Recapping your Colorado Buffaloes' and Pac-12 Athletics and Offseason Football, News, Links, and Stories

Tyler Hansen in contention for NFL QB job with Cincinnati Bengals - The Denver Post

"He throws the deep ball extremely well," Gruden told the Bengals' website. "He reads his progressions. He's made some outstanding throws and he can move in the pocket. He's very accurate." Hansen wasn't selected during the seven-round draft April 26-28, but he drew the interest of several NFL teams as a free agent. He nearly signed with the Oakland Raiders after the draft, but was persuaded to sign with the Bengals after getting a phone call from coach Marvin Lewis. While Andy Dalton seems locked into the Bengals' starting QB job after leading them to the playoffs as a rookie in 2011, they have openings for the backup and No. 3 jobs.

Sleeper no more - Rivals.com Video - A free look at Douglas County high school lineman Blake Nowland.

RINGO: Jon Embree wise to bring Webb into fold for CU Buffs - Buffzone

All indications are Colorado football coaches will add former Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb to the roster later this month or in early June, giving the Buffs some badly needed experience under center.

College football relegation! After the jump!

Continue reading this post »

Recapping your Colorado Buffaloes' and Pac-12 Athletics and Offseason Football, News, Links, and Stories

Colorado Football Top 12 - CUBuffs.com - Official Athletics Web site of the University of Colorado

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the University of Colorado's first All-American in football, Byron "Whizzer" White, KOA and CUBuffs.com are conducting a fan competition to select 12 of the best players since White to wear the Buffalo uniform. We have broken down the candidates into six groups, and fans will select two from each to "share the spotlight." Thus two players from the following areas will be voted on to come up with a dozen Buffaloes since 1937 who have excelled at their positions: offensive skill (quarterback, tailback and receiver), offensive line (tackle, guard, center and tight end), defensive line (end, tackle, nose guard), linebacker (inside/outside), defensive back and specialists.

Finally, a vote that Buffs fans can take part of that won't get spammed. Of course, now that I've said that, someone will go and vote for Craig Ochs 771 times.

The Freak List: The 10 craziest athletes in college football - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com News, Scores, Stats, Schedule and BCS Rankings

I've been compiling the annual Freaks List for almost a decade now. It's a top 10 that spotlights the top workout warriors or players who amaze their teammates and coaches with what they can do in the weight room, on the track or in some other "wow" aspect of athleticism. Over the years, the Freaks List has featured guys ranging from Calvin Johnson to Adrian Peterson to Owen Schmitt to a bunch of guys who ended up getting drafted by the Raiders. Anyhow. With a big thank you to coaches, players and sports information directors around the country, here is the 2012 Freaks List. (I considered any players who are already on campus and will be eligible this fall.)

10b. Eric Richter, Colorado, DT: The 6-3, 315-pound Californian only got in action for seven plays last fall for the Buffs, but it's not for a lack of strength. When CU players were tested this offseason on the bench press, Richter banged out 51 reps at 225, 10 more reps than he did a year ago. "He doesn't need a cheerleader, he doesn't need a audience," says CU strength coach Malcolm Blacken, "he just needs a lot of weight on the bar to get motivated. A strength coach's dream -- a real living and breathing Frankenstein!"

Thanks to Phil for this link

CU Buffs' Embree expects heated QB competition this summer | The Field House

Embree has said that he expects incoming freshman Shane Dillon also to be a factor in the quarterback competition. But Dillon, a 6-foot-6, 195-pounder from El Cajon (Calif.) Christian in suburban San Diego, underwent surgery on Feb. 13 to repair a torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder. "Nick is fine," Embree said on the teleconference.

"And I think Shane will be doing some throwing probably mid-June. He’s ahead of schedule." An experienced quarterback could also join the competition. Confirming widespread reports, Embree called it "a possibility" that former Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb would be added to the CU roster as a graduate transfer. Webb, a two-year starter for the Jayhawks, would be able to play immediately for Colorado as a graduate with remaining eligibility. He would be a fourth-year junior this fall.

"We’ll see what happens with Jordan," Embree said.

Thanks to BuffalanceMan for this link

Continue reading this post »

Colorado Buffaloes senior safety Ray Polk has been named to the 2012 Lott Impact Trophy watch list with 42 other defensive players from around the country. The Lott Trophy honors the defensive impact player of the year and is unique in the way that it puts equal emphasis on personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player and is the first national college football award based on the West Coast.

