What if the OL ends up being good this year?

[Eggon]

Overall this team and program are starting to gain momentum. This is an improvement over the previous 4-5 years. Hope springs...... Not sure about buffs real bowl chances, but we might just be a whole lot more competitive and avoid the embarrassing losses. This would be big. Anything above that I would be giddy personally.

 

[Burrito]

There is much highness in this thread. Potential does not equal performance. We have a long way to go.

 

[DiggerBuffs]

There is much highness in this thread. Potential does not equal performance. We have a long way to go.

No reason to show optimism. We suck. Just expect bad things. Fall camp brings hope and with good news I say why not?! We should win 4 and another 2 could happen somehow. I like the optimism instead of all the downer ****. Save that for later.

 

[Darth Snow]

Pump the brakes. Big time.

 

[neil29fp]

 

[Burrito]

No reason to show optimism. We suck. Just expect bad things. Fall camp brings hope and with good news I say why not?! We should win 4 and another 2 could happen somehow. I like the optimism instead of all the downer ****. Save that for later.

Nothing negative in what I said. There's a big difference between optimism and full retard.

 

[Buffalo Brad]

6 wins, a bowl game and momentum. That is what 2014 is about now.

This needs to be the goal for this year. I did not say it was a lay up, but this team has to find a way to get there. I have been saying this for a while, so Callahan being available this fall did not change my stance.

This is what HCMM was brought in to do. He has upgraded the talent, put in a decent system, brought discipline to the practice field, and has changed the direction of the effort and play in Boulder. 2014 is the year to make this freaking hard step to break this downward spiral we have been living in for the last 10 years.

I will say it again.6 wins, a bowl game and momentum. That is what 2014 is about!

 

[boydbuff]

Rather than start another optimistic thread I thought I´d put this in here.

I was thinking over night about what are the 2 position groups (one on each side of the ball) that are probably most critical for us to get out of the Pac 12 basement. On Defense I came up with the secondary because of course we are in such a pass happy league and we have seen what happens when we lack depth, experience and quality DBs.

On the offensive side I went with the OL. While technically if we had a smooth running offense with tons of 3-step drops and quick passing out of the pistol, arguably the receivers might be more important, I feel that the OL is probably the most important for Colorado right now. This is in part because we do not yet have all the tools and the offensive firepower to run that offense and also because we need to have some long sustained drives and to be able to convert in the red zone. All this requires a good OL. Also we need Sefo to stay on his feet as much as possible.

So here is where I think there is some real reason for optimism. Adding the Callahan news into the other likely 2 deep, this seems to be the best and deepest line we have had in several years. I realize we probably are still below average in the Pac (i.e. maybe 7th or 8th?), we have a deeper and higher quality OL than we have had in a while. And we are not relying on FRosh or redshirt frosh to save us which of course on the OL is a disaster.

The secondary is widely believes to be our deepest unit on either side of the ball. Once again we have several upper classmen and sophomores expected to contribute most instead of skinny unproven freshmen and RS frosh. I know I am one of the biggest Kool Aid drinkers on AB, but it seems a strong case could be made for us that:
1.) OL and Secondary are the most important units for us to turn this thing around soon
2.) Those position groups may actually be our strongest 2 units this year
3.) For the first time in forever both of those units also have some depth to them where if one goes down with injury all doesn´t have to be lost.

 

[DiggerBuffs]

Secondary is a big plus and a strength. Unfortunately it requires a pass rush to be effective. Very green there and team was very ineffective there last year. Here is hoping some young speed helps.

 

[boydbuff]

Secondary is a big plus and a strength. Unfortunately it requires a pass rush to be effective. Very green there and team was very ineffective there last year. Here is hoping some young speed helps.

I do agree with you. It now appears that the DL is our weakest link when coming into Spring I though it was the OL. We have some talent inside and raw talent outside but we are not deep inside or out, and very inexperienced outside. Given how fast some of these offenses operate though, a pass rush is maybe less important than a DL who can at least keep the OL from getting to the 2nd level. Let´s hope they can at least do that.

