Hammer and Rails - 2016 Big Ten Football Media DaysPurdue's Okayest Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52787/Hammer_And_Rails_favicon..png2016-07-27T14:11:28-04:00http://www.hammerandrails.com/rss/stream/120401032016-07-27T14:11:28-04:002016-07-27T14:11:28-04:00Darrell Hazell, Purdue Players Big Ten Media Day Audio<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thesportsbank.net/purdue-boilermakers/darrell-hazell-purdue-boilermakers-football-b1g-media-day/">Darrell Hazell, Purdue Players Big Ten Media Day&nbsp;Audio</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>One on One interviews from The Sports Bank.</p></p></div>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/7/27/12299732/darrell-hazell-purdue-players-big-ten-media-day-audioBoilerTMill2016-07-25T16:11:33-04:002016-07-25T16:11:33-04:002016 Big Ten Media Days: Coach Hazell Quotes
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<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>For the fourth time coach Hazell appeared at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago for Purdue. </p> <p>It has to be tough to drum up support for Purdue football this year. There is nothing on the outside to suggest that a turnaround is going to happen. The situation couldn't look worse at this point for Darrell Hazell, and fans of the program have heard enough platitudes. We want to wins some damn football games instead of seeing our football team get its head kicked in every Saturday. We are tired of being the Big Ten laughingstock as evidenced by twitter during Hazell's press conference:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">As in 'miraculously I'm still employed' great place <a href="https://t.co/FfYC5IeZLr">https://t.co/FfYC5IeZLr</a></p>
— Ted Glover (@purplebuckeye) <a href="https://twitter.com/purplebuckeye/status/757626945630789636">July 25, 2016</a>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Darrell Hazell says Purdue is "in a great place right now." Uhhhhhh... <a href="https://t.co/OFhAkmBuNv">pic.twitter.com/OFhAkmBuNv</a></p>
— Inside NU (@insidenu) <a href="https://twitter.com/insidenu/status/757627324510515201">July 25, 2016</a>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Purdue football: <a href="https://t.co/rH2tu3KaHp">pic.twitter.com/rH2tu3KaHp</a></p>
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) <a href="https://twitter.com/11W/status/757629693000425472">July 25, 2016</a>
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Still, there is at least some small reason for hope. The schedule is much easier. John Shoop is gone. <span>Markell Jones</span> looks like a stud. <span>Ja'Whaun Bentley</span> is healthy. The offensive line is breaking records in the weight room. Maybe, just maybe, there is a breakthrough coming. We've got about 40 days until we find out.</p>
<p>Here is the bulk of what coach Hazell had to say today:</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pz4N05Ch1Xw" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
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<p>"It's been three and a half years in the making to get to this point and we're at a great place right now."</p>
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<p>Uh, okay? I know that with coachspeak engaged you're not going to come right out and diss your team, but this is a coach with a 6-30 record over three seasons. That comes off like this:</p>
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<p>Let's continue:</p>
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<p>"The sign said, 'The train is coming', but at some point the train has to arrive. That sign is no longer there. I think you're going to like what steps off the train this year. Ja'Whaun Bentely, <span>Jake Replogle</span>, and <span>DeAngelo Yancey</span> won't only be the best players in the Big Ten, they'll be the best players in the country."</p>
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<p>Well, at least he is confident. There was a rambling anecdote about a billboard on I-65 and it is not even there, but we're going to like what gets off the train anyway (if it ever arrives?). Then there is <span>Bentley</span>, Replogle, and <span>Yancey</span>. all are good dudes and good players. If Purdue has a stunning breakout they can even be all-conference guys, but let's pump the brakes on "Best players in the country."</p>
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<p>"It starts on the offensive line with those guys playing in unison. In the spring we only had 9 bodies int hat room but now we have 19 so you have to build depth from young guys in that room. We have two experienced guards and a brand new center that is very strong and explosive. We have a couple of guys where we're trying to figure out that right tackle spot but we have to get them playing in unison. Protecting the quarterback is the number one thing because they are more than capable of being successful if they have time."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This tells me Cameron Cermin's shoulder is still a question, which is not good. Cermin needed to be healthy to lock down one of ht tackle spots as one of Purdue's most experienced lineman and it is probably not good that we didn't get the "Yep, he is starting." A-OK. I like the guards and Barron has been a monster int he weight room, but the tackle spots need to be settled.</p>
