CU Football Offseason Thread

[str8jacket]

Well, here it is. Not sure what you mean by it being "my show"

Anyway, there are tons of discussions, and sadly we won't be going bowling so our offseason starts early.



What are your thoughts on this year? How can we improve? What surprised you? What disappointed? Outlook for next year?

There's many questions to be asked, and many more answers. So let's get this rolling.

[str8jacket]

• What surprised you?
• What disappointed you?
• Areas we improved in throughout the year?
• Overall thoughts on this season?
• Areas that seemed to regress through the year?
• Feeling going into next year?

What surprised me?

The gimmicky plays, the reverse on 2nd and goal against the Aggies. The progression of our corners, going into the season I was worried about it, now I think it might have been the brightest spot of the entire D all year. Why? We have a very young secondary. And the last couple games of the year, Perkins, Mahnke, Jimmy Smith, and Chap Brown all played very well. If we could get some sort of pass rush next year our secondary will be even better.

I was disappointed in playcalling *cough* reverse *cough* 2nd and goal. THe amount of injuries, as well as losing some gimme games. Such as A&M.....Also, this one is very easy. The terrible special teams play. Whether or not it was field goal kicking, or returning/fielding kicks. THings have to change in this category as we lost games because of it.

Areas we improved in, our offensive line got more experience (soon to be backups due to people coming back) which is a great thing. Our secondary got much better, as well as Demetrius Sumler. I was calling for him to have a big season before Scott had decided which school he was going to, and sadly he got lost with all the commotion about our great freshmen at Tailback.

My thoughts on the season are straightforward. This team is showing plenty of talent, and experience is it's Achilles heel. We dropped games we should have won and we won games we maybe shouldn't have (WVU). I feel very confident in this team winning 9-10 games next year IF we stay healthy.


Areas that regressed could be attributed to coaching. However the biggest concern I have nowgoing into next year is Quarterback. Why? I think we will be ok at defensive line. Cunningham has been a force and I look forward to using Beatty or even Major more at DE (I would prefer Major staying at MLB and overtaking Smart, but whatever). I love Cody and the heart he brings. I'm tired of seeing balls batted down at the line of scrimmage. I'm sorry, I just am. Cody throws some great passes, yeah. However whenever a ball is batted at the line you are taking a serious risk, and we saw it yesterday. I know gobuffs may not agree with me, but Cody just isn't what will help us. Yes, our offensive line was beat up this year. They didn't play half bad yesterday, but that didnt stop balls from being batted down.

As I said above, if we aren't as injury riddled as this year I can see us winning 9 to 10. Call it being a homer but a healthy and inshape Darrell Scott, plus a outstanding Rodney Stewart coming back. Not to mention Demetrius coming on, and our corner stone of our line in Miller coming back. I will be disappointed (so I'm not expecting) if we don't try to run the Power I more, and I'm convinced we won't.

One position I was also disappointed in this year was linebacker. Sipili was nowhere to be found towards the end and Smart is a serviceable backup...not a starter. Brad Jones and Beatty impressed me, but we need the backers to step up next year and help the line out.


And since it's never too early, a depth chart!

QB: Hansen, Hawkins, Ballenger
HB: Sumler, Stewart, Scott (not a bad thing, we switch off often)
FB: Behrens
WR: Simas, Simmons, Mcknight, Smith, Darden (I don't think he will red shirt as of now)
TE: Geer, Deehan
LT: Solder, Adkins
LG: MTM, Dannewitz (Maybe?)
C: Behrens, Stevens
RG: Head, Givens (Maybe?)
RT: Miller, Bahr


DE: Obi, Pericak (I thought he was moved to DT but he's listed as an end)
DE: Herrod, Shields (I would say Brace but I think I remember talk of him having to quit)
DT: Cunningham, Kaynor
DT: Goree, Lawson (Not gonna guess whether or not Nuckols is coming till it's confirmed)
LB: Mohler, Burton
MLB: Major, Smart
LB: Beatty, Katoa
CB: Chap Brown, Ben Burney
CB: Jimmy Smith, Anthony Wright
FS: Mahnke, Sandersfield (?)
SS: Perkins, Meyer (?)

K: Goodman
P: DiLallo


Things that concern me, safety? I could be wrong but they are our backups? Granted Mahnke and Perkins are both freshmen that doesn't give us much room for injury next year. Defensive end for sure.

[GoBuffs99]

Good stuff as usual.

I don't think Safety is a concern. At least imo. We are getting Burney back next year, so we can take Jalil Brown or Cha'pelle and stick them in for passing situations. But I really like Anthony Perkins. I think this kid will be another solid CU safety. Mahnke is solid, but he needs more time to develop. He seemed lost out there a bit, which is to be expected for a true frosh. That should be solved with some more PT. Don't forget about Anthony Wright. That kid has way too much talent to keep off the field.