 

[boydbuff]

After spring, due to injuries, etc. it was completely unclear if we had anyone healthy who could compete at LT with Pac 12 DEs. Now it appears we could have 3 with Mustoe, Irwin and Callahan. Of course the proof is in the pudding but at least on paper the LT which was clearly the biggest concern for many of us, and by a long shot, appears to be less of a concern now. That is major reason for cautious optimism.

 

[Buff_since76]

When the spring depth chart was released our starters were:

LT: Mustoe
LG: Crabb
C: Kelley
RG: Munyer
RT: Nembot

With the release, many on here felt this could be a glaring weakness heading into the 2014 season. The success of the season hinged on Jeromy Irwin being healthy enough to start. As we continue to wait on Irwin’s foot we have added Callahan and Wiefels to the roster. So we will have 8 non freshmen competing for the 5 spots. There are also four RS-FR on the roster. In years past we have needed either a RS-FR to step up or a true FR to come in and start playing. It is nice that we are not desperate to have them play, and they can create competition for playing time as well. I would not say that O-line is now a strength because we do not need to rely on RS-FR or FR as we have in years past, but we are now in a situation where the players have to earn time and coaches have to figure out the best mix for the starting 5.

 

[MtnBuff]

I do agree with you. It now appears that the DL is our weakest link when coming into Spring I though it was the OL. We have some talent inside and raw talent outside but we are not deep inside or out, and very inexperienced outside. Given how fast some of these offenses operate though, a pass rush is maybe less important than a DL who can at least keep the OL from getting to the 2nd level. Let´s hope they can at least do that.

Our DL is thin, inexperienced, smallish at end, and lacks any proven pass rushers. If we have reason to be optimistic there it comes from having Tupou as well as Solis and Parker who can be anchors in the middle. If we can keep Tupou fresh and effective he can free the rest of the line to do some other things and maybe create some pressure.

Another big if but if the OL can control the LOS and we can sustain some drives to give the D rest then the DL will be more effective. This is part of why improving the OL is so important to us at this stage.

 

[BuffClass90]

We have gotten so accustomed to poor OL play around here that it's hard to picture the team being good up front.

But let's say it comes together. Last season, I think that Lindgren showed that he could call plays in a way that covered some issues. Low number of sacks allowed and TFLs despite starting a true frosh at both QB and RB much of the year. The OL wasn't as good as the numbers indicated, but they continued to improve and build confidence as the year progressed.

3 starters return.

Harris and Handler get replaced by Wiefels and Callahan as newcomers along with Irwin coming back from injury and all the guys who redshirted last year being eligible on game day (Kronshage, Huckins, Kough and Sutton).

Lots more depth and a lot of guys got a lot bigger/stronger in the offseason. 2nd year in the system.

So what if we see more than incremental growth and actually see an OL that picks up stunts, wins the line of scrimmage, keeps Sefo clean, and actually gets to the 2nd level to engage LBs and DBs on screens and runs?

Would the offense rise to the level of the Klatt teams? Better, since there is more speed than those groups had?

I know we're only a few days into camp, but I'm getting a feeling that this OL is going to surprise this year and make things happen for the 2014 Buffs.

I believe this team is a decent, PAC12-level OL away from a bowl game. The OL play has been consistently poor, and it put too much pressure on the defense, therefore we had little chance against mid-tier and elite conference opponents. We were a pretty decent MWC last year.

The question is will they be better? On paper it looks like it, but this team has had OLs look good on paper and they were average at best. For me, this is the deciding player group for the 2014 campaign. Be average to good, and a bowl game is much more likely. Be as good as last year, and it's 3-5 wins. And if there is no improvement, Bernardi should be fired.

 

[SuperiorBuff]

Comments about Nembot from teammates quite interesting. "He is a huge physical force. So strong. A beast!"

Teammates.



Here's hoping Nembot is going to breakthrough in 2014! This along with other developments mentioned recently makes our OL very intriguing.

Unfortunately, they have been saying this since he arrived.

 

[SJBuff]

I think the Oline will definitely be better if only for the fact that we had very few (none?) injuries to the oline last year. The line was able to work together long enough to build some cohesion and even though they didn't play great, they made progress in their timing and teamwork.

If start with the fact that line is physically stronger and better conditioned this year and we add to that the continued growth in line cohesion, I think the overall performance will be noticeably better this year and they will be able to hold their own against any of the mid level P12 teams we will face.

