's evident on the practice field."

Who's out? Who's in?
Bade, Bolden, wide receivers Tommie Thomas (foot surgery), Ishmael Aristide (knee sprain), B.J. Knauf (back) and tight end Carlos Carvajal (groin) are out for Purdue's game vs. Eastern Kentucky, Hope said.

Also, reserve OT Patrick Bade hyperextended a knee during Tuesday's practice and is out 5-6 weeks.

A couple others - QB Rob Henry (knee), Cottom and defensive tackle Ryan Isaac (knee) - will play, but will be limited.

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