SB Nation - David Pender

Purdue Football Recruiting: The Spectacular Failures

BoilerTMill — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:46:26 -0000

Since this is the slow time of year there is mostly only recruiting news to talk about. Purdue fans are anxiously awaiting news on Errick Peck to see if he or another graduate student transfer will commit for basketball. The Spiece Fieldhouse in event in Fort Wayne this weekend will also be a popular place for the coaching staff as Matt painter goes with a fistful of scholarships to offer.

This is also the time of year where football recruiting ramps up, as kids get ready for summer skills camps before deciding on their offers. At Purdue, we rarely get the top players in the country. We're more of a developmental program that will take a 2- or 3-star kid and build him up rather than have a 4- or 5-star dominates immediately. In fact, Many of Purdue's few 4- and 5-star players have turned out to be huge flops.

On Monday I will try to talk about the success stories, but today let's look at the high profile recruits Purdue has gotten that did not work out (hopefully Danny Etling won't be the next one here).

O.J. Ross - WR - 2010 - Ross should be a senior on the roster this fall, but the former 4-star commit from Daytona Beach has been good, but not great. As a freshman he had 11 catches for 149 yards for a score. As a sophomore he upped that to 33-356-3, and this past season he looked good with a 56-454-2 season. It looked as if he would be a valuable asset, but he was suspended indefinitely after the season and is currently not on the roster.

This is Ross' second suspension, as he missed the Little Caesar's Bowl in 2011 and briefly had his scholarship revoked. This does not bode well for him returning to the field in 2013. In theory, he could claim this year as a redshirt and still return in 2014, but there is a strong chance he has played his last game for Purdue.

Al-Terek McBurse - RB - 2009 - When ATM committed in 2009 we all had visions of a dominant running back who piled up yards in bunches in high school. He was a tall, fast back that would take over for Ralph Bolden and eventually dominate the Big Ten. Instead, he gained no yards on four carries in 2009 (but did return a kickoff for a TD at Indiana) and had just 189 yards on 22 carries in 2010 before transferring to Florida A&M. Once there, he barely played for the FCS Rattlers.

Ken Plue - OG - 2008 - It is hard to call a three-year starter as a failure, but Plue came to Purdue in 2008 as a four-star offensive guard and started almost from day one. Then the rumors came. He was mysteriously suspended for the Michigan State game in 2009 for a violation of team rules and suspended again for the entire 2011 season for the same reason. We never found out the true reason, but there were strong rumors (that got this blog in very hot water) that won't be repeated. Instead of come back for last season he declared for the 2012 draft and was not drafted. Too bad. When he played, he was very good and opened a lot of holes for Ralph Bolden in 2009.

Brian Ellis - LB - 2007 - If you're saying, "Who?" don't worry. Ellis was a highly touted 4-star linebacker that was supposed to arrive from College of the Sequoias in 2007. He was big, strong, and fast, but unfortunately did not qualify academically. He never played a down at Purdue.

Kyle Williams - LB - 2005 - Perhaps the most spectacular failure on the list. Williams is the only 5-star commitment Purdue has ever gotten. He switched from Iowa to Purdue and played in a handful of games in 2005 as a reserve. He was a great running back in high school and was a can't-miss prospect who, by all accounts, should be in the NFL right now.

So what happened? Well, in November 2005 he assaulted a woman behind Delta Zeta sorority before attacking a second woman on Waldron Drive an hour and a half later. He had been released from the team weeks earlier after recurring headaches slowed his career after 28 tackles in seven games.

He was later convicted and sentenced to 37 years in prison for a count of attempted rape and two counts of battery and confinement for the November 29, 2005 assaults. He gained an additional 10 years when he committed a similar assault in DuPage County, IL while out on bond for the original assaults. There is the possibility that two concussions had a role in the incidents, but we may never know. He is currently in prison and won't be out for quite awhile.

Jason Kacinko - OL - 2005 - The 2005 class is clearly where it all started to go down hill. It was Joe Tiller's best and they were expected to ride the momentum of a preseason top 15 ranking into something special. Little did we know, the wave had already crested. Kacinko was expected to be a major offensive line pickup at 6'6", 300 pounds, but did not play a down in tow years before transferring to Pitt.

Selwyn Lymon - WR - 2005 - The third of four 4-star or better recruits in 2005, Limon was a spectacular flameout and still the most successful of the four. Finally, tiller landed a big, strong, talented receiver to go with his basketball on grass offense. Lymon sat out the 2005 season as academically ineligible but paid his own way to get eligible. His career lasted 13 games in 2006 and a handful of games in 2007. He had 33 catches for 580 yards and three scores, most famously torching Notre Dame for a Notre Dame Stadium record 238 yards and two scores.

That's when things got weird. He missed the Northwestern game on October 14 after injuring his eye in a paintball-type game with other players on the golf course. On March 30, 2007 he got in a bar fight at Nick's on the levee and was stabbed in the chest. Finally, he was arrested on November 19, 2007 for drunk driving and resisting arrest, which included the embarrassing fact that he peed himself in the process. He was kicked off the team after that, and lasted a minicamp with the Dolphins before flaming out of the NFL.

