Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Calm Before the Storm
Last week we received the first wave of football season with the Big 12 media day and preseason predictions every where you looked. Once again, we have slipped into the dog days of summer with the next wave of Colorado football coming next week with the start of two-a-days. Here are some stories that should hold you over for a little while.
- It looks like Lynn Katoa can now move on from his early troubles at CU. Katoa avoids jail time and felony charges if he can stay clean for the next three years. This ruling is huge granted that Katoa stays out of trouble because he should be all cleared up to play next year with no additional rulings needed from the CU administration. It would have been nice to have Katoa get some action this year but with a relatively deep linebacker position aided by the influx of Shaun Mohler and Jon Major, redshirting the 5 star recruit won't necessarily be a bad thing.
- If you have been coherent over the past couple of weeks, you may have noticed ESPN's Big 12 blog has been putting out about 95 reads a day mostly written by Tim Griffin. Woodrow and I got into a little discussion on one article Griffin posted rating the most hated programs in the Big 12. I would make a few changes to Griffin's list. Oklahoma State needs to be put in the top 5. Is there a more annoying school out there in the Big 12? I mean all you hear about is Boone Pickens and Mike Gundy and the foundation they are laying in Stillwater. Do you really think that they will ever recruit better than OU and UT? Do you really think that Boone Pickens, with all his business savy, believes Mike Gundy is the man to lead OSU to the promise land? And there is no question that the superiority complex that Nebraska has merits a higher rating on the most hated list than the #9 spot. Something was sweet about watching the Corn Nation bring on a former Raider in Bill Callahan and watching them implode. It was like a perfect storm. And lets give Kansas one more year to prove they are relevant in football before we start hating them. I couldn't have named 3 players that played for Kansas ever before the pre-2007 magic. And has the Missouri vs Kansas game ever been relevant until last year? It certainly doesn't merit a #2 rivalry ranking.
-Onto a more Buff centric locale, the Daily Camera's blog written by Kyle Ringo does a pretty good job on his outlook of the Buffs (I mostly say this because we agree on a lot of things!) His most recent post detailed players who need to exceed expectations or improve on past performances for the Buffs to take the next step in '08. I don't think he could have picked 4 better players to highlight. Like we have said numerous times on this site, if WR Patrick Williams comes to play week in and week out up to his potential (and not just versus teams like Montana St. or Colorado St.), the Buffs could be one of the top offenses in the Big 12. You talk to any knowledgeable CU fan and ask them what they want for Christmas, it would be a productive WR. Williams has the ability but never seems to follow through. The CU defensive line has the ability to resemble the dominant CU lines of Williams, Steed, Holland, etc. But it will take improvement in the productivity of Maurice Lucas and Brandon Nicolas. He also talks about OL Nate Solder making the transition from TE to OL with a bunch of athleticism to boot. I don't think there is a doubt that he can be good, its a matter of when. If he can gel with Ryan Miller and Daniel Sanders, it would go along way in the success of the CU offense.
-Something tells me that the reason we hate the BCS is that it revolves around computers. This little simulation makes me hate computer generated football even more. Just brings up the golden opportunity to use the line, "That's why they play the game." If CU finishes in 59th behind teams like FAU...well I don't even know how to comprehend such a thought right now. If Baylor wins 4 games, I will be shocked.
-Keep it on the down low...Buffs single game tickets go on sale Friday, August 1st. We are still trying to get a few extras for the UT and West Virginia games so don't take them all.
- It looks like Lynn Katoa can now move on from his early troubles at CU. Katoa avoids jail time and felony charges if he can stay clean for the next three years. This ruling is huge granted that Katoa stays out of trouble because he should be all cleared up to play next year with no additional rulings needed from the CU administration. It would have been nice to have Katoa get some action this year but with a relatively deep linebacker position aided by the influx of Shaun Mohler and Jon Major, redshirting the 5 star recruit won't necessarily be a bad thing.
