Bleacher Report - Articles by Michael Hroma

Heart of the Broncos: Boise State Must Regain National Respect in 2008!

Michael Hroma — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:11:00 -0400

While reading through many different articles, blogs, and emails, all I keep hearing is that Boise State is in a rebuilding year. The Broncos have a small offensive line, no returning quarterback, and are losing talent in the defensive backfield.

Returning the majority of their starters on defense, the Broncos shouldn't have much problem getting back on track. Yeah, they are losing Marty Tadman and Orlando Scandrick, but Kyle Wilson will do fine—along with some help from new blood.

I thought the defense had a great spring. The scrimmages seemed to have the defense right on cue. With David Shields sitting out his senior season due to injury, sophomore Daryl Acrey should be able to step in and create some confusion.

Returning two explosive ends, Mike T. Williams and Ryan Winterswyk, should help the Broncos contain some of those potential threats inside and outside the pocket.

At the end of the day the talent is there. The question is, who has the heart to make it happen?

The offense will definitely be missing some key starters this year, but that doesn't mean there is no chance for success. From what I have seen and heard, the offensive line is the weakest link, but not the straw.

This is where I tend to disagree with a lot of people. I really believe with all the talent the Broncos have on offense in skill positions—including quarterback—there should be no problem continuing the Boise State tradition of explosive offensive football.

The O-line may not be as big as offensive lines we have seen in the past, but on the flipside, they should be faster and more agile. The O-line will have a little help in returning four-year starting tackle Andrew Woodruff.

In the running game, Ian Johnson needs to return to his 2006 form. There is a deep stable of backs, and plenty of talent to go around to keep all the backs fresh and healthy.

In the passing game everyone has their favorite, and like last season, it comes down to a senior looking for his first start or a potential four-year starter. Recieving—well, yet again, no reason to worry there. Needless to say, skill positions should be the least of the offense's worries this season.

Which brings me to my point. All in all, I feel the Broncos have a team that can go undefeated and potentially make another showing in the BCS. It is hard for me to believe that with all the talent addressed above, there should be anything less then a WAC title and a potential BCS bid at the end of the 2008 season.

You want to talk about lack of size, strength, and schedule. Isn't that what Boise State Football has always been? Haven't they always played with a chip on their shoulder? I think that is how it should be, and frankly last season that chip wasn't there. They made the Fiesta Bowl in 2006, and in 2007 they forgot how they got there. What happened to that chip, the drive, the Heart of Bronco football?

With the talent, character, and strength of these players, and thirteen returning starters, there is no reason why they shouldn't regain that "Heart," and prove any naysayer wrong. I say go back to what you do best defying all the laws of college football. Play with the heart of the Bronco.

Boise State Football: Moore Than Meets the Eye . . .

Michael Hroma — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:22:53 -0400

Obviously Boise State head football coach Chris Petersen will not be making any quarterback decisions until Fall of 2008. Now is the time to analyze the tape from the spring practices and scrimmages, breaking down fundamentals, and critiquing what no one else can see with the naked eye.

In my opinion one quarterback stands out. One has exceeded expectations. Between the two front runners, freshman Kellen Moore and Bush Hamdan, that quarterback is Kellen Moore from Prosser, Washington. Moore has not only shown he can lead the Bronco's during Spring ball '08, he has proven his worth with an impressive high school resume as well.

In his senior year at Prosser High School, Kellen did more then Bush Hamdan did his entire high school career at Bishop O'Connell High School in Virginia.

Moore passed for 4,629 yards and 67 touchdowns his senior year. On top of that he had a passing completion of 71.9 percent, with only seven interceptions.

Hamdan in his entire high school career passed for over 4000 yards, and 40 touchdowns. His senior year contributed 2,075 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only 50 percent passing completion.

I believe if Kellen Moore's high school stats mean anything, then Boise State should have their quarterback situation locked up for the next four years. Why place another outgoing senior under center and compromise the learning curve of a potential four year starter?

Kellen stepped up in spring ball. He is settling into an explosive offense, that minus a couple of gaps in the O-Line, could be the best offense to roll through Boise, Idaho.

I say let Moore take the reigns. Let him bust the Broncos into another BCS Bowl game. If nothing else, let him give Boise one heck of a ride.

Bear with Us...PLEASE!

Michael Hroma — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:03:47 -0400

Yet another NFL draft class has come and gone, and the Chicago Bears have yet to find a true leader. I think maybe they already have one.

Chicago's draft picks (a first-round OT, second-round RB, and a third-round WR) has Bears fans asking, WTF?

I believe that what the Bears are doing is asking us, the fans, to bear with them, as they try to bring back a powerful running game.

One would have to think, that with some fresh O-linemen, and a new running back, they are trying to set up an efficient running game, with the almighty play action in their back pocket, a play which is the heart of Chicago Bears football.

If that plan pans out, then the third-round wide-out makes complete sense. Still, that leaves a couple questions. Will Kyle Orton step up and become the leader of the pack? Can Orton maintain his composure to make a smart pass when called upon to do so?

Kyle Orton has stepped up in the past, and has shown real potential at times. In his rookie season, he clawed the Bears through an eight-game winning streak, and a total of 10 wins. Stepping in for the last three games of the 2007 season, Orton went 2-3, which included a mauling of the NFC North Champions, the Green Bay Packers.

Chicago Bears fans, and football fans alike, would most likely agree that there definitely will not be another GROSSman season.

Will Kyle Orton be the future of Chicago Bears football? As of right now, he's all they got. And with a career record of 12-18, he really isn't looking that bad.