Boise State scrimmage: questions that need answering

The Boise State Broncos will take the field later this afternoon for the first scrimmage of fall camp, and we could not be more excited. We could also not be more curious.

Over the inexorably long summer, we had plenty of time to sit around and think up open-ended questions about the Broncos upcoming season. And with practices being closed to the public, we have had to cobble together answers based on spotty play-by-play from the local media.

Not today. This afternoon we will finally get a chance to put the pieces together for ourselves about this 2008 Bronco team. Here is what we'll be looking for:

Will Ian Johnson's backup be D.J. Harper or Jeremy Avery? One of these two should be in line to get the scraps of Johnson's carries, and thus far through the first week of camp, they seem to be pretty even. Harper and Avery? Avery and Harper? We'll see in a little bit.

Can we forget the whole "Q" formation ever happened? The Broncos' spring surprise was a version of Nevada's pistol that looked pretty cool right up until the snap when everything fell apart. For that matter, what will shotgun snaps look like? The Boise State centers have had all summer to perfect the art of throwing footballs between their legs, so there should be some improvement. We're willing to reconsider the "Q," but the Broncos are going to have to do an awful lot of convincing.

Do you think we'll recognize Jeremy Childs? Absence makes the heart grow fonder...at least that's what we told ourselves when the girls we liked wouldn't return our phone calls. Childs has been off the field for what seems like an eternity. It will be the highlight of our August to see him running routes beside Titus Young, Austin Pettis, Vinny Perretta, and others.

Could Mike T. Williams and Ryan Winterswyck get sacks on every play? We're pretty sure they could if they wanted to. Out of all the Bronco storylines going into this year, these two defensive ends are the ultimate headliners. Hyperbole alert: they could be the greatest pass rushing duo that the WAC has ever seen! We are literally giddy with excitement.

Which Kyle Brotzman will show up? In spring practice, we saw the inaccurate, complacent Kyle Brotzman, but we really want to see the precise, confident Brotzman from a season ago. We'll attribute the spring misses to Brock Jaramillo's extortion tactics. Let's hope things are better today.

Will Dustin Lapray be wearing a derby with a feather? The Magic Valley Times journalist/poet/worsdworth writes like he has been transported out of 17th century literature, and his BSU blog reads more like a Shakespearean play than a football practice report.

Oh, and we may be a little interested in seeing some of the quarterbacks throw.

Before you head to the scrimmage, make sure to print yourself a roster.

Clady's first game as a pro does not please Woody Paige

In NFL preseason games over the weekend, several former Boise State players saw action, much to Woody Paige's chagrin.

First round pick Ryan Clady had a harsh introduction to the NFL against the Mario Williams and the Houston Texans. From the Denver Post (via Scott Slant), here is Woody Paige's take on Clady's performance. Note: we do not place much credence in anything Woody Paige has ever said.

"Ryan Clady, the No. 1 pick, became the first Broncos' rookie to start the opening exhibition at left tackle, and he looked every bit of it. Clady played the entire first half and was flattened like a dry-cleaned starched shirt in the beginning, and often. He was overmatched against Texans defensive end Mario Williams (the former No. 1 pick overall). He will need help." 

Well, we're sure Boise State would take him back if that would help matters any.

The Post's game recap was a little more balanced in its perspective of the Clady/Williams matchup, which probably just goes to show that Woody Paige does not know how to objectively watch football.

Left tackle Ryan Clady got a rookie baptism from the Texans' star defensive end, Mario Williams. There were times when Williams knocked Clady back into his own backfield, but the Broncos' first-round draft choice did compete and gave Cutler time to throw on the touchdown drive.

Fortunately, other Boise State alumni had better luck than Clady, especially Orlando Scandrick and Jeb Putzier. Scandrick had three tackles, one sack, and two kickoff returns in a Cowboys loss. Putzier caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Seneca Wallace in a Seahawks win.

Tonight, ESPN will have Korey Hall, Daryn Colledge, and the Packers...oh, and enough Brett Favre news to choke a horse. Let's hope the scrimmage runs long.

Bizarro Nevada fall scrimmage, defense beats offense

One of Boise State's chief WAC rivals this season will be the Nevada Wolf Pack, who should have one of the best offenses in the conferences. Supposedly.

Such was not the case in Nevada's first scrimmage of the fall yesterday.

The first scrimmage of the 2008 season went to the defense which scored twice and allowed only one score in a 90-minute and 90-plus play scrimmage Sunday at Mackay Stadium.

The "D" returned a fumble and an interception for touchdowns and forced five turnovers total. Colin Kaepernick and Luke Lippincott, the two stars of the Nevada offense, were held to 102 yards combined, and OBNUG's pick for preseason WAC offensive player of the year, QB Nick Graziano, went 3-for-12.

By the way, the Nevada defense is terrible.

What should Bronco fans make of this result? Probably little. Seeing Nevada struggle on offense will undoubtedly encourage us to make some inappropriate jokes at their expense, but when all is said and done, the Nevada offense will be fine, the Nevada defense will be bad, and the WAC championship will still come down to Fresno State and Boise State.

In the meantime, we'll be snickering at Kaepernick's efficiency rating.

Defense dominates the day [Nevada Appeal]

Morning paper: Boise State football links 8/11

Happy Monday, Bronco fans. Today is the Broncos' first scrimmage of the fall from 3:00 to 5:30 this afternoon at Bronco Stadium. We'll be there, so feel free to come say hi. We'll be the ones with the Marty Tadman life-size cardboard cutout.

Saturday camp recap [Dave's Blog and Bronco Beat]
Ugh, two-a-days.

Sunday camp recap [Dave's Blog and Bronco Beat]
A Drew Hawkins TD run? We have no idea what is happening with this QB race.

Campers of the day [BroncoSports.com]
Spoiler alert: Martin, Mackey, and Brockel.

Dave Southorn's mohawk update [Dave's Blog]
This is probably what we would do if we had media credentials, too.

No Nate Potter vs. Idaho State [Press-Tribune]
Arthroscopic knee surgery for the new OT.

More no-huddle is fine by us [Press-Tribune]
So long as the no-huddle does not involve the "Q."

Hamdan love from the Statesman [Statesman]
Does Chadd Cripe have a crush?

The story behind the jersey numbers [Press-Tribune]
Coach Pete used to wear #9, which is our new favorite idea for a personalized jersey.

Interesting Jarrell Root story [Statesman]
Taking on Clady in practice couldn't have been easy.

Ian Johnson feature at [Pro Football Weekly]
It's like January 2007 all over again.

Robert Smith has lost his mind [PWtW]
ESPN "analyst" picks Kaepernick as Heisman candidate.

SMU ticket sales up by 50 percent [Dallas Morning News]
Hawaii ticket sales down by 50 percent?