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Tau vows to work harder
Solder overtakes Hawaiian's role as starting tackle
There might not be a more friendly face on the Colorado football team than the one perched atop Sione Tau's massive shoulders.
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Getting the big fella from Hawaii upset -- when he's off the football field anyway -- seems like it might be a chore. He's a fun-loving, easy going character with a musical inclination and the ability to play five different instruments (piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums and ukulele).
On the field, he can be more aggressive, and this spring he has good reason to be. Many assumed after a redshirt year in the program in 2007, Tau would step into a starting role at tackle this year. But one of the biggest news items from spring practices is the position shift for former tight end Nate Solder to tackle where he has quickly overtaken Tau.
At this point, Solder is consistently working with the first team at left tackle. Tau works with the second team in the same spot. Solder's move and the fact he is already on the first team has received plenty of attention over the past few weeks, and Tau admits it's hard not to let it bother him.
"Yeah and no," he said following Tuesday's practice. "It kind of bothers me because it makes me work harder, but it's a good fight though. He's a good player. He's learning real quick."
Tau is 6-foot-6 and about 320 pounds. He is making progress in his development from the high school level, where his size allowed him to dominate most opponents regardless of his technique. But he still has improvements to make refining his technique for the college game.
Coaches want him to learn to use his hands better in blocking along with his feet. They want him to bendhis knees more and use leverage to his advantage. He's a work in progress, but he feels like he's coming along.
"I really want to be a starter, but if my techniques and stuff don't really cut it, then I just got to work harder in the fall to get that starting position," he said.
Colorado could have it's largest offensive line in years next fall with Ryan Miller (6-8, 320) at one tackle, Solder (6-10, hopes to be 300) or Tau at the other tackle and some beefy guards to help center Daniel Sanders in the middle. Sanders nickname is "Girthy."
Colorado cross-trains its offensive linemen to learn multiple positions. Even going so far as to allow Tau and Miller to practice as longsnappers for field goals, just in case they should ever be needed in a pinch.
Imagine an offensive line that included Tau, Solder and Miller with one of the three playing guard. It could happen at some point in the future. Coach Dan Hawkins said Tau is making progress this spring and hasn't allowed Solder's move to eat at him.
"I think he's been fine with it," Hawkins said. "He's reacted to it OK and he's done a nice job. I think he's going to continue to evolve and get better that way as he kind of reshapes his body and moves around. "Who knows? We're going to end up playing the best five guys. Maybe down the road he's a guard."
Notable
Hawkins said over the final week of spring ball he hopes to see the defense produce more turnovers. At the same time, he is happy the offense has been good protecting the ball to this point. Hawkins also want to see the kicking game improve, particularly the field-goal unit. He said he hopes to get through Saturday's scrimmage, three practices next week and the spring game with as many players on the field and healthy as possible.
Posted by JAWS on April 10, 2008 at 12:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He's one of the nicest guys that you"ll ever meet - works kis a$$ off too. Tallisall - you gonna identify yourself at the spring game? Doubt it it you worthless piece of garbage... We'd love to meet you in person and ask you what it's like to fantasize about you, Gary Barnett, Tom Osborne, and Lawrence Phillipis in the same room... I'll buy you a beer if you show up...
Posted by mntbyker on April 10, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't forget Neuhiesal in that mix! Here's to Sat. and a great turnout!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by bouldabuff on April 10, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the update on the O-line Ringo. Sounds like D.Scott is going to inherit quite a line - can anyone say 2009 Heisman.
Posted by buffalo_flyer on April 10, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll be headed to the spring game. Where's everyone sitting? It'd be cool to put some faces to the names.
Posted by tallisall on April 10, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's an awful tall line.
Posted by NorCalLovesDaBuffs on April 10, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hawkins deserves a lot of credit for turning around the offensive line situation so quickly. He is the type of coach who really changes things when he sets his mind to it. Let's hope he sets his mind to the D-line next, i'd love to see a dominating pass rush.
Posted by ChicagoBuffsFan on April 10, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets not forget about Bryce and Max. They might see some playing time right away.
Posted by CaliBuff on April 10, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The line better be able to duck with Cody in the backfield.
