How much talent is on this year's Bulldog defense?

An interesting question popped in my head after enduring three hours of personal attacks and razzing in the stands by Reno's finest fans. Is this Fresno State defense just flatout lacking talent? If not, it must be a scheme problem. But either way, here's a question we'd like you to weigh in on:

How many of the 2009 Fresno State starters on defense could have started for the Bulldogs in 2005?

2005
DE Garrett McIntyre
DT Jason Shirley
DT Louis Leonard
DE Tyler Clutts
LB Marcus Riley
LB Dwayne Andrews
LB Alan Goodwin
CB Richard Marshall
CB Marcus McCauley
SS Josh Sherley
FS Tyrone Culver

2009
DE Chris Carter
DT Cornell Banks
DT Logan Harrell
DE Kenny Borg
LB Nico Herron
LB Ben Jacobs
LB Kyle Knox
CB Desia Dunn
CB A.J. Jefferson
SS Moses Harris
FS Lorne Bell

Combining those two seasons' starting defenses, who would be in your starting 11?

Couldn't have scripted it better

"Tommy drafted by broncos," read the text message I received en route to a wedding on Sunday afternoon. "First pick in 6th round."

Before I could even react that oh-so-familiar beeping alert of another text message popped up. "49ers select bear!" Yep, it came from a happy Niners fan.

My reaction -- wow, what a perfect situation for both these guys. Jay Cutler leaves the Denver Broncos, and Fresno State Tom Brandstater, a guy who's been considered a marginal prospect by many goes to the team with the least quarterback depth in the NFL. No one, not even Tommy B. himself, expected he'd get a starting job right away. And there's a heck of a chance he still won't. But the good thing for him is he's got a solid chance to make a roster and he doesn't have a steep hill to climb with the guys in front of him (Kyle Orton and Chris Simms) looking more like foothills than mountains.

Bear Pascoe, Fresno State's lovable calf-roping champion of a tight end, gets to be a San Francisco 49er. Another sixth-round pick, it's pretty much certain Pascoe will see the field right away, probably as the 49ers No. 1 blocking tight end in short-yardage situations. The good thing is -- no matter how slow his 40-time was perceived to be at the combine -- Pascoe's got great hands and good game speed. He'll make plays at the next level and become a fixture. Just a hunch, but don't be surprised if Mike Singletary falls in love with Pascoe's style of play.