Colorado University Athletics
Brooks: First Spring Depth Chart Still Fuzzy At QB
April 02, 2013 | Football, B.G. Brooks
BOULDER - New coach Mike MacIntyre and his Colorado football staff returned to the practice field on Tuesday with a better idea of who should line up where and, in many cases, what to expect from each player.
But that's not to say the first depth chart of MacIntyre's first spring at CU contains all the answers. In fact, the Q's still outnumber the A's at several key positions.
At quarterback, for example, the search for a starter, a solid backup and a reliable No. 3 will go through the end of spring drills and likely deep into August camp. And that's no surprise: MacIntyre reminds that last season at San Jose State, he didn't name a starter until five days before the 2012 opener.
Granted, he might have had a stronger hunch then than he does now, but his new job's QB battle still doesn't have a frontrunner. The coaches have listed the top four In numerical order on the depth chart: Jordan Webb (4), Connor Wood (5), Shane Dillon (7) and Nick Hirschman (8) as the four leading contenders for No. 1.
"There's no pecking order - no first, second or third string at quarterback right now," MacIntyre said, adding that the elevation of that foursome represents "just an opportunity to get more reps. When we come out of spring ball and go into the fall, we won't have a definite starter then either. We'll look at the freshman (Sefo Liufau) coming in, too, to see if he's ready to get in the mix. We'll have to get the mix down very quickly to probably three guys and then rotate and see where they sit."
Overall, MacIntyre said, the Buffaloes made significant progress through their first eight practices, with the final seven commencing on Tuesday after last week's spring break. CU's spring game is set for Saturday, April 13 at 10:30 a.m. (Folsom Field, Pac-12 Network).
"I've been pleased with the overall attitude of the kids, their willingness and their want-to and their ability to listen and take instructions," MacIntyre said. "The next time we practice I see improvement in the areas we've talked about . . . it's critical for us to get better every day - and we are. All of our staff has noticed that - not just me."
He said his staff's commitment to making the offense and defense "player friendly" has enhanced the team's absorption of new concepts: "We try to keep the verbiage down and make it where they can play fast . . . I feel like they're picking it up really well on both sides."
CU's top four QB candidates "all have different strengths and weaknesses," MacIntyre said. "You wouldn't say 'these two guys are exactly alike' or 'these two are exactly alike.' What we've got to do is find out, as they get more repetitions, get a feel for what they do best and start letting them do some of the offense they do best. Then we'll see who can move the offense the best and who's making the most plays in their comfort zone."
He alluded to Washington's Robert Griffin III as "not really running a pro offense . . . if he was sitting back in the pocket he wouldn't be as successful. Different kids have different strengths. We're starting to figure those things out and what our personnel around them can do the best, too."
MacIntyre offered the following synopses of his QB contenders:
Jordan Webb: While Webb, who started 10 games last season for the 1-11 Buffs, has picked up the offense well, an injured right thumb has prevented him from passing in most of the first eight spring practices. He remains out indefinitely because of the thumb injury. Webb's 2012 passing stats: 144-of-265 for 1,434 yard, 8 TDs, 8 interceptions.
Connor Wood: Wood appeared in seven 2012 games and completed 50 percent (21-of-42) of his passes (265 yards, one TD, four interceptions). MacIntyre said Wood has "made some very good throws and had a couple of good two-minute drives" this spring.
Nick Hirschman: Hirschman's toughness and running ability has impressed MacIntyre: "He's been physical and made some plays . . . he's done a good job." Hirschman played in eight games last season, completed 55 of 93 passes (589 yards, 2 TDs, 7 interceptions).
Shane Dillon: The redshirt freshman, said MacIntyre, has "shown ability to move around and . . . make plays. He's still very young and raw in some aspects, but getting him some more repetitions and more live action will help him keep maturing."
The other two quarterbacks involved in spring drills - Stevie Joe Dorman and John Schrock - have had their moments in practice but did not separate themselves from the six-player pack. Said MacIntyre: "We just felt (moving the other four ahead) was the best decision at this time."
Elsewhere on the offensive depth chart, Christian Powell and Tony Jones are listed as co-starters at running back. Powell's size (6-0, 240) and Jones' shiftiness offer what could be a beneficial change of pace at the position. Behind that pair, Josh Ford and Donta Abron share the No. 3 RB slot.
