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Injury rehab will be key to offseason
Lengthy list of Buffs recovering from surgery
A nightmarish season of injuries for the Colorado football program has produced a challenging offseason of work for head athletic trainer Miguel Rueda.
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Nine players underwent season-ending surgeries during the 2008 campaign and five more have gone under the knife in the past month. Two more players are scheduled to undergo surgery in the next two weeks, giving the program an ugly total of 16 players forced into the operating room this season.
Rueda is in his third year as head athletic trainer at CU after spending five years in a similar position at Fresno State. He said this year was the worst rash of injuries for one team he has experienced in his career.
"I guess you could look at one of two ways," Rueda said. "It could be more challenging, but it also could be easier because I've got less guys on the field to get hurt.
"From a rehab standpoint, we're going to be busier than we've been since I've been here."
Injuries that ended in surgery were just the most difficult on the Buffs, but not the only ones that took a toll on the team.
Serious concussions ended the career of defensive end Jason Brace, who played his final game in mid-October at Kansas. True freshman offensive lineman Bryce Givens also suffered serious concussions that led to health prob-lems and him withdrawing from classes late in the fall semester.
Givens is feeling better and is working out again with teammates after missing the final weeks of practice this season. He is enrolled in spring classes and is expected to compete for a starting job at tackle or center, a position he played in middle school and his freshman year of high school, when spring practices begin.
CU lost more than 120 games this season due to injuries, the vast majority of which came from players listed in the two-deep depth chart or others who contributed significantly on special teams.
Now it's Rueda's job, along with assistant athletic trainer Leila Almahdy, to get those players back on the field.
"I think we have some quality individuals here," Rueda said. "You don't have to track them down or hold them captive to do this. They all want to participate.
"That part makes it easier because we put together the rehab programs, but those guys have to show up and do them. If they're doing that then they're going to get better. So far, everyone we have done surgery on has really met the challenge."
Head coach Dan Hawkins is pushing back spring practices this year to begin in late March or early April to give players more time to recuperate. Rueda said he believes all the players who have undergone surgery or who will have surgery will be able to participate in spring drills. Some will be capable of more than others.
Players such as offensive lineman Mike Iltis and linebacker Jon Major, both of whom were hurt in training camp, will be further along in their recovery and closer to full participation than players who were injured late in the year.
"They're working their tails off right now," Rueda said. "I don't see any reason why those guys who got hurt in the fall shouldn't be back participating in spring ball in some way. It's tough to take a kid who tore his ACL and stops playing and you rehab him. You can't just throw him right back in to spring football. You've got to let them start doing some individual reps and one-on-one reps to get them used to the contact and used to lining things up again. We'll work them in somehow and get them involved."
Senior cornerback Ben Burney has undergone five separate surgeries since the end of the 2007 season and missed the entire 2008 campaign. He is rehabilitating from the last of those procedures and is expected to compete for a starting job at cornerback or safety beginning on the first day of spring ball.
"He's always been a very focused individual," Rueda said. "He knows what he needs to do and he knew that going into the first of several surgeries, and I know he's paying very close attention to the work that he is doing. He's invested a lot of time, energy and effort into his whole return."
Rueda said one of the players he has been most impressed with in rehab is running back Rodney Stewart, who suffered a fractured leg on Nov. 1 at Texas A&M. Rueda said Stewart approaches his recovery like a man who can't stand the fact he is injured and wants nothing more than to get back to running between the tackles again.
"There is no doubt in his mind," he said. "He's pretty focused on coming back and playing."
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Posted by shoulder2shoulder on December 30, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Always something positive about Stewart!! If we get good play out of the line our running game can be very special, I said it this time last year and I still believe it. Scott can be very good but I think he will be the 3rd best back with Polk being the best. Either way a solid running game will be our qbs best friend
Posted by montanabuff on December 30, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good news all around. There were rumors that Miller's rehab was not going well, but this seems to resolve that issue.
Full recoveries by all of the walking wounded is as valuable as a quality recruiting class.
