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Scrimmage

PacNWBuff

Member
I finally got the chance to see a practice/scrimmage for the first time in 4 years and can honestly say I am excited for this fall! Cody looked great in my opinion. The line looked good (Solder was dominating Herrod). Ryan Miller could be all Big 12 this year. I think the backs looked good, but there is a need for an upgrade there. I was bummed I could not see Kai, Sip, Burton, and Katoa (other than on the sidelines) but was impressed with Jones, Nicholas, and McKay. I know it was windy, but the kicking game needs WORK. Return included. But overall, it was a great day to be back in Boulder. The wind sucked. But a beer at the Sink is a beer at the Sink.
 
What impressed you the most?

First was Cody. Totally dominated that scrimmage in my opinion. Nelson had a great toss to Pat Williams (and a great catch by Pat) and Ballenger made some bad passes. Also, I thought the Oline played well. As of right now, Miller is the best player on the team. Receivers had a little trouble separating (Jfly's big catch was not in stride). Mo Lucas will be going against Miller all spring and fall so if he does not have a big year it will not be because of practice. Obi took a few plays off as well
 
Miller is the best player on the team? Really? I'm sure big George has something to say about that. Hypo is the leader of this team.
 
Miller is the best player on the team? Really? I'm sure big George has something to say about that. Hypo is the leader of this team.

Not to take anything away from George, who has been one of my favorite players the Buffs have ever had. I just think Miller is the most dominant player on this team. And I mentioned nothing about leadership.
 
Right now, Miller is the only 5* recruit on this team. It's not surprising to me that he's beginning to really dominate. I expect big things from him the next three years.
 
Not to take anything away from George, who has been one of my favorite players the Buffs have ever had. I just think Miller is the most dominant player on this team. And I mentioned nothing about leadership.

I don't think anyone can accurately assess anyone after only 2 weeks of spring ball. I've been watching Miller in practice. Yes hes good. But he's still got a long way to go before he can be called the best. Our DE's arent' exactly top shelf.

I know you mentioned nothing about leadership. But that is what makes George the best. His leadership and play.:thumbsup:
 
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I don't think anyone can accurately assess anyone after only 2 weeks of spring ball. I've been watching Miller in practice. Yes hes good. But he's still got a long way to go before he can be called the best. Our DE's arent' exactly top shelf.

I know you mentioned nothing about leadership. But that is what makes George the best. His leadership and play.:thumbsup:

I got pretty nervous reading PacNWBuff, especially with the Solder was dominating Herrod comment. A converted first year tackle dominating an experienced DE makes me wonder about the abilities of said DE. I hope I am wrong.
 
I don't think anyone can accurately assess anyone after only 2 weeks of spring ball. I've been watching Miller in practice. Yes hes good. But he's still got a long way to go before he can be called the best. Our DE's arent' exactly top shelf.

I know you mentioned nothing about leadership. But that is what makes George the best. His leadership and play.:thumbsup:

Fair enough. I guess sometimes I take a player like the Goldfish for granted. And good point about the DEs. It's been a good couple of months since I've seen some live Buffs football and George was not even playing.

And regarding Solder, I watched probably 7-10 plays and thought he got the best of Herrod on all but 1. I was impressed with how he moved and how freaking tall he was.
 
To be fair, the news articles I'm reading are all saying that Solder and Miller are rotating at LT and RT and that both will probably start. Those are a couple of BIG dudes.
 
I just got back from practice. The thing i notice were for one, there really isn't any depth chart yet. They are rotating alot of players around. We won't know untill after the next scrimmage at the earliest.
 
And regarding Solder, I watched probably 7-10 plays and thought he got the best of Herrod on all but 1. I was impressed with how he moved and how freaking tall he was.

Do you think we should move him back to TE in the fall? I don't like our depth there at all. I really don't think any of the freshman can step up.
 
Do you think we should move him back to TE in the fall? I don't like our depth there at all. I really don't think any of the freshman can step up.

I'd think we'd have to go with the coaches here. They pretty much knew when spring ball opened that Geer wouldn't be available this fall, so they must have faith in what they have (Devenny) and the Ryans they have coming in (Deehan and Wallace). They seem to think Solder has, as Grimes put it "tremendous upside", so let's see how it goes. Go Buffs!
 
I just got back from practice. The thing i notice were for one, there really isn't any depth chart yet. They are rotating alot of players around. We won't know untill after the next scrimmage at the earliest.

Any DB's standing out? I keep hoping for word that the coaches are "stunned" at the progress made by all the redshirt freshmen. Too much to hope for?
 
Any DB's standing out? I keep hoping for word that the coaches are "stunned" at the progress made by all the redshirt freshmen. Too much to hope for?

