Aug. 9, 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -
With the sweltering sun blistering down on the Ross-Ade Stadium field, the Purdue Boilermakers were collectively cool as they posed for pictures and answered questions from reporters during their annual Media Day this morning.
After taking part in numerous group photos with his players, coach Joe Tiller formally met with the media to discuss the coming football season.
Among other things, Tiller fielded questions regarding the overall status of the team, how the heat plays a role in their training camp practices and the return of Michigan and Ohio State to this season's schedule.
But the first thing on most minds, however, was how he tried to keep his players safe from the brutal Midwest weather, which already was well into the 80s this morning.
"They don't delay or cancel the game because of the heat, so I think you have to prepare in the heat," said Tiller, who moved the final portion of Wednesday's practice indoors to escape the heat. "However, I think you have to be smart about it. You have to be smart about managing your squad and the heat because you can truly drain them. Yet you have to push them enough so they are in good shape."
Tiller hopes to have his squad in good shape by the time the thick of the 2007 season roles around. Following three non-conference games against Toledo, Eastern Illinois and Central Michigan, the Boilermakers travel to Minnesota and then face Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa on consecutive weekends.
After being asked several times about the schedule at last week's Big Ten Media Day in Chicago, Tiller said his team needs to be focused on the first few weeks of the season before it gets into the meat of its schedule.
However, Tiller said with a wealth of experienced players returning this season, he likes his team's chances when the Big Ten season begins.
"Number one, (Michigan and Ohio State) are in the league and I guess you ought to play them; and number two, if you ever are going to deal with a difficult schedule you want to do it with an experienced team," he said. "I like the idea that we have an experienced team."
The experience of his quarterback will likely make that stretch of games much easier for his team.
Curtis Painter will be entering his second full season as the Boilermakers starting signal-caller, and Tiller likes the development that he's seen out of his offensive leader.
"I think he's more comfortable in that role," Tiller said. "I think he understands more so as he continues to mature at the position how important it is to be a leader at the quarterback position. As he's experienced some success, he's more comfortable in a leadership role than he's been in the past."
Experience plagued a young Boilermaker secondary last season, but Tiller sees plenty of competition brewing in the defensive backfield, something that will undoubtedly make that unit better.
Although it may take a little more time for that group to develop, Tiller thinks his team won't have to concern itself with regularly out-scoring opponents.
"I think we are going to be a much improved defensive team," Tiller said. "I do think that we could be the type of team that could get involved in scoring contests, but I don't think that is going to be the case. I think our defense is going to be better than most folks think."
Something Tiller had been stressed at the conclusion of last season was his team's need to become stronger and more physical.
As the result of a more strenuous offseason workout plan, the team has collectively become stronger, according to Tiller, and now has 15 players capable of benching at least 400 pounds.
That is something Tiller hopes his players can continue to improve on as the season nears.
"I think we are a stronger football team," Tiller said. "I don't think we are where we want to be from a strength point of view just yet, but we are certainly better than where we were."
Purdue will begin its 2007 season at Toledo on Sept. 1. The Boilermakers first home contest will be the following Saturday, Sept. 8, against Eastern Illinois.