Once they see that they can physically hold our own, I think they will begin to believe that winning is a real possibility. This is why our schedule is so good for us, we have lots of time to build belief before we face stiffer competition.

2014 is the year the buff learn how to believe. Believe they are good enough and believe they can win.

 

[Buff_nc]

[FONT=Helvetica Neue, HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Callahan practicing at right tackle. Interesting. also OL coach hinted maybe guard if that is where the team needs him. I wouldn't have guessed either one.[/FONT]

 

[4thGenBuff]

Our DL is thin, inexperienced, smallish at end, and lacks any proven pass rushers. If we have reason to be optimistic there it comes from having Tupou as well as Solis and Parker who can be anchors in the middle. If we can keep Tupou fresh and effective he can free the rest of the line to do some other things and maybe create some pressure.

Another big if but if the OL can control the LOS and we can sustain some drives to give the D rest then the DL will be more effective. This is part of why improving the OL is so important to us at this stage.

I hope this happens
I was under impression one of the guys you just mentioned was not going to play this year and went back home. I hope I am mistaken.

 

[Buffnik]

I hope this happens
I was under impression one of the guys you just mentioned was not going to play this year and went back home. I hope I am mistaken.

Were you thinking of Leo Jackson or Samson Kafovalu maybe? Leo isn't going to be able to enroll until January (one class short) and Samson is going home for the semester as a time out to get his mind right.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

[FONT=Helvetica Neue, HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Callahan practicing at right tackle. Interesting. also OL coach hinted maybe guard if that is where the team needs him. I wouldn't have guessed either one.[/FONT]

Interesting

 

[SECOBuffsFan]

Callahan practicing at right tackle. Interesting. also OL coach hinted maybe guard if that is where the team needs him. I wouldn't have guessed either one.

Irwin at LT?

 

[Quattro]

Pretty confident Callahan is the #1 LT coming out of Fall camp

 

[MtnBuff]

I hope this happens
I was under impression one of the guys you just mentioned was not going to play this year and went back home. I hope I am mistaken.

Solis had to do some academic catch up in spring but took care of business.

 

[boydbuff]

Pretty confident Callahan is the #1 LT coming out of Fall camp

Tini, I feel that is the most likely scenario too but am curious if you have been to some of the practices and are saying this from observation of his on-field performance?

 

[Buffnik]

Tini, I feel that is the most likely scenario too but am curious if you have been to some of the practices and are saying this from observation of his on-field performance?

I think they may have gone to the same HS so tini has a rooting interest.

 

[Quattro]

Tini, I feel that is the most likely scenario too but am curious if you have been to some of the practices and are saying this from observation of his on-field performance?

Just a guess. He was a LT at Auburn, has great size, and went against some real good players while he was at Auburn so I think he'll be further along in his development than Irwin. It'll be a good battle.

 

[MtnBuff]

Just a guess. He was a LT at Auburn, has great size, and went against some real good players while he was at Auburn so I think he'll be further along in his development than Irwin. It'll be a good battle.

I don't know that LT is Irwins best natural position. Callahan is longer than Irwin and looks to be a bit better in the feet.

I think that Irwin at LT came about by him being a good athlete and us not having a better option. I expect Callahan to be that better option when all is said and done.

 

[boydbuff]

FWIW Maximus at Rivals has been suggesting we shouldn't write off Mustoe either. But based on today's report that he got pulled and replaced by Irwin maybe that is less likely. Although making assumptions based on 1 practice of course is not wise. We shall see soon enough.

 

[MtnBuff]

FWIW Maximus at Rivals has been suggesting we shouldn't write off Mustoe either. But based on today's report that he got pulled and replaced by Irwin maybe that is less likely. Although making assumptions based on 1 practice of course is not wise. We shall see soon enough.

I just get a sense that Mustoe isn't really ready yet. They would use him if they have to but he needs more time to get back on track physically and mentally after some of the health issues he had.

It's going to get harder for him with the young talent coming into the program but I still think that in the future he can be quality competitor for us at a tackle spot. I hope he does because I have heard good things about him as a person and he has had some bad breaks to overcome that weren't his fault.

 

[Duff Man]

Why does everyone assume there will be a clear #1 LT coming out of fall practices?