Boulder – Colorado defenders have flown under the radar this spring, while the offense – under new coach Dan Hawkins – grabs most of the headlines and fan chatter.
But defensive coordinator Ron Collins said his pressure-based system is being implemented just fine.
“We’re doing good,” Collins said. “We haven’t arrived, by any means. But I think the guys are starting to understand what we’re trying to get done conceptually.”
Players have basically been force-fed the entire scheme this spring, with little regard for how it is being executed on the field.
“We at least wanted them to get a look at the concepts,” Collins said. “We just want to get some stuff on film, and then hopefully come back and refine that later on.”
Coaches found themselves with a laundry list of things to teach at the start of this week, so cram sessions were held Monday and Tuesday.
“Things are starting to come together,” Collins said. “So hopefully when we come through fall camp we can start to name names and start to identify people who are going to be starting and be in the rotation.”
Sims adjusting well
Defensive back Lorenzo Sims is taking his newly appointed split duties at cornerback and safety in stride.
Sims, perhaps CU’s best cornerback last season, has not played a lick of safety at CU. He agreed with new defensive backs coach Greg Brown to try a new position.
“I’m playing both, just trying out the position,” Sims said. “I just took it as a challenge. I always wanted to play safety. I came in as a safety but ended up playing corner. It’s something I want to do.”
Protecting the knees
One subtle change Hawkins has made deals with the quarterbacks’ equipment. He is requiring each to wear knee braces on his plant leg.
“It’s just something he wanted the quarterbacks to have, just in case,” quarterback Bernard Jackson said. “Like a Carson Palmer type of deal, when he got hurt. I guess he wants to prevent that.”
Palmer’s 2005 NFL season ended in the Bengals’ first playoff game when he took a hit to his left knee as he planted to throw. He suffered tears in his anterior cruciate ligament and medial cruciate ligament.
The brace has taken some getting used to, particularly for Jackson, whose game is centered on his mobility.
“It’s different,” he said. “I can’t (run) like I want to, but it’s a safety precaution, which is a good thing.”
Footnotes
Sims said he’s scheduled to have shoulder surgery next week to repair an AC joint. … Saturday’s scrimmage is set to last 80 plays, with special- teams work mixed in. The game will be broadcast on KOA radio and on television by Fox Sports, where former CU quarterback Joel Klatt will team with Tim Neverett to call the action. … Wide receiver Blake Mackey (knee) and quarterback James Cox (hand) will not play in Saturday’s game because of injuries. … In an effort to gain 25 to 30 pounds by preseason camp, 250-pound redshirt freshman defensive tackle Taj Kaynor said he has been placed on an 8,000-calorie-per-day diet.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
