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Why Robert Marve needs to start

by BoilermakerNation on Sep 16, 2011 2:26 PM EDT

Why does everyone want Terbush to be the starter? Everyone talks about his fourth quarter production and completely forgets about the three quarters of downright horrible decision-making and feeble passes. That's right, the o-line is not all to blame for the sacks adding up, it's Terbush holding the ball too long and not checking into the correct plays when being blitzed. If he wasn't passing less than 50% in the first three quarters it would never come down to a last minute field goal. Judging by the last two games' play calling, Terbush can't stretch the field. I've only seen really one pass in the Rice game that tested the opposing defense and it was inaccurate. Now I understand Purdue has a major problem on defense (esp linebacker pass coverage), no question, but there is no reason the offense shouldn't put up 30 or more against MTSU and Rice. Robert Marve is healthy and personally I want him to have an entire game under his belt before ND. Realistically, Marve gives Purdue the best chance to make something happen. If you only need one reason to start Marve it would be these two percentages 57% to 67%. Marve's pass percentage is 67%, Terbush at 57%. That 10% difference will keep drives alive, help win the field position battle, and should keep the defense honest making rushing more successful throughout the entire game. Marve's passes are crisp and accurate, and he is moving around really well. Now the only aspect that Terbush has shown some compentence at is rushing the ball, 47 yards vs Rice. So I'm not opposed to going back to a version of the original plan of two quarterbacks. Marve being Purdue's true starter and Terbush for some packages to add a little more rush attack. But, I'm still an overall believer of the saying, "if you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks". My last point, is that Marve is a fifth year senior, this is his last season. Purdue can't waste his talents for Caleb Terbush. Let's face it next season this WILL be Rob Henry's team, so why should we entertain the chance of having a quarterback controversy next year. It's ok developing him through limited playtime this season to have some depth next year, but we can't forget that he was a third string quarterback a month ago behind Marve. Marve hasn't done anything to lose his spot and it doesn't serve the team any good to have a senior benched for a still unimpressive and unproved quarterback. It's a formula for a team rift. In short, Purdue really can't afford having a QB of Marve's caliber on the bench, and realistically think of winning four games in big ten play.

Poll

Who gives Purdue a better chance to win?

Robert Marve

158 votes

Caleb Terbush

34 votes

192 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

That's right!

I absolutely agree. You can’t win a game by keeping your star player on the bench. Marve didn’t get a huge opportunity last year before he got hurt. Then again, neither has Caleb Terbush. BUT….. remember the excitement when Marve announced he was transferring to Purdue. Even though Marve is petitioning for a 6th year, I don’t think he’ll get it. Marve has overcome too much. Redemption is a strong thing. It’s time for Marve to get his. I absolutely think Marve needs to start and get more snaps.

by DatDude556 on Sep 16, 2011 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

Ask Polian or Caldwell

When Peyton comes back, I’m guessing Collins will be hanging with our boy Curtis on the bench. Marve was ahead of TerBush on the depth chart and still should be. I don’t think TerBush was horrible, but not as good as what Marve could/should be.

by jffiv on Sep 16, 2011 4:07 PM EDT reply actions

You still think we're going to a bowl game, doncha?

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Sep 16, 2011 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Marve should and will play this week

But I don’t think he is a must start at this point.

Blind QB comparison in 2 games vs. non-AQ schools: QB #1: 35-54, 282 yds, 3/2 vs. QB #2: 37-64, 402 yds, 3/1.

QB#1 was Marve, #2 was Terbush. Marve may have loads of potential but his production isn’t that different from Terbush. Marve has played in 3.5 games in the last 2 years, so his timing will be off. One of Purdue’s biggest needs right now is the ability to stretch the field. Those 9 and 12 yards runs Bolden ripped off late against Rice were thanks to the nickle and dime coverage. But Marve wasn’t especially effective throwing deep when available last year. His longest pass went for 36 yards against Ball State. Terbush hasn’t looked deep much so far this season but our play calling has been extremely vanilla. Hope claimed that Terbush was the best passer of the group in practice, so I’m not totally convinced that Marve will be that noticeable of an improvement through the air.

I think tomorrow should be used as a game speed evaluation of both quarterbacks to determine who gives the team the best chance at winning for the rest of the season.

Lord, jager me strength.

by doublegoldandblack on Sep 16, 2011 10:29 PM EDT reply actions

The question is

How healthy is Mavre? The last thing we want is him getting on the field and two plays later, another season-ending injury. The second last thing we want is him playing at only 60% because of lingering injury effect. The third last thing we want is him playing with absolutely no chemistry with the receivers because he’s been out for so long and never get to practice with them.

I’d support your conclusion if 1) Mavre is 100% healthy, and 2) he outplays Terbush in practice. And yes, I dunno why Hope is so obsessed with 2 QB systems. I think it’s a dumb idea. But then maybe that’s why Hope likes it, just like his time-out calling and pass defense against the middle-of-the-field.

by charlespig on Sep 16, 2011 10:30 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think Marve was given enough of a chance to prove himself

His mediocre-at-best performance might have had a lot to do with the fact that he was dealing with a rather inexperienced receiving corps. Yes, he did have Keith Smith (essentially a walking first-down), but that’s just one guy.

Ross, Edison, and Siller are all looking good right now. Once our O-Line gets used to their position shifts, I think things will start to look up from a passing standpoint.

Also, Marve is a better runner. The option attack is actually viable with him in. TerBush looks like he’s running through molasses. Kinda reminds me of Curtis Painter’s rushing.

Reaction images? I got 'em

by Danulas on Sep 17, 2011 1:16 AM EDT reply actions

I'm not going to vote because...

There’s to many variables. We don’t know how healthy Marve is yet. We don’t know if Marve can come in and flow or if he’ll be back at square one with the system. We don’t even know what to expect from Marve, he had a good % ratio last year but his YPC and TD-INT ratio wasn’t spectacular and it’s not like Toledo dominated Western Illinois or Ball State with a healthy Marve.

As for TerBush, he’s played extremely well in the fourth quarter at least (a rarity as of late it seems) and even though the Rice game fell apart, he led a game winning drive versus MTSU and put the team in position versus Rice. The coaching staff going conservative, the decision not to run the ball as much, the horrible clock management with timeouts and the debacle with time to set up the field goal were all things out of TerBush’s hands.

Also, Marve did only complete 54% of his passes with a 9-13 ratio as a full time starter in Miami. He’s not proven either, but I don’t think you can say you HAVE to go with Marve. TerBush wasn’t the reason we lost last week.

http://theboilermaker.blogspot.com/

by Bryan Steedman on Sep 17, 2011 4:12 AM EDT reply actions

Disagree 100%

Wow. There’s nothing to say about this post.

by Jackson Brunner on Sep 17, 2011 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

2 unknowns

The sample size for both QB’s is way too small to draw any conclusions. I think the best approach is to give them both an honest look In games and let the cream rise to the top.

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by Purdue_Pete on Sep 18, 2011 10:35 AM EDT reply actions