[GoBuffs99]

I know they have Major listed as a MLB, but I can see him assuming the role left by Brad Jones. A DE/LB. Especially with the glaring hole with our DE's.

[str8jacket]

Jason Brace has quit the team due to concussions, gotta feel for the guy.

Good luck in your future, Jason.

[Rockies24]

My early depth chart....very similar to yours Str8jacket....with one or two major diffrence.

QB - Hawkins, Hansen, Ballenger
HB - Scott, Stewart, Sumler
FB - Behrens
WR - Simmons, Smith, McKnight, Simas
TE - Geer, Deehan, Devenny
LT - Solder, Dannewitz
LG - MTM, Daniels, Adkins
C - Behrens, Stevens
RG - Head, Itlis, Clark
RT - Miller, Bahr, Tau

DE - Obi, Perciack
DT - Cunningham, Kaynor
DT - Goree, ?
DE - Herrod, Shields

OLB - Beatty, Major
MLB - Mohler, Sipili
OLB - Katoa, Smart

CB - Brown, Burney
FS - Mahnke, Sandersfield
SS - Perkins, ?
CB - Smith, Wright

A couple of points here..

To be honest, with a much improved O-Line, I think the leadership and poise of Hawkins will beneift us. I'm really wavering in between Hawkins and Hansen. If we have support for Hawkins, i.e, running game and O-Line he could be the safer pick.

I beleive that Scott is our best running back when healthy. Bottom line. He has way to much talent. Stewart will be used as a 3rd down - scat back type guy. Him and Stewart pack a fantastic punch.

Sumler could get some time at FB if he puts on like between 10-15 more pounds. He will be drowned out by Scott, Stewart and even Polk, so it might not be a bad idea.

We have a strong four deep at WR assuming we don't get Jackson or McNeal. If we do, we are even stronger. My money is on Smith taking that next step, and Simmons coming in and starting right away. Simas will get time, but more as a possesion guy IMO.

We are deep on the O-line next year which is good. My only concern is guard. We have two nice tackles in Solder and Miller. MTM is a question mark becasue of previous injury history, and Head is medicore. Behrens will fit in nicely as a C, I beleive that he was recruited as one. Look for us to maybe move Tau inside. He is a beast at 6-5 330, and we could use a force like him at G. Don't know how that would work out, but it is just an idea....

Here is my main concern. DT. To be honest Str8jacket, if our DT's dont't step up and fill the void left by Hypo and Nicolas then our running Defensive is swiss cheese. Goree and Cunningham won't cut it. Plain and simple. What we need is to find a big body and put him next to Cunningham. It will make Curtis, and our LB's more effecitve if we insert a 330 pound something DT. I decided we need to find this years Terrance Cody. Hawk needs to aggresivly pursue Edwin Herbert (JUCO ****) DT from San Fran, and then Myles Wade. It is important that we get some more experience on at DT. Getting a JUCO guy who comes in and contributes could be our key to success on Defense next year.

At LB, I'm hoping Katoa is good to go. If he is, then I truley beleive that he will start at LB right away. He is what we need to compete in the Big1
Speed, speed and more speed. Beatty earned his job at SAM as far as I'm concerned, and Mohler will be 2nd team Big12 next year at MLB. IMO Major slides over to back Beatty up at SAM next year,then he could replace Mohler in 2010.

We look good in the secondary. Chap and Smith will be the best CB tandam in the Big12. I predict first team Big12 for Smith next year, and probably 2nd team for Chap. Mahnke will fill in for Walters nicely. Still not sure about Perkins. Maybe Jalil Brown could slide over and compete, or even Anthony Wright. Heard a rumor that Rippy said McDougald was silently committed..so if he truley is he could start from day one. And we get Burney back!

In terms of Kicker, Goodman will bounce back. Remember this was the guy who kicked a 52 yarder at Wyoming. Why he went south this year....well nobody will know...DiLallo will be good as a punter, but I would like to see us put Scott back there once or twice to scare the S*** out of opposing teams.
If this dosen't get solved...watch out for me. I might try out if I end up in Boulder next year. I would be servicable at best Already tried to get my brother to try to walk on....but he is 6-6 so he might be best suited for QB....

Early forecast has me thinking 9-3 barring injuries. If we stay healthy, I say between 8-5 and 10-2. 10-2 would take some serious luck.....but it could happen. I think we will be like Kansas of 2007, coming out and surprising everybody after missing a bowl the year before. Our schedule is favorable to us winning the Big12 North seeing as how we get the three main teams at home, Mizzou, Nebraska, and Kansas.

