WAC All-Decade Team: Dinwiddie, Moore, or Brennan: How will you vote?
by Kevan Lee on Dec 17, 2009 7:41 AM PST
in Boise State football
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PrintWhat does your WAC All-Decade Team look like? Pretty much exactly the same as your Bronco All-Decade Team?
The conference is holding an All-Decade vote-off on its website, letting fans pick the best players at each position from the past 10 years. Who will get your votes? What positions are the toughest to call? Join me after the jump for a look at some of the closest races, and we'll take the debate to the comments and see if we can't figure this thing out.
A quick note before we get started: The WAC automatically generated its list of nominees based on players who earned first- or second-team All-WAC honors at least twice and who were still playing WAC football during the year 2000. The year 2000, Conan? That's right, David Duchovny.
Without further ado, here are the positions that I am having the most trouble with. Please help me.
WAC All-Decade Quarterback: Dinwiddie, Moore, Carr or Brennan?
The Chase Holbrook mindscrub is nearly complete
Quarterback is going to be the most notable position on this All-Decade team, especially if Jared Zabransky can get that PF Chang's grassroots campaign going. The four biggest names on the list make for an interesting debate about who was the best quarterback of the past 10 years.
In my opinion, the favorites are Ryan Dinwiddie, Boise State's most accomplished quarterback of all-time; Kellen Moore, Boise State's future most accomplished quarterback of all-time; David Carr, No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft; and Colt Brennan, prolific college passer and Honolulu wax museum feature. Karl Benson, their WAC accolades if you will:
- Ryan Dinwiddie: 1st team (2002), 1st team (2003), POY 2003
- Kellen Moore: 2nd team (2008), 1st team (2009), Freshman of the Year 2008, POY 2009
- David Carr: 2nd team (2000), 1st team (2001), POY 2001
- Colt Brennan: 1st team (2006), 1st team (2007), POY 2006, POY 2007
How do you think the QB race will shake down? The race most likely will come down to Dinwiddie and Brennan as one is the most successful WAC quarterback of the decade and the other is the most recognizable. Will productivity or popularity win out?
My deciding factor: Dinwiddie won WAC championships. Brennan did not. That should account for something.
Etcetera: Will Jared Zabransky get any votes? Anyone surprised at how well Kellen Moore holds up against players who have played an entire career in the WAC?
WAC All-Decade Running Back: What do you do with LaDainian Tomlinson?
a.k.a. The One Where You Vote For Ian Johnson
Climb aboard the way-back machine for this category, destination: anonymity.
- Yonus Davis, San Jose State (2nd 2005, 2nd 2006, 2nd 2008)
- Brock Forsey, Boise State (1st 2001, 1st 2002, POY 2002)
- Howard Jackson, UTEP (1st 2003, 1st 2004)
- Ian Johnson, Boise State (1st 2006, 1st 2007, 2nd 2008)
- Keylon Kincade, SMU (2nd 2002, 2nd 2003)
- Chance Kretschmer, Nevada (1st 2001, 2nd 2003, FOY 2001)
- Ryan Moats, Louisiana Tech (1st 2003, 1st 2004, POY 2004)
- Daniel Porter, Louisiana Tech (1st 2008, 2nd 2009)
- Joe Smith, Louisiana Tech (2nd 2001, 1st 2002)
- Vai Taua, Nevada (1st 2008, 1st 2009)
- LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU (2nd 1998, 1st 1999, 1st 2000, POY 1999, POY 2000)
- Deonce Whitaker, San Jose State (2nd 1999, 1st 2000)
Howard Jackson? Deonce Whitaker? The immortal Joe Smith? What conference have I been watching for the past 10 years?
A lot of votes will undoubtedly go LaDainian Tomlinson's as voters go "Hey, he's in my ESPN the Magazine" when they see his name. But is one year of 21st century WAC domination enough? For me, it is not, but I am open to any arguments that say otherwise.
