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Decade's best: Cougars, Utes each land 8 stars on 25-man squad

Well, I can't see many places where I'd disagree with the list. I think I'd have put Cameron Jensen and Andre Dyson on at linebacker and corner, but I really only follow BYU and Utah, though, so I can't say too much about picks from the other teams.

Two other notes:

1.
It's nice to get the first word in before all the morons come out and start yelling at each other. You know this is going to end up with at least 150 comments, almost all of them about how much somebody hates the Utes or the Cougars, and almost none of them actually about the All-Decade team.

2.
Since it looks like I'm the first one on the board, I'll get the ball rolling for you:

I see Jonny Harline is on the list...and he's STILL open!

(Sorry, couldn't resist. I think that one's even better than the 34-31 thing the Utes tortured Cougar fans with years ago.)

Thank you. A nice little trip down memory lane. However, I wonder the choice of outstanding college players based on what they did later in the professional teams.

Great list, I am sure it is difficult to compile such a list. I think the omission of Morgan Scalley was unfortunate. Francisco and Brimmer were both fine players, but in a conference that does not get much national media attention I don't think you can leave a first team all-american off of the list. Scalley was the anchor of the best team that the conference has ever had. He should be on the list.

Austin Collie still appears pretty 'darn' open as well!

The choice for receiver was a little weak.

I actually agree with Anonymous. Great list.

Why not him over Owen Pochman? Pochman was reliable, but Payne delivered on more than just punts. His field goals were reliable as well, and who can forget his hits on Boise state and others? Oh well. He'd be my pick over pochman.

Where's he playing at right now?

New Mexico coaches called Brian Urlacher's position "the Lobo"...which was an LB/DB hybrid, but like Weddle, essentially played every position - offense AND defense - on the field. Beau Bell needs to be bumped from the list of LBs since there was NO OTHER MWC player that was as dominating in their respective position (LINEBACKER) than Urlacher. He may very well have been the best player in MWC history. Dyson may then backfill Urlacher's open slot at DB. Scalley can bump Francisco.

Mike Anderson was the most dominant RB in MWC history. David Anderson and Steve Smith were the most dangerous WRs. Pochman is a legitimate pick for kicker, but I would call it a coin toss over Deric Yaussi. Doug Jolley and Dennis Pitta are far stronger TEs than Harline.

Alex Smith? Come on Folks! He would have a difficult time making this year's squad down here in the Holy Land.

And yet with all the great talent, no MWC team has beaten Boise State from the WAC.

SCOREBOARD!

The issue of what a player accomplished in the NFL is interesting but I don't think should be part of this. Players that dominated the conference did nothing afterwards. That doesn't diminish the fact that they owned the conference.

Take Luke Staley and even Alex Smith. The numbers were given on Luke and that is enough said. He was drafted by the Lions but due to a knee injury never played a down in the NFL.

Alex Smith is a pretty fair choice for quarterback of the decade and yet he has really struggled in the NFL. Some are saying this is the end of the year for him.

And most of those names did nothing in the NFL, yet they still dominated in conference.

Harline's STILL NOT IN THE NFL!

This is typical DMN coverage of MWC football. Utah and BYU are given equal recognition, regardless of who really has the better team and better players. I wish the editors could see the truth, instead of trying to be PC.

Why should performance in the NFL (after a college career is over) play into the determination of who had the best performance while playing in the MWC. Whether a player was successful at the next level should not be a part of the criteria for determining this list.

Heck, the decade isn't even over yet.

What about Bret Engemann?

I see they chose Reno Mahe on Wide Reciever.

All I have to say is you should have seen that boy in High School. Some of the best High school plays I have seen in the past 20 some-odd years were with his hands on the ball . . . he could dance through backfields, catch with one finger, . . . . great times.

I am glad to see he is honored.

And who are the top three of this entire group? I think it goes Urlacher, Staley and Steve Smith. Urlacher and Smith have done the best in the NFL and were great in college. But I think in terms of sheer talent, Staley was as good as Urlacher and Smith in his prime - that great 2001 season. Had he not had every surgery conceivable he would be starring in some NFL backfield today. I hope players like Alex Smith, Weddle, and Beck have breakout NFL seasons. I put aside school loyalties (BYU) once these kids graduate on to the NFL and represent the MWC conference.

weddle was awful. BYU had 3 tds over him in one game