Practice Report: MacIntyre Likes Buffs' Effort As CU Hits Midpoint Of Camp

BOULDER — When it comes to enduring the grind of fall camp, it is not uncommon to see "camp legs" set in after the first two weeks.

Truth be told, Wednesday's Colorado Buffaloes practice presented a perfect scenario for just such a day, one of those when simply getting through the workout is the top priority for players: middle of the week, one day after an intense workout in full pads, and the 12th practice in 14 days.

Any coach will tell you that can be the perfect recipe for a lackadaisical practice.

But instead of going through the motions in Wednesday's three-hour midday workout, the Buffs put forth what head coach Mike MacIntyre called one of their best overall efforts thus far in camp.

It was a welcome and encouraging sign.

"I thought this might have been one of our best practices," MacIntyre said. "The energy was there and we were running around in the heat, which was good. I thought overall both sides did really well. I think we made a big step today in some things I was looking for them to do."

Wednesday's practice was the 12th of camp for the Buffs, a three-hour session that marked what is basically the halfway point of their 25 practices before the Aug. 31 season opener. While they were in shorts and shoulder pads, they still got in what MacIntyre called some "good, physical work" in a midweek practice.

"'I was excited to see the energy and the effort and the intensity out there," MacIntyre said.

The Buffs did get plenty of full-speed work in the books, including some red-zone and goal line team situations, as well as some long drives. Both No. 1 units worked against each other, and also got some time in against the twos and threes. As MacIntyre said, both sides of the ball made their share of big plays.

One thing that is no doubt fueling the Buffs' energy at this point of camp is that there are still plenty of positions on the field where starting jobs and playing time are up for grabs. It's made for an intensely competitive camp and has kept players on their toes. Positions where starting spots and playing time are still up for being closely contested include cornerback, offensive and defensive line, running back, wide receiver and outside linebacker.

Some of those starting spots, MacIntyre said, are beginning to sort themselves out in the wake of last Saturday's first major scrimmage of camp. Friday night, CU coaches should have some more answers when the Buffs conduct their second major scrimmage of camp under the Folsom Field lights.

"You definitely want (position battles) settled but you definitely want competition," MacIntyre said. "But I think some of them are starting to work their way out, and we'll know a little bit more after Friday night exactly on that."

PRACTICE NOTES: The Buffs continue to place a major emphasis on "situational" drills, including two-minute and red zone situations. Those are places where MacIntyre and his staff believe the Buffs fell short a year ago — and places where making just one or two more plays would have made the difference in adding a couple of wins to CU's season total. …

CU coaches continue to mix and match combinations where starting spots are still open, as well as working with different players in different schemes. One of those spots is the defensive line. While returning starters Javier Edwards and Chris Mulumba were atop the depth chart when camp began, along with junior college transfer Mustafa Johnson, a number of other players are getting snaps with the No. 1 unit, especially when CU drops into a nickel defense on obvious passing situations. Senior Jase Franke continues to get quality snaps at nose tackle and end in different situations, and redshirt freshman Terrance Lang and true freshman Israel Antwine are also getting their opportunities. All three will give the Buffs much-needed depth at the position.

Franke has been one of the more consistent players throughout camp.

"He's going to be kind of be a Swiss Army knife and that's good," MacIntyre said. "He's played really well at end. He won our uncommon jersey one day in practice for his effort and the way he's played. He's a good pass rusher, too, in our nickel situations. I've been really pleased with Jase and his ability. His ability to move around is a good thing for him and a good thing for us."

The Buffs are working on a number of ways to improve their pass rush, including getting more speed at outside linebacker, where Drew Lewis has been playing, along with his inside 'backer spot.

But CU coaches are also anxious to make sure they get more of a "pocket push" from their defensive line.

"I do feel like we're a little more athletic, a little stronger up there," MacIntyre said. "We have some more length in there, which helps us pushing the pocket. A lot of times you can push the pocket, but if you're too short and your hands aren't in the way, it doesn't help as much. I like the length of a couple of our guys who are in there doing a good job."

That would include the 6-foot-7 Lang and the 6-foot-4 Antwine, both of whom have been showing a knack recently for getting to the quarterback. …

On the offensive line, redshirt freshman William Sherman continues to get repetitions with the No. 1 unit at left tackle. Sherman can also play guard, and has seen time there in camp, but MacIntyre said right now they want him at tackle.

"Right now, his skill set, with weight, is a little bit more suited for tackle," MacIntyre said. "A guard, in there you need a little bigger. He is gaining weight, he's like 275 now. The other good thing is when he pulls at guard, he really can move. You kind of give and take in there with guard. (But) at tackle, he's doing an excellent job. He has the ability to play both but we kind of see him at tackle right now."

STAYING HYDRATED: Asked about practicing in the heat, MacIntyre said the entire CU staff is well-tuned to making sure players stay hydrated and do not become "distressed."

"We have multiple water breaks and we have trainers all over the place with water all the time," MacIntyre said. "The kids, we've told them if they're overheating, they can step out. The trainers, we're watching that all the time. We're very cognizant of that. … When we do any workouts, do anything, we always have our trainers there, our strength coaches. We collaborate all the time, talk about different things. We have a couple kids that have sickle cell, so we have to watch them and they're able to pull themselves out at all times. That's something we're really on top of."

THINKING OF BOBO: MacIntyre opened his post-practice meeting with the media by extending well wishes to Colorado State coach Mike Bobo, who was hospitalized Tuesday after feeling numbness in his feet.

"We've texted back and forth and I sure hope he's doing well," MacIntyre said. "We were texting back and forth really early in the mornings. He's a great man, a great coach. We have a lot in common. He's a coach's son like me and I think the world of him. I hope he recovers well and they figure out exactly what's going on with him."

STECKEL ADDRESSES TEAM: Former CU assistant Les Steckel, who worked under three CU head coaches — Eddie Crowder, Bill Mallory and Bill McCartney — addressed the team Wednesday morning. Steckel, a U.S. Marines veteran who also coached in the NFL for years, talked to the players about trust and discipline, including this simple reminder: "You can endure the pain of discipline or endure the pain of disappointment. It's your choice."

Steckel served as the tight ends and wide receivers coach in his first stint in Boulder (1973-76), then served as McCartney's offensive coordinator in 1991-92.

SCHEDULE: The Buffs' freshman will move into the dorms Thursday after a morning practice. … The team is scheduled to be in light pads before hitting the field in full pads for Friday night's scrimmage (closed to the public).

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu