CU beat writer Kyle Ringo joined us March 19 for a live Web chat about CU football. What follows is a transcript of that chat.

jl72189: Hello

BuffNut99: hello

jl72189: hello Kyle, I was wondering what your thoghts are on the rt OT postion between Tau and Soldier. Do you think Tau will get PT during the year, or used just for depth?

BuffNut99: (waiting until 6:00pm to fire away)

KRingo: Greetings to everyone. We'll get started in earnest in a few more minutes. I'm happy to answer this question now. Sione is recovering from a minor injury right now. So Solder is getting most of the work so far in spring ball. Sione will get every chance to earn the tackle job as will Ethan Adkins and others.

KRingo: Ok, Well, I was a few minutes late a couple weeks ago. So I figure I owe you all. Fire away.

KRingo: Thanks for participating by the way

DCBuffReader: Thanks, Kyle, for taking the time to answer questions. It seems like we have a lot of potential weapons among the receivers that could have break out years. Do you see the offense using a lot of 3 or 4 receiver sets to take advantage of the depth and spread the field?

BuffNut99: The photo gallery this week has given me my first glimpse at Simas - and although I think he will be great, I was disappointed that it doesn't appear that he added any muscle to his frame. I'm not sure what kind of downfield speed/separation he has - What kind of receiver do you think he will be?

KRingo: I could definitely see that. Why not use what you've got. Josh Smith, Patrick Williams, Markques Simas and Kendrick Celestine with a back out of the backfield. That's pretty strong

jl72189: It looks like Lil Hawk has bulked up at all. Does he have a bit more arm this year?

KRingo: I think he might be the best receciver on the team by the end of next season. He is fast enough, He has great hands and he's doing his best to add some weight and muscle.

ruffemupbuffaloes: I'm wondering what the team attitude is after the arrests. Is Katoa looking at the same punishment as Sippilli?

BuffNut99: Kyle, any impressions as to how Hawkins and Bohn will treat the Katoa and Geer situations? The program seems to have turned the corner behaviorally, so the previous (and somewhat necessary) 2003-2006 kneejerk reaction to boot the player from the program (as with Colt Brennan) may not be as necessary, and there may be mitigating factors in each case (self defense). If the Boulder DA does not pursue charges, will Hawkins and Bohn go light on these two?

KRingo: I'm not sure Cody's body would let him bulk up. He seems to have a pretty high metabolism. I don't think arm strength was a huge problem for him last year. I think he has enough arm to play at this level

KRingo: I think Katoa might be looking at an even harsher punishment. He forced his way into two private residences and hit someone with a deadly weapon.

jl72189: Thanks Kyle, What are your thoughts on the rt OT pos, Tau or Soldier?

ruffemupbuffaloes: Do you think Katoa is a lost cause at CU?

DCBuffReader: With more players with experience in Hawk's system, does the playbook get bigger this year (as it appeard to do after the first year)?

KRingo: I'd be surprised if there were no charges, and I doubt anyone is going to go lightly. The Geer situation seems less serious to me just because of everything involved in the Katoa case. I think Geer's case will be resolved more quickly

KRingo: I'm betting Solder is eventually a starter at left tackle. Can you imagine a line with Tau at guard? could happen

KRingo: No, Katoa is not a lost cause. He just needs to go through the process and learn from his mistake.

KRingo: Sipili made it through. There is no reason Lynn Katoa can't do the same

ruffemupbuffaloes: What's up with Katoa's ex teamate from Utah..His SAT score and his intentions?

ruffemupbuffaloes: The D lineman I'm talking about.

KRingo: The playbook always stays about the same, but the players' comprehension of the playbook expands. I think that will continue to happen this year.

Mickey: Kafusi

BuffNut99: With TE so thin this Spring, is CU just holding on at that position until the freshman arrive? I don't have much confidence in Devenney or Shanahan, and the incoming freshman (Ryan-squared, Pericak) could be the best on the team right away.

ruffemupbuffaloes: His younger brother is a stud Oline guy next year.

