I'm encouraged after seeing the Spring Game

[Buffnik]

Depth is an issue. But as I was watching I kept thinking that if you put the teams together it's a decent squad. Thought it was well-coached and very organized. Smart play-calling, too. I couldn't guess what play was coming other than being able to figure a dink or a run if it was 2nd and 10 in order to get to a manageable 3rd down (most of the time, at least). More playmakers than I expected. P-Rich and JT is a nice WR tandem. 3 RBs who look capable of making plays - and it will probably be 4 once Abron is healthy in the fall. Solis and Tupou are going to give us the best DT play we've had in years.

I'm most worried about our safeties. The deep middle was open all day. Otherwise, I didn't see a lot that worried me.

 

[krom]

I am not sure how scrimmaging ourselves can be used as a barometer for how good or bad we look. We were atrocius on both sides of the ball last year and I just don't get how we can even remotley assess our situation when the worst offense and worst defense face each other.

 

[Dark Bohner]

Gauging how good your team is from Spring ball is as meaningless as gauging how good an NFL team will be from the preseason. With that said, I did get a sense of normalcy or competence from the spring game. Mostly just a gut feeling that the coaches know what they are doing and the players being aware of this. I also think we are going to flat out suck next year, transition is never an overnight process.

 

[OrangeBowl]

I am not sure how scrimmaging ourselves can be used as a barometer for how good or bad we look. We were atrocius on both sides of the ball last year and I just don't get how we can even remotley assess our situation when the worst offense and worst defense face each other.

I get where you're coming from but,and I said this in another thread,the players seemed to know where to go and what to do.They haven't mastered what they're supposed to do yet,but it was a lot cleaner than we've seen,or like Nik said,they were more organized.

 

[ElCunado]

More than anything, I'm encouraged by the coaching. There were no offsides. There were no holding calls. The game was run efficiently. HCMM would take time between plays to coach up kids that made mistakes. Offenses were in sync.

Our previous coaching probably cost us at least a couple games last year. The new staff might buy us a few.

I am convinced we will see progress.

 

[Quattro]

More than anything, I'm encouraged by the coaching. There were no offsides. There were no holding calls. The game was run efficiently. HCMM would take time between plays to coach up kids that made mistakes. Offenses were in sync.

Our previous coaching probably cost us at least a couple games last year. The new staff might buy us a few.

I am convinced we will see progress.

Was going to post the same thing

 

[Buffenuf]

Gauging how good your team is from Spring ball is as meaningless as gauging how good an NFL team will be from the preseason. With that said, I did get a sense of normalcy or competence from the spring game. Mostly just a gut feeling that the coaches know what they are doing and the players being aware of this. I also think we are going to flat out suck next year, transition is never an overnight process.

Explain "flat out suck".

Is it: Lack of effort? Lack of organization? Bad play-calling? Poor conditioning? Players not knowing the plays or recognizing the situations on the field? Ton of penalties? Players quit?

Buffs had all of the above last season and they flat out sucked then. But, I saw most of those issues resolved, in a short spring time frame.

So....Just what the hell does that mean with respect to this team, under this staff?

 

[BuffHerd]

The execution evident today is something missing last few seasons. No stupid penalties. We are not all-world, but we wont be beating ourselves based on today's performance.

 

[Scotch]

Gauging how good your team is from Spring ball is as meaningless as gauging how good an NFL team will be from the preseason. With that said, I did get a sense of normalcy or competence from the spring game. Mostly just a gut feeling that the coaches know what they are doing and the players being aware of this. I also think we are going to flat out suck next year, transition is never an overnight process.

The bolded was/is all I was hoping for next season. Good to hear it's already happening in the spring game.

 

[Mick Ronson]

i'm encouraged by what i hear here and from friends closer to the program. anyway, i like the MM hire but we don't know until games are won and lost. MM was the kind of hire i thought we should have made last time. but, to play devil's advocate against myself, i remember posting from Fam Housing that i liked the renewed energy of first year Dan Hawkins' practices...the pace, the organization. that hurts to say. to go further, i remember walking out of the 2001 fall scrimmage with a grad school buddy and saying this is a 6 win team more or less....because Barney is Barney he'll win a couple ugly and lose one he shouldn't.

