Colorado University Athletics
Brooks: Receivers Are 'Hands-On'
August 27, 2009 | Football, B.G. Brooks
"Truth be told, we don't have a lot of guys right now who can stretch the field, with 'Dre' (Andre Simmons) not being set up yet, Markques (Simas) out those first couple of games. We'll do some different stuff to get guys to stretch the field, but right now we have a lot of guys who are pretty solid route runners.
"So, if we can hammer the rock and run the ball, use good routes on the outside and have guys that can turn people around and run precise, detailed routes, then we'll be fine. These guys are more than capable of making plays."
That analysis comes from Scotty McKnight, a crafty junior who is foremost among those "pretty solid route runners . . . capable of making plays."
McKnight has done precisely that for the past two seasons, leading the Buffaloes in receptions in 2007-08. And this fall, particularly in early September while Simmons eases into his new surroundings and Simas serves a two-game disciplinary suspension, CU will be even more dependent on McKnight's efficiency and leadership.
The Buffs' receiving corps isn't what it was in the glory years (remember Westbrook, Johnson, Carruth, Hackett, McCoy, et al) and isn't what it will be in seasons to come (remember McKnight, Clemons, Simmons, Simas, Darden, Ussery, Jefferson, Espinoza, et al).
But let's forget past and future references; the Buffs and coach Dan Hawkins are staring into a pivotal 2009 season that mustn't wait for productivity from the wideouts and for the passing game to balance the offense. Here's a clich+¬, but it fits: The future is now.
Hawkins is entering his fourth year as head coach, but his first as a CU position coach. He's now in charge of the receivers, and by most accounts the position's transition from Eric Kiesau, now the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, to Hawkins has been a smooth one.
"We really haven't skipped a beat with it," McKnight said. "I think anytime you get a position coach change, you're like, 'OK, how's this going to be different?' It's a little worrisome, but this has been so smooth.
"And I knew it was going to be like that, just because 'Coach Hawk' is a player's coach, and we all knew that. He's an intelligent coach; we've learned a ton just in the time since it was announced he'd be our coach.
"He's helpful in letting us know what we need to do, and then also in stuff regarding life, how we should be living and taking care of business on and off the field - and that's nice, too.
"But Coach Kiesau was the same type of guy; he was worried about our well-being on and off the field and very detail oriented. We really haven't skipped too much of a beat there."
In position meetings, Hawkins' fingerprints are easy to spot. Based on performance, he'll frequently identify a worthy player whose reward is choosing music for the group.
Said McKnight: "He lightens the mood with a player of the week, or whatever . . . the player will get to pick a Pandora station to listen to - as long as there's no 'dog cussing' as he calls it - so we can pick some music and watch film, get on the white board and draw up different plays and do installation that way.
"Some of these guys have some good music taste; 'Coach Hawk's' is a little different, but we try and roll with it."
Musical preferences aside, Hawkins has dealt with position responsibilities before, but not here. His classroom approach hasn't varied much; he recognizes that all pupils (and players) aren't wired the same, which the most effective teachers realize.
"He's all about how different guys learn," McKnight said. "Are you an audio guy or a visual guy? Sometimes we'll go and do a walk-through outside on Folsom (Field).
"He takes in all aspects, where this guy might learn best this way, this guy might be different - and he kind of combines them so everyone has a chance to learn the system in what might be their best way of learning."
Returning to coaching a position might have offered Hawkins a refresher course in time management.
"It actually, to some degree, helps the football part of it; it's been better from a football standpoint," he said. "I'm even more locked into everything that's going on. The 'ops' (operations) guys have to manage a few of the outside things more than what's been done before."
And if someone drops into the football offices unannounced and wants Hawkins to free himself for a lunch or dinner, well, it's thanks, but no thanks: "I can't . . . hey, I'm coaching a position now."
Hawkins' philosophy at his position isn't one of coaching to overcome until his talent, depth and experience - three words he frequently uses - get up to speed.
Rather, his philosophy is one of ''trying to accentuate what each guy does well. I've always believed in that, and it's one of the reasons I've never gotten into this whole starters thing.
"Some guys are better route runners, some guys are faster, some guys can see things on the run a little better. You put them in positions that use their skills better. That's what we've really been trying to do."
One of the players fitting nicely into that category is running back Brian Lockridge, who is among the fastest players on the team and qualifies as one who can "stretch the field."
"We do have some other guys," receiver/return specialist Jason Espinoza said. "'B-Lock' is playing a little bit of receiver, and he's a real fast guy. So I don't think we're going to have too many problems in that area now. We're getting some guys with speed to come over and make plays."
Lockridge has seen camp duty as a receiver, and even when Simmons is fully acclimated and Simas returns, Hawkins says "B-Lock" likely will retain a receiving role in the offense. Plus, defensive back Anthony Wright, another speedster, is auditioning at receiver.
"We'll see what happens with Andre," Hawkins said. "Kevin Moyd's got some speed . . . we'll need to use those other guys to get that done. And another guy I think will help us vertically is Will (Jefferson). He can run, too."
Jefferson is a compelling chapter within the main story. Not offered a scholarship until shortly before fall camp began, he wasn't a participant in the summer's voluntary seven-on-seven passing drills and didn't get his first peek at the playbook until camp opened.