KRingo: I haven't heard about Kaufusi's test score yet, but I do know that Darrell Scott is supposed to be good to go academically with CU. He just has to make it through the NCAA and that shouldn't be a problem

Mickey: Have you heard anything more behind the scenes about that DS Texas kerfluffle?

ruffemupbuffaloes: Are Scott or Polk going to be at the Spring Game?

KRingo: I think that is exactly what is happening. They are waiting for the freshmen to arrive, which is why they have been practicing a lot of hurry-up stuff.

KRingo: I haven't heard if either will be at the spring game.

BuffNut99: After watching practices this week, have you seen any of the young defensive backs (Anthony Wright, Anthony Perkins) exude "starter-quality"?

ruffemupbuffaloes: How about Ballanger. How is he looking?

KRingo: I'm done with the Darrell Scott stuff when it comes to Texas. I can't remember another situation since the CU football "scandal" in which more falsehoods and misrepresentations took place.

Mickey: That was my feeling. that it was all bs. I was actually pretty shocked at the vitriolic allegations

jl72189: Hey Kyle, What is your thought on the new FB does he look like he will fit in there? Man if that works and Tau goes to G man that would be on heck of a running game...

KRingo: I think both those guys are starter quality. But obviously they are young and will make some mistakes when they get on the field. Jimmy Smith is also ready to play a lot and so is Jalil Brown.

KRingo: Ballenger looks great. Awesome arm. Seems to have decent feet, too, but the guy isn't going to make many people miss

KRingo: Maiava looks like a natural fit at fullback. I think that was a real stroke of genius. He can catch too.

DCBuffReader: Really liked the article on Sale today. Who are some of the unknown players that might surprise us this year (walk on or scholarship)?

ruffemupbuffaloes: I like that experiment. It will be fun to watch.

KRingo: Here is a question that was emailed to me

KRingo: From Matt:

KRingo: hanks for conducting the chat, do you think with the need for a more consistent pass rush, w/o having to blitz, the coaches would move Brad Jones to a rush DE? If not, do you think Maurice Lucas can step up and be more consistent?

AndrewJay: even though he is not as strong of a punter as matt dilallo, do you think the hawk will utilize darrell scott in quick punt and mid-field situations?

KRingo: I think allowing Brad to rush the quarterback might be a smart move. He's quick and has done some of it before. But the coaches hope to find other answers. I think Maurice Lucas will have his best season as a senior, but he might not be a true pass rusher.

J_Phil: Kyle, what are the coaches stressing to the players this spring? Are there any particular areas of emphasis or is it business as usual?

KRingo: Using Scott to punt could happen a few times, but I think Hawk would pretty much rely on DiLallo, who will be in his third season

KRingo: They consistently emphasize the same stuff and that stuff is being consistent and finishing every play, etc.

AndrewJay: Being the fastest man on the d-line, do you think Jason Brace will moved to DE to provide the speed pass rush we need to protect the secondary?

ruffemupbuffaloes: I'm seeing no marketing for the spring game. I'm chatting to all my friends about it. Where it the AD and their promotional ideas?

jay1: kyle thanks for all that you do! i'm sorry i just joined...has anyone yet asked about the status of Katoa and Geer? I believe

jay1: their due before the judge on friday?

jay1: what is the feeling around dal ward

jl72189: Any front runners on the CB job?

KRingo: I wonder what the deal is with Jason and where he is best suited to play. Let's face it, he's not going to get a lot of time playing behind Nicolas and The Rabid Goldfish.

KRingo: Yeah, we've covered that, but I'll go over it again quickly.

jay1: thank you sir! ps how's the girlfriend from los angeles doing? :)

KRingo: Katoa forced his way into two different apartments according to the police report. He also assaulted two people, including one while holding what could be considered a deadly weapon. I think he's facing the more serious stuff obviously and it doesn't look good for him right now

AndrewJay: Any information on the assistants who went to South Florida to scout the WVU game?

