|
LB
Thaddaeus Washington |
|
|
2005
Statistics |
Coach:
Dan Hawkins
1st
year |
2005
Record: 7-6 |
|
COLORADO
STATE |
WON
31-28 |
NEW
MEXICO STATE |
WON
39-0 |
at
Miami FL |
LOST
3-23 |
at
Oklahoma State |
WON
34-0 |
TEXAS
A&M |
WON
41-20 |
at
Texas |
LOST
17-42 |
KANSAS |
WON
44-13 |
at
Kansas State |
WON
23-20 |
MISSOURI |
WON
41-12 |
at
Iowa State |
LOST
16-30 |
NEBRASKA |
LOST
3-30 |
BIG
XII CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
vs.
Texas |
LOST
3-70 |
CHAMPS
SPORTS BOWL |
vs.
Clemson |
LOST
10-19 |
|
2005 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2006
Outlook |
The
turnover in coaching (philosophies)
is just the shot in the arm this program
needs to get back on track. Regardless
of the scandals that arose (recruiting
improprieties, the alleged rape of
a former female kicker, etc.), the
fallout and/or follow-through these
past few seasons under the head coach
Gary Barnett was a distraction, to
say the least. The kind of leadership
Barnett wound up providing was (via
a lack of human character) the type
that displayed a terrible example
for these young men of how to handle
what was occurring. To their credit,
the university made a move quickly
in December to attract the up-and-coming
Dan Hawkins from his successes at
Boise State so he could maximize his
offseason efforts (recruiting, hiring,
etc.), and everything is on the right
track for football to again be a good
thing in Boulder.
Now
to the real topic - what will happen
on the gridiron with this storied
program. Hawkins has brought his defensive
coordinator (Ron Collins) and hired
OC Mark Helfrich (away from Arizona
State) along with “passing-game
coordinator” and receivers coach
Eric Kiesau (away from Cal) to form
a support staff that is totally new
to producing at these posts on the
BCS-level. Their résumés
are great, but revampings like these
(from the top down) don’t always
equal first-season success by producing
more wins. Still, these guys will
definitely make CU better in most
major categories and they definitely
brighten the future beyond 2006.
New
dual-threat QB James Cox (as well
as backups White and Jackson) plays
the kind of game around which Hawkins
loves to plan. With Hugh Charles,
a plethora of major weapons at WR
and a decent line that will seem/be
even better under Hawkins’ approach,
the offense will rebound nicely. The
defensive interior is a big question
mark, and run stopping will have to
be bolstered. The back seven and ends
are good enough to make up for this
one marginal area. The kicking game
has an all-American in Crosby, and
many are quietly rooting for him to
take over at punter, too. Coverage
and returns seem to be the only other
units needing more effort, and depth
on defense – via hungry underclassmen
with lots of speed – will eventually
shore up these dimensions.
A
glance at the Buffaloes’ slate
tells of quality early challenges.
Ambitious to say the least, going
down to Athens the week after (Helfrich
pays back) Arizona State at home foretells
of back-to-back tilts with Texas Tech
and then (at) Oklahoma. Don’t
be surprised when CU wins at least
half of these, their toughest games.
But it is the closers with Iowa State
(home) and then away at Lincoln that
will tell whether Colorado makes it
back to the Big XII championship in
Kansas City. Though these teams will
start the year ranked (in the top
25) ahead of the Buffs, this is a
wide open race that again will be
close down as all approach the finish
line.
Dal
Ward would be happy to see this team’s
young men again under the tutelage
of a coach worthy of leading these
impressionable student-athletes within
his own high standards of character
and spirit.
Projected
2006 record: 7-5
|
|
COLORADO
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 3.5 |
LB
- 4.5 |
WR
- 3.5 |
DB
- 4 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
James Cox, 29-13-0, 93 yds., 0 TD
Rushing: Hugh Charles, 176
att., 842 yds., 6 TD
Receiving: Dusty Sprague, 43
rec., 468 yds., 1 TD
Scoring: Mason Crosby, 21-28
FG, 31-31 PAT, 94 pts.
Punting: none
Kicking: Mason Crosby, 21-28
FG, 31-31 PAT, 94 pts.
