Boise State Broncos Defense: Much Better Than Local Media Gives Credit

After the Broncos first scrimmage local Boise sports writer Chad Cripe said, “The defense struggled. Injuries have hit the defensive line hard, so that was probably part of the issue."

As much as Boise State fans appreciate contributions from the Statesman, Cripes analogy  “probably part of the issue” was meaningless.

The Broncos have defensive players currently that are on restricted practices, but they do not have “issues.” When the whole “D” unit begins practicing this summer the Broncos will look like a greater force.

It is expected that all will be playing then. However, when one starts saying the “defense struggled” the issue if you will does not necessarily have to be with the defense.

The offensive unit is back in full minus only two and nobody, not even TCU was able to push those guys around last season. TCU got to Kellen Moore only once all game.

That’s right the same offence that has taken so much—for not providing a run game dominated their opponents last season as apposing defenses only got to Moore 11 times.

Having said that, just because the defense struggled against the Bronco offense—for lack of better choice of words—doesn’t mean they will struggle against another team’s offense.

A little credit where its due Cripe! Right now players are fighting for the right to fight once again this summer for player position.

Players like Drew Hawkins on offense and J.C. Percy for the defense—another walk-on—have been playing their hearts out and most likely will be in the thick of summer action when the final battle for position begins.

Daron Mackey, Darren Koontz, and J.P. Nisby are some of the guys battling for a couple of the spots. Albeit, one player expected to make the defense as a starter should be Michael “Canadian Bacon” Atkinson.

Bacon was last years scout player of the year as a red shirt and he is still tossing guys around according to Percy. Sophomore defensive tackle Chase Baker said Bacons “upper-body strength is just ridiculous.”

Coach Pete is expecting big things from Bacon and expects when he gets more grounded (familiar with his role and beyond) that he should be something special to watch.

Pete continued saying, last seasons defensive backup(s) Derrel Acrey, Hunter White and Aaron Tevis “really got their feet wet”—and that can be said of so many of the Bronco freshmen. And they got more than wet—some were bloody well soaked—Coach Pete said these guys are really “starting to get it."

Billy Winn, Chase Baker, and Michael Atkinson along with Acrey, White, and Tevis are a big part of this years “D” and Bronco fans believe they do "get it."

These guys are forming a very young but oh-so strong unit. Now add to those guys the extremely talented secondary that is fully intact from last season and the "D" as a whole become extremely powerful.

That’s right every one of them with the exception of Ellis Powers (the linebacker who played the fifth man for the nickel defense) is back.

Powers replacement looks to be easily filled, as Doug Martin, last season's No. 4 running back has moved to defense (and he looks to be a good fit in there).

Speaking of the extremely talented secondary, they will be better this year as more recruits and red shirts have added to their depth. The best news of all is Kyle Wilson has returned for his senior year.

It appears he wants to add on to his already incredible stats—indeed Kyle’s portfolio could be a No. 1 or at the least No. 2 for next year's NFL draft. After this year the Bronco fans will miss Wilson; his aggressive style truly gets the job done and he will be great at the next level.

Still the Broncos are sound at safety and corner. For example returning for what fans believe to be even better years are Jeron Johnson, Brandyn Thompson, Jamar Taylor, and George Iloka.

Also, stepping out of their red shirts are Tommy Smith and Tyler Jackson. Both of these kids have super potential, but keep an eye out for Jackson from Colorado. This one may have the “it factor.”

Two secondary recruits that Boise State is also high on are Ebo Makinde and Jonathan Brown. It could be that Makinde could play as a true freshman if needed. We will see?

The Broncos are really better off at the secondary than ever before.

Ryan Winterswyk and Byron Hout should nail down the ends for the Bronco defense - giving them breathers will be last season studs Jarrell Root and Shea McClellin.

It doesn’t get much better than that unless of course any of the recruits are asked to play as true freshmen and many of these recruits would be starting at some of the PAC 10 schools that wanted them.

There is so much more that could be said but that appears to be another story. Go Broncos