- If you have been coherent over the past couple of weeks, you may have noticed ESPN's Big 12 blog has been putting out about 95 reads a day mostly written by Tim Griffin. Woodrow and I got into a little discussion on one article Griffin posted rating the most hated programs in the Big 12. I would make a few changes to Griffin's list. Oklahoma State needs to be put in the top 5. Is there a more annoying school out there in the Big 12? I mean all you hear about is Boone Pickens and Mike Gundy and the foundation they are laying in Stillwater. Do you really think that they will ever recruit better than OU and UT? Do you really think that Boone Pickens, with all his business savy, believes Mike Gundy is the man to lead OSU to the promise land? And there is no question that the superiority complex that Nebraska has merits a higher rating on the most hated list than the #9 spot. Something was sweet about watching the Corn Nation bring on a former Raider in Bill Callahan and watching them implode. It was like a perfect storm. And lets give Kansas one more year to prove they are relevant in football before we start hating them. I couldn't have named 3 players that played for Kansas ever before the pre-2007 magic. And has the Missouri vs Kansas game ever been relevant until last year? It certainly doesn't merit a #2 rivalry ranking.
-Onto a more Buff centric locale, the Daily Camera's blog written by Kyle Ringo does a pretty good job on his outlook of the Buffs (I mostly say this because we agree on a lot of things!) His most recent post detailed players who need to exceed expectations or improve on past performances for the Buffs to take the next step in '08. I don't think he could have picked 4 better players to highlight. Like we have said numerous times on this site, if WR Patrick Williams comes to play week in and week out up to his potential (and not just versus teams like Montana St. or Colorado St.), the Buffs could be one of the top offenses in the Big 12. You talk to any knowledgeable CU fan and ask them what they want for Christmas, it would be a productive WR. Williams has the ability but never seems to follow through. The CU defensive line has the ability to resemble the dominant CU lines of Williams, Steed, Holland, etc. But it will take improvement in the productivity of Maurice Lucas and Brandon Nicolas. He also talks about OL Nate Solder making the transition from TE to OL with a bunch of athleticism to boot. I don't think there is a doubt that he can be good, its a matter of when. If he can gel with Ryan Miller and Daniel Sanders, it would go along way in the success of the CU offense.
-Something tells me that the reason we hate the BCS is that it revolves around computers. This little simulation makes me hate computer generated football even more. Just brings up the golden opportunity to use the line, "That's why they play the game." If CU finishes in 59th behind teams like FAU...well I don't even know how to comprehend such a thought right now. If Baylor wins 4 games, I will be shocked.
-Keep it on the down low...Buffs single game tickets go on sale Friday, August 1st. We are still trying to get a few extras for the UT and West Virginia games so don't take them all.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Buffs Practice Schedule
Thanks to tclbuff and Allbuffs, we now have a practice schedule to get a glimpse of the 2008 team. We will be taking time off work to go and check out some of the practices out. Expect commentary, pictures and maybe an interview if we're lucky from the Ralphie Report in the upcoming month up to kickoff vs. Colorado State.
All practices through August 17 are open to the public, as are Sunday practices in-season (5:15-6:15). All others closed to the public.
AUGUST 4- Players Report (by 12:00 p.m.; physicals, photos, equipment, dinner, meetings)
AUGUST 5- Meetings, Practice (9:45-11:45 newcomers, 4:30-6:30 veterans)
AUGUST 6- Meetings, Practice (9:45-11:45 newcomers, 4:30-6:30 veterans)
AUGUST 7- Meetings, Practice (9:45-11:45 newcomers; 4:30-6:30 veterans)
AUGUST 8- Meetings, Practice (9:45-11:45 newcomers; 4:30-6:30 veterans)
AUGUST 9- Meetings, Practice (4:00-6:30*) First Day In Pads (all players now combined)
AUGUST 10- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (3:00-5:00*, 8:00-10:00p)
AUGUST 11- Meetings, Practice (Scrimmage 12:00-3:00*) Scrimmage is on practice fields
AUGUST 12- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (10:15-11:45, 4:00-6:00*)
AUGUST 13- Meetings, Practice (10:00-12:30*)
AUGUST 14- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (9:30-11:30*, 7:00-9:00)
AUGUST 15- Meetings, Practice (Walkthrough 9:30-10:30, 4:00-6:30*)
AUGUST 16- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (9:30-11:30*, 4:00-5:30)
AUGUST 17- Meetings, Practice (Walkthrough 2:00-2:45; Scrimmage 4:00-6:30*) Scrimmage is on practice fields
AUGUST 18- Meetings, Practice (1:00-2:15)
AUGUST 19- Meetings, Walkthrough (10:00-11:00)
AUGUST 20- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (9:30-11:30*, 7:00-9:00)
AUGUST 21- Meetings, Practice (Walkthrough 1:30-2:30, 6:00-8:00*) GAME WEEK PREP BEGINS
AUGUST 22- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (9:30-11:30*, 4:00-6:00)
AUGUST 23- Meetings, Practice (Walkthrough 10:30-11:00; Closed Scrimmage 5:30-8:00*)
AUGUST 24- Meetings, Practice (5:00-6:00)
AUGUST 25- No practice (team day off) FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
AUGUST 26- Meetings (2:15), Practice (4:30-6:30*)
AUGUST 27- Meetings (2:15), Practice (4:15-6:15*) HAWKINS KOA RADIO SHOW (7-8 p.m.)