"You need four guys that can play going into the season," MacIntyre said. "Then going into the game you usually have two guys you're going to rely on, then you have certain things the other guys can do."
In the first eight practices, Powell showed MacIntyre what he showed the former staff: "He's a physical runner (and) he's got a good body for protection in the passing game."
Jones (5-7, 190) "has shown extreme quickness; he runs a couple of our plays really well," MacIntyre said. "He's able to cut back and do some things in the running game that we like. Josh Ford has had good runs; he's powerful and able to block well, also. Donta Abron has shown bursts of speed."
MacIntyre said Malcolm Creer, who suffered a knee injury in 2011 as a freshman, appears to be "still feeling his way along a little bit."
The early spring drills' offensive surprise has been converted receiver D.D. Goodson, who spent his first two seasons at running back. MacIntyre said if Goodson's progress continues, he could be a starting slot receiver in a three-wide formation - "and we'll use three wides quite a bit . . . his ability to run after the catch has been impressive. My only question was how well he would catch the ball. He's caught it well; his hands are better than I thought they would be."
Receiver Paul Richardson was kept mostly out of full contact for the first half of spring drills, but he's scheduled to be "live" for the last half. Also, the offensive staff hopes to get its first extended look at receiver Jeff Thomas (hamstring) in the final seven practices. And receiver Jarrod Darden (hand) now should be full-go. MacIntyre also said Nelson Spruce, Tyler McCulloch, Keenan Canty and Wesley Christensen had made plays at the position.
Kyle Slavin is listed as the first tight end, followed by Scott Fernandez, Sean Irwin, Austin Ray and Vincent Hobbs, who is dealing with family issues at home (Dallas) and has not practiced this spring.
Down to 10 healthy players when spring drills opened, the offensive line is missing a pair of probable 2013 starters - left guard Alex Lewis (shoulder), right guard/center Daniel Munyer (leg). But MacIntyre said their absences offered spring opportunities for several players, including Alex Kelley at guard/center, Jeromy Irwin at tackle/guard, Kaiwi Crabb at guard and walk-ons Vincent Arvia at guard and James Carr at tackle.
Projected starting tackles Stephane Nembot and Jack Harris, said MacIntyre, have practiced well on both sides (left/right). Also, Marc Mustoe was to be cleared for full practice work in the final seven drills, giving the staff its first look at him.
Gus Handler and Brad Cotner are listed as the starting and backup centers, respectively.
On defense, end Chidera Uzo-Diribe quickly caught MacIntyre's attention with his pass rushing abilities. "He can really be an excellent pass rusher," MacIntyre said. "He'll only get better as coach (Jim) Jeffcoat works with him."
CU's linebacker corps lost starters Jon Majors and Doug Rippy, but MacIntyre believes able, though young, replacements already are on board. Freshman Addison Gillam is penciled in as the No. 1 "mike" (inside) linebacker alongside senior Derrick Webb. On the outside (sam), junior Woodson Greer is listed ahead of Paul Vigo and Markeis Reid. Mike linebacker Brady Daigh has been slowed by injury.
In the secondary, Kenneth Crawley and Greg Henderson are listed first at cornerbacks, with Terrel Smith and Josh Moten the early leaders at safety. Moten is ahead of Parker Orms, who is battling a recurring knee ailment. Corner Yuri Wright is due to return to full contact for the last half of spring work.
Moten and Henderson were being eyed as nickel backs, and MacIntyre said John Walker - he missed last season with a hand injury - has practiced well at corner.
In the interior D-line, the emphasis before August camp opens will be on slimming down. "We've got to get in better shape; we're too heavy," MacIntyre said. "You can whip the guy (in front of you), but if you can't get off and tackle the running back you're not making the plays you need to make. That's a big deal; tackles for losses are extremely important for us."
Currently listed as the No. 1 tackles are Nate Bonsu and Josh Tupou, backed up by Justin Solis and Tyler Hennington. Opposite Uzo-Diribe at left end is Samson Kafovalu.
Darragh O'Neill (punter) and Will Oliver (placekicker) are incumbents at their positions, with O'Neill also breaking in as Oliver's holder. Justin Castor is listed as a co-No. 1 with Oliver for kickoffs.
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
