Thursday, May 29, 2008.

A brain cramp on Sunday Sports Extra is unacceptable, but I've been reminded by many that I had one this week. So who is the only former Boise State wide receiver to ever play a regular season game in the NFL? It was not a trick question--it was a "Doh!" question. Of course, I know that Legedu Naanee was on the field for the Chargers last year. But I go and say Al Marshall was the only ex-Bronco wide receiver to make it, appearing in four games in 1974. I was so focused on the past I couldn't see the present. Consider this a correction.

Naanee was actually a "multi-slash" during his rookie year in San Diego. At various times he was listed as a tight end, wide receiver, and a fullback. Now Norv Turner's staff has settled on Naanee as a wideout, and he's working with that group exclusively in mini-camps this spring. And when you see him on TV this season, he'll be wearing No. 11 instead of No. 40. Chargers.com reports Naanee as having "a huge upside" after a rookie season that saw him net eight catches for 69 yards, four of them for first downs.

The thought of Naanee's days with Drisan James and Jerard Rabb as BSU's feature receivers brings up the remarkably quick transformation in the Broncos' pass-catching corps. Naanee, James and Rabb combined for 108 receptions, 1,777 yards, and 14 touchdowns in 2006. Then along come sophomore Jeremy Childs and true freshmen Austin Pettis and Titus Young in 2007 with 172 catches, 2,149 yards, and 20 TDs between them. Obviously, they're all back this season. And that doesn't take into account the return of Vinny Perretta. And the emergence of Julian Hawkins and Tanyon Bissell. Whoever the new Bronco quarterback is won't be able to complain about a lack of tools in the shed.

Fresno State finished the WAC sports season on a high note by winning the conference baseball championship last week, and the Bulldogs have won the 2007-08 WAC Commissioner's Cup for all-sports excellence. Fresno State also won the women's basketball, women's golf and women's tennis titles this year. Boise State was runnerup--the Broncos took championships in men's basketball, men's outdoor track & field, and women's gymnastics, plus a shared regular season title in women's hoops.

Before we put this week's Sports Illustrated in the recycling bin, let's check out the weekly "Pop Culture Grid". One of the participants is Angels first baseman Casey Kotchman. You don't think he was wrapped up in baseball during those summers he spent with his dad around the Boise Hawks while he was growing up? Here are the subjects. "Most ridiculous tattoo you've seen." Said Kotchman, "I don't pay attention to that." How about, "Jimmy Fallon replacing Conan should be..." Replied Casey, "I don't know who either guy is." And, "Favorite pickup line." Explained Kotchman, "I don't have enough game to have one."

In college baseball, two-time defending national champion Oregon State is getting used to the idea of spending June at home after being denied a spot in one of the NCAA regional tournaments. The Beavers were 28-24 this season and just 11-13 in the Pac-10, tied for sixth. Former Bishop Kelly star Josh Osich was 0-2 in 14 appearances with a 7.56 ERA as a true freshman this season.

Boise State has made its new women's softball venue official, formally announcing its partnership with the Boise School District to renovate the field at the soon-to-be-former Mountain Cove High School. The goal is to upgrade it to a level capable of hosting the WAC Championships. It'll end up being the best softball facility in the city, and Boise city high schools will be able to play on it, too. The Bronco softball program will make its debut in 2009.

For some reason, outside of traffic conflicts with Sunday's memorial service for the late J.R. Simplot, the "Ironman 70.3 Boise" has flown under the radar. But this is one big event. Over 1200 entrants have coughed up a $225 entry fee for a shot at 50 qualifying slots for pro and age group athletes in the 2008 Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, FL, November 8. Activities begin tomorrow with the Ironman Expo at Qwest Arena. The race begins Sunday morning at 7AM with the swim portion in the chilly waters of Barclay Bay at Lucky Peak.

This Day In Sports...May 29, 1983, 25 years ago today:

Spokane's Tom Sneva discards his bridesmaid's image by winning the Indianapolis 500. Late in the race, Al Unser Sr. was leading, with Sneva in second. Unser's son, Al Jr., tried running interference for his dad, and it appeared Sneva may be unable to get by. But finally, Sneva passed both Unsers and pulled away to take the checkered flag.

(Tom Scott hosts the Scott Slant segment Sunday nights at 10:30PM on KTVB's Sunday Sports Extra and anchors five sports segments each weekday on 1350 KTIK/The Ticket. He also handles color commentary on KTVB's telecasts of Boise State football.)

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