After a month hiatus we are back with another edition of Panel of Pokes. This month we spend our time figuring out what is going to happen with life in Laramie after Alvester Alexander. The position of strength for Cowboys became a little shakier after he decided to take a shot at the NFL early. There are a number of players that could be utilized at running back next year and quized our crew to get their thoughts.

HERE IS THE TOPIC:

What do you want to see the Cowboys do at running back for 2012? How many running backs do you want the Cowboys to use and which players would you put in those spots?

Last year the Pokes used a three back rotation of Alvester Alexander, Ghaali Muhammad and Brandon Miller. Kody Sutton burned his redshirt late in the season when converted linebacker Muhammad went down. Alexander is taking a shot at the NFL and so he is gone. Nehemie Kankalongo is coming back after missing 2011 with a knee injury. There are also two new running backs that just signed with the Pokes this month in DJ May and Shaun Wick.

Our panel this month includes:

Matt Hargleroad - Cowboy Altitude

Ian McMackin - GoWyoGo

Brad Reed - WyoNatio

Continue reading this post »

There is sports memorabilia and then there is REAL sports memorabilia.

Now is your chance to own a one of a kind item and a true memento of college football history. The University of Wyoming is having their annual Cowboy Joe Club online auction this month and there is the usual items you'd expect: BBQ sets, Wyoming hats, helmet, and jerseys. There are even some sidelines passes and some fun travel items up for bid. Now those items are great and I would to have any of them. I personally enjoy low-balling high priced items I can't afford just to say I bid on it.

There was one particular item that stuck out to us and this is certainly a once in a life time opportunity. If you are fan of Wyoming, the Mountain West or college football in general then this is something you simply must have! The item up for a bid is the actual conference logo from Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Here is the exact description of the time item from the auction site.

Description: Prior to the 2011 athletic seasons, the Mountain West rebranded itself, which included a new logo. This new logo replaced all existing logos on all competition surfaces, including Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Now, this piece of Mountain West Conference history can be yours! Own the original logo cut out of Jonah Field. This is the perfect addition to the ultimate sports den! Dimensions are approx. 30' wide by 15' tall. (Winning bidder must arrange to pick up item; it cannot be shipped under any circumstances.)

Making this piece even more special is that the Mountain West won't exist anymore after July 1st, 2013. That is when the conference members will form a new league with the teams from Conference USA. That makes this collectors item even more rare - cha ching!

Continue reading this post »

For Wyoming players that have used up their eligibility and have goals making it to the NFL, this is a busy time. Tashaun Gipson is working hard to follow in the steps of his former teammate Chris Prosinski and get drafted by a NFL team this April. Gipson's brother Marcell went undrafted last year and then tried to earn a spot with the Minnesota Vikings.

Gipson did a long interview with the site New Era Scouting and it provides some great insight on his preparations and time at Wyoming.

On his time at Wyoming

Playing at Wyoming helped shape me into the person I am today. I grew up at Wyoming and learned so much. There were growing pains like anyone has but it was a great place for me. The college experience at Wyoming was one of a kind. I made so many great friendships and I cherish that. I met so many good people here from teammates to coaches to friends outside of football. I had an enjoyable college experience and I couldn’t have pictured myself in a better place than here at Wyoming. I love the University of Wyoming and anything I can do for them moving forward would be an honor. I wouldn’t have traded my experience here for anything in the world.

Continue reading this post »

After nine years at the University of Wyoming Marty English is no longer a Cowboy. He spent six seasons working under Joe Glenn and the spent the last three as defensive coordinator under Dave Christensen. He was the only coach retained from the previous staff. This winter Christensen relieved English of his coordinator position and gave it to Chis Tormey. English was still supposed to be a part of the staff and was going to coach the linebackers.

Now I don't blame English for leaving Laramie after basically being demoted. That would be hard for anyone to handle. The problem I have is that English is heading to that armpit of Colorado: Fort Collins. Yes, Marty English will be the defensive line coach for those miserable Colorado State Rams. He could have chosen any other school and I would have wished him all the best. I still wish his family well in this situation but I do not wish him professional success.

