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Colorado's Offensive Line

Sexton Hardcastle

Sexton Hardcastle

Club Member
How do you see things working out?

We have pretty good depth imo at tackle, but the interior line situation is a mess. We need someone to step up at guard. Hopefully Richter. I've just about given up hope that anyone will come in and impress at center. Looks like we'll have to stick it out with Keenan Stevens. No knock on the kid, I just thought we would've had someone, anyone step up at that position.

The whole season is riding on the OL's shoulders. If they struggle, goodbye Hawkins. If they actually gel, we could kick a lot of ass this year.

This is the CU's post spring depth chart:

LEFT TACKLE
78 Nate Solder, 6‐9, 315, Sr.‐5***
59 David Bakhtiari, 6‐4, 275, Fr.‐RS
79 Sione Tau, 6‐5, 350, Jr.

LEFT GUARD
63 Ethan Adkins, 6‐4, 305, Jr.*
66 Blake Behrens, 6‐3, 295, Jr.**
70 Eric Richter, 6‐3, 310, Jr. AND 55 Max Tuioti‐Mariner, 6‐3, 310, Soph.*

CENTER
56 Keenan Stevens, 6‐2, 290, Sr.‐5*
64 Mike Iltis, 6‐3, 290, Jr.*
76 Gus Handler, 6‐2, 290, Fr.‐RS

RIGHT GUARD
73 Ryan Miller, 6‐8, 310, Jr.***
68 Shawn Daniels, 6‐3, 275, Jr.*
60 David Clark, 6‐4, 300, Jr.*
61 Scott Fernandez, 6‐3, 275, Fr.‐RS

RIGHT TACKLE
77 Bryce Givens, 6‐6, 275, Soph.*
53 Ryan Dannewitz, 6‐6, 300, Soph.
75 Jack Harris, 6‐5, 290, Fr.‐RS
71 Matthew Bahr, 6‐4, 290, Jr.**

Incoming Freshman
Crabb, Kaiwi
Lewis, Alex
Munyer, Daniel
 
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Where is Jack Harris on your list? I thought he was the best OL recruit in the class a year ago. I don't know how much he will contribute but he should see the field some this year.
 
Not sure why they don't place Bahr in the mix at guard. He's 6-4 290. I know that height isn't the main factor, but I'd like to see him in the running at LG. Couldn't hurt. :)
 
valdezj said:
The biggest disappointment imo is Behrens. I know he still has time, I just thought this kid was going to be a force when he came in.
Click to expand...

I'd throw Adkins and Iltis into that pot, too. Two years ago when some of us were dreaming a B12 title in 2010 - wow, remember those days? - a big part of the reason was gonna be this bulldozing o-line. JMHO, but I think Valdez is dead on: shore up LG and C and the overall o-line play could still be a serious strength. If the other three spend the season having to block two guys in pass protection it won't matter who is QB.
 
We are putting too many expectations on Richter (Andre Simmons syndrome) imo.
I believe they brought him to compete, but really expect him to end up Redshirting to help provide some depth behind our many Juniors. If he improves the offense, they'll play him. There's no next year.

I think Stevens is likely to start at C.
I think ALL of these guys have a shot at LG (Adkins, Iltis, Bahr, Behrens, and MTM). ALL JUNIORS

Richte's new to our system, and has zero exerience at this level. Maybe, just maybe, he's slotted to redshirt and be an experienced guy in 2011/12 - we will need it badly by 2012. If he wins the job, I'm sure he'll play, but I don't see that as real likely.

Behrens and Bahr were not healthy last year. Iltis wasn't healthy until the end of the season and MTM was out completely. All of these guys are wildcards and all have starting experience in the Big12. My money is that one of these guys locks in or Adkins, and you see Richter get a year to learn the system and further develop.
 
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If Tau actually gets to play this year, why not move him to the DL? 350 lbs. at 3rd string Left Tackle? We could use that girth on the other side of the ball.
 
The line for the Nebraska game last year was:

LT – Solder
LG – Itilis
C – Stevens
RG – Miller
RT – Givens

The report I heard is Givens is now 290+ (we will know for sure in a week). I think this will be the starting line vs CSU this year. I know Itilis is listed as the back-up center for camp, but if he is the best option for LG he will make the move and be the back-up center as well. Itilis was getting a ton of buzz after spring of 2008, and then blew out his ACL on the first day of fall camp. He will be two years post surgery by the time the first game rolls around. There are two scenarios I see that could cause this to change. First, someone (Richter, MTM) takes the LG spot by dominating fall camp. I would love to see this, but I am not holding my breath. Second, Itilis proves he is the better center and the team will be better with him in the middle and someone else at LG.

The key to the line this year will be how well they work together and communicate, so whoever is center will have to step up and call out the right blocking scheme as the defense shifts. We have guys who can play positions, but we need to get the best unit on the field. If the o-line screws up and allows a DT a free shot at TH from a simple stunt against CSU, I will be the guy leaving Mile high in hand cuffs for jumping the fence and kicking Denver Johnson in the nuts!
 
My hope is that the main 5, whoever that will be, stay healthy and develope some chemistry playing together. It doesnt seem like we have had 5 guys on the line seperate themselves from the 2's and 3's in quite sometime. As far as their play, hell, they have to win some battles up front. Tired of seeing our guys getting pushed into the backfield when we are trying to run the ball. Have to get a consistent push up front or in the least bit get a body on a body in the running game. As far as pass protection, it has to be solid. One good thing is that Tyler has some escapability when it breaks down. Blitz pickup has been killing us, some oline screwups, others from the backs. Alot of times D's are sending more than we can pick up anyway because we havent been able to stretch the field. Until we stretch the field consistently and make teams pay that are sending 6, 7, and 8 guys, they will keep doing it and we will have the same problems.
 
Since we'll likely change offensive philosphies every other week -- as we have the last 4 years -- the OL will be lost along with the rest of the team.
 
pick 5 guys within week 1. Those 5 guys practice together nonstop from that point onward. Enough chemistry issues goddamit.
 
SnowBuff said:
pick 5 guys within week 1. Those 5 guys practice together nonstop from that point onward. Enough chemistry issues goddamit.
Click to expand...

I think Hawk was quoted as saying this is the best chemistry his team has ever had. What's the problem?
 
When the people in charge put together an offense besides the 3 yard sideline out pass, the offensive line might begin to know what to do. The offensive linemen are a good group of young men. Once the line coach and linemen know what to do, they have a chance to get it done.
:smile2:

I just read the posts put up while I was writing this.
96 Buff's post says just about the same thing. I think he is right.
:smile2:
 
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96 Buff said:
Since we'll likely change offensive philosphies every other week -- as we have the last 4 years -- the OL will be lost along with the rest of the team.
Click to expand...

Having Kiesau back at OC removes this from consideration. He started to find he stride by mid year and will have more weapons at WR (as in 2 guys with speed instead of zero). I look for a continuation of what we had in game 12.
 
Buff_since76 said:
If the o-line screws up and allows a DT a free shot at TH from a simple stunt against CSU, I will be the guy leaving Mile high in hand cuffs for jumping the fence and kicking Denver Johnson in the nuts!
Click to expand...

You'll have to beat me to the field, which will be easy, since I'll be about in the last row top section of the endzone. My reward for BuffClub donations and my 50-yard line seats at Folsom, and 4 season basketball tickets I guess.........
 
buffaholic said:
You'll have to beat me to the field, which will be easy, since I'll be about in the last row top section of the endzone. My reward for BuffClub donations and my 50-yard line seats at Folsom, and 4 season basketball tickets I guess.........
Click to expand...

Isn't that the truth...
 
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