§ The Buffs are wrapping up Spring practices with the last of 15 practices with the “official” Spring “Scrimmage”. CU's annual spring game will be the second in a row at night, starting tomorrow (Sat. 4/14) at 5:00 p.m. at Folsom Field.
§ The format at present, due to mostly injuries on the defensive line, will be 30 or so plays of standard offense versus defense scrimmage (1's vs. 1's, 2's vs. 2's, 1's vs. 2's, 3's vs. 3's, etc). In general, with the smaller roster and injuries, the team scrimmaged minimally this spring (three short sessions instead of extended ones). There will also be some 7-on7 passing drills, some red zone work and even some kickoff coverage.
§ There will also be “Coach Mac’s BBQ” at 2:00, an alumni flag football game at 3:30, as well as a CU men’s lacrosse game at 8:00PM.
A few more notes from practices this past week:
§ Obviously the huge news, that even made numerous headlines across ESPN’s college network, was the loss of Paul Richardson, the brightest star on the offense, for the season to a torn ACL and cartilage damage (surgery Monday). Although Embree said it is conceivably possible that he could return in November if all rehab went perfectly and he recovers completely in 6 months, that is doubtful and not in the player or team’s best interest (unless they were in the title picture).
§ It sounds like RFr. Nelson Spruce had leapfrogged Tyler McCulloch, Keenan Canty, Dustin Ebner and everyone else to be considered the #2 receiver after Richardson, leaving him now as the frontrunner to be Connor Wood’s main man this fall. He is “deceptively fast” with good hands and solid route-running.
§ This gives everyone else a little more opportunity to see the field, particularly two big targets who have been disappointing performers, DaVaughn Thorton and Jarrod Darden, as well as the three incoming freshmen.
§ P-Rich was also working as their main returner (huge upside, scary downside with his injury history for when he returns in 2013) so it is all but assured that the returners are not on campus yet. They could very well come from that same group of three frosh wideouts, who I believe all have return experience.
§ Tony Jones becomes the leading returning receiver with 27 catches for 168 yards. Assuming he does win the starting job and can provide solid blocking, he could blow Speedy’s receiving numbers out of the water.
§ QB Coach Rip Scherer stated that the QB competition could possibly linger into the season to give everyone, freshman Shane Dillon and especially Nick Hirschman, a fair shot. He also said this is not an indictment on Wood at all, that he finished strong but still has some things to work on, specifically not pressing.
§ Gus Handler has received great praise from Coach Marshall and it sounds like he has the starting center spot wrapped up. The “veteran” offensive line is shaping up to be a strength, which is that much more important without P-Rich. They will need to open up some space for Tony Jones and give Wood (or whomever) time to throw.
§ TE Nick Kasa had an up-and-down spring but finished on a high note and has shown the ability to make some difficult catches. If he can actually put it all together, he could end up being the biggest surprise on the team. Of course, he could also continue to be a disappointment as well as he has never been able to really step up and is still learning the position.
§ Converted RB-TE-now DE Cordary Allen continues to disappoint as he missed most of the spring with a shoulder injury and “didn’t get much done” according to Embree, likely losing his last opportunity to make an impression.
§ Embree mentioned that numerous players will sit out Saturday’s scrimmage, including Wil Pericak, Chidera Uzo-Diribe, Ray Polk, and Greg Henderson (whose positions are solidified so, they don’t want to risk injury and the younger players will get some reps). This also means the offense should come out looking pretty good.
§ There will be upwards of 50, yes fifty, junior prospects making unofficial visits, at the scrimmage Saturday, including as many as 35 from out of state. This group includes 3 QB prospects (4-star Sefo Liufau from Tacoma, WA, and 3-stars Connor Manning from Lake Forest, CA and Johnny Stanton from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA), three of Stanton’ teammates, players at all positions, plus their two verbal commitments, RB Phillip Lindsay of Denver South and TE Mitchell Parsons of Chapparal.
§ Incoming frosh QB Shane Dillon has been in town and attending practice this week and will also be at the game Saturday. He will be back in June to work with teammates.
§ Sonny Detmer will also be in attendance to watch his former player and nephew QB Stevie Joe Dorman.
§ Program notes: Embree said that 3 assistants were approached by NFL teams but that all decided to stay (that’s only the second time since 1989 that the staff has stayed intact). I am guessing EB and Greg Brown were two of the three that got looks.
No comments:
Post a Comment