Boiling Point

Brees back on campus

Purdue all-time leading passer Drew Brees was in West Lafayette Saturday during the Saints bye week, and he took time out at halftime to chat with the media about his $2 million gift to the university to improve an academic facility, among other things. Here are some highlights:

• On starting the season 0-3 in New Orleans: "We had planned to come to this game. The fact this fell on the bye week, the Purdue-Notre Dame game, I thought, 'This is perfect.' You never want your bye week to be week (4). You'd like to have it more toward the middle of the season. But the fact we're 0-3 right now, I think it's probably coming at a great time. Give me a chance to come up here, reflect a Little bit and just kind of take a step back still with my mind very much on football and how we can get things turned around back there. But you see the success of the current Purdue team and trying to dig deep and maybe find a little motivation and something you can carry back down to New Orleans."
• On the rise of Purdue's program: "When coach Tiller got here, Purdue football had been down for awhile. We started going to consecutive bowl games and getting to the point where we were a contender year in and year out in the Big Ten. I felt like this campus came alive. Looking across to the student section (Saturday), I feel like that gives you a lot of pride. They're all wearing black. They've got the cheers. They're all in sync. You can tell people really love Purdue football now, and that's been a process. Coach Tiller was instrumental in bringing that here and getting that tradition and pride back. It makes me proud to be back and be able to see that."
• On current quarterback Curtis Painter: "I'm impressed. I think he's a very good player. I think he's got a lot of natural leadership skills. The stats kind of speak for themselves thus far."
• What about Painter's NFL prospects?: "I know from personal experience, obviously the speed of the game when you get in the NFL and the complexity (is greater than college). There's things you can get away with in college you can't get away with in the NFL. I think you learn that pretty quick. Those who don't learn don't last too long. Curtis has all the tools. I know that's the last thing on his mind right now is the next level. He's thinking about how he can win the Big Ten championship and get to the Rose Bowl. But I'm really excited for him. I think he's a great kid. I think he's got a great future, and obviously, they're looking pretty good right now."
• On the type of season Purdue could have in 2007: "I know once you get into the Big Ten schedule, it gets a little tougher. But I think these guys have a great opportunity to make a run this year."

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Purdue beats Notre Dame

Quarterback Curtis Painter reverted to 2006 form, I thought, in Purdue's 33-19 victory over Notre Dame Saturday.
He completed 22 of 37 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns and no doubt delivered some beautiful passes -- the 40-yarder when he looked left and then came back right and dropped the ball into Greg Orton's arms on third-and-29 comes to mind. But the two interceptions could be cause for concern. And I don't just mean that because he had them.
Painter had done so well this season showing patience and not forcing passes. He was content dropping the ball off to check down receivers. But he seemed a bit rushed against the Irish.
Late in the first half with Purdue heading in for another score, Painter dropped back on first-and-10 from Notre Dame's 32-yard line with about 50 seconds left. Running back Dan Dierking was open for a short gain, but Painter instead opted to try and hit Dustin Keller near the end zone. But the pass was short, and Notre Dame's Kyle McCarthy scooped it up.
On second and long on Purdue's first series of the second half, Painter got pressure in his face from a Notre Dame defender. He threw the ball awkwardly, and Irish safety Tom Zbikowski stepped in front of Keller for interception No. 2. Painter said he threw the ball too late.
Perhaps it's not fair to hold Painter to a high standard -- surely, he is allowed to make some mistakes. Against Notre Dame and the lowly teams Purdue already has beaten, it's one thing. With Ohio State and Michigan coming up on the schedule, such ill-advised throws likely could mean losses.
"I try to forget about it," Painter said. "You can't go out there just because you've thrown a couple and play scared. Sometimes you've got to take a couple risks and just continue going on."

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Meet and greet

Keep an eye on the greeting before the game between Purdue coach Joe Tiller and Notre Dame's Charlie Weis. Tiller said two years ago, Weis hardly chatted at all before the game. Tiller attributed that to Weis getting familiar with the college football scene. But last season, Tiller said they had a nice visit.
"Last year, he was a college football coach like all the rest of us," Tiller said. "We're all out there recruiting. We're all out there trying to get young people to act like they're not young. So we're all in the same boat."
Tiller said he doesn't know Weis well. Tiller tends to get to know coaches from the Big Ten or ones affiliated with fellow Nike schools.

