What Was He Thinking?

Yesterday marked the end of a hard week of workouts and being evaluated by NFL teams. Seniors from all over the country had the honor of playing in the Senior Bowl. An honor they strive for all of their collegiate careers. Some raised their stock in upcoming draft some did not.
Everyone of them thought it was an honor and privilege to be there.

Tonight is the ProBowl being played in Miami and you would think the honor of being selected to to a Pro Bowl team would mean as much to the pros as the Senior Bowl does to the college players.

Apparently that is not the case, at least in the eyes of Minnesota Tackle Bryant McKinnie. Mr. mcKinnie arrived in Florida for the event nursing two minor injuries that did not preclude him from participating in the play offs. Yet when he arrived in Miami, some how these injuries must have gotten appreciably worse.

Seems they were day time only debilitating injuries. He was unable to attend all but one team meeting. Each day after the sun went down MCkinie seemed to rally and was able to participate in the Miami night life.

The fact that McKinnie was even selected to the Pro Bowl is dubious given the season he had. Earlier in the season he was benched Dec. 21st in the Vikings game against the Panthers. Performance or lack of was the reason given, allowing to many sacks on Brett Favre and allowing pressure to be put on the quarterback.

Given his body of work this season and the fact that the Vikings made the play offs regardless of a mediocre line, one would think being part of the Pro Bowl would mean alot to one Bryant. McKinnie.

One would think a man that is in the 4th year of a 48.5 million dollar contract would have the professional pride and competitiveness driving him to show the world of football is an all pro player. Perhaps he is, just not this week, not in football, but he certainly seems to be an all pro partier valiantly hitting all the night clubs in Miami.

Tonight as the Pro Bowlers take the field Bryant McKinnie having been kick off the team and out of the Pro Bowl will be missing in action and probably in a sports bar watching if that doesn't impede his social life.

Eastern Washington to Follow Boise States Lead

Eastern Washington is going to follow the lead of the Boise State Broncos. They are going with a new field and a new color.


Back in 1986 Boise State University installed a new field with a new color, blue. It was immediately dubbed " Smurf Turf" and is now recognised around the country.
I still recall as recent as 2000 when on those rare occasions Boise State Football appeared on ESPN, the announcers would say, don't adjust your set, your TV is fine, blue is the actual color of the field.

The idea behind Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier's heresy was to try to get his stadium on the cover of sports illustrated. That did not happen, however thanks to the blue rug, Bronco Stadium is considered on the nations top 10 most recognisable sports venues.

Now Eastern Washington wants to join the ranks of stadiums that have rugs that are not green.
Leading the charge is current Tennessee Titan and former EWU stand out Michael Roos, he has pledged $500,000.00 towards the project. Cheney, Washington based EWU hopes to raise the rest of the funds through private donations and contributions from local businesses. Their hope is to have the new rug ready for the 2010 season.

So what will the EWU field look like?

"There is no doubt that one of Boise State's claims to fame has been their blue turf and like it or dislike it, it has certainly brought them a tremendous amount of notoriety," EWU athletic director Bill Chaves said. "In a similar vein we have a tremendous opportunity at Eastern to do the same by differentiating ourselves with the red turf while providing a superior playing surface."

Contrary to the belief there is a NCAA Rule in place prohibiting schools from using their colors for their field, EWU is with in its rights to go blood red.

BCS to Sue Barrack Obama

The BCS says they will sue President Obama if he moves ahead.

President Obama a long time opponent of the BCS held an early morning press conference that included Phil Knight, the Governor of Oregon and both Oregon United States Senators. In a stunning move President OBama declared the Oregon Ducks the true national football champions for the 2009 season.

Also in attendance were Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Together with President Obama, they announced that earlier this morning in a closed door session with the Oregon Representatives they had passed legislation that declared the month of February as National Oregon Duck month.

President Obama signed the bill at the press conference saying, he will make the formal public declaration tomorrow night January 27 at the top of his State of The Union Address.