J.B. Paxson - DE - 2005 - The final 2005 major miss was Paxson, who committed to Purdue only to change his mind and pursue baseball. Since he had already signed a letter of intent for football, coach Tiller wouldn't release him to play D-1 baseball, so he played JuCo ball and two years in the minors before ending his career as a pitcher. He never played a down.

Jeremy Coley - DE - 2004 - Coley was one of four 4-star commits in 2004 (along with Ryan baker, Dorien Bryant, and Bruce Gordon), but never played a down as a JuCo transfer.

Bruce Gordon - WR - 2004 - He came to Purdue from Dodge City Community College but never played a down.

Garret Bushong - TE - 2003 - Ah Garret Bushong, a fan favorite for saying that he and other athletes ran Purdue and were above reproach in an Exponent letter. This was AFTER he had been arrested for a DWI. While he was a highly touted TE he barely played as a freshman and some runt two-star passed him on the depth chart the next year. His name? Dustin Keller.

Doug Van Dyke - DE - 2003 - Van Dyke was supposed to be the next great Purdue defensive end. A four-star recruit out of Michigan, Van Dyke never qualified academically and failed to play a down.

Brandon Kirsch - QB - 2002 - The final entry on the list, Kirsch is hard to call a failure. Still, he left Purdue with eligibility on the table and was a "what if?" guy. He was an occasional starter and solid backup for Kyle Orton as Purdue had one of the best QB situations in the country in 2004. Given the team in 2005 as a junior he was expected to do great things. His offense was actually quite good that year, but the defense was awful and by the end of a 6-game losing streak (after Purdue started 2-0 and was close to the top 10 nationally) he was passed over for Curtis Painter, more because he clashed with Tiller than poor play on the field.It was probably a major decision in the downward spiral of Purdue football after The Fumble.

Kirsch threw for 1,727 yards and 7 TDs against 8 picks in eight games in 2005 while running for 198 more and a score. He left early for the NFL Draft and had a decent Arena League career. This was after 423 yards rushing and 3 scores in 2002 with 1,067 yards and 8 TDs against 5 picks as a true freshman before redshirtting in 2003.

If you look at this list it is amazing to see how good the 2006 Purdue team could have been. It could have had Kirsch as a senior QB, Lymon and Gordon at WR, Bushong at TE, Coley, Paxson, and Van Dyke as dominant defensive ends, Kacinko as the anchor of the offensive line, and Williams as one of the best young linebackers in the Big Ten. This is before you factor in lesser recruits that made the NFL like Mike Otto, Uche Nwaneri, Anthony Spencer, Dustin Keller, Bernard Pollard, Cliff Avril, Rob Ninkovich, Alex Magee, and Curtis Painter or the actual 4-stars that worked out like Ray Edwards, Dorien Bryant, and Ryan Baker. There were also solid college guys on that roster like Jaycen Taylor, Kory Sheets, Keith Smith, David Pender, Stanford Keglar, and Anthony Heygood. Shoot, Keller and Spencer were first round NFL selections! Ryan Kerrigan also redshirtted in 2006.

That 2006 team should have been loaded with talent at almost every position. Instead, it went 8-6 with its best win over a 6-7 Minnesota team before losing to Maryland in the Champs Sports Bowl. The 2005 team was also supposed to be very good, but went 5-6 and lost six in a row while giving up over 31 points per game in all six losses.

The Art Of The Interception: Good Hands And Randomness

Bill C. — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:10:52 -0000

So I wanted to take a further look at the topic I stumbled into last weekend: individual defenders' ability to pick off a pass.

I am using this idea to build into my 2012 team profiles, but let's spend a few minutes looking at individual players. Below are players who 1) ranked in the nation's Top 50 in Passes Defended last year and 2) are returning in 2012. I simply took a look at the number of passes they defended per game in 2011 and projected how many interceptions they should have had if they had pulled in 21.9% of their passes defended. This comes with some obvious disclaimers:

Not everybody has the same set of hands. Some defensive backs have great hands, while others are defensive backs (and not receivers) because their hands leave something to be desired.

If we were to use this as "projections" for 2012 -- as in, how many passes might they intercept next year? -- we would have to assume that they will see the same number of passes in 2012. That might be a faulty assumption because, quite simply, you develop a reputation after a while. Players on this list got quite a few opportunities to prove what they could do. Next year, someone like Merrill Noel, E.J. Gaines or David Amerson (i.e. a player who came out of nowhere in 2011) might not get as many opportunities to break passes up, simply because opposing quarterbacks might be choosing to look toward the other side of the field. That is one of the limitations of using individual Passes Defended data -- a lot of the country's best defensive backs didn't make this list because quarterbacks did not try to throw at them very much (because they're among the country's best defensive backs). Still, consider this a thought exercise as much as anything. It suggests that players like David Amerson and Bacarri Rambo may have been a bit lucky in both the opportunities they received and the balls they actually pulled in. Meanwhile, players like Merrill Noel, Josh Robinson, Najja Johnson or Marc Anthony either have awful hands or might pull in a couple more picks next year (if given the chance).

When I looked at the list of last year's top pass defenders, my thought was that, for most of them, their percentage of interceptions would regress back toward the mean of around 22%. Now I'm going to investigate that assumption.

