CU 2009 Offseason Thread

[ChefBoyRD]

I heard J-Fly might stay, go to CU Denver because they have the major he wants and still be able to play for the football team. That would be a horrible commute just for school/football.

Actually I had a free house because of housesitting one semester and I commuted Denver/Boulder. It wasn't bad. Most of the time I took the RTD and got my homework done.

But I don't think Josh is interested, so it doesn't matter.

[ChefBoyRD]

The new roster is out with the freshmen listed.

CU 2009 Roster

[str8jacket]

Mister Jones committed to CU today

[str8jacket]

What would you like to see covered in a write up? I finally have a day off and am willing to whip something up if people want to see it

[packwolf25]

buffs linebackkers

[str8jacket]

Schedule for 2009

September 5: Colorado State

Facts about CSU’s 2009 Squad:

Key losses in Kyle Bell RB, Gartrell Johnson RB, Kory Sperry RB, Billy Farris QB, Matt Rupp DT, Dane Stratton OT, Tommie Hill DE

Key returning players, Ricky Brewer LB (SUSPENDED), Rashaun Greer WR, Mychal Sisson LB, Zac Pauga FB, Shelley Smith OG, James Morehead DT

Possible incoming freshmen that could contribute: Running Backs Leonard Mason and Lou Greenwood as well as Te’Jay Brown at defensive tackle

Strengths: Without a doubt it will be their offensive line. Four returning starters and a possible All MWC guard in Shelley Smith. Mychal Sisson will be the leader of the linebacking corps this year due to Brewers suspension, a pretty experienced LB and DB corps.

Weakness: Defensive line, CSU ranked last in the nation last season in sacks. It will be a new look on the D-Line because those who did not contribute are now gone. They will have an inexperienced backfield.

How we match up:
Well, a strength we have is our size on offensive line, as well as our running game. With our new found skill out wide at receiver its very possible we could make their secondary look inexperienced by running early and often to have them stack the box. It’s a tossup between the two teams defensive lines as there will be very new faces for both teams. Offensively we match up very well, and Greer gives us fits.
I see us winning, it will be tough as always I think.

September 11: at Toledo

Facts on Toledo’s 2009 squad

Key returnees: Morgan Williams RB, Aaron Opelt QB, Stephen Williams WR, Archie Donald LB, Barry Church C, Dajuane Collins RB, John Morookian OT, Daris Quinn LB

Key losses: Alexandre Albertson DE, John Allen TE, Greg Harris CB, Tyrrell Herbert S, Nick Moore WR, Sean Williamson DE

Notable new guys: Dan Molls LB

Strengths: They have 10 starters returning on defense. Key for them will be Summers and Keighley (Both DE’s) and their ability to rush the passer which was not seen last year. The secondary is talented, Church has the ability to help create a pass rush from safety.

Weaknesses: Their offense is erratic and their best WR from last year is gone. Unless someone steps up, we can double team their WR Williams without much trouble.

How we match up: This game will almost be the same as the previous, expect a whole lot of play action against this young yet at the same time experienced defensive line of Toledo’s. They can and will try to eat up the clock with their running game to keep us off the field.
All in all, providing we play up to our ability I will take CU

September 19: Wyoming

Wyoming’s 2009 Squad

Key Returnees: Gabe Knapton LB, John Fletcher DT, Chris Prosinski S

Key Losses: Devin moore RB, Wynel Seldon RB, Chris Stutzriem QB, Tim Bond C, Ward Dobbs LB

The New Guys: Austyn Carta-Samuels QB, Robert Benjamin QB, Todd Knight LB

Strengths: Sween will bring experience to the table at quarterback. The new coach Christensen was Mizzous offensive coordinator, so he will not be hindered by the loss of backs Moore and Seldon.

Weaknesses: New system on offense, key returning stat leader for rushing is RB Brandon Stewart (78 yards) and returning receiver Greg Bolling has 271 yards. Sween needs help, on top of the fact that he was inconsistent enough in 2007. Like the previous two teams we play, Wyoming has a lack of pass rush outside DT John Fletcher.

How we match up: I see our defense pretty much overpowering a pretty young Wyoming offense. As long as we keep running the ball and taking advantage of our new found talent out wide with Simmons and Simas. Expect a lot of 3 WR sets from us.

October 1: at West Virginia

WVU 2009 Outlook

Key vets: Noel Devine RB, J.T. Thomas LB, Julian Miller DE, Scooter Berry DE

Key losses: Pat White QB, Mortty Ivy LB, Pat McAfee K/P

New guys: Eugene Smith Qb, Tavon Austin RB, Stedman Bailey WR, Tevita Finau DE, Logan Heastie WR, Deon Long WR

Strengths: Defense. Eight returning starters, and they were something like 11th in the nation in scoring defense. A lot of experience, mixed with some real good young talent makes this team very scary and daunting as an offense.

Weaknesses: No Pat White. This guy made their offense last year, and he made us look like punks last year. Devine will have to carry this team, Jarrett Brown is White’s replacement and as you can imagine he lacks experience.

Match Up: While I expect big things out of our offense this year, this will be by far one of the toughest defensive teams we will play. Luckily for us the strongest units of both teams will face each other, as will the weakest.
I see us winning (no homer), last years game would have been so different without White, and we will basically see that this year.

Out of conference record: 4-0. I don’t expect it to be easy by any means. But this is easily the most talented team overall we have seen for almost 6 or 7 years. IF we can escape out of this stretch injury free we just might have a good bowl in it for us.

October 10: at Texas

Longhorns 2009 Team

Key returnees: Colt McCoy QB, Jordan Shipley WR, Roddrick Muckelroy LB, Sergio Kindle LB, Earl Thomas S, Deon Beasley CB, Curtis Brown CB, Blake Gideon S, Vondrell McGee RB

Key Losses: Quan Cosby WR, Brian Orakpo DE, Rashad Bobino LB

Key additions: Garret Gilbert QB, Alex Okafor DE, Mason Walters OL, Calvin Howell DT, Garrett Porter OL

Strengths: Uhm…everything? This team will be a top 5 team entering the season. Their secondary is probably going to be one of the best in the nation, as will their linebackers.

Weaknesses: It’s nitpicking, but their defensive line will pretty much be brand new. New receivers will need to step up and it will be interesting to see if Colt will be their leading rusher.

How we match up: Well, it shouldn’t be AS bad as last year. Hopefully our offense won’t look as hapless as we did, and maybe our D won’t tire out as quickly then. If I remember correctly our D played a pretty good game but we just couldn’t produce on the offensive side of the ball to help them out.
Bottom line, Texas wins. Most likely winning big as well (No Defeatist)

October 17: Kansas

The Jayhawk Squawk

Key returners: Jake Sharp RB, Todd Reesing QB, Dezmon Briscoe WR, Darrell Stuckey S, Jake Laptad DE, Kerry Meier WR, Phillip Strozier S

Key losses: Mike Rivera LB, Joe Mortensen LB, James Holt LB, Dexton Fields, Russell Brorsen DE, Ryan Cantrell C

New birds: Prinz Kande DB, Bradley McDougald DB, Toben Opurum RB, Quintin Woods DE

Strengths: Will be in the top quarter of the big XII as far as offense is concerned. Dezmon Briscoe will be among the best WRs in the nation. Reesing is back, and Sharp had a pretty good season last year.

Weaknesses: New starting LB corps, new interior line. Gave up an average of 400 yards a game last year, and they just now lost their leaders in Rivera, Mortensen and Holt.

