Weekly Player to Watch, 9th Edition

Doesn't it feel like I am running out of players to choose for my PTW? I know that's not the case, but I just can't get around it. Anyway, this week's game is between two of the best, most consistent teams in the WAC, although Fresno State hasn't won even a portion of the WAC title since 1999. Anyway, now that the Broncos have finished up the easy, cake-walk portion of their schedule, it is time to get back into it and invest everything we have as fans emotionally, mentally, and physically into the next two games. You know the boys in Blue (I guess it will be the boys in Orange for this game!) will be doing the same thing. We have reached a critical stretch in this season where one slip up will destroy everything that they have worked so hard to achieve and in effect, ruin the season for many of us. While I do not feel that the Bulldogs have what it takes to win in Bronco Stadium, let's not look forward to Nevada or we could find ourselves losing, either the game or the all-important "style points."

As I look at some numbers and stats for Fresno State this season, I realize that they rank roughly in the middle in every offensive and defensive category. They do rank 34th out of 120 teams in pass defense, but that is a bit misleading as a couple of the the squads that they have played don't pass the ball much (ie. Ole' Miss and Cal Poly). Not just that, but Hawai'i and (somehow) San Jose State were able to throw for over 300 yards against them. Offensively and as I have mentioned, they rely heavily on the running game. I expect that the Bulldogs will fall behind early and be forced to pass the ball a lot more than they want to. You all know what that means, it's time for our secondary to step up for the third week in a row. Having explained all that, please allow me to present to you my Weekly PTW...Winston Venable!


I feel like I may be copping out a little bit on this one, as Venable was the star of last year's game against Fresno State. But alas, he has not played as well this season as he did during the Fiesta Bowl run last year. Still, nothing is better than Winston going human rocket on Bulldog quarterback Ryan Colburn. The overriding purpose of choosing him is due to the fact that I would really enjoy a repeat of said game winning hit. It was beautiful. You know that Colburn is shaking in his red-colored turf cleats as we speak. Be afraid, be very afraid. I am expecting to see a whole lot of this tomorrow night;


Venable came our way after transferring from Glendale Community College in Arizona.
He was named first team J.C. All-America and first team All-Arizona whilst playing defensive back at G.C.C., registering 191 tackles in his two years there. Did you know that he was also an all-league punter for his junior college team? Why haven't we seen him doing that on The Blue? Venable was rated a 3-star recruit by Scout.com out of junior college and was only offered a scholarship to play at Boise State. Chalk that one up as a score for the Broncos! He went from a small school in Glendale to playing on one of the biggest stages in college football in that same city. Hello Fiesta Bowl!


Venable first made his mark at Boise State during his breakout game last year at Fresno State. He started off by returning an interception for a touchdown and finished by making the winning tackle towards the end of the game by knocking Ryan Colburn silly (as we have mentioned). He continued to play extremely well the rest of the season, contributing in every game. However, this season has left a lot to be desired from Winston. He barely played the season opener against Virginia Tech with leg cramps and has not been as productive as many would have thought. He did play well against Louisiana Tech a couple of weeks ago and got a great sack in against Hawai'i, but that is about it. There is a lot of potential there and I feel that he will have yet another break out game against the Bulldogs. Why? He is a nickelback (hybrid safety and linebacker) and is in there to stop the run. Guess what? Fresno State likes to run the ball. That means Venable will be in there a lot. But don't forget, he can play the pass and intercept the rock just as well. Right Andy Dalton?


Unfortunately, Winston has come under fire lately for lowering his helmet when making tackles. In no way is he a dirty player (as I have mentioned many times, mainly in a huge rant that I posted a while back). He just learned a bad habit and is trying to break it. Oregon State wide receiver and uber-midget James Rodgers caught the wrong end of one those hits while trying to block him and Jamar Taylor. It was unfortunate, but that is football. Regardless of bad habits that Winston Venable may have, he is undoubtedly one of the hardest working, aggressive, and most inspirational players on Boise State's squad. His hits and positive demeanor make him a leader on the team and also a fun player to watch. So here is to you, Mr. Venable, and another outstanding performance against the Fresno State Bulldogs. Winston Venable, our Weekly PTW!


Make sure you all enjoy the game tomorrow night at 7:30 on ESPN2! Look for me in the crowd! Also, check back in Saturday for my take on the game and what it means. Let's go Broncos!

Winston Venable sounds like a British name, and he plays football really violently

There has been endless reaction to the hit that knocked James Rodgers out of the game for Oregon State last Saturday. The WAC is reviewing the hit to determine whether or not to suspend Boise State's Winston Venable for it. I was putting around the blog world and I found this little ditty from "Vanquish the Foe," a BYU fan blog. Look at number nine when this tool says: "I thought the cheap shot on Fuga was disgusting (not as disgusting as the #17 Boise player cheap shotting James Rodgers tonight - watch that tape and see #17 ignore the guy with the ball, turn away and just drill his helmet into OSU's star player - I hate Boise)" This guy is absolutely clueless! I posted a comment on his blog and we will see if I get a response. If I do, I will be sure to share it.

First of all, watch the hit. It is in this link on a video recap of the entire game. Number one, Venable is very aggressive, sometime overly aggressive. But knowing him personally (I had some classes with him at Boise State), there is nothing rude or hurtful in the guy. Being as aggressive as he is, he was just trying to make a play on the scrambling Ryan Katz. As unfortunate as the result/aftermath of the hit was, it is football. Rodgers was standing still, turned sideways from Venable as he was trying to block both Venable and Jamar Taylor. You see Rodgers dip his shoulders and head as Venable comes flying in. It was clearly helmet to helmet contact, but if both players have their heads down then who is at fault? With Rodgers standing still and Venable going 15 yards at full sprint speed, what do you expect? Rodgers is a small guy as it is and just found himself in the path of Winston Venable. Like I said here and in a previous post, I wish the best to James Rodgers and his family. I hope he recovers fully and there are no lasting effects. Unfortunately this is just part of football.

If the WAC decides to suspend Venable, they will have made a huge mistake. They will have set a precedent where 6 or 7 people from every team that plays should get suspended every week. To me it is absurd. I know I am a little biased, but plays like this happen all the time when defenders are trying to make a tackle. If Rodgers had not gotten hurt, we would not be having this discussion. Like I said, I think it was all a microcosm of a hard running, aggressive Winston Venable, an already small receiver trying to lay a block who happened to bend down to an unfortunate height and angle, and the unwanted outcome of an injured player. These things combined may get Venable suspended against New Mexico State (not that we will need him against the Aggies).

But this discussion brings up a topic that I must bring up; Winston Venable's name. It's freaking awesome! Doesn't it sounds like he should be British? In fact, the meaning of the name Winston is of English origin meaning "joy stone" (see here, on a baby name meaning website). It has to be the coolest name on Boise State's roster. He comes from an athletic family. Winston's brother Will (didn't get the cool name in the family) plays outfield for the San Diego Padres. Will also played basketball at Princeton University, so he is smart and athletic! Will and Winston's father, Max, was also a Major League Baseball outfielder for 4 teams during his 12-year career. So there you go.

Seriously, just try saying it with a British accent: Winston Venable!

Sealing the Fiesta Bowl win for the Broncos with an interception. Look how high he jumped!