SportsFootball Chat replay: CU Buffs beat writer Brian Howell (Nov. 4) Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Chat replay: CU Buffs beat writer Brian Howell (Nov. 4) By Brian Howell | howellb@dailycamera.com | Boulder Daily CameraPUBLISHED: November 4, 2019 at 1:16 pm | UPDATED: November 4, 2019 at 3:22 pmBuffzone.com beat writer Brian Howell takes your questions and leads discussion about CU sports today at 2 p.m. MT. Thanks! Have a great day everyone!Brian, really appreciate you doing these chats! Your responses are objective and insightful! Can’t be easy given the frustrated fan base. Great job!Maybe, but they held it down pretty well in the second half until OT. Had the offense played decent early, or the PAT doesn't get blocked they win.i'll offer that part of the problem this year was the OOC schedule: two big emotional games, then AFA, another emotional game - at least for AFA. further, i don't understand why anyone would willingly schedule an option team - the uniqueness of the offense, the cut blocks, etc. it seemed to me that CU's D simply wasn't ready to see the option, too harsh?You didn't think 324 yards and 3 TD, plus 45 yards rushing and another TD was decent? Interesting. yes, that was all in the first 3 quarters, but he played well enough to win. If the D falls on one of the fumbles they caused, CU wins.Beg to differ about Montez and the USC game. If he's even decent we win that game in the 4th quarter. He doesn't have a great 'sense' for the position I'm afraidI don't think there are any right now because nobody really knows what that's going to look like at this point.Brian, do you know of CU's plans, if any, to deal with NIL reforms?I think he's better than that. Like Tucker, he's realizing it takes a while to change the culture. I still think he gets Nebraska going at some point.at least we’re not NebraskaThat clown car of a program falls quicker than their fans can mourn. Best part, they’re stuck with him for like 10 years because they’ll never admit a favorite son is NOT a power 5 head coach. Ps, he also has a weak group of 5 type staffI haven't heard much on those kids. It would help if CU won, though!CU has quite the recruiting weekend on deck. Have you heard anything about our chances with any of the kids coming in?Except that the Auburn QB wouldn't be a grad transfer, so he might have to sit out next year.I believe with the refusal to bench Montez it speaks to what the coaches think of Lytle and Stenstrom. Don't be surprised to see a transfer come in and start while Lewis gets ready to play. An Auburn QB just entered the portal and he looks exactly like what this coaching staff is looking for in a QBWell, that's good!Montez has made improvement in one area this year, he has yet to throw a pick six!I get what you're saying, but what's the common theme in OSU and UCLA getting positive results? The QB, maybe, but they're also beating bottom of the barrel teams. OSU beat UCLA when it was down and without DTR; beat Cal without its QB; and beat Arizona, which has been a trainwreck. I wouldn't be surprised if OSU doesn't win another game. UCLA is on a nice streak (but showed positive signs last year, too), but has beat injury-depleted Stanford and struggling CU. Nice win against ASU, though. Wouldn't surprise me if they lose the next two and miss a bowl again. For CU, I don't know if next year will be rough. This roster could change a lot between now and then. They might add a QB, key grad transfers elsewhere. Hard to say right now.It took Johnathon Smith of Oregon State about 1.5 years to see positive results. It started when he discovered QB Jake Luton in our game last year. Now, OSU is no more a patsy. Similarly, it took Chip Kelley about 1.5 years to get UCLA heading in the positive direction. In both situations, they have good QBs, something we have no idea about next year. Unless we get lucky, next year is likely to be rough?I don't think it's the same reasons. The 2017 group I think read their press clippings too much and didn't work as hard as needed. This year, I don't know what's going on with the group. Tony Brown has been much better than expected, but I think it's a group that has underachieved overall.What do you attribute very disappointing performance of the Receiver group to in 2017 and again this year, relative to expectations going into those seasons? Most people would say that has been the most talented position group. Has it been something with Chev’s coaching...such as the players like him and see him as being cool and one of the guys...but they don’t truly respect him and are motivated to give 100% for him?I don't recall ever saying this team would be "much better." Better? yes. But, they need to win 3 more games than last year to be better. That's not too difficult if they are healthy.Check your old chats Brian. 