2006 Statistics

Senior quarterback Curtis Painter led both the Big Ten’s top passing and total offense in 2006 (6th and 13th nationally, respectively)…it wasn’t Troy Smith or Chad Henne. This 6’4 Vincennes native can also motor it for the needed yardage – his 42 yard run against Illinois was the team’s longest from scrimmage last season. Painter’s decision making has improved over the offseason, something about which coaches are really excited as he was playing almost mistake free ball by the end of spring. This offense should be clicking right away with all of its major components for production returning. The running backs are a pair of slashers who, though physical when needed, just fly by defenders in the open field. Kory Sheets, as well as fellow junior Jaycen Taylor, are vital cogs in the passing game as well. Taylor lost only three total yards on 113 carries, but former Freshman All-American Sheets garners more carries since he is a bit bigger between the tackles in the one-back sets. Look for all-conference receiver Dorian Bryant to keep getting a handoff or two per game with optimal results (six career rushing TDs). Bryant is a ‘go to’ type receiver, available for all occasions. But foes cannot afford to double-team him with 6’4 Greg Orton also found so often mismatched underneath. Selwyn Lymon uses his 6’4 frame as a field stretcher, winning deep balls one-on-one before safeties can get in position to help. 6’4 TE Dustin Keller is another deep threat over the middle that distracts safeties, or else. Solid blocking counterpart Kyle Adams is often on the field simultaneously in their two-TE sets, with soft hands as well. Incorporating fullback Frank Halliburton into the attack has been a work-in-progress, so we don’t expect to see much of that wrinkle. The right side of the line returns both starters - all-conference guard Jordan Grimes and center Robbie Powell bolster the Boilermaker’s inside presence for what was the nation’s 76th-ranked running game, one that often has no lead blocker employed. Jon Patton and Garret Miller both had offseason shoulder surgery, keeping the two juniors out of spring drills and also keeping the development of the left side unknown until they are back. Miller should challenge Dan Zaleski for the left tackle start, while 6’7 Eric Hedstrom has to hold off Patton at left guard. The running game, only used 42.5% of the time, has to be given more of a chance to “carry” the offense so that the game-clock doesn’t work against their defense (Purdue’s time-of-possession was only 27:39 per game). If more balance can be found, this offense will be potent enough to easily win games when the D struggles.

This is where the most help is needed after such an all-around poor showing here has many still skeptical of Purdue’s chances. Cliff Avril is a formidable rush end who needs to work on his overpursuit so as not to be out of position on delayed handoffs. Seniors Mike McDonald and Eugene Bright are vying to replace superman Spencer, so maybe less big plays can actually mean better overall run stopping. Alex Magee has the athleticism to play inside or out, but he starts at tackle with classmates Ryan Baker and Jermaine Guynn headlining a liberal rotation that will help the improvement efforts up front. Seniors Dan Bick and Stanford Keglar look solid at the outside linebacking slots. But it is finding a new MIKE that still needs to happen; senior ex-RB Anthony Heygood has impressed enough to sit atop the two-deep…for now. The secondary ranked 104th when it had two true freshmen starting, so we expect 6-foot speedy corner Royce Adams and Big Ten All-Freshman free safety Brandon Erwin to be a year wiser and therefore that much better. Senior safety Justin Scott and classmate Terrell Vinson bring leadership, but they need to oversee larger improvements if Purdue is to again challenge for the conference title. Depth at corner/nickel with Brandon King and Aaron Lane is promising. The only dilemma we see is that 11th-year coordinator Brock Spack is hoping his 114th-ranked (total) defense will magically become better with basically no revamping of the schemes. Sure, experience should herald some improvements, but Spack needs to look within if this much talent can’t reach its potential each and every play.