2008 OUTLOOK: The Boilers are likely to struggle in Joe Tiller's final season. Purdue has always been an offensive team under Tiller, but the offensive line is a mess and the top playmakers at receiver are gone, with no real candidates ready to replace them. This wasn't the way Tiller wanted to go out, but Purdue will likely be in the lower half of the standings in '08 and fighting just to become bowl-eligible.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
QB Curtis Painter and RBs Jaycen Taylor and Kory Sheets are back. That's the good news. But Dorien Bryant and Dustin Keller are off to the NFL and Selwyn Lymon was dismissed from the team, leaving the Boilermakers without three of their top four pass catchers from last season. Throw in Jake Standeford and that becomes four of the top five. Greg Orton has to become the new No. 1, but he hasn't displayed the same game-breaking type of ability that Bryant possessed. With so much uncertainty on offense, Purdue could struggle moving the football, which would be disaster for a program built on scoring plenty of points.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
A unit that gave up 26.5 points and nearly 400 yards per game last season must replace five starters, most notably along the defensive line. Purdue needs a defensive end to replace the pressure brought by Cliff Avril. Keyon Brown was a starter last year, but looked inconsistent, while sophomore Ryan Kerrigan is young, but has displayed the most upside. All three linebackers need replaced and two defensive backs will be new as well. With so many fresh faces expected, it was good to see Jason Werner take hold of a starting linebacker job in the spring. The other two will be built around him.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Desmond Tardy replaces Dorien Bryant as the No. 1 kickoff returner. Bryant had two returns for touchdowns last year and gained over 1,000 yards just on returns. Tardy, though, also returned a kickoff for a score and proved to be capable at handling the job. With punter Jared Armstrong gone, Chris Summers will likely handle both the kicking and the punting this year. Summers was 18 of 22 in his first season as the kicker.

ROSTER REPORT

--DB Torri Williams was suspended indefinitely on May 15 for conduct detrimental to the team. According to reports, the redshirt senior was accused of shoplifting from a Lafayette grocery store.

--Freshman DE Nickcaro Golding was suspended late in the spring and no timetable has been given for his return. Golding has shown promise working with the backups, but coach Joe Tiller wouldn't hint at when Golding will be reinstated.

--Senior WR Greg Orton missed the bulk of spring with a groin injury that had coach Joe Tiller concerned. He should be fine by fall, but Tiller thought the injury lingered longer than it should have.

--OL Sean Sester had April surgery to correct a bulging disc in his back and will be out six weeks. He should be back in the weight room in June.

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