• Tiller called his defense a "work in progress" this week, but it likely won't make any great strides today against a poor Irish offense. The biggest key will be in the Boilers' front four to get some pressure. Be sure to keep an eye on end Cliff Avril, who is coming off a great week against Minnesota, and could be matching up against a sophomore tackle.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Scanning the Web

It's never too early to talk about potential coaches changes, right?
To see who may be out of a job after this season, check out a recent column on The Sporting News Website by college football writer Tom Dienhart.
He mentions a member of Purdue's staff that could be a prime candidate for one of the potential gigs.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Tiller praises Sheets

Kory Sheets told me last week before the Minnesota game that he wanted to prove he deserved the starting running back spot, even though he essentially got it by default when Jaycen Taylor broke his arm against Central Michigan.
Sheets certainly took a step toward that against the Gophers.
Coach Joe Tiller said he noticed a difference in Sheets during practice and in the game. He called the performance, which included 111 rushing yards and 60 receiving, the most complete game of Sheets' career.
"I think his intensity level was greater," Tiller said. "I was actually more impressed with what Kory contributed in the passing game than what he did in the running game. I thought he caught a couple balls that were high and outside, that were tough catches, that he converted into first downs or at least picked up positive yardage on it. I thought he did a good job of blocking the blitz and putting his nose on the rusher, picking up some guys to help us throw the football up the field."
Tiller still thinks Sheets can be more productive in the running game. He said he thinks Sheets gets tripped up more than he should, and Tiller said he is constantly on Sheets about picking up his feet more.
This week, Sheets will go against a Notre Dame defense that ranks No. 111 in the nation, allowing 232 rushing yards per game.

• Tiller said he hasn't talked to his Purdue team about guarding against the perception it will win by loads of points against the Irish. Tiller never thinks about such scenarios. "I've always played and coached with fear, fear of failure," Tiller said. "Because I think in competitive athletics you always want to succeed regardless of the situation. So, to me, it doesn't matter who the opponent is. I think you have to prepare to succeed yourself and not be concerned about the opponent and try to get better each week. That's what we're trying to be each week." Tiller said he initially adapted such a philosophy during his playing days at Montana State.
• No changes to the two-deep this week.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Praising Tiller

Minnesota first-year head coach Tim Brewster only coached with Purdue's Joe Tiller one year, but he said he considers Tiller a good friend and mentor.
Brewster was with the Boilermakers as a graduate assistant in 1986 and worked with tight ends and offensive tackles. Tiller was on staff as the defensive coordinator and joked he and Brewster were "enemies" because they worked on different sides of the ball. But he did say he liked Brewster's energetic approach to the game. Brewster liked just about everything about Tiller.
"I just hold him in such high esteem," Brewster said. "I think Joe is one of the great college football coaches in the country today."
Brewster said he even would have followed Tiller to Montana State if Tiller had gotten that head coaching job.

• Cornerback Terrell Vinson had a team-high 11 tackles last week, but he still doesn't think he's playing as well as he can. He mentioned he hasn't had an interception yet and joked the only reason Justin Scott leads the team in that department is because "(quarterbacks) throw to him. They hit him in the chest."
• Tiller said it's possible Dan Bick will see more playing time than starting middle linebacker Josh Ferguson this week against Minnesota's spread offense. The offense is similar to what Northwestern has used in which the quarterback is a threat running the ball, as well as getting it delivered quickly to receivers.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Purdue wins but loses Taylor for season

Most of the post-game chatter after a 45-22 victory Saturday was on running back Jaycen Taylor, who broke his left arm in the first quarter and will miss the rest of the season.
Coach Joe Tiller gave his usual "this is an opportunity for someone else" speech, but I think his other comments about Sheets and Taylor specifically showed he thinks this loss will hurt.
Tiller said he's worried Sheets, who fumbled twice, never will break those tendencies because of a "reckless" running style. Then he praised what Taylor's intangibles.
"He's got a great personality," Tiller said. "He's an unselfish guy, and I think he demonstrates that. There's a lot of guys where if they were in a role where they were sharing duties as a tailback, they wouldn't be a happy guy. I think he's really positive and upbeat. I really think he's been really good for Kory Sheets because I think Kory is not as strong as Jaycen is mentally."
Certainly Sheets has shown he can handle a starting role -- he's started 16 times -- but it will be interesting to see if he really can solve the fumbling issue. I spoke to him in the spring about that, and he said that it was no longer an issue because he learned when to just go down and stop churning the legs. It was his big-play mentality that hurt him. But, obviously, not the case considering he also lost a fumble in the opener and has a history of it during his first two seasons with the team.
Sheets has ability -- and not just of the play-making variety. He's done a good job picking up blitzes and catching out of the backfield in this young season. But Taylor also did that, as well as being a steadying influence.
I think Taylor is the better back, simply because he's more consistent. But if Sheets can start protecting the ball, the Boilermakers will be just fine.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Purdue leads CMU at halftime

Purdue had 300 yards of total offense by the end of the first quarter, and it led 31-0 at halftime.
Curtis Painter has been sharp again, though Central Michigan's defense isn't exactly one of the nation's best. Painter rarely has had to make a tough throw, though he has had some pretty ones to Dustin Keller. Painter has completed 18 of 25 for 295 yards and a touchdown.
The offense could have even more points, but Selwyn Lymon and Painter have lost fumbles.
Purdue's defense has been stout against highly touted CMU quarterback Dan LeFevour, who threw for more than 3,000 yards last season as a freshman. The Boilers have gotten some pressure, but even when he's had time, LeFevour hasn't been on-target.
About the only thing that hasn't gone right for the Boilermakers is starting running back Jaycen Taylor left the game with an apparent left arm injury in the first half. Taylor carried the ball and got hit by multiple defenders. When he walked off the field, he appeared to be holding his left arm gingerly. Although we have no word yet, I wouldn't be shocked to hear Taylor broke either his hand or arm. I was watching him through my binoculars, and his arm looked odd. He was met on the sidelines by a swarm of trainers and appeared to be fitted for a brace of some sort. He walked to the end zone and then was carted off the field. He returned to the sidelines in the second quarter wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt with a sling on the arm.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

More with Pollard

In only his second season in the NFL, former Boilermaker Bernard Pollard is starting at safety for the Kansas City Chiefs. I was able to get him on the phone this week before the team headed to play in Chicago on Sunday. It was great to talk to him. He's such an engaging, funny guy. I didn't get everything we chatted about in the story for Sunday's paper, so here is some extra stuff:

• Pollard said he talks to fellow Fort Wayne natives and current Purdue players Selwyn Lymon and Aaron Lane frequently as well as former roommate Stanford Keglar. Pollard tries to follow the team's results as best he can. "I'm rooting for them," Pollard said. "I'm catching flak because they ain't playing anybody. Was it Eastern Illinois? C'mon. We're waiting til they start playing somebody. Then I'll start talking trash (in the locker room)."
• I didn't ask Pollard about the circumstances of him leaving Purdue early -- that was so long ago -- but he did bring it up a bit when I asked him what his relationship was like with the Chiefs coaching staff. "Our staff is ridiculous," he said. "There's not one coach I don't get along with. Not one coach that doesn't like me. It's a better situation coming out of Purdue. I'm not saying they didn't like me, but I feel more comfortable here. That was one of the reasons I made the decision to leave. I didn't want to be there anymore. I hold no grudges against anybody. I just feel way more comfortable than I've ever felt. It's a great thing."
• If you didn't see Pollard's dance moves from when I linked the site before, be sure to check it out. It's hilarious. It was fun to talk to him about it, too, because he was so proud of it. He did say, though, that HBO initially told him the segment wasn't going to air.
• When I asked him if either Patrick Surtain or Ty Law were mentors, he said because they're corners, not so much. "But that's still a lot of fun to have future Hall of Famers' backs (in coverage)," he said.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Pre-game against Central Michigan

Again this week, coach Joe Tiller was raving about the opposition's quarterback.
Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour certainly put up solid numbers as a freshman last season with 3,031 yards and 26 touchdowns passing and another 521 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. We'll see how Purdue's defense game plans for him.
End Cliff Avril compared LeFevour to Iowa's Drew Tate, whose mobility created problems for the defense. But LeFevour also is only a sophomore, so I expect defensive coordinator Brock Spack to really use a lot of movement on defense before the snap to try to disguise coverages and confuse LeFevour.
In LeFevour's only game against Big Ten competition last season, he completed only 17 of 35 passes for 153 yards against Michigan. He threw an interception and had two TDs. Against Kansas to start this season, he was 19-of-37 for 172 yards and one touchdown in a 52-7 loss.

• Though Tiller was coy on whether Selwyn Lymon will face any more disciplinary action for underage drinking -- besides missing the first half last week -- I would assume we will see Lymon on the field today. Tiller re-emphasized last week he is going to let the legal system run its course before making any decisions. Still, I was surprised Lymon didn't sit the entire game against Eastern Illinois. There was no point to him playing, considering Purdue led 31-3 by halftime and it was against a former I-AA school.
• For more from a Central Michigan angle, check out this link. One of the CMU players said, "We're going to play a Purdue team that a lot of people picked possibly to win the Big Ten championship." I guess that's just another way to get stoked for a game because that's news to me. Even with the hot start, the Boilermakers probably will wind up in fourth place in the league.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette