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Looking at 2010...CU offense.

BlackNGold

Club Member
I thought I would give my own take on the 2010 team -

Offense:

Quarterback - to me everything starts with the play of the QB. The Buffs need big improvement from this position. Neither QB was all that effective last year but Hansen was way more effective than Hawkins - his mobility does create problems for the defense. Hansen needs to greatly improve his passing game to move up in the QB ratings...which is why I was totally shocked to see the coaching staff split the snaps in spring ball. The future is in getting Hansen ready for next season not horsing around with Hawkins.

Anyway I see CU passing the ball 60 to 65 % of the time next year so the offense will go the way of the QB.

My rating C-/D+

Offensive Line - In some ways this unit is the most frustrating. There is definitely talent on this line but it is inconsistent, penalty prone, and seems to be poorly coached. The group seems to not be very cohesive. Gave up a lot of sacks and run blocking was so-so. Givens seems to miss a lot of time for "personal reasons", Miller is playing out of position, IMO. Maybe Richter can shore up one of the guard positions.

My rating C - ; If some of these guys play to their potential they could be dominant.

TE - Lost 2 with a lot of experience. Thornton is suppose to be a real pass catching threat. Deehan is solid. CU does not use the TE as much as they should, IMO.

My rating C+

Running backs:

A position of real need. Stewart is a nice back that can break one with his quickness. Lockridge is very similar to Stewart. Neither seems to be much of a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. Last year Colorado was ranked 113th in rushing offense (lots of yards lost to sacks). But even without the sacks the CU rushing game was not giving opponents fits.

Overall rating D. (I down rate this area due to a poorly designed running attack and lack of depth).

Wide Receivers: The one area of the offense that has some real difference makers. Once Hansen was the QB, Simas showed his ability, Celestine played well last time he was with the Buffs - older and more mature should enhance his value, Clemons should be the real deal, McKnight is an outstanding slot receiver, I really hope the Simmons can show the ability that had him so highly rated. Add Jefferson and Darden to the mix and this position has depth and talent. Concerns - will Simas stay out of trouble.

Overall rating A-/B+

Place Kicking - I don't want to touch this one. It looks like Grossnickle will be a punter so maybe the new frosh can do something. If Goodman is the kicker he will need to improve.
Overall Rating F.


Offensive Coaching...Don't know about the new WR coach but the all the other areas need to step it up. I give coaching a D and that is probably generous.



Offense overalll - Under Dan Hawkins the offense has struggled. Over the last two seasons, CU has lost several games because they simply could not score points against even mediocre teams (CSU, KSU, and ISU last year) - they ranked 92nd in scoring offense. I believe this trend will continue. I did not think the offensive game planning was very good. If Cody Hawkins is the starting QB, I think things could be very Ugly on offense for the Buffs. The best hope is for Hansen to improve in his passing and for the WRs to create some problems for defenses. I do not expect much of a run game.

Overall Offense Rating - C- if Hansen is the QB/D- if Hawkins is the QB. IMO, Hawkins will not be able to take advantage of the WRs talent.

Feel Free to disagree - give your ratings etc.
 
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I thought I would give my own take on the 2010 team -

Offense:

Quarterback - to me everything starts with the play of the QB. The Buffs need big improvement from this position. Neither QB was all that effective last year but Hansen was way more effective than Hawkins - his mobility does create problems for the defense. Hansen needs to greatly improve his passing game to move up in the QB ratings...which is why I was totally shocked to see the coaching staff split the snaps in spring ball. The future is in getting Hansen ready for next season not horsing around with Hawkins.

Anyway I see CU passing the ball 60 to 65 % of the time next year so the offense will go the way of the QB.

My rating C-/D+

Offensive Line - In some ways this unit is the most frustrating. There is definitely talent on this line but it is inconsistent, penalty prone, and seems to be poorly coached. The group seems to not be very cohesive. Gave up a lot of sacks and run blocking was so-so. Givens seems to miss a lot of time for "personal reasons", Miller is playing out of position, IMO. Maybe Richter can shore up one of the guard positions.

My rating C - ; If some of these guys play to their potential they could be dominant.

TE - Lost 2 with a lot of experience. Thornton is suppose to be a real pass catching threat. Deehan is solid. CU does not use the TE as much as they should, IMO.

My rating C+

Running backs:

A position of real need. Stewart is a nice back that can break one with his quickness. Lockridge is very similar to Stewart. Neither seems to be much of a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. Last year Colorado was ranked 113th in rushing offense (lots of yards lost to sacks). But even without the sacks the CU rushing game was not giving opponents fits.

Overall rating D. (I down rate this area due to a poorly designed running attack and lack of depth).

Wide Receivers: The one area of the offense that has some real difference makers. Once Hansen was the QB, Simas showed his ability, Celestine played well last time he was with the Buffs - older and more mature should enhance his value, Clemons should be the real deal, McKnight is an outstanding slot receiver, I really hope the Simmons can show the ability that had him so highly rated. Add Jefferson and Darden to the mix and this position has depth and talent. Concerns - will Simas stay out of trouble.

Overall rating A-/B+

Place Kicking - I don't want to touch this one. It looks like Grossnickle will be a punter so maybe the new frosh can do something. If Goodman is the kicker he will need to improve.
Overall Rating F.


Offensive Coaching...Don't know about the new WR coach but the all the other areas need to step it up. I give coaching a D and that is probably generous.



Offense overalll - Under Dan Hawkins the offense has struggled. Over the last two seasons, CU has lost several games because they simply could not score points against even mediocre teams (CSU, KSU, and ISU last year) - they ranked 92nd in scoring offense. I believe this trend will continue. I did not think the offensive game planning was very good. If Cody Hawkins is the starting QB, I think things could be very Ugly on offense for the Buffs. The best hope is for Hansen to improve in his passing and for the WRs to create some problems for defenses. I do not expect much of a run game.

Overall Offense Rating - C- if Hansen is the QB/D- is Hawkins is the QB. IMO, Hawkins will not be able to take advantage of the WRs talent.

Feel Free to disagree - give your ratings etc.
The O-line "could be dominant" yet you give 'em a C-?
 
I was going to say the RB's should be rated higher, but then I check the stats and Stewart wasn't all that great last year:

804 yards, 4.1 YPC, 9 TD

he was 8th in yardage, tied for 10th in YPC, and tied for 7th in TDs, basically lower middle of the pack. The upside is almost everyone above him was a junior or senior.
 
Good post, I agree across the board. If the OL steps up and Hansen is our QB, this offense could be pretty good. Our lack of a running game will hopefully be mitigated by our play-making WRs that can turn short little passes into long ones. The problems I can see occurring are: Cody being the QB and the offense being limited by his inability to make plays and the OL being terrible once again.
 
I have this awful premonition that Cody will be the starter against CSU.
 
I have this awful premonition that Cody will be the starter against CSU.

There are some real signs this is a possibility. Just the way they have handled things in the spring makes me believe that Hawkins Sr. is doing everything in his power to have Cody start. It seems unreal to me but it also seems unreal what they have done in the spring.
 
I have this awful premonition that Cody will be the starter against CSU.

There are some real signs this is a possibility. Just the way they have handled things in the spring makes me believe that Hawkins Sr. is doing everything in his power to have Cody start. It seems unreal to me but it also seems unreal what they have done in the spring.
I fear you two may be right...IF Hawkins puts CH back at the helm, it will be bad...really bad IMO. TH may not be an all-star, or maybe he can be, but we all know what CH can and can't do....
 
I agree with most of it, except I think you are being kind with QB. I would put the play at QB a solid D.
 
QB: D- until proven otherwise. QB play the last two years has been among the worst in the country.

OL: C. Could be much better, could be much worse. The talent is there. The realization of said talent is not.

WR: A-level talent here. If Simas can get on the field, Clemons is as advertised, and Simmons can contribute, this group should be as good of a group as we can ever hope for at the WR position.

RB: D-. Stewart is good but I have very strong questions about how well he will hold up as an every-down-every-game back in the B12 given his size and slight injury history. After Stewart, we have absolutely nothing at this position. Lockridge is very fast but the coaches don't like to play him for some reason. All our backs are either very small, totally unproven, or both. If Stewart gets hurt we are totally screwed at this position. Totally.

TE/FB: Not much proven here but CU almost always has at least one solid TE so I will give them the benefit of the doubt. These positions really aren't that important anyway.

K: Terrible. F.


The strength of this offense is far and away the deep and talented group of WR's. Unfortunately, when you combine the following circumstances:

1) Below average QB play
2) Below average OL play
3) Suspect play calling
4) Absolutely no running game

it doesn't necessarily matter how good your WRs are. Great WR's on bad offenses don't get much of a chance to shine.

Until Hawkins shows otherwise, I have no faith that this coaching staff can put together a competent attack. The lack of RB depth is going to be a huge problem and QB play and OL play are enormous question marks.

We are going to see entire games or even multi-game stretches of the season where the offense struggles mightily to move the ball.
 
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QB: D- until proven otherwise. QB play the last two years has been among the worst in the country.

OL: C. Could be much better, could be much worse. The talent is there. The realization of said talent is not.

WR: A-level talent here. If Simas can get on the field, Clemons is as advertised, and Simmons can contribute, this group should be as good of a group as we can ever hope for at the WR position.

RB: D-. Stewart is good but I have very strong questions about how well he will hold up as an every-down-every-game back in the B12 given his size and slight injury history. After Stewart, we have absolutely nothing at this position. Lockridge is very fast but the coaches don't like to play him for some reason. All our backs are either very small, totally unproven, or both. If Stewart gets hurt we are totally screwed at this position. Totally.

TE/FB: Not much proven here but CU almost always has at least one solid TE so I will give them the benefit of the doubt. These positions really aren't that important anyway.

K: Terrible. F.

I'm pretty much with you on all the grades above with a few minor exceptions:

I'd give the RBs a solid D or D+ rather than the D-. Stewart IS good. But like you, I don't think he's enough. And BLock is totally unproven. Granted, I've only seen Q via the internet video of the spring game and he did not impress me at all.

TE/FB - You forgot to give a grade, so I'm gunna go with C.
 
RB is certainly pause for concern, especially with no proven FB to get the short yardage on a 3rd & 1 play.
 
I only disagree inasmuch as there is no way we pass the ball only 60-65% of the time. I foresee 70-75% passes next year, further justifying the return of Cody Hawkins to the starting position.
 
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