AUGUST 28- Meetings (2:15), Practice (4:15-6:15) CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON (Noon, Balch Fieldhouse)
AUGUST 29- Meetings (2:15), Practice (3:15-5:15) DENVER LUNCHEONS (2); PEARL STREET STAMPEDE (7:00 p.m.)
AUGUST 30- Meetings, Walkthrough (3:00-4:00, Folsom Field)
AUGUST 31- FIRST GAME: CU vs. Colorado State in Denver (5:30 p.m.)
All practices through August 17 are open to the public, as are Sunday practices in-season (5:15-6:15). All others closed to the public.
AUGUST 4- Players Report (by 12:00 p.m.; physicals, photos, equipment, dinner, meetings)
AUGUST 5- Meetings, Practice (9:45-11:45 newcomers, 4:30-6:30 veterans)
AUGUST 6- Meetings, Practice (9:45-11:45 newcomers, 4:30-6:30 veterans)
AUGUST 7- Meetings, Practice (9:45-11:45 newcomers; 4:30-6:30 veterans)
AUGUST 8- Meetings, Practice (9:45-11:45 newcomers; 4:30-6:30 veterans)
AUGUST 9- Meetings, Practice (4:00-6:30*) First Day In Pads (all players now combined)
AUGUST 10- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (3:00-5:00*, 8:00-10:00p)
AUGUST 11- Meetings, Practice (Scrimmage 12:00-3:00*) Scrimmage is on practice fields
AUGUST 12- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (10:15-11:45, 4:00-6:00*)
AUGUST 13- Meetings, Practice (10:00-12:30*)
AUGUST 14- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (9:30-11:30*, 7:00-9:00)
AUGUST 15- Meetings, Practice (Walkthrough 9:30-10:30, 4:00-6:30*)
AUGUST 16- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (9:30-11:30*, 4:00-5:30)
AUGUST 17- Meetings, Practice (Walkthrough 2:00-2:45; Scrimmage 4:00-6:30*) Scrimmage is on practice fields
AUGUST 18- Meetings, Practice (1:00-2:15)
AUGUST 19- Meetings, Walkthrough (10:00-11:00)
AUGUST 20- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (9:30-11:30*, 7:00-9:00)
AUGUST 21- Meetings, Practice (Walkthrough 1:30-2:30, 6:00-8:00*) GAME WEEK PREP BEGINS
AUGUST 22- Two-A-Day Meetings, Practices (9:30-11:30*, 4:00-6:00)
AUGUST 23- Meetings, Practice (Walkthrough 10:30-11:00; Closed Scrimmage 5:30-8:00*)
AUGUST 24- Meetings, Practice (5:00-6:00)
AUGUST 25- No practice (team day off) FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
AUGUST 26- Meetings (2:15), Practice (4:30-6:30*)
AUGUST 27- Meetings (2:15), Practice (4:15-6:15*) HAWKINS KOA RADIO SHOW (7-8 p.m.)
AUGUST 28- Meetings (2:15), Practice (4:15-6:15) CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON (Noon, Balch Fieldhouse)
AUGUST 29- Meetings (2:15), Practice (3:15-5:15) DENVER LUNCHEONS (2); PEARL STREET STAMPEDE (7:00 p.m.)
AUGUST 30- Meetings, Walkthrough (3:00-4:00, Folsom Field)
AUGUST 31- FIRST GAME: CU vs. Colorado State in Denver (5:30 p.m.)