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<p>"<span>David Blough</span> obviously has an edge coming out of spring football, but both both David and Elijah are more than capable of winning a lot of football games. They have slowed the game down, shown tremendous leadership, thrown with some accuracy, and they are playing with some confidence so it will be a few weeks before we make that decision."</p>
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<p>This is the same quote about the quarterback position as the last three years. Just sub in <span>Blough</span> and Sindelar for Henry, Etling, and Appleby. it will not change until 1. Purdue protects the quarterback, and 2. One finally plays well when protected.</p>
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<p>"The most important people where the morale counts is in your locker room and our morale is off the charts right now."</p>
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<p>Many would rip on this quote, me included, but after thinking about it, it makes sense. No one is giving this team a chance right now. The players know it. They know what the press is saying about them. <span>Cameron Posey</span> said as much in the preview magazine. It is impossible for them not to know they are seen as a joke. If the morale is up that is good because that is the only way true change is going to happen.</p>
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<p>"We have some young backs in the room, <span>Richie Worship</span> and <span>Tario Fuller</span>, and Brian Lankford-Johnson has the fastest 20-yard dash time on the whole team and he's only been there two weeks. One or two of those guys will step up and spell Markell when he needs it."</p>
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<p>I do like Lankford-Johnson's speed. It seems like he will get a look early because blinding speed is always a good thing. It would be nice to get a true freshman surprise like him. Unfortunately, we need several like that.</p>
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<p>"There is a combination of things that may go into the quarterback struggles. We felt that simplification was paramount this offseason. We hired Terry Malone as our offensive coordinator and our number goal was to get more productivity out of the position. They are going to be more confident and know where to go with the ball both pre- and post-snap."</p>
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<p>You mean a needlessly complicated offense was a main reason the offense couldn't get out of its own way? No shit! If the offense gets even marginal improvement it will be huge. Far too often the defense would play well for a half, but wilt because the offense under Shoop did less than nothing. If the offense can just stay on the field even a little more it will help a lot. not to mention that whole "actually scoring points" thing that is all the rave.</p>
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<p>"I don't look at it as a funk. I look at it as a growing process. A lot of times on the outside you can't see the things going on with the program that are making progress. That's the vision I see."</p>
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<p>You knew we couldn't get out of it without this one. How funny that getting blown out by Indiana at home and losing three in a row to them for the first time in 70 years was just me not seeing where the real progress was made.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/7/25/12277672/2016-big-ten-media-days-coach-hazell-quotesBoilerTMill2016-07-25T09:00:39-04:002016-07-25T09:00:39-04:002016 Big Ten Football Media Days: Day 1
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<figcaption>Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Bingo is back as Purdue will be part of Big Ten Media Days today.</p> <p>Football is back! Well, sort of. today marks the unofficial beginning of the 2016 season with Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. I am not in attendance because, really, it is an extremely overhyped event and not worth me taking two days off of work, driving to Chicago, paying more to park my car at the hotel than the cost of the hotel itself, and getting the same canned quotes that can be applied every year. The only real value tot he event is the roundtable interviews, and my friend Paul Banks of the Sports Bank has that covered today to talk to DeAngelo Yancey, JuWhaun Bentley, and Jake Replogle.</p>
<p>Also, Purdue is going to be an afterthought at best today. The Boilers are picked to finish last in the <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2016/07/ohio_state_picked_to_win_big_t_1.html">Big Ten for a fourth straight seaso</a>n and by a wide margin. Most of the outside media has Darrell Hazell as a dead coach walking and the most cynical Purdue fans see the program as years away from showing any signs of life. Even with a weak schedule and five very winnable games to start the year expectations are extremely low.</p>
<p>We are still doing our due diligence, however. That schedule is exactly what you want for a quick turnaround and the installation of Terry Malone as offensive coordinator should be a huge improvement over John Shoop (then again, Moses Malone or Sam Malone would have been an improvement over Shoop). With an offense that can improve to "semi-competent" it might keep a defense from wearing down after five straight three-and-outs, thus leading to that tangible improvement called "Wins".</p>
