First Day in Pads!

The Buffs have now had five of their second of 29 total practices (not counting walk-throughs).   Wednesday was the first day in shells (helmet and shoulder pads, able to do some hitting) and Friday the first day in full pads and with full contact. Here are a few tidbits from camp:

 §  Former head coach Gary Barnett visited practice this week and commented, among other things, “It’s obvious to see how young they are,” but that they are also athletic, “especially in the secondary”. 

§  Embree likes what his freshman are doing, they are “full speed” players, have picked up a lot from the veterans at the well attended and organized summer workouts so they are very prepare. One poster on NetBuffs.com said the “pay” sites are confirming reports that the frosh are representing well, specifically at DB, DL, WR, TE, and adding a lot of (much needed) speed to the team.

Offensive Notes

§  QB battle: Barnett didn’t say much except that they are received equal reps and that he thinks Webb’s experience is a key factor.

*QB Coach Rip Scherer provided the biggest “news” of camp so far.  Earlier in the week Embree used all the clichés  is all three getting equal reps, nobody saying anything other than generic, “It’s starting to take shape…come around a little bit…they’re competing.”  Now however, Scherer says there is no rush to name a starter and, although it is not ideal, the staff admitted it could possibly start the season with a rotation at QB, at least for the first two games to see who really handles the offense the best. 

*They also said at least that it will be narrowed down to two soon, likely next week.  What is the mindset of that third one going to be and will they stick it out?  (If it is Hirschman who is left out, I would not be surprised to see him bail.)

*Webb admitted that he was “swimming” the first few days, but that now he is feeling more comfortable in the offense and with his teammates.

*QBs still wore green no-contact jerseys on the first day of full pads.

*Shane Dillon realizes that as much as he wanted to play, redshirting and learning the offense will be better for him and for the team.  He talked a lot with Scherer and this also gives him the best shot at developing eventually into an NFL player. I know it's going to be hard sitting out a season, but it'll be good for me . . . I can work on gaining weight, getting stronger and focus on school."

*Although it appears players have been instructed to not speak about the QB competition, LT David Bahktiari hinted that it was not at all settled although he would prefer for someone to make the decision easy: “I want to see consistency. I want somebody to emerge from the group. I just want to see one of them step up and take the whole role, basically take this offense.”

§  Nick Hirschman said that RB Tony Jones is looking great and is playing with “a lot of swagger”.

§  Jr. RB Josh Ford knows that everyone on the team can run the ball and that he must do all the other things-picking up reads, selling play-action, blocking, pass-catching- well, in order to get some carries.

§  The FB group is suddenly very deep with the addition of T-Fr. Christian Powell, transfer Jordan Murphy, Clay Norgard (who has been here since January) and another walk-on.  Alex Wood has received his scholarship and may just hang on to the job over the talented frosh.  No matter who is playing the FB slot, the running game should benefit greatly this year.

§  RT Jack Harris is appears fully recovered from his knee injury and is solidifying himself back on the right side.

§  C Gus Handler sat out a practice with an “illness”.

§  Embree basically confirmed that Sr. offensive lineman RyanDannewitz will be the “sixth guy…he can play all the positions.”

§  Speedy frosh WR Gerald Thomas has been showing off his skills, especially running after catching the ball.

§  Paul Richardson continues to make phenomenal progress as he is now cutting, jumping and changing direction without any pain or swelling afterwards.  He has worked his tail off rehabbing, has been studying all the great quick recoveries like Jerry Rice, and although he is still not doing any team drills, he feels that he is about at 90% right now.  This could be an incredible boost to the team if they can go 3-0 or 4-2 or better, and then get P-Rich back for the stretch run at a bowl game.

Defensive Notes

§  The defense has been creating a lot of turnovers, including six total turnovers on Thursday, with Wright, Crawley and Henderson all grabbing picks.  Of course, while this is great for the defense (which is usually a little ahead of the offense at the beginning of camp), it is not encouraging for the offense and is frustrating to coaches.

§  So. CB Greg Henderson is being counted as one of the veterans after logging the most snaps of anyone last year as a true freshman.  Coaches have said he has progressed greatly in the offseason and is ready for a breakout year.  He is excited for the influx of youth and talent, and trying to lead as best as he can.  All corners are playing both the left and the right until side they earn “the right to stay on one side,” said DC Greg Brown.