4-5 more wins would require them to be much better and that what would be required for NIT. Hope I’m wrong just don’t see itI give the Buffs a chance in both, at least!At home, we can beat Stanford and Washington!Really? Which great secondary guys has CU had since Leavitt left? There was Isaiah Oliver, who was injured half of 2017 and then declared early for the draft. Beyond that ... it was Dante Wigley, who struggled, and Trey Udoffia, who struggled. There was Evan Worthington, who was pretty good when healthy, and Laguda, who was OK, but not great. Not sure who all the great DBs are that you're referring to.I respectfully disagree Brian.We had some great back field athletes after Leavitt left.This isn’t a Leavitt issue, it’s a “we need better coordinators issue”And let’s not forget, this is the hire by which Rick will be measured. Go all in now, or look for a replacement in four years. Seems an easy choice.Absolutely. I think Tyson Summers has done a pretty good job this season considering what he's had. Keep in mind he went through spring with half a deck and then some of those guys left. He didn't get his full complement of players until 3 months ago, but then several have been hurt or left the team in the case of Maddox. The defense was solid the past two games, with the exception of the 4th quarter against USC.It seems to me the defense has actually played pretty well, all things considered. They are young, lack depth, and are generally at a talent deficit, but the only really ugly score was against Oregon, and that was as much the offense's fault for putting them in a bad position with turnovers. Do you think fans should generally be satisfied with the defense, given the talent and experience deficits they've faced?Not sure what's up, but he's definitely in a slump. I expect him to pull out of it soon. He's too good to keep it going.btw, what is up with Stefanou? he has sailed along then a few easy attempts are missed? i thought his last miss may have been a bad spot but the kick look completely out of rhythm.I agree. Leavitt was good, but those players made that team great.Not a question, but a comment. Leavitt was good here, but gets way too much credit for the 2016 defense. There are 5 guys from that defense on active NFL rosters right now. That was more about the Jimmys and Joes than the Xs and Os.There's actually three on the commit list right now. The guys that have left, other than Maddox, none were really going to play here and they knew that, so they left. You look at CB going forward, though, and with Blackmon, Miller, Trujillo, Luckett and even Thomas - plus the Miami transfer and newcomers, that doesn't look too bad. At safety, they lose Onu, but have Perry and Rakestraw coming back and I suspect they'll add there.DBs have been leaving en masse (between the Maddox departure, those before the season, and even a recent decommit), and I only see one on the commitment list (two with the Miami transfer). Seems odd. Why has that position seen so much attrition? Bad luck or something else?I think that could be years down the road, and it's hard to project because of the changing media landscape. 2023 could be a huge year for the conference because that's when they can get new TV deals.Last week Wilner wrote about pac12 economics versus other conferences. he speculated that is the conference doesn't increase its revenues, the pac12 will become a 'group-of-six' conference. what is your view?He was pretty good against USC and was the reason CU had a chance to win that game. He hasn't been stinking it up for weeks. Certainly he's had some tough games and I thought he'd be much better this year. I expected a lot more out of him. The reason I wouldn't bench him is that he's capable of throwing for 300-plus and 3 TD like he did against USC. I'd start him, but tighten the leash a bit if things go sour again.Montez has not come through in the crunch except against Nebraska. Montez has been stinking it up for weeks now and making key mistakes that are critical when you have a team that already has a small margin to victory. He seems to be the teflon man when it comes to the C-U press corp. We are losing with him, so why not see what you have for the future. He is consistently off target and has been for weeks. At least a writer for the Denver Post called it the way most of us see it today and said it was time for Montez to go to the bench. His QBR is 70th in the nation. I think Lytle or Stenstrom can perform at his level, which is real low right now and at least we would have some upside with them. Enough of the excuses and rationalizations for Montez.It might be a loss, but Washington is a mediocre team this year. If they come in here 6-4 with nothing to play for and the Apple Cup six days later, CU can get them.Washington may not be playing well, but they are physical on defense. Utah very physical also, which spell two losses for the BuffsJones has passed him up. Van Diest was dealing with a sore ankle, but he just doesn't have the speed that Jones has.Do you know what’s going on with JVD? Haven’t seen him out on the field. Has Jones clearly jumped over him...or is JVD dealing with some ongoing injury that I don’t believe has been reported?I like the positive vibes!Now, to follow up many constructive comments on Montez, and assuming he likely reads this weekly chat out of curiosity: Steven, the Buff Nation has seen what you are capable of and your God given talents. Don't listen to any voices other than your coaches the rest of the year, and know that we all believe you are capable of finishing your career here on a high note if you stay focused, stick to Tucker's, and more importantly, God's plan, and don't leave anything on the field! Ball out, Steven!Hey all, it's that time where I need to cut off questions. We're running out of time and I've got a lot to get to!Not always. I've seen him go with second and third reads at times. I do think he locks onto a receiver sometimes and that costs him every now and then.Not all to blame on Montez for sure, but he appears to be a "first read" QB and goes with that regardless - your thoughts?Yeah, same kickers as last year. I don't know if Stefanou is right physically or not, but he's usually on the money. I would expect him to get back on track.What happened with the missed field goals at UCLA? Does the kid who kicked the long FG at Arizona