Brooks: MacIntyre Sees More Cohesive Post-Spring Team

BOULDER - With his first spring in the rear view mirror and his first fall now taking priority, Colorado football coach Mike MacIntyre ended the on-field portion of the Buffaloes' April work on Tuesday with as much of a look ahead as back.

Based on 15 spring practices with his new team, MacIntyre expects the Buffs to enter the 2013 season a more competitive, cohesive and generally glad-to-be-together group.

That might be a small step elsewhere in college football, but at CU it could be a giant leap.

"To outside eyes it's a small thing, but from the inside it's very big," MacIntyre said Tuesday before the Buffs embarked on practice No. 15. "The way we practiced and the way we scrimmaged as the spring went on, it seemed like the young men enjoyed playing more. They were excited for each other, with each other, they were happy when other people made plays.

"They competed like crazy. The team was enjoying the work process (and) if they're enjoying their work process, they can get better. If they're not enjoying it, I don't think they can get better. I think it's a mental state and I think that's true in any business."

The Buffs' ended 2012 in a mental state that was close to total darkness, finishing 1-11 and losing by landslides. Anything that buoys their mental condition and rekindles lost energy can't be all bad, and players pointed to MacIntyre and his coaching staff as having accomplished that.

Back to full speed (and then some) after last season's knee rehabilitation, junior receiver Paul Richardson said he witnessed a daily increase of energy at his position during spring work. He credited position coach Troy Walters' handling of his "organizational chart" for the surge.

"He doesn't like to call it a depth chart; he calls it an organizational chart," Richardson said with a chuckle. "But a few of us have been around the block a couple of times; we know it's a depth chart. He shakes it up . . . we all got a better feel for each other and learned our roles in the receiving corps. We need to perfect those and we'll be a better, more potent and productive offense."

Junior quarterback Connor Wood took a quantum leap over last spring in his grasp of MacIntyre's offense and spring productivity. But Wood, who completed 11 of 16 passes for 205 yards and an 85-yard TD to Richardson in last Saturday's Spring Game, said his position as a whole had improved this spring under QB coach Brian Lindgren.

"I think so, absolutely," Wood said. "I think we're all more comfortable as a group. From throwing balls in warmups to playing in scrimmages, I think consistency with our accuracy as a whole improved."

Wood and fellow junior Nick Hirschman emerged as the spring's co-leaders at QB. Incoming freshman Sefo Liufau, who attended nearly a week of practice when the Buffs returned from spring break, will enter the duel in August. MacIntyre reiterated that a starter would not be named until Liufau has been given the opportunity to compete and the coaching staff can evaluate Liufau.

"We've still got a lot of water to go under that bridge first," MacIntyre said.

Overall offensively, he said through spring drills that unit said "picked up things pretty quick and executed them pretty well . . . but there's still a long way to go."

Offensive personnel that made him take notice over the past month included his quarterbacks - "They improved every day" - several of his running backs who "can make some plays" and a receiving corps that he believes goes at least five deep. He said the offensive line, which was missing projected starters Alex Lewis (guard) and Daniel Munyer (guard/center) due to injury, grasped schematic changes "pretty well" but needed to play more consistently.

Defensively, MacIntyre said as the spring progressed, "especially the last week, we were running to the ball better, tackling better and learning where our leverage angles were, where our help was. We have to really keep improving on that."

Defensive players who caught his eye included end Chidera Uzo-Diribe, linebacker Woodson Greer III, and backs Jered Bell, Kenneth Crawley and Greg Henderson. Once Bell, who has battled knee problems, was about four practices into spring work, MacIntyre said the junior "was flying around a little quicker and faster (in comparison) with the film I watched from last year."

Another area of importance before August camp begins is conditioning, and MacIntyre believes his players "understand the work ethic they have to get to." Conditioning from player to player - be it weight gain or loss, strength/speed needs, etc. - has been explained to all who need to hear it.

Said MacIntyre: "They've got the time, ability and resources to do that this summer, and that's critical."

Tuesday's practice, conducted in the team's indoor practice bubble, consisted mainly of MacIntyre and his staff laying the groundwork for the Buffs' player-conducted summer workouts. Players on offense, defense and special teams were given detailed instruction for position as well as team work, then told to run a "summer" workout.

In his final two seasons at San Jose State, MacIntyre saved the 15th spring practice for a similar purpose, getting the idea from a coaching acquaintance who left the college game for the NFL. "It was a huge benefit and helped us tremendously," MacIntyre said.

He and his staff are permitted to meet with the team three more times before the start of summer break - this Thursday, then Tuesday and Thursday of next week.

"We'll keep learning, teaching, going over spring practice," MacIntyre said. "It's a very critical aspect of our program to help us this summer."

PERSONNEL MATTERS: While tight end Vincent Hobbs and receiver Gerald Thomas did not participate in Saturday's spring game, MacIntyre said both "are on the team."

He added that each had "family issues" that kept them out of all or most of spring work. However, MacIntyre expects both sophomores-to-be to return in August if they meet requirements he has set for them.

MacIntyre also said he would wait until after spring semester finals to comment on the status of any other players: "We have a few that have to do things to make sure they stay on . . . we'll know after exams."

SPRING AWARDS: Previously announced spring award winners included Connor Wood (outstanding leadership), D.D. Goodson (most improved offensive back/receiver), Alex Kelley (most improved offensive lineman), Harrison Hunter (most improved defensive back), Woodson Greer III (most improved linebacker), Tyler Henington (most improved defensive lineman), Isaac Archuleta (most improved special teams player), OL Vincent Arvia (outstanding work ethic), ILB Brady Daigh (outstanding toughness), DE Derek McCartney (outstanding academics).