Tackles: Thaddaeus Washington,
112 tot., 70 solo
Sacks: Thaddaeus Washington,
Abraham Wright - 5 each
Interceptions: Marcus Burton,
2 for 104 yds., 1 TD; Gerett Burl,
2 for 18 yds.; J.J. Billingsley, 2
for 0 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Stephone Robinson,
18 ret., 18.2 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Stephone Robinson,
25 ret., 9.9 avg., 1 TD
|
|
|
K
Mason Crosby |
|
|
|
COLORADO |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 5 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 8 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Joel Klatt-QB, Lawrence Vickers-RB,
Evan Judge-WR, Joe Klopfenstein-TE,
Quinn Sypniewski-TE, Clint O'Neal-OT,
Gary Moore-OT |
DEFENSE:
Vaka
Manupuna-NT, James Garee-DT, Akarika
Dawn-ILB, Brian Iwuh-OLB, John Torp-P |
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|
2006
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
A
new era begins with James Cox at the helm.
Well, era is the wrong word, for this Simi
Valley (CA) senior is in his swansong. But
what Joel Klatt was unable to do, Cox has
the ability to achieve. Cox can flat out
fly by defenders, and at 6’3”,
he will also be able to see more of the
field than Klatt (via rolling out). We expect
Dan Hawkins’ inventive playbook to
be fulfilled with his talents and the team
to be much better under Cox (started and
won 19-14 versus Iowa State 10-16-04). He
has shown flashes of the better game days
to come. Cox was out for spring ball (thumb,
wrist), so first-team reps given to the
backups will prove invaluable. 6’5”
junior backup Brian White is just as athletic
(maybe a step slower, though his best high
jump was 6’) but does not have the
passing touch of Cox. White is the heir-apparent
and will surely see reps, but keeping Cox
healthy is the Buffaloes key to going their
farthest. Bernard Jackson represents even
more drop off in proven passing ability,
but is their most dangerous running weapon
at QB. Who knows how Hawkins might capitalize
on using all three of these Californians.
Running
Back
The
nation will see the emergence of junior
Hugh Charles as the Buff’s main ball
carrier and as an all-American candidate.
This guy is a weapon who is strong, athletic
(25’ 3 3/4” long jump, 38”
vertical) and super fast (10.34 in the 100
meters and team-best 4.37 in the 40; ran
track as a freshman for CU). Many foes will
be deceived with his seemingly smallish
build, but make no mistakes as to how far
he can carry the team’s running efforts.
Oh, and he has soft hands to keep LBs occupied,
or else. Byron Ellis won’t be denied
reps. This smarty is just as fast in his
first steps as Charles (22.4 seconds in
the 200), and the former-QB can use his
sleeker, larger build in ways Charles can’t
which will compliment Hugh well (capable
receiver, too). QB/TB Jackson role(s) could
be anything at anytime – foes cannot
ignore his “slash” dimensions.
Mell Holliday and Kevin Moyd both had huge
advances in spring ball to give much-needed
depth. Holliday is quickly becoming the
team’s most physical TB. Though Paul
Creighton is listed here, the FB competition
is wide open, and we see (former Gatorade
Player of the Year – Nebraska) RS
soph Jake Behrens battling with classmate
Matt Garrett for starts. Hawkins utilizes
his FBs, and both of these former defensemen
can run as well as they block. This unit
ranked 97th last campaign, but the ground
game is sure to surge with QBs Cox and White
also speedy threats who will, least of all,
distract defenders so all can optimize their
carries.
Receiver
This
is a talented bunch that will excel with
new the QB(s). Junior Dusty Sprague is sharp
and a natural leader, and at 6’4,
it is hard to keep the ball from him. His
speed and athleticism – he was state
champ in the 110 meter hurdles and long
jump in prep – are too much for small
DBs. The Holyoke-native has been their “go
to” guy, but expect to see his average
per catch soar. Sophomore Patrick Williams
is prototypically similar – he is
also tall and a former prep triple-jumper
(46’3” best), high jumper (6’2”)
and 110 meter hurdler who overmatches LBs
on short routes that turn into YAC galore.
Three other experienced juniors will become
primaries to make this area a deep strength,
and if the injury bug really hits, there
is a load of wanna-be’s who can pick
up wherever these five leave off. They just
have to figure out which one(s) will be
the deep threat(s) with so much raw ability.