When White House Press correspondent and Fox TV analyst Chris Mathews asked if nepotism played a part in the Presidents decision, former VP Al Gore and Phil Knight escorted Mathews from the room. President Obama does have a cousin that works as an assistant basketball coach at the University of Oregon.

As of this time neither Alabama Coach Nick Saban or the University of Alabama are returning calls.

The BCS has threatened a law suite. For more on this breaking story use the following link. President declares Ducks the National Champions.

Brett Favre: Should he come back?

The party is on in the Super Dome, Bourbon Street is jammed with happy Saints Fans and already the question is being asked, should Brett Favre call it a career.

Favre has had an illustrious career many can only dream about. He does have a Super Bowl ring, he most certainly will be in Football's Hall of Fame. So why shouldn't he retire and call it a career?

For me the single biggest reason he should come back is his last pass, you know the one that got picked and stole defeat from the jaws of victory. I know that sounds a little harsh to say about one of the best quarterbacks the game has ever seen, but Brett's career has been plagued by picks where he tried to force the ball and ended up picked, picks that have hurt him and his team.

I would hate to see Favre end his career with that being the public's last image of him on the gridiron. I would hate for it to be his final memory of what has been a great career.

Now all the pundits and sports writers are weighing in and we will be reading alot about what Brett should or should not do.

I hope he comes back for one more try. He does not strike me as the kind of man that can live with that final pick and how it cost him and the Vikes an invite to the Super Bowl. The Vikings are a good team, strong defense and he has a great supporting cast at the skill positions.

Farve shows he still has good moves and is able to side step tacklers and deliver the ball. Sadly he still panics or tries to make something happen when there are better options. Bottom line Brett Favre still has skills and leadership that can take a team to the play offs, maybe even a Super Bowl.

Urban Meyer Unretires

It appears the Urban Meyer retirement will be very short lived. Meyer has given Gator Nation good news. When spring ball open on March 17 he will be at the ships helm.

However Urban says he will be taking a short break after February 3rd, national letter of intent signing day.

He says he is feeling much better and the test results validate his claim along with the fact he has gained 20 lbs.

Meyer was asked if he would curtail some of his coaching duties, ie coaching the special teams. However he was unclear if he would turn over the reigns to assistant coach D. J. Durkin. Durkin was a hire taken from Stanford and considered by many as a special teams guru.

Meyer certainly wants a hands on approach on how his team is coached and he wants to feel as much a part of it as possible. His health certainly is an important issue, one that may make him want to reconsider his management skills.

He has good assistants, let them do their job and lighten his load. Simply put, you hire good competent people and stay out of their way, you will get good results. Perhaps this season Gator Nation , the team and Meyer would best be served if he was more a manager of the coaches than a hands on everything coach.

Regardless of his decision I wish he, his family and the Florida Gators all the best.

LaTech Orders Up Some Sonny D

Derek Dooley recently hired by the Tennessee Volunteers left two voids at Louisiana Tech, the head coaching position and Athletic Director position.

It appears that LaTech has filled the coaching void by ordering up some Sonny D. The Bull Dawgs have hired Arizona Wildcat Offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes to fill the slot.

Dykes served three seasons at Arizona and helped turn them into one of the better offenses in the PAC 10. Prior to the Arizona job Sykes had stops at Kentucky and Texas Tech where his father, Spike Dykes is a coaching legend.

Dykes should be a good fit for LaTech, they are members of the WAC Conference a conference known for a wide open offense and an occasional trick play or two.

Sonny Dykes has earned a reputation as "the passing attack specialist". His philosophy is to throw the ball as often as possible using short routes and to people who can make the big play off the short pass.

Dykes is known for his screen passes, quick passes and his play action passing game. This strategy will benefit Louisiana Tech.

Dooley became the Dawgs coach in 2006, inheriting a program that was in trouble. He was able to produce such quick results he earned big compliments from LaTechs most famous player, Terry Bradshaw.

In 2006 Dooley had a 3-10 season and in 2008 LaTech posted a 8-5 record and defeated Norhtern Illinios in the Idependence Bowl. This season opened with great expectations but the Bull Dawgs were riddled with injuries and 4-8 record.

