The Bulldogs suffered a rash of injuries last season. How are those injured players doing in their rehab work?
Answer: C -- Getting better. Fourteen players sat out the final scrimmage with various injuries -- some that dated to last season, others from offseason surgeries and a few who got hurt in the spring. Two players, defensive end Jason Roberts and linebacker Ryan McKinley, saw their careers ended by injuries suffered last season.
Left tackle Bobby Lepori (biceps) and left guard Cole Popovich (shoulder) are expected back for summer camp after missing most of the spring -- Popovich practiced a little. Center Joe Bernardi (knee) says he feels better than he's ever felt after knee surgery. He should know, considering he's had three in four years.
"I didn't come here just to start five games and be done," Bernardi said. "I've got plenty more games to start ahead of me. I'm going to keep working hard and do all of my treatments to get back on the field as soon as I can."
Safety Marvin Haynes (pelvis) and defensive tackle Cornell Banks (knee) are expected to be fully recovered before the summer. And receiver Chastin West (knee) said he'll be able to join contact drills by the summer.
Is Fresno State ready for a big 2008 season?
Answer: D -- Ugh, better ask later. It would appear Fresno State is ready for the season as long as it's going with its main guys. The Bulldogs' first-team offense and defense looked solid overall. But the depth wasn't apparent during the three weeks, particularly at backup quarterback, linebacker, tight end and along the defensive line.
That leaves Fresno State counting heavily on its starters to stay healthy.
Quarterbacks Ryan Colburn and Matt Faulkner failed to impress in the final scrimmage, which might mean incoming freshman and prized recruit Ebahn Feathers could move up the depth chart quickly.
Left tackle Kenny Wiggins had a good spring and looks like a safe option if Lepori, a soon-to-be three-year starter, doesn't recover as quickly as expected.
Tight end Ryan Skidmore has shown he can get open and has the hands to reel in passes. But he's prone to fumbling and hasn't shown the blocking ability like that of starter Bear Pascoe.
The loss of defensive end Kenny Borg for the season (injured knee in spring) puts more emphasis on Chris Carter and Chris Lewis to perform.
Fresno State is stocked at receiver (seven capable options), defensive back (as long as Haynes returns, the position seems fine) and running back (Mathews gets a lot of attention, but Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding are almost as productive).
"I'm happy with the way spring ended," Hill said. "I'm pleased with our progress. But we're not a finished product by any means."
