In case you’ve forgotten, which could be easy to do given the lack of publicity, the University of Colorado will hold its annual spring game this Saturday. Coach Mac is calling for 50,000 which would be great, but I’d be happy with 20,000. Competitions have really been heating up in the spring practices and our depth chart has taken some hits due to injuries and stupidity. The latest news is linebacker Jake Duren has been kicked off the team. Duren was having a great spring and was looking at pushing for some serious playing time at any of the linebacker positions. With Lynn Katoa suspended and Shaun Mohler having a lot of courses to take before he enrolls at CU this is not good news. Enough about the bad, lets stay positive and look at the exciting developments of the spring.
On offense we have begun using a “fast break” type of offense. Operating out of the shot-gun and using a no-huddle attack the offense has put up big numbers in the two big scrimmages of the spring so far. I like the shut-gun for Cody Hawkins to allow him to see the field better before the snap which should cut down his interception totals. Hawkins appears to have the starting QB job in hand although Nick Nelson has been impressive as well. At running back the battle will really heat up once freshmen Ray Polk and Darrel Scott arrive for the fall. The O-Line is coming together nicely and its nice to see depth at every position. Wide Receiver continues to be the biggest question mark. The latest depth chart has inconsistent Patrick Williams starting over Josh Smith, with Scottie McKnight on the other side. However, since Coach Hawkins substitutes receivers just about every play we should see plenty of Smith as well as redshirt freshman Markques Simas.
On defense line depth continues to be an issue, especially on the inside. This has caused coaches to begin exploring the 3-4 defensive set-up. I am all for this, if we get our linebackers to get their heads straight, because it will allow us more creativity in our blitz packages. Cornerback is a major question mark with the departure of a certain NFL caliber cover guy. Jimmy Smith was impressive last season, if for no other reason than the interception against Nebraska. He also is 6′2″, that makes him the tallest of our corners and gives him an advantage against bigger receivers. Gardner McKay and Cha’pelle Brown have the most experience at the position and figure to get a good amount of playing time especially in nickel and dime packages. Safety Ryan Walters is out for the spring with injuries but should be back in action come fall. Daniel Dykes has the inside track at the other safety spot.
Everyone should drag everyone they know out to Folsom Field on Saturday for that mid-April football fix. The attendance record for a spring game is 13,642, so while 50,000 might be aiming a bit to high lets set a new record!!

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  3. Spring Practice is here