last year still play for the Buffs?I hope not. That would be a total nightmare around the country if players could switch teams middle of the season.Any discussion in changing transfer portal rules to allow players to be eligible quicker, like half way through first season, etcActually saw that on ESPN last week, but ... yes he's available!Auburn’s dual threat 4 star AB is in the portalYou heard it here first.I agree, although the DB that left for OSU didn't drop CU. From what I hear, he didn't take care of what he needed to academically to get into CU, so he couldn't come here. This year's class, plenty of time left, but I think it'll be in the 40s/50s - probably bottom 2-3 of the Pac-12.Rough season to say the least, I believe Coach Tucker is the real deal and it is going to take 2-3 years to get us back into the top 25 on a consistent basis. I like the recruits he has so far I just hope with our wonderful losing streak we don't lose anyone else like the DB that just left for OSU. With that said What do you think this recruiting class will end up as? top? 30? 40? Maybe 20-25 recruits? Thanks BrianWe don't go to lunch together often, but I'll pay attention next time we order salads!Brian, I bet when you and Rooney go to lunch and order the exact same thing you come out and say, “ that was good but the salad could be fresher.” And he says, the lettuce was wilting, the bread was stale, the waitress was grumpy and the food was cold. They need to fire everyone if it’s not better by the next time we go.”I think some habits are hard to break. I see NFL QBs doing the same things Steven does at times. Problem is, Steven doesn't have a great team around him, so he has to be better than he's been. I do think, however, that getting in an NFL environment, where he can focus on football and not worry about school, could accelerate his growth.Brian, i don't want to criticize a college player but i am at a loss to understand how Steven hasn't been able to correct his mechanics. surely, he has had good coaching. do you think it may be because he has been hit hard and often in his formative years as a college qb. would a fresh start on an nfl practice squad possibly help?He's been dealing with a sore shoulder since the Oregon game, but he was close to healthy last week. If he's ready to go this week, I think he's No. 2.Is Tyler Lytle healthy? If so, who is currently higher on the depth chart- Lytle or Stenstrom?I think he's still the same guy. Obviously back then everything was rosy because he hadn't lost, but he didn't come in here thinking he was taking over a great team ready to win. He knew the task was a tough one.I agree with you that Buffs need depth and think it will take time. Tough on us fans, I still believe in MT. In your opinion, do you think Tucker is the same guy he was when hired? Do you think he's still up for the challenge? Do you see any change in being around him?Thanks for the perspective!Just wanted to comment on Viska from a medical perspective. Core muscle injuries are very difficult to rehab and treat. The Philadelphia Eagles just announced that DeSean Jackson is having surgery after trying to rehab and play through the injury from week 2. It is clear that he has good and bad days and from my perspective (20 years as a PT). that is why he has games like USC followed by games like UCLA. We will continue to see the same thing in the remaining games unless he is shutdown for the season and has surgery (most likely by Dr Meyers in Philly who it was reported he saw earlier this year. )I think it definitely matters. I believe KJ Costello will play. He's clearly better than anyone else they have.Who is Stanford playing at QB this week? Does it matter for the Buffs chances?Debatable at that point. I can see leaving him in there because it wasn't totally out of hand, but of course very unlikely. I don't see Washington as unwinnable, by the way. Huskies are a 5-4 team that could come into Boulder at 5-5.When there was about 4 minutes left in the game that was clearly out of reach, I thought Tucker might insert Stenstrom to give him some game reps and see what we have. Why did he keep Montez in, no way we could catch up? It would be brutal to have Stenstrom start against Wash or Utah, maybe when game is not winnable.Just a quick reminder, that one good year was led by a pretty darn good senior class, especially on D. That was a bigger factor than any coach on the staff.Rick, we love you. But instead of raising money for another buyout in four years, why not raise money now and go get some awesome d and o coordinators. We had one great year in the last 10 and its when we had a stud coordinator.I never said "much" improved, but I think they'll be better. I think they can get to the .500 mark and get into the WNIT.Brian, Women tip off tonight. You’ve said In past chats that the team will be much improved this year vs. the last couple. What’s your win prediction? Sorry I don’t see more then 9I think that ship has sailed, honestly, and I don't think CU needs to make a change. Summers has done a heck of a job with the cards he's been dealt. Leavitt isn't a miracle worker. He'd be giving up 30 points every week with this group, too.How crazy am I to suggest that Tucker goes after Leavitt as DC...unless of course he is a candidate for the FSU head coaching vacancy? Leavitt still has his place in Boulder and I still believe he had a significant impact in 2016. Would Rick George be open to that possibility? Something tells me that Tucker would be much more comfortable/confident (which MacIntyre lacked) with Leavitt’s strong personality.
