More: Day 14 analysis ($)
A year ago, Markell Jones was set to become Purdue’s lead back, a workhorse of a runner who was anticipating getting as many as 30 touches per game.
Now, the junior is talking committees — as in running-back-by — and the potential of getting eight to 10 carries per game. But even if that’s the case, and it might be considering Purdue’s coaching staff likes its running back depth, Jones says he can be productive.
“Absolutely,” Jones said following Purdue’s practice Wednesday, its 14th of the spring. “If you’re averaging two yards a carry, then you’re not going to be productive getting 20 carries. So if I’m getting eight to 10 carries a game and I’m able to make five to six to seven yards per gain, then I’m still being productive in my touches. Then I’m getting looks in the passing game as well.
“I mean, all individual goals on our team should be put aside, because that’s not really at all the mindset around here. Coach just told us we were 0-14 in November (the last four years), so that’s the stat I would like to change more than anything else.”
But for Purdue to change that one — and for Jones to help by contributing — he is going to need to get healthy. That’s not been the case since Game 1 last fall. In the second game, vs. Cincinnati, Jones suffered a shoulder injury while trying to pass block, an issue that — he admits now — plagued him the rest of the season.
The shoulder is healthy, he says, joking that it’s at 120-percent now after claiming it, falsely, to be at 100-percent any time he was asked last fall.
But now, the issue is his lower back, soreness there that caused him to miss five practices before he returned to action on Monday.
“He’s got natural skills, he can make cuts in the hole, he has some ball skills,” Coach Jeff Brohm said. “He’s had some nagging injuries right now, so I haven’t seen the true Markell, so he’s got to get all hat healthy, but I do want to make sure he comes out and understands that football is a tough game and he’s going to have to fight through some things, but I like his ability.”
In the meantime, Purdue’s other running backs, specifically D.J. Knox, Richie Worship and Tario Fuller, have shined, taking a majority of the touches — Brandon Lankford-Johnson (hamstring) has been out, too — during team periods.
“Other guys in my room, I’ve got to give them props because they’ve stepped up,” said Jones, who thinks he’ll play in the spring game Saturday during thud periods. “That’s what we preach in our room, that’s what we preach on the team, next guy up. In the past, we haven’t had a whole lot of depth, but finally those younger guys have gotten more mature in learning the playbook and making the most of their opportunities.”
Jones thinks there’s room for everyone on Saturdays. Purdue might make use of the depth, perhaps by flexing running backs out into the slot or using multiple ones in the backfield. Jones is up for that, saying that he’s long lobbied, back to high school, to be used more in the slot.
He says it’d make use of his shiftiness and abilities in space, and he wouldn’t have to take a constant pounding. Jones thinks Brohm can manage everyone.
“He’s a genius man, really a genius, so he’s going to figure out ways to get us in open space,” he said. “And utilize guys’ strengths. That’s one thing I’ve seen in the short 14 practices that we’ve had so far, his ability to put guys in space and use their strengths in order to make plays. So if I’m the best catcher in the room, I’ll get some swings or some of this or that. If Richie is best at the goal line, he’s going to get that. Whoever is going to give us the best chance to win is going to make the plays.”
Etc.
• Tight end Brycen Hopkins is 50/50 for Saturday, per Brohm.
But it’s not because of the sophomore’s wisdom tooth, which he had pulled earlier in the week, but due to a A/C shoulder joint sprain.
• The Boilermakers suffered numerous drops on Wednesday, perhaps as many as double-figures.
Several were passes that receivers simply did not haul in, even without much interference from defenders.
“At times, early on, we have a few good chances by certain guys,” Brohm said. “But yes, we had numerous drops. They weren’t all easy catches either, but yes, the ball was on the ground quite a bit. Not a whole lot of plays were made on offense, not as much as I’d like to make.”
And Brohm laid into the offense at one point — more on that HERE ($) — feeling it wasn't giving enough.
“We want to push them,” he said. “Right now, if I had to be honest, depth is a concern. I think once we get into the season, we’re going to rotate guys in there, but we might not be able to rotate as much as we like. You’ve got to dig deep in order to make plays even when you’re tired, you’re going to have to find a way to do it. As much as we’d like to keep them fresh, they may have to go longer than we’d like, so I’d like to make sure they understand when things are on the line and the play matters, you find a way to get it done, but we do want to push them through that a little bit.”