Go Buffs!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
Posted by shoulder2shoulder on December 30, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the 1st I heard about givens. I hope he catches a break, seems like something strange is going on with him. Has he gained any weight?
Posted by Sundayhop on December 30, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope we don't overwork those early injury players like Major. I'd rather they be one-hundred percent in the fall than getting unnecessarily dinged up in the spring.
It's going to be great to have our O-line back and Burney to lead the defense. I see great things for Jimmy Smith next season too. They will definitely all have huge impacts.
http://sundayhop.blogspot.com
Posted by 1GoBuffs1 on December 30, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope this can be fixed by or is not the result of the off season conditioning program. I read that players hate conditioning drills with Pitman but I am sure everyone would. So let's hope the training staff and Pitman know what they are doing to resolve this situation so it doesn't happen again. Sure, some of it was bad luck, but it seemed there were a lot of injuries at practice.
Keep Working!
Keep Improving!
Go Buffs!
Posted by 1GoBuffs1 on December 30, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way...
Looks like this recruiting class is going to be loaded with tall fast wideouts! All above 6'2"!
Look out J-Fly, you might have competition for playing time.
Posted by BuffTime on December 30, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I love the attitude on this team. Hawk knows how to recruit top quality players. Get the work done and enjoy a successful campaign next year and continuing after that. All this hard work will pay off big time.
Posted by cbuffsu on December 30, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GO BUFFS!
http://thinairsports.wordpress.com/20...
Posted by MDBuff on December 30, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go to footballfanatics.com and get free shipping on Buffs stuff over $25 with code ColoradoShip. They mistakenly thought the Buffs were headed to the International Bowl, and gave out this goodwill gesture.
Posted by BuffMan6236 on December 30, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Part of the reason for the rash of injuries was just pushing younger athletes into starting roles quicker.
The physical leap from high school to college is ginormous. Speed, cuts and hits are 3x what they were in high school and its common to over train and over play and then get injured.
And...it usually takes a full 12 months to really get back up to speed.
Let's hope as things improve, fewer freshmen and sophomores will have to step up early and can grow more before high amounts of game and practice time.
Buffs are paying the price for Barnett's last few years still to this day, but Hawk almost has us out of the woods.
Go Buffs!
Posted by montanabuff on December 31, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
vegas - deeper yes, but still inexperienced overall.
2009 has to be the turning point. It's not enough to be young, talented, and showing potential. The Buffs need to show that they can put 22 talented players on the field who can produce. The offensive line which ended the season played together for most of the second half, and the play improved.
The Buffs need to get high quality players (Miller, MTM, Major, Katoa, etc.) up and back into the flow as soon as possible. The Rams will be gunning for the Buffs September 5th, and the Buffs can't be experimenting with lineups throughout the spring and fall practices.
Saddle up, Buffs! Ten wins. No excuses.
Happy New Year, Buffzoners!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
Posted by extrapoint on December 31, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm still worried about the DE position. In the awards article it mentioned Pericak performed well on the scout team as a DE. Does anyone know if this will be his current assignment?
Posted by roamingbuff on December 31, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anybody know anything more about recruiting? Rivals still has CU w/ only 9 recruits and none listed as top level (4s and 5s).
Speaking of recruiting - anybody see that new QB at Oregon? Had an amazing game. Throws very well and runs defenders over like a fullback on a rampage. The kid is onlya fresh. and had no division one experience - but runs the Ducks spread like a seasoned vet.
Why is it that other schools can get young, inexperienced players and do well - but at CU it takes 3 years for them to develope?
Posted by BUFFAV8RNTX on December 31, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Roamingbuff-
Masoli is actually a JUCO transfer, but your point is still valid.
Until CU can recruit in the top 20 EACH YEAR, we will not be able to compete with OU/TX and usually 1 or 2 other Big 12 teams on a continual basis. Sure we might steal a game here and there, but....
Its the same teams year after year that get the top recruits (TX, USC, FLA, LSU, OSU and a few others). The only consolation is that there is a good chance a 5 star recuit will never even start with those programs because there are 30 other "5 star" recuits that went there as well and 30 more next year as well.
