The Ralphie Report: FanPosts

Colorado Offers to K Zach Grossnickle

2009-01-06T05:08:49Z

Colorado is using another offer to try to stabilize the kicking position. The kid from East (Denver, CO) already has an offer from Kansas and is scheduled to make a trip to Boulder here in a couple weeks (January 16th). I just hope that Grossnickle doesn't come to CU and become a problem like the kickers we currently have. Boy, I bet Hawkins is wishing that he wouldn't have overreacted by giving Goodman a scholarship after that chip shot FG.

The Scout Story

Tracy Moore and Terrell Williams

2009-01-05T00:36:19Z

A few weeks ago this talented duo visited Boulder and while they aren't considered a package deal some interesting things have developed with regards to Moore. Now I may be reading into things too much but here's what we know.

Tracy Moore had planned to announce his college choice tonight. He reported a final three of Kansas, Oklahoma State and Colorado and it has been widely speculated that he was OSU bound. However he has at the last minute cancelled his announcement with no immediate plans to reschedule.

Here is where this could be good for the Buffs. Today Kansas recieved two somewhat sudden announcements from big recievers that would likely have filled the spots they had open for the position. Despite being listed as a tight end Kansas had planned on using Moore as a big reciever. With regards to Oklahoma State they have had two coaches leave since the season has ended and it appears it wasn't on good terms. In short the rumor is there is dissention in the ranks in Stillwater. Either way it could be the case that Moore was prepared to announce for one of those two and with the changes in the last couple of days has felt the need to reevaluate his decision.

Again most of this is speculation but it is interesting that there has been a sudden change of plans and with the change in circumstances at KU and OSU maybe CU is in a really good postion for Moore. If that's the case they may also be in an excellent position for Williams. Time will tell but this time of year is always fun.

Utah, are you freaking kidding me.

2009-01-03T10:01:04Z

Utah, runs the table again and dominates the mighty SEC power of Alabama. The only team to have two undefeated seasons in the BCS, not USC, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida, LSU, freaking Utah. I have to say I am torn on this one, on one hand I love seeing a MWC school punk a national power like Bama and it will hopefully keep the fire on about getting a freaking playoff system in place, but on the other hand I gotta ask, what the heck does Utah have that CU doesn't? I mean if Utah is the power in the Rocky Mountain region, then we got big problems. If we are losing kids to Utah, then CU has a problem, and indications are that we are. I have to say I have nothing against the Utes, my aunt graduated from there, and it seems like a fine University. But we are freaking CU, not Western New Mexico, if a kid wants to play ball at a major D-I school in the rocky mountain region and he isn't mormon, then I would have to guess that CU should be his number one choice. I understand that some kids from Utah are going to want to stay close to home, but really, if they are wanting to be in a major program, then we need to be selling CU as more than a school in the Big 12, more than Colorado's premier University, it needs to represent the Rocky Mountain region. So I say congrats to the Utes, well deserved win and it will be a shame that you are robbed of being able to play for a national title, and CU, you need to start paying attention to what our neighbors to the west are doing.

Kansas State QB Josh Freeman Will Enter NFL Draft

2009-01-01T23:44:51Z

From ESPN.com:

Kansas State junior quarterback Josh Freeman said Thursday he will enter this spring's NFL draft.

"I've done all the research," said Freeman, who is 6-6, 238 pounds. "Kansas State is starting over and this is what I've always wanted to do. The time is right."

Freeman says he has been told by an NFL advisory committee that he could be a high second-round pick. But Freeman could work his way into the first round because of his prototypical size and arm strength.

Freeman said his decision might have been more difficult if Ron Prince had not been let go, but that playing for Bill Snyder was an attractive possibility, too.

"I hope to bring leadership and toughness to an NFL team," Freeman said.

It will be interesting to see where he gets slotted by the draft guru's of the world.

Far Fetched Idea, But.........

2009-01-01T16:10:53Z

So I was reading this article, http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3802509, on Shanahan's dismissal and the following quote got my mind racing:

"He also didn't rule out taking a college job."

Now I know it's a long shot, but how about replacing Hawkins with Shanahan? Shanahan's family is in CO and he probably would prefer not to relocate them. It would cost our program a pretty penny, but think of the impact it would have... Talk about an identity on offense. What recruit wouldn't want to play for the Buffs?

Who here has some connections and can make this happen?

P.S. This is a great forum, thanks for all of the hard work. Please keep it up.