Posted by ChicagoBuffsFan on April 10, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is an excerpt from and article on Scout:
Jones played a lot of snaps Saturday because no less than six of CU’s linebackers missed the scrimmage for a variety of reasons. And the fact that Marcus Burton, Mike Sipili, Nate Vaiomounga, Pat Duren, Josh Hartigan and B.J. Beatty were on the sidelines or elsewhere surely
Does anybody know what's going on with the LB’s? Other articles have mentioned ambiguous stuff like motivation training or something like that. Does anybody know what it means?
Posted by Saheeb on April 10, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NorCalLovesDaBuffs: Nice comment. Yeah, Hawk has gone after the lines quickly. Now we need to get some D-lineman to match the progress being made on the O-line. I see you're in NorCal. I'm in Davis. Is there a bar in the area where Buffs fans congregate for games? Cheers.
Posted by CaliBuff on April 10, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent...
Josh Williams got arrested for robbing a man for $900, I'm glad he changed his mind back to Nebraska.
Posted by Buff_since_76 on April 10, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That is a strange story about Josh William. Talking to a guy, then punching him and taking $900.
Right now I care more about what happens to Katoa and Geer. Don't the two of them have court dates next week?
Posted by mifrfi on April 10, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With this O-line and Kai in the lead, I'd say D.Scott made the right choice. I'm with you Bouldabuff, this is going to be fun to watch!
Posted by bouldabuff on April 10, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CaliBuff - great article. Josh will blend in well in Lincoln.
Does anyone have information on how the Katoa and Geer cases are shaping up? Out for the spring, back for summer workouts and fall? I don't think Geer will lose a step but I think this "felony assault" cost Katoa significant playing time this fall.
Posted by rodrigo on April 10, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not positive but I think I remember reading that both have mid-April court dates.
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on April 10, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
6'6", 6'8", 6'10" Wow, those guys are going to get tired of Cody hitting them in the butt with his passes!
Posted by mgmtgrad on April 10, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know we lost a couple of senior linemen, but we should have a bigger and stronger line then last year with a larger healthier depths chart. The group may be a little young as a whole, but some have gain good experience, AND with a larger healthier rotation behind the starters then last year I see great improvement over last year.
Add the new talent(s) at TB, a new massive killer FB to lead their way behind that line, mix in some good play action passes to the new weapons in the receiver’s corps and the offense should be more productive and consistent then last year(s).
If the balance and productivity are comparable to the last scrimmage, with over 600 yards total and over 300 yards in both the passing and rushing game, then Cody’s numbers should also improve.
And before you Cody haters say any thing, with the increase of threats in this new offense we will see his true leadership skills and potential. He does hold records as a freshman QB from last year and he did that with less weapons to work with.
Much needed improvement in both areas will make next year’s team consistently more competitive; even with their tough schedule. My expectations are fewer losses then last year. Also, I don’t see the type of blow outs the team has experienced over the last couple of years.
Posted by tallisall on April 11, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cody can always hand off on the end around and throw 3 foot screens I reckon. You know, like last season.
Posted by extrapoint on April 11, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets have a competition to see who can come up with the most likely source of tall/2nd/who/buffone etc's bitterness.
I have dismissed the possibility it is a trolling camera staffer, because even they couldnt be that banal
With his incredible obsession, it has to be absolutely embarrassing. Did Cody steal his girlfriend? Nahhh ....I cant imagine this grudge bearing dweeb having a girlfirend in the first place.
Is it really Brian "left at the alter" White?
Could Barnett himself be that petty?
It could be one of Barnett's chief buttsmackers but with his desperation it has to be more personal.
Maybe I'm way off base here and it is just some incredibly shrunken ego screaming in some perverted fashion for attention.....
in which case I'm unfortunately providing such
but jeez
its so much like watching a really gross car accident
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on April 11, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
extra - When are you going to tell us more about those players you used to follow around when you were a student? Let me guess, they say "hi" to you once and that's why you're such a groupie?
Posted by extrapoint on April 11, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dang
mission accomplished, but give him a point.
I was expecting his usual hypocrisy whine about personal attack.
PS vkberlin....you must be new here. His same "joke" has been posted at least a dozen times in the last 2 years.
Posted by 98buff on April 11, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Come on Sione. Turn it up. We're counting on you to be on of the big producers for years to come. Can't wait to see you guys crush people this fall. Go Buffs!
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on April 12, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Picture little Cody behind this line: jumping up and down just to see over them when they're in a 3 point stance!
Extra - I saw you at the scrimmage, screaming hysterically when Cody threw that sweat band to you... but I think he missed it when you blew him that a kiss!
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