Ranking the Players
Rivals.com is concluding their top 15 returning Buffaloes for the 2008 season with the #1 spot being revealed tomorrow. Since we already know who will be the #1 player, we decided to release it early (see below) and have a little discussion about it. First off, I think the list is pretty good. I mean there are 22 starters so you know that you can narrow down a list of 15 pretty easily especially for the Buffs where you can't put any CB's on the list. So right there you are down to 19 players to choose from. Although this list calls for returning Buffs, you could tell how bad rivals.com wanted to put Darrell Scott on this list and validate there #1 RB ranking recruit by not placing a single RB on the list. I would have thrown Sumler on the list as he has a strong possibility to start or at least see a good number of carries in the early going.
The 10 - 15 players aren't worth arguing about too much as most of them are unproven or slotted. I would have moved Williams to #15 or have him replaced by Sumler, Dykes up to #12 and Smart to #13. I think Dykes will be critical this year to aiding the CB's. There is a reason there are no CB's on this list so an emphasis will need to be placed on the safeties for the success of the defense. Williams is the wild card. If he plays to his potential, he has top 5 ability and could make the offense even more dynamic.
Slots 5 - 10 get me excited. A strong mix of experience mixed with an influx of youth and potential playmakers. Ryan Miller is hands down going to be an All American candidate within the next couple of years. A first team freshman All American last year, look for him to continue his maturity and we look forward to the next 3 years with Miller. He probably should be in the top 5 but I will address that next. We love the Smith/McKnight combination at the WR position. With Simas being ineligible
for the year, the youthful duo will need to step up even more to solidify the outside and the success of Cody Hawkins. Smith has big play ability and McKnight will be the possession guy that the Hawkins offense needs. Similar to Miller, the next 3 years with these guys could be very fun. Ryan Walters and Riar Geer could be the two players we look towards at the end of the year as integral parts in the success or lack thereof for the 2008 season. Both are seasoned veterans on offense and defense, Geer will bring experience to a offense full of young skill players. I always believe that a talented DL is the most important part of a defense (I am a Broncos, see how bad our defense is, see how bad our DL is) but, as I said above in regards to Dykes, Walters will need to be the anchor of the defense.
The top 5 could use some re-organization in my opinion. I wouldn't include
Brandon Nicolas in my top 5. He is a strong player but to be in the top 5 you need to have more than 3 sacks and 37 tackles from a year ago. The trio of Nicolas, Lucas and Hypolite should be a strong point for the Buffs this year but only Hypolite is worthy of a top 5 ranking. I would move Ryan Miller up to the # 4 spot, put the potential Rimington award winner, Daniel Sanders, at the #3 spot, the potential Nagurski award winner, George Hypolite, at #2 and Cody Hawkins at #1.
As
you can tell from our recent poll, Hawkins is looked at as the most crucial player to the Buffs success this year. He was a honorable mention freshman All American last year and playing in the QB 12, I mean the Big 12, with all of the high flying offenses, Hawkins will need to keep the train rolling, keeping the defense off the field and playing with a lead. If Hawkins can get his touchdown to interception ratio improved to a 3:1 level, we could be in for a treat in Boulder. He will be tested early with speed defenses in West Virginia, Florida State and Texas. No doubt the Scott, Sumler, Ray Polk trio with a little bit of Brian Lockridge sprinkled in will take the pressure off Hawkins. I also think that Hawkins will thrive in a no huddle, high intensity offense that the Buffs have implemented. The key for Hawkins success will be his ability to remain poised, go through his progression & reads and remember his technique. A year of experience will be instrumental in his improvement in all of these categories.
*Not released on rivals.com yet
The 10 - 15 players aren't worth arguing about too much as most of them are unproven or slotted. I would have moved Williams to #15 or have him replaced by Sumler, Dykes up to #12 and Smart to #13. I think Dykes will be critical this year to aiding the CB's. There is a reason there are no CB's on this list so an emphasis will need to be placed on the safeties for the success of the defense. Williams is the wild card. If he plays to his potential, he has top 5 ability and could make the offense even more dynamic.
