FORT COLLINS — Digging out after a 6-18 record over two seasons takes a lot more than a plastic garden scoop.
It’s a dump truck-sized task that requires improvement in all areas of the program.
One week before the opener, and after its last major scrimmage of the preseason Saturday afternoon, Colorado State players and coaches feel good about the work they have put in. So, just what do the 2011 Rams look like?
The kids are all right. When Colorado State takes the field against New Mexico, it will expect sizable contributions from true freshmen. Right now, five are assured of big roles.
Wide receiver Lee Clubb was identified early on by coach Steve Fairchild as a player who will play a lot. Among the others are safeties Drew Reilly and Trent Matthews, linebacker Aaron Davis and tight end Blake Jones.
“I think we’ll play seven or eight,” Fairchild said. “I think there are some real talented kids in there. Obviously, like Pete (Thomas) last year, they’re not going to be everything we want them to be this year, but they are in a position to play and help us. And down the road it’s going to be a good class.”
Fairchild isn’t the only one impressed.
“I think we have a really good class,” Clubb said. “We have a lot of guys that just want to do good, really want to turn this thing around. They like to work, so I think that’s good, and it shows as they are getting a lot of playing time.”
Safety less of a concern. The butterflies aren’t completely gone, not by a longshot. But at least from a starting standpoint, CSU is getting more comfortable with what it has at safety in senior Ivory Herd and redshirt freshman Austin Gray. Before preseason camp, it was identified by coaches as the biggest wild-card position on the team.
“I like our players there, but until you watch a guy in games, it’s hard to tell,” Fairchild said. “They’re having a good camp, but we’ll see. I’d obviously like to have a situation where we have a lot of returning guys at that spot that have played and you know what they are going to do, but that’s not where we’re at right now.”
Gray, a converted wide receiver, seems pleased with his progress.
“I’m really the only one that’s kind of first year,” Gray said. “So, I feel like we’re making a lot of progress — I feel like I have through the spring into the fall. I know those guys are where they need to be, so I just got to get to where I need to be by game time, and I feel like that progression is coming along really well.”
Thomas good as advertised. Everything has gone smoothly — as expected — for Thomas, the incumbent starting quarterback whose freshman experience last year is greatly benefitting him this season.
Dividends from an up-and-down first season were already being seen during spring football, and nothing has changed as the Rams signal-caller prepares for his sophomore season.
Thomas says he’s seen a night-and-day difference from last year to this one.
“It’s gone pretty well,” Thomas said. “I understand everything a lot better, and I think that’s helping the team out. I think we’re just a lot more comfortable as a whole team. I’m very confident in myself and in my teammates, and I think the whole team is confident in me and the rest of the team.”
Share and share alike. No matter what point during the preseason you ask Fairchild, he will shake his head and wonder why the question even comes out of any reporter’s mouth. For the record, senior running back Raymond Carter is listed as the starter, but Fairchild and offensive coordinator Pat Meyer insist they will give the ball to Carter, sophomore Chris Nwoke and senior Derek Good, who has impressed during practices.
“It’s hard to say who the starter is,” Meyer said. “They’re all going to play. It’s a three-headed monster. We’re not going to plan certain plays for each of them, they’re all just going to run the offense.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
