Following a blowout win over San Jose State, the Broncos' depth chart remains the same this week against Louisiana Tech. But does that mean there aren't conspiracy theories and make-believe roster competitions to discuss? Of course not. Hyperbole reigns after the jump, including a discussion on Kellen Moore's toughness and Doug Martin's availability.
Boise State offense |
Boise State defense |
Z - 2 Austin Pettis 6-3 201 Jr. X - 4 Titus Young 5-11 170 Jr. H - 89 Tyler Shoemaker 6-1 207 So. LT - 73 Nate Potter 6-6 293 So. LG - 59 Will Lawrence 6-2 293 Jr. C - 66 Thomas Byrd 5-11 284 So. RG - 62 Kevin Sapien 6-4 286 Jr. RT - 57 Garrett Pendergast 6-4 271 So. TE - 85 Tommy Gallarda 6-5 249 Jr. QB - 11 Kellen Moore 6-0 187 So. RB - 27 Jeremy Avery 5-9 173 Jr. FB - 40 Richie Brockel 6-2 240 Sr. |
E - 98 Ryan Winterswyk 6-4 263 Jr.
94 Byron Hout 6-0 241 So. T - 90 Billy Winn 6-4 288 So. N - 97 Chase Baker 6-1 296 So. SE - 92 Shea McClellin 6-3 262 So. MIKE- 45 Daron Mackey 5-11 233 Jr. WILL- 36 Aaron Tevis 6-3 228 So. S 23 Jeron Johnson 5-11 194 Jr. S 8 George Iloka 6-3 207 So. N 17 Winston Venable 5-11 223 Jr. CB 1 Kyle Wilson 5-10 186 Sr. CB 13 Brandyn Thompson 5-10 180 Jr. |
Kickers |
Returners |
PK - 35 Kyle Brotzman 5-10 201 Jr.
84 Jimmy Pavel 5-9 212 Fr. KO - 35 Kyle Brotzman 5-10 201 Jr. HD - 2 Austin Pettis 6-3 201 Jr. P - 35 Kyle Brotzman 5-10 201 Jr. SNP - 44 Chris Roberson 6-0 222 Fr. |
KR - 4 Titus Young 5-11 170 Jr. PR - 1 Kyle Wilson 5-10 186 Sr. |
Disclaimer: Depth charts mean as much as you want them to mean. Keep in mind that things change over the course of a game week and that game situations, injuries, and performance will render some of this depth chart moot. Still, it's fun to speculate ... with hyperbole! Michael Atkinson is obviously 100 percent!
Depth chart implies Kellen Moore's shoulder is just fine; I infer he's the greatest QB ever
Moore took some heavy hits against the Spartans on Saturday, including one that had Sam Bradford written all over it. With no word from Bronco camp on Moore's status for the LaTech game, I have to assume that all is well with BSU's Heisman-invite hopeful. Is that my blind homerism talking? Probably. My blind homerism loves to run its mouth.
Any concerns from you readers about Moore's condition for Friday?
When will Doug Martin see the field?
Your choices are:
- In the second quarter after Jeremy Avery has spent the first quarter rushing for 2.9 ypc.
- When Matt Kaiserman says so.
- Garbage time.
- Never.
Martin's pulled leg muscle (that's about as specific as anyone gets) has kept him on the sideline for the majority of the past two games. And I'm sick of it. You can't take Doug Martin away from me, put him on defense, return him to offense, remind everyone how great he is, then leave him on the sideline in full pads and looking as healthy as ever. You can't do that to me. I'm not emotionally stable enough to handle it.
The other question might be: Will Boise State need Martin against Louisiana Tech? The Broncos rested Martin against Hawaii and San Jose State because, well, they were Hawaii and San Jose State. With LaTech playing like old LaTech, the Avery-Kaiserman duo could be all the Broncos need on Friday night.
Titus Young not flagged for excessive taunting of an entire culture last week, should start
Young lost his kickoff return duties, his starting WR duties, and his availability in several offensive packages last week thanks to his "hang loose" shenanigans against Hawaii two weeks ago. Will he be back in the starting lineup on Friday against the Bulldogs? So long as none of the coaches caught his caveman hieroglyphics tribute to Dick Tomey on the sidelines, I think he'll be okay.
Garrett Pendergast vs. Michael Ames: Is the depth chart hiding something from us?
Past depth charts have been about one week behind when it comes to changes on the offensive line. When Ames lost his spot to Pendergast against Fresno State, the depth chart did not reflect the change until the following week. When Nate Potter replaced Matt Slater at tackle, the depth chart again was a week slow.
So I ask you: Will Kellen Moore's Viva Pinata afternoon against SJSU cost any lineman a starting gig? If anyone were to lose time, it might be Pendergast who was beaten multiple times for hits on Moore. Ames came in for mop-up duty against the Spartans and looked good getting out of Doug Martin's way. Is a change in the cards for Friday night? The depth chart isn't telling. Secrets!
Canadian Ankle questionable for LaTech
That Michael Atkinson ankle. So fickle.
One botched snap and all is forgiven
Last week, I thought out loud about possible center fixes for the snap-challenged Broncos. This week, despite one fumblerooski against the Spartans, the Thomas Byrd village mob is quiet and content. What made the difference? Here's my theory:
The fumbled snap on Saturday happened when Kellen Moore went under center. It is my experience that fumbled snaps under center are always the quarterback's fault. The QB is responsible for riding the center until he is sure he has a handle on the ball. The only time when these types of snaps are not the QB's fault is when the center snaps it six inches above the ground, outside the QB's leg, and then turns immediately to chase down the fumble.
When Saturday's fumble happened, the coaches realized that a big part of the problem with center-QB exchanges was Moore. He was pulling out from center too early or not securing the ball well enough. I'll totally buy that. I've seen Kellen get a head start on his dropback several times. He even does it in the shotgun with that half-lean of his. Boise State coaches absolutely cannot pull Moore from the game for snap problems, so Byrd gets exonerated and the snap hoopla just kind of goes away.
Other theories: it's all Byrd's fault, everyone deserves equal blame, and I'm an idiot.
Jerrell Gavins gets no love on kickoff returns
Gavins was the lone man back to receive on Saturday, yet he gets absolutely no mention on this week's version of the depth chart. The return of Titus Young to the good graces of the Bronco coaching staff should ensure that Young is back receiving kicks on Friday, but with Martin questionable, you have to wonder if Gavins won't get the nod to be returner 1B beside Young.
Then there's this: Will the Broncos go with only one returner again? Nearly every other team gets the job done with two, just in case the kickoff squad kicks one direction or the other. Can Young handle return duties by himself while Martin recovers from muscle pull kryptonite?
Players I've enjoyed over the past few weeks
Here's my list of players on the rise: Hunter White, Kirby Moore, Ryan Winterswyk, Aaron Tevis, Tommy Gallarda. I could go on, but then I'd end up listing the whole roster.
Who are your favorites over the past few weeks?