WIR: NFL Draft countdown

Week in Review (WIR) is looking forward to OBNUG's live-blog of the NFL Draft tomorrow. With Ryan Clady going in the first few picks, the excitement is palpable. Or is that our mondo nacho platter? Either way, tomorrow should be fulfilling.

Here is the best from the past week:

• New WAC bowl? Yeah, that's what we need.
• Akey's foster family.
• Brian Murphy strikes again.
• No wonder the WAC is so depressing.
• Clady is the Black Power Ranger.
• S*Club party
• Dan Hawkins: Public Enemy #1!
• Life Coach waxes wise.
• NFL Draft scouting report.
• Fresno State a little amped.
• Broncos sure are good at sports.
• Do the right thing, Kansas City.

See you for tomorrow's live-blog, Bronco fans.

BSU to name press area after Paul J.

Turns out 35 years of broadcasting is worth something.

After being relieved from play-by-play duties for Bronco athletics, Paul J. Schneider will at least be honored by the school to which he became synonymous. Here is a list of ways that Boise State intends on showing their appreciation for Schneider's service.

• Press area to be named "Paul J. Schneider Press Area"
• $10,000 scholarship in his name for a Bronco football or men's basketball player
• Lifetime seats for him and his family in the new skybox
• Nomination for BSU Hall of Fame
• Honored at halftime of home opener

Congratulations, Paul J. You deserve it.

BSU to honor Paul J. [Idaho Radio News]

WAC roundup: Vandals, Aggies find new backs

Here is a long overdue look at the world of WAC competition. Did we say competition? We meant speed bumps.

Idaho

Vandal RB Princeton (if that's his real name) McCarty had himself quite a game in Idaho's spring finale, rushing for 124 yards and four touchdowns. But diving into the end zone? Act like you've been there before, McCarty, even though--as a Vandal tailback--you might never get there again.

“He had some great big plays,” Idaho head coach Robb Akey said. “He learned a little lesson about discipline. We’re not going to be diving into end zones like that unless we have to. He made some big plays and dadgumit that’s what I’ve been asking them to do."

Akey went on to add: "Darn tootin'."

Sportslink: spring roundup [Spokesman-Review]

Utah State

Linebacker-turned-running back? Yeah, that'll work.
Utah State's latest offensive strategy involves converting linebackers to running backs. Isn't it supposed to work the other way?

Cumbee carried nine times for 69 yards and a touchdown during the spring-ending scrimmage at Romney Stadium.

Said Cumbee: "I just saw the hole and ran. That's what the coaches told me to do. ... They said to run the ball like a linebacker."

Run the ball like a linebacker? We seem to remember linebackers not running the ball all that well. Hence, why they are linebackers.

USU: RB shows his stuff in scrimmage [Salt Lake Tribune]


Fresno State

While Boise State fans anxiously await several Broncos going in the NFL Draft, Fresno fans have decidedly less to get excited about. DL Jason Shirley might be the only Bulldog to be drafted, and that is not even a certainty.

The former Fresno State football player knows he severely hurt those chances in October when he was charged with three misdemeanors, including driving under the influence.

"I know NFL teams frown upon those types of incidents," Shirley said.

Nonsense. The Cowboys and Bengals would love to have him.

Self-inflicted slips put Shirley's draft stock in question [Fresno Bee]


San Jose State

San Jose State has been busy crafting its non-conference schedule for the next seven years. Talk about proactive.

For SJSU fans, the biggest name will undoubtedly be USC (in 2009), but the biggest story should be Navy.

That’s partly because of the allure of playing a service academy, partly because SJSU and Navy will play four times: twice at Spartan Stadium, twice in Annapolis.

And partly because those four games are winnable.

SJSU football... [San Jose Mercury-News]

An open letter to the Kansas City Chiefs

Dear Kansas City Chiefs,

With the fifth pick in Saturday's NFL Draft, you have an opportunity to significantly upgrade your team, and we would like to give you advice on how not to blow it. Picking a bust is a lot easier than you might think (Ryan Sims knows what we're talking about), which is why we feel obligated to help.

Make no mistake, there is one true and right way to draft on Saturday, and his name is Ryan Clady.

You need a difference-maker, Chiefs, and Clady is that difference-maker. Remember the days when you used to dominate teams along the offensive line with powerful, smart players who controlled the line of scrimmage and kept the offense moving? We hardly do. Wasn't that, like, five years ago? Clady can help restore that luster.

And really, you are going nowhere without a consistent offense. Brodie Croyle is horribly mortal and the receivers are tragically unremarkable. But put Clady in at left tackle and at least Croyle will have seven seconds to not find the right receiver and Eddie Kennison will have plenty of opportunity to not get open. If all else fails, you can call Larry Johnson off-tackle plays until you're blue in the face.

The way we see it, here are your draft needs:

• Wide Receiver. There are no receivers worth a top ten pick this season, meaning that you may have to wait until the second day to get a playmaking wideout. You are not the Lions.
• Defensive Line. With Jared Allen gone, Tamba Hali needs a new bookend. Or does he? At least you still have one quality DE. If he demands double-teams, you can find any noob to fill the other side, one-on-one.
• Safety. Safeties just shouldn't go as high as No. 5 overall. Except for Marty Tadman.
• Offensive Line. Hmm, we can think of a fairly good prospect who will be available.

Clady makes too much sense at No. 5. He will be a franchise player for years to come, and he will make an immediate impact. Sure our advice is motivated by a desire to see a Boise State player go in the top five picks, but we also want to see you succeed. We can't stand the Chargers.

When you go on the clock Saturday, there will be pressure to write down the name of an overrated defensive lineman (Vernon Gholston), an overrated quarterback (Matt Ryan), or God's gift to the left tackle position (Clady).

Write down Ryan Clady's name. You won't regret it.

Sincerely,
OBNUG

Broncos continue multi-sport domination

Is there anything the Broncos aren't good at?

A great sports year that included a 10-win football season and national recognition for basketball is far from over. Boise State's golf and tennis squads have begun their postseason tournaments, and the Broncos have some of the best teams in the WAC once more.

Boise State senior golfer Troy Merritt will arrive at the WAC Championships on Monday with an almost-unheard-of four-tournament winning streak and the lowest scoring average in the nation. Merritt leads the nation in scoring average (69.2), par-3 scoring and par-4 scoring. He leads the nation with six wins. He is ranked No. 7 in the nation by Golfstat and No. 21 by Golfweek.

Both tennis teams earned high seeds in the WAC tournament, and the men's team is looking for a its fourth consecutive title.

Boise State is riding an 11-match win streak into the WAC Championships, which kick off today.

Now if only swimming could start pulling its weight.

Boise State golfer has won four straight events... [Idaho Statesman]
Broncos look for next step [Press-Tribune]
Can Broncos make it a four-peat? [Press-Tribune]