Joe Tiller got plenty of questions about his retirement and successor Danny Hope at the Big Ten media day, but when talk turned to specific units, many reporters were curious about Purdue's receiving corps.
Tiller is confident senior Greg Orton will be a nice go-to option. Orton was slowed by a groin injury in the spring, but Tiller is excited to see how Orton performs this fall. Tiller always has been impressed with Orton's maturity and skill level, and his intense work ethic improved his stock.
"I don't think in the winter, we've had a wide receiver that has worked harder than he worked," Tiller said. "He hit the field running. He was a full-speed guy, was a leadership guy from 6 a.m. conditioning. If he picks up in the fall where he left off in the winter, he could be a real difference-maker for us."
Tiller still isn't sure how the receiving corps will fare, though.
Besides Orton, the majority of the options are unproven. Arsenio Curry and Aaron Valentin are talent-laden transfers. Keith Smith is a converted quarterback. Returning players Joe Whitest and Desmond Tardy have yet to produce in limited action.
But Tiller likes the talent, calling Curry a big, physical guy and "a mature Selwyn Lymon." Valentin athleticism has impressed, and Smith gives the team a tall, physical option in the slot. Still, Tiller worries they may be slow getting started.
"I think because of the evolution of the position, our receivers may not be as productive as we'd like them to be until about the third or the fourth game of the year," Tiller said. "It may take them that long to really get in sync with Curtis (Painter)."
-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette
Check out the Fort's Purdue connection this season,Jarrod Shaw from Homestead High School!
Posted by: Shaw | August 04, 2008 at 10:39 AM