Colorado University Athletics
Brooks: Embree Eager To Open His First Preseason Camp
August 01, 2011 | Football, B.G. Brooks
The guy has been perched on the edge of ready for the past 4 -+ months. Finally, the starter's gun - make it the coach's whistle - is up.
"You never think it's going to get here, at least not as a coach. We've got a lot more to do, a lot more to fine tune, before we play, and I can't wait to get started," Embree said last week before his turn facing the cameras, microphones and scribes at the Pac-12 Conference's media day in Los Angeles.
The prelude to Embree's first season as the University of Colorado's head football coach begins Thursday as the Buffaloes begin practice. His debut as a head coach is Sept. 3 at Hawaii - always an ideal destination unless your wardrobe includes shoulder pads. Embree has just under a month to deal with the loose ends, settle on starters at a handful of positions, identify who's traveling, and get his team road-ready - or in this case, island-ready.
Embree has said the players who make the Hawaii trip will have to earn their passage during August drills. The Buffs haven't won a road game since 2007, and he doesn't want the streak extended when his watch begins.
At last week's Pac-12 media briefing, he was asked about CU not having won on the road in four seasons.
"We haven't?" he asked, feigning surprise. "How do you change that? Well, that's been a sticking point with me. One, I don't run away from it. I've addressed it with the team. To be exact, we've lost 18 consecutive games on the road.
"I believe there is no one on our team that's played in a road win. I'm taking it head on. I believe it all starts from how you prepare. It all starts with the mindset. Good teams win on the road. Obviously we haven't been a good team or I wouldn't be here.
"So if we want to do the things that the players want to do, be it (winning) bowl games and championships and all that, we have to win on the road . . . . The thing I'm excited about is our first game's on the road because we need to address that issue immediately. I'll leave it at that. We need to address that issue immediately. It does not sit well with me."
CU returns eight starters on offense (19 lettermen), eight on defense (27 lettermen) and its punter and snapper.
Ten key questions facing the Buffs as camp closes in:
1.   Who's the player CU must keep healthy through August (and really beyond)?
Easy answer: Senior quarterback Tyler Hansen - and it's not simply because Hansen is the only QB on the roster with experience at this level. A study in patience for his entire CU career, Hansen is this team's leader. Not one of its leaders, said Embree, but the leader. Finally, this is Hansen's team.
2.   What position competition likely will draw the most attention in camp?
If you paid attention in March/April, you know the answer - cornerback. Defensive coordinator/secondary coach Greg Brown must replace both starting corners (Jimmy Smith, Jalil Brown). Greg Brown got glimpses of possible starters during spring drills, but not enough to have either side nailed down entering camp.
3.   What's the team trait Embree most wants carried from spring into fall?
Physical, physical, physical play. The word can't be emphasized enough. Embree has said on multiple occasions that he believes the Buffs finally learned how to be physical during spring drills. They can't afford to get forgetful in the August heat.
4.    With CU playing 13 consecutive games and not having a bye week, can the coaches emphasize staying physical without risking numerous injuries?
There'll probably be a fine balance in the August approach. Embree and his staff know they must "practice smart," but at the same time they know the nature of football. If there's any "backing off" to be done, it likely will come toward the back end of the schedule. The Buffs need to make an early statement about how they've become an in-your-face football team.
5.   Which returning players who missed spring drills are expected to make the biggest impacts in August and beyond?
Most are on defense, and the list starts with defensive back Parker Orms, who broke in two seasons ago at safety but could get scrutiny at corner this time around. Defensive end Chidera Uzo-Diribe and inside linebacker Derrick Webb were limited during the spring but are expected to challenge for playing time. The return of senior safety Anthony Perkins will be a boon for a rebuilt secondary.
6.   With senior-to-be Mike Iltis giving up football, who emerges as the candidates to start at center?
Redshirt freshman Daniel Munyer and fifth-year senior Shawn Daniels, who finally is healed from a foot/ankle injury, go into camp as the co-leaders. But sophomore Gus Handler still could play his way into the mix. Munyer was beginning to make noise late last season. Freshman signee Alex Kelley suffered an off-season ankle injury that puts him in grayshirt mode (enrolling in January), but junior college prospect Brad Cotner was added in June.
7.   Given the departure of Iltis and left tackle Nate Solder, a first-round NFL draftee, how solid can the O-line be?
New coach Steve Marshall believes it can still be good. Talented sophomore David Bakhtiari has shifted from right tackle into Solder's position, all-star candidate Ryan Miller returns for his final season at right guard and experienced Ethan Adkins is a 20-game starter at left guard. Sophomore Jack Harris appears primed to make a name for himself at right tackle. Marshall's August task is to develop depth.
8.   Will there be an overall improvement in the kicking game?
Embree says there had better be. Placekicking and punting might have been the most inconsistent areas on a badly inconsistent 2010 CU team. Sophomores Justin Castor (placement) and Zach Grossnickle (punting) stepped up their performances during the spring, but a good camp from freshman signee Will Oliver could allow him to challenge Castor. Walk-ons at both positions also could provide competition.
9.   Which freshmen might contribute immediately?
That's always asked and always is hard to answer until about halfway through camp. Throughout summer conditioning work, veteran players said they couldn't help notice defensive end Stephan Nembot, a chiseled 6-foot-8, 280-pounder who won't fail anyone's eye-ball test. But can he run in pads? Will his "motor" stay on when the contact starts? Stay tuned. Receiver Nelson Spruce also turned heads, catching most everything thrown his way and showing the ability to get open. Then there are defensive backs Kyle Washington, Greg Henderson, Will Harlos and Sherrard Harrington . . . With the secondary needing more able bodies, coach Greg Brown isn't going to settle on his starters until he gives a nice, l-o-o-o-n-g look at the new guys. That's also going to happen team-wide, as Embree emphasized that roster players better prove themselves in April because August was when the newcomers got their chances.
10. Are there still "growing pains" - new staff relating to returning players - to be overcome in preseason camp?
By most accounts, no. While these coaches and players can't be as tight as they will be after going through a season together, they came together during winter conditioning and spring drills. There is no more mystery among the players regarding what their position coaches (and Embree) expect. Also contributing: the off-season conditioning work under Malcom Blacken, whose new approach was well-received by players. Â Â Â Â
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