After the jump is a look at 89 players who, between 2007-11, ended up on the Top 100 Passes Defended list in back-to-back seasons. I listed them in order of their %INT (the percentage of their passes defended that were interceptions) in their second of the two seasons. While they defended a similar number of overall passes from one year to another, what can we learn about the number they intercepted?

As you'll see, there is but a small correlation (about 10 percent) between a player's percentage of interceptions in one year with their percentage in the next. Someone like Kent State's Brian Lainhart, who picked off 55 percent of his passes defended in 2008, then picked off 64 percent in 2009, may have had really good hands. Meanwhile, someone like Alabama's Kareem Jackson (nine percent in 2008, seven percent in 2009) may have had a decent set of stone hands. But players like Vanderbilt's Myron Lewis (8 percent in 2007, 46 percent in 2008) or Nebraska's Prince Amukamara (31 percent in 2009, zero percent in 2010) illustrated that there really is quite a bit of randomness involved.

To further illustrated this point, let's look at some averages. Here are the 89 players below, grouped in order of their second-year %INT.

Top 9 -- 52.2% INT in second season, 40.4% INT the previous year
Next 10: 41.3% INT in second season, 25.3% INT the previous year
Next 10: 32.7% INT in second season, 39.6% INT the previous year
Next 10: 27.3% INT in second season, 28.7% INT the previous year
Next 10: 23.2% INT in second season, 17.9% INT the previous year
Next 10: 18.8% INT in second season, 26.8% INT the previous year
Next 10: 14.1% INT in second season, 28.1% INT the previous year
Next 10: 9.7% INT in second season, 18.7% INT the previous year
Next 10: 4.7% INT in second season, 23.7% INT the previous year

At the very top, we might see evidence of certain players having really good hands/instincts. But outside of the very top names, last year's %INT has, basically, no bearing whatsoever on next year's %INT.

This is good news for players like Merrill Noel of Wake Forest or E.J. Gaines of Missouri, who combined to pick off five passes and break up 35 (combined %INT: 12.5%). It is also probably bad news for N.C. State's David Amerson, whose 72.2% INT rate was easily the highest of the past five years; even if he does have great hands, he probably won't have a %INT higher than about 40% or 45% this fall.

Bottom line: there is most certainly skill in defending a pass. It means you have great anticipation skills and agility, and each are quite obviously key components to playing well as a college defensive back. But the art of picking off a pass, as opposed to simply breaking it up, is a bit of a mystery and cannot be counted on from one season to another.

