Post-Spring Football Thoughts

We were asked by an odds making site to give our thoughts on next season...and while we don't encourage gambling and probably won't link the post here, you'll be able to find it on our Twitter feed in the coming days.  Here's what he had to say about our Boilers in a pretty condensed format:

____________________________

General Thoughts about Spring Ball

The biggest thing Purdue fans took away from Spring is how different the new coaching staff is. Practices were open to the public, which hasn't happened at Purdue in about 10 years.

I got to attend a few of them and noticed how fast-paced and focused they were. They always had music playing loudly during the practices to keep things loose and get them used to signal calling and huddles with noise distraction.  A few ex-players I talked to said the speed is increased when compared to the old practices and they're more intense...plus, they played live scrimmages, even on the QBs which Purdue hasn't done in years.

One of the questions heading into Spring was who would emerge at QB; Rob Henry seems to be the guy at this point...but true Freshman Danny Etling quickly rose to 2nd string; which surprised many.

____________________________

Players that are poised to emerge

The guy everyone should be watching next season is WR Dolapo Macarthy. He played well at times last season, but his combo of size, hands and solid route running make him a tough match up for smaller corners.  RB Akeem Hunt's explosiveness will also make him tough to ignore, we think...as he's finally the guy after waiting his turn for a few seasons.

Defensively, if Purdue's going to have any success, Sean Robinson will have to have a good season; so I'm looking for him to do big things in just his second season as a LB after being moved from QB...and on the end, Ryan Russell is poised to become Purdue's next member of the Den of Defensive Ends...if he can be an every-down guy.

____________________________

Positional Grades

QB- B (a good battle for the starting position might have already been decided)

RB- B- (depth is an issue at this point; new system will use "Z" back regularly)

WR- B+ (bigger, more-physical receivers will be leaned on)

TE- B (Will be much more important to Purdue's offense than the last decade)

OL- C (Lots of talented youth in the two-deeps; but too many RS Freshman need to play now)

DL- A (lots of experience inside and outside)

LB- C (The starters should be solid; depth is a big question)

DB- B- (Again, lots of question marks on the depth chart)

ST- C (One of the nation's best punters and solid return men keep this grade from being a D)

____________________________

Things that might surprise non-Purdue fans

We really like this new coaching staff- it's a good mix of young, passionate positional coaches and grizzled coordinators...but the Darrell Hazell is gives us the reason to be the most excited. He's been brilliant with the fans and media since his hiring and helped a historically-awful program in Kent State reach 11 victories last season. I'm not sure this season will be much different than last, from a record standpoint...but Purdue has one of the most-difficult schedules in the nation; six opponents had double-digit wins in '12 and three of them were in BCS bowls.  One surprise should be the style of play; Purdue had gotten so sloppy and penalty-prone in the previous seasons, fans might be surprised at the attention to detail by the new staff.

Black and Gold Propaganda: BTN's Ten Reasons To Be Excited for Purdue Football

When I say propaganda, you probably have a negative connotation with that. I don't necessarily mean it to be negative -- really, propaganda is just framing the argument in a way that favors your side. The BTN's Tom Dienhart has kindly created a ten reasons to be excited about Purdue football post for your enjoyment, which you can read here.

I'll admit, this kind of talk and the excitement I've heard from fans continues to suck me back in. This happens every year -- as football approaches, the halls of the BS offices come alive, Boilerdowd has a twinkle in his eye and I think we all get an extra hop in our steps. Or maybe that's just us liking skipping.

Some highlights from Dienhart's post:

• Purdue returns 15 starters in 2012, the most of any team in the Big Ten. Some stats don't matter at all, but I think experience is important. These guys are on a high right now from a decent finish to a "step forward" season.
   
• The defense, with Short, Russell, Gaston, Allen, Johnson, etc., should truly be a strength. Tibesar could become a hero in West Lafayette if it rounds into shape and actually becomes a weapon.
  
• Ricardo Allen. This is a big season for Allen, in my opinion. He's been trumpeted as among the best CBs in the nation for a while now, yet we saw some things that concerned us in his first two seasons in black and gold. That said, they were just his first two seasons as a freshman and sophomore. This is the year where he really should be expected to become the force he has been said to potentially be.
  
• Raheem Mostert. We love Mostert and were calling for him to play more last year. The guy is exciting on the field and good things just seem to happen when he has the ball. Here's hoping the coaches open things up a bit and give Mostert as big a role as he can fill.
  