§  Embree specifically praised a few frosh D-lineman, including Josh Tupou, Tyler Henington, Justin Solis, Kory Rasmussen, all of whom are at least 6’3” 280 pounds, describing them as “stout…physical…strong…quick… athletic”.  TE Nick Kasa agrees, admitting that his group and the O-line are having their problems against that group; ditto for lone D-line senior starter Wil Pericak, who said they are big, are producing and creating competition for everyone.  (This was very pleasant to read!)

§  T-Fr. CB Yuri Wright is keeping to himself and studying the playbook, trying to get on the field as soon as possible. He has put all his past behind him, hardly even looks at twitter now, and is impressing teammates with his skill and low-key demeanor (not necessarily what everyone expected).  He (still) feels that he has a great chance at starting opposite Henderson or at least playing a lot this year, and that he can run “with everyone so far.”

§  It seems like Wright and fellow 4-star recruit Kenneth Crawley are doing well as they are splitting time opposite Henderson.  Greg Brown has them play rock-paper-scissors for who got the nod Friday (Crawley-rock), with the loser (Wright-scissors) getting the “starter’s” reps next.

§  S Parker Orms is practicing well and healthy so far, and it appears he is ready to take the other safety spot opposite Ray Polk as expected, at least for as long as he can stay on the field.

§  R-Fr. CB Sherrard Harrington should be back to the practice field soon.  He was one of the only limited players coming into camp.

§  With a couple of safeties moving over, the linebacking corps is now quite deep, with Sophs Woodson Greer III and Lowell Williams (3^rd year) behind Major on the outside, So. Brady Daigh backing up Rippy in the middle, and Sophs Kyle Washing ton and KT Tu’umalo as well as Jr. Paul Vigo spelling Webb on the weakside.

§  Washington sustained a concussion (he had at least one last year I think also) and will be out a few days.

Special Teams Notes

§  So. K Wil Oliver is another player who is feeling fully recovered from injury and doing well on the practice fields.  Years of playing lacrosse left both his shoulders in shambles and he had surgery for one in December and then decided to do the other one toward the end of spring ball.  He has been working on getting more elevation on his kicks to avoid blocks and improving his strength and distance-he says he is god from 57 yards now (coaches were comfortable up to 52 last year).

§  The battle for the punt return job is wide open and these guys are getting their chance: Henderson, So. WR Keenan Canty and a bunch of true frosh, including S Marques Moseley, CB Kenneth Crawley, WR Gerald Thomas and RBs Donta Abron and Terrence Crowder (who must be completely healthy from his knee injury last year).

Other Team Notes:

§  Today (Saturday) is CU’s Media Day, and numerous players will be available for interviews so there should be a few quotes and maybe even some specific updates about positional battles.

§  Embree also had planned to have the first of five scheduled two-a-day and split squad practice, with two groups working separately in the morning and everyone coming together for special teams in the afternoon.  However, he also said that since the defense has been playing so well, it would be up to their position coaches if they could take the day off (likely just the morning), while the offense would come in to do some  walk-through and I would guess some extra running gets mixed in there also.  Either way these practices will allow coaches to focus on smaller groups of players.

§  Notes on Opponents: UCLA (Sept. 29) has named R-Fr. Brett Hundley as their starting QB over 3 seniors, two with starting experience-Richard Brehaut and Kevin Prince, as well as walk-on (yeah like he was going to play) Jerry Neuheisel.  Hundley is definitely the most athletic of the bunch and has been making great decisions and throwing the ball well in the first two weeks of practice.  While surprising to some, it gives the most time to prepare for the most talented member of their QBs, and will at least give them some solid experience behind the starter.  Let’s hope one of our QBs can grasp the starting slot in a similar way!

-CSU (Sept. 2, Denver) will have its first scrimmage today (Saturday), and it should be interesting how badly the offense does against the defense who dominated during the spring.

§  Buffs in the NFL: Still no word of any Buffs being cut yet!

§  Recruiting: ESPN’s Damon Sayles actually did a small piece on Colorado football recruits-nothing mind blowing or new, but interesting publicity nonetheless. http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/8244067/colorado

§  Buffnik’s Uncensored Defensive Preview: http://www.allbuffs.com/content.php/1460-A-really-******-preview-of-the-2012-CU-Buffs-football-season-Part-II-Defense

§  Check out CUBuffs.com’s Football Fall Camp page and they have video highlights and interviews each day: http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3843&SPID=255&DB_LANG=ES_ES&DB_OEM_ID=600&atclid=204766943