 

[buffaholic]

Kids played faster as they seem to understand the scheme.
The top QBs were efficient, only one interception, and it was off a tip.
You can judge that Prich, JThomas, and DD are better playmakers than what we had last year, add in a solid Spruce.

Otherwise, beating yourself, when the QB is NOT live, is pretty much meaningless.

But here's my big thing. Remember the days when Embree was fired and then HCMM got here. We had lots of dissenting Tweeting and guys talking about being done. Don't see it anymore. The spring was a HUGE success in that these kids are now focused on how to compete, not how to complain. Huge victory.

We will be a lot better than last year. Still don't see 3 games we "should" win, but I suspect we will see amazing progress.

See you guys in August!

 

[BuffClass90]

I don't have anything to compare this to as this was my first live Spring Game, but I was most impressed with the kids' energy and fun. They seemed to be really enjoying themselves out there. Having fun is key IMO. Also like Coach Mac out there during plays getting a great view of players in action.

 

[Buffnik]

Something else that encouraged me was the fan turnout. We've got a ways to go, but it was much better attended than I expected. It looked like the Junior Day attendees were having fun, too.

 

[SINKRATZ]

Something else that encouraged me was the fan turnout. We've got a ways to go, but it was much better attended than I expected. It looked like the Junior Day attendees were having fun, too.

The weather was great which helped too.

A couple other observations:

1) our loudspeaker system is an embarrassment.
2) The CU garage sale is a cool idea-I'm not sure what anyone would want with game worn pants, but people were buying plenty of gear. $20 for a game used jersey is a good deal. It was funny to see a kid running around in a Matt Ballenger jersey.
3) Fan access was great, they let everyone walk around on the field after the game and interact with coaches and players. And my daughter got lots of hi-fives from players as they came in/off the field, she loved it and the players were great.

Fun day all around.

 

[Shldr2Shldr]

Observations

1) Defense showed good tackling technique most of the time. There were some lapses, but I saw a lot more wrapping up then I saw last year.
2) Defense also showed some speed and swarmed to the ball. That is a good sign.
3) Defense stepped it up the last 2.5 "quarters" slowed down both offenses even with the first strings in.
4) P-Rich and JT are weapons. The vertical passing game looks very promising.
5) Powell no longer looks like a freight train to me. Looks like a big bruising RB with a little speed and good vision. Showed good hands too.
6) Wood and Hirshman impressed me. Showed good arm strength, and willingness to take off when the pocket broke down.
7) New Offense appears to have provided the QB's the ability to not only make quick decisions, but also have multiple options on each play. If that was our Vanilla Offense, I am excited to see the real thing.
8) O line was hard to judge since the starters were split. Nembot looks impressive as a RT.
9) CUD and Webb are going to be defensive stars for us this year
10) Crawley got burned, but I also saw some great cover technique from him on a few passes. Excited to see him develop.
11) Yuri seems to still be getting up to speed in the D, but he has the physical talent to be a star.
12) Kicking was decent other than the block. Decent distance, but I would have liked to have seen more hang time on punts.


Also P-Rich took a hit during the game that appeared a little awkward on his knee. He shook it off and lined back up with no evidence of lingering side effects. Good thing for him to have happen I think. Those kind of hits will allow him to be confident in his knee this season.

 

[Hugegroove]

I had planned on going, but had to help my son move. 1st spring game I've missed in many years. From what I'm reading here, I'm a little more optimistic than I have been in a long while.

 

[UofIowaGrad]

More than anything, I'm encouraged by the coaching. There were no offsides. There were no holding calls. The game was run efficiently. HCMM would take time between plays to coach up kids that made mistakes. Offenses were in sync.

Our previous coaching probably cost us at least a couple games last year. The new staff might buy us a few.

I am convinced we will see progress.

That was the most impressive thing to me as well (minus the actual threat of a vertical passing game with Richardson, Thomas and the emergence of D.D. Goodson). I drove up from Colorado Springs to get a football fix and scored some pretty nice gear at the garage sale, then watched pregame drills.

-Coach Clayton Adams, TE/RB coach had the TE's going through techniques and pregame drills right in front of me, I haven't seen that level of instruction for a couple years now. (Only been around the CU program since 2010). You can tell the players respect the **** out of that guy, and you can also tell he knows what he's doing. I was so impressed by the passion, understanding of the game and level of competence he exuded that I went up to him after the game to give him my best wishes. This might be a rough year (transition always is) but I saw vast improvement in the small things, proper footwork, techniques, breaking down etc. that wasn't there mere 6 months ago.