Out of the whole list, there are only three POY winners: Tomlinson, Ryan Moats, and Brock Forsey. Moats and Forsey are definitely in the running for me, but I think you also have to consider Ian Johnson (three-time All-WAC performer) and Vai Taua (the face of Nevada's new rushing attack).
If I'm picking one back, it is Brock Forsey. If I'm picking two (and I am because the WAC lets me), it is Forsey and Moats. Would you put Ian Johnson on your All-Decade team?
WAC All-Decade Wide Receivers: Do any Broncos make the cut?
Two Broncos make the roster of All-Decade nominees. Are either Jeremy Childs or Austin Pettis worthy of a spot?
The competition at WR is intense with the likes of Bernard Berrian, Davone Bess, Kevin Jurovich, Ashley Lelie, and Chris Williams. Any one of those players could make the final three. Do Childs and Pettis fit with them?
Add one season to either player's resume, and I think the answer is easy. However, since Childs left early for the pros and Pettis still has time left at Boise State, their careers are not as complete as other WAC receivers. Was Childs the best receiver in the conference during his stay with the Broncos? I'd say yes. Is Pettis the best receiver in the conference right now? Absolutely. Are either good enough to make the All-Decade team? What do you think?
WAC All-Decade Offensive Line: If you had to choose between Daryn Colledge and Ryan Clady ...
Fat guys have their day in the sun
There are a lot of big names on the nominee list for offensive linemen, and the fact that the WAC lets you vote for five big uglies makes stuffing your ballot with Broncos a little easier.
But let's say you had to choose between the two Broncos on the list. Would you take Daryn Colledge or Ryan Clady? And why?
Colledge was the self-made Bronco lineman who was an All-WAC player three years running. Clady was the prototypical NFL tackle who earned two first-team awards then left early for the NFL. Does Colledge's four-year success trump Clady's brief brilliance?
For the record, I voted for both, but if I had to choose only one for the All-Decade team, I think I'd lean toward Colledge.
WAC All-Decade Defensive Backs: If Quintin Mikell doesn't make this, I am not responsible for what happens to Karl Benson
Is this where I vote for Marty Tadman?
Mikell is the only player in the secondary to win POY honors, and his two trips to the first-team (plus his success at the pro level) should make him a shoo-in. Will any other Broncos join him?
Kyle Wilson is up for nomination along with Jeron Johnson, Gabe Franklin, and Marty Tadman. Franklin, Tadman, and Wilson all made three All-WAC teams, a feat only matched one other time by a secondary player (UTEP's D.J. Walker). The Broncos should be well-represented in this category. But how well-represented? Is three players too much to ask?
Your turn
How will you be voting with the WAC's All-Decade Team? Are you putting down Dinwiddie's name? Where will Ian Johnson be on your ballot? Is Korey Hall a no-brainer? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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My vote:
QB: Dinwiddie
RB: Forsey, Johnson
TE: Pascoe
WR: Berrian, Bess, Pettis (Pettis only because Burleson is not on the list)
OL: Clady, Satele, Colledge, Dahl, Estes
DL: Browning, Gilbert, Moch, Basped
LB: Hall, Butler, Elimimian, Ihenacho (strong consideration for Vobora)
DB: Wilson, Lowery, Mikell, Garcia
PK: Scobee (Where’s Tyler Jones?)
P: Stringer
ST: Berrian (No Carr?)
Excellent pick on Pascoe
But was there really any other option?
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
Pascoe was exceptionally overrated
I’m sorry… he just was.
I’d go with Schouman or Putzier (although he played some WR). Both had great hands. Both played in a system that really utilizes the TE. Both could block very well (esp. Shoe). Both played in the NFL (Jeb for 6 years), Pascoe hasn’t gotten even a sniff of the field.
My $0.02.
I have attended every home Boise State football game since 1992.
by JasonHaberman on Dec 17, 2009 9:19 AM PST up reply actions
I agree
…But again, out of that list, you’d have to go with Pascoe. I just forgot to write in my witty (…) at the end like I did the others.
