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Buffaloes circle around 'Hawk'

Players quickly buy into philosophy of CU's new coach

B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News

Published April 15, 2006 at midnight

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BOULDER - From those long-ago days when Dan Hawkins donned pads to the afternoons now when he blows a whistle (and, on occasion, his top), this much hasn't changed: Spring football practice can be an epic grind.

So explain this mid-April perspective coming from University of Colorado senior receiver Nick Holz: "I had the most fun doing that (drill) than anything I can remember doing on a practice field."

Or this from Buffaloes senior guard Brian Daniels: "Things like that are fun; they break up the monotony. . . . They're just good times."

CU is not quite six months into the Hawkins era and the win-loss column remains blissfully blank. But this much is certain: The good times are rolling.

The Buffs are into "Hawk Ball," or at least into Hawkins' novel ways of obliterating the tedium that permeates football practice. The spring drills that conclude today with the annual spring game have been like no other at CU.

Consider practices that ended with:

• Selected players sliding in the snow on their bellies - competitively, of course - to determine whether the offense or defense ran post-practice sprints.

• A chipping contest (yes, with golf balls, clubs and absolutely no evidence anywhere of a PGA-quality swing) between the offense and defense.

• A seven-on-seven passing drill featuring the "big guys" - 300-pound offensive linemen posing as corners and safeties versus defensive linemen cast as receivers and running backs.

• A goal-line drill featuring the "little guys" - offensive skill-position players (imagine quarterback Bernard Jackson lined up at defensive tackle) versus the corners and safeties (imagine free safety J.J. Billingsley as a center).

Said Hawkins: "That's schoolyard ball - that's fun. . . . I want them to come out with a sense of wonderment, 'What's going to happen today? What are we going to do?'

"I love throwing them a little curveball, make it exciting, make it fun, so they'll go, 'Well, OK, I'm going to do goal line. But you know what, old Hawk, he might pull something out. Let's see what we've got going.' "

But the Buffs have gotten serious, too. As critical as the fun factor in practice is Hawkins' demands for all-out effort - he routinely chastises half-speed performances.

"That's just how it is," he said. "There's always another level."

Hawkins and his offensive staff have installed the bulk of what they hope can carry CU through a typically grueling September schedule and into Big 12 Conference play.

The still-looming questions: Who will be the starting quarterback and what identity will he give the offense?

The versatile Jackson is jubilant simply to compete: "I haven't been able to compete for a starting job since high school. . . . Being thrown around from position to position makes you appreciate the opportunities you get. I'm enjoying this."

Junior Brian White, who showed well in a brief fourth- quarter appearance in the Champs Sports Bowl, will leave spring drills with "a solid understanding of the offense. But I can't watch enough film (during the summer). I want to perfect it."

Hawkins and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mark Helfrich won't select a starter until perhaps two weeks before the opener, and by then, injured junior James Cox (right thumb, hand) might be back in the mix.

The defense, with a secondary retooled by new coach Greg Brown to add more speed and ball skills, has taken a typical spring stance - that is, staying ahead of the offense. But with seven 2005 starters returning (suspended corner Gerret Burl is not included and might not be back), front-running by the defense was expected.

The area to watch in August is the defensive line, where Hawkins points to a lack of size. But, added defensive line coach Romeo Bandison, there are ways to compensate: "You move guys around, you teach great leverage, good technique. (Smaller) guys can hold their ground. We'll make it work."

Daniels, an all-star candidate, believes the Buffs will exit spring drills having taken "huge strides" overall. Moreover, the team quickly "bought into" Hawkins' approach.

"It's been the fastest I've seen," Daniels said. "Guys are coming together and realizing we can trust these coaches. . . . If you'd wanted a staff to replace (former coach Gary Barnett's), one that was as committed to winning, you'd want these guys. I'm a senior; I don't want a transition year. I want to win."

Hawkins shares Daniels' goal, and based on his introductory work with the Buffs, Hawkins said, "We've got enough talent here to do some stuff."

He is grateful for the players' reception, conceding it has "kind of exceeded my expectations a little bit. I've done this (been a new coach) a couple of times before, and it's real easy, particularly in this instance, for guys to be a little distant, kind of wait-and-see. But I think these guys have just jumped in and said, 'Let's go. You're our coach, do what you want to do.' "

To the Buffs' spring surprise and satisfaction, "The Hawk" has.

Colorado spring game

• When: 1 p.m. today

• Where: Folsom Field.

• Admission: Free.

• Radio: KOA-AM (850).

Five spring bright spots

1. The emergence of several young offensive linemen, such as sophomore guard Daniel Sanders and redshirt freshman tackle Paul Backowski, and the group's overall cohesiveness.

2. Senior Mell Holliday's ascension to the No. 2 tailback spot. He could be CU's top short-yardage back.

3. Sophomore Ryan Walters' physical work at strong safety. Memo to the cornerbacks: watch Walters tackle.

4. The overall play of Bernard Jackson. The well-traveled junior quarterback is home at last - and loving it.

5. The entire team "buying into" the new offensive and defensive systems, not to mention the often- novel approach of new coach Dan Hawkins.

Five fall questions

1. Will Jackson or Brian White furnish the offensive identity the Buffs are seeking?

2. Can senior receiver Blake Mackey stay healthy enough to constitute a consistent deep threat?

3. Will senior Mason Crosby settle into a dual role of placekicker and punter - and succeed at both?

4. Is incoming freshman Justin Drescher the solution to CU's spring misadventures in long snapping?

5. How will injured upperclassmen Tyler Polumbus (junior tackle) and Jack Tipton (senior guard) factor into the offensive line plans?

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