I really like Jimmy Smith. He seems to have the inside track on being a starter this fall. Which i hope he does lock it down. It'd be nice to have a 6-2 CB on the field. I think the other CB will be Gardner McKay. But its way early. Anything can happen. It really sucks to lose Burney for the year.
 
Do you think we should move him back to TE in the fall? I don't like our depth there at all. I really don't think any of the freshman can step up.

Well, I think of it this way. If he is the best OT opposite Miller or if he is the best TE on the team, which position would I rather see him play? I would say OT. The value there is just too high. I think, right now, we will have more talent at the skill positions than we have had since McCoy and Hackett. So I would think the offensive output of the TEs could see a smalle drop (either b/c of TE talent or b/c the other skills guys are getting the ball more). Then TE becomes more of a luxury position. Between Devenney, Devin S., the freshman, and Kai I think we could field a decent group at that position.

If he does not start at tackle this fall (for Tau, Atkins, whoever) then we might possibly rethink it. But one player that comes to mind is Eric Winston from Miami. He was a TE in HS and in his first year at Miami. He was athletic and big and once he put on the weight he made the move to tackle quite easily. If Solder is a 2 this fall but puts on weight and becomes even more technically sound I would be willing to sacrifice him at TE this fall as well.
 
I really like Jimmy Smith. He seems to have the inside track on being a starter this fall. Which i hope he does lock it down. It'd be nice to have a 6-2 CB on the field. I think the other CB will be Gardner McKay. But its way early. Anything can happen. It really sucks to lose Burney for the year.

McKay and Jimmy Smith would be a pretty servicable duo at CB, I think.
 
Well, I think of it this way. If he is the best OT opposite Miller or if he is the best TE on the team, which position would I rather see him play? I would say OT. The value there is just too high. I think, right now, we will have more talent at the skill positions than we have had since McCoy and Hackett. So I would think the offensive output of the TEs could see a smalle drop (either b/c of TE talent or b/c the other skills guys are getting the ball more). Then TE becomes more of a luxury position. Between Devenney, Devin S., the freshman, and Kai I think we could field a decent group at that position.

If he does not start at tackle this fall (for Tau, Atkins, whoever) then we might possibly rethink it. But one player that comes to mind is Eric Winston from Miami. He was a TE in HS and in his first year at Miami. He was athletic and big and once he put on the weight he made the move to tackle quite easily. If Solder is a 2 this fall but puts on weight and becomes even more technically sound I would be willing to sacrifice him at TE this fall as well.

I agree with your points on the value being placed at OT rather than TE. With 4 really good WR in the mix, I think alot of 3 wide sets are going to be in our immediate future.

The mention of Kai at TE is confusing since I've never heard him being a TE, other than message board posters.

I do think the move to put him at FB is partly to offset the depth at TE, but he isn't going to play TE. Having him in the backfield to block at the point of attack in the running game, but also in pass protection and blitz pickups. IMO it will be more effective than at TE since he can see the defense from the backfield and adjust to where the overload comes from, as opposed to doing it from a TE or OL position.

I just hope that Sanders makes consistently good snaps especially when Cody is just under center, and stays healthy, since the depth behind him is extremely inexperienced.
 
I agree with your points on the value being placed at OT rather than TE. With 4 really good WR in the mix, I think alot of 3 wide sets are going to be in our immediate future.

The mention of Kai at TE is confusing since I've never heard him being a TE, other than message board posters.

I do think the move to put him at FB is partly to offset the depth at TE, but he isn't going to play TE. Having him in the backfield to block at the point of attack in the running game, but also in pass protection and blitz pickups. IMO it will be more effective than at TE since he can see the defense from the backfield and adjust to where the overload comes from, as opposed to doing it from a TE or OL position.

I just hope that Sanders makes consistently good snaps especially when Cody is just under center, and stays healthy, since the depth behind him is extremely inexperienced.
I didn't mean that Kai would be playing TE, but rather line up at times in the H-Back position behind the tackles (like our TEs and FBs did last year). I don't want him lining up on the line either this year. I guess it really comes down to the play calling and who they want doing what. I think Kai's versatility (hopefully) will allow him not only be on the field in an eye formation but to move around and attack from different locations.

I agree with the point on Sanders as well. His success could be the key to the oline this year. And I think he will prove that some of those snaps last year were just inexperience.
 
McKay and Jimmy Smith would be a pretty servicable duo at CB, I think.

Agreed, McKay has alot more game experience than people seem to give him credit for, and Smith absolutely impressed me last season when he played.

With Chap'elle Brown in the backup/nickel role I don't think we are that bad off, just fairly young.

The safeties' issues with health and depth are just as valid as those at corner, but again it probably comes down to the pressure the front 7 can get as to how effective the secondary will be.
 
