image courtesy of Inside the Iggles
Before we get into the NFC part of our training camp preview, allow us the following aside.
Remember the days when the Chicago Bears used to be a bastion for BSU alumni? Both Brock Forsey and Ryan Dinwiddie were once on the roster, but neither were able to stick. Timing is everything. Today, the Bears are struggling to find both a go-to running back and a reason not to have Rex Grossman any more. What we wouldn't pay to rip a hole in the space-time continuum and have Forsey and Dinwiddie get one more shot.
Without further ado, here are the Boise State players on NFC training camp rosters. (The AFC list can be found here.)
S Quintin Mikell, Philadelphia Eagles
Other Philadelphia Eagles safeties: Sean Considine, Quintin Demps, J.R. Reed, Marcus Paschal
Camp starts: Monday (rookies), Thursday (veterans), Bethlehem PA
Link: Rockford Register: Take that, Sean Considine!
Outlook: Mikell's strong effort in place of Considine last year has him atop the depth chart going into training camp. Mikell doesn't get the same local love as other successful BSU players, but he has quietly put together a fine career. More importantly, we are finally able to remember which one is Quintin and which one is David.
DT Kimo von Oelhoffen, Philadelphia Eagles
Other Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackles: Brodrick Bunkley, Dan Klecko, Trevor Laws, Mike Patterson, Montae Reagor
Camp starts: Monday (rookies), Thursday (veterans), Bethlehem PA
Link: Bleacher Report: not everyone's a Kimo fan.
Outlook: Yes, von Oelhoffen is old. Yes, von Oelhoffen recorded only two tackles last year. But von Oelhoffen is an NFL veteran with experience, and he makes Andy Reid look thin by association. Therefore, Kimo stays. At least until the first round of cuts. Then he's probably gone.
CB Orlando Scandrick, Dallas Cowboys
Other Dallas Cowboys cornerbacks: Terence Newman, Adam Jones, Mike Jenkins, Anthony Henry, Alan Ball, Quincy Butler, Tyler Everett, Evan Oglesby, Jerron Wishom
Camp starts: Thursday, Oxnard CA
Link: Dallas Morning News: Scandrick switched agent to get contract done
Outlook: Scandrick will find a place on the Cowboys, even though their secondary is loaded. Fortunately, Newman is injury-prone, Jones is stripper-prone, and Henry is bound to be moved to safety, so there may be opportunity for Scandrick to move up and make an impact. At any rate, special teams will be glad to have him.
FB Korey Hall, Green Bay Packers
Other Green Bay Packers fullbacks: John Kuhn, Corey White, Ryan Powdrell
Camp starts: 7/27, Green Bay WI
Link: Press-Gazette: plenty of depth at fullback
Outlook: Hall was very impressive in his rookie season last year, yet the Packers still come into camp with four fullbacks on the roster. Four! Kuhn and Hall were last season's starters and did a fine job, so who knows why Powdrell and White are present. Looks like Hall will have to earn his job again, which shouldn't be a problem.
OG Daryn Colledge, Green Bay Packers
Other Green Bay Packers tackles: Ryan Keenan, Cameron Stephenson, Josh Sitton, Jason Spitz, Junius Coston
Camp starts: 7/27, Green Bay WI
Link: Press-Gazette: Packers are favorites, guards are competitive
Outlook: Colledge started most of the season last year after being in and out of the starting lineup his rookie season. He'll again be battling Spitz and Coston for a starting spot, but he seems to be getting better every year so a starting spot should be expected.
S Gerald Alexander, Detroit Lions
Other Detroit Lions safeties: Dwight Smith, Greg Blue, Daniel Bullocks, Kalvin Pearson
Camp starts: Wednesday, Allen Park MI
Link: Michigan Live: Alexander versus Bullocks at strong safety
Outlook: Alexander probably surprised many people with his ascension to a starting rookie safety with the Lions. He looks to have a bright future with the team. And, yes, that may be the only time that "bright future" is mentioned in regards to the Detroit Lions.