Recruiting update.

2008-12-31T17:32:07Z

Bryce Lamb *** Is torn between CU and Texas Tech, he loves both coaches and what is tearing him between the two is which sport he wants to do. At Texas Tech he will join the track team, not football, now I don't know if it what the coaches said but his quote on Texas Tech. "If I went there, and I was missing football, I would think about walking on," Lamb said. The coaches at CU told him that he would be playing corner or safety and can compete on the track team.

Stanjarivus McKay *** (safety) His hold up is the family is moving to Atlanta and they want him to play close to home. At all of the schools that he is looking at CU is the closest. "I'm leaning toward Colorado because of the players and coaching staff," McKay said. "It's looking good for Colorado. My mom and dad really like the Colorado coaches."

But dont rule out UCLA, his child hood favorite. But they are yet to offer.

Terrell Williams *** Outside linebacker / Safety prospect said, "I loved it out there" and "in a few years, Colorado should be up there". But he also said he wanted to check out some other programs before making his decision. And the coaches has told them with the depleted line backing core, he could see playing time as a true freshman.

* - rival star rating.

A Quick look ahead: 2010 Recruiting

2008-12-31T06:54:41Z

I know this is extremely early to even start thinking about this, but I think we are all convinced this recruiting class has the chance to be "alright" after losing our blue chip.

Heres a quick look at the 2010 class that has expressed interest in the Buffs that scout.com has already scouted and given stars:

5* WR Justin McCay's Scout Page

Hes listed at 6-3.5 200 out of Bishop Miege HS in Ks. I love when someone's positives are size, speed, running ability, and only negative is blocking. He would be a Darrell Scott addition to this program. He already holds 9 offers some including: Colorado, Oregon, Nebraska, Kansas, Florida with ND also interested in him but hasn't offered offically yet. In his article on December 9 he says that Notre Dame has offered but on his page they don't have it noted yet.

Here is what Scout had to say about him:

" McCay can be as good as he wants to be. He has attributes you cannot teach and the work ethic to get better at the things you can. He is a physically imposing player that can run and catch. With the ball in his hands, DCs immediately start to bite their nails in nervousness that he is going to put another "6" on the board. Plays lazy at time but this will change with coaching and age."

I think he is a prospect that we might catch his eye if we start playing up to that 10 win mark.

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4* MLB Hayes Pullard from Crenshaw Senior HS (LA, CA)

Scout hasn't scouted him enough to have any details, Colorado has not offered yet.

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4* S Sean Parker from CA His Scout Page

As a sophmore averaged 6 tackles a game and is known as one of the hardest hitters. Along with being a hard hitter he can make things happen when he gets the ball having a 45 INT return for a TD along with a 95 yard one in the same game. He is a playmaker that I would love to see be apart of this program. Right now he has 6 offers from: Minnesota, Colorado, Arizona State, Stanford, and Washington State.

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Now to a very interesting one that I will be VERY interested to see how our QB play does next yr

4* QB Austin Hinder from right here in Colorado in Steamboat Springs Scout Page

Listed as 6'5 180 looks like he has some maturing to do physically but none of us will complain about a 6'5 Qb, lol. He is a dual threat QB but claims that he only wants to run only if he can't throw the ball. This quote from him was a great description I guess of any QB,

"I love to drop back and sling the ball then if nothing is open I will run. I would rather throw it and then if there isn’t anything I will run. I don’t want to get sacked.

He holds four offers from California, Kansas State, Nebraska, and Stanford. I look at Cal as an early favorite if he enjoyed his trips saying he has been out there six times for different things and that location isn't a huge issue for him.

"I am really looking at where I want to live the next four years. It’s location, the coaches, academics, how good the team is, the direction of the team and if the coaches are going to be there or move around."

Location isn’t about staying close to home necessarily for Hinder. "Location isn’t about staying close to home. I just want to go somewhere that I am comfortable. I am really liking California right now and that isn’t close to home."

When Hawk said he will keep the kids instate this will definitely be a issue when this kid looks like he just wants to go to a winner an not necessarily stay in state.

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4* RB Malcolm Jones from CA Scout Page

Brother of the USC Safety, finished this year with 1500 yrds and 28 TD's.

Up to 5 offers: Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Stanford.

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4* WR Kenneth Scott from CA Scout Page

Not much info on him yet other than he has been offered by Tennessee and CSU

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4* WR Robert Woods from CA Scout Page

Already offered by Cal, Colorado, UCLA, Stanford and ND has shown interest. He ran a 4.43 40 at a skills camp.