Tyler Jones
Tyler Jones was 1st-team all-WAC in 2004 but did not make the 1st or 2nd teams in any other year.
Chris Carr never won any WAC awards. Carr was hurt for half of his senior year and did not pick up the award as a junior.
Historically the Broncos have not given up enough scores to give their kick returners much chance to demonstrate all-WAC skills. Titus did it with only 28 touches this year.
Punt returners, however, get plenty of chances and I think Gilligan won the special teams award one year.
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
Jones...
Was the nation’s leader in points scored one year, which I believe earned him All-American honors (am I wrong?) So, his non-inclusion on this list is probably the biggest Boise State snub on here, along with Schou.
Since the list only includes two-time all-WAC honorees
neither Schouman nor Jones would make the nomination list.
An argument could be made that they were snubbed by WAC coaches when they were omitted from the all-conference lists.
Jones was a first teamer and Lou Groza finalist in 2004, but did not make the all-WAC team in 2003. Josh Scobee and Visintainer (Fresno) were the all-conference kickers in 2003.
Jones was probably robbed of 2nd team in 2003. Visintainer was 21 of 28 on FG in 2003 and perfect on all 35 PATs. Jones was 19 of 25 and 75 of 76 on PATs. Those are pretty equal numbers, but what I remember most about Jones is what a weapon he was on kickoff coverage. He could get a touch back at will and the Broncos would use him to kick high and just short of the end zone resulting in the opponent starting with worse field position than the 20.
Schouman battled injuries for much of his career and didn’t put up huge numbers. It’s another case where his blocking skills don’t show up in a box score. He was a first-teamer in 2006.
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
as far as QB
Brennan won one WAC title (the year BSU didn’t). But yes, Dinwiddie and Moore won multiple titles. Right now, I’d give the nod to Dinwiddie because he was a freak of nature (highest efficiency rating of all-time until Sam Bradford), but in the next 2 years Moore could tear up all the record books.
My opinion on the other positions is not terribly educated.
Don't forget about:
Ashley Lelie. Honestly, I don’t know why. I just remember his name.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
Probably...
From his time with the Denver Broncos. He was the Titus Young of Hawai’i back in his day. All speed and fumble-itis.
Nate Burleson:
Burleson played college football at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he tallied 248 receptions for 3,293 yards (13.28 yards per rec. avg.) and 22 touchdowns in his career.[citation needed] In a 2001 game against San Jose State, he had 326 receiving yards, an impressive yardage total made even more unlikely because he did so without scoring a touchdown (setting an NCAA record for most receiving yards gained in a game without a touchdown).[citation needed] In 2002, he led the nation with 138 catches – second all-time only to Houston’s Manny Hazzard in NCAA history for receptions in a single season.[citation needed]
Burleson led the nation in receptions per game and receiving yards as a senior.[citation needed] He was named first-team All-America by AFCA, All-WAC and team MVP. He was named second-team All-America by The Sporting News and CNN/SI. He holds the WAC and Nevada all-time records for single game receptions (19)2.
He fit the criteria set by the WAC to get on the ballot.
It is a little early, but even with just the two years, he has accomplished as much or more than any of the other names on the list. He has two WAC championships – only bested by Zabransky with three (one of which is shared.) His touchdown to INT ration is unmatched and his QB rating is only eclipsed by Dinwiddie.
I think there is no question he has performed better than Chang, Z, Kaepernick and Carr. It is probably too early to put him in front of Brennan and Dinwiddie.
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
I have no doubt he will be the best Qb in Bronco history which is saying something
and I’ve seen every QB since Broncos were a college team. And there wont be a great stepoff when Southwick takes the helm IMO>
tvmunson
macmillan was my teacher...
…in high school. but you would never have known that he was a football star back in his day. never talks about it and, to be honest, i didn’t even know he was a bsu great until i started attending bsu.
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