The opportunity is now

[fcboiler46]

I wanted to get a couple of thoughts out as we enter the second half stretch.

As many of us probably are, I am thoroughly impressed with the job the coaching staff has done. We would all love to be better than 3-3 at this point, but we are trending towards a possible bowl and had you said that before the season, nearly all of us would've taken it.

Not surprisingly, I am most impressed with the defensive effort. We've got a lot of experienced players that are playing at a very high level and Coach Holt is an amazing motivator as well as X & O guy, evidenced in particular by the adjustments versus Wisconsin.

It is that defensive success, though, that makes me think about the program moving forward. Our defense is what is giving us opportunities for success right now. We are also starting 7 seniors as well as 2 key senior reserve (DE Miles and LB Hudson). That makes me think that this year is our immediate opportunity for success. We have the opportunity to win any of the remaining 6 games on our schedule. It doesn't mean we will, but they will have a great shot at it.

But with having to replace that many guys on defense, it makes me think the time is now and we will likely take a step back defensively next year. It doesn't mean I don't think we can't be a bowl team next year, but there is the chance the O will be better than the D with nearly everyone returning on that side of the ball.

Just some thoughts, but something I felt worth mentioning. I am confident in this coaching staff, its ability to motivate, develop and recruit. I think long-term, we are going to be in great shape. But it will also be a matter of getting Brohm's recruits in and developing the depth that they need and are lacking at times, even now.

On Holt... we need to do whatever it takes to keep that man. People will take notice of the job he's done and will be willing to pay. I do not care if we need to make him a million dollar man, he has already proven his worth so far. I hope he feels a sense of loyalty to Brohm and will stick it out, but he'll have his opportunities. I hope we can make it worth his while to stick around.

Boiler up!

 

[boilermaker75]

Agree, Holt is doing a phenomenal job and Purdue has to make sure staying at Purdue is as attractive as any other DC offer that comes along.

 

[pboiler18]

We will have LOTS of holes to plug on D next year.

We will definitely take a step back. Unless we load up on a lot of immediate contributors I don't see how we can keep it up.

We lose basically all of our contributing DEs, 3 of our top 4 LBs and our 2 CBs.

 

[Nerdberts]

I wanted to get a couple of thoughts out as we enter the second half stretch.

As many of us probably are, I am thoroughly impressed with the job the coaching staff has done. We would all love to be better than 3-3 at this point, but we are trending towards a possible bowl and had you said that before the season, nearly all of us would've taken it.

Not surprisingly, I am most impressed with the defensive effort. We've got a lot of experienced players that are playing at a very high level and Coach Holt is an amazing motivator as well as X & O guy, evidenced in particular by the adjustments versus Wisconsin.

It is that defensive success, though, that makes me think about the program moving forward. Our defense is what is giving us opportunities for success right now. We are also starting 7 seniors as well as 2 key senior reserve (DE Miles and LB Hudson). That makes me think that this year is our immediate opportunity for success. We have the opportunity to win any of the remaining 6 games on our schedule. It doesn't mean we will, but they will have a great shot at it.

But with having to replace that many guys on defense, it makes me think the time is now and we will likely take a step back defensively next year. It doesn't mean I don't think we can't be a bowl team next year, but there is the chance the O will be better than the D with nearly everyone returning on that side of the ball.

Just some thoughts, but something I felt worth mentioning. I am confident in this coaching staff, its ability to motivate, develop and recruit. I think long-term, we are going to be in great shape. But it will also be a matter of getting Brohm's recruits in and developing the depth that they need and are lacking at times, even now.

On Holt... we need to do whatever it takes to keep that man. People will take notice of the job he's done and will be willing to pay. I do not care if we need to make him a million dollar man, he has already proven his worth so far. I hope he feels a sense of loyalty to Brohm and will stick it out, but he'll have his opportunities. I hope we can make it worth his while to stick around.

Boiler up!

I agree that defensively we won't be as good next year, but I don't think the drop off will be a steep as you think. Neal and Wilson are solid. LB's are an unknown and the same applies to our Corners. The one guy who should look like a totally different player next year is TJ Jallow.

 

[Tommaker]

I wanted to get a couple of thoughts out as we enter the second half stretch.

As many of us probably are, I am thoroughly impressed with the job the coaching staff has done. We would all love to be better than 3-3 at this point, but we are trending towards a possible bowl and had you said that before the season, nearly all of us would've taken it.

Not surprisingly, I am most impressed with the defensive effort. We've got a lot of experienced players that are playing at a very high level and Coach Holt is an amazing motivator as well as X & O guy, evidenced in particular by the adjustments versus Wisconsin.

It is that defensive success, though, that makes me think about the program moving forward. Our defense is what is giving us opportunities for success right now. We are also starting 7 seniors as well as 2 key senior reserve (DE Miles and LB Hudson). That makes me think that this year is our immediate opportunity for success. We have the opportunity to win any of the remaining 6 games on our schedule. It doesn't mean we will, but they will have a great shot at it.

But with having to replace that many guys on defense, it makes me think the time is now and we will likely take a step back defensively next year. It doesn't mean I don't think we can't be a bowl team next year, but there is the chance the O will be better than the D with nearly everyone returning on that side of the ball.

Just some thoughts, but something I felt worth mentioning. I am confident in this coaching staff, its ability to motivate, develop and recruit. I think long-term, we are going to be in great shape. But it will also be a matter of getting Brohm's recruits in and developing the depth that they need and are lacking at times, even now.

On Holt... we need to do whatever it takes to keep that man. People will take notice of the job he's done and will be willing to pay. I do not care if we need to make him a million dollar man, he has already proven his worth so far. I hope he feels a sense of loyalty to Brohm and will stick it out, but he'll have his opportunities. I hope we can make it worth his while to stick around.

