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Transcript of 11/10 Buffzone chat with Kyle Ringo

CU Beat writer Kyle Ringo will answer your questions about the Colorado football team Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Ask your questions now or join us live on Monday.

Questions

  • WABUFF:

    Good evening Kyle,
    Any knowledge or rumors on Heimuli, Jackson, McDougald or Abele on their visits last Saturday? Where do you think locals, Logan and Kasa, stand?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      Thanks for joining me tonight.

      I think you can count Jackson as a commit based on what he had to say last night. Kasa seems genuinely torn between CU and Florida. It's sort of a mixed bag with the others. They are still up in the air

  • copcobuff:

    Kyle, do expect to Hansen get playing time this week? I'd think after his play against ISU they would have to give Cody the nod and stick with him. Since his debut against KSU he's really not done much at all and his insertion could have actually done some damage to moral.

    • Kyle Ringo:

      On the conference call today. Dan Hawkins said they will probably go with Cody but continue to use Tyler at times. If one gets hot, they will stay with him.

  • copcobuff:

    What do you think of burning his redshirt? Do we really win any more or less games in doing so?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      Well, it definitely played a part in the KSU win. It also gives the guy some experience to build on for next season. I would say the coaches were basically out of options. I mean, Ballenger is basically just a taller version of Cody without the experience or mastery of the offense and a little bit stronger arm.

  • vkberlinn:

    Kyle, It appears the special teams are totally out of sync. And I am not talking about the field goal kicking. The kids are in a mental warp down.

    But it just seems coverage of punts and kickoffs and recieiving of punts and kickoffs has gotten worse not better. Okay they have some new people, but man it certainly looks second rate with little or not improvement.

    • Kyle Ringo:

      I can't argue with any of that. I know they work on it every day in practice, but they seem to have some mental break downs every week. I will say the return game has been a little better than what you're giving them credit for, but overall special teams are definitely a sore spot this season.

  • BuffTime:

    Hi Kyle,
    The O-line seemed to play a lot better this game than they have almost all season. Cody had a lot more time to make the plays. Do you think the O-line is finally starting to come together or do you think this was just a function of ISU not being very good.

    • Kyle Ringo:

      I think the O-line played better in the second half and they deserve credit for it without a doubt. I would also say that Cody's ability in the passing game changed the game and forced ISU to begin playing more on its heels than aggressively loading the box and daring CU to run. So it's a little of both.

  • thustra:

    Kyle,

    It was nice to see some improvement in the passing game, particularly the "catching" part; but still no Tight Ends? Devenny was thrown to once but nothing else. Seems to be really under-utilized as the middle of the field is so often open. Thoughts?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      Yeah, a lot of people have asked about it this year. The offensive line has had a lot of trouble getting things blocked this season causing backs and tight ends to stay in and help block. That has led to few underneath routes and defenses being able to use four or five defensive backs and linebackers to cover three wide receivers. It's amazing how important offensive line play is.Devenny and Geer are still the team's fourth and fifth leading receivers.

  • thefishheadsoup:

    kyle - don't you think it was also helpful that we established a bit of the run?

    we have played so many dynamic offensive teams, and will - it is helpful to keep these offenses off of the field with a little ball control ourselves?

    can you get from hawk his mindset as a father, if given what he knows today, would he recommend his son play at a different school?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      It's a good point about the run, but it's not like they haven't tried to establish it against other teams. Those teams have just been better at defending it than ISU was. The Buffs try to establish the run every week.

      If everything was the same about the program when Hawkins took over, then, no, he would not tell Cody to go somewhere else and play. It's amazing to me that he didn't have cody play right away. Brian White didn't study and didn't know the offense, James Cox wasn't able to execute under pressure and Bernard Jackson could never master the passing game. He was the best QB in the program the past two years. Plus, he does everything right off the field and is a good teammate and leader. Why would you tell someone like that to go elsewhere when you're trying to build a program?

  • BUFFAV8RNTX:

    Kyle,

    Not wanting to keep coming back to this, but on kick-offs why do we continue to pooch, squib, or just kick it out of bounds? Is this by design or is it a function of just not being able to kick a normal kick-off? This is always resulting in a short field for the opponent.

    • Kyle Ringo:

      it is never the intention to kick it out of bounds. That's always an error on the kicker. The vast majority of the time, they want Davis to kick it out of the back of the end zone if possible. Squibs are used when they are trying to avoid any possibility of a big return.

  • BuffTime:

    You've been around Hansen, do you think he is picking up more and more of the playbook or is he still pretty much limited to what he knew when his redshirt was pulled? Does he seem sharp enough to master the playbook before next season to be able to be a truly viable starter (and the only starter) for next year?

