Buffs Practice Report: Position Battles On Line In Saturday Scrimmage
August 16, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — It's getting down to the nitty-gritty for the Colorado Buffaloes.
With 14 practices down in fall camp and the Aug. 30 season opener against Colorado State now just two weeks away, Saturday's second scrimmage of Colorado's fall camp will be a critical one when it comes to determining who will be playing with the No. 1 and No. 2 units.
In other words, Saturday will be the final chance for a number of Buffs to state their case when it comes to playing time in the season opener.
"We have to decide who are going to be our starters, who are going to be our backups, who are the guys we're going to get ready for the game," CU head coach Mel Tucker said after Friday's practice. "Who are the guys we're going to coach? Everyone's not going to get the same amount of reps after tomorrow. Some guys are going to have to go to the scout team and do a great job giving us the looks of our opponents. Tomorrow's a big day for that."
There are a long list of position battles still to be decided on both sides of the ball. And, while CU coaches have carefully reviewed and charted every practice to this point, Saturday's scrimmage is just the second full-contact workout of camp. No doubt, they will be reviewing the film carefully to make their decisions.
"We've been in camp for a while," Tucker said. "We have had quite a few practices. If they can do it, we should know now. We should know where our squad is after tomorrow. We're always going to continue to develop guys … But in terms of right now, getting ready for the first game, we need to know tomorrow who we think is going to give us the best chance, starters and backups. Backup, you're one play away — and if you're in the game, you're a starter."
Tucker stressed there is not a position on the team that won't be under scrutiny in Saturday's scrimmage. As the CU staff continues to develop depth, consistency throughout camp is a major factor along with performance in the scrimmage.
"It's being able to do it day after day after day after day," Tucker said. "Bringing it at a high level, competing at a high level, finishing plays, on and off the field, in and out of the huddle, attention to detail, all that focus when you get tired and you're sore — everyone can't do it at the same level."
But at positions where the decisions are still too close to call, Saturday's scrimmage could be the decisive factor.
"I want to be able to know after tomorrow morning when I turn on the tape, 'These are the guys that I think are most ready to play,'" Tucker stressed. "The best quarterback, next best quarterback, next best guy. Receivers, linemen, running backs, tight ends, D-line, linebackers, secondary — every position — specialists. Whatever it is, we need to know."
And, he added, the best way to find that out is in a full-contact situation, as close to a game simulation as they can get.
"There's a different type of pressure, a different type of atmosphere, different type of sense of urgency when you go live," he said. "When it's a scrimmage and it's a couple weeks before the game, it's different. We have to see who can handle it. Then we'll know where everybody stands and we'll coach them from there, from that point."
The attitude Tucker wants to see most from his players?
"Every position, just go out there, do your job, execute, play as hard as you can, don't save anything for the next day — and let's see what you've got. Let's go live to the ground and scrimmage it up."
PRACTICE REPORT: The Buffs were still shuffling players in and out of several spots Friday, especially on the No. 1 defense. Players getting some time with the No. 1 unit included junior inside linebacker Jash Allen, playing alongside Nate Landman; and freshman cornerback Tarik Luckett. Allen looked at home inside while Luckett, who just last week made the move from wide receiver to corner, continues to be impressive … Earlier this week, the Buffs switched another wide receiver, Dylan Thomas, to corner. The Buffs need depth at the position, and Tucker said Thomas has the skill set to play there. "He's long, he can run, he's got change of direction, he's got really good balance and body control, and obviously being a receiver, he's got good ball skills," Tucker said …Â
On the offensive line, the Buffs continue to get work for Tim Lynott at center and Colby Pursell at guard … Mikial Onu continues to run with the No. 1 group on a regular basis at safety, along with Aaron Maddox and Isaiah Lewis … It seems to happen every day, but Laviska Shenault Jr. had another outstanding touchdown grab Friday, going up high in the end zone over two defenders for a perfectly thrown ball from Steven Montez … K.D. Nixon hauled in a nice long ball in perfect stride for a score … Running back Alex Fontenot continues to show consistency at the spot on a daily basis. … RB Jarek Broussard also continues to flash … Montez is also doing a nice job of extending plays out of the pocket and directing receivers to open spots in the process … True freshmen Na'im Rodman and Austin Williams are getting long looks on the defensive line, where the Buffs will almost certainly rotate players. … Aaron Maddox has had some solid plays against the run and pass at safety this week.
SCHEDULE: After Saturday's scrimmage, the Buffs will have one more week of "camp" before heading into game week. Their schedule next weekend will change slightly because of the Friday night opener, with the day off scheduled for Saturday before returning to practice Sunday.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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