For those of you worried we're unbalanced because we're not running the ball enough enough

[boilerHup]

Here's what Mike Leach has to say on the subject:

I want all the positions to touch it. There’s nothing balanced about 50% run, 50% pass because that’s 50% stupid. Now, what is balanced is when you have five skilled positions—if all five are contributing to the offensive effort in a somewhat equal fashion, then that’s balanced. But this notion that if you hand it to one guy 50% of the time and then you throw it to a combination of two guys the other 50% that you’re really balanced, then you proudly pat yourself on the back and tell yourself that—and people have probably been doing that for decades—then you’re delusional. So that’s how I look at it.
​

Link

Purdue did a very good job Saturday of getting the ball to a number of different guys. Yes, those guys were mainly receivers, but those receivers represent our most skilled offensive players we have. Is there really much difference between a run play and a short dump pass?

It'll be nice to get Fuller back, but that's because he's another skilled offensive player. We can hand it off to him, yes, but we can also throw him the ball, and we should do both. The way to gain yards is to get the ball in the hands of your skilled players however you can. And Purdue has done a good job of that.

We hired Brohm in no small part because he's a creative offensive mind. Let's not pigeonhole what he ought to be doing based on antiquated notions about the run game vs. the pass game. The future of football is spreading the ball between a variety of skilled playmakers. We have those skilled playmakers. Let's use them in nifty ways and go win the Big Ten West.

 

[JohnHoosierr]

I haven't saw anyone here commenting that we should be running the same amount that we pass. People seem to be more worried that our running game seems to be completely nonexistent due to lack of talent in the backfield and/or lack of talent on the line.

 

[Gman544]

Brohm Feels there needs to be more balance. Not 50 50, but more balance. Simple.

 

[FirstDownB]

Is there really much difference between a run play and a short dump pass?

In late October and November in the Midwest there sure is. There’s a reason Leach has only coached in Texas and the west coast.

 

[Ignacious McNutt]

If we win who cares how we do it? Do we have to rip everything apart just to find something "wrong"?

If we are winning and throwing the ball 80 to 100% of the time, I couldn't possibly care less. A win is a win.

 

[tenwest]

Just run the “Utah pass”. I’ve seen CJB run it before and maybe a couple more jet sweeps.

 

[Purdue85]

In late October and November in the Midwest there sure is. There’s a reason Leach has only coached in Texas and the west coast.

"The west coast" I'm assuming is your reference to Pullman, WA.

The climate in West Lafayette in October and November is more favorable than Pullman, WA!

 

[FirstDownB]

"The west coast" I'm assuming is your reference to Pullman, WA.

The climate in West Lafayette in October and November is more favorable than Pullman, WA!

Actually referring to the entire schedule and opponents, not just home games. More trips to California and Arizona, less to Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Also, did you happen to catch the apple cup game at home against Washington last year?

 

[Chi-Boiler]

I think what most of us are concerned about with regards to the running game is the ability to put a game away by running the ball with a lead in the 4th quarter. This team has not shown the ability to do that. If we had we would easily be 2-0. I don't need 50/50, but I need running backs to be able to pick up the tough yards, or pick up 6 on 1st down every now and then.

 

[Purdue85]

Actually referring to the entire schedule and opponents, not just home games. More trips to California and Arizona, less to Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Also, did you happen to catch the apple cup game at home against Washington last year?

I get your point, but I think you're stretching a bit. He's had some pretty good success playing that brand in Pullman, even if it is only half their games.

 

[kkboiler]

the issue is more in regards to the point below about being able to put a game away with a time consuming drive and not becoming one dimensional. If the QB has a bad game, you don't have a running game to help take the pressure off (see PU vs OSU last year) and when we face teams with good DEs, they can just take off and start going at the QB. Puts more pressure on a line that is still developing.

Point is not to be predictable and hopefully be effective at both aspects of the game.

 

[Bob the Boiler]

Did you hear the BTN guys say that Horvath reminded them of Alstott? I burst out laughing. The only similarity is the number 40.

 

[Tommaker]

Currently 2nd in the nation in passing, 250th in rushing. #20/24 Washington State is number 1.

 

[njm8845]

Did you hear the BTN guys say that Horvath reminded them of Alstott? I burst out laughing. The only similarity is the number 40.

To be fair, they said one particular run reminded them of alstott. One where a defender bounced off Horvath.

The other similarities are that he’s white, huge, and the same position.

but I think everybody would agree with your overall point that he’s nowhere close to as good as alstott.

 

[Ignacious McNutt]

but I think everybody would agree with your overall point that he’s nowhere close to as good as alstott.

There is no way a judgment call can be made, either way, on him yet. Especially from those of us that only get to see what he does on TV and not in practice.
How about we wait until the o-line actually starts giving him holes to run through before we tar and feather the kid?

 

[Hausta01]

There is no way a judgment call can be made, either way, on him yet. Especially from those of us that only get to see what he does on TV and not in practice.
How about we wait until the o-line actually starts giving him holes to run through before we tar and feather the kid?

Uhhh saying Horvath isn't as good as Alstott isn't tarring and feathering anyone.

 

[Ignacious McNutt]

Uhhh saying Horvath isn't as good as Alstott isn't tarring and feathering anyone.

Which again, we don't know if he will be or not. A judgement call based on our unskilled vision from a TV broadcast doesn't qualify that sort of call.
He may or may not be as good as Alstott but he frequently gets berated on here when there are issues on the o-line that the coaching staff has told us about. So yeah, he is getting tarred and feathered on this forum in general and it's ridiculous.

 

[Hausta01]

Which again, we don't know if he will be or not. A judgement call based on our unskilled vision from a TV broadcast doesn't qualify that sort of call.
He may or may not be as good as Alstott but he frequently gets berated on here when there are issues on the o-line that the coaching staff has told us about. So yeah, he is getting tarred and feathered on this forum in general and it's ridiculous.

Saying Horvath isn't quick enough to deal with defenders in the backfield on his runs isn't "tarring and feathering" him. It is accurate. And no he isn't as good as Alstott, nor will he be, nor is that a "bad" thing seeing as Alstott was one of Purdue's best ballcarriers, ever.

 

[purduepat1969]

Which again, we don't know if he will be or not. A judgement call based on our unskilled vision from a TV broadcast doesn't qualify that sort of call.
He may or may not be as good as Alstott but he frequently gets berated on here when there are issues on the o-line that the coaching staff has told us about. So yeah, he is getting tarred and feathered on this forum in general and it's ridiculous.

He's not getting tarred and feathered. Fans here are providing their honest feedback. His skill level is not conducive to outmaneuvering an opponent. His skill set is more conducive to running over people. Unfortunately he's not being played as a fullback, and he doesn't have the explosiveness to play the tailback position.

 

[chaspark]

He's not getting tarred and feathered. Fans here are providing their honest feedback. His skill level is not conducive to outmaneuvering an opponent. His skill set is more conducive to running over people. Unfortunately he's not being played as a fullback, and he doesn't have the explosiveness to play the tailback position.

Also don't forget about our inexperienced offensive line. They have been rather decent in pass protection but their run protection has not been on the same level.