    He for sure has the legs for the mobility part. Once he is comfortable with the passing game, how do you rate his passing ability (arm/accuracy) compared to say Cody and Ballenger?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      He seems like a bright kid to me. I think coaches believe he can definitely earn the starting job next year. Whether he does so is up to him really. I think he is beginning to become more familiar with the playbook and more capable of executing a higher percentage of it, but he needs more practice time. Going to a bowl would be huge for him, as will spring ball.

  • copcobuff:

    Kyle, do see any way the Buffs win either of their two remaining games?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      I could see them winning at Nebraska if they play their best game of the year on both sides of the ball and the coaches come up with a good plan. I don't see them beating the Cowboys.

  • thefishheadsoup:

    i think most fans agree about what they see in terms of cody's intangibles, and certainly in comparison to cox, white, and jackson - but it's difficult to not own the physical limitations?

    do you think he gives us the best chance to win over the next two years?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      Well, as compared to what? At this point right now with what we know right now about everyone in the program, I think he is absolutely the best option. I think its certainly possible that a year from now Tyler or Matt or one of the incoming freshmen is better. But right now it's Cody and it has been all season.

  • MDBuff:

    What did Coach Hawkins say to them at the half when they were down by 10? They really seemed to be a different team in the second half, and I don't think it was all Cody.

    • Kyle Ringo:

      I can't really answer that cause I wasn't in the lccker room. I will say that no one pointed to anything that was said at the half as a reason for the difference. I think sometimes momentum just turns and it can turn for a variety of reasons all at the same time. One of those reasons was Cody, but he probably wasn't the only reason.

  • MDBuff:

    What do you think of Darrell's performance? Will he be continued to be used more?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      It was solid. He showed some real grit. I think he will continue to see about 20 carries a week. Maybe more.

  • Ralphie2:

    Kyle,

    Does Neil have any eligibility left? We need a kicker!

    • Kyle Ringo:

      Neill is more of a holder.

  • Ralphie2:

    Kyle,

    Jimmy Smith played like a stud this weekend. How do you think he'll do this weekend against OSU's talented receivers?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      I think he can handle the challenge, but we'll see. It will be a learning experience for him for sure.

  • copcobuff:

    Kyle, I don't have a problem with the dad/son thing but why would Hawkins invite the inevitable scrutiny and the baggage? You as soon as the kid is named the starter there going to be some questions raised then when all is not rosey the questions really start coming. Seems to me a lose lose situation for the Hawkins.

    • Kyle Ringo:

      I would just say that no one in that family really looks at things that way. They thrive on taking risks and challenging themselves. If you think about it like that, it makes perfect sense.

  • BuffTime:

    I was at the game and I noticed that the "fans" booed when Davis came out to kick the first time (and the second time for that matter). I think people thought it was Goodman coming out (not that booing is ever reasonable for amateur athletes). Do you think that psyched him out and led to his 2 misses?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      I doubt it. He's 23 years old. He's a tough kid, and he didn't miss them real badly. I think both of those guys bounce back at some point. I do think it's pretty lame of people to boo them.

  • BuffTime:

    As a quick followup to the kicking question: Since both kickers seem to have a case of the shanks, do you think the hold has anything to do with it? Or is it mental for both of them? Or possibly physical in Davis' case?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      Well, Davis is 1-for-3 in his first three attempts in his career. So I think people should go easy on him, especially since he is playing hurt. I mean, you're booing a guy who is sacrificing his health for the team for Pete's sake. I think Aric has a little bit of a confidence issue when he goes out there and it's something he's trying to get fixed. The hold could be part of it on individual kicks, but if it was part of all this, it would be addressed by coaches.

  • thefishheadsoup:

    fair enough - compared to what we have of course - was d scott hurt, overweight, bad attitude or all of the above? do you see coach running both scott and speedy in the backfield?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      I don't think Darrell has ever has a bad attitude since he has been here. I think he has had a bad run of luck with injuries is all. I could see coaches playing both together when they are healthy, but that won't be until next year.

  • BUFFAV8RNTX:

    Kyle-

    What is the "mood" in the recruiting ranks given the 5-5 record, revolving QB's, and a mildy dissapointing season? I know Hawkins is a great recuiter and Boulder is a great place, but are the top recuits hesitant or is there still the general excitement and opinion that CU is still up and coming?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      I think there are some recruits who are examining all their options first. I also think CU is shooting for the best and falling back to others later of it has to. That's the right approach, but it requires patience.

  • luvdaskers:

    PROBLEM: cu has some serious issues on the o line that continue to be a big problem. I don't see it changing before the NU game. Good game plan or not, that's not going to change the o line problems. I see a serious protection issue with cu's o line facing what is easily the strength and deepest unit of NU.

    Suh and company are strong against the run and are putting heat on Qb with 4.

    • Kyle Ringo:

      OK, Well thanks for letting us know.

  • Ralphie2:

    Kyle,

    On balance, would you call this season a success or a disappointment? I know it's more complicated than that, but what's your sense?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      Still to be determined. A bowl game makes it a mild success