Boiler up!

Agree on Holt. There will be some knocks on his door come the end of the season, the admin needs to make it clear he's staying.

 

[StickPurdue]

We will have LOTS of holes to plug on D next year.

We will definitely take a step back. Unless we load up on a lot of immediate contributors I don't see how we can keep it up.

We lose basically all of our contributing DEs, 3 of our top 4 LBs and our 2 CBs.

CJB already signed Evander Craft, who is a high ranking Juco linebacker.

Incoming freshman Conner Parks is 6'5 230. It won't take him long to contribute.

Purdue is also after Arak McDuffy (6'5 240) and Alex Reigelsperger (6'5 250). They could both contribute early.

I imagine CJB targets a graduate transfer linebacker, a denfensive lineman, an offensive lineman, and a defensive back. The increase in offense if they land Moore will outweigh the step back on defense. Remember all that Purdue lost last year? The only thing coming back that anybody felt good about was linebackers. I don't expect a drop off at all, but Purdue has to add offensive weapons and get better line play.

 

[LonestarBoilerFan]

Jairus Brents also being recruited. IMO it is extremely difficult to predict, no matter how many stars they have before their name, which freshman might have the ability to step in right away and play their first year. It sure would seem that we may have to play some of the incoming recruits next year.

 

[fcboiler46]

I certainly hope it isn't a steep drop off. It's hard to depend on a lot of newcomers to play and I think if you are depending on a lot of them you're in tough shape. The staff will have to coach up the guys we have and hope a handful of newcomers are ready to go. I think it is part of why they are playing the 3 freshmen linebackers. Having another year of eligibility would be nice, but their experience will be invaluable come next year when they are the guys.

I am confident it will all work out okay, I just want to make sure we enjoy the rest of this year as I think it could be a good one!

 

[takedownboiler]

Yeah this season the defense is leading the team with the offense a step behind. Next year I think we will see a big jump in the performance of the offense and then the defense will take an even bigger step backwards. Losing all our seniors and experience on that side of the ball will really hurt. Might not be until year three when both sides are clicking at full strength.

 

[nips18]

Reigelsperger committed to Minnesota. It's why he was at Purdue Last weekend.

 

[StickPurdue]

Reigelsperger committed to Minnesota. It's why he was at Purdue Last weekend.

I hope Alex has a great career, but I also hope he gets used to Purdue beating Minnesota. When left with the choice of a row boat or a train... always take the train!

 

[TC4THREE]

If the past 10 months have taught us anything, it's that this staff will exhaust all avenues to pursue players we need to win now. I believe if we get to the end of the season and the coaches think we need something more at any given position then they will explore all options just like they did in adding players to help us compete this season. No doubt it will be tough to replace so many starters at once but I don't think the drop off will be as big as you might think because we have coaches now.

All that said, I agree that we need to keep the major parts of this staff together for the next year or two. At some point opportunities for advancement will come if they succeed and you deal with that when it happens but we can't lose these guys to lateral moves.

 

[FirstDownB]

I like the 'focus on the present' attitude. This team has earned respect and certainly changed the expectations from a rebuilding year to one in which these seniors can taste success.

With that said, I'm not sure I'm ready to concede that the defense is going to take a step backwards next year because of some giant drop-off in talent level. Wisconsin went for 494 total yards on Saturday. They went for 412 yards against most of the same players last year. Bentley has NFL talent, but otherwise the talent level is largely replaceable. I believe the younger guys waiting in the wings, with another year of S&C and tutelage of this staff, will be able to step in and be serviceable replacements. Mix in another 1 or 2 transfers and we've got enough to compete.

 

[takedownboiler]

I like the 'focus on the present' attitude. This team has earned respect and certainly changed the expectations from a rebuilding year to one in which these seniors can taste success.

With that said, I'm not sure I'm ready to concede that the defense is going to take a step backwards next year because of some giant drop-off in talent level. Wisconsin went for 494 total yards on Saturday. They went for 412 yards against most of the same players last year. Bentley has NFL talent, but otherwise the talent level is largely replaceable. I believe the younger guys waiting in the wings, with another year of S&C and tutelage of this staff, will be able to step in and be serviceable replacements. Mix in another 1 or 2 transfers and we've got enough to compete.

I love the attitude of this team. Losing Bently, DannyEz, McCoullum, Hudson, Hunte, JoshO, Robinson, Miles and Larkin will just be replaced that easily. That's all the DE starters. Both starting corners. Two of the three best LBs. Our top reserves at LB and DE. I was just saying that it sucks bc next year I think is when the offense will really be clicking. But our defense then might be a year away.

 

[Bippus33]

If the past 10 months have taught us anything, it's that this staff will exhaust all avenues to pursue players we need to win now. I believe if we get to the end of the season and the coaches think we need something more at any given position then they will explore all options just like they did in adding players to help us compete this season. No doubt it will be tough to replace so many starters at once but I don't think the drop off will be as big as you might think because we have coaches now.

All that said, I agree that we need to keep the major parts of this staff together for the next year or two. At some point opportunities for advancement will come if they succeed and you deal with that when it happens but we can't lose these guys to lateral moves.

We now have a coach that is a difference maker and is going to hold any new assistant coaches, players accountable and knows talent.
This may seem like a strange comparison but I had the pleasure to observe Coach Rick Majerus while he was at Ball State from three rows behind his bench.
Like Brohm, the man had a certain aura about him that was genuine and attracted players....not pretenders.Opposing coaches,players and fans respected him and knew that he had the coaching acumen to make a difference.
Only time will tell if JB will have the extended success that Majerus had as a coach but I have more than a gut feeling that he will lord willing.