Ray came to Colorado as a running back prospect from Scottsdale, Arizona but quickly caught the eye of the defensive coaches. He had 80 tackles last fall, including a team-best 59 unassisted stops and has logged over 70 hours of community service at Upward Foundation that helps mentally challenged kids.

Polk is one of eight players nominated from the Pac-12 conference.

John Boyett, S, Oregon
Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State
Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford
Patrick Larimore, LB, UCLA
T.J. McDonald, S, USC
Brandon Magee, LB, ASU
Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Ray Polk, S, Colorado

Former Colorado Buffalo wide receiver Toney Clemons has been signed to his rookie contract by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Clemons, the 231st overall pick and the first of four seventh rounders for Pittsburgh became the third Steeler draft pick to ink their deals after Chris Rainey and Alameda Ta'amu (2nd rounder Mike Adams was signed as I was writing this story). The financial terms of the four-year deal were not disclosed, but it should total out at around $2.15 million and include base salaries of $390,000, $480,000, $570,000, and $660,000.

For those who didn't see on twitter over the weekend, I had the fortune (after the misfortune of having a flight cancelled) of sitting next to former Arizona Wildcat safety and current Steeler UDFA Robert Golden, who was heading home from the weekend's rookie mini-camp. In-between way too many questions about the awesomeness of Mike Stoops, I did ask about Toney's performance during the camp. Golden said that he thought Clemons looked very good catching the ball and was one of the fastest players on the field (after Chris Rainey I'm sure). While it doesn't mean much, it's always nice to hear.

Congrats Toney!

Recapping your Colorado Buffaloes' NFL Draft, and Offseason News, Links, and Stories

CU Buffs coach Tad Boyle tries to buck transfer trend - Buffzone

"It's ridiculous," CU head coach Tad Boyle said of the transfer explosion during a recent interview with the Daily Camera. "I think there's a couple of reasons why it's happening. No. 1, it's a societal thing in that everyone wants immediate gratification. Because so many freshmen that are playing are having success, you see what Kentucky's doing, and people are like, 'Why isn't it happening for me?'

"Well, those kids are different-level kids (at Kentucky). The lack of patience is part of the problem." CU was able to avoid a mass exodus two years ago when Jeff Bzdelik abruptly left for Wake Forest. Boyle met with Alec Burks and other team leaders during his first week on the job to make sure they remained on board to finish the rebuilding job.

Steelers' Depth at Wide Receiver Still Lacking After Draft - Behind the Steel Curtain

There is some excitement brewing about seventh round pick Toney Clemons, a good size-and-speed combo receiver from Colorado who came on strong at the end of last season. Even if he does pan out (statistically, odds of a seventh round pick making a pro roster are slim, to say the least), that would mean the Steelers, as it sits right now, would be giving him the 5th receiver position with no competition.

Getting to know your new Cleveland Browns: Ryan Miller | WaitingForNextYear

Who better to get the inside info on the Browns' new draft class than the bloggers that followed them in college? We asked The Ralphie Report for some insight on Colorado OL Ryan Miller. David Gerhardt was happy to assist.

Press Conference - 7th Round - Scottie Montgomery - Video: The Steelers discuss new wide receiver and former Buff Toney Clemons.

You get 4 links on the front page today. Why? Because Jon's not here to say otherwise, that's why!

Continue reading this post »

The Colorado Buffaloes 2013 recruiting class is off to one of the best starts in a very long time as Jon Embree and staff continue to put together a fantastic group on the offensive side of the ball. Orange, California guard Colin Sutton has verbally committed to Colorado after visiting campus just over a month ago. Sutton is a top 100 player in the football-mad state of California and is considered to be one of the top 25 guards in the nation by most of the recruiting services.

Welcome aboard Colin!

Collin Sutton

Position: Offensive Guard Measurables: 6-5/290 40 Yard Dash: 5.03 seconds High School: Lutheran (Orange, CA) H.S. Rankings: - Rivals: 3-star, 5.6 - 247Sports: 3-star, 82, 46th best OG - Scout: 3-star, 20th best OG - ESPN: 3-star, 76, 27th best OG Other Schools of Interest: Stanford, TCU, Yale Status: Verbal to Colorado Notes: From Rivals ($): "I committed to Colorado around 3 o'clock California time," said Sutton, who stands 6-foot-5, 295-pounds. "I visited there on Good Friday and I went to their Elite Camp last summer. I knew when I visited the second time that it was the right fit for me. There was no stress leading up to me committing. It just felt like the right thing to do. I looked at a lot of schools and Colorado is perfect for me."