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A few thoughts on the Buffs
Posted August 9, 2007
I know it's the first week of camp and we're all into competition and everything, but I'm thinking there is one spot up for grabs on the offensive line.
I know coaches would scoff and huff and puff about playing the best five guys and letting competition determine who they are. I'd rather head right to reality .
If you asked me before camp to name my starting offensive line, I would have told you Tyler Polumbus and Ryan Miller at tackles, Edwin Harrison and Erick Faatagi at guard and Daniel Sanders at center.
Trouble is, Erick Faatagi hasn't made it to practice yet because of academic issues. Yep, turns out you actually have to go to class and pass to participate in college athletics.
He and other players with academic problems should join practices this weekend and we should know by the middle of next week if they will be eligible for this season.
If Faatagi can play this year, I'm still inclined to think he might get the nod. But let's be honest, the guy didn't participate fully in spring because of an injury and he's already way behind in camp, so he's got ground to make up on some true freshmen.
If Faatagi is ineligible or it turns out he doesn't have the skills I'm assuming he does, the other guard will probably be either sophomore Devin Head, redshirt freshman Wes Palazzi or true freshman Mike Iltis.
...Coaches came to camp looking for two new members of the starting secondary. Anyone who doesn't think Terrence Wheatley is starting should put down the pipe and slowly back away. Ryan Walters is also a pretty sure bet at the free safety spot.
I'm thinking Daniel Dykes earns the strong safety spot. He was pretty solid at Idaho starting all 24 games in his freshman and sophomore seasons. The guy is generally in the right spot. I think coaches have a nice dilemma there because Lionel Harris is no slouch. He played well at times late last season.
The other cornerback position might be the best battle of training camp. You have junior Ben Burney at the top of the depth chart there, but he's going to have to fend off sophomore Cha'pelle Brown, redshirt freshman Jimmy Smith and junior Gardner McKay.
If you would have asked me a year ago, I would have said McKay would be the starter here by now, but he just hasn't made plays. I think it's pretty much now or never for Gardner.
Check back again soon. I'll analyze the position battle at holder.
...just kidding.
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Posted by buffalotom on August 9, 2007 at 5 p.m.
With Sipili out indefinitely, i thought Burton would slide into the mike slot. However, he is having classroom trouble, too. so, can rj brown fill the bill there? it seems we can have one undersized ilb, but not two.
Posted by homeontherange on August 9, 2007 at 10:17 p.m.
My son and I got up this morning and drove 250 miles to watch the morning camp. Saw Ringo, was gonna say hi, but he vanished. Anyway I was very impressed with the new recievers, Smith, Simas, Kendrick. Very Fast and smooth. Ryan Miller is learning some technique but seems he's already capable strength wise and he's pretty quick too. He's gonna blow holes in opposing defenses soon.