KRingo: That doesn't mean Katoa can't redeem himself and overcome a mistake and become everything these coaches believed he would be. It's just going to take a different route and some hard work

ruffemupbuffaloes: Is Katoa considering tranfering?

jay1: yep - thanks

jay1: i didnt mean to say yep to him transferring

KRingo: Geer's case is less serious and will probably end with even less serious punishment than Sipili because the injuries were nowhere near as serious

KRingo: Obviously, I'm no legal expert

BuffNut99: I haven't read much about the redshirt freshmen linemen (although my reaction to Mike Itlis' photo was the same as yours - he looks like an upperclassman) - is there alot of talent there, enough for 2-3 of them to start this year, or are they a wait-and-see type bunch?

jrizzle: i heard geer knocked out a kid's front 4 teeth lol

KRingo: The girlfriend is awesome!

jay1: you play one on buffzone.tv from time to time!

sdbuffs00: Do you think Solder will be the starter at left OT? Sounds like he's the best bet at the moment.

KRingo: I haven't talked to Katoa, but I would doubt he would be the type of guy to run away from a commitment or a problem.

Mickey: Also, Cabral is a stabilizing influence. I doubt he transfers

KRingo: Mike Iltis looks like an upperclassmen in a Greg Odon sort of way. But he is a strong guy and a very likely candidate to be one of the starters at guard

KRingo: Oden, sorry

ruffemupbuffaloes: Cabral is the reason he came to CU.

jl72189: Any front runnners on the CB job?

KRingo: I think it's waaaaaay too early to tell who the starters will be at almost any position, except defensive tackle and longsnapper

DCBuffReader: Any word on how pro timing day went for Dizon, Wheatley & Co.?

jay1: i thought it wasnt until april

KRingo: Both those guys looked good, but I think the best guy today was Hugh Charles. He benched 225 pounds 25 times

ruffemupbuffaloes: And the big question. Will Folsom have enough bathrooms and vendors for a big crowd at the Spring Game?

jay1: he could easily be a return guy in the nfl

J_Phil: To clarify on one of my earlier email questions Kyle, if a player is suspended by his team for the year, he can still redshirt? (Katoa being the obvious player in question)

BuffNut99: Based on their performance last year, neither Sumler, Lockridge, or Moyd struck me as a 20 carry a game type back - do you see any of these guys taking their game up a notch to take over the starting role with D. Scott and R. Polk arriving in the fall?

KRingo: I think the Frontrunners for the CB jobs are Jimmy Smith, Jalil Brown, Anthony Wright and Gradner McKay. Coaches are pretty comfortable with Cha'pelle Brown as the inside nickel guy. He does a good job there

jl72189: i have a wierd felling Denver might take a stab at him. we need a KR/PR and we love CU kids

sdbuffs00: Do you know if Will Pericak is allowed to work out with the team since he's local, or is he required to graduate first?

KRingo: Yes, ijust like Sipili's season last year was basically a redshirt year

jl72189: Great insite thanks Kyle

jay1: cmon man its insight....we're all cu grads here

KRingo: Pericak has to be enrolled first, but he can come to practice and watch, which is valuable. He has been there the past two days

jay1: except kyle

jay1: can we talk a little hoops given the timing? i thought all in all we hit rock bottom as a program and we're looking up at a really exciting future

jay1: whats the feeling around dal ward...soon to be the feeling around cec?

AndrewJay: How is the Hawk's RV trip looking?

KRingo: The BBall program hit bottom last year. This year the players and coaches actually worked together and got along. So a step in the right direction

jay1: there really is a feeling nationally that bzdelik signed a great class

jay1: how awesome will it be when we play in the ncaa's again

KRingo: Buffnut, sorry I missed you

KRingo: I think both Sumler and Lockridge will play quite a bit next season. I would expect them to carry the load early and Polk and Scott to mature and begin to take over.

KRingo: They are still working out the details of the Hawkins RV Experience. Should be fun

jay1: can i for one also say that i'm so pleased that no one will ask about pt gates and how he's the second coming anymore

ruffemupbuffaloes: Is Lockridge really a break away type of back?

ruffemupbuffaloes: I didn't see that last year.

J_Phil: Kyle, how does Ryan Miller look? He looked above average as a freshman last year, but still seemed to be sorting out his footwork.

KRingo: I think Bzdelik did sign a good class, and his next couple classes will probably get better. I'd love to cover an NCAA game.

