Nobody likes San Jose

Talk about pouring two more tablespoons of a slap in the face into the Fresno State-San Jose State rivalry -- former Fresno State offensive coordinators Jim McElwain and Doug Nussmeier BOTH reportedly turned down offers to be the next head coach at San Jose State.

This is getting absurd

This whole changing offensive coordinators every year habit -- it's a bad one. When Fresno State hires its next O.C., the one who will replace now-departed Doug Nussmeier, it might be wise to get a true 'Dog to come back home and stay a while. But who are the candidates?

Trent Dilfer? Sure would be a huge get on the recruiting and QB tutelage end, but the former Fresno State QB is probably a longshot with his new TV gig and the rave reviews he's been getting. Plus, when he spoke at an Easter service in Fresno last year, he talked about the likelihood he'll spend a few years on TV before considering a coaching job.

Mike Martz? How exciting would that be to get a guy just a handful of years removed for the Super Bowl with the Rams? Is an assistant's job at Fresno State too much of a drop in stature (and pay) for the former 'Dog to consider it?

Kelly Skipper? The 'Dog from the '80s might jump at the chance to join younger brother Tim on the Fresno State coaching staff. But is he the best candidate?

Jeff Grady? Long assumed to be in the grooming stages for eventually landing this job, Grady has just two years coaching experience and only started a few games for Fresno State in his career as QB. But not all great coaches were great players. Grady is definitely a loyal guy with solid character. Would other coaches on staff resent it if he got the promotion?

As one final note, good riddance to Nussmeier. Speaking from a fan's point of view, I'm offended that he came in here, didn't do anything extraordinary, and then took a giant demotion in title and stature to be QB coach at Washington, a program with all of zero wins last season. Maybe it's time to talk to Jim McElwain about signing back on as the Fresno State "coach-in-waiting" since that seems to be the popular trend...?

QUARTERBACK

Players returning: 3

Incoming: 1
Lost: 0

The hope is to never need to rely on depth at quarterback, but just in case Fresno State is probably the deepest it has ever been. Third-year starter Tom Brandstater (6-5, 225) returns for his senior campaign after propelling himself into one of the top NFL Draft prospects at the position. Coming off a dreadful 2006 season of 13 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, Brandstater threw for 15 scores and just 5 picks last season. He also upped his completion percentage from 54.5% to 62.5%, capping the season with an MVP performance in the Humanitarian Bowl win over Georgia Tech. For most of the 2007 season, Brandstater turned in solid, yet unspectacular performances. But the real breakout came in the final four games (against Hawaii, Kansas State, New Mexico State and Georgia Tech) when he threw for 1,012 yards, 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Brandstater hasn’t relied on his speed (which is still somewhat of a secret) much to this point in his career, but expect to see him tucking the ball and running more often this season.

Sophomore Ryan Colburn (6-3, 220) has a stranglehold on the No. 2 job. After a shaky spring camp, it looked as if Colburn might not be progressing as expected. Forget all that. The southpaw arguably had the best first week of fall camp of anyone on the roster. Plug him in during practice and the first-team offense clicks on all the same cylinders. Still, he lacks the game experience, with just 4 completions for 58 yards under his belt. Colburn can’t launch the ball as far as Brandstater, but has made strides in improving the speed of his decision making and accuracy. The fact that he could be a body double for David Carr brings back some refreshing memories as well.

Matt Faulkner (6-2, 195) comes off his redshirt season as the third-stringer. But he offers some impressive tools, namely his great touch on the deep ball. Faulkner is one of those guys who makes it look effortless when he throws the ball. Coming out of Marcus High in Texas last year, Faulkner performed better in simulated game situations than in practice. But he’s still got a ways to go in adjusting to the college level and turning the game into second nature.

Speaking of quarterbacks who are true gamers, true freshman Ebahn Feathers (6-1, 210) is one of the most highly anticipated recruits in Fresno State history out of nearby Washington Union HS. Though his height may be a tad exaggerated, he has been clocked at 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. No Bulldogs quarterback in history has been anywhere near this fast or athletic. Feathers got off to a very rough start in fall camp, missing receivers by as much as five yards on short slant routes. But new offensive coordinator and former NFL quarterback Doug Nussmeier is already hard at work with Feathers on teaching him the finer points, such as footwork. Still, after all the bad practice passes, Feathers shined in the first fall scrimmage, completing 7 of 8 passes for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing 6 times for 80 yards. On one play, Feathers rolled out on a keeper and burned past the defense for 59 yards until he was caught at the 2-yard line. Because of his versatility and the verbal commitment of Carr’s younger brother Derek Carr for the 2009 season, Feathers is likely to play as a true freshman with a special package of plays designed for him by the coaching staff.

Rating: 8 of 10

1994 NFL Draft (this is good)...

So I came across a draft preview from Pro Football Weekly yesterday from 1994. Trent Dilfer was on the cover and I opened it up to check out the QB rankings. What I found brought a smile to my face for two reasons.

I began to peruse the top 10 QBs, and it looked like this:
1. Trent Dilfer
2. Heath Schuler
3. Doug Nussmeier

...Doug Nussmeier!?!? Well whadaya know, Fresno State's new offensive coordinator was rated the third-best QB prospect that year behind our beloved Trent Dilfer. I knew he had a great college career, but wasn't expecting that. And I didn't realize he came out the same year as Dilfer.

So what are we gonna nickname our new O-coordinator? Nuss the Magic Dragon? The LochNuss Monster? Nussy...?