Colorado University Athletics
Offensive Line Works To Improve During Spring
BOULDER ? It all starts in the trenches. While the Buffs offensive line is still a little dinged up during the spring, thatGÇÖs something offensive line coach Denver Johnson isnGÇÖt too worried about.
GÇ£YouGÇÖd like to be healthy and by the end of spring have a sense of who your first team is,GÇ¥ Johnson said. GÇ£IGÇÖm not sure we will be there by the first game, much less the spring game, but in the spring you also emphasize getting individual players better and then collectively your entire team will be better.GÇ¥
After the first scrimmage on Saturday, itGÇÖs clear the running game isnGÇÖt where coach Dan Hawkins wants it to be. He set the goal high for the Buffs running game.
GÇ£WeGÇÖre trying to set the bar high there,GÇ¥ Hawkins said. GÇ£In the Big 12, in the old days if you figured you got three yards a crack, you were pretty good. Anymore, itGÇÖs almost five yards a crack to be good on offense.GÇ¥
Half the teams in the Big 12 last season averaged over 4.5 yards per carry and eight averaged over 4.0 yards a carry.
GÇ£IGÇÖm not sure weGÇÖll meet the bar during the spring,GÇ¥ Hawkins said. GÇ£As those guys continue to get some comfort, weGÇÖve seen some good progress individually, for example Bryce Givens, every day at practice you see him getting better.GÇ¥
Johnson said during his days at Ole Miss, he had a few offensive lines that may have been heavier than the Buffs, but he probably hasnGÇÖt seen one as tall as the Buffs. Colorado has four players over 6-6 on the offensive line on the current roster, including 6-8 Ryan Miller and 6-9 Nate Solder.
Miller sprained his ankle early in SaturdayGÇÖs scrimmage but should be back soon. Johnson believes Solder could be a very special player moving forward for the Buffs.
GÇ£Athletically, he sticks out at you,GÇ¥ Johnson said. GÇ£HeGÇÖs still a little raw and young in a lot of ways as an offensive tackle, but heGÇÖs an immensely talented individual.GÇ¥
Solder came in as a tight end and moved to offensive tackle about a year ago. In the last year, he has added 25-30 lbs and is looking for a breakout season in 2009.
While the Buffs overall are a little thin on the line, Johnson would prefer to have two complete lines in practice, heGÇÖs been able to use the spring to get to know the line and see them in action for the first time.
GÇ£WeGÇÖre throwing a lot at these kids,GÇ¥ Johnson said. GÇ£WeGÇÖre putting a lot of offense in. WeGÇÖre working hard and making progress. All in all, itGÇÖs going extremely well.GÇ¥
Johnson expects by fall camp to have everybody healthy and for some good competition between the guys.
GÇ£Certainly weGÇÖll have everybody healthy,GÇ¥ Johnson said. GÇ£That will help our depth issues and competition. ItGÇÖs a good thing to have guys who have had time on the line. We have a long way to go before weGÇÖre where we aspire to be, but I think weGÇÖre headed in the right direction.GÇ¥
Hawkins agrees, GÇ£I sure like their mentality.GÇ¥