GoldandBlack.com mailbag: Should Austin Burton be used as the red zone QB?
It's an off week. So, this seems like a good time to open up the mail bag and answer some of your most vexing questions as Purdue sits at 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. Next up: A game at Iowa on Oct. 16 on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Should Austin Burton be the red zone QB?
Ptree06
I mentioned in my 3-2-1 column leading into last week's game that Purdue should consider using Burton in such a manner. And, it did.
Why not?
We've seen many offenses sub in a quarterback to run--and pass--as a change-up. Minnesota used one last Saturday, along with Oregon State in the opener. We saw Rutgers hurt Purdue badly with such a quarterback last year.
Purdue's options to enhance its run game are basically exhausted. Using a change-of-pace signal-caller was a good call last week. Burton was used for just three plays--all runs for a total of 14 yards.
I think the UCLA transfer should be used more--especially in short-yardage and red zone situations. Burton also can throw it.
Why let Burton rot on the bench? Let him use his run/pass talents to help this offense--especially in the red zone.
What the team's psyche going into the bye week?
1234Firstdown
Here is what King Doerue told me after the game on Saturday.
"This game is not putting us down, because we know our potential, we know we're going to improve," said Doerue.
Linebacker Jaylan Alexander said something similar after the 20-13 defeat to Minnesota.
No need to panic or lose faith, is the basic message.
Purdue is still almost shooting par with a 3-2 record with seven games to go. And there are at least two very winnable games--Northwestern, Indiana--down the stretch to attain bowl eligibility. And Wisconsin and Nebraska look vulnerable, so the path to six victories looks attainable.
The Big Ten West isn't much of a gauntlet in 2021. Who do you fear, aside from Iowa? And Purdue has had good success vs. the Hawkeyes under Jeff Brohm, going 3-1. So, who knows?
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Which, if any, of the young o-linemen do you think can be a positive add to the line?
Bluto71
The Boilermakers have basically played just six linemen all season: Gus Hartwig, Tyler Witt, Spencer Holstege, Eric Miller, Greg Long and Cam Craig. The seventh lineman would be Dave Monnot.
The staff likes two true freshmen: Mahamane Moussa and Marcus Mbow. Each had dipped their toe into action and looks to have a bright future.
Among the redshirt freshmen, Josh Kaltenberger and Jared Bycznski are ones to watch. Both are interior players.
From what you've seen or heard, will Michael Alaimo be in the QB mix next year?
Bluto71
First, know this: Fifth-year senior Aidan O'Connell has a COVID year of eligibility. Would he wanna come back? Would the staff want him back?
Jack Plummer is redshirt junior who could be back. I am sure he will weigh his options after the season.
Austin Burton is a fifth-year senior with a COVID year available. Would he wanna return?
Purdue will welcome four-star prospect Brady Allen in January. Could he get up to speed in time to be a factor in 2022?
That brings us to Alaimo. I have to think he will be given a legit chance to win the job as a redshirt sophomore. At 6-4, 225, he passes the eyeball test. And Jeff Brohm has said at times that the New Jersey native has the best arm on the team.
Purdue is desperate for a difference-maker at quarterback. Perhaps Alaimo is that guy. He's just cloaked in unknowns at this point, with the extent of his experience being seven snaps in the blowout win at UConn in which he did not attempt a pass.
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In your opinion, what is the ONE reason the offense has been in stall mode:
A) under-performing QB play
B) Lack of running threat
C) O-line inconsistency
D) questionable play calling/game plan
Boilerhaus
Football is a game won in the trenches. If your team isn't good upfront on offense or defense, there will be issues. So, my answer is C.
It doesn't matter how good your skill players are if the line is faulty.
Offensive line play historically always is an issue at Purdue. It just doesn't have a reputation for developing linemen. And the program's offensive style hasn't emphasized brute-force physical run blockers. Purdue typically is a passing program, a more passive skill-set.
The line this year has had its moments, but it's still limited when it comes to having the athletic ability to reach blocks at the next level. And it's not an overly physical unit, either. Plus depth is limited, which hinders competition.
Jeff Brohm has poured a lot into the unit, devoting two full-time coaches to the line. It was unfortunate the front saw veterans like Will Bramel, Jimmy McKenna, Kyle Jornigan and Mark Stickford all have to walk away from the game due to injury after last year. Plus, fellow vet Sam Garvin has been out all season with injury, too.
Add it all up: And you have a line that is limited, especially in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
With George Karlaftis getting double- and even triple-teamed every snap, are you surprised we haven’t seen more success from the other d-linemen?
jcg.94
While Purdue hasn't notched many sacks--it has just seven in five games--the defense has generated a lot of "pressures." According to Pro Football Focus, the Boilermakers have 74 pressures, which comes to 14.8 per game. Not bad.
No shock to see that George Karlaftis leads the way with 18 pressures. Branson Deen is second with 15. DaMarcus Mitchell has seven, while Lawrence Johnson and Jaylan Alexander each has six.
Purdue was counting on Mitchell bringing the heat off the edge opposite Karlaftis. But Mitchell missed a lot of camp with injury and has been dinged during the season. He has one sack and two TFLs. Fellow ends/LEOs Jack Sullivan and Kydran Jenkins don't have a sack.
Still, despite the pressures, you would think Purdue would have had more sacks--especially given the attention Karlaftis is drawing.
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When do we expect Zander Horvath and Payne Durham back?
ehuffma1
Jeff Brohm didn't think Horvath would be ready for the Iowa game. He got hurt at UConn. At the time, Brohm said Horvath would be out 4-8 weeks after suffering a broken left fibula.
By the time the Iowa game rolls around on Oct. 16, Horvath will have been out five weeks. So, ...
Durham missed the Minnesota game while in concussion protocol after taking a big hit vs. Illinois on September 25. I would suspect the big tight end would have a good chance play at Iowa, which would be a nice lift to the offense and help in the red zone.
How much of the lack of turnovers has been luck? Seems like there’ve been a few fumbles or tipped passes that just bounced away from a Purdue defender.
Tneidiffer
Sure, some luck is involved, especially when it comes to a bouncing ball on a fumble. Purdue opponents have been credited with six fumbles ... and have recovered each one.
The Boiler defense has tipped some passes and applied a lot of pressure on quarterbacks, but it has resulted in just two interceptions.
Amazingly, those are the only two takeaways on the season. And one of those interceptions was by Zane Greene late in the blow-out win at UConn.
Conversely, Purdue has committed seven turnovers, giving it a minus-five turnover margin in the Big Ten--13th in the conference.
Things have been very dry of late, as Purdue has no takeaways in the last three games. Add it all up: The Boilermakers are last in the Big Ten in takeaways.
Perhaps the worm will turn for Purdue, which practices stripping the ball and more.
When you order a breakfast sandwich, what is the proper meat on it: sausage, bacon, ham, other?
Dr_billy_badass
Sausage, but it's a close call.
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