That is why I think Sonny Dykes is such a good choice for Louisiana Tech, he has a good reputation, the conference he joins is a passing conference and he has roots in Texas, one of the countries most fertile recruiting grounds.

Given his short passing system it should be easy to introduce into the Dawg Offense and LaTEch should be ready to go next season and be as competetive as they were in 2008.

I do believe some Sonny D is just what LaTech needs to stay on track, congrats to both.

Sonny Dykes Coaching Videos

Should Boise State be invited to the White House with Bama

The day after the Fiesta Bowl a prominent Yahoo sports blogger started a petition to ask President Obama to invite the Boise State Broncos to the White House along with Alabama's Crimson Tide. Reasoning that Boise beat TCU a team many felt, myself included, in the National Championship Game.

Idaho Senator Jim Risch became aware of the petition and signed on, asking Obama to extend the invitation, citing they too were undefeated and represented like Bama all the characteristics of a champion.

This was followed up with a letter by Utah Senator Orrin Hatch making similar request of the President.

Naturally this has been a hot topic of discussion on the Boise State Scout.com message board. A topic that is about equally divided.

Senator Hatch has received his answer, well sort of any how. A White House spokesman indicated to The Hill that Boise's presence at the ceremony is unlikely, but did not rule it out completely. "The president has previously articulated his displeasure with the BCS system, but he’s focused on more important things right now," White House spokesman Adam Abrams said in an e-mail.

As a die hard Bronco Fan of 41 years my heart says yeah, invite them. What a wonderful opportunity for them and what a life time memory it would be.

However to answer the question should Boise State be invited to the White House with Bama, the answer is no. inviting BSU with the Tide would not really be right, not that the Broncos don't deserve to be there, they just don't deserve to be there with the #1 ranked team.

Alabama did what it had to do to be ranked #1 and earn the honor of a White House invitation, they beat everyone in front of them and won the National Championship Game. They stand alone as #1 in all the polls unlike what happened in 2004 when two teams were invited to the White House.

For those of you that do not recall 2004, LSU won the BCS National Title Game and was voted numero uno. The USC Trojans won their BCS game and their coach Pete Carroll declared his men from Troy as National Champions. Helping Carroll have credence to his claim, the next day or so the AP Poll declared USC as their #1 team giving college football a split championship.

This year is different, we do have two Division 1 teams undefeated, one, Alabama, winning the BCS National Championship Game and two Boise State winning the BCS Fiesta Bowl. Both teams becoming the 2nd and 3rd to go 14 & 0 since 1900. Ohio State became the first in 2002.

I would like to see the President set a new precedent here for the remainder of his administration. I would like to see him invite Boise back to the White House after he honors the Crimson Tide as undefeated national champs. Recognising Boise for an undefeated season, setting a precedent that any team in the future that goes undefeated and is not ranked #1 will be recognised for that and that alone, having turned in a perfect season.

There is plenty of limelight to share for any team that does go undefeated, it just should not be at the expense of another team and in this case if Boise and Alabama were invited at the same time, it would be at the expense of Alabama the undefeated National Champions of 2009.

Comments are welcome and will be published.

The Blame Game

As we work our way towards the Super Bowl we are seeing the return of the blame game. Who is to blame for my team losing?

In San Diego, the fickle finger of blame seems to be pointing at one LaDainian Tomilson. He isn't running like he used to, he isn't running hard enough, maybe he has lost a step. The list goes on and on.

The finger is not just being pointed at L.T the offensive line is also under scrutiny. They are ranked 18th which is more like a mediocre line.

Now that L.T. is under the microscope will he remain with The Bolts. Already there is speculation that Tomlinson will be traded or cut in the off season.

The biggest single reason for cutting LaDainin is the money. L.T. would receive a $2 million dollar roster bonus, cutting him would save the Chargers $4 million.

What would they get in return? Tomlinson is a proven commodity and there are no guarantees who ever replaces him can supply Tomlinson production.

This season he was off his usual game averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. Yet the other running backs were not any better with Darren Sproles contributing 3.7 and Michael Bennet 2.8 yards per carry.

Maybe its time to blame the offensive line, they are ranked 18th and but finished dead last in the yards per carry category. While teams like Minnesota managed good running games. Of course having Adrian Peterson carrying the mail and Brett Favre delivering the passing attack does make things easier.

Yesterday Favre demonstrated he still has the moves to get away from pressure and can still deliver the ball, while handing the Dallas Cowboys their second worst play off loss in their franchise history.

What is the problem with the LaDainain Tomlison, perhaps all of the above, he needs a better O-Line and perhaps a stronger supporting cast at the skill positions. Perhaps the Chargers should look at offensive line coaching problems.

In the Chargers defense the Jets came to play. They played hard every down and earned that win.

While the press plays the blame game they should look at the overall picture and not assign guilt to one player or one unit. As we all know, it takes an entire team to win or lose a game, and sometimes the winning team is just that much better.

Personally I hope they Bring L.T. back and make adjustments in the O-Line and their offensive strategies instead of buying into the blame game.

Heeeeeeessssssssss Baaaaaaaackkkkkkk

He is back and it is starting earlier this year than in past years. The season is not over for him, he plays today and if he wins, he plays next week.

But heeeeeesssssssss backkkkkkkkkk The NFL's favorite drama queen is back saying today could be his final game. He recently told ESPN, "If you win, you go on. If you lose, you're done -- and for me -- that could very well be my last game."

Who could I possibly be talking about, who is it that so needs to be the center of attention and speculation, well hhhhhhhheeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrssssssss Brett. Yes Brett Favre has speculated that today could be his final game.

What is annoying about this newest retirement speculation? Tune in the game, the announcers will be inundating us with Brett Favre retirement speculation.

It sets the tone for a repeat of the ESPN Bowl Games coverages. During their coverages of the games, they made it all about Craig James, Adam James, Mike Leach and Texas Tech. I have nothing against them or Brett Favre. When I tune in a game, I want to watch football, not be kept current on the latest saga.

However Brett's continuing retirment saga is beginning wear to like a Nick Nolte bad hair day.




Brett retire if you must, but dont make it all about you. Retirement announcements are best done once the season is over. During the play offs, let it be about the teams that worked hard all season long to earn a post season berth. Let the sports media focus on those teams and players, not just one guy.

They Did It Again

Last night in Glendale, Az Boise answered the question, can they do it again by defeating TCU 17 - 10.
It was a hard fought highly contested game by both squads. Both teams played defensive football that would be the envy of most teams.

Boise State went into the game with a quarterback who had the highest passing and touchdowns to INTs efficiency rating in the country. As a team they were the nations leading scoring team averaging over 44 points a game.

TCU has a quarterback that is both a running and throwing threat, with over 500 yards rushing he kept defenses honest. As an offense they were one the more prolific scoring teams in college football averaging over 40 points a game.

When the teams first met in 2003 at the then Dallas - Fort Worth Bowl it was an offensive shoot out with Boise edging TCU on one of the last plays of game. Boise 34 TCU 31.

Given the potent offenses each team took into Glendale, it was reasonable to expect some form of shootout despite the fact TCU was favored by 7.5 points.

Defensively TCU was ranked 4th in the country allowing only 12.5 points per game. Boise was ranked 22nd in the country and not taken as seriously, in spite of holding Oregon to 14 yards on 13 tries in the first half of their Sept. 3rd meeting and keeping Oregon from getting a first down till midway through the 3rd quarter. Nor were they given credit for stuffing the countries #1 rushing attack, the Nevada Wolf Pack who had three 1,000 yard rushers in their backfield. In that game only two of the the three rushers were suited up and QB Crazy Legs Kaepernick was one of the rushers held to 38 yards.

Last nights contest was anything but a shootout, it was an epoch defensive struggle both teams meeting the toughest defense they saw in the 2009 season. Neither team could establish a running game. So the passing game was all that was left.

TCU came into the game rushing for over 250 yards per game on the legs of their Quarterback and stallion running backs, each with over 50 yards this season. They were anchored by a very big and tough offensive line.

However at the Fiesta Bowl the Horned Frogs were held to just 36 yards rushing, Boise State did not fare much better but they were up from their 28 yards rushing in the Poinsettia Bowl in 2008. This time they were able to gain 77 yards on the Frogs on the ground.

Two things really influenced the out come of the game. First was crowd noise. TCU's coaches and Quarterback all agreed the BSU contingent was so loud they could not hear signals. They were forced into the silent snap that caused at least two penalties for false start.

The other determining factor was the Boise State defense the Frogs expected to see was not there. Defensive coordinator had said prior to the game he installed some tweaks that might catch TCU off guard. What he did after watching TCU game film for two days was install an entirely new defense, saying TCU was just too good.

TCU said after the game, Boise State threw a defense at them they had never seen. They used a 3-2-6 attack. Weakening the the Frog passsing attack Boise moved All-American Corner back Kyle Wilson over to safety. TCU had tipped their hand saying the planned to attack Wilson.

This left them going against Brandon T. He got a pick 6 in the first quarter another pic in the 4th quarter and a tip that was picked by Winston Venable to end the game.

Boise State is known for their trick plays and this game was no different. The game was tied midway through the 4th quarter and the Broncos were faced with a 4th and 9 from their own 33.

They used a play they called the "riddler." Tight end Efaw hit and released his rusher and broke into wide open middle of the field. Punter Kyle Brotzman took the snap and hit Efaw over the middle for a 29 yard game, setting up BSU's only sustained drive that ended in a touchdown.

Boise State did it again, winning another BCS Fiesta Bowl, this time against a higher ranked and very tough mid-major team, the TCU Horned Frogs.

It was a great game by two tough teams with excellent coaching staffs. College football fans would be rewarded if these two teams could find a way to get some home and home games instead of meeting in Bowl Games.

However given the quality of football these teams play and the way the dominate their opponents, who knows, they are both in position to make another run at the BCS and possibly meet again in 2011 in a Fiesta Bowl, the one for the national title.

Can They Do It Again?

Tomorrow night Boise State will make its first BCS Bowl appearance since the 2006 Fiesta Bowl played on January 1, 2007. Then the Broncos faced the heavily favored Oklahoma Sooners in what was called David vs Goliath. That game has become as a classic, with 5 touchdowns and 2 two pint conversions in 5 minutes, many consider it one of the best college game finishes of all time.

Boise State ran the now famous Statue of Liberty Left in overtime to win in overtime 43-42.

This years Fiesta Bowl is different, it does not have the David Vs Goliath theme. This Years Fiesta Bowl offers another theme, the battle of the undefeateds.

This game pits undefeated the Boise State Broncos against the undefeated TCU Horned Frogs, arguably one of the best teams in college football. Many have made the argument that TCU not the Texas Longhorns belong in the National Title game to be played Thursday in Pasadena.

Monday's Fiesta Bowl creates BCS Bowl history, this is the first time that two undefeated teams will meet in a BCS game that is not for the National Title.

The History of the Schools


This is third bowl game pairing of the Frogs and the Broncos. Each school has one win.

Boise and TCU first met in 2003 in the inauguration of the Dallas-Fort worth Bowl. Boise won in a game that went down to the wire, escaping 34 to 31.

Last year the teams met in San Diego, Ca. playing in the Poinsettia Bowl, another down to the wire game with TCU getting a 17 - 16 win.

Why watch this Game?

As I mentioned earlier, it is the first time in BCS history that two teams that are undefeated and do not play for the mythical National Championship.

The winner of this game will go into the 2010 season highly ranked and able to make a run for the national title game.

What each Team brings to the Table

TCU Horned Frogs

Anchored by Senior Jerry Hughes the TCU defense is one of the toughest and stingiest in the nation. TCU allows a mere 12.4 points per game.

Hughes is a beast of a player, a one man sack attack, who should be playing on Sunday next year was the source of many nightmares for Mountain West Conference quarterbacks and offensive co-ordinaters will challenge the Bronco Offensive Line. A line that has only allowed 5 sacks in 13 games.