KRingo: Ryan Miller is huge and really seems to be comfortable out there now. He also seems to be more and more of a leader.

KRingo: I'm no expert on footwork, but he told me he was working on his hand placement

jrizzle: Why did they put that safety at QB?

KRingo: Yes, Lockridge is a breakaway type back. He had two runs of more than 40 yards last season. One was called back because of a penalty

AndrewJay: What do you think of the wide recievers this year? Can Josh Smith continue his ascent? Can Patrick Williams bring to the field what he brings to practice, catching the football? Is the hype aboutMarkques Simas true?

jl72189: Hey Kyle, So miller or Solder at Left OT?

KRingo: They put Kyle Black at QB because he serves as the scout team QB quite a bit and they can always use more depth there

DCBuffReader: Anyone standing out in the early practices as a candidate for captain? Thanks for doing this, Kyle.

J_Phil: (can't we use more depth at safety?)

ruffemupbuffaloes: Yes...thanks Kyle. Are you on your second Martini yet?

KRingo: The hype is true. Simas is going to be good. Smith is going to be better, might actually score a TD this year and Patrick Williams is one of the best kids I've met in this business. Patrick doesn't get the credit he deserves for all the hard work he has put in. He was a high school option quarterback

KRingo: I think George Hypolite and Ryan Walters are going to be captains. Maybe Daniel Sanders, too

jrizzle: Can you comment on Rodney Stewart and how he might contribute next year? PR/KR?

KRingo: Well, you only play two or three safeties every year unless there are serious injuries. I think they like having a fourth quarterback

KRingo: I think Miller might start the year t left tackle, but Solder will end up there.

KRingo: They don't serve martinis in the office, but I'll make the suggestion

KRingo: I think he is a good candidate for both return jobs

KRingo: I'm excited to see Rod Stewart on campus

jrizzle: electricity in a bottle they called him right?

KRingo: Is he playing the GridIron Bash?

KRingo: Just joking

ruffemupbuffaloes: The videos of him are great.

KRingo: The kid looks like a playmaker on his highlight films

KRingo: jinx

jrizzle: Can McKay be the next t wheat?

jay1: i still can't get over your report about how missouri has kept their coaching staff together for so long. considering the archaic laws in colorado, eventually we're going to lose an assistant. i'm curious on your take on what assistants are considered "hot" from our staff

KRingo: No

ruffemupbuffaloes: So Kyle. I sent you an early email about the Geer situation and whether Hawk was reconsidering turning Solder into a tackle. Any update.

KRingo: McKay can be the next McKay, and he could be pretty good

jl72189: Any idea if Hawk will put in a 2 QB rotation? much like FL 2 years ago, to get matt some PT

KRingo: No they are not reconsidering the Solder move to tackle. They are sold on that and not going to shift gears in March just because another guy makes a silly mistake. They will get through spring ball without Geer and welcome three young tight ends this spring. They hope to get Geer back this summer, too.

KRingo: I think the two QB rotation could be a possibility

ruffemupbuffaloes: They think Solder is a lock at tackle...from what you just said.

KRingo: They might put Ballenger in the game in certain situations to help him develop. But maybe he wins the job outright

jl72189: i would love to see it

AndrewJay: on basketball if you dont mind, have you seen casey crawford practice? how does he look?

jl72189: at least till we start the big XII games.

KRingo: They do think Solder is a lock at tackle, but that doesn't mean he's the starter

ruffemupbuffaloes: Maybe the next Matt Lepsis. Solder that is.

KRingo: A little aside here, the way the Denver Nuggets are playing, coach Bzdelik should be thankful to be in Boulder, even if it is college basketball Siberia at the moment

KRingo: That's a great comparison

iowabuff: I am excited to see the young DE/DT's. Any thoughts on their progress?

Buff 95: Ringo, whats the vibe in Boulder around the spring game. People fired up?

KRingo: Here is a question via email

KRingo: From Jeffrey

KRingo: There has been talk of a new offense that consists of 80 % run, 20 % pass. One, do you know if this is true and two, I feel like we have our most talented WR core since 2003, why wouldn't we get them the ball?

ruffemupbuffaloes: Hey Kyle. thanks again for your time and insight. I'm looking forward to the next episode. All you people on here.. April 19th. Be there!

