Tuesdays with Tiller: Purdue football notes
Tuesday, Coach Joe Tiller met with the media for his second weekly press conference of the 2008 season, which brings nationally ranked Oregon to Ross-Ade Stadium Saturday in Week 2.
Jason Werner update
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Purdue will likely be without outside linebacker Jason Werner, who's battling a back injury and was held out against Northern Colorado because of it.
"Werner is out this game, I'd say, but it's (only) Tuesday," Tiller said. "I don't see them 'til Tuesday, so I'll be anxious to talk to Jason this afternoon. But I think he's out just, if nothing else, from a precautionary point of view."
As for starting tight end Kyle Adams, who sustained what's been called a bruised knee Saturday, Tiller said he expects to have a better idea of his status by the middle of the week.
"I talked to Kyle yesterday and he feels better," Tiller said, "but we'll find out more Wednesday."
Offensive tackle Sean Sester, who was held out against UNC to rest his back, will start at right tackle against the Ducks, but guard Jared Zwilling, a projected starter battling an ankle injury, is not listed on Purdue's official depth chart for the second consecutive week.
Back In The Mix
Now that his one-game suspension has passed, sophomore safety Josh McKinley will be back on the field Saturday.
"He'll play this week," Tiller said. "I don't know how much he'll play yet, but he'll definitely play."
First-Game Thoughts
In review of the Northern Colorado game, Tiller on ...
On Joe HollandClick Running back Kory SheetsClick The offensive line: "I thought (the protection) was very good in light of all the stunts and mixes (UNC ran). There wasn't a play in that game where Northern Colorado didn't move their front or blitz a linebacker or some such thing. When you get that multiplicity of stunts and blitzes, it really challenges your front. We had one sack, but that really was a coverage sack because Curtis (Painter) held the ball, held the ball and held the ball waiting to get somebody open, but we never got anybody open. Finally we got sacked, but the protection was good even on that."Here to view this Link.' 16 carries: "He probably had one carry too many. Going in, 15 carries, or touches, is what we thought (he'd have). .... He held up well. I think he'll carry more this week. It's Tuesday, and this could change by Saturday, but right now, we think he's a 20-touch-a-game-type guy."Here to view this Link.'s first game at linebacker: "He was good. For his first time out, and having practiced (at linebacker) for eight days. He can get better, but considering the amount of time he's spent at the position, he played well."
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