Still, he proved himself to be a quick study and playmaker. Plus, he said his teammates "embraced" him: "That's how the environment is here; I was glad to be here and they were glad to have me."
But with acres of ground to be made up, he did so quickly. How?
"Great coaching, great help and lack of TV and xbox in my room," he said. "When I came in, I knew I would be behind, but I didn't know how new I would be.
"So I came in with the mindset of trying to learn as fast as possible, and whatever my role is, be the best I can be at that role.
"I've surprised myself; my biggest thing right now is focusing on mental skills. All I really wanted to do (early) was learn the playbook, be poised and be able to execute. A lot of freshmen come in and are talented, but it's how fast can you mentally adjust?"
Added McKnight: "Everyone kind of learns differently; at this point, Will just made a couple of more plays when he needed to and he's shown well. He's a good player, but that's not to say the other two freshmen (Terdema Ussery, Jarrod Darden) aren't going to be a big asset to this program and university.
"A couple of them will wind up playing . . . I think all three of those guys have a ton of potential. (Ussery, Darden) are very big, fast kids.
McKnight mentioned another emerging playmaker in California-Davis transfer Ryan Maxwell: "He's running hard and making some big catches. I think the coaches and the team are getting a lot of confidence in him."
Ditto for Espinoza, an in-state walk-on (Alamosa) whose consistency has become impossible to overlook. "Espy" is reminiscent of Jeff Campbell, another Colorado walk-on (Vail) whose work ethic and ability were rewarded with a scholarship.
Espinoza isn't fretting over what might or might not happen on that front: "I try not to keep my mind on it," he said. "The coaches have told me to just keep working, and I'm working hard.
"I don't want to put pressure on myself. (Coaches) have said I've been known to do that, put pressure on myself to always be perfect. Players are going to make mistakes; when you play loose, you play your best."
Injuries (broken collarbones) have interrupted Espinoza's career, but that self-inflicted pressure might have, too.
"If I don't have a spectacular practice where I'm making touchdown catches, then I feel like I've had a bad practice," he said. "But when I watch the film, I had a good practice - I just wasn't making the touchdown catches. I was doing my job and was making plays.
"I'm comfortable now (with the playbook). I've studied it so much this summer that I don't need to think what I'm going to do. It's just a reaction now.
"Last year I was trying to get into the plays as much as I could before practice, and was just filling my head with information. I was always thinking. Now, I'm just relaxed."
Even though he won't be available until Game 3 (Wyoming, Sept. 19), Simas - a consistent playmaker in practice - is taking "reps" with the first and second offenses.
"We're trying to keep him warm," Hawkins said. "I don't think it's going to take too long for him to catch up, but we are keeping him warm because we need him. Once we get him ready to go, we need him in condition."
Along with the retooling of the defensive line and getting more efficient play at quarterback, the developments at receiver (transfers of Josh Smith and Chance Blackmon; the departure and possible return of Kendrick Celestine) have drawn a huge amount of off-season and preseason attention.
McKnight and Espinoza prefer to insert the ear plugs when talk turns to their position's shortcomings. Both point to camaraderie, chemistry and attention to detail as attributes that will carry them.
"A lot of the guys haven't really looked at those circumstances," McKnight said. "We're just trying to focus on what we're doing, what we're trying to accomplish.
"A word that would probably try to describe the receivers right now is precision, trying to get the details down as much as possible."
Added Espinoza: "We don't really try to focus on what the outsiders think; we're dialed into what the coaches are telling us, we're buying into what they're telling us. The main thing is, we just want to work together.
"We know that we're low on numbers, but that's one reason we're growing together. Everyone is getting the plays down; the main thing is for everyone to be on the same page and know what their job is."
In mid-September, when Simmons is caught up and Simas has left the sidelines, Hawkins might answer differently. But when asked the current strength of his group, he offered this:
"We've got a decent amount of pretty savvy guys. You go to the tape (to review practices) and you don't have a whole lot of just big busts . . . that crew is getting from the route to the nuances of the route against a certain coverage, a certain guy, a certain technique. To me that's a big part of it, too."
For at least the first couple of games, it will have to do.
THE LOWDOWN ON . . .
Wide receivers
Coach: Dan Hawkins.
Returning starters: Scotty McKnight.
Returnees: Jason Espinoza, Markques Simas, Cameron Ham, Kevin Moyd, Peter Bobseine, Dustin Ebner and transfers Kyle Cefalo and Ryan Maxwell. Anthony Wright has switched from the secondary to receiver.
Newcomers: Andre Simmons, Will Jefferson, Jarrod Darden, Terdema Ussery.
Key losses: Patrick Williams, Cody Crawford, Steve Melton and Josh Smith (transferred).
Stat line: McKnight has been CU's leading receiver for the past two seasons. In 2008, he caught 46 passes for 519 yards and five touchdowns. Of his 46 receptions, 22 were for 10 or more yards and nine were for 20 or more yards - both team bests.
Bottom line: Few positions have received as much preseason attention as this one. There's been the "Andre Watch," the "Simas Saga" and the multitude of overriding question marks about the position's strengths and what its players bring to the offense. By the third game (Wyoming, Sept. 19), the position should have received a boost: Simas' two-game suspension will be over and Simmons should be better conditioned and more plugged into the playbook. Problem is, the Buffs can't jump right to Game 3; enough productivity to balance the offense is going to be required in Games 1-2.
NEXT: Special teams
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