As Hawkins’ schemes flourish, though,
he will make sure the ball is spread around
so as to keep the coverage honest. With
more three- and four-WR sets, both/either
the running game and/or more WRs will see
major gains.
Tight
End
The
top two TEs had 57 catches, and both have
to be replaced for the offense to have coverage
assignments work to their advantage. Seniors
Paul Creighton and Dan Goettsch will get
their big chances, but W. Michigan-transfer
(and former Mackey Award watch list candidate)
Tyson DeVree is too good not to see the
field. All can push on running plays and
also go out into patterns with optimal effect.
Depth here exists but is inexperienced.
Offensive
Line
Senior
center Mark Fenton anchors an experienced
line that should finally live up to its
promise. Having the 97th-ranked ground attack
and averaging 3.55 per rush leaves room
for improvement, though 24 sacks allowed
– and now with a new, mobile QB -
affords promise. A preseason second team
all-American (NationalChamps.net) who only
allowed two sacks in his first two campaigns,
Fenton is good enough to play guard if needed.
“Tight” (right) guard Brian
Daniels is also a senior who can do it all.
State champ as a prep weightlifter, former-tackle
Daniels has been starting since his freshman
year, grading out well enough to prove the
Evergreen-native’s ranking as the
No.4 incoming freshman tackle (Rivals.com)
was/is no fluke. Daniel Sanders stepped
into a starting slot in only his freshman
year, and will truly excel as a soph. He,
too, can play any of the three positions
(112 pancakes as a prep senior). Junior
split (left) tackle Tyler Polumbus has proven
his worth with high grades as he was a starter
to begin his sophomore campaign. The Englewood-native
has excellent footwork and has bulked up
to handle the best Big XII-sized DLmen (though
out in spring ball with a shoulder injury).
Classmate Edwin Harrison handles the tight
tackle spot just as well. Harrison’s
grandfather, Calvin Jones, won the Outland
Trophy (1955 at Iowa), and we feel it is
only a matter of time before this former
freshman all-conference guy plays at such
a level. Depth is only assured (somewhat)
inside, so injuries (Harrison also had shoulder
surgery prior to last fall) would make this
line take a step back.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Many
wonder what Hawkins and coordinator (and
QB coach) Mark Helfrich will do together
in their initial efforts with their pensions
to work so creatively via unique sets, and
if they will use the pass to set up the
run, or vice-versa. But, unlike many think,
Hawkins – even with Boise’s
awesome aerial assault – threw it
only 41% in ’05 at Boise. Hawkins
will work with what he feels has the best
chance of succeeding and will still use
a modified spread attack at times, which
means extra receivers can overmatch DBs.
The complications/options he throws at defenses
will be just enough to create the extra
openings his RBs need. Helfrich is one of
the country’s youngest OCs, and he
won’t succeed right away. But his/their
ability to learn from mistakes and improve
accordingly as things progress will dictate
what happens and how far the CU offense
goes this year. His new QB, James Cox, will
benefit as Cox uses his dual abilities to
make all dimensions of this offense better.
Hugh Charles will also break out, and, along
with their depth at RB, all will eventually
have CU running rampant to set up quality
passing to an excellent corps of snarlers.
Any way it is dissected, production will
increase. The line just has to stay healthy
for all pistons to perform at full capacity,
for the starters there are stellar, but
they have little proven worth behind them.
Hawkins will slowly open the playbook and,
by mid-season, we should see some very dynamic
results coming from Boulder.
