Colorado University Athletics
Hawkins Wants 'Smart' Approach To Rest Of Camp
In preparation for the 2010 opener - Sept. 4 vs. Colorado State in Denver - the Buffs' fall camp has been conducted with this in mind: A new season should be started on fresh legs. A fresh mind doesn't hurt either.
"That's been more of an emphasis this time - keeping us fresh and as healthy as we can be," junior tailback Rodney "Speedy" Stewart said. "Yeah, we've had contact in this camp, but I think the coaches are trying to save us a little."
The annual goal, head coach Dan Hawkins said Monday, is "to be smart. You obviously have to go hard, and we went hard this morning . . . we got after it. You just try to find that fine line between getting the work done that you need and keeping them healthy."
Hawkins said he believes the required amount of work is being accomplished, but added, "There's still a long ways to go."
Even while Hawkins' "fine line" is being established, junior tailback/return specialist Brian Lockridge called this camp's tempo "way high (because) this is a more experienced team. We know what to expect. We know we can't let last year (3-9) happen again - and that's still in our heads. We've turned things up now."
The Buffs had two practices Monday, but the nightcap was an 8-9 p.m. walkthrough. A morning practice is scheduled for Tuesday, then it's back to two-a-days on Wednesday in preparation for Thursday's second major scrimmage of fall camp (closed to the public).
The team's final day of two-a-day drills is Saturday, followed by the first consecutive non-work days (Sunday, meetings only; Monday, Aug. 23, team day off) since practice began on Aug. 5.
With fall classes beginning next Monday, the Buffs will start their new morning routine (6:30 a.m. meetings, 8-10 a.m. practices) on Tuesday, Aug. 24.
DEEHAN RECOGNIZED: Junior tight end Ryan Deehan, a 6-foot-5, 245-pounder from Poway, Calif., is one of 32 players selected for the Mackey Award watch list. The award is presented annually to the nation's top tight end and was won by former Buffs tight end Daniel Graham, now with the Denver Broncos, in 2002.
Deehan, CU's most experienced returning tight end, joins Kansas' Tim Biere and Missouri's Andrew Jones as Big 12 Conference players on the list. Deehan made 10 receptions for 91 yards in 2009, giving him 15 for 162 and a touchdown in his CU career.
Hawkins said Deehan has "definitely had a lot of 'reps' . . . he's got some experience. He's a smart guy and he's athletic enough to catch it, block . . . you can use him in a variety of ways."
ONE-ON-ONE INSTRUCTION: With four incoming freshmen running backs, position coach Darian Hagan assigned each of the newcomers to a returning player to help them get familiar with the playbook, how meetings are conducted, etc.
"I had them sit by each other to answer questions," Hagan said. "I think a lot of them have taken advantage of it - helping the other guy out. But 'B-Lock' is more vocal in the whole process. When I'm asking one guy a question, he'll help them out. He might use a little different verbiage; he's doing a good job with that."
Lockridge believes as long as he's been at CU (this is his fourth season) he should be cast in a mentoring role for younger players.
"I feel like it's my job to do that for the young guys - welcome them and give them the best opportunity to give us competition," he said. "That's good for me and all the other backs."
Hawkins said Lockridge has performed well in camp and is an inspiration with his work ethic: "He's just got such a great heartbeat . . . he's just such a vibrant kid with such a great heart he kind of gives your group a pulse."
BUFF BITS: Stewart, Lockridge and the other running backs have improved in pass protection, Hawkins said: "You can see it in the number of sacks (not allowed) so far." . . . . After Tuesday morning's work, the afternoon is blocked off for "team unity." Last week's team unity function was a movie (Inception).