Year	Name	Team	Pass Def.	%INT	LY Pass Def	LY %INT	DIFF in %INT
2009	Brian Lainhart	Kent State	11	63.6%	11	54.5%	+9.1%
2010	Sean Baker	Ball State	10	60.0%	16	37.5%	+22.5%
2010	Mana Silva	Hawai'i	15	53.3%	10	60.0%	-6.7%
2010	Domonic Cook	Buffalo	12	50.0%	11	9.1%	+40.9%
2011	Morris Claiborne	LSU	12	50.0%	11	45.5%	+4.5%
2009	Tyler Sash	Iowa	12	50.0%	11	45.5%	+4.5%
2010	Ahmad Black	Florida	10	50.0%	12	58.3%	-8.3%
2009	Earl Thomas	Texas	17	47.1%	13	15.4%	+31.7%
2008	D.J. Moore	Vanderbilt	13	46.2%	16	37.5%	+8.7%
2008	Myron Lewis	Vanderbilt	11	45.5%	13	7.7%	+37.8%
2008	Weldon Brown	La Tech	11	45.5%	11	36.4%	+9.1%
2008	Victor Harris	Va Tech	14	42.9%	16	31.3%	+11.6%
2009	Sherrick McManis	N'western	12	41.7%	13	15.4%	+26.3%
2011	Casey Hayward	Vanderbilt	17	41.2%	17	35.3%	+5.9%
2010	Patrick Peterson	LSU	10	40.0%	15	13.3%	+26.7%
2010	Shaun Prater	Iowa	10	40.0%	10	20.0%	+20.0%
2008	Troy Nolan	Ariz St	10	40.0%	13	46.2%	-6.2%
2009	Leon Wright	Duke	13	38.5%	11	27.3%	+11.2%
2009	Walter McFadden	Auburn	16	37.5%	10	20.0%	+17.5%
2010	Rashad Carmichael	Va Tech	11	36.4%	12	50.0%	-13.6%
2011	Johnthan Banks	Miss St	14	35.7%	10	30.0%	+5.7%
2008	Alphonso Smith	Wk Forest	20	35.0%	18	44.4%	-9.4%
2009	Brian Jackson	Oklahoma	12	33.3%	12	16.7%	+16.7%
2009	Myron Lewis	Vanderbilt	12	33.3%	11	45.5%	-12.1%
2008	Rashad Johnson	Alabama	16	31.3%	14	42.9%	-11.6%
2011	Rashad Jackson	Marshall	13	30.8%	10	30.0%	+0.8%
2011	Keith Tandy	WVU	13	30.8%	17	35.3%	-4.5%
2008	Johnell Neal	UCF	13	30.8%	16	37.5%	-6.7%
2008	P.J. Mahone	BGSU	10	30.0%	11	63.6%	-33.6%
2009	Joe Haden	Florida	14	28.6%	15	20.0%	+8.6%
2008	Mike Mickens	Cincinnati	14	28.6%	12	50.0%	-21.4%
2011	Nick Sukay	Penn State	11	27.3%	13	15.4%	+11.9%
2010	Janoris Jenkins	Florida	11	27.3%	14	21.4%	+5.8%
2009	Ras-I Dowling	Virginia	11	27.3%	14	21.4%	+5.8%
2011	Micah Hyde	Iowa	11	27.3%	11	36.4%	-9.1%
2011	Chase Minnifield	Virginia	11	27.3%	10	60.0%	-32.7%
2008	Trevard Lindley	Kentucky	15	26.7%	14	21.4%	+5.2%
2008	Joe Burnett	UCF	15	26.7%	18	33.3%	-6.7%
2011	Isaiah Frey	Nevada	19	26.3%	13	7.7%	+18.6%
2008	Jairus Byrd	Oregon	19	26.3%	22	31.8%	-5.5%
2011	Brodrick Brown	Okla St	20	25.0%	10	20.0%	+5.0%
2009	Brandon Brinkley	Houston	16	25.0%	19	21.1%	+3.9%
2009	DeQuan Bembry	Marshall	12	25.0%	12	8.3%	+16.7%
2011	Deron Wilson	USM	17	23.5%	15	20.0%	+3.5%
2010	Markelle Martin	Okla St	13	23.1%	11	0.0%	+23.1%
2009	Bryan McCann	SMU	13	23.1%	12	33.3%	-10.3%
2008	Brandon Brinkley	Houston	19	21.1%	12	16.7%	+4.4%
2008	Joe Haden	Florida	15	20.0%	13	7.7%	+12.3%
2009	Miguel Graham	Akron	15	20.0%	10	20.0%	+0.0%
2011	Jayron Hosley	Va Tech	15	20.0%	17	52.9%	-32.9%
2010	Josh Pleasant	Kent State	10	20.0%	12	8.3%	+11.7%
2010	Brandon Burton	Utah	10	20.0%	11	9.1%	+10.9%
2009	Traye Simmons	Minnesota	10	20.0%	18	22.2%	-2.2%
2008	Vontae Davis	Illinois	10	20.0%	12	33.3%	-13.3%
2009	Davon House	NMSU	16	18.8%	12	33.3%	-14.6%
2010	Emanuel Davis	ECU	11	18.2%	14	14.3%	+3.9%
2008	DeAngelo Smith	Cincinnati	11	18.2%	16	50.0%	-31.8%
2010	Peyton Thompson	SJSU	12	16.7%	11	18.2%	-1.5%
2011	Jamell Fleming	Oklahoma	12	16.7%	19	26.3%	-9.6%
2011	Josh Pleasant	Kent State	13	15.4%	10	20.0%	-4.6%
2009	Joshua Moore	Kansas St	13	15.4%	15	20.0%	-4.6%
2008	Jamar Wall	Texas Tech	13	15.4%	11	45.5%	-30.1%
2010	Stephen Harrison	Kansas St	14	14.3%	11	0.0%	+14.3%
2009	Emanuel Davis	ECU	14	14.3%	12	33.3%	-19.0%
2011	Leon McFadden	SDSU	15	13.3%	14	14.3%	-1.0%
2011	Richard Crawford	SMU	15	13.3%	12	33.3%	-20.0%
2011	Trevin Wade	Arizona	15	13.3%	14	35.7%	-22.4%
2010	Josh Robinson	UCF	15	13.3%	14	42.9%	-29.5%
2008	Jacob Lacey	Okla St	16	12.5%	14	35.7%	-23.2%
2011	Josh Robinson	UCF	17	11.8%	15	13.3%	-1.6%
2009	Jamar Wall	Texas Tech	17	11.8%	13	15.4%	-3.6%
2008	Alterraun Verner	UCLA	20	10.0%	19	21.1%	-11.1%
2011	Ross Cockrell	Duke	10	10.0%	10	30.0%	-20.0%
2010	Brandon Harris	Miami (Fl)	11	9.1%	17	11.8%	-2.7%
2010	Davon House	NMSU	11	9.1%	16	18.8%	-9.7%
2009	Syd'Quan Thompson	California	11	9.1%	18	22.2%	-13.1%
2009	Aaron Berry	Pittsburgh	11	9.1%	13	23.1%	-14.0%
2008	Rafael Priest	TCU	11	9.1%	13	23.1%	-14.0%
2011	Demontre Hurst	Oklahoma	12	8.3%	12	8.3%	+0.0%
2008	Brandon Hughes	Oregon St	12	8.3%	14	14.3%	-6.0%
2009	Brandon Hogan	WVU	12	8.3%	10	30.0%	-21.7%
2008	Justin Thornton	Kansas	12	8.3%	14	35.7%	-27.4%
2009	Devin Ross	Arizona	13	7.7%	16	18.8%	-11.1%
2009	David Pender	Purdue	14	7.1%	13	7.7%	-0.5%
2009	Kareem Jackson	Alabama	14	7.1%	11	9.1%	-1.9%
2009	C.J. Bailey	USM	13	0.0%	12	16.7%	-16.7%
2010	Prince Amukamara	Nebraska	13	0.0%	16	31.3%	-31.3%
2011	Markelle Martin	Okla St	11	0.0%	13	23.1%	-23.1%
2009	Patrick Robinson	FSU	11	0.0%	12	50.0%	-50.0%

Wisconsin 62, Purdue 17: When Will The Embarrassment End?