At the linebacker position is Senior Daryl Washington a second team All American who leads the Frogs with 99 tackles, 7.5 were for losses.

As if that was not enough Sophomore Tank Carder is a first year starter at the linebacker position and is second to Hughes with tackles. Carder checks in with 81 tackles, and leads Hughes with 10 for a loss.

Missing from the TCU line up will be 4 year starter at cornerback, Rafael Priest, one of the best in college football. Replacing him is Sophomore Greg McCoy. McCoy is considered the fastest man on the team and has seen plenty of playing time this year. He also has a kickoff return touchdown against Wyoming.

On the offensive side of the ball, TCU's anchor is Junior quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton may be one of the most improved quarterbacks in the country. Last season he had an efficiency rating of 129.9 and was ranked 50th.

This year he is rating improved to 159.59 and is ranked 4th in the country for passing efficiency. This year Dalton has completed 174 passes out of 279 attempts connecting for 22 TDs with only 5 INTs. His threat doesn't stop with his arm. Andy is also the 4th leading rusher on the team with 522 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns.

Dalton is backed up by his favorite receiver 5'10 Junior Jeremy Kerley, who has 467 yards on 38 receptions. Kerley is an exceptional special teams threat. He one of only two players in the nation to be ranked in the top 20 kickoff returns and in the top 12 in punt returns. Number 85 averages 26.9 yards per kickoff return and 14.3 yards per punt return.

Boise State Broncos

Boise State's defense is anchored by Senior Cornerback and team captain Kyle Wilson. Wilson is a quarterbacks worst nightmare. Seldom do they throw in his direction and when they do Wilson makes them pay. This season Kyle only has three picks but he ran two of them back for a pick 6.

He is equally dangerous as a punt returner averaging 10.4 yards per return. Wilson is known as a kid that wont back down and is an established team leader and will be the only Bronco on the field who played in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.

Securing the line backer corp is Junior Derrell Acrey the kid is a stallion with 15 solo tackles and 17 assists. He has two picks this season averaging 2.5 yards per INT.

Junior Jeron Johnson is a game changing saftey. He is known for his hard hitting and tight coverages which explains his 4 INTs this season.

The offensive spark plug for the Broncos is Sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore. He is known as the Ice Man, nothing rattles this kid. As a redshirt freshman in his third game ever as a college quarterback he did what few veteran QBs have done. He led his Broncos into Auzten Stadium and beat the Oregon Ducks.

This season finds Moore as the #1 passing efficiency quarterback with a QB rating of 167.35.
This year Moore has hit 254 passes on 392 attempts with 39 TDs and only 3 picks and 5 sacks.

Sophomore running back Doug Martin started the season on the defensive side of the ball but is such a talented athlete he was moved over to running back in relief of injured T.J Harper.

Coming into the Fiesta Bowl, Martin has 723 yards on 113 carries averaging 6.4 yards per carry, resulting in 14 touchdowns. Martin is fast and powerful giving the Broncos a much needed inside running game and is a talented receiver.

Junior running back Jeremy Avery is the outside runner that given any space turns it into big yards.

This season he has 1130 yards on 197 carries averaging 5.7 yards per carry and 6 touchdowns. As a receiver he brings to the table 22 catches with 244 yards averaging 11.1 yards per catch ending in 1 touchdown.

Missing from the BSU line up will be star receiver Junior Austin Pettis. He broke his ankle November 27 at the beginning of game #12 against the Nevada Wolf Pack.

He will be used in special Red Zone situations. His season stats are awesome, 62 receptions for 850 yards averaging 13.7 yards per catch and 14 of Kellen Moore's 39 touchdowns.

Why should you watch the game, every time these teams match up, they play good hard exciting football. They match up well and in the previous two meetings the game was not decided till the very end.

TCU is favored by 7.5 points, they have the best defense in the country and a relentless running attack.

Boise is the underdog but like TCU they have alot of heart. Can they do it again, tune into Fox Monday Night at 8:20 pm eastern time on Fox and see for yourself.

Being a true Bronco Homer for 41 years, yeah I think they will do it again. Go Broncos