• QB Situation. This will be the fulcrum on which the 2012 season hinges. Dienhart points to the three QBs with serious experience as a plus, which in some situations I think we would agree it is. The question here is whether the situation Purdue's coaching staff turns this into will be advantageous and lead to winning. We, among many, have our doubts about that. But as we often say when we're feeling negatively about something, we would love to be wrong. 

What do you think of Dienhart's list? Does it amp you up even more? Are you believing now? Does it feel like the pieces actually might be falling into place for Purdue to contend in the Leaders division?
  

Pivotal Players for '12

A big chunk of the media has Purdue as their sleeper team in the B1G- 16 returning starters, lots of speed and a few names that most fans of the B1G, if not the greater college football nation are beginning to know well...

KK Short and Ricardo Allen are guys that get a ton of respect...and even Josh Johnson and Dwayne Beckford are known by those outside of West Lafayette because of their solid play and sure tackling. And of course, Robert Marve is known because of the former blue chips unusual route to God's country.

But, if our Boilers are going to be an 8-win team (or more), it's going to take a pretty sizable effort from more than just the household names.  Here are a few players that might help swing things in Coach Hope's favor this fall-

Offense:

Raheem Mostert Sophomore WR

There's no doubt he's electric when returning kicks...but don't sleep on 8 on the offensive side of the ball this fall. His explosive nature and vision makes him a player with a huge upside. Much like Antavian Edison, he's good in the slot and pretty solid out of the backfield. His ability to play multiple positions will allow Bolden to heal fully before seeing the field.

Gabe Holmes Junior TE

Holmes has been hampered with injuries in both of his first two seasons on campus.  Last year, he was a much better blocker so he got on the field more.  I look for Holmes to pick up some of the slack left by the departure of Justin Siller.  He'll be a tough assignment for most LBs. He's got great size, good speed, soft hands and runs routes well; good combo. Plus, he'll be getting pushed by some young guys who want to get on the field...competition never hurts.

Trevor Foy Junior LT

With Dennis Kelly graduating, the blindside of TerBush/Marve will be a concern.  But, Foy might help us forget about Kelly, who was a three-year starter.  Foy is a large human...and damned athletic for his 6'7" frame.  His long arms and quick feet need to make up for his sub-300 pound frame...but make no mistake, he could be a monster in the trenches this season.

Defense:

Ryan Russell Sophomore DE

Everyone saw a bit of what Russell was capable of late last season...especially in the Pizza Bowl.  He's a bit taller and longer-armed than the speed rushers that have defined the Den of D-Ends over the past 15 years, but I think he'll be the next member of the elite fraternity. It doesn't hurt that Short and Gaston demand so much attention in the middle...he'll take advantage of that this season.

Jelani Phillips Sophomore LB

In the second half of the '11 season, Phillips started playing a reserve role.  That might seem inconsequential, but he was one of the guys that the coaching staff simply couldn't redshirt because of how he practiced as the season progressed. With depth a HUGE concern in the LB corps, Phillips will make his presence known.  He's a large LB, by Purdue's standards and will help with run support as the undersized corps will need all the aid it can muster. 

Normando Harris Sophomore FS/CB

He's technically a Nickelback*, but I think the coaching staff will be hard-pressed to find a way to keep him off of the field as a starter. Look for Harris to play more Safety than last season...and be a bit of a utility DB.  When he's on the field, good things happen...that's not just coincidence.

----------------

Obviously, guys like Gary Bush, Akeem Shavers, Justin Kitchens and Ryan Isaac could be on this list as well.  All of these guys need to take the next step for the team to get better.  The most-integral cog might be Akeem Shavers.  He'll get more carries than last season with Bolden unavailable for much of the season...and he's shown that he can be a feature back.

----------------

Don't be surprised if...

Ben (formerly known as BJ) Knauf starts from game one in '12. The resemblance to Vinny Sutherland is pretty uncanny...and his career path might be as well. Sutherland started as a true Frosh...and Knauf's speed and moxy will get him on the field early. Ricardo Allen talked during the media days about Knauf's bulldog mentality in drills...and he was timed as the fastest guy on the team a few weeks ago. Now, I don't really think the times that came out via Twitter were too accurate...so I won't repeat the time...but his was blazing fast.  He beat out Allen and Ross as the fastest player that day.

Anthrop has also made some noise in workouts...but I don't think both will force the hands of the coaches and not redshirt.  While Purdue doesn't have a ton of experience at WR; Ross, Bush, Edison, Mostert, Thomas, Torwudzu and Mikesky will all vie for playing time and should be ahead of any Freshman...at least initially.

That said, Knauf might be needed right away as punt returner and elsewhere on Special Teams.