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C
Mark Fenton
|
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COLORADO
2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Brian
White-Jr (6-5, 225) |
Bernard
Jackson-Jr (6-0, 195)
James Cox-Sr (6-3, 215) |
FB |
Samson
Jagoras-Jr (5-10, 225) |
Jake
Behrens-Fr (5-11, 235) |
TB |
Hugh
Charles-Jr (5-8, 185) |
Mell
Holliday-Sr (5-8, 205)
Byron Ellis-Jr (6-0, 205) |
WR |
Patrick
Williams-So (6-2, 195) |
Alvin
Barnett-Jr (6-0, 195) |
WR |
Dusty
Sprague-Jr (6-4, 190) |
Stephone
Robinson-Jr (5-9, 185) |
TE |
Tyson
DeVree-Jr (6-6, 245) |
Paul
Creighton-Sr (6-5, 245) |
OT |
Edwin
Harrison-Jr (6-4, 300) |
Devin
Head-Fr (6-4, 275) |
OG |
Brian
Daniels-Sr (6-4, 300) |
Bryce
MacMartin-Sr (6-2, 290) |
C |
Mark
Fenton-Sr (6-4, 295) |
Zach
Jones-Fr (6-3, 270) |
OG |
Daniel
Sanders-So (6-3, 300) |
Jack
Tipton-Sr (6-3, 295) |
OT |
Tyler
Polumbus-Jr (6-8, 285) |
Paul
Backowski-Fr (6-6, 285) |
K |
Mason
Crosby-Sr (6-2, 210) |
Kevin
Eberhart-Jr (5-10, 190) |
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2006
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
Concerns
here revolve around the middle part of the
line. Four seniors depart, so it is up to
now-senior Marcus Jones and sophomore George
Hypolite to step up. Jones barely got into
the action last campaign, but his promise
is huge, whereas Hypolite has proven more
with his chances and seems more mobile so
as to be a DE/DT hybrid. Depth here is a major
concern, with no tackles left on the roster
from the last two incoming classes. Senior
Abraham Wright is one of two all-around athletes
at DE. This ex-LB can plug holes as well as
back-peddle in coverage (RBs in the flat).
Maurice Lucas started in 2005 as a true frosh
and is even stronger than Wright. Lucas should
earn all-conference – his potential
to grow into his own will dictate much of
how well this entire line performs. Both weigh
in at around 240lbs, and it is hard for opposing
runners to get outside on them. There are
a lot of proven upperclassmen behind them,
notably Alex Ligon and Alonzo Barrett, and
too many waiting in the wings for this dimension
to fail. The key will be finding which of
the backups can be moved inside (soph Brandon
Nicolas had a huge spring). The rush defense
was 11th in the nation, but expect less in
this run-tough conference and then this crew
may surprise as cohesion helps all progress.
Linebacker
Thaddaeus
Washington is the senior leader of a quality
corps that will be the strength of this
defense. Washington covers all dimensions
from his inside (MIKE) spot and earns third
team all-American from us for his talents.
Sophomores Brad Jones and Marcus Burton
both have their eyes set on moving into
the outside (BUFF) position. Either of these
experienced backups would fulfill the spots
needs amply, but Jones is taller and a step
faster. Junior Jordan Dizon, who earned
conference defensive Newcomer of the Year
(AP) and was also voted by Big XII coaches
as Freshman of the Year, is sure to again
rule the inside (WILL) slot. Though a bit
small, this ex-RB plays huge and already
has a bunch of game-saving tackles on his
résumé. Backups here are also
overqualified, and enough recruits are waiting
their turns to make injuries a non-issue.
This is one of the best groups in the nation.
Defensive
Back
The
secondary seems just as stacked as the LB
corps with four senior starters ready to
make their last campaigns great ones. Gerett
Burl is suspended (again) indefinitely,
so the door is open for a new corner to
start. Gardner McKay should fill in nicely.
He has the ability to be a shutdown corner
with great speed and instincts. First on
the team in Pass BreakUps (with 17 and two
forced fumbles) was Lorenzo Sims, who is
just as solid in coverage. Both can make
the (unassisted) tackle if the play is near
them, so more risks can be taken up front.
Backups Terry and Vance Washington –
no relation – are both seniors who
can also go one-on-one with great success
(Vance own team best 40.5” vertical
jump, and Terry runs a 10.7 second 100 meters).
Safety Tyrone Henderson flew up the depth
chart last year and his 13 stops on third
downs tells it all. He can run all day and
hits like a Mack truck. Then along comes
sophomore Ryan Walters, who climbed the
same way this spring and could displace
Henderson as the starter by fall. This competition
bodes well for depth. Backfield-mate J.J.
Billingsly was also (like Henderson) a PrepStar
all-American, and his numbers last campaign
were even better than Henderson’s
(barely). This Aurora-native has started
most of his career and can play in the box
like a LB. Depth at safety isn’t quite
as strong as it is at CB. The strong run
support means foes will again pass early
and often, and the experienced secondary
is capable of bending without breaking (were
87th in pass defense, but 43rd in all-important
efficiency).