<p>For those interested, you can watch the festivities today on BTN. Everything gets going at 1pm:</p>
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<p><b>Monday, 1 p.m.</b>: Press conferences for Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), Darrell Hazell (Purdue), Chris Ash (Rutgers), James Franklin (Penn State), Tracy Claeys (Minnesota), and Jim Harbaugh (Michigan). <a href="http://www.btn2go.com/channel/btnlive" target="_blank">Watch live online here beginning at 1 p.m.</a>.</p>
<p><b>Monday, 3 p.m. -€” 7 p.m.</b>: Coaches and students will visit the BTN set at Media Days for "BTN Live" with Dave Revsine, Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith. <a href="http://www.btn2go.com/channel/btnlive" target="_blank">Watch live online here beginning at 3 p.m.</a>.</p>
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<p>Once again, you can create your own Bingo cards from the collowing:</p>
<p> </p>
<table class="sbn-data-table" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; width: 152pt;" height="17" width="202"></td>
<td style="width: 200pt;" width="266"><b>Phrases</b></td>
<td style="width: 269pt;" width="358"><b>Excuses (Good or Bad)</b></td>
<td style="width: 164pt;" width="218"><b>Someone Mentions…</b></td>
<td style="width: 209pt;" width="279"><b>Wild Cards</b></td>
<td style="width: 148pt;" width="197"><b>Trophies</b></td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">1</td>
<td>"Excited to be here"</td>
<td>"This is a whole new season"</td>
<td>Michigan as Big Ten favorite<br>
</td>
<td>Penn State sanctions question</td>
<td>Governor's Victory Bell</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">2</td>
<td>"We had a great offseason"</td>
<td>"It won't happen overnight"</td>
<td>Darrell Hazell Hot seat<br>
</td>
<td>Harbaugh says something crazy<br>
</td>
<td>Old Oaken Bucket</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">3</td>
<td>"He's just an Athlete"</td>
<td>"He made some mistakes, but he's a young player."</td>
<td>Lovie Smith's first year</td>
<td>More Big Ten expansion</td>
<td>Purdue Cannon</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">4</td>
<td>"We have to (gain/carry over) momentum"</td>
<td>"He took his redshirt year very seriously"</td>
<td>A player's arrest</td>
<td>Moving the B1G Championship game</td>
<td>The Jug</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">5</td>
<td>"Just ready to get started"</td>
<td>"Last year was a transition year."</td>
<td>Chris Ash's first year</td>
<td>Coach takes a cheap shot at another program</td>
<td>Land-Grant Trophy</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">6</td>
<td>"We made great strides in the weight room"</td>
<td>"We were riddled with injuries last year."</td>
<td>DJ Durkin's first year</td>
<td>Conference Financials</td>
<td>Illibuck</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">7</td>
<td>"We're ready for a breakout year"</td>
<td>"Things just didn't go our way."</td>
<td>"How tough the East is"<br>
</td>
<td>Television deals</td>
<td>LOLHat</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">8</td>
<td>"It starts up front…"</td>
<td>"We have great focus coming into this year"</td>
<td>The West is up for grabs!<br>
</td>
<td>Conference Officiating (positive or negative)</td>
<td>Paul Bunyan's Axe</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">9</td>
<td>"We have an excellent recruiting class"</td>
<td>"Some of our coaching staff changes were really beneficial"</td>
<td>Michigan-Ohio State rivalry</td>
<td>The college football playoff</td>
<td>Heartland trophy</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">10</td>
<td>"We have an excellent Senior class"</td>
<td>"We have finally figured out the quarterback situation."</td>
<td>Someone challenging Ohio State</td>
<td>Urban Meyer does/says something odd</td>
<td>Broken Bits of Chair Trophy</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">11</td>
<td>"The Big Ten is just so tough every week"</td>
<td>"We re-evaluated some things."</td>
<td>A team as "a darkhorse"</td>
<td>Kirk Ferentz leaves the podium early</td>
<td>Old Brass Spitoon</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">12</td>
<td>"It is great to be here today."</td>
<td>"It is always tough to win on the road."</td>
<td>Major Media Markets</td>
<td>Kevin Wilson questions a reporter<br>
</td>
<td>Heroes Game</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">13</td>
<td>"We have great fans."</td>
<td>"We made changes from the administration on down."</td>
<td>The SEC</td>
<td>Jim Delaney enters to Rick Ross' <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXAW1O7a2sM">King of Diamonds</a>
</td>
<td>Floyd of Rosedale</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">14</td>
<td>"Practice starts on X day."</td>
<td>"We have never been this ready for a season."</td>
<td>Big Ten Academics</td>
<td>"Cost of Attendance"</td>
<td>Paul Bunyan trophy</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" align="right" height="17">15</td>
<td>"It is a process"</td>
<td>"We are really coming together as a team."</td>
<td>Notre Dame</td>
<td>A surprise NCAA investigation</td>
<td>Freedom Trophy</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2016/7/25/12270162/2016-big-ten-football-media-days-Purdue-how-to-watchBoilerTMill