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I know this is really early to start thinking about these guys and I'm sure that Scout hasn't ranked some of the higher ranked guys but one things scares me. I know CA has a ton of talent and we are doing a good job of getting some of that talent to colorado but what about looking in our conference. Look at Texas, that is another hotbed of college football prospects that we aren't getting the most out of. We have a beautiful campus, the team is hopefully on the rise. I also acknowledge that CU probably has offered plenty of guys that Scout doesn't have ranked yet but the ones they do it worries me a bit that more of our team last yr and this yr isn't coming from TX.

Another thing that its too early to tell is how many highly ranked defensive guys we have offered to that haven't been scouted yet.

This will probably completely change by next summer but I can't get enough CU football and decided someone else might enjoy reading some of it.

This is also being written about midnight so I'm sure there are a fair amount of errors

Diante Jackson

2008-12-30T21:07:30Z

Looks like the Buffs are in the lead with this kid.

Judging on the rival report:

"I love Colorado," he said. "I feel like that won't change no matter what. Right now it's real hard but I would say I like Colorado more than the others.

This will be a nice weapon for the air attack, and if we can get Bryce to join him.. =D

Now if mom and family gives the ok, he will be ours!!!

How to Keep a Prospect Committed

2008-12-30T13:17:12Z

Scout article.

How to keep a prospect committed

By Bill Conley

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/columns/story?columnist=conley_bill&id=3775158

Interesting. Seen this said many times, but good advice to read again. I like the part about treating an athlete like he is not committed. Dead period ends this week, hope our guys are at it with gusto. While chasing down the fence-sitters is important, we can't lose any ground with those who have already committed, either.

Just 9 guys verballed so far...

Preventing player contact is very difficult no matter what methods opposing universities might attempt, as the recruiting wars continue until signing day. In my opinion, it's better to take an offensive strategy than a defensive one when trying to hold on to a recruit. The school that has obtained the verbal commitment must stay aggressive and treat the athlete like he is not committed. In other words, keep giving him the same or even more attention even though he's supposedly in the fold. A recruiter can absolutely not take anything for granted.

New ISU coach

2008-12-21T06:46:12Z

All I have to say is

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

ISU has hired Auburn's DC Paul Rhoads to be their new football coach. I have no clue where to even start with this one. I'm just happy that they didn't go with Turner Gill and kept him out of the Big 12 North.

Rhoads has been a DC at ISU, Auburn, and Pitt, and described ISU as his "dream job" hopefully he can somewhat turn around the program with a 10 game losing streak which is tied for second among FBS teams.

I only say somewhat because I don't mind putting a W next to that game every year but I don't like to see a program down for so long.

Recruiting update

2008-12-21T06:39:11Z

I was just on Scout.com and saw a little article on Terrell Williams a 6'4 220 #37 S prospect from Tulsa. Sounded like he had a great time on the visit especially going to the espn zone:

"That's really what I imagined a college being like," Williams said. "I loved it there. The whole trip went real good. The campus is real nice and seemed unreal. It's so beautiful."

Besides the campus, Williams also enjoyed some of the activities they had planned during the visit - like a trip to the ESPN Zone. "We don't have anything like that in Tulsa," he said. "That was real fun. We got to hang out with the coaches there and shoot hoops and just have fun."

Looks like this was his first official visit here and has other trips scheduled but hopefully we can add some more depth to the DB's.

Scout Page

Rivals Link

His Rivals page only listed as 6'2 but a 3.9 GPA

Hopefully this time off from bowls can get Hawk to get some quality depth on this team

Next Season

2008-12-19T16:44:23Z

CSU - W
Miami,OH - W
Wyoming - W
WVU - Unknown
Texas - L
Kansas - W
KSU - W
Mizzou - Unknown
TA&M - W
ISU - W
OSU - Unknown
Nebraska at home - W

I think we have to be at 8+ wins next year. Schedule is not as lethal as it was this year. If we can get consistent QB and Line play, we are going to start rolling. Hawk has stated 10 wins and I would be more than OK with that. Texas will be tough but you never know what Mizzou, OSU, and WVU will come up with next year.

What does everyone think??

Diante Jackson Interview - In Case You Missed It

2008-12-15T16:41:33Z

Since the CU recruit Diante Jackson interview is falling down the front page, here is the link for those who haven't listented to it yet. Just want to make sure it stays near the top for the meantime.

