Tarullo on What "Matt-ers"
4/20/2004 4:22:47 PM | Football
Finishing the Spring Program Strong
We are really coming together. We are building a lot of chemistry on the offensive line and the defensive line is also playing very well. The quarterbacks are still fighting it out. There is still a lot of competition there, which is good. They are all getting reps. The biggest thing is that with the team you can see a personality emerging. It is a really good personality. It is a tough, nose to the grindstone personality, which is very nice because it allows me as a senior to realize that we picked up where we left off last season.
One of the coaches said the other day that he wished we could start again right after Spring ball ends. Because right at the end of Spring ball everything starts to come together. As we are going right now we are starting to become more consistent on offense and the defense is starting to play really well. We are giving each other really good looks for the season. That is our main goal – to give each other good looks for Purdue. We have to give intensity and game-style situations. There is a big difference between the game and practice. For us right now, I believe, we are playing at a very high practice tempo. It is taking a toll on a lot of us because it is very physically taxing, but it is worth it because it allows us to see what game speed is like. Overall it is very nice because it allows the whole team to step up and play at a higher level.
What we need to accomplish in this final week is to get everyone on the same page. Everyone on the offensive line needs to be on the same page. Everyone needs to be making the calls. Everyone needs to be working together.
We are finishing up the Spring well. Players are stepping up in their respective positions. I know that Justin (Outten) is doing well playing behind me. He is giving me a lot of competition. Adam (Terry) is still playing well and Brent (Caldwell) is giving him a lot of competition. That is what we are about on the offensive line. We are really tight as a group, but there is a lot of competition within the group. The same thing goes for the running backs. Walter and Damien are really fighting for time, along with Tim Washington, but they help each other. Everyone is fighting for a position right now. On defense, Tony Jenkins is playing really well right now as a defensive nose tackle and he is starting to make plays.
Overall, I am really happy as the Spring winds down. We have to push through the final practices and then get geared up for the summer program. I am excited to get into preseason camp and then go play Purdue on September 5. That is what we are thinking about. It has been a good Spring. We have learned a lot and have been able to come together as a team.
