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.

Camp notes: pads are heavy and other new experiences

Today's Boise State practice was full of firsts:

• First time wearing full pads
• First time practicing on the new blue turf
• First time newcomers practiced with returners
• First time the offense showed up
  
• First time Paul J realized that Jeremy Childs and Jeremy Avery are different people.
  

Dave Southorn filed his report from the morning sessions, and he had plenty of nice things to say about RB D.J. Harper, even though Harper did not have many nice things to say about himself.

"I was actually really disappointed with how I did last year," Harper said. "If I can stay healthy, I want to be a lot more productive."

The offense finally showed some firepower with three long touchdown plays during practice today. Kellen Moore and Bush Hamdan threw for two of the scores, and Jeremy Avery broke a 45-yard TD run. It sure was nice of Ryan Winterswyck and Mike T. Williams to let them.

Chadd Cripe has details, too.

More on practice today if anything surfaces.

[UPDATE] Camp notes: Childs practices, will miss the opener

UPDATE 4:45pm: Audio from Coach Pete available at IPT website. And check the newspaper blogs later tonight for a newcomer's practice recap.

The Bronco veterans practiced this morning, and there is plenty of good news to report.

1. Football is back. 
This cannot be stressed enough.

2. Jeremy Childs news at last.
Childs practiced with the team today, ending the speculation as to his status for the 2008 season. The Broncos did announce that Childs will miss the team's preseason game season opener versus Idaho State on August 30th either as further punishment for his suspension or because Childs simply has better things to do.

3. DJ Harper is for real.
Dave Southorn reports that DJ Harper made his presence felt on the field today. We've had a lingering feeling since spring practice that Harper will be the No. 2 running back this fall, beating out Jeremy Avery. So far we have nothing to make us think otherwise.

4. Walk-ons galore. 
There are 18 of them (including Dan Hawkins' quarterback son Drew), and we don't really feel like listing them here. If you want the full list, check out the Chadd Cripe's blog, Dave Southorn's blog, Fight Fight BSU, or the Boise State student directory.

We'll add to this post if there are any other pressing updates later today.

Childs won't play in opener [Bronco Beat]
It has finally begun [Dave's Blog]

BSU numerical roster revealed

The new BSU numerical roster is available on the BroncoSports website, finally giving us a chance to pre-order our Raphiel Lambert replica jersey. Get BroncoShop on the phone, Jeeves!

The biggest change on the updated roster is RB D.J. Harper's switch from #34 to #6--an obvious ode to Denver QB Jay Cutler. Seriously though, Harper will look pretty awesome running over defenders with a single digit on his back.

Doug Martin will indeed be wearing #22, and the rest of the skill position players stayed put with their same numbers. The only other big changes were CB Brandyn Thompson switching to #13 and DT Billy Winn going to #90.

Lambert and the other incoming freshmen were listed, which really makes them feel like part of the team for the first time. Now we actually have an excuse to get way too amped up about them.

• Bronson Durrant, OG, #79
• Greg Grimes, DL, #68
• Byron Hout, LB, #69
• George Iloka, S, #8
• Tyler Jackson, S, #29
• Joe Kellogg, OG, #61
• Chandler Koch, TE, #86
• Darren Koontz, DT, #95
• Raphiel Lambert, CB, #38
• Brenel Myers, OG, #64
• Chris Potter, WR, #81
• Tommy Smith, LB, #33
• Tom Swanson, OT, #74
• Jamar Taylor, CB, no number
• Faraji Wright, OT, #75

Junior college transfer LB Daron Mackey will be wearing #45.

Roster - Boise State [BroncoSports.com]

OBNUG roster update: Running backs

Spring football gets OBNUG in the mood to speculate, so over the next few weeks, we will be making blind guesses as to who will be starting for the Broncos in the fall. We’ll do it position-by-position. Today: Running Back.

Boise State football starting running back

Ideal candidate: This vehicle:

Worst candidate: Ian Johnson 2007

Actual candidates: Ian Johnson, DJ Harper, Jeremy Avery, Doug Martin

OBNUG pick: Ian Johnson

Johnson will win the starting job, but whoever gets to be his back-up will be in good position to replace him next season. We hope it is Doug Martin because we have an unhealthy affection for him and we’ve yet to even see him in person.

Spring football recap: Day One

Boise State football practice was the place to be Monday afternoon as the Broncos kicked off spring ball. Bears coach Lovie Smith as well as BSU alumni Ryan Clady, Orlando Scandrick, Daryn Colledge, and Ryan Dinwiddie were on hand to watch the first practice of the 2008 Bronco squad.

Chadd Cripe reports that the emphasis on tempo was noticeable throughout practice, and the players seemed to buy into the new approach.

Petersen made sure his push for a quicker pace at practice was understood from the start. When players ran to form a huddle around him after stretching, he made them do it again.

They hadn't moved quickly enough.

The rest of practice was crisply run, with little wasted time and the offense cutting back on huddles.

"Everybody in the country is going to show up in spring ball and have a good first day in terms of effort and attitude," Petersen said. "The whole trick is to be consistent and persistent every day."

Also encouraging was the fact that three Boise State running backs finished among the best conditioned athletes on the team in a new system designed by strength coach Tim Socha. Ian Johnson, D.J. Harper, and Doug Martin were three of the five players to reach the highest level of the conditioning program. Harper ran a team-best 4.43 40-yard dash.

First impressions from BSU's first practice [Idaho Statesman]