WR Jerard Rabb, San Francisco 49ers
Other San Francisco 49ers receivers: Bryant Johnson, Ashley Lelie, Arnaz Battle, Isaac Bruce, Cameron Colvin, Jason Hill, Robert Jordan, Josh Morgan, Dominique Zeigler
Camp starts: 7/24, Santa Clara CA
Link: 49ers website: big battle for final roster spot
Outlook: Rabb stuck with the practice squad last season, and he'll have his work cut out for him to make the roster this summer. The 49ers are full of medium-tier wide receivers, so Rabb will at least have a good shot at breaking through. Plus, with Mike Martz as O-coordinator, the 49ers could very well be in 5-WR sets fairly often.
TE Jeb Putzier, Seattle Seahawks
Other Seattle Seahawks tight ends: John Carlson, Will Heller, Zac Alcorn, Joe Newton
Camp starts: 7/22, 7/24, Kirkland WA
Link: Sporting News: Carlson outplayed by vets
Outlook: Putzier has experience on his side in the battle for starting tight end. Though the Seahawks might like to see rookie Carlson get the job, Putzier and Heller may be better options to start the season. At any rate, there will be probably be ample TE rotating, so Putzier should see the field often.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Going camping: Broncos in the pros Part II (NFC edition)
Friday: Links with extracurriculars
Story of the day:
No, Tom Scott was not condoning gambling on his daily blog, er, column, er, slant. But he might as well have been.
Las Vegas oddsmakers have come out with their over-under predictions on team wins for 2008. They have Boise State at 9.5 and Fresno State at 8.5. So it's 9-3 or 10-2 for the Broncos, the way they see it (or the way they want you to bet on it).The Broncos have won fewer than 10 games exactly once in the past six years, so you would think that taking the "over" would be easy money.
Well, let's look at the Broncos' schedule. Losing one non-conference game and one WAC game would still put the Broncos at 10 wins, which would be enough for the "over." If Boise State beats Oregon (which we believe in our heart of hearts they will), the Broncos would have to lose to a combination of Southern Miss, Fresno State, and Nevada to fall below the 10-win threshold.
If we were a betting man, our savings would be so out of the bank right now.
Other links:
Scandrick signs with Cowboys [Dallas Morning-News]
Four years, $1.89 million doesn't sound like that much in today's NFL.
Bronco defense preview [BroncoSports.com]
Strange to hear that the "D" will carry the team.
Predictions for the upcoming season [Bleacher Report]
BSU beating Fresno is good, losing to Oregon is bad.
SDSU radio man was runner-up for Peak job [Tube Talk]
Lee Hamilton sounds like a Civil War general.
Indisputable evidence that BSU rocks [Phil Steele]
Makes you feel proud to be a Bronco fan.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Going camping: Broncos in the NFL, Part I (AFC edition)
NFL training camps kick off next week, and there are a good variety of former Boise State players dotting rosters across the country. Today, we'll take a look at the AFC. Tomorrow, we'll tackle the NFC. Saturday, we'll re-order the rosters in Madden 08 according to our personal biases. We have a lot of work to do.
T Ryan Clady, Denver Broncos
Other Denver Broncos tackles on the roster: Ryan Harris, PJ Alexander, Erik Pears, Tyler Polumbus
Camp starts: 7/24, Englewood CO
Link: Denver Post: contract negotiations could won't be done soon
Outlook: Clady should be a fixture in Denver for years, and he seems to already have the city wrapped around his finger. The only question will be when he signs his contract. Holding out for a bit probably won't cost him a starting spot, but it will be enough to elicit a Woody Paige column or two. "Kids these days have no respect for the game! Bllllaaaarrrrrgggghh!" You tell 'em, Woody!
T Dan Gore, Miami Dolphins
Other Miami Dolphins tackles: Vernon Carey, Jake Long, Daren Heerspink (Portland State rookie), Julius Wilson
Camp starts: 7/26, Davie FL
Link: Sun-Sentinel blog: Gore's versatility could increase his value
Outlook: Gore will be given every opportunity to make the team. Such is life in the post 1-15 era of the Miami Dolphins. If anything was a strength of the team last year, it might have been the offensive line, but that doesn't mean there is no room for Gore. The depth at tackle is rather shallow (Heerspink's a Portland State rookie, Wilson has big arms), so we're picking Gore to stick on the opening week roster.
