Buffs Report: Teaching At Every Opportunity, Staying Physical
April 08, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Since the day he took the job as Colorado's head coach, Mel Tucker has stressed to his team that there will be no wasted moments, no opportunities missed to improve.
Simply, every minute counts, and that philosophy is clearly evident in CU's practices. Every drill, every play — every moment — is accompanied by coaches from all angles teaching, instructing, encouraging and correcting. One of Tucker's points of emphasis has been running to the ball on every play until the whistle blows, and more often than not, coaches are right there with the players by the time the play comes to an end.
Players know when they have done something well. A quick pat on the back or a nod and a few words of encouragement are common. But players also know when a mistake needs to be corrected — and the idea is to make sure the mistakes aren't repeated.
There is no waiting until film sessions for instruction to take place.
"We want to coach the players after every play and in between plays," Tucker said after Monday morning' seventh practice of the spring. "Coach them on the run. Coaching is teaching. If you're not coaching it, you're letting it happen. We've got the mistakes cleaned up right away and get them ready for the next play."
Players seem to enjoy the immediate instruction, and they also like the fact that the coaches are running with them.
"It's just a higher level of intensity," said linebacker Davion Taylor. "When the coaches are right there with you, it makes you want to work a little harder. When they talk to you right after a play, you know how to fix something."
Tucker, it seems, is always in the mix, instructing both offense and defense. But his position coaches are also always on the spot as well, making sure players receive instruction on the spot.
"It's a big part of what we do overall in our program — teaching — and how we try to function within our defense," said defensive coordinator Tyson Summers. "I think certainly the intensity that it takes to practice at a high level of defense is going to help us as we try to go play at a high level. If you look at our conference, the teams that are playing the best defense are the teams that are playing in the championship each and every year. We want to be in that position."
With the Buffs installing a new offense and defense under the new staff, every moment of practice time and instruction is invaluable.
"You don't have a lot of time in the spring," Tucker said. "You have to be organized and efficient in terms of evaluation, development and teaching."
PHYSICAL WORK: The Buffs got plenty of "thud" work in again Monday as coaches continue to stress a physical style of play. Monday's drills included plenty of 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 situational work, ranging from red-zone to two-minute drills.
"I thought we had a physical practice," Tucker said. "I think we need to improve our tackling on defense, space tackling. But I thought in the run game on both sides of the ball we had good pad level. I thought the guys strained to finish. We had a good, physical practice out there today."
Last week, Tucker said his philosophy is to make sure his players make the best use of all the allowed time in full pads, while also doing everything possible to reduce injury.
"We just stay off the ground," Tucker said. "When we're not scrimmaging, we thud. You have to learn how to thud, have learn how to practice in pads, take care of your teammate. You can be physical without being on the ground. Guys stay off the ground, we won't have injuries."
The NCAA allows three full-pads practices with tackling throughout in the spring, usually saved for scrimmage situations. The Buffs are scheduled to get in their first scrimmage work of the spring on Friday, with more April 19. The April 27 spring game will then be the final full-contact practice of the spring.
PRACTICE REPORT: Competition at just about every position continues to be a theme of spring, as coaches are giving more players a chance to run with the No. 1 and No. 2 units.
One of those spots is outside linebacker, where Nu'umotu Falo and Alex Tchangam have been making a solid early impression. Both are getting repetitions with the No. 1 defense, along with returning starter Carson Wells. Also in the mix has been returnee Jacob Callier, who just recently got clearance for full go after some injury rehab. Coaches like Tchangam's pass rush abilities while Falo lends a physical presence off the edge against the pass and the run. …
At running back, the competition is wide open. On Monday, redshirt freshmen Deion Smith and Jarek Broussard received some reps with the No. 1 offense, along with sophomore Alex Fontenot. Tucker said he isn't worried about the lack of experience at the position.
"We'll get them ready," Tucker said. "As long as they can go out there and get their reps they can continue to improve. We're going to coach them up. We have a high standard. Keep getting better every day. They're young but they're talented. That's a good thing." …
Quarterbacks Sam Noyer and Tyler Lytle shared snaps with the No. 2s on Monday. … Safety Hasaan Hypolite, while not cleared yet for full participation, continues to get some work in whenever possible with the No. 1 defense. … Redshirt freshman receiver Dimitri Stanley continues to show some big-play capability. Stanley has been working with the No. 1 offense (along with K.D. Nixon and Tony Brown), and Monday came up with a nice diving one-handed grab in the end zone. Brown, meanwhile, is also showing up on a regular basis while Nixon continues to be a long-ball threat, and had a nice catch of a deep ball in the end zone Monday against double coverage. …
Safety Isaiah Lewis had a leaping interception Monday against the No. 1 offense. … Getting some work with the No. 1 offensive line Monday were junior Kary Kutsch (right guard), redshirt freshman Casey Roddick (left guard) and senior Jack Shutack (right tackle). … Sophomore linebacker Jonathan Van Diest got some time inside with the No. 1 defense. … Defensive back Ronnie Blackmon had a nice interception against the No. 2 offense.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs have two more practices this week, with a shorts and shoulder pads workout set for Wednesday before some scrimmage work on Friday.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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