IF, we are banged up pretty bad, and we do not fix our woes on our D-Line then I think we could be looking at 7-5 mainly becasue of our schedule...

Go Buffs

[rockrules40]

Any chance they move Sumler to FB? I see you guys left Polk off your depth chart, I see him getting some PT next year...

[str8jacket]

Any chance they move Sumler to FB? I see you guys left Polk off your depth chart, I see him getting some PT next year...

Not sure, Would love to see it. Polk will see some PT due to injury at least I assume, cause you have to remember, we have Lockridge too. Who happens to be a pretty good back as well.

[GoBuffs99]

I've heard rumors of Lock switching positions. The kid has a ton of talent. It'd be a shame to have him on the bench at RB.

[str8jacket]

I've heard rumors of Lock switching positions. The kid has a ton of talent. It'd be a shame to have him on the bench at RB.

I'd love to see it. (the move)

[LarryDean]

Hey S8 I was noticing Rockies24 post just above which appears to be a solid piece of work...I had just a couple of questions though....Make going through the thread a little easier for me....

I noticed he had Smart as 2nd on the depth chart at OLB...Was he not the starting MLB this year ??? General impressions of him not so good ??? Whats the scoop on Mohler...I thought Smart looked good../shrug

MLB - Mohler, Sipili
OLB - Katoa, Smart


Also if you dont mind from what I got to see I was really high on the starting DLine this year it just seemed the depth was not there and they was being asked to do to much vs the big 12 spread.....I could see losing these guys as a major blow...However I still think CU will be better next year...

So who is the up and comers and who has giving verbal commits so far as recruits.I was not watching them close enough to know who was behind Lucas,Big George etc any insight you can shed here would be great even though I'm sure you have alrdy covered it in this thread...

Even though they are not shredding the NFL per say losing both Pittcock and Richardson was tough on the Buckeyes....I cant stand that he went to the freaking Raiders of all teams....

[Rockies24]

Hey S8 I was noticing Rockies24 post just above which appears to be a solid piece of work...I had just a couple of questions though....Make going through the thread a little easier for me....

I noticed he had Smart as 2nd on the depth chart at OLB...Was he not the starting MLB this year ??? General impressions of him not so good ??? Whats the scoop on Mohler...I thought Smart looked good../shrug

MLB - Mohler, Sipili
OLB - Katoa, Smart


Also if you dont mind from what I got to see I was really high on the starting DLine this year it just seemed the depth was not there and they was being asked to do to much vs the big 12 spread.....I could see losing these guys as a major blow...However I still think CU will be better next year...

So who is the up and comers and who has giving verbal commits so far as recruits.I was not watching them close enough to know who was behind Lucas,Big George etc any insight you can shed here would be great even though I'm sure you have alrdy covered it in this thread...

Even though they are not shredding the NFL per say losing both Pittcock and Richardson was tough on the Buckeyes....I cant stand that he went to the freaking Raiders of all teams....

Mohler started at MLB.

Smart did not play bad, he was just mediocre. I think he played better next to Dizon in 2007. If Katoa can go next fall, I just see him as superior to Smart in nearly every way. He is bigger, faster, and has better instincts. We need speed to compete in the Big12, and Katoa is one fast OLB. Obviously this is all up in the air considering the the mess that Katoa is in, but if he does qualify, watch out for him.....

As far as the defensive line is concerned, LarryDean, we share the same concerns. Loosing two senior DT's with little depth behind them is very problomatic. We also have no size at DT. Cunningham will likely start at one side, but he will likely run 280-285 next year. To make Cunningham effective we need to put a big body next to him. Goree is an option, at 300-310 or so, but he is not experienced and is unproven. This is exactly why I have called for the strong recruitment of a DT to come in and start right away. Edwin Herbert is a intriguing prospect, and one who we are presently recruiting. The dynamic of this is similar to when we brought Mohler in. We needed somebody to replace Dizon immediatly, so we brought in a JUCO. To sum it up, we need to find a DT who has size and experience, and the only way to do that is go the JUCO route. If we don't nab one, our defense will be very weak up the middle. It will hurt the production of Cunningham, our DE's, and our LB's.

[str8jacket]

Hey S8 I was noticing Rockies24 post just above which appears to be a solid piece of work...I had just a couple of questions though....Make going through the thread a little easier for me....

I noticed he had Smart as 2nd on the depth chart at OLB...Was he not the starting MLB this year ??? General impressions of him not so good ??? Whats the scoop on Mohler...I thought Smart looked good../shrug

MLB - Mohler, Sipili
OLB - Katoa, Smart


Also if you dont mind from what I got to see I was really high on the starting DLine this year it just seemed the depth was not there and they was being asked to do to much vs the big 12 spread.....I could see losing these guys as a major blow...However I still think CU will be better next year...