Just like Benedict Arnold attempted to give West Point over to the British during the Revolutionary War, English will try and get the Bronze Boot from Wyoming.

Continue reading this post »

The Mountain West freshmen of the year QB Brett Smith had surgery Thursday in California to his throwing hand. The University released a simple statement regarding the surgery.

University of Wyoming head football coach Dave Christensen confirmed on Friday that freshman quarterback Brett Smith did undergo surgery on Thursday of this week.

"Brett had surgery Thursday," said Christensen. "The surgery went well, and we expect Brett to be back during spring ball."

The big relief here is that they expect him back for spring ball. Though they don't elaborate on if he will be able to fully participate in spring drills. Right now the Cowboys only have two quarterbacks on the roster. Colby Kirkegaard is the other scholarship QB and he saw limited play time last season. A quick recovery would be ideal so that both quarterbacks can see a maximum number of snaps during spring drills.

Continue reading this post »

On this day exactly 51 years ago a young Dave Christensen was born complete with goatee and headset. He was born a coach and that is exactly what he did. He coached kids in the neighborhood, stray animals and family members. Growing up in Everett, WA he put together a team of other eight and nine years old in a five block radius. Christensen produced a high powered offensive scheme that dominated the Everett Public Football League for kids under 10.

For years he experimented with different formations. He tried run heavy offenses like the Delware Wing T and Maryland I. Then he wanted to open things up and throw the ball. He tried to run an offense with just a center, nine receivers and a quarterback but it was deemed illegal and too explosive. Christensen had to underground with his covert team and illegal offense. They traveled around playing kids in sandlots and hustling them out of lunch money.

That renegade coaching lifestyle wore on Christensen and he wanted to go legit. Eventually he parred things down to the spread offense that we have today. And that pretty much sums up the fake first 51 years of Dave Christensen's life.

Here is a special song from your assumed favorite Muppet the Swedish Chef,

Continue reading this post »

Alvester Alexander did a great interview with Optimum Scouting which covers NFL Draft prospects/ He went into more detail about his decision to declare early for the draft. The situation at home is a serious one and obviously puts lots of stress on Alexander and his family. He is trying to make that situation easier by landing a spot in the NFL.

"I have a talent. I think I can make some team someplace, and hopefully can lead to a better situation for my family. There's just a lot of stuff going on with my family."

Alvester's father is regularly in the hospital, needing treatment for a variety of medical illnesses. While not currently in the hospital, he still needs care at home, a task his mother adds to her plate. She also works full-time to support his medical costs as well as others to support the family.

"It's just a lot going on right now. I think I have the talent to make it to the pros. I know I'm not a hot commodity right now, but I need to, and think I can, make the most of my talents."

Alexander has nice size at 5-11 and 208lbs and ran a 4.39 40 time last year. He will be working hard in Dallas in trying to improve that time and catch the eyes of scouts. He has also been extremely healthy during his three years at Wyoming and never missed a game.

Continue reading this post »

It was announced nearly a month ago but the extension for Wyoming head football coach Dave Christensen was formally announced today. It looks like Coach Christensen is getting setup nicely with his new deal which lasts until December 31, 2016. His yearly incomes now sits at $1.2M with a base salary of $190,008. Christensen is now 18-20 in three seasons at Wyoming and has led the Cowboys to two bowl appearances.

Here is a full copy of the entire contract if you want to see how the entire $1.2M comes together. Obviously keeping DC in Laramie is a great sign for the future of the program. Over that time he has also built a talented and veteran staff around him and continued to bring in highly rated recruits. There was heavy interest from the University of Houston and that spread up the process of Christensen agreeing to a new deal prior to the New Mexico Bowl. Due to winter break and school being closed it took until today for the contract to be formally signed and announced.

Continue reading this post »