How we match up: We need to beat the chickens this year. We have to. Thank god I’ll be going to the game this year because I remember how the announcers would not shut up about Kerry Meier last year. This whole season hinges on us being injury free. We would have won last year, we crumbled down the stretch with a relatively banged up squad.
Win for CU, it will be at Folsom, and we will be less reliant on the big play (which killed us last year)

[str8jacket]

October 24: at Kansas State

Power Towel update

Key returners: Lamark Brown RB, Brandon Banks WR, Josh Moore CB, Eric Childs LB, Ulla Pomele LB, Aubrey Quarles.

Key losses: Josh Freeman QB, Deon Murphy WR, Brooks Rossman K, Gerard Spexarth OG, Reggie Walker LB

New cats: Tim Flanders ATH, Tramaine Thompson RB, Clarence Bumpas LB, Troy Butler DB, Thomas Feguson DB, John Hubert RB

Strengths: A whole lot of talent out wide, and Mastrud will be whoever starts at QBs godsend. Decent talent in the backfield, and four starters are back this year who played a couple games last year on offensive line.

Weaknesses: Quarterback. Lack of a pass rush, Josh Moore (A CB) led the team in tackles last year

Matchup: We should beat KSU pretty handily. No apparent heir to Freeman at QB, despite the dynamic look of an offense Snyder brings to the table. Not a whole ton of talent on defense, and it could be their Achilles heel.

CU wins

October 31: Missouri

Mizzous new look

Key returners: Derrick Washington RB, Blaine Gabbert QB, Sean Weatherspoon LB, Jared Perry WR

Key losses: Jeremy Maclin WR, Chase Daniel QB, Chase CoffmanTE, Stryker Sulak TE, Tremane Vaughns CB, Evander Hood DT, William Moore S

Key additions: Sheldon Richardson DT, Josh Tatum LB

Strengths: Derrick Washington. Lol. With all the attrition Mizzou faced he remains on the team, and will more than likely transform this team into something they’re not. A power running team. Could be considered a weakness I guess?

Weakness: Gabbert is the go to guy as a sophomore. No big play guy outside that we know of yet. The Tigers ranked 117th in the nation on defense with all of the talent on defense, and only four starters remain. It will only get worse, now that the offense isn’t nearly as explosive (Paging GC, Paging GC)

Matchup: They have absolutely punked us the last couple years, and this year will be different. With us being at home, I expect Hawkins to lay it back onto this defenseless team. (I hope)

Winner winner, chicken dinner

November 7: Texas A&M

Revenge game

Key returners: Cyrus Gray RB, Jerrod Johnson QB, Ryan Tannehill WR, Matt Featherston LB

Key losses: Michael Bennet DE, Mike Goodson RB

Key additions: Christine Michael RB, Coryell Judie DB, Patrick Lewis OL, Uzoma Nwachukwu WR, Jon Stewart LB

Strengths: Jerrod Johnson looks like he will be the next great Big XII QB. For being thrown into a sink or swim moment last year he did surprisingly well. The offense might be fun to watch, a lot of talent out wide with some good runningbacks.

Weakness: Not that great of a line on either side of the ball. While A&M has a good secondary, they will struggle because of the nonexistent pass rush.

How we match up: What a brutal loss last year, between losing Rodney due to the cheap tackle and the end around in the red zone. We did the best we could, as our injury report was overflowing with our best players.

I expect us to win, and win big.

November 14: at Iowa State

New Regime at ISU

Key returning guys: Alex Robinson RB, Austen Arnaud QB, James Smith S,
Chris Lyle DE

Key losses: Mike Bibbs LB, Doug Dedrick OT, Jason Scales RB, R.J. Sumrall WR

New guys: Darius Reynolds ATH, Josh Bellamy WR, Aaron Moore, OL, Beau Blankenship RB, Princeton Jackson LB

Strengths: A pretty good offense led by Arnaud, and a new offense in the spread should only help. Young line last year is now experienced.

Weaknesses: Pretty bad defense, and a lack of pass rush. Lack talent but led by a new coach that is a defense first guy.

