Practice Report, Day 5: MacIntyre Likes What He Sees In First Full-Pads Workout
August 03, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre put his Buffs through their first full-pads workout Thursday, and he liked what he saw in the fifth practice of camp.
"They flew around and I thought they did a good job," MacIntyre said. " I thought it was a very physical practice. Only thing I didn't like was weather wasn't hot enough, but there will be some hotter days coming up."
The level of intensity was no doubt ratcheted up a notch, particularly when MacIntyre put the Buffs through some full-speed, full-contact goal line work. Both sides of the ball had their share of "wins" in the drills, and even a little extra-curricular activity popped up.
"There was a lot of physicalness," MacIntyre said. "There was a little pushing and shoving, both sides kind of getting after it. A lot of intensity, a lot of jawing, and a lot of fun. They were competing like crazy, so it was good."
But MacIntyre also noted that the Buffs are also careful to take care of each other, even in the heat of full-speed contact.
"There wasn't any cheap shots, wasn't any late hits," MacIntyre said. "We've learned how to do that. We've talked about how to go compete as hard as you can, but if you have a shot when the receiver's up, pull off. When you have an opportunity as a guy cracking back on a linebacker and can hit him and knock him out, pull off. They'v'e done a real good job of taking care of each other but competing at the same time."
IN THE POLLS: The Buffs checked in just outside of the top 25 in the preseason USA Today coaches poll, released Thursday. CU finished with the 27th most votes, the best preseason showing in the polls for the Buffs since 2002, when they began the season No. 6 in the coaches poll and No. 7 in the Associated Press. When asked about the poll and whether his players might feel slighted, MacIntyre quickly said, "Where were we ranked last year?"
The answer, of course, is the Buffs weren't anywhere close to the rankings when the 2016 season began, but finished the year No. 15 in the coaches and No. 17 in the AP.
MacIntyre said he hopes his team is motivated by this year's first poll.
"I definitely hope so," he said. "I think you always need to have a chip on your shoulder in anything you do in life. You always have to think you have to do a little bit more, a little bit better. If you don't, you get complacent and people pass you by. Our saying I stole from (Duke coach David) Coach Cutcliffe that I live by is, 'You're either getting better or you're getting worse, nothing stays the same.' I truly believe that."
HAIGLER PROGRESS: CU coaches continue to be excited about the progress of right tackle Aaron Haigler. The redshirt sophomore, who started seven games last year, has added about 20 pounds to his frame as well as some strength. He's now a healthy 6-foot-7, 290 pounds.
"He's 290-plus and holding his weight," MacIntyre said. "He's got that big butt and big legs now, so I'm excited about what he's doing and how he's improved."
Haigler played in 12 games last year, with seven starts.
WIDE RECEIVER COMPETITION: When asked about wide receiver Juwann Winfree, MacIntyre said it's hard to separate CU's wide receivers corps at this point.
"We have so many good ones, it's day to day who's best, which is good," MacIntyre said. "He's very talented and we really like Juwann. We want to make sure he stays healthy and keeps going. When he gets on the field he'll make plays. He fits right in with the rest of our guys."
MONTEZ PROGRESS: While there hasn't been any doubt about the physical tools of quarterback Steven Montez, CU coaches have been anxious to see Montez take the next step in the mental part of the game.
So far, MacIntyre said, so good.
"He's doing good," MacIntyre said. "He's made some big throws, looks like he's getting a good grasp on the offense. I've been pleased how he's been able to understand the protection better now. He understands who the free guy is, he understands when the blitz is coming, how to get rid of it, how to dump it to his back on those certain situations. I've noticed that more and more now. In the past, it would be 'Oh I've got it' and theyre already there. Now he;s seeing it and doing it. That's a huge step to me and he's showing that."
In Thursday's practice, the Buffs defense showed a few more blitzes than they have shown in the prior workouts. Montez handled the situations well.
"I was really pleased with that," MacIntyre said.
PRACTICE NOTES: Thursday's full-pads workout offered players the opportunity to make some head-turning plays, particularly in the goal-line work that was full contact.
One of the bigger plays of the drill came from freshman linebacker Nate Landman, who jumped a gap and threw the running back for a loss, much to the delight of his defensive teammates. … Junior defensive end Chris Mulumba also came up with a big-time stop, shedding a blocker to blow up a play and stop the running back short of the goal line. … The offense got its share of production from running backs Phillip Lindsay and Michael Adkins, both of whom bulled their way into the end zone. … Cornerback Isaiah Oliver had a beautiful knockdown of a pass, reaching around a receiver to swat the ball away at the goal line. … Tight end Jared Poplawski had a nice catch in the corner of the end zone. ... One of the more entertaining and competitive matchups of camp, by the way, has been when Oliver and wide receiver Bryce Bobo match their skills.
In other team drills, Montez had a perfect strike to Shay Fields on a crossing route that Fields took the distance. … Bryce Bobo made a beautiful one-handed snag (what else?) in the back of the end zone for a score, reaching behind him to make the catch. … Sam Noyer connected with Kabion Ento on a nice deep ball. … Cornerback Dante Wigley came up with an interception, his second in the last two practices. … Redshirt freshman Trey Udoffia continues to make plays at corner while safety Afolabi Laguda is making his presence felt all over the field. … Redshirt sophomores Lyle Tuiloma and Frank Umu are getting some quality snaps on the defensive line. ... The last play of practice was a 40-yard field goal try, with virtually the entire team gathered around and behind kicker James Stefanou, hooting and hollering while offering their version of trying to distract the kicker. Stefanou, however, calmly booted the 40-yard kick through the uprights.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will be back on the field Friday in light pads, then return to full pads for Saturday's practice and scrimmage at Folsom Field. The practice, open to the public, is set to begin at 10 a.m., but there will be no selfie/autograph session following the workout. Parking in lot 169 (adjacent to the practice fields) will be free, with paid parking available in the Champions Center garage.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Players Mentioned