I think you guys will see a much more fundamentally sound team and looking at 4-5 wins this year. By the end of the year you will see the corner being turned.

-Thomas, Richardson, DD Goodson and Spruce will really help out this year. Richardson is a player.

-Josh Ford looked pretty good, especially on that last drive. Beast mode.

-Shane Dillon? I had heard a lot of great things about him, granted he's a freshman.....but he did not look sharp at all. The qb/center exchanges at times played into that as well.

-Wood and/or Hirschman both looked pretty good. Lack of Safety play didn't hurt.


Finally, after every single play, Mac especially, but all the coaches would teach up the guys. Proper gap assignment, utilizing fundamentals etc. etc. That was some really good coaching last year. Reminded me of watching Kirk Ferentz' first few years at Iowa and the level of instruction his staff brought to the table. I watched Iowa go 1-10 in 1999, 3-8 in 2000, 7-5 in 2001 and 11-2 in 2002 and a co-BIG championship and BCS berth. I think you guys are closer to being back than Iowa was and will certainly see a large increase in wins, player improvement and team competition (not getting blown out 56-7 at the half).

Either way, I will be following this program and have adopted CU as my second favorite team by proxy.

 

[fairdinkum]

Coaching is going to make a huge difference this year. I feel like atleast the Defense will give up a TD after 8-10 plays instead of 4.....

The video interview with HCMM after the game gives me soo much confidence.

The record after this year may not show night and day improvement...but I think the games will be much more competitive and watchable.

2 years from now we better be packing the folsom!!!

 

[buff4bcs1985]

That was the most impressive thing to me as well (minus the actual threat of a vertical passing game with Richardson, Thomas and the emergence of D.D. Goodson). I drove up from Colorado Springs to get a football fix and scored some pretty nice gear at the garage sale, then watched pregame drills.

-Coach Clayton Adams, TE/RB coach had the TE's going through techniques and pregame drills right in front of me, I haven't seen that level of instruction for a couple years now. (Only been around the CU program since 2010). You can tell the players respect the **** out of that guy, and you can also tell he knows what he's doing. I was so impressed by the passion, understanding of the game and level of competence he exuded that I went up to him after the game to give him my best wishes. This might be a rough year (transition always is) but I saw vast improvement in the small things, proper footwork, techniques, breaking down etc. that wasn't there mere 6 months ago.

I think you guys will see a much more fundamentally sound team and looking at 4-5 wins this year. By the end of the year you will see the corner being turned.

-Thomas, Richardson, DD Goodson and Spruce will really help out this year. Richardson is a player.

-Josh Ford looked pretty good, especially on that last drive. Beast mode.

-Shane Dillon? I had heard a lot of great things about him, granted he's a freshman.....but he did not look sharp at all. The qb/center exchanges at times played into that as well.

-Wood and/or Hirschman both looked pretty good. Lack of Safety play didn't hurt.


Finally, after every single play, Mac especially, but all the coaches would teach up the guys. Proper gap assignment, utilizing fundamentals etc. etc. That was some really good coaching last year. Reminded me of watching Kirk Ferentz' first few years at Iowa and the level of instruction his staff brought to the table. I watched Iowa go 1-10 in 1999, 3-8 in 2000, 7-5 in 2001 and 11-2 in 2002 and a co-BIG championship and BCS berth. I think you guys are closer to being back than Iowa was and will certainly see a large increase in wins, player improvement and team competition (not getting blown out 56-7 at the half).

Either way, I will be following this program and have adopted CU as my second favorite team by proxy.

great post

 

[SuperD]

It almost sounds like HCMM's success at turning around San Jose State wasn't an accident. It will still be a long process though. We are still young and under talented relative to the rest of the league. But I'm starting to believe we won't suck forever. Though if we do turn this thing in a significant way we'll likely be beating away suitors from underperforming ACC and SEC schools with a stick.

Must...stop...drinking...Kool-aid.

 

[Duff Man]

It almost sounds like HCMM's success at turning around San Jose State wasn't an accident. It will still be a long process though. We are still young and under talented relative to the rest of the league. But I'm starting to believe we won't suck forever. Though if we do turn this thing in a significant way we'll likely be beating away suitors from underperforming ACC and SEC schools with a stick.