Matchup: I see no reason why we should not win this game.

Win.

November 19: at Oklahoma State

Beatdown in Cowtown

Key returners: Kendall Hunter RB, Zac Robinson QB, Dez Bryant WR, Andre Sexton LB, Russell Okung OT

Key Losses: Matt Fodge P, Quinton Moore S, Brandon Pettigrew TE

Key additions: Anthony Morgan OL, Dexter Pratt ATH, Daytawion Lowe DB, Jeremy Smith RB, Brandon Webb OL

Strengths: Their offense, without a doubt will be top three in the conference. Their ability out wide as well as a threat such as Kendall Hunter in the backfield makes this team very scary.

Weaknesses: Lack of a pass rush (weird…). New players in the secondary (3 of 4). Dez Bryant needs to step up and score against better teams.

Matchup: Our offense matches up well with the defense but it ends there. We don’t have the power to keep up with this offense, and they should win handily.
Loss
November 27: Nebraska

Bedlam in Boulder Part 2?

Key Returners: Roy Helu RB, Ndamukong Suh DT, Pierre Allen DE, Niles Paul WR

Key losses: Joe Ganz QB, Cody Glenn LB, Marlon Lucky RB, Nate Swift WR, Zach Potter DE

New faces: Jason Ankrah DE, Rex Burkhead RB, Cody Green QB, Dijon Washington DB, Chris Williams LB

Strengths: Their defense will be better than ever and as soon as I can learn how to pronounce Ndamukong’s name I’ll start telling him about friends.

Weaknesses: The offense, new starters in the backfield as well as last years top receivers. Lack of turnovers last year killed this team.

I expect this game to be a slobber knocker. Providing key players on both sides are healthy it should be a great game. IF CU stays healthy throughout the year they win this game. We don’t have the depth to be able to overcome it.

10-2. Wow. That’s being as open as I possibly can, I can easily see us going 9-3, even 8-4 with Nebraska and WVU on the schedule.

Why am I so optimistic? All across the board outside of DT you can not tell me that we are not better. Yeah, we lost Walters and he was a great player in his own right. But his replacement, Mahnke is faster, and more athletic. My major concern is defensive end, if Nuckols can make it in him and Cunningham is scary.

We have better athletes on the field this year, and those LBs should see the field.

Packwolf, just saw your post. Give me an hour

[str8jacket]

CU's 2009 Linebacking Corps

On paper, the linebacking corps should be VERY good. Rippy and Beatty are pretty much slated to be our starting outside linebackers in my opinion.

We played some 3-4 Defense during the spring game, so you can expect to see Rippy and Beatty holding down the outside, while you have Sipili, Major, Mohler, Smart and Burton all vying for time in the middle.

Mohler played outside last year but his skillset would make him a great 3-4 MLB.

Guaranteed starter: Shaun Mohler. Why? He was a solid linebacker at the beginning of last year, but as the year went on this defense relied on him more and more for the sure tackle. He came up with key plays all throughout the year last year and I expect no less this year.

Surprise player nationally (and to most of the fan base): Doug Rippy. Why? Easily one of the most athletic linebackers (if not the most) we have, and would be an excellent rush LB for us with Beatty on the other side. Guy has really filled out since he stepped foot on campus (dude was jacked before too)

Mr. Reliable: Jeff Smart. Doesn't wow you with his skill set, but he is our most experienced backer. He did look foolish on a couple plays but he's overmatched physically. But he still comes to play.

Comeback kid: Jon Major: How will he fair after his injury last year? Many had penciled him in (including me) to get some playing time last year until it happened. Will he play? Will he start? We need athletes on the field, not these average joe's we've had, and Major would certainly help us out in that regard for athletes.

Down but not out: Michael Sipili. Last year he looked sluggish, it may be from not playing and being in shape but it got me concerned, there was all sorts of hype for him leading up to last year and it was followed up by a huge disappointment for me and my friends/family. Was that a sign of things to come? Or merely a sign he was not ready?