Posted by BuffTime on December 31, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK, nice analysis... (groan). If roamingbuffs point is based on a true freshman being able to come into a complicated college system and dominate (this also supposedly being the norm and not an anomoly, meaning that since so far no CU QB has been able to do that then CU coaches must suck) and the guy he points out is in fact a JUCO transfer (who has significant post-HS experience)... then how exactly is his point "valid"?
Please tell me you didn't graduate from CU...
Posted by 1GoBuffs1 on December 31, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The quarterback from oregon played 1 or 2 years at SanFran CC, and was one of the best juco QB's. Probably wouldn't have qualified at CU. Hawkins and Helfrich do have a clue, I just think they are coaches learning on the job and we desperately need QB play to improve.
Evans looks like a hoss, and hopefully Hansen or Cody can step up.
Go Buffs!
Posted by shoulder2shoulder on January 1, 2009 at 5:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Have you guys looked at the staff Tenn. Is putting together?? Monte kiffin running the D, young Kiffin running the O and yesterday they got coach Orgeron, the former head coach at ol miss and recruiting cord. At USC. If you haven't had the chance to read "Meat Market" do so! it follows Orgeron around for a year, he recruited many of the greats to USC and is thought of as one of the best recruiters in the country. I wish cu could get a guy like that. With the staff they are putting together I bet Tenn wins a NC in the next 5 years!
Posted by buffalo_flyer on January 1, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hogwash, tennessee will be a middling to poor program for the next decade. Lane Kiffin is overrated. Don't forget this is the "offensive genius" that took Reggie Bush off the field vs. Texas
Posted by BlackAndGold on January 1, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
so many players coming off surgeries...will they be ready in time?..doesn't seem like it. 10 wins seems like a huge stretch goal. 7/8 wins seems more realistic. Two seasons from now should be Dan's break-out year. (For whatever reason...the cupboard was bare...the coaches aren't coaching these kids up...or both...unfortunately a Saban style turnaround isn't something Dan is capable of.)
But that is just my opinion.
Posted by shoulder2shoulder on January 1, 2009 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Blackandgold-its not a dan problem, its a cu problem, dan doesn't have the same resources as sabin. Private jets, 80k+ at the spring game, endless supplies of cash etc...
Buffalo flyer- I bet you tenn is in the top 5 in the next 5yrs, you name the bet. Even Laine can't mess up what dad and orgeron bring to the table
Posted by montanabuff on January 1, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Facilities and money are always going to be an issue at CU. When Nebraska can sell 85,000 tickets to South Dakota State, while CU has to work to sell 50,000 tickets to Florida State, there is always going to be an imbalance.
From a financial and support standpoint, if you look at the Big 12 North, there is really no excuse for Nebraska not to win the North every season. The only schools which can compete in terms of $$$ are Texas and Oklahoma (A&M should be able to, but has never really lived up to its potential). OK State, with Boone Pickens, will try and get in the arms race, but until or unless a financial savior comes along to make the Buffs a national player, CU will always be Sisyphus - pushing the proverbial rock up the hill, only to have it roll back down to the bottom.
2009 will be a good season, culminating with a bowl. 2010 could be our 1990, with a tough non-conference schedule (CSU, Hawaii, Cal, and Georgia) paving the way to national recognition.
Happy New Year, Buff fans!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
Posted by extrapoint on January 1, 2009 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have no idea how Kiffin will do at Tennessee but Bush didnt show up for that game against Texas. He was running out of bounds all night to avoid contact.
Posted by BUFFAV8RNTX on January 1, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Diante Jackson just committed to the Buffs!!! Excellent recruit and should be able to step in a make an immediate impact. Now we just ned to round it out with Bryce McNeal/Ussery and we will finally have a stable of great WR's. Smith, Simas, Jackson, and maybe McNeal.
Now just need a good couple DL in this class and I'll breathe easier.
Posted by extrapoint on January 1, 2009 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
looks like we have 4 WRs as commits right now including 2 four stars along with the 6'5" Darden who is a 3 star. Sounds like we are already blessed. Will this deter any more?
I want to see a couple of DEs next.