Slots 5 - 10 get me excited. A strong mix of experience mixed with an influx of youth and potential playmakers. Ryan Miller is hands down going to be an All American candidate within the next couple of years. A first team freshman All American last year, look for him to continue his maturity and we look forward to the next 3 years with Miller. He probably should be in the top 5 but I will address that next. We love the Smith/McKnight combination at the WR position. With Simas being ineligible
for the year, the youthful duo will need to step up even more to solidify the outside and the success of Cody Hawkins. Smith has big play ability and McKnight will be the possession guy that the Hawkins offense needs. Similar to Miller, the next 3 years with these guys could be very fun. Ryan Walters and Riar Geer could be the two players we look towards at the end of the year as integral parts in the success or lack thereof for the 2008 season. Both are seasoned veterans on offense and defense, Geer will bring experience to a offense full of young skill players. I always believe that a talented DL is the most important part of a defense (I am a Broncos, see how bad our defense is, see how bad our DL is) but, as I said above in regards to Dykes, Walters will need to be the anchor of the defense.The top 5 could use some re-organization in my opinion. I wouldn't include
Brandon Nicolas in my top 5. He is a strong player but to be in the top 5 you need to have more than 3 sacks and 37 tackles from a year ago. The trio of Nicolas, Lucas and Hypolite should be a strong point for the Buffs this year but only Hypolite is worthy of a top 5 ranking. I would move Ryan Miller up to the # 4 spot, put the potential Rimington award winner, Daniel Sanders, at the #3 spot, the potential Nagurski award winner, George Hypolite, at #2 and Cody Hawkins at #1.As
you can tell from our recent poll, Hawkins is looked at as the most crucial player to the Buffs success this year. He was a honorable mention freshman All American last year and playing in the QB 12, I mean the Big 12, with all of the high flying offenses, Hawkins will need to keep the train rolling, keeping the defense off the field and playing with a lead. If Hawkins can get his touchdown to interception ratio improved to a 3:1 level, we could be in for a treat in Boulder. He will be tested early with speed defenses in West Virginia, Florida State and Texas. No doubt the Scott, Sumler, Ray Polk trio with a little bit of Brian Lockridge sprinkled in will take the pressure off Hawkins. I also think that Hawkins will thrive in a no huddle, high intensity offense that the Buffs have implemented. The key for Hawkins success will be his ability to remain poised, go through his progression & reads and remember his technique. A year of experience will be instrumental in his improvement in all of these categories.| 15 S Daniel Dykes |
| 14 LB Michael Sipili |
| 13 WR Patrick Williams |
| 12 LB Jeff Smart |
| 11 LB Brad Jones |
| 10 WR Scotty McKnight |
| 9 DL Maurice Lucas |
| 8 WR Josh Smith |
| 7 OL Ryan Miller |
| 6 TE Riar Geer |
| 5 S Ryan Walters |
| 4 QB Cody Hawkins |
| 3 OL Daniel Sanders |
| 2 Brandon Nicolas |
| 1 *(George Hypolite) |
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
What Do the 2008 - 2009 CU Basketball Team and the 2007 Kansas Football Team Have in Common?
The answer...the worst non conference schedule I have ever seen. But the comparison ends their for the Buffs Basketball team as Kansas had the ability to win their non conference games. Other than Stanford in the Pac 10 and Big 12's attempt (Hardwood Series) to copy the Big 10 - ACC Challenge, Colorado's non conference schedule includes the powerhouse programs of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Montana State, Harvard, Lafayette, TCU, Colorado State, Prairie View A&M and Louisiana - Monroe, SMU and Western State. This would be laughable if I didn't think the Buffs had a shot to go .500 in their non conference games. I can see the RPI rankings now! The Buffs are also playing in the Rainbow Classic which Clemson should run away with (shows you the talent in this tournament).
The only reason I am critical is that Buff Basketball is not on the map anywhere, not even in Boulder. There is zero excitement around the program and other than Kansas and Texas at home, what reason would a CU fan go to Boulder to watch basketball this year. I understand the Buffs will have a hard time winning games versus any team on the schedule but the one thing that CU football has always done well and continues to is schedule non conference opponents that getting you talking about football - whether the Buffs were going to get torched or contend. West Virginia and Florida State will get you to go the game, regardless of how good or bad the Buffs are. Its like when the Yankees come to Coors Field to play the Rockies, they sell out regardless of the team's success. Can you vision any of the first 8 or 9 games getting more than 500 people at the Coors Event Center? Can you expect to watch good basketball? Once again we will have to settle for a second class level of basketball in Boulder.