BoilerTMill — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:31:10 -0000

It is one thing to lose games. I don't think anyone expected to win today. Wisconsin is an excellent team that has a ton of offensive weapons. Still, for the second straight week we started out like we were going to make a game of things. It was even 14-10 after one quarter. That's not great, but we were still within striking distance and could make a game of it. I think most Purdue fans were simply asking for competitiveness, and that is what we provided at the start.

Then, again for the second straight week, the defense made the conscious decision to quit. Yes, there were questionable calls and I have to credit Wisconsin's offensive line for doing work and plowing the road for Montee Ball, but any time you are reaching back to the Colletto years and tying records of futility there is something fundamentally wrong. Here is the final, gruesome truth:

62 points is the most ever given up by a Purdue team
8 touchdowns given up: Most ever by a Purdue team since 1971
605 yards given up: Most ever by a Purdue team
30 First Downs given up
365 yards rushing given up (amazingly, not a record, as that was 573 against Michigan State in 1971)

This was a complete failure in every defensive aspect of the game. Once again, when the game was still somewhat competitive and we received a break (Will Lucas recovering a fumble down 21-10) we could not take advantage. Caleb TerBush immediately threw an interception and the rest was just details. We flat out quit defensively, and it was exhibited on the final drive of the first half. After Robert Marve led a touchdown drive there was still a very small chance to do something. He had cut the lead to 35-17, and by using halftime as a defensive stop we could drive for another TD, cut it to 11, and maybe with a little momentum something could happen. Sadly, even a portable usb charger battery couldn't help.

Something did happen. With only 24 seconds left we allowed the Badgers to drive 36 yards and score a long field goal. Any momentum from Marve's drive was pissed awayin that moment. I am sorry, but it is completely inexcusable to allow a team to move like that in that small amount of time. Yes, the Badgers are an incredibly good offensive team, but no one in that situation should allow anyone to move like that.

It is sad it has come to this. This is our third embarrassment of the season where we flat out gave up on a game. Notre Dame and Michigan were the other two. This team is better than this, but the same mistakes keep happening over and over again. We continue to make dumb penalties such as false starts on offense. Our defense has no idea how to tackle. When we get good efforts like Raheem Mostert playing his ass off on kick returns we make stupid mistakes to kill that momentum. Mostert at least gave us a chance early, but without a defense it did not matter.

It lies with the coaches too. Something is clearly wrong when former players are Tweeting in game about coaching decisions. I offer Jason Werner and David Pender as examples:

jasonwerner24 Jason Werner

Two of the worst play calls I have ever witnessed.... Gees fellas

@David_Pender912 If purdue had better play calling we would be so much better

Folks, it is bad when former players, especially those that have played under the current coaches, are making statements like this. It is really simple things too. We lack discipline to avoid preventable penalties. We are out of position and display poor form on every tackle. Our coaches limit players like Marve in a system that has no definition whatsoever. Until these things change we will continue to see results like this.

Now we have to move on to reality. In my opinion, it is highly unlikely coach Hope will be fired at the end of this season, but it my hope that at least some coordinators are fired. Our defensive co-cordinators (if that's what they are) are awful. Gary Nord, who had a decent offense two years ago, continues to make curious at best decisions. It might be Hope's last ditch effort to save his hide, but if changes like that are made and we can at least bring in someone different I am willing to give it a shot.

As far as this season goes, nothing has changed about the last three games. The goal is still the same. We have to split the remaining home games and beat Indiana for the Bucket. Then we will at least go bowling, which is something the players deserve. It is at least an improvement record-wise and allows us to get back on track with most of the rest of the conference in the extra bowl practices and growth that comes from them.

In looking toward Ohio State next week the fixes are very simple:

1. Every single defensive position needs to be up for grabs after a debacle like this.

2. They have no passing game. It is not a threat. They had three 100 yard rushers this week against Indiana and struggled to beat the Hoosiers. They will be running the ball. I know this. You know this. Dogs know this. You have to go after the run and make them throw. They are terrified to even try throwing it. They have only three offensive threats in Braxton Miller running, Carlos Hyde running, and Dan Herron running. If we cannot prepare for a simple game plan like that Hope is truly hopeless.

3. Pick a damn quarterback and stick with him. TerBush has been fine, but Marve hasn't been given a fair shot at all. If he is indeed who he was touted as, then get him in there and open up the damn playbook. Screw "the system".

4. Indiana scored 20 points and was pretty successful against OSU. We have better offensive talent, so use it. We have a stable of good running abcks so pound the ball and don't let a solid defense rest.

Ohio State is not a good team. Yes, they just beat the team that we gave up 62 points to, but their offense is not a difficult one to figure out and their defense can be scored upon. In my mind it is a winnable game, but there have to be changes as outlined above. It is just sad that I have no faith said changes will be made.

Making The Cut: 2011 Purdue Edition

HawkeyeBoiler — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:07:24 -0000

One of my favorite things to do with the NFL is watching the cut list. It provides a great way to improve future teams by picking up someone else's scraps. It also gives us a way to see what Purdue alumni have made NFL rosters. In this year's edition of Making The Cut, well, we really don't have many that made rosters.

From last year's class, only Ryan Kerrigan was a sure thing. I mean, it would be disappointing if a first round pick didn't survive training camp. A few people have predicted that Superman will win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, which would be a great honor. I'm not so sure that he will, but I predict big things in DC for Kerrigan. They always need pass rushers and that's what he was put on earth to do.

Another Boilermaker from last year that made a roster is TE Kyle Adams. Undrafted, Adams made a big impression in Bears camp and won a roster spot over veteran Desmond Clark. I always though Adams was underutilized and I am happy to see him on a roster. I have talked to numerous Bears fans who are very pleased with his progress. Who knows, maybe Adams can make a start or two this year.

Speaking of Purdue alumni who may make a start this year, Curtis Painter is once again on the Colts roster. With the potential for Peyton Manning to miss a bunch of games, the chance for Painter to start is there. Kerry Collins stands in his way, however. If this was 1999, I would say Painter's chances are small, but this is 2011. Collins is a little beyond being past his prime. Although I was never a big Painter fan, seeing him become the 3rd current starting QB from Purdue would be awesome.

Now it's time for the sad part of this post. The men that didn't make a roster. Oft-injured linebacker Jason Werner wasn't able to stick on a roster. I'm not sure how well football will work out with him, but I wish him the best in his future.

Greg Orton was cut by Kyle Orton's Broncos. Orton has spent time in camp with a couple of teams, but just hasn't been able to crack a roster. David Pender was unable to stick on the Bengals' roster and we will see if he ends up on a practice squad.

Brandon King and Dan Dierking were also early cuts this season. King was unable to crack the Colts' secondary while Dierking was cut by the Bears. I was very surprised that Dierking was invited to a roster, but it shows that hard work can pay off.

Finally, Kory Sheets was cut by the Dolphins. Sheets has been struck by the injury bug since joining the league and has been unable to get healthy. Sheets may be able to join another roster, but that remains to be seen.

That wraps up this edition of Making The Cut. If you know of any other Boilers that snuck on to rosters or were cut, leave it in the comments and I can add it to this post.

Bengals Reportedly Waive Their Second Seventh-Round Pick, Cornerback Korey Lindsey

Josh Kirkendall — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 19:49:31 -0000

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted two players in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Reports surfaced earlier on Saturday that they waived running back Jay Finley, who the team selected 246th overall. According to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals have reportedly waived their other seventh round pick, cornerback Korey Lindsey, selected 207th out of Southern Illinois University. Lindsey played all four preseason games this year, but failed to generate enough of an impression to move beyond the third-team unit that often played late in the game.

Lindsey, a two-time First-Team All-American in the FCS version of college football, which is formerly known as Division I-AA, posted 14 career interceptions at Southern Illinois. Sidelines Scouting wrote during the pre-draft process that the six foot, 190-pound cornerback "Instincts and route-recognition skills are above-average, is a heady player who understands the importance of preparation." They also wrote favorably with good change-of-direction skills and fluid hips.

Lindsey would be a prime candidate for the practice squad.

With Brandon Ghee reportedly already waived, the Bengals have Leon Hall, Nate Clements, Morgan Trent, Kelly Jennings, Jonathan Wade, David Pender and Rico Murray remaining. Adam Jones is expected to go on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list and wouldn't count towards the 53-man roster.

11 Days To Purdue Football: DeVarro Greaves

BoilerTMill — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:40:42 -0000

As I mentioned yesterday, there seem to be a few players in Joe Tiller's final recruiting class that, for whatever reason, are being looked over for younger guys brought in by coach Hope. Another one of those players is junior linebacker DeVarro Greaves, who has had an up and down career at Purdue thus far.

DeVarro Greaves - Sr.

Hometown: Folkston, GA (Charlton County HS)

Linebacker

6'2", 220 pounds

2011 Projection: Reserve at linebacker, special teams contributor.

Greaves has played a lot, we just don't realize it. he has seen action in 30 of 36 possible games since redshirting during the 2007 season. He only has 11 tackles, however, playing most of his time on special teams. He is on the two deeps as an outside linebacker this year, so look for #11 to make more of an appearance.

Greaves came to us from the same high school as Ralph Bolden and David Pender. While in high school, he played in four straight state championship games and won two state championships in track. Like Bolden and Pender, he was a multiple-time All-Region selection. Another name on that list should be familiar to Purdue fans: D.J. Donley.

Like Tommie Thomas yesterday, Greaves is a good kid off the field as well. He volunteers his time at the Lafayette Urban Ministry's Emergency shelter with teammates Gerald Gooden and Bruce Gaston.