Ginger: Beatty! I absolutely love the fire he brings onto the field, all the energy is something we need. Whether he starts or comes in to spell others he should see alot of the field this year. Deceitfully fast.

The Great Unknown: Marcus Burton. We haven't seen much from him, but he has great speed off the edge, he's two dimensional. While he is a threat to go get the quarterback, he certainly can drop back into coverage as well.

[packwolf25]

Wow, great post, i liked the way you broke down every game in detail.

I also agree with you that if we can stay healthy we can have a spectacular season.

the only thing that scares me is the D-line but ive heard good things about Obi and Herrod. I also like Cunningham, maybe we can run a 3-4 with all the depth and talent at linebacker.

all in all very good read.

[str8jacket]

Wow, great post, i liked the way you broke down every game in detail.

I also agree with you that if we can stay healthy we can have a spectacular season.

the only thing that scares me is the D-line but ive heard good things about Obi and Herrod. I also like Cunningham, maybe we can run a 3-4 with all the depth and talent at linebacker.

all in all very good read.

I appreciate it, toward the end i got bored so I cut corners. Overall I like the look of this team, I think IF we run the ball like we should it will make up for the lack of skill at DE. We need our D to stay fresh and keep these dangerous offenses off the field

[Brody Epic]

Str8 Jacket, great write up. I think the WVU game is likely a loss, and I am just not convinced that CU has the offensive potency to sweep the Big 12 North. I think 7 or 8 wins is very realistic, and anything less than 7 should probably cost Hawk his job. CSU is my team, if you are wondering.

[str8jacket]

Str8 Jacket, great write up. I think the WVU game is likely a loss, and I am just not convinced that CU has the offensive potency to sweep the Big 12 North. I think 7 or 8 wins is very realistic, and anything less than 7 should probably cost Hawk his job. CSU is my team, if you are wondering.

You're on Rivals, right? I've seen you on the Main Board once or twice.

I agree on WVU, sorta. Pat White was just such a huge part of their offense last year I'm not sure they can rebound. One major advantage I see for CU this year is the fact that IF (big IF) they decide to go with a run heavy type offense, the defences in the big 12 are built to stop the spread with smaller, more athletic linebackers.

Man, am I looking forward to the Showdown.

[str8jacket]

Also, Brody...how do you feel about Ray Carter transferring in? It looks like you got some pretty good young talent back there...will he start when he's eligible? Or do you think these guys will come in and play well?

Would you agree with my assessment of CSU? I watched only a couple games and those were some guys that stood out to me.

[DrunkPanda]

i think our linebackers are well suited to play the 3-4 but our linemen are not right for it at all. we don't have anyone that can play nose tackle, and where is kasa going to fit in? i think we have defensive tackles that are well suited for 4-3 but not the 3-4. but we don't have good defensive ends for the 4-3. i don't see our front 7 meshing well for either the 4-3 or the 3-4 because of this.

your breakdown of every game was impressive though. you really did your research on other teams' key losses and strengths and weaknesses

[packwolf25]

i think our linebackers are well suited to play the 3-4 but our linemen are not right for it at all. we don't have anyone that can play nose tackle, and where is kasa going to fit in? i think we have defensive tackles that are well suited for 4-3 but not the 3-4. but we don't have good defensive ends for the 4-3. i don't see our front 7 meshing well for either the 4-3 or the 3-4 because of this.

your breakdown of every game was impressive though. you really did your research on other teams' key losses and strengths and weaknesses

i see what your saying, but I think i we really need is a decent NT because i think Obi and Herrod can both play a 3-4 end. Curtis Cunningham might be able to play the Nose but I dont know. We also have a couple guys coming in like Edward Nuckols ans Nate Bonsu. I havn't seen a lot of these guys but Im just throwing up a couple names.