Best Case - Repogle, Watson, Howard and Rouse form a solid rotation of NGs and DTs who are first and foremost, gap sound in run responsibilities. This is huge because while sacks and penetration into the backfield are what gets people's attention - filling your gap and occupying blockers - especially the NG - are what makes this defense work. These guys have to eat blockers to keep the LBs free to make tackles. Repogle is disruptive on passing downs and Watson regains his early 2014 form and generates some pass rush up the middle. Howard just living up to his potential this year would fantastic and Mike Rouse just being engaged could make this defense one that COULD stop some teams running games. I don't think they'll slow down Wisconsin, but it should be possible to slow down someone like Northwestern or Minnesota.
Panfil and Robinson (upon return) also need to be gap sound in the running game. Ryan Russell - who took much, much grief from me over the year - really did turn it around last year and was very good as the run stopping DE on the line. The big issue in the running game was the other DE - Robinson has shown some ability to rush the passer in limited action, but what he cannot do is sell out on the pass rush, he's got to play the run first. Purdue does need a pass rush after not having a consistent one for years, but stopping the run needs to be the first piece. It would be a huge bonus if Miles or Henley demonstrate the ability to be starters, not just backups starting because of a suspension if that makes sense. Getting over 6 sacks from one of the DEs this year would be a best case I feel.
Worst Case - Our DTs and DEs aren't gap sound - think what Minnesota did running the zone read when they abused Jalani Philips. There is zero pass rush leading to us having to blitz quite a bit, leaving Gregory having to play a lot of assignment football in the secondary.
Most Likely - I think Purdue will be better against the run this year. Not perfect, but better. I think Howard plays up to his potential and Panfil plays really well against the run and shows more then we expect as a pass rusher. I think that we will really miss Robinson for the first 2 games and Miles and Henley can't generate much of a pass rush. I think Watson will be more consistent this year and I think Rouse will actually play better then expected. But we are still going to struggle stopping the run in some games. Repogle will have the best year of all the defensive lineman and might be able to crack a second team all conference selection.
Panfil and Robinson (upon return) also need to be gap sound in the running game. Ryan Russell - who took much, much grief from me over the year - really did turn it around last year and was very good as the run stopping DE on the line. The big issue in the running game was the other DE - Robinson has shown some ability to rush the passer in limited action, but what he cannot do is sell out on the pass rush, he's got to play the run first. Purdue does need a pass rush after not having a consistent one for years, but stopping the run needs to be the first piece. It would be a huge bonus if Miles or Henley demonstrate the ability to be starters, not just backups starting because of a suspension if that makes sense. Getting over 6 sacks from one of the DEs this year would be a best case I feel.
Worst Case - Our DTs and DEs aren't gap sound - think what Minnesota did running the zone read when they abused Jalani Philips. There is zero pass rush leading to us having to blitz quite a bit, leaving Gregory having to play a lot of assignment football in the secondary.
Most Likely - I think Purdue will be better against the run this year. Not perfect, but better. I think Howard plays up to his potential and Panfil plays really well against the run and shows more then we expect as a pass rusher. I think that we will really miss Robinson for the first 2 games and Miles and Henley can't generate much of a pass rush. I think Watson will be more consistent this year and I think Rouse will actually play better then expected. But we are still going to struggle stopping the run in some games. Repogle will have the best year of all the defensive lineman and might be able to crack a second team all conference selection.