Agreed, McKay has alot more game experience than people seem to give him credit for, and Smith absolutely impressed me last season when he played.

With Chap'elle Brown in the backup/nickel role I don't think we are that bad off, just fairly young.

The safeties' issues with health and depth are just as valid as those at corner, but again it probably comes down to the pressure the front 7 can get as to how effective the secondary will be.

I hope you both are right. Ranking in the 100+ range in pass defense is getting old (five times this decade). No bonus in having all-American linebackers if there is no pass rush, and the ball keeps getting thrown over our LB's heads. The D definitely seems to be on the upswing, but I don't know if it is championship caliber - yet.
 
I hope you both are right. Ranking in the 100+ range in pass defense is getting old (five times this decade). No bonus in having all-American linebackers if there is no pass rush, and the ball keeps getting thrown over our LB's heads. The D definitely seems to be on the upswing, but I don't know if it is championship caliber - yet.

Depending upon what your "depth" chart says, the D will have 7 seniors starting this season, so this is a pivotal year for that unit to come together, IMO. I think it is great for our depth and for next year that many of the underclassmen are getting alot of reps in springs practice so far.

Anybody know who is getting practice time in for Dykes when he is on the sidelines with Walters? The article by Ringo only stated that Perkins was but he can't have been playing both safety spots.
 
Well, I think of it this way. If he is the best OT opposite Miller or if he is the best TE on the team, which position would I rather see him play? I would say OT. The value there is just too high. I think, right now, we will have more talent at the skill positions than we have had since McCoy and Hackett. So I would think the offensive output of the TEs could see a smalle drop (either b/c of TE talent or b/c the other skills guys are getting the ball more). Then TE becomes more of a luxury position. Between Devenney, Devin S., the freshman, and Kai I think we could field a decent group at that position.

If he does not start at tackle this fall (for Tau, Atkins, whoever) then we might possibly rethink it. But one player that comes to mind is Eric Winston from Miami. He was a TE in HS and in his first year at Miami. He was athletic and big and once he put on the weight he made the move to tackle quite easily. If Solder is a 2 this fall but puts on weight and becomes even more technically sound I would be willing to sacrifice him at TE this fall as well.

you cannot stop devenny, you can merely hope to contain him.:smile2:

i agree w/ the move of solder to tackle, even with geer being in trouble. solder could be a really great tackle. put them where they have the biggest upside... same with kai to fb.
 
I am kind of dissapointed with Sione Tau. I know he's hurt. But i expected him to make a big impact kind of like Obi has on the scout team.:sad1:

He still has plenty of time, but I really thought this kid was going to step up by now.
 
I am kind of dissapointed with Sione Tau. I know he's hurt. But i expected him to make a big impact kind of like Obi has on the scout team.:sad1:

He still has plenty of time, but I really thought this kid was going to step up by now.

Agreed, I had him pegged to start opposite Miller this year. From what I have read, his name is barely getting mentioned.
 
I am kind of dissapointed with Sione Tau. I know he's hurt. But i expected him to make a big impact kind of like Obi has on the scout team.:sad1:

He still has plenty of time, but I really thought this kid was going to step up by now.

I think it's pretty cool that we breed such high expectations on redshirt freshman, even they don't pan out by their second year in college.
 
I am kind of dissapointed with Sione Tau. I know he's hurt. But i expected him to make a big impact kind of like Obi has on the scout team.:sad1:

He still has plenty of time, but I really thought this kid was going to step up by now.

Check out today's Daily Camera on that very topic...

Way to scoop Kyle Ringo!
What shall Buffzone write about? Gee, I don't know. What is Valdezj saying on the boards. LOL
 
I was at practice on Tuesday and Tau was getting lots of praise. The OL was going 1-1 with the DL and he was absolutely manhandling the DL and some other players involved.

Miller was beat a few times pretty bad also. It looks like he is not used to RT yet.

Solder was getting beat a few times and he finally got fed up and through a cut block(yes it was above the waist) while the dlineman was trying to leap and do swim around him(i cant remember who it was now). Every one was oohhing and ahhing. Hawk started yelling, "That's why he is on the Dean's List, That is why he is on the Dean's List!" Refering to his use of a different technique instead of getting beat by his standard.

Solder seems to be fitting in nicely. A lot fewer problems than earlier reported and he seems to be getting better by leaps and bounds everyday.
 
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TE is one of those positions that separates good teams from great ones in college FB. It should be no surprise that CU's last two trips to BCS type bowls had Christian Fauria and Daniel Graham at TE. It's an incredible weapon. College defenses don't defend the TE very well. If you have a good one, you can do a TON of damage.
 
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