Diante Jackson Audio Interview

Iowa State Coach Gene Chizik is the New Head Coach at Auburn!

2008-12-13T00:53:53Z

Former Texas coordinator and current Iowa State head coach Gene Chizik is now interviewing for the Auburn head coaching job. Hmmm. Let's see about this one. Tommy Tuberville or Gene Chizik. I am sure Chizik is a wonderful coach but this is now getting a little embarrassing for the Unversity of Auburn. Chizik has five wins in two years at Iowa State and I not sure a ton of people are feeling that next year Chizik will break through. The lession looks to be that no one really wants a job that will be controlled by boosters.

TCU's head coach Gary Patterson also took his name out of the running.

If I were Auburn I would call Tommy back and see if he would come back.

UPDATE: ESPN is reporting that Chizik has in fact accepted the Head Coaching job at Auburn University.

CBS Announcer Goes to Hospital After Tebowner Lasts For More than Four Hours

2008-12-10T15:45:41Z

Check this out...it is so true. We found this at Serious Sports Network

ATLANTA, GA - At approximately 11 pm Saturday night, CBS sports announcer Gary Danielson realized it was time to head for the emergency room.

"Every single commercial for a male virility pill, like Viagra or Cialis, says that if your erection lasts for more than four hours, then you should call a physician," Danielson said. "Well I had the biggest Tebowner of my life yesterday, and it started about 3 pm eastern time and it wasn't gone by 11 pm, and I knew it wasn't even close to being gone, so I came to the emergency room."

The Tebowner seems to have been a direct result of Tim Tebow's dominant performance in the SEC Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. As of the publication of this piece, Danielson remained hospitalized with a lot of attention being paid to him, as doctors worked in vain to figure out what they could do to treat the Tebowner.

"It's a really difficult thing to treat," said Dr. Pervez Mushtaf, of the Atlanta Regional Medical Center. "Tebowners start off and they feel so great, you're like, 'Damn, I could feel like this

forever, I hope that this feeling never ends,' that sort of thing. But then you find yourself about four hours later and you're like, 'Jesus, I mean, I love Tim Tebow, but holy crap, this thing has got to go away.'"

A Tebowner is defined by the American Journal of Medicine as a "severe swelling of the genitalia resulting from long-term visual exposure to the exploits of Tim Tebow on the college football field."

Tebowners occur naturally following viewing of Florida games for many people, with an extremely high prevalence in television announcers and Florida graduates.

"I'm not sure why, but we treat a lot of TV announcers who have severe Tebowners," Mushtaf said. "Barely a week goes by where I don't spend part of Sunday chucking cold water on Brent Musburger's hoo-hah, if you know what I mean."

As for Danielson, doctors are keeping their fingers crossed.

"We've tried cold water, and we've tried ice cubes, and we've even tried naked pictures of Rosie O'Donnell," Mushtaf said. "Nothing has worked so far. But now we've got him in there watching this year's game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Indiana Hoosiers. That ought to make it go away."

Tebowners are a serious problem in the southeastern part of the country, and long-lasting Tebowners have been negatively affecting men across Florida for the last two years. It is a much more severe affliction than the fast-spreading Peter Warrdick that plagued Tallahassee briefly in the early part of the 1990s.

"We've treated more than 700 severe Tebowners in the past two years," said a spokesperson for Gainesville Presbyterian Hospital. "I've never encountered such a severe disease. I almost hope that Mr. Tebow thinks of the good people of Northern Florida and takes his talents to the NFL. Let some other doctor deal with Joe Buck."

Buffs Looking at Denver East Kicker Zach Grossnickle

2008-12-08T15:28:14Z

This is something we have known about for a little while now but it is worth mentioning because we all know we need a kicker. Grossnickle has a big leg and has the ability to punt & kick, which is something the Buffs want as they are in the horrible position of having four punters and kickers on scholarship:

According to the Rocky Mountain News:

Looking for a leg

The Buffs could open the 2009 season with three kickers and a punter on scholarship -- if they're able to sign combination kicker/punter.

Coach Dan Hawkins said last week that was his intention, and the prospect most likely being targeted by CU is Zach Grossnickle.

Grossnickle, coached at Denver East by former Buffs linebacker Ron Woolfork, made 12 of 13 field goal attempts as a senior and also has drawn interest from Colorado State, Nebraska and a couple of other schools.