So who is the up and comers and who has giving verbal commits so far as recruits.I was not watching them close enough to know who was behind Lucas,Big George etc any insight you can shed here would be great even though I'm sure you have alrdy covered it in this thread...

Even though they are not shredding the NFL per say losing both Pittcock and Richardson was tough on the Buckeyes....I cant stand that he went to the freaking Raiders of all teams....

Smart is not bad, he takes bad angles and isn't all that solid of a tackler. Is a great back up though (plays MLB)

Cunningham is an Up and Comer at DT for us, for sure. Gonna be great for us imo.

Mohler started at MLB.

Smart did not play bad, he was just mediocre. I think he played better next to Dizon in 2007. If Katoa can go next fall, I just see him as superior to Smart in nearly every way. He is bigger, faster, and has better instincts. We need speed to compete in the Big12, and Katoa is one fast OLB. Obviously this is all up in the air considering the the mess that Katoa is in, but if he does qualify, watch out for him.....

As far as the defensive line is concerned, LarryDean, we share the same concerns. Loosing two senior DT's with little depth behind them is very problomatic. We also have no size at DT. Cunningham will likely start at one side, but he will likely run 280-285 next year. To make Cunningham effective we need to put a big body next to him. Goree is an option, at 300-310 or so, but he is not experienced and is unproven. This is exactly why I have called for the strong recruitment of a DT to come in and start right away. Edwin Herbert is a intriguing prospect, and one who we are presently recruiting. The dynamic of this is similar to when we brought Mohler in. We needed somebody to replace Dizon immediatly, so we brought in a JUCO. To sum it up, we need to find a DT who has size and experience, and the only way to do that is go the JUCO route. If we don't nab one, our defense will be very weak up the middle. It will hurt the production of Cunningham, our DE's, and our LB's.

Smart was a MLB. Mohler mainly played on the left side of the defense. We will go the JUCO route at DT (most likely) and I have faith we will snag someone good. The entire upside for this team is enormous, just need to avoid injuries next year.

[Rockies24]

Smart is not bad, he takes bad angles and isn't all that solid of a tackler. Is a great back up though (plays MLB)

Cunningham is an Up and Comer at DT for us, for sure. Gonna be great for us imo.


Smart was a MLB. Mohler mainly played on the left side of the defense. We will go the JUCO route at DT (most likely) and I have faith we will snag someone good. The entire upside for this team is enormous, just need to avoid injuries next year.

My bad, you are right S8 and Larry, Mohler plays WILL.

Smart is also very small for a MLB. That is a problem. I wish Sipili had broken through this year, he is like 6-1 250, Smart is 6-0 215.

Str8jacket, who do you think that DT is gonna be. My money is on Herbert, but I don't know who else is out there.

With the depth we have at RB next year, I would like to see us utilize a run based spread offense using tons of misdirection. Get rid of the FB in our system, and insert two runningbacks at a time in the offense. Find creative ways to use misdirection, playfake, and run-pass QB options. I'm actually leaning towards Hawkins to be 100% honest to run our offense next year, whatever system it may be. I truley beleive he got the short end of the stick this past year. Not a great running game, no offensive line, and very little seperation by his WR's. All that should improve next year, and with us being four or five deep at RB, there is no need to take a risk with Hansen at QB. All we need Hawkins to do is manage the game. He has the leadership and football smarts to do it. He will have enough talent surrounding him to be a very good QB next year.

My theme for the offense next year....misdirection, misdirection, and even more misdirection.

[str8jacket]

My bad, you are right S8 and Larry, Mohler plays WILL.

Smart is also very small for a MLB. That is a problem. I wish Sipili had broken through this year, he is like 6-1 250, Smart is 6-0 215.

Str8jacket, who do you think that DT is gonna be. My money is on Herbert, but I don't know who else is out there.

With the depth we have at RB next year, I would like to see us utilize a run based spread offense using tons of misdirection. Get rid of the FB in our system, and insert two runningbacks at a time in the offense. Find creative ways to use misdirection, playfake, and run-pass QB options. I'm actually leaning towards Hawkins to be 100% honest to run our offense next year, whatever system it may be. I truley beleive he got the short end of the stick this past year. Not a great running game, no offensive line, and very little seperation by his WR's. All that should improve next year, and with us being four or five deep at RB, there is no need to take a risk with Hansen at QB. All we need Hawkins to do is manage the game. He has the leadership and football smarts to do it. He will have enough talent surrounding him to be a very good QB next year.

My theme for the offense next year....misdirection, misdirection, and even more misdirection.

Myles Wade and Edwin Herbert are two names I've been hearing