Kapilovic Continues To Build Buffs Offensive Line
April 23, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — More than anything, Colorado offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic wants to see consistency from his group.
As spring ball has progressed, Kapilovic has started to see signs of that consistency developing. But, he said, the Buffs' men in the trenches still have plenty of work to do as they wrap up spring ball with two more workouts this week, then head into a key summer training session before fall camp.
"So far, we've had some really good moments," Kapilovic said. "We've had some good plays and some good periods — but then we'll take a step back. Part of that is youth, part of that is learning a new system, part of it is me shuffling guys around, and part of it is those guys having to understand that they have to play every play like it's fourth down and the game's on the line."
When it comes to the first three, there is no "fast forward" button for Kapilovic and his players. Young players become experienced over time, they will become more and more comfortable with the new system as they get more repetitions and study time, and the coaching staff at some point will begin to develop a regular rotation.
But the fourth area — playing every play as if the game were on the line — is an approach Kapilovic is trying to get his players to adopt immediately.
"The thing is, you never know which play in a game is going to affect that game," he said. "There's always about four or five plays in a game that will ultimately have a big impact on the outcome, but we don't know which one it's going to be. So we have to play every one like it's the one that decides the game."
Thus far this spring, Kapilovic has shuffled a variety of players into the No. 1 and No. 2 lines while also trying players at different positions. That not only builds depth but also helps the Buffs be prepared for an in-game emergency situation.
"One thing about spring practice is you don't have to get a loss," Kapilovic said. "You can move guys around and ultimately what you're doing is building depth for the fall. Say a kid has to move from tackle to guard in a game. Well, he did that before. He's going to know what he has to do and it's not going to be something completely new to him."
In terms of returnees, Kapilovic does have a handful of veterans, including three players — William Sherman, Tim Lynott and Colby Pursell — who all started a majority of the games last season.
Sherman has been firmly settled in at left tackle. But Lynott, who has been mainly a starting guard the last three years, moved to center early in camp on an experimental basis while Pursell shifted to guard. Pursell, though, has been banged up recently, leaving Lynott at guard and giving several other players a chance to test their mettle on the No. 1 line.
Lynott, who has played center in spot duty over the years, has made some significant strides at the position in camp.
"The scrimmage Friday is the best he's played since I've been here," Kapilovic said. "Coach (Jack) Harris said that's the best he's ever seen him play. That's a positive. Now we want him to keep understanding that he's got more in the tank to give. Finishing blocks, giving that extra, taking people off their feet when they're uncovered — all those little things, the intangibles that pay off down the stretch of a game."
Sherman has also progressed. Now well over 300 pounds and with the ability to play at the next level, the sophomore should be a solid anchor on the end of the line.
"Will has really improved throughout the spring," Kapilovic said. "He was struggling a little bit in the pass pro early but he's really played solid the last week or 10 days. That's been nice to see."
Pursell, another sophomore, had a good early camp before being sidelined.
"I wanted to see what he'd do at guard," Kapilovic said. "He's 6-4, 300 pounds and got good length and he's strong in the weight room. He showed some flashes where you really liked some of the stuff he did at guard. But unfortunately he hasn't been out here for a little while. We really would have liked to see him get some more time at guard, then move him back to center and let Tim get some time at guard. But that hasn't been the case."
The rest of the No. 1 line has seen plenty of mixing and matching. Senior Jack Shutack has played guard and tackle; redshirt freshman Kanan Ray has gotten some time at tackle; junior Kary Kutsch has played guard; sophomore Frank Fillip has played both tackles; redshirt freshman Casey Roddick has seen some time at guard; and true freshman Austin Johnson has stepped in with the both the ones and twos.
"Kanan has great feet and he's got an intensity about him that you really like," Kapilovic said. "But it's been two years since he's played, and he had some illness here recently and lost some weight. This summer is going to be huge to get him caught up because I like what he brings."
Shutack could prove to be an invaluable utility player, as he's played regularly at guard and tackle. "He's another guy who's really improved in the spring," Kapilovic said. "He's really done a nice job in the run game. He's shown some physicality in the run game and that will help him help us at guard."
And, youngsters Fillip and Roddick are showing some flashes.
"Casey's probably the ultimate in inconsistency right now," Kapilovic said of the 330-pounder. "He's up and down. He's a big, strong kid and he shows some flashes of being a very good football player. Then he'll regress. We've got to get him to be more consistent. Frank has improved, but he's a little behind physically and we need to get him bigger so he can hold up better. We've asked a lot from him. He's had to play right and left, he's had to switch during practice, he's had to go double duties at times — and from that perspective, he's done a nice job."
After Saturday's Spring Game Presented by UC Health, the Buffs will have a little time off before resuming their summer workouts. Those, Kapilovic said, will be vital in the line's development, both in the weight room and for continuing to learn the offense.
By fall camp, Kapilovic wants to hit the ground running.
"Maturation and just understanding we have to be more consistent," he said. "That's what we have to work on. The best O-lines are consistent. They may not be the most talented, they may not be the biggest — but if we're consistent, we'll have a chance."
TARGETING RULE CHANGES: The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Monday approved two adjustments to targeting rules. Next fall, instant replay officials will be directed to examine all aspects of the play and confirm the targeting foul when all elements of targeting are present. If any element of targeting cannot be confirmed, the replay official will overturn the targeting foul. There will not be an option for letting the call on the field "stand" during a targeting review. Instead, the call will have to be either be confirmed or overturned.
The panel also approved instituting a progressive penalty for targeting. Players who commit three targeting fouls in the same season are subject to a one-game suspension.
In other rule changes:
— The panel approved a new rule relevant to blind-side blocking techniques. Players will not be allowed to deliver a blind-side block by attacking an opponent with forcible contact. It will be a personal foul with a 15-yard penalty. If the block also includes the elements of targeting, it will be a blind-side block with targeting.
— The two-man wedge formation on all kickoffs will be eliminated.
— In overtime games, if a game reaches a fifth overtime, teams will run alternating two-point plays instead of starting another drive at the opponent's 25-yard line. This rules change was made to limit the number of plays from scrimmage and to bring the game to a conclusion.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Â
Â
