The Hawai’i Bowl was less than Paradise for Boise as they get Plundered in the closing moments by ECU’s Pirates.
I won’t expend time or energy to explain here how the bowl system could be integrated into a playoff system culminating in a game that would quickly rival the Super Bowl, but one of the charming aspects of the bowl system is the shear randomness of some of the match ups, 2 teams from different parts of the country, different conferences, different styles of play and different records. Boise was one win away from a possible run at a return visit to a BCS Bowl game, had the Broncos toppled the Rainbow Warriors from the ranks of the unbeaten they would have had a tilt much later in the “silly season” as it was they faced a 7 win team in East Carolina that had been competitive but unspectacular for the most part.
However the Pirates have a number of young talented players and it seems that Skip Holtz has the arrow pointing up in Greensboro. One of the more controversial decisions coach Holtz has made this year is to rotate 2 very different QBs in and out of action this year. Rob Kass is a large and very strong armed Nate Longshore type with a very strong arm, Patrick Pinkney is a little like Seneca Wallace but much more raw. At times the 2 platoon system has created problems for opposing defenses but almost as often it has kept either signal caller from establishing a rhythm.
What was apparent is that BSU is a team that plays fast but ECU is a team with speed, the “upset” against Oklahoma in last year’s Fiesta showed that a will coached, daring, nearly reckless playing style coupled with a very smart game plan and smart players can overcome superior athletic talent, however some of the things that worked do well are 1 time plays that once on film can’t be run again however many of Boise’s exotics are a regular part of their offense.
Game Notes Boise State:
OFFENSE
RS Freshman RB Jeremy Avery 5’9” 177 4.43 [est] #27 is a little like Jon Avery, a water bug, scat back with very good ability in space and running routes. In addition to 69 yards on only 10 carries he had 4 catches for 43 yards, 2 returns for 41 yards he didn’t match Chris Johnson but he surely outshone Ian Johnson.
# 54 C Jeff Cavender 6’1.6” 291 5.27 [est] Is a very versatile player her has lined up at RT, RG as well as C he is currently at the position that gives him the best chance at the next level, the downside of his ‘jack-of –all trades’ career is his not refined but clearly he could play center in a movement and finesse based system, he pulled on occasion and made reach blocks, he is a powerhouse by no means, but is a tough guy despite that.
WR Jeremy Childs 5’11.7 186 4.52 [est] #9 is only a RS sophomore was voted to the first-team all-Western Athletic Conference after finishing the season with 82 catches for 1,045 yards and nine touchdowns. Boise had to play without their best WR due to a suspension for breaking team rules.
RS Junior #79 OT Ryan Clady 6’5.6 317 5.28[est] has declared for the NFL draft and signed with an agent and though he looked good and will go in the 1st round this game showed his potential and weaknesses, he showed his power, feet and recognition of blitzes and games up front, however he did not always get in good blocking position or look quick and explosive also failed to hold his blocks on occasion in the running game. Clady should go in the 2nd ½ of the 1st round and will likely need to be a RT to max out.
RS #41 Junior TB Ian Johnson 5’11” 195 4.51 [est] Was ineffective managing only 11 yards on 4 carries before being sidelined this year he has been slowed by injure and like Ore needs next year to establish early round bona fides, he did not look like a pro in this game.
Freshman WR Austin Pettis 6.2.5 192 4.48 [est] [son of Gary] #87 Picked up much of the slack Childs’ suspension created, he is a big fluid wideout with good hands. He led the way with 9 snags for 89 yards including one rather impressively athletic twisting reception.
#10 QB Taylor Tharp 6’1.6” 208 4.91[est] like Cullen Harper gets little to no love and though neither is going to be mistaken for Elway or Favre both are effective QBs with “sneaky” athletic ability and enough arm. Tharp finished the 30 completions on 44 attempts 270 yards, 2 TDs and a matching couple of picks [on one of them the receiver seems to have failed to make the proper route adjustment] Tharp kept his team in the game when the running game got only 98 net yards on 24 carries as a team. Think Tyler Palko with a calmer demeanor.
East Carolina
OFFENSE
WR #10 Jamar Bryant 6’1.6” 194 4.58 [est] Is another Sophomore with real potential he is raw but showed ability to get to the ball even when not perfectly placed and good run after catch.
RS Sophomore QB # 15 Patrick Pinkney 6’0.5” 198 4.64 [est] Surprisingly the mobile QB took the ‘lion’s share’ of the snaps and was effective if unspectacular. He was 12 of 19 as a passer for 118 yards and a TD; in addition on the ground he had 53 net yards on 11 carries. It did seem that BSU’s defense was bothered by ttrying to locate a moving target on many snaps. To sat under center he will need to improve pocket presence, drive the ball better and work on improving his anticipation.
#5 TB Chris Johnson 5’10.7 199 4.29 [est] is maturing into a real running back; Johnson set an NCAA bowl record with 408 all-purpose yards for the Pirates. Johnson rushed for 223 yards, caught three passes for 32 yards and returned six kickoffs for 153 yards. But he committed a costly fumble late that almost sent it to overtime. With East Carolina trying to run out the clock near midfield, Marty Tadman scooped up Johnson's fumble and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown to tie it at 38 with 1:25; in addition to ball security he still could improve body lean, pad level and leg drive but he is not the skittish looking blazer of his earlier career. Johnson may go as high as the second ½ of the 2nd round could be one of the top 5 TBs and will likely be used as a change of pace back but he still needs plenty of work on blitz pick up. He is now a little less like Trung or Cornell Candidate/Sultan or Saladin McCullough and more like a bigger Eric Metcalf. All in all he outplayed Ian Johnson and showed he could produce in 3 phases: of high 223 yards rushing on 28 carries, featuring a long tote of 68 yards, a TD and most impressively only 1 lost yard, he showed he’s a day one selection.
DEFENSE
Boise State
# 8 CB Orlando Scandrick 5’11.1” 196 4.46 [est] This solid but not top-flight corner has entered the draft, with a great workout he might go mid to early 2nd day but more likely he’s a 5th/6th round selection, he forced a fumble with a solid stick, he had a PBU and 4 tackles, he is a corner with some upside, but I can’t figure out why he’d declare early, if he maxes out he might be a Ricardo Colclough type.
#37 FS/KR Austin Smith 5’8.7” 178 4.52 [est] Smith had a solo tackle and is a well known “Gunner” on special team thanks to 2 hits that made Sportscenter, but today his prowess as a KOR was on display as he had 4 returns for 173 yards and a TD. Smith will be an UDFA but his special teams’ prowess may find him a home.
# 20 SS Marty Tadman 5’10.7” 183 4.59 [est] When ever I look at Tadman I see an X-Games version of Mark Kelso, the measurables might make you yawn but on film he does so many things right. He’s a solid tackler with very good instincts and above average ball skills as his 14 career pick show. Many heard of how he has changed his life, during the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, he was headed for trouble and now he is a positive force, and he has a passion for the game. Tadman had 7 solo tackles 3 assists and a 47 yard fumble recovery that tied the game late, a gamer who will make a coach love him. 7th round to priority UDFA.
RS Junior DE #93 Mike T. Williams 6’3.6” 244 4.78 [est]had 2 solo tackles and 1 TFL but was eluded narrowly by Johnson or Pinkney on several occasions and was BSU’s most disruptive lineman, must get bigger or learn to play in space to be a OLB, will need a big year in ’09 to be drafted but much of the raw ability is there.
ECU
Sophomore C.J. Wilson DE #95 6’3.6 269 4.79 [est] only had 1 TFL but it was apparent that he has real talent he got good push up field with only 2 moves. When he becomes stronger and gets 2 or 3 more moves he should be a mid round selection. He has a good natural frame and could carry 20 more lbs. with ease. Wilson had a solo and a sack and just looked like a future stud.
Junior Quentin Cotton OLB # 6’1.5” 236 4.76 [est] He wears #50 as a tribute to Mike Singletary and though he is not as instinctive or nearly as violent a tackler, there are some similar qualities he is quick and plays downhill, he had 3 solo tackles and was always around the ball, he had 3 solos and was always near the action.
Redshirt Jr. Pierre Bell LB #34 6’1.7” 238 4.68 [est] Was extremely active leading ECU’s defenders with 9 solos and a TFL, he could be a late round selection if he has a big year in 2008, he needs to get stronger and improve in pass coverage, but he has very good athletic ability and reads runs, including draws very well.
Sophomore Van Eskridge FS#4 5’11.7” 198 4.58 [est] Is another promising young defender and like most young safeties he’s better against the run than the pass, but he has good speed is tough and he had a PBU that was nearly a pick as well as a TFL and 8 solo tackles, he could be a pro prospect as he improves in playing the ball in the air. Think Dawan Landry.
#8 CB Travis Williams 5’9.1” 181 4.43 [est] is an undersized but unafraid defender in run support and forced a fumble with a good stick and rip, he also had a PBU and 8 solo tackles. Rather like Scott Starks in size and overall ability though not as straight-line fast.