Spring practice No. 3: Notebook
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Rondale Moore had 114 catches for 1,258 yards (11.0 npc) with 12 TDs in 2018. It was a debut unlike any seen at Purdue, as Moore won a raft of awards as a true freshman. Can he get any better?
“Everyone keeps asking me this,” said co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard, who watched the squad work out in full pads for the first time this spring. “The No. 1 thing is some of the body positioning, making sure we aren’t getting drops. Sometimes he needs to change his pad level on some of the catches to make sure he doesn’t drop the ball. We also want to work on speed off the ball. He has a tendency at times to do some fancy footwork at the line instead of just exploding off the ball.”
How is Moore’s blocking?
“He still stinks," said Shephard bluntly. "Just so we are all clear on that. Today, he had a great opportunity to showcase his ability to block, and he stunk. I have to do a better job as a coach, sticking and moving his feet.”
Moore isn’t gonna argue with him when it comes to discussing his blocking.
“Sometimes, I get lazy," the 5-9, 180-pound Moore fessed. “This offeseason, I have been trying to get healthy. I have been working on my quick-twitch, catching balls with the Jugs, watching more film. Working on my hands with (strength coach Dominic) Reno.”
In the end, it's all about overall improvement for Moore.
"Getting better at little things that help with bigger things," said Moore.
LOOKING FOR A SPARK
Jared Sparks knows it. You don’t have to say a peep:
“I understand this is a big spring for me,” he said. “You don’t have to tell me."
The 6-1, 210-pound junior has been mostly a tease while on campus. Remember during camp last season, when it looked like Sparks was primed for a big role? It never materialized for the former quarterback.
Last year, Sparks finished tied for fourth on the squad with 28 catches, notching just 274 yards. That comes to a scant 9.8 yards per grab. And he had no TD grabs, though he appeared to have one late in the Missouri game for a go-head score that was scrubbed by replay.
“Sparks has always done well in practice,” says co-offensive coordinator/receiver coach JaMarcus Shephard. “There is never an issue with his effort, his motivation, his ability to compete.
“When we get into some of these live situations, that’s when I want to put as much pressure on him as possible. If I do that, maybe it will relate to a game. That will be more indicative of who he is."
Sparks will get a chance when Purdue conducts its first scrimmage of the spring on Wednesday.
IMPRESSIVE YOUNGSTER
Co-offensive coordinator/receiver coach JaMarcus Shephard is difficult to please, always teasing his wideouts. And most everyone at practice can hear it, too, as Shephard is one of the most animated and vocal coaches on the field who has a, ahem, demonstrative style. So, when he praises someone, you listen. The guy has high standards.
“Amad Anderson is showing off very often on film,” said Shephard. “He is doing some really good things as far as just catching the rock with his hands. That’s really one of the most impressive things about the kid. He did that as a recruit and he’s showing that right now.”
The 5-11, 175-pound Anderson is a redshirt freshman who has flashed early on in spring drills. But, he has a ways to go and needs to keep it up in a wideout corps that will be bolstered by four big recruits in June: David Bell, Milton Wright, Mershawn Rice and TJ Sheffield. Purdue never has welcomed a collection of receivers like this.
“There will be a learning curve for those guys,” said Shephard. “It is pretty steep. I told the guys, they are gunning for you. They did not sign here to come watch you. They came here to play. We will play the best guy. I have no favorites.”
WELCOME BACK
Purdue’s Pro Day will be on Tuesday inside Mollenkopf Center, and several former Boilermaker were at practice today after training off-campus this winter in anticipation of the NFL draft in April. Among those seen: David Blough, Kirk Barron, D.J. Knox and Cole Herdman. Blough is excited. No Boilers were invited to the Combine. Purdue is looking to have a player drafted for the 22nd year in a row dating back to 1998.
“This is my chance,” he said. “My training has been going well. I have been working with Kyler Murray’s dad for years. And the guys who have trained this winter (Michael Johnson Performance in the Dallas area) where I did have been doing well at the Combine.”
Blough will arrive early on Tuesday to take the Wonderlic test with others. He will do various speed and strength drills. And, of course, he will throw.
“I have it all set up,” he said. “I will thrown in a pattern to (Isaac) Zico, Cole (Herdman), (Terry) Wright, a player from Marian and D.J. (Knox).”
Blough says he expects to run about a 4.7 40. And he’ll have dinner soon with Cleveland Browns assistant G.M. Eliot Wolf, the son of legendary Packers G.M. Ron Wolf.
“It’s a good opportunity,” said Blough who will be married this sping.
Blough’s future brother-in-law Christian Gonzalez from The Colony, Texas came along. He is a touted three-star defensive back Purdue is recruiting.
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