The only reason I am critical is that Buff Basketball is not on the map anywhere, not even in Boulder. There is zero excitement around the program and other than Kansas and Texas at home, what reason would a CU fan go to Boulder to watch basketball this year. I understand the Buffs will have a hard time winning games versus any team on the schedule but the one thing that CU football has always done well and continues to is schedule non conference opponents that getting you talking about football - whether the Buffs were going to get torched or contend. West Virginia and Florida State will get you to go the game, regardless of how good or bad the Buffs are. Its like when the Yankees come to Coors Field to play the Rockies, they sell out regardless of the team's success. Can you vision any of the first 8 or 9 games getting more than 500 people at the Coors Event Center? Can you expect to watch good basketball? Once again we will have to settle for a second class level of basketball in Boulder.
Big 12 Releases Basketball Schedule
In the midst of the college football season ramping up, the Big 12 has released its 2008 - 2009 College Basketball schedule. It should be an interesting year in the Big 12 with what seemed like every team being depleted by players leaving for the NBA. Kansas lost their starting 5 (Chalmers, Kahn, Arthur, Rush, Jackson and Robinson) and then some, Kansas State lost Beasley and Walker and Texas lost Augustine. Colorado lost two of its career leading scorers and 7 other players since Bzdelik took over so the Buffs qualify for a revamped team in the Big 12. Oklahoma should be considerably stronger with Blake Griffin returning and incoming G Willy Warren
Here is the Buffs Big 12 Schedule -
Wednesday, January 14th - Colorado at Missouri
Saturday, January 17th - Kansas at Colorado
Tuesday, January 20th - Colorado at Texas Tech
Saturday, January 24th - Kansas State at Colorado
Tuesday, January 27th - Iowa State at Colorado
Saturday, January 31st - Colorado at Kansas
Wednesday, February 4th - Nebraska at Colorado
Saturday, February 7th - Colorado at Oklahoma
Wednesday, February 11th - Colorado at Iowa State
Saturday, February 14th - Texas at Colorado
Wednesday, February 18th - Colorado at Nebraska
Saturday, February 21st - Missouri at Colorado
Wednesday, February 25th - Oklahoma State at Colorado
Saturday, February 28th - Colorado at Baylor
Wednesday, March 4th - Texas A&M at Colorado
Saturday, March 7th - Colorado at Kansas State
Here is the Buffs Big 12 Schedule -
Wednesday, January 14th - Colorado at Missouri
Saturday, January 17th - Kansas at Colorado
Tuesday, January 20th - Colorado at Texas Tech
Saturday, January 24th - Kansas State at Colorado
Tuesday, January 27th - Iowa State at Colorado
Saturday, January 31st - Colorado at Kansas
Wednesday, February 4th - Nebraska at Colorado
Saturday, February 7th - Colorado at Oklahoma
Wednesday, February 11th - Colorado at Iowa State
Saturday, February 14th - Texas at Colorado
Wednesday, February 18th - Colorado at Nebraska
Saturday, February 21st - Missouri at Colorado
Wednesday, February 25th - Oklahoma State at Colorado
Saturday, February 28th - Colorado at Baylor
Wednesday, March 4th - Texas A&M at Colorado
Saturday, March 7th - Colorado at Kansas State
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The "Buzz" - The Colorado Media Day Recap
It’s been a while since
-George Hypolite Podcast from 1150 AM The Zone - like Woodrow posted yesterday - it seems like Hypolite is a superstar on and off the field. Hopefully he can keep the rest of the Buffs out of trouble from here on out. Don't really know about the women's studies major. I think that the major = NFL Career Expectations. But he wants to do law within the community. Once again, he has his head on straight. Let’s just hope he blows some heads up on the field. The Daily Camera also had a good piece on the man in the middle.
-Coach Hawk via Podcast talks about the upcoming year and about every topic that you want to know about regarding CU Football and even a mention of CU Track & Field. He is a Renaissance Man. The audio was made available from media day by BigSports 950am (a
-A preview of Media Day #2 of Big 12 teams by the Journal Star in Husker country. No mention of Darrell Scott in this story but this second article mentions something that is in most articles that we have read from Kansas City: a reference to Adrian Peterson and the Heisman. Of course Husker nation brought up the "intramurals" rant by Hawkins...from now on we are going to show a picture of a drunk Bo Pelini when we refer to Nebraska.