Boilermakings Notes:

Madden 12 Club 100 - ESPN
you can vote for Drew Brees to get a 100 QB rating in Madden 12.

Many named in Miami scandal still eligible. Why? Limited immunity - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com
Many of the players implicated in the Miami scandal remain eligible. Why? A little known NCAA tool called limited immunity. Dennis Dodd says the procedure can be gamed, but the NCAA has bigger fish to fry.

Top 50 countdown: No. 45 Purdue Boilermakers - NCAA Football - Sporting News
Purdue at #45? That's nice!

2011 Closing Arguments - Purdue - Off Tackle Empire
It's time to close down the Boilermakers' offseason.

Purdue Boilermakers 2011 Big Ten Preview: Pressure to Win is Reaching a Boiling Point for Danny Hope | National Football Authority
National Football Authority has a preview of our 2011 season.

Full contact is best fit for Bade | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN
More on Patrick Bade's transition to football.

Robbie Hummel prepares for unexpected fifth season - Purdue Exponent: Basketball
God Speed, Robbie Hummel

Know Thy Team 2011: Linebackers

BoilerTMill — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:14:34 -0000

I am excited about this year's crop of linebackers because for the first time in it seems like ages we are loaded with experience at the position. It wasn't that long ago that we were playing converted players like Anthony Heygood at the position while eternally waiting for Jason Werner to get healthy. Now we have freshmen like Armstead Williams coming in and cracking the two deeps.

This is going to be a very good group, and most of the better players are pushing long-time starters for playing time. I don't see a problem with this, especially when depth at any position has been rare luxury for Purdue. If these guys can play up against the run while finally being able to figure out the third down slant over the middle our defense should be pretty solid.

Starters: Will Lucas (So.), Dwayne Beckford (Jr.), Joe Holland (Sr.)

It feels like Holland has been around forever, but that's because he has been a starter for three years already. He has seen action in all 36 games of his career and has started all but one of those. That has him moving up the list of all-time tackles leaders with 230. He's also broken up a few passes and has an interception. Holland is a former safety, so I would definitely like to see his pass coverage skills improve. He was voted a team captain and will definitely be a leader because of his experience.

Lucas was one of my favorite players to see emerge last season. He was a tackling machine at Lakeland High, one of the top high schools in the country. He came in as a true freshman (in fact, he graduated early to go through spring practice 2010) and earned his way into two starts and all 12 games. He already earned 43 tackles and emerged as a definite starter to replace Werner. In fact, I think he is already better than Werner. In his very first game he caused a fumble and he later had a pick at Ohio State. Lucas has all the tools to become an excellent linebacker.

In the Big Ten your middle linebacker is often the busiest player on the defense. He has to be able to play against the run as well as cover the middle of the field against the pass. That is where Beckford has to improve this year. Yes, he had 84 tackles in 10 starts, but we were still a sieve over the middle to tight ends and slot receivers on third downs. In 24 career games he has just two pass break ups. He should know by now teams are coming over the middle on third down because we have flat out refused to stop it before, so he needs to be prepared.

Top Reserves: Chris Carlino (Sr.), DeVarro Greaves (Sr.), Joe Gilliam (Fr.-R), Armstead Williams (Fr.), Mike Lee (Fr.-R)

We have so many reserves here that really could be starters at any time. Carlino himself is a former starter that saw his numbers diminish last year, but he is still solid on special teams. With 122 tackles and 17 career starts he definitely will have a role. Greaves was a high school teammate of David Pender and Ralph Bolden, but enters his senior season with a fair amount of experience. He has yet to start, but he has played in 30 games as a reserve and on special teams, giving us another veteran performer. He has gotten into the backfield with one career sack too.

Then you have the new blood. Gilliam, Lee, and Williams all have yet to see the field, but they come in hungry to earn playing time. As mentioned above, Williams has taken just 12 days of practice to crack the two deeps as a true freshman. Lee and Gilliam were regularly mentioned as solid scout team performers during their redshirt year, so at the very least they can be used on special teams.

Deep Reserves: Nnamdi Ezenwa (Jr.), Zack Heiniger (Jr.), Kaulana Judd (Jr.), Collin Link (Fr.-R), Jalani Phillips (Fr.)

First of all, Phillips is likely headed to a redshirt and with his size (6'4" 255) I can see a move to defensive end in his future. He is one of our biggest linebackers, but since he has not made a move like Williams he is probably looking at a redshirt.

Judd is perhaps the biggest mystery of the group. He's originally from Hawaii and was a last minute addition on signing day from Fullerton College. He was a JuCo teammate of safety Max Charlot, but with his size and the fact he is a juCo transfer he might find a role somewhere.

It's hard to figure out a role for Ezenwa. He is entering his fourth year in the program, but he has played in only one game and hasn't managed to be a special teams contributor. He's one of our bigger linebackers, but there are so many guys ahead of him I have a hard time seeing him as a regular contributor.

Finally, both Heiniger and Link are walk-ons. Link is the younger brother of starting safety Logan Link, who earned the started job a year ago and a scholarship for this season. Heiniger was a high school teammate of Carlino and made it on the field in four games as a special teamer in 2010. We can probably expect both to play in special teams roles, with Link being the more unproven of the two.