Posted by MDBuff on January 1, 2009 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome, Diante! Huge pickup by the Buffs, and I think it will lead to many more high level recruits signing up to play in Boulder!
Posted by extrapoint on January 1, 2009 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oh the irony
Bob Stoops name is being tossed around as the new Broncos coach.
If that happens ghandepaturd will clone himself in his pants.
Hawk better have a few of their high profile recruits in his sights. Maybe we can get 3 like we did from the pusskers last year.
Posted by shoulder2shoulder on January 1, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just as Ringo predicted, Jackson will commit first and other high level kids will follow! Good start to the new year
Posted by BuffTime on January 1, 2009 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gotta love the size and speed of this bunch of incoming receivers. Lots of nice big/fast targets for whomever our QB will be. Soon we'll be able to roll out top receivers and top RBs in the same play (every play) and really spread the opposing defenses thin.
Posted by BuffTime on January 1, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sheesh nolanjp, there was a brief window there when you tried to turn the corner and be positive and then bam right back to total negativity.
Posted by buff75 on January 1, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All I want is a QB to throw to all of these awesome WR coming in!!!!!!!Please develop someone or give Cody miracle juice. I can't wait to see how the LB's shape up next year, can we say Maluga and Cushing pt 2. The Butkus is coming back to Boulder in the near future!!! Go buffs
Posted by buffalo_flyer on January 1, 2009 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tenn will be in the top 5 every preseason, then quickly out of contention due to poor coaching, that hire was a huge blunder for the 'teers
qb remains the big question mark, thats for sure, everywhere else should be stacked
stoops goes to the broncos and Im back on the raiders bandwagon
Posted by BuffTime on January 1, 2009 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If he qualifies into CU, I think Simmons has the best chance of being a real big time impact player next year. JC is a lot closer to Div. 1 football than HS is.
Hopefully we get enough top shelf WRs that one or two can red shirt and develop more.
Posted by extrapoint on January 1, 2009 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
anyone care to guess how this Stoops rumor will affect the NC game? The seniors may play harder but everyone else might go "what the F...?"
If Stoops does go pro, Bradford probably will too and everyone in Austin will be laughing their a** off
Posted by extrapoint on January 1, 2009 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
probably not nolan
Bolen wont take anyone who got beat by Hawk. right?
Posted by roamingbuff on January 2, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I doubt Stoops rumors will dampen the fire of the OU underclassmen. It is the National Championship game. Good heavens. If that isn't enough inspiration, I don' know what is. You don't throw in the towel just because your coach MIGHT leave.
I think in order to even to get into a game like that you have to be a champion on some level as a player. It has to be part of the very way you think and act. So these guys - on both sides of the ball - will be so ready to play.
The Stoops rumors might be a distraction over the next few days in terms of media attention and interviews that take the focus off the task at hand, but no underclassmen are going to say "what the f..." and roll over because of it.
Love the Jackson committ!
Posted by extrapoint on January 2, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
no one said they would quit completely. all they have to do is lose a tiny bit of edge to lose to a team like FL.....and without stoops catagorically denying the rumor it certainly will hurt their recruiting.
Posted by buffalo_flyer on January 2, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OU doesn't need any help throwing in the towel prior to the actual game
Posted by BuffTime on January 2, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Personally, I would think that the chance of Stoops leaving would add an extra fire under all of the players. Sure, they should be motivated enough to win since it is the NC game, but if it turns out to be the last game that Stoops coaches at OU they should want to get that win to send him off in style and who knows when they would get to a game like that again with a different coach?
I doubt that Stoops will end up with the Broncos though. I just don't see Bowlen canning Shanahan to go with an unproven college coach. No matter how successful they have been at the college level. It is a different animal to coach in the NFL than it is to coach the college game.
Posted by extrapoint on January 2, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
nolan was right about stoops having it good in norman. Mo money and ego have a mighty strong pull on folks though. Bufftime is also probably right about Bolen but I have not seen a denial yet by stoops that he isnt interested.
I think a bigger factor in the NC game is the pressure on the spooners to win after losing so many