-There was also mention of Darrell Scott playing punter. Something tells me that this will never come to fruition. If you think the picture to the right is embarrassing, having Darrell Scott get a
broken leg while a 4th string LB runs into his leg would probably take the cake. And "oh yeah" their is that Adrian Peterson reference again. Here is Hawkins talking about this circus statement of Darrell Scott punting. We know Hawkins is a little bit crazy; I mean he did vacation in
-And then their is a Jim Brown reference. It may be getting a little ridiculous now but if he is half the player Brown was, something tells me we will be happy in
-The schedule was also a topic of conversation as noted in the Columbia Tribune. H
awkins said,
“Given the teams we play in this league, it gets them ready,” he said of the Buffs’ nonconference slate, which this year includes
I think what he meant to say was "this schedule was put together before I got to CU and I ask Mike Bohn what he was thinking every day. Why can't we play a non-conference schedule like Tech or
-The title of this article in the Denver Post says all that we needs to be said - "CU Cornerbacks in Jam Via Big 12 Passing Lane."
-Let's worry about CSU first, then Eastern Washington, then West Virginia, then Florida State before we start talking about Texas.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Breaking News...Buffs in More Trouble
And the beat continues...rivals.com is reporting that WR Markques Simas, OL Sione Tau and LB Nate Vaiomounga will all be academically ineligible based on the first term of summer school, according to the CU sports information department and rivals.com. The loss of Simas is definitely going to be a hit as his size and versatility were expected to bring big contributions to the Buffs offense this year.
Rivals is also reporting that CU's sports information department announced that two former walk-ons, DL Daniel Modrovsky and TE Kyle Tompane, have decided to leave the team.
It sounds like Simas has a lot, and I mean a lot, of growing up to do. Listen to these quotes in the Daily Camera (Note to Markques: Don't ever publicly say these things...ever):
On a good note, Dave Plati said in the Daily Camera that "tight end Riar Geer is eligible to play this season after recently pleading guilty in Boulder County Court to misdemeanor assault charges stemming from a fistfight in March.
Something tells me that the coaching staff can't wait for the offseason to conclude...
Rivals is also reporting that CU's sports information department announced that two former walk-ons, DL Daniel Modrovsky and TE Kyle Tompane, have decided to leave the team.
It sounds like Simas has a lot, and I mean a lot, of growing up to do. Listen to these quotes in the Daily Camera (Note to Markques: Don't ever publicly say these things...ever):
“I think it was just my sense of urgency,” Simas said. “I start the beginning of the semester strong and then once I get a rhythm I kind of slack off a little too much. And then at the end, I try to turn it up.
“I did it in high school, but I realize I can’t do it in high school. The teachers are real strict and they really don’t know you all too well like a high school teacher would. I thought I could give them a smile or whatever and get the grade, but then I realized it doesn’t work. You can’t charm your way through college.”
Simas said there is a chance he could regain his eligibility if he can convince one of his professors to change a failing grade to an incomplete. He said that combined with a good grade in the course he is taking in the second summer session would raise his GPA to an acceptable level.
Professors usually don't get convinced of changing failing grades to incomplete. Markques also blatantly said that he convinced his high school teachers to change his grade. The only thing he should have said was that he is sorry for letting the program and his family down - that is it. You have to believe Hawkins is going to rail him for speaking to the media in such a candid manor. These sorts of comments reflect very negatively on the program and the overall attitude towards academics.On a good note, Dave Plati said in the Daily Camera that "tight end Riar Geer is eligible to play this season after recently pleading guilty in Boulder County Court to misdemeanor assault charges stemming from a fistfight in March.
Geer was suspended from the team throughout spring ball and will have a suspension in abeyance hanging over his head, meaning he will be suspended from the team if he gets into any further trouble."
One still has to wonder, though, whether the Office of Judicial Affairs still has the final say in this matter as Coach Hawkins usually sides with them. As of a couple of days ago, we have not heard any ruling from the Affairs Office.Something tells me that the coaching staff can't wait for the offseason to conclude...