Final Analysis:

If you count Judd as a JuCo player and Ezenwa as a veteran system guy we have as many as nine linebackers ready to go. I can see us playing all nine of them at one time or another too. They are spread out among the three linebacking positions as well. Beckford and Carlino have often split time in the middle, but I want to see both improve in third down passing situations. Carlino can also play outside, while Holland and Lucas are the primary outside guys for now.

It will be interesting to see where Judd and Williams factor in. If Williams is already on the two deeps he is obviously impressive. Judd, as a JuCo was also brought in to play right away. That could push Gilliam and Lee to roles as special teamers as they continue to mature. Greaves has also played most as an outside ‘backer and could be used in pass rush situations.

Most of all, this gives us some versatility and the ability to get some favorable matchups depending on the game situation. We should also be able to keep guys fresh with constant rotations in and out, something that we can do at virtually every defensive position.

32 Days To Purdue Football: Albert Evans

BoilerTMill — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:54:41 -0000

I appreciated Big Ten Media Days last week for the chance to meet a few of the players and get to know them better. One of those players was senior safety Albert Evans, who used to be the inexperienced rookie playing with the likes of David Pender, Brandon King, and such. He is now the seasoned statesman of the secondary with 33 games of career experience on special teams, linebacker, and safety.

Albert Evans -Sr.

Hometown: Gary, IN (Portage HS)

Safety

6', 208 pounds

2011 Projection: Starter at safety

I admire Albert's leadership ability. He is someone that plans to take a vocal role in leading this team in 2011. In fact, he even sort of called me out on Twitter saying I was going to "write about all the teams we're losing to this year," since I had predicted a number of losses to this point. I had to talk to him after that and ask him about all the negative media attention.

Ultimately, he believes this team just needs to be fully healthy. He doesn't use the injuries last season as an excuse, but he recognizes they were a factor. Mostly, as a senior, I think Albert wants to end his Purdue career on a high note.

On the field he has been a solid contributor. Last season he had 37 tackles in 10 games (all starts), two sacks, and his first career interception (which he called one of his most exciting moments at Purdue) against Wisconsin. He has an additional 32 tackles in his career on special teams and at safety. Most notably, he was the player int he middle of the mob holding up the P after the upset of Ohio State in 2009.

The final thing Albert wanted me to mention is his dog. Yes, Albert has a soft spot for rescue animals. Lula Mae Evans is a rescue lab that Albert enjoys spending time with. I can relate, as my mother has a chocolate lab named Murphy that still loves me to death even though I moved out six and a half years ago.

Boilermakings Notes:

SB Nation Conference Re-Draft: Ten Rounds Complete, 11th Round In Progress - BC Interruption
Ten rounds of the SB Nation Conference Re-Draft project are now complete, with the Twelve Pack picking up Minnesota and Purdue in rounds 10 and 11.

Snapping Necks: Strength and Speed Testing
Long snapper Kevin Ballinger blogs about taking Purdue's strength and speed testing.

Fresh faces: Purdue - Big Ten Blog - ESPN
Our look at three fresh faces to watch for each Big Ten team this season continues with the Purdue Boilermakers.

Bengals Move CB David Pender To 80-Man Roster

Josh Kirkendall — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:38:15 -0000

Along with signing a couple of doctors, the Bengals moved cornerback David Pender to the 80-man offseason roster on Friday. Pender has been a roster exemption since December 29 until Friday, when his roster exemption expired. Still classified as a first-year player, Pender played three games with the Indianapolis Colts before the team waived him and the Bengals claimed him in late December.

Pender originally signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. He was let go during final roster cuts before making his way on to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad and soon after, the Indianapolis Colts active roster.

During his three seasons at Purdue, Pender finished second in school history with 33 passes defensed, also recording 129 tackles and three interceptions in that time. Pender was claimed after the Bengals placed third-down running back Brian Leonard on season-ending injured reserve.

According to CBSSports.com's Draft Analysis in 2010, Pender relies too much on his "size and speed to make plays" without great instincts for the position. He's a poor tackler and it takes time to close in on plays. He was best when he was in man coverage while maintaining contact with the receiver.

Bengals Sign Cornerback Pender to Replace Injured Leonard

Jason Garrison — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:33:14 -0000

On Tuesday the Bengals signed cornerback David Pender who was on waivers from Indianapolis after running back Brian Leonard was placed on the IR.

The Bengals on Wednesday were granted a roster exemption until Monday for cornerback David Pender, who was acquired Tuesday on waivers from Indianapolis. Pender has not yet reported to the team and is deciding whether or not to continue his football career. The exemption leaves the club with 52 players on the roster.

Pender was signed as a college free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles but was cut on Sept. 3. He also spent some time on Baltimore's practice squad before eventually ending up on the Colts' active roster where he played three games and made two special teams tackles.

Pender attended Purdue for three years where he deflected 33 passes which was second in school history to Steve Jackson who played defensive back for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans from 1991-1999 and currently the safety coach for the Washington Redskins.

Pender also recorded 129 tackles and three interceptions while at Purdue.