End of the Work Week Notes

Danny Hope is one bad mutha...(shut your mouth)
If you haven't had the chance to do so, watch the Danny Hope TV show. The intro is pretty telling- it starts off with offensive linemen highlights from yesteryear and leads to a few big uglies practicing from this year's team...it eventually shows skilled players in the intro video, but I think if you watch, you get the point- success starts in the trenches.

The offensive line shows that attention as they have played hard-nosed football and made running the ball easy and given Elliott a lot of time.

The more I see Hope speak, the more I like him. His Southern drawl and moxy makes me think of an SEC type of attitude; that attitude is pretty refreshing and I think the players are responding well to it too.

Thursday Night TVAwesomeness
-First off, TMill's wife's Canes look pretty great right now...but the Miami crowd was laughable.

-If you didn't watch any TV last night, you missed out. The Office premier started off the season- Andy's identity crisis was the highlight for me.

-Community (starring Joel McHale) was funnier than I thought it would be-McHale's fast-talking and even Chevy Chase (sans cocaine) was funny.

-Lastly, Always Sunny in Philadelphia did not disappoint...which is good because I thought last season wasn't up to snuff.

-I still have no idea why Parks and Recreation was renewed.
Give the Mic to Leroy!
Back when Leroy Keyes played for our Boilers, students wore buttons that said, "Give the ball to Leroy!" and Fat Jack did just that, over and over and over.

Keyes was on a GBI live webcast earlier today, and was entertaining, if nothing else. He loves comparisons...here are some of the highlights:

-Ralph Bolden is like Walter Payton due to his balance, vision, strength, awareness and North/South running style

-Danny Hope is like Tom Landry because he's very controlling, but very fair.

-Lastly, he compared Tiller last year to a jockey who's whipping a race horse, but the horse ('08 team) doesn't respond for one reason or another. He continued the sentiment saying it wasn't a lack of effort by Tiller, but the players just didn't respond to his tactic.

Along with thorough comparisons, Keyes lamented that the student section used to completely fill the North End of the stadium but isn't as large any longer. He credits that with the fact that there's more to do now around campus and around the state and just doesn't think the students are completely on-board yet.

Face of the Program

On ESPN.com, they've decided to ask everyone who the face of their school's athletic program is. Now, while Purdue takes a lot of crap for not being a powerhouse, there are probably far worse situations out there. (For example, would you like to figure out the "face of the program" for, say, SMU?)

Anyway, the Purdue discussion board for the Face of the Program chatter is....apathetic. Thirteen posts in three weeks.

So I'm going to rattle off some candidates as the face of Purdue Athletics. It's kind of a dumb contest (though not as dumb as "Who's Now" or "The Greatest Highlight [Ruined By A Fat Slovenly Windbag]") since most schools don't have a Woody Hayes or a Joe Paterno. But hey, it's May, football season isn't for more than three months, so what the hell?

Away we go, in no particular order.


Candidate: Drew Brees, QB, '98-2000
Why He Qualifies: Took Boilermakers to only their second Rose Bowl ever. Is most fondly remembered Purdue football player ever. Wasn't afraid of any team, ever.


Candidate: Joe Tiller, Head Coach, 1997-2008
Why He Qualifies: Took Purdue out of the doldrums and made program respectable again, peaking with 2000 season Rose Bowl.

Candidate: Mike Alstott, FB, '93-'96
Why He Qualifies: All-time greatest rusher at Purdue, was a force even though team was terrible. Probably second most beloved Boiler ever, behind Brees.

Candidate: Purdue Pete, Mascot, Forever
Why He Qualifies: Even casual fans recognize him; strong chin; can beat up your mascot.

Candidate: Bob Griese, QB, '63-'66 (also baseball pitcher and basketball guard)
Why He Qualifies: Led Purdue to first Rose Bowl appearance; two-time All-American; funny name.

Candidate: Leroy Keyes, RB, '65-'68
Why He Qualifies: Two-time All-American; Probably greatest running back in Purdue history; goofy picture cannot be beaten.

Candidate: Brock Spack, Defensive Coordinator, 1997-Present
Why He Qualifies: Defense was in top 3 in Big Ten -- including conference-best in 2002 -- from 2000-2004; Confused look is priceless and frequent; mustache is soup strainer quality.

Candidate: Jim Colletto, Head Coach, 1991-1996
Why He Qualifies: He doesn't, really. But he has a face. Okay, well, he recruited Mike Alstott, Billy Dicken and many other members of Purdue's first bowl team (1997) since 1984.

Candidate: Stu Schweigert, Safety, 2000-2003
Why He Qualifies: "If Stu didn't stop you, he didn't want to."

Candidate: Rick Trefzger, QB, 1993-1996
Why He Qualifies: Lefty; almost beat ND in 1996; Did upset #9 Michigan in 1996.

Candidate: Rod Woodson, DB, '83-'86
Why He Qualifies: Broad shoulders; chiseled features; dominating DB


Candidate: Len Dawson, QB, '53-'56
Why He Qualifies: One of the first of the "Cradle of Quarterbacks"; ageless like Dick Clark.

Candidate: Chris Jim Everett, QB, '82-'85
Why He Qualifies: Laser Rocket Arm; Beat up Jim Rome (sort of).

Candidate: Glenn Robinson, Forward, '91-'94
Why He Qualifies: Best Boilermaker basketball player since John Wooden; took Boilers to Elite Eight despite Gene Keady's coaching; beat Fab Five in Michigan, making Gene Keady skip for joy.

Candidate: Gene Keady, Head Coach, '81-'05
Why He Qualifies: Possibly most recognizable Boiler-related sports figure out there; the famous combover.

Candidate: Rowdy, Mascot, '97-'07
Why He Qualifies: Far less imposing than Pete; bounced on his head sometimes.


Okay, well those are just some suggestions. Did I miss any? Who would you vote for?