TE Derek Schouman, Buffalo Bills
Other Buffalo Bills tight ends: Robert Royal, Courtney Anderson, Derek Fine (rookie), Tim Massaquoi
Camp starts: 7/25, Rochester NY
Link: BuffaloBills.com: Schouman and Trent Edwards have chemistry
Outlook: Schoumann played the dreaded H-back role last year, which is usually where tight ends go to die. However, he survived, and the Bills are willing to slide him back to a true tight end this season. He has NFL vets Royal and Anderson to contend with, as well as fourth round pick Fine, but potential injuries and the low ceilings of Royal and Anderson should be enough to keep Schoumann solidly into the #3 TE role.
CB/KR Chris Carr, Tennessee Titans
Other Tennessee Titans cornerbacks: Reynaldo Hill, Cortland Finnegan, Eric King, Nick Harper, Marquice Hill, Cary Williams, Shirdonya Mitchell
Camp starts: 7/25, Nashville TN
Link: Tennessean: Carr will answer kick return question
Outlook: Carr is the new Pac-Man Jones in Tennessee, sans Atari nickname. The kick return duties should be his (sorry, Chris Johnson; actually, no we're not). The real question mark will be where Carr fits in the Titans' secondary. Will he be content being a dime back the rest of his career? Will facing Vince Young in practice be better than facing Andrew Walter?
WR Legedu Naanee, San Diego Chargers
Other San Diego Chargers receivers: Chris Chambers, Eric Parker, Vincent Jackson, Buster Davis, Mark Jones, Kassim Osgood, Malcolm Floyd, Billy Pittman, Gary Banks, Marco Thomas
Camp starts: Sunday (rookies), 7/24 (veterans), San Diego CA
Link: Pro Football Weekly: back to wide receiver for Naanee
Outlook: Naanee received encouraging news this summer when he was switched from a TE/WR hybrid to a full-time wideout. And good for him; he has the ability to be a good pro receiver. However, the Chargers are pretty stacked at the position, so Naanee may be no better than a 3rd or 4th option. Of course, he can play so many positions on the team (WR, TE, QB, Phillip Rivers' wingman) that San Diego can't afford not to keep him around.
WR Drisan James, Oakland Raiders
Other Oakland Raiders receivers: Javon Walker, Ronald Curry, Drew Carter, Todd Watkins, Will Buchanon, Marcel Reece, Jonathan Holland, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chris McFoy, Chaz Schilens, Arman Shields
Camp starts: 7/24, Napa Valley CA
Link: MVN: Raider WR competition will be fierce
Outlook: James has yet to make much noise in the league, but at least he is getting opportunities. The Raiders, though they signed Walker in the offseason, could always use a hard-working receiver, and James could certainly be that. Yet we get the feeling like he might be better off in the CFL or starting a garage band with Jared Zabransky. We guess there's no reason why he couldn't do both.
Thursday: Links with anonymity
Story of the day:
In addition to Southern Miss being big, athletic, and playing at home, Boise State will now have to contend with the Eagles being loaded. Conference USA has released its preseason polls and rankings, and Southern Miss is well represented to say the least.
Golden Eagle junior running back Damion Fletcher was chosen as the league’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Fletcher carried the ball 29 times for 155 yards in the Papajohns.com Bowl to finish last season with a single-season best 1,586 yards and 15 touchdowns.Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year? Yikes, indeed. Is there any way we can get Weber State back on the schedule?
Another Golden Eagle, reigning C-USA Defensive Player of the Year Gerald McRath, was picked as the preseason favorite to repeat as the conference’s top defensive player. He led C-USA in tackles with 139 (71 solo, 68 assist) in 2007 and averaged 10.7 per game.