Must...stop...drinking...Kool-aid.

Allsome... and agree with your post.

 

[INTHABUFF]

Is there any chance Hobbs returns? I think he would be a great weapon in this offense.

 

[Scotch]

It almost sounds like HCMM's success at turning around San Jose State wasn't an accident. It will still be a long process though. We are still young and under talented relative to the rest of the league. But I'm starting to believe we won't suck forever. Though if we do turn this thing in a significant way we'll likely be beating away suitors from underperforming ACC and SEC schools with a stick.

Must...stop...drinking...Kool-aid.

:lol: So easy to do.

 

[TimmyDUBs]

Perhaps it just comes down to this: are we finally going to begin beating the teams we're supposed to beat? In other words, CSU, Central Arkansas, and Fresno State. Recruiting has been down for a while, but we've at least kept even with them.

With potential growing pains it's unfortunate that those three games are at the beginning of the season, but if we are able to pull them off then we instantly know we are in the right hands. It is unfortunate that the rational CU fan has lost the confidence to believe we should beat anyone in the PAC-12 this season, but the other three games should be wins and should provide true inside to what Mac brings to this program. If we can pull something off in the conference this year that will be the big fat cherry on top.

 

[Dark Bohner]

It almost sounds like HCMM's success at turning around San Jose State wasn't an accident. It will still be a long process though. We are still young and under talented relative to the rest of the league. But I'm starting to believe we won't suck forever. Though if we do turn this thing in a significant way we'll likely be beating away suitors from underperforming ACC and SEC schools with a stick.

Must...stop...drinking...Kool-aid.

Sadly this is not an issue for me. I am at the point where I am assuming the worst. Never thought that I would be so pessimistic about this program.

 

[FlatironsBuff]

I think while being much more competitive is in order, not sure we beat C. arky or Fresno. Both those teams were decently good last year, and we sucked ass of a dead goat. But think the games will be closer...and by some miracle HCMM guides us to 5 or 6 wins I think recruiting will soar.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

That was the most impressive thing to me as well (minus the actual threat of a vertical passing game with Richardson, Thomas and the emergence of D.D. Goodson). I drove up from Colorado Springs to get a football fix and scored some pretty nice gear at the garage sale, then watched pregame drills.

-Coach Clayton Adams, TE/RB coach had the TE's going through techniques and pregame drills right in front of me, I haven't seen that level of instruction for a couple years now. (Only been around the CU program since 2010). You can tell the players respect the **** out of that guy, and you can also tell he knows what he's doing. I was so impressed by the passion, understanding of the game and level of competence he exuded that I went up to him after the game to give him my best wishes. This might be a rough year (transition always is) but I saw vast improvement in the small things, proper footwork, techniques, breaking down etc. that wasn't there mere 6 months ago.

I think you guys will see a much more fundamentally sound team and looking at 4-5 wins this year. By the end of the year you will see the corner being turned.

-Thomas, Richardson, DD Goodson and Spruce will really help out this year. Richardson is a player.

-Josh Ford looked pretty good, especially on that last drive. Beast mode.

-Shane Dillon? I had heard a lot of great things about him, granted he's a freshman.....but he did not look sharp at all. The qb/center exchanges at times played into that as well.

-Wood and/or Hirschman both looked pretty good. Lack of Safety play didn't hurt.


Finally, after every single play, Mac especially, but all the coaches would teach up the guys. Proper gap assignment, utilizing fundamentals etc. etc. That was some really good coaching last year. Reminded me of watching Kirk Ferentz' first few years at Iowa and the level of instruction his staff brought to the table. I watched Iowa go 1-10 in 1999, 3-8 in 2000, 7-5 in 2001 and 11-2 in 2002 and a co-BIG championship and BCS berth. I think you guys are closer to being back than Iowa was and will certainly see a large increase in wins, player improvement and team competition (not getting blown out 56-7 at the half).

Either way, I will be following this program and have adopted CU as my second favorite team by proxy.

Welcome rep! I've always been a fan of Ferentz so I certainly welcome favorable comparisons to him. I'm not sure that I would agree that we are closer to being back than Iowa was. We don't yet have the number of Pac-12 athletes that we need to be competitive against the top conference teams, but I think MM can get us there. And I am looking forward to seeing us make some progress this year.