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   Danny Hope's tenure as coach has just begun, and already he is faced with a crucial decision.

   As Joey Elliott and Justin Siller battle for Purdue's starting quarterback spot, they represent the past and future of Purdue football. Elliott is the type of big-framed pocket passer who thrived in Joe Tiller's system. Siller, though, is a converted tailback who excels as a dual threat. Siller is best on the run, while Elliott is most effective standing still.

   Whomever Hope chooses will be in charge of continuing -- or reshaping -- Purdue's offensive identity. But Hope doesn't expect either player to walk away at the end of April with the starting job. This is just the first step in a journey that is expected to extend well into the summer.

   "I feel good about it," Hope said. "I like the guys we have coming back. I feel pretty comfortable about the potential we have there. We don't have a proven starter back, which can be unsettling at times, but I like what we have coming back and they both played and both been in position to start."

   Quarterback certainly isn't the only position that needs decided -- Purdue is looking for a starting tailback and two receivers as well. But the quarterback position just might be the most telling. If Siller wins the race, it will be a clear shift in a new direction for Purdue football under its new head coach.

   SPRING OBJECTIVES:

   This is the first step in overhauling the offense. Purdue must replace its starting quarterback, tailback and both receivers. The quarterback battle between Justin Siller and Joey Elliott should be heated, while Dan Dierking can use the spring to stake his claim to the tailback job. Jaycen Taylor would have to be considered the favorite, but he'll be limited this spring while recovering from a knee injury suffered last year.

   Keith Smith's 49 catches last year make him the team's returning leading receiver. Purdue always produced elite receivers under Joe Tiller. Now with a new quarterback, a new system and plenty of inexperience across the offense, that may no longer be the case. For now, Smith and Aaron Valentin (11 catches, 224 yards) will get the first crack at starting jobs.

   BUILDING BLOCKS:

   Much will be expected from Ryan Kerrigan, who had seven sacks from his defensive end spot last season. Kerrigan is the only returning starter across the defensive line, and because of that, will likely get opponents' full attention.

   LB Jason Werner has always had immense talent. His problem has been keeping his back healthy enough to stay on the field. He missed all of last season, but begins the spring feeling pretty good. Anything Werner can provide would have to be viewed as a pleasant surprise.

   Torri Williams finished second on the team last season with 83 tackles, then received a pleasant gift when the NCAA granted him an extra year of eligibility to make up for his three injury-marred seasons. The fact Williams stayed healthy all of last season was a surprise. If he can do it again, the Boilermakers will have their leader of the secondary back.

   QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're a lot healthier than we were last year, but that's no measuring stick. That was the worst I've ever seen in the amount of injuries we had." -- coach Danny Hope

   STARS OF 2009:

   --QBs Joey Elliott and Justin Siller -- The quarterback competition will begin in earnest in the spring. Elliott, who will be a senior, missed valuable time late in the season with a shoulder separation. When Curtis Painter went down with a similar injury, it opened the door for Siller, who exploded in his first game with 344 total yards of offense and four touchdowns in a victory over Michigan. He never duplicated those numbers, but showed enough during the season to get a serious look at the starting job. Elliott had always been considered the heir apparent to Painter, though, and has to be considered the front-runner for the job.

   RB Jaycen Taylor -- Divided the carries with Kory Sheets before a knee injury wrecked his 2008 season. Taylor has all the makings of being a feature back, and now doesn't have to worry about sharing carries. First, he needs his knee completely healthy.

   DE Ryan Kerrigan -- Broke through this season with seven sacks, ranking seventh in the league. With two years of eligibility remaining, Kerrigan will only get better. He can develop into a premier pass rushing end. He's off to a good start. 

   TOP NEWCOMERS: 

   RB Al-Terek McBurse -- Rushed for a Seminole County-record 2,238 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior. Ranked as the No. 23 running back, according to Rivals.com. McBurse is already on campus, increasing the likelihood that he will play immediately.

   QB Rob Henry -- Passed for 1,917 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. Three-star prospect by Rivals and ranked No. 96 on the Miami Herald's list of top 100 players out of Florida.

   WR Gary Bush -- Caught 33 passes for 555 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior. Has decent size (6-foot-1) and a strong endorsement from coach Danny Hope: "He'll be one of the great receivers that has played at Purdue."

   ROSTER REPORT:

   --DB Torri Williams has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA after most of his first five were marred with injuries. Williams did manage to stay healthy last season, though, finishing second on the team with 83 tackles.

   --DE Keyon Brown has been ruled out of spring practice after undergoing shoulder surgery.

   --OL Eric Hedstrom, DE Corey Chapman and long snapper Andy Huffman will all be limited this spring with various injuries.

   --RB Jaycen Taylor, who injured his knee last August, will be limited, but can participate.

   --LB Jason Werner, who missed all of last season dealing with recurring back issues, feels good and will participate this spring. "If it starts to nag him," Coach Danny Hope said, "we'll back off."

Previous Report: 02/06/2009