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
With
a strong back seven and set of DEs, coordinator
Ron Collins is sure to make more with BCS-sized
defenders at his ready. Collins is a Boise-transplant
who followed Hawkins, and coach Dan brought
him along because everywhere he has been,
he makes the D progressively better. For
the first time, he is at a major program
with major recruits who can give him the
size and speed he has never had before now.
He has his work cut out with the losses
(and only a few decent replacements) on
the inside of the line. In the Big XII,
this is a bad problem to have, and last
year’s 11th ranking in run stopping
will suffer. But the help provided by the
LBs and safeties should bolster these efforts,
for the CBs are capable by themselves of
strong results. After ending 2005 with four
consecutive losses (could anyone have stopped
Texas in the Big XII title game?), CU cannot
again allow 30 point to both Nebraska and
Iowa State and think the Big XII North is
winnable. Strong was their fourth quarter
points allowed (45), but of concern was
how they allowed foes a 37% third-down conversion
rate and 44 red zone chances. Expect the
entire D to finish higher than 41st for
total effort and 45th in scoring allowed,
which means consistency is the main element
they need to finish in the top 25.
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DB
J.J. Billingsley
|
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COLORADO
2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Walter
Boye-Doe-Sr (6-2, 245) |
Maurice
Lucas-So (6-4, 240) |
DT |
George
Hypolite-So (6-2, 265) |
Taj
Kaynor-Fr (6-5, 250) |
NT |
Brandon
Nicolas-So (6-3, 270) |
Marcus
Jones-Sr (6-4, 295) |
DE |
Abraham
Wright-Sr (6-3, 240) |
Alex
Ligon-Sr (6-3, 265)
Alonzo Barrett-Jr (6-3, 240) |
SLB |
Brad
Jones-So (6-4, 220) |
Joe
Sanders-Jr (6-3, 220) |
MLB |
Thaddaeus
Washington-Sr (5-11, 240) |
R.J.
Brown-So (6-1, 225) |
WLB |
Jordon
Dizon-Jr (6-0, 220) |
Marcus
Burton-So (6-0, 230) |
CB |
Terrence
Wheatley-Jr (5-10, 175) |
Terry
Washington-Sr (5-10, 195) |
CB |
Gardner
McKay-So (5-11, 160) |
Gerett
Burl-Sr (5-10, 160) - suspended |
SS |
Ryan
Walters-So (5-11, 200) |
Tyrone
Henderson-Sr (5-10, 180) |
FS |
J.J.
Billingsley-Sr (5-11, 185) |
Lorenzo
Sims-Sr (5-11, 185) |
P |
Mason
Crosby-Sr (6-2, 210) |
Matt
DiLallo-Fr (6-1, 190) |
|
|
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2006
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
All-American (first-teamer NationalChamps.net
and Playboy) Crosby is a machine, making kicks
from any distance look easy (5-for-7 from 50+).
He had one from 69 yards go wide right in spring
drills, so the Buffs can be anywhere in enemy
territory and realistically consider getting three.
The only critical thing we can say about this
unit is that two of Crosby’s tries were
blocked, so stepping up the blocking schemes is
needed to avoid foes getting seven when he has
to hit a lower angled kick, which would cause
a 10-point swing.
Punter
Here is just another area within which senior
Mason Crosby will be a team leader. It is looking
more and more like Crosby has the nod with his
booming leg, and spring drills have really shown
such. RS frosh Matt DiLallo also has the wares
to shine here, but Crosby out-punts him and gives
CU their best chance to win field position battles.
Hawkins believes in playing his best guy, regardless
of how – in this case – it may affect
Crosby’s huge impact as their placekicker.
Net punting last campaign finished ranked fourth
in the nation, so expect for those battles to
be won most games.
Return
Game
Stephone Robinson is their go to guy on returns,
and he has been returning kicks of both types
since his prep days rather solidly. Robinson is
gutsy on PRs and rarely calls for a fair catch,
so keep an eye on his production/mistakes –
anything can happen when he is under a punt. Terrance
Wheatley (10.3 seconds in the 100) will step in
if Robinson starts making bad decisions. Robinson
was pedestrian in ’05 on KRs, so Terry Washington
got valuable reps here and we feel he should take
the spot over, though Charles made his case in
spring ball that was well heard – he was
second on the spring depth charts. The 2005 recruiting
class is full of guys who run 4.4 (or better)
in the 40, making this area one to watch for new
faces.
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