Buffs Open Spring Football

March 14, 2003 | Football

By: Patrick Gleason, SID Student Assistant

BOULDER - The University of Colorado football team held its first of 15 spring practices Friday afternoon, as the Buffs drilled in shorts on the fields north of campus for a solid two hours.

Being the first time CU has stepped on the gridiron since its December appearance in the 2002 Alamo Bowl, head coach Gary Barnett was not surprised to see his players look a little rusty. However, while it was the Buffs first action in a little over two months, Barnett was pleased with the initial outing.

"It was a good first day," he said afterwards. "There was a little rust on everybody, but we got that off. The kids had good enthusiasm. Really, we tried to make this a learning day; it was good overall."

While Barnett left the field satisfied with the Buffs' effort and determination, it was the play of the signal-callers that really caught his attention. After a much anticipated arrival, the quarterback battle finally commenced, as sophomores Joel Klatt and Erik Greenberg, and freshman James Cox began to display their merit for the starting job.

"I really thought all the quarterbacks did a nice job," Barnett stated. "Our goal this spring is to find four offensive linemen and a quarterback--or at least narrow the race at quarterback."

"It was good to get out here and be in front of the huddle," said Klatt, who currently stands at No. 1 on the depth chart. "It always feels good to get some snaps under your belt and get guys going so you can start to develop as a team."

But according to Barnett, quick progress may take some time. After losing last season's starting quarterback Robert Hodge and backup Zac Colvin to graduation, the Buffs must now rely on the services of three inexperienced players.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Klatt, who saw action in one game last season at third string, will compete with Cox (6-3, 210) and Greenberg (6-2, 200), neither of whom have ever played a down for CU. Cox comes off his redshirt year after managing the scout team last season, while Greenberg returns from serving a Mormon mission.

"We have got to be patient this spring," Barnett continued. "We have a lot of young players. We really need to be patient with our development and wait for things to happen."

"Coming out and competing with guys is the No. 1 goal; that's the objective this spring," Klatt added when mentioning the Buffs' current aspirations. "Right now we just want to start small and get back to basics. We are here to develop the offense and get things going all over again. This is a test that everybody is excited and ready for."

QUICK FACTS

Lettermen Returning: 43 (23 offense, 20 defense, 0 specialists) Lettermen Lost: 23 (10 offense, 11 defense, 2 specialists)

Starters Returning (11)---Offense 3 (WR John Donahoe, SG Marwan Hage, WR Derek McCoy); Defense 8 (DB J.J. Billingsley, DE Marques Harris, CB Phil Jackson, FS Medford Moorer, DE Gabe Nyenhuis, DB Clyde Surrell, ILB Sean Tufts, DT Sam Wilder). (Calculated by those who had six or more starts in 2001.)

Others Returning With Significant Starting Experience (5; three or more career starts)-- OL Karl Allis, DT Brandon Dabdoub, DT DeAndre Fluellen, TB Bobby Purify, TE Quinn Sypniewski).

Starters Lost (13)---Offense 8 (OT Justin Bates, TB Chris Brown, FB Brandon Drumm, TT Josh Foster, C Ryan Gray, QB Robert Hodge, TG Wayne Lucier, TE Beau Williams); Defense 5 (DT Tyler Brayton, SS Kory Mossoni, DB Roderick Sneed, CB Donald Strickland, ILB Drew Wahlroos).