COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: Three days until Boise State vs. Oregon ... The week ahead for the Broncos
Boise State is fine-tuning its game plan for the Ducks. The Broncos practice Monday and Tuesday ? the Tuesday practice is when the Broncos try to perfect their plays ? and then hold a walk-through Wednesday.
Thursday will be difficult, players and coaches say, waiting for the much-anticipated game with the Ducks to begin at 8:15 p.m. It will be the Broncos' first game action in eight months and 11 days.
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Boise State must find a way to get Martin on the field
Boise State released its opening depth chart last week. It contained answers to the job competitions at offensive line and linebacker.
Unfortunately, it didn't come close to settling the most pressing personnel concern:
What to do with Doug Martin?
"If you can answer that question, you can help us all out," running backs coach Keith Bhonapha said. "He's definitely a guy that's too good to be standing on the sidelines."
The problem is, that's where the sophomore running back/defensive back figures to be for most of the non-special teams portion of Boise State's showdown with Oregon on Thursday night.
He is a 5-foot-9, 201-pound football player without a position - for now. Martin is not on the depth chart at running back, despite his 16-carry, 88-yard performance in the final public scrimmage.
He is listed as the backup at nickel, the new hybrid linebacker/safety position, where he moved to this spring and is still learning the intricacies of defense.
Martin's defensive experience is limited to three games at linebacker at the end of his high school career.
His mission then: Go get the ball.
This time is a bit tougher.
"He'll do some things sometimes where you're like, 'Holy smokes, no one else can do that,' " defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said. "And there are other times where he gets lost technique-wise with his eyes."
So for now, a player universally hailed as one of the best in the program is a special teams force and little else, barring injury.
"My opinion, he is the best guy on the field," middle linebacker Derrell Acrey said after that scrimmage. "... Put him wherever he wants to go. Doug Martin for President."
Martin is too much of a team player to raise a peep about a lack of playing time or the lack of a defined position. That's another reason why coaches love him.
Martin moved to defense because it seemed that was the best way to get him on the field. Then junior college transfer Winston Venable emerged.
Martin keeps repping with the running backs because an injury to Jeremy Avery or D.J. Harper would cause a shortage at that spot. It feels a bit like saving your best reliever for a save situation that never comes.
Yes, it seems like a lot of hoopla over a player with 107 career rushing yards and 11 special teams tackles. But his skills are so obvious - to coaches, teammates, fans - they demand attention. A former Boise State player once said Martin would be the best running back to ever play at the school by the time he left.
That will be tough to do from the sidelines.
"We do know he can help us. We're just trying to figure out exactly where at this point," Bhonapha said.
At least one coach is willing to put him on the field as a starter - Martin might just end up as the most talked about special teams player in school history.
"Just go play. See ball, hit ball. That's where he's really got a gift," special teams coach Jeff Choate said. "With the emphasis we place on special teams here, I hope we can still use him."
Have at it, coach.
Regardless of position, Martin needs to be on the field as much as possible.
Boise State is fine-tuning its game plan for the Ducks. The Broncos practice Monday and Tuesday ? the Tuesday practice is when the Broncos try to perfect their plays ? and then hold a walk-through Wednesday.
Thursday will be difficult, players and coaches say, waiting for the much-anticipated game with the Ducks to begin at 8:15 p.m. It will be the Broncos' first game action in eight months and 11 days.
___________________
Boise State must find a way to get Martin on the field
Boise State released its opening depth chart last week. It contained answers to the job competitions at offensive line and linebacker.
Unfortunately, it didn't come close to settling the most pressing personnel concern:
What to do with Doug Martin?
"If you can answer that question, you can help us all out," running backs coach Keith Bhonapha said. "He's definitely a guy that's too good to be standing on the sidelines."
The problem is, that's where the sophomore running back/defensive back figures to be for most of the non-special teams portion of Boise State's showdown with Oregon on Thursday night.
He is a 5-foot-9, 201-pound football player without a position - for now. Martin is not on the depth chart at running back, despite his 16-carry, 88-yard performance in the final public scrimmage.
He is listed as the backup at nickel, the new hybrid linebacker/safety position, where he moved to this spring and is still learning the intricacies of defense.
Martin's defensive experience is limited to three games at linebacker at the end of his high school career.
His mission then: Go get the ball.
This time is a bit tougher.
"He'll do some things sometimes where you're like, 'Holy smokes, no one else can do that,' " defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said. "And there are other times where he gets lost technique-wise with his eyes."
So for now, a player universally hailed as one of the best in the program is a special teams force and little else, barring injury.
"My opinion, he is the best guy on the field," middle linebacker Derrell Acrey said after that scrimmage. "... Put him wherever he wants to go. Doug Martin for President."
Martin is too much of a team player to raise a peep about a lack of playing time or the lack of a defined position. That's another reason why coaches love him.
Martin moved to defense because it seemed that was the best way to get him on the field. Then junior college transfer Winston Venable emerged.
Martin keeps repping with the running backs because an injury to Jeremy Avery or D.J. Harper would cause a shortage at that spot. It feels a bit like saving your best reliever for a save situation that never comes.
Yes, it seems like a lot of hoopla over a player with 107 career rushing yards and 11 special teams tackles. But his skills are so obvious - to coaches, teammates, fans - they demand attention. A former Boise State player once said Martin would be the best running back to ever play at the school by the time he left.
That will be tough to do from the sidelines.
"We do know he can help us. We're just trying to figure out exactly where at this point," Bhonapha said.
At least one coach is willing to put him on the field as a starter - Martin might just end up as the most talked about special teams player in school history.
"Just go play. See ball, hit ball. That's where he's really got a gift," special teams coach Jeff Choate said. "With the emphasis we place on special teams here, I hope we can still use him."
Have at it, coach.
Regardless of position, Martin needs to be on the field as much as possible.
