Putzier cut from Texans

The Idaho Statesman reports that former Boise State tight end Jeb Putzier has been released by the Houston Texans. He is a six-year veteran, having played his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos and the last two with the Texans. He should have a chance to catch on somewhere when training camps roll around.

Texans cut former Boise State, Eagle High standout [Idaho Statesman]

An open letter to Ryan Clady's friends

Dear friends of Ryan Clady,

Put down the Guitar Hero and listen up: your gravy train is about to leave the station and you don’t want to miss it.

Ryan Clady will be a big-time NFL star in a couple of months, and he will be rich beyond his wildest dreams. In fact, he’ll have so much money, he won’t know what to do with it all.

That is where you come in. As a trusted and loyal friend, you deserve to mooch off his million dollar signing bonus. It is hard work being you, so get paid for it. Ryan will understand; after all, you are his friend.

If you haven’t talked to the guy in a couple weeks, stop whatever you are doing and dial him up right now. Your financial portfolio could be at stake. While you’re at it, tell him that you value his friendship and make up a story about how you protected his name when some punk kids were trying to slander him. He should appreciate that.

If for some reason, he is not feeling very generous come pay day, you may need to actually get a job with him. NFL athletes are always in need of some service, and becoming a rich star means outsourcing a lot of everyday tasks to others. Don’t worry; as a friend, he will expect far less from you than he would a stranger. Here are some possibilities for job openings in Ryan Clady’s entourage:

• Cook. Can you open a can of Beef-a-roni? Good. That’s a start. Now mix in some Spaghettio’s and call it carb-loading. He’ll like that.
  
• Masseuse. Are you an attractive friend of Ryan’s? Good. Then you won’t really need to know how to give a massage.
  
• Financial planner. Are you good at Texas Hold’em? Good. Gamble with his signing bonus and tell him you have invested it in Apple, circa 1995.
  
• Agent. Have you ever seen Deal or No Deal? Good. Being an agent is just like that, except contract figures are not usually given in suitcases.
  
• Bodyguard. Can you look like you bench press 400 pounds? Good. Even if you can’t actually bench that much, it shouldn’t matter; anyone would be stupid to pick on someone as big as Ryan Clady.
  
• Personal trainer. Do you own an ab roller? Good. Tell him you’ve invented a new kind of workout using just the ab roller, and throw in a lot of lines about “improving your core” just for good measure.
  
• Life coach. Have you ever given anyone advice? Good. Remember to tell him what he wants to hear and actively listen when he is sharing.
  
• Various posse. Do you not stick out in a crowd? Good. Just follow Ryan around and try not to get in the way of him having fun.

Well, what are you waiting for? Lesser-prepared mooches are already circling, so don’t miss your chance at monetary sloppy seconds. We’ve given you all the advice you need; now it is your turn to freeload like a pro.

Sincerely,
OBNUG team

Bronco Stadium construction photos

A couple days ago, we checked on the progress of the Mother Ship being built onto the side of Bronco Stadium. The addition is pretty awesome in person, and it should look great when it is all finished. I've posted a couple below, and you can check out the rest here.

Vote for the Greatest Higlight

Vote early and vote often for Boise State's Statue of Liberty play in the ESPN Greatest Highlight contest today. Here is the link: the Greatest Highlight.

Rent out BSU's practice facility

The Idaho Statesman ran a story today about the success of Boise State's practice facility, which apparently can be rented out by anyone for any reason. Hopefully this rule excludes Idaho Vandals.

Oh, and as a personal note to Chadd Cripe: please, no more Dan Hawkins quotes in any story ever. Thanks.

Sport Complex becomes popular community facility [Idaho Statesman]

ESPN Widget entertaing to say the least

I've added this handy little ESPN widget to my iGoogle homepage that is sure to keep me up to date on all of Boise State's greatest storylines--through the eyes of ESPN at least. First of all, as you can see they've yet to remove the Hawaii Bowl score. Thanks a lot. Secondly, the first link under team news leads to Schlabach's top 25 for next year that has no reference to Boise State but does have Fresno State at number 25, which is typical of their preseason overratedness. I'm used to it by now.

The real gem that this widget brings is the second link under Team News: "WAC signing day conversation." When I click on the link, I'm greeted with a wonderful invitation to join in the WAC signing day conversation. Of all 19 comments that were received, here are some of my favorites (complete with pictures because, well, profile pictures for commenters are a favorite of mine):

I think he's talking about the pack of wolves nestled in his beard for the winter.

johnnyhurl seems to be taking heart in numbers. Whenever you are just happy that your school was able to give away all their scholarships, well that can't be very good. And if you guessed that he's a Hawaii fan by the fact that he is not wearing a shirt, you'd be correct.

I'm glad Moose has relieved me of my duty to sit by my phone waiting for Mr. Hansen to call. The all caps on EAST CAROLINA was a nice touch also. I choose to believe he got worked up enough that he was really yelling out loud as he typed that.

Boise State Pro Day scheduled

Ryan Clady will get his best chance to wow NFL scouts on March 18 when BSU holds its Pro Day. According to the NFL's website, others scheduled to attend are Jeff Cavender and Orlando Scandrick.

Schedule of Pro Day workouts [NFL.com]