KRingo: It's not true. Hawkins doesn't want to be one-dimensional. He values a strong running game, but he's not going away from the passing game that dramatically

jay1: i second ruff...thanks for this. go buffs!

KRingo: Thanks for stopping by

Buff 95: Ringo, whats the vibe in Boulder around the spring game. People fired up?

mjachim: Thanks Kyle. Keep up the good work. For those of us not in the area this is the only way we get a feel for what is happening in boulder.

KRingo: I don't hear much about it to tell the truth, but the CU athletic department just put a new contest up on its Web site today. You should check it out at CUBuffs.com

iowabuff: Kyle, sorry I joined late have you talked much about the young guys on the D-line?

KRingo: I think the program might set a new record for attendance this year at the spring game and everyone will pat themselves on the back, but they could get a pretty big crowd if they sustain the effort for several months ahead of time.

Buff 95: I have been looking that and have that info...just wondering if it was only us chat room geeks that would be there again this year

KRingo: Not at all. What do you want to know

iowabuff: Obi and Goree

KRingo: Marquez Herrod is huge all of a sudden and Conrad Obi has tons of potential

iowabuff: are they going to be studs?

KRingo: Eugene Goree and Lagrone Shields look like they could be strong players in the future as well

iowabuff: it seemed like that was a huge ? mark coming but I think it will be a strength

KRingo: Who knows really? They look the part, which is an upgrade from some of the guys in the past, and they can learn from Nicolas and Hypolite

iowabuff: right

AndrewJay: to be sure, p.t. gates's future with CU is done?

KRingo: I think the defensive line is definitely much improved over a few years back

BuffNut99: Who will be the next sack machine? Obi? Thanks for the chat.

jl72189: I read Hawks main POI was to have the team at the next level. What did he mean by that? Do you see anything along those lines the first couple of days?

iowabuff: Do you think Ryan Walters can stay healthy this year?

KRingo: P.T. won't be a Buff

iowabuff: If not what are we looking at for his backup?

KRingo: I don't know if there will be a sack machine this year. That will have to develop for me to believe it. Maybe Hudgins if he can get healthy

KRingo: Ryan is a tough guy, but I'm betting he knocks himself silly at least once. I can feel from here

AndrewJay: when do you think brett smith will be back, who will take his spot on special teams?

KRingo: Hawkins is just trying to get to a higher level of learning and practicing quicker this year than in past years. He expects these guys to know what they're doing at this point.

KRingo: I haven't heard much about when Bret will be back, but I bet he's fine for fall camp and summer work

iowabuff: that's a bad deal with the head issue! Can/Will Vigo play safety?

KRingo: A ton of candidates for all the special teams spots. It's not like Bret had anything locked up

iowabuff: What have you heard about Kafusi and Tinker?

KRingo: Yes, Vigo is schedule to play safety. But that position makes all the calls, so I would doubt that a true freshman would step in there and play from the start

KRingo: I've heard Tinker is probably head to a JC and Kaufusi is waiting on a test score

KRingo: So we've been at it for about 75 minutes, I'm about done. What else do you guys have for me?

iowabuff: Sorry to join late

iowabuff: thanks for the updates

iowabuff: keep up the great work

KRingo: No problem Iowa, Thanks for participating

iowabuff: it's really appreciated from the sticks

KRingo: Is this Heaven?

iowabuff: I am 30 minutes from there

jrizzle: thanks kyle

iowabuff: winter has been hell

iowabuff: can't wait to move back to Boulder

KRingo: It's miserable in Iowa in the winter.

AndrewJay: at least its not wisconsin...

iowabuff: not just the winter...

iowabuff: and I was born here

iowabuff: you should say, at least it's not Nebraska

KRingo: Beautiful night here in Boulder. Think I'll have some sushi. Have a good night everyone and thanks for chatting. We'll do it again soon. Sorry to leave you alone in Iowa.

iowabuff: Thanks again Kyle!

AndrewJay: thank you, go buffs

KRingo: Thank you