Already on scholarship at CU are kickers Jameson Davis and Aric Goodman, and punter Matt DiLallo.

Free Basketball Tickets - CU vs TCU and CSU

2008-12-02T00:33:03Z

The Buffs athletic department is giving away free tickets to the upcoming home games against TCU and Colorado State. Here is the flyer I found out there if you are interested. Looks like you can get up to 4 tickets. I am sure you can get more you needed it!

Wed, Dec 03	TCU	BOULDER	8 p.m.
Wed, Dec 10	COLORADO STATE	BOULDER	8 p.m.

True Freshman S Patrick Mahnke Plays Second Half With Seperated Shoulder

2008-11-29T19:22:03Z

Dan Hawkins On what he tells his team after the game:

"Proud of them. I was really proud of them. I don't think I've ever been more proud of one of our teams. Our guys battled, scrapped, they gave it everything they had, not an inch left. (Safety Patrick) Manhke played most of the second half with a separated shoulder. Those guys, nothing but guts. They laid it out there. You've got to tip your hat to Nebraska. The kid (Alex Henery) stepped up and made a huge kick, and that's the nature of it. You've got to tip your hat to a guy like that. He made a big play. Our guys battled."

This kid is a tough mother. He played another game with an injury as well. He could be a staple of this defense for a long time.

Here is the rest of Dan Hawkins post game quotes:

On if it was his team's best game of the season

"Well, it's hard to say. We'll go back and look at the film. Clearly, just in terms of where we're at and all that, I think again they just continue to show tremendous resolve. I'm really proud of our coaches and our guys for how positive they stayed, and continue to coach and teach and our guys to hang in there and scrap. Even when no one give you a chance, you've got a chance."

On if he thought it would be a close game after CU's fast start

"You know they're very explosive, so it doesn't necessarily mean it's going to hold up forever. I thought our guys handled it good too. I don't think they got ahead and said "Alright great, we're good to go." We knew we wanted to get a fast start, and we talked about that the last couple weeks. I think it's important obviously when you play on the road to get that going and get that momentum happening."

On how much the coaches stressed to watch for NU's fake field goal

"Coach (Kent) Riddle was all over that. That was all Coach Riddle right there, and he did a great job. Down here a couple years ago, we gave up a few plays on special teams, but I thought Coach Riddle did a great job of preparing our guys, and they did a good job paying attention, and Jimmy (Smith) was right where he was supposed to be."

On what the young guys learned from the game

"It's never easy. I think clearly we're on the right path, and our guys are doing the right things, and they've got a great future ahead of them.I thought we got a little more aggressive last week against (Oklahoma) State, and got more aggressive this week, and got more confidence, so I think the guys have a little belief going into the offseason that if we get all healed up and and grow up we're going to be fine."

H & h pathetic

2008-11-28T23:40:22Z

QB draws with lil hawk and 2 typical blocked passes by the same. H & h just another useless showing. Way to be Dan....snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Nice first three seasons Dan. You have to do a much better job. Absolutely terrible coaching from H & h. No other way to say it than just a awful season with primarily 2 guys to blame. What a disappoinment, the kids have been let down by the HC and the OC.

Buffs 2008 - A Sunny Fall of My Discontent

2008-11-26T23:11:48Z

The end is nigh and only a Buff victory can redeem what has turned out to be an extremely disappointing season. If the Buffs can get over 175 yards on the ground they have a chance. That chance is slim as H & h have shown little inclination or desire to attempt to establish a run game. Since Hugh Charles' fumble against Kansas in 07 H & h have essentially given up on running the ball. The one back formation precludes success with an evolving O line. To some extent I feel like a citizen of Vichy France...defeatism is our only option as the leadership capitulated some weeks ago.

My hopes for Friday would ideally involve a hard running attack powered by T. Hansen on the draw, keeper and option with some tosses and sweeps to Darrell and mates. Throw in a few screens and a sighting or two of a TE drag and you have the makings of a surprise. What is more likely is to see Cody in a collapsing pocket trying to force balls down field to an underwhelming set of receivers. I expect a solid effort by the defense to be undone after a significant time of possession edge to the Huskers. I would like to see a little more gambling from Collins in an attempt to make a few game changing plays on defense.

In 25 years of enjoying the Buffs I don't remember being this demoralized coming into a must win game against our long time rival. Thanks H....I hope the Buffs can pull the shocker but here's to a good spring and 8 wins next year or H should be on his way to Utah State.