Other links:
Is Brian Murphy famous enough to interview? [Kellis Robinett]
Relative to Pocatello people, he is.
Budweiser to support Hawaii athletics [Honolulu Advertiser]
Coca-cola to support head coach Greg McMackin.
BSU's new South African walk-on [Fight Fight BSU]
He plays running back, receiver, and philanthropist.
Oregon to sell single-game tickets tomorrow night [GoDucks]
Fifty-four dollars per seat. Seeing the Broncos win in Autzen? Priceless.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Media interview: Don Day
You would be hard-pressed to find a Treasure Valley media member who knows the Internet better than Don Day. His Idaho Radio News website is the #1 source for local radio information. He has transformed KTVB.com into the area's news leader. He was the inspiration behind Sandra Bullock's the Net. And now he's agreed to share some knowledge with us. Sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Don: I grew up here in Boise, born and raised as they say. I went to a bunch of the "old" schools: Cole, Hillcrest, South and Borah. I spent about a year at NNU in Nampa and some time at Boise State.
In addition to maintaining Idaho Radio News, we see that you work at KTVB, producing content for television and the web. What all are you involved in with Channel 7? How did you get started with them and how long have you been with the company?
I began working at KTVB in 1999 as Internet News Producer. My role there has evolved and morphed over the years. I went on to produce News at Ten with Carolyn Holly and Mark Johnson, then left for a short stint at NorthWest Cable News in Seattle. I returned back to Boise and now I oversee our content and day-to-day operations for KTVB.COM and ZIdaho.com
What made you decide to start Idaho Radio News? Has radio always been a passion of yours and was it something you ever wanted to make a career out of?
I've always been interested in radio. My dad was the sales manager for KOT/J-105 back in the 1980s, and I've been around it my entire life. During high school, my dad was the host of a three hour blues show on (then) KFXJ/KF-95 on Sunday night. I hung out and bounced around the radio station, and even hosted a cheesy "blues news" segment with concert dates and the like. I interned at KZMG/Magic 93.1 and KCIX/Mix 106 with Steve Shannon and Stephanie Kelly and really enjoyed it. I swerved and moved into TV before getting a full-time job in radio. As much as the radio industry interests me, I think it has a tendency to be hard on people - especially on the content side. The pay isn't as high as it should be, and the number of jobs are few.
I decided to start the blog for two reasons. One, blogging was a new thing, and I wanted to wrap my head around it. Two, there was another site on Idaho radio - but it was written by a guy living in Salt Lake City and just wasn't as good as it could be. So I decided to give it a shot. I've been very close to quitting a few times, but after nearly five years, I don't know how I could NOT be involved.
What is your opinion on blogging and its place among traditional media both locally and nationally?
There are a lot of folks that say they are blogging, but aren't. First, you have to have comments turned on. Second, you've got to turn out at least as many posts as there are days in the month. You also need to be focused on a topic. There are some really fantastic traditional media blogs - Chuck Todd's First Read on MSNBC.com is great, Todd Bishop's Microsoft blog on SeattlePI.com is really good too. The Broncos blogs on IdahoPress.com are fantastic as well.
Other than that, I don't find a lot of outstanding media blogs. The blogs on the daily newspaper's site don't offer anything spectacular, and they aren't much to look at. There's no community there. And every topic seems to devolve into a weird fight about politics.
We at KTVB don't do much with blogging right now. Tom Scott's Scott Slant is sort of in that vein, but it's really more of a daily sports column. The way for a local media organization to look like they are "with it" is to create a blog I guess. But I just don't see the point. We're in the content business - and blogging is just a platform. Unless you're going to really do it well, what's the point? We serve the most pageviews each month, and it's because we are the best at all the things we chose to do.
What kind of response have you gotten from your website compared to the type of response you expected when you first started?
For IdahoRadioNews.com, I didn't expect anything. I didn't even think it would last long. Now the silly thing has been cited by the all the radio industry trade magazine, Idaho Business Review, Boise Weekly and channel 2. The Statesman's ripped me off several times (the Peak radio contract details being a particularly satisfying example) and it feels like the site is well-respected. I work really hard to take my training as a journalist and apply it to the site. The goal is to not let anything untrue slip by. I've been burned a time or two, but I hope that people feel like they are reading the definitive record of the local radio industry when they log on.
