This isn’t going to be very long because I think we all feel the same way. While the team is still playing very hard right down to the bitter end, these losses are becoming more dis-heartening. The one thing that sticks out in my mind is a comment that Pete Quinn made right before kick-off. Now I know Pete is a homer, but he played at a very high level in college and knows football very well. His comment was directed at the players where he made a general statement that while all of these guys are good citizens and good students, they need to make a statement and take it personally to embody themselves with controlled anger when they play. His statement was very well said and very politically correct.

I’m not going to take words out of Pete’s mouth or twist and turn what he said because while I’ve never met Pete, I have personally spoken to him several times on the phone about Purdue football. I respect him and his opinions. So here’s what my opinion is, and please remember, this is my opinion and not Pete’s. What this team lacks is some bad-asses. A bad-ass in my opinion is not a dirty player. He may not have the greatest ability and he may not be the fastest or one of the strongest players on the team, but he’s a guy who the opposition just hates to go against. I don’t believe we have had players on this team like that for quite some time. You can point to the 2004 team where we had quite a few, Hardwick, Koutavides, Johnson, Gardner, Phillips, etc. I would even include a Kelly Butler in the mix although he had problems controlling his anger. I simply call guys like these football players. Although the ones I mentioned were quite talented.

I guess on this 2009 team you have to ask yourself the question. Who on this team really scares you? Now some of these guys just might be on the roster or could be coming in the next recruiting class, but we desperately need a few of these type players with the mental attitude necessary to compete and influence other players on the team. While Purdue held Eric Decker pretty much in check the entire game, he made one huge play that seemed to turn the tide of the game. So it goes to show you how important it is to have play makers. Joey once again gave it his all, but his two interceptions were quite costly. On the first one, he tossed it right to a Minny defender. Yes, it was a timing pattern but even on a timing pattern you have to see the play develop before you throw the ball. On the second one the WR was open and he could not drop the ball into the seam that was there. The defense seems to be playing much better, but the costly turnovers keep putting them into bad positions. I admire our players keeping their heads up and playing hard. How long this can go on before some ill effects begin to take hold on the will to compete. I even notice our play-by-play announcer becoming frustrated by his posts on Knucklehead Central. Yes, these are tough times, but you have to keep your head up and keep competing. Better days are coming but it will take some time. Force yourself to believe that and support this team. tOSU coming to town. Let’s give them a fight and see if we can turn this horrible worm. BOILER UP!

Dave (daveK)