I've got it bad

Yep, I was absolutely stoked today when I heard the 'Dogs won the WAC women's golf tourney at Sunnyside Country Club in Fresno. And simultaneously, Laura Leuthke took the individual title by two strokes in her final year with the 'Dogs.

After hearing the breaking news update on the George Takata Show today I couldn't help but get pumped up and go tell a coworker. He responded with something like, "man, you need football to start."

But hey, let's just hope this is the first of many WAC titles to come down the pipeline in the next few months -- softball, baseball, tennis and then football!

Interesting Bark Board question posed...

Over on the Bark Board there's talk of who are the "best high school products from the Valley"...?

Well, let's spin it a little differently over here. Since this is about Fresno State sports, let's talk who are the best Valley high school athletes who went on to play for Fresno State?

Chime in with your thoughts on your alma mater and we'll keep a running list as we go...

Fresno State Dream Team: Linebackers

Let's open up the voting at linebacker -- but make sure to look beyond just this past season. Each Bulldog Bounce blogger has turned in his own votes for each position already, but we want to hear what you -- the readers -- think. Then, at the end of all the voting we'll compare our results to yours.

We'll go position-by-position with the idea of starting healthy debate about why so-and-so is better than such-and-such? YOU decide the criteria! What's more important? College stats or pro? Four-year starters or JC transfers? Single-season greatness or consistency?

Next up is linebacker, and the nominees are:
--Bobby Brooks
--Ron Cox
--A.J. Gass
--David Grayson
--Orlando Huff
--Bryce McGill
--Ron Papazian
--Marcus Riley
--Maurice Rodriguez
--Tracy Rogers
--Tim Skipper
--Sam Williams

In a vote where five guys were right in the mix for just three spots, The Bulldog Bounce selects Ron Cox, Marcus Riley and Tim Skipper as Fresno State's greatest all-time linebackers. Cox was the only unanimous first-team selection, while Skipper received three first-team votes and one second-team and Riley had two first-team and two second-team. Bryce McGill and Orlando Huff each got one first-team vote and three second-team, while Tracy Rogers was the only other alum with a first-team vote. A.J. Gass had two second-team votes and Ron Papazian had one.

Have fun, voice your opinion and let the voting begin! The nominees will remain posted in the right-hand column for you to choose from, but please add comments to this blog entry as well.

A college basketball trade

Well, not really, but sort of.

Word is 6-foot-7 Paul George will join the 'Dogs incoming recruiting class, and 6-7 (he's not really 6-8) James Tchana might be transferring.

LA Times on George
The Bee on George
Fox Sports on Tchana

Seems like quite an upgrade in on-the-floor ability, but we've gotta wish Tchana the best -- he's always seemed like a real good guy, but just got lost in the shuffle for minutes. Rumor a while back was a transfer to UC-Riverside with former 'Dogs assistant Vonn Webb (we shall see).

George was possibly Pepperdine's best recruit, but decided against his choice to go there when Vance Walberg (former Clovis West HS/Fresno City College coach) resigned as Pepperdine coach.

Along with Rainier Beach-Seattle's Reggie Moore and Mychal Ladd and Newark Memorial's Chris Jones, George should give the 'Dogs a great foundation for the next several years.

Top 10 reasons you should go to the Spring Game

Fresno State's final football scrimmage of spring camp is Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. Why should you go?

10. Be one of the first to see a Bulldogs team that is likely to start the '08 season ranked in the top 25
9. If a 350-pound true freshman (who I'm pretty sure would never get carded at a bar) such as Devan Cunningham can practice in 90-plus degrees, then you better show up to watch him
8. Analyze the Chris Carter-Michael Stuart-Chris Lewis race to replace Tyler Clutts at defensive end
7. Somebody needs to help Pat Hill figure out how to use all these wide receivers
6. If you're Tim Lang or Porter Hill, we want you to put a uniform on and play...at least by the fall
5. This might be your only chance all year to see Pat Hill sporting a non-faded 'Dogs cap
4. Simply to see LB Nico Herron's new hairdo (think Kid 'N' Play)...and he hits mighty hard too
3. Judging by attendance at the first two spring scrimmages, this could be a record-breaking Spring Game if we all show up
2. If you don't show up, Ryan Mathews will run by and stiff arm you to the ground
1. Because we all have the privilege of saying "Bulldog born, Bulldog bred, I'll be a Bulldog 'til the day I'm dead"

Fresno State Dream Team: Defensive Line

Time to open up the voting at defensive line -- where the 'Dogs always seem to have that one standout guy who draws the double teams. Each Bulldog Bounce blogger has turned in his own votes for each position already, but we want to hear what you -- the readers -- think. Then, at the end of all the voting we'll compare our results to yours.

We'll go position-by-position with the idea of starting healthy debate about why so-and-so is better than such-and-such? YOU decide the criteria! What's more important? College stats or pro? Four-year starters or JC transfers? Single-season greatness or consistency?

Next up is defensive line, and the nominees are:
--Brad Bell
--Nick Burley
--Tyler Clutts
--Jethro Franklin
--Alan Harper
--Garrett McIntyre
--Brian Morris
--Greg Ramsey
--Zack Rix
--Bryan Robinson
--Nick Ruggeroli
--Jason Stewart

In a vote where five guys were right in the mix for just four spots, The Bulldog Bounce selects Jethro Franklin, Zack Rix, Alan Harper and Nick Burley as Fresno State's greatest all-time defensive linemen. Franklin and Harper were unanimous first-team selections, while Rix and Burley had three first-team votes and one second-team. Garrett McIntyre just missed first-team honors, finishing with two first-team votes and two second-team votes.

Have fun, voice your opinion and let the voting begin! The nominees will remain posted in the right-hand column for you to choose from, but please add comments to this blog entry as well.