What are some of the challenges you have found from starting a blog in the Treasure Valley? Do you feel that this area of the country, since it is not as tech-savvy as places like Seattle, San Fran, etc., is a more difficult place to have a successful web entity?
I worked in Seattle and there are a heck of a lot of blogs up there. Our company runs CItizenRain.com, which indexes more than 500 blogs in the greater-Seattle area. In Boise, there are probably about 75 serious blogs. There are a select few sites that are doing something worthwhile. Boise Guardian does a nice job in an interesting niche, Eye on Boise covers politics like a blanket, Huckelberries Online out of the Spokesman-Review is really cool and the Boise Bus Blog of all things has a cool spin. Sites like OBNUG and Statue Left are right on point and fun to read when it comes to Broncos news and notes.
KTVB's web presence seems to be growing more and more every day. What are some of the web strategies that you, as a TV station, have been trying to implement? What place does blogging have on the site? And we'd be remiss not to ask: what kind of features will the site have come football season?
Our goal is to be the place to go for breaking news, weather, traffic and video. We dabble in a bunch of other areas like sports and events calendar, etc. - but it boils down to being the best at breaking news. No one breaks as many stories online as KTVB.COM, and I'm proud of that. We focus on getting to the point and not overwhelming people with boring junk all the time. Why wade through ten stories that don't matter to get to one you care about? We're also the single best place to get loal weather information. Nobody else combines our set of tools with the expertise of local folks with experience like we do. Sure, we get a lot of data from the National Weather Service - but we present it in a user-friendly way. Thousands of people log-on for the 7 Day Forecast each day, and when severe weather happens, we are often the only local website that even covers it.
With KTVB being the news leader in the valley, have you encountered any unique challenges or expectations for the station's coverage of events or its day-to-day operations?
It's tough. We're a big big orginization. You've heard us say "more Idahoans get their news from KTVB than any other source," and it's a responsibility. We have to make sure we are providing a balanced, complete report that covers our area. The Boise/Twin Falls market is huge - the second biggest geographic market area in the country. Just last week, on a single day we had reporters in McCall, Stanley, Twin Falls and Ontario. Unlike a newspaper, where a reporter can sit at a desk and make phone calls - we actually have to get people in front of a camera, so we cover more turf each day.
It extends to projects like HS GameTime's Friday Night Flights. On an average football Friday, we get to 16 games - covering 32 teams. It takes a team of 6 photographers, plus a producer, helicopter, a web producer and three anchors to sew it all together. The other guys can't do as much. So being big allows us to better serve the community. Not only do you see 30 seconds of the game on TV, but you get extra stuff online. Our HSGameTime.com site was BIG in 2007, and will explode in 2008. It is Idaho's first social network, and the amount of photos and videos uploaded was just astounding. We put several hundred photos from the website back on TV each week - and I'm very proud of the effort.
How do you think the local media does as a whole? Do you see things moving in any certain direction in the future and what kind of improvements can be made?
It is incredibly competitive. KTVB started putting news online in 1996, and we didn't have a single competitor until 2000. When I started, we were the only site doing news. Now I'm watching KBCI, the Statesman, Press Tribune and even non-traditional sites like NewWest - and yes - BroncoCountry.
We changed the rules in the market by deciding that we don't hold news. Ever. If we know about it, it goes online. Sure - we could try and string you out and make you wait for a newscast, but it doesn't work that way. We also don't just put stuff online at 10:01pm so we can pretend we put it online first. It goes up as soon as it is ready, because we are worried about serving the users FIRST, not serving our ratings or circulation. Our philosophy is that if you focus on being the best everywhere, you'll be the best anywhere.
Having worked with local media for awhile, how sad was it to see Paul J. go, and to see him go the way he did?
I don't mean to be coy, but I really can't comment. I covered the whole episode on IdahoRadioNews.com, and uncovered some things that really upset people. I wasn't trying to work an agenda, but rather find the truth.
What are your thoughts on the new Peak broadcasting team for Boise State games?
Peak has some smart people operating its stations. They also have experience, since most of them used to work at Citadel, so I think folks will appreciate the coverage. KBOI intends to still produce pre and post game shows, and competition will make them both better. Either way, the fans win.
What has been a highlight of yours (sports or otherwise) during your time at KTVB and IRN?
I know it'll sound like I'm just playing to the audience - but damn the Fiesta Bowl was incredible. I was working for KTVB, and sitting on the sideline with a laptop in my hand when the game ended. I've never experienced anything like it. I could blather on about it here, or you can just read what I wrote about it on IdahoRadioNews.com at the time (http://idahoradionews.com/index.php/2007/01/05/the-feeling/)
Boise State football seems to be the hottest ticket in town nowadays. Do you see this continuing? Do you see this changing if the team loses more games than usual? Where do you see the whole Bronco Nation phenomenon going from here?
Just before answering these questions, I walked over to look at the stadium expansion. It's incredible. Before the Fiesta Bowl, I pulled an old John Miller story about guys clearing snow at Bronco Stadium. Pokey Allen was hoping to get 20,000 fans into the stadium for a game. This was 1995. No corners. No Allen Noble. No Caven-Williams. No Stueckle Sky Club.
It feels like a less-than-stellar season is always possible, but the school has built such an incredible base that the momentum will be hard to stop.
- Favorite radio station?
I'd never live it down if I answered that! - Favorite radio show?
Same deal. - Favorite TV show?
The Office - Favorite website?
That I'm not involved with in some way? TVNewser.com - Favorite book?
Freakonomics - Favorite sport?
Football - Favorite BSU memory?
My first game with my grandpa and dad in the 1980s. - Who is your choice for starting QB this year?
I think Justin Corr might have some eligibility left.
Wednesday: Links with determination
No wonder tickets for the Boise State-Oregon game are in such demand. Duck fans would rather see the Broncos than several conference opponents. Sorry, Stanford.
"Frankly, the Boise State game has garnered the type of interest amongst our ticket holders and donors that is as great as some of our conference games and greater than some conference games," Mike Marlow, senior associate athletic director at the University of Oregon said. "It's been a ticket that has been in demand from our season ticket holders and donors as well."We're curious to find out what demand is for the Utah State game (or if "demand" is even the right word).
Also in the Arbiter's story was news that the Boise State ticket lottery would be happening soon. However, they neglected to describe what kind of lottery it would be. Scratch tickets? Ping pong balls? Names out of a hat? Human tetris contest? College journalists have a lot to learn about asking the right questions.
Other links:
Brock Forsey to speak at local youth camp [Statesman]
OBNUG to crash local youth camp.
Nevada's terrifying schedule poster [Wizard of Odds]
The wolf eye follows you everywhere.
Ada County Vandal picnic on Saturday [Statesman]
Bring your lowered expectations. And a Jell-O salad.
Minor glitch in Boise State's NCAA 09 schedule [GameZone]
No more Idaho State at least.
Flash animation of BSU's new turf [Statesman]
That's one way to spend your resources.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Reggie Larry riding the pine in NBA summer league
Reggie Larry's NBA career has gotten off to a rather tepid start.
The former Boise State standout is playing in Las Vegas with the Golden State Warriors' summer league team. Well, "playing" might be too strong of a word. The Warriors have played two games already, and Larry has seen exactly six minutes of court time in that span. His stats are understandably meager.
Reggie Larry: 1-2, 2 points, 0 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 blocked shotAll of those numbers came in Golden State's
There is still plenty of time for Larry to make an impact on the team, and with the Bobcats (tonight, 7:30pm), King, and Raptors still on the schedule, the competition certainly lends itself toward that end. However, getting an opportunity seems to be Larry's biggest obstacle.
Come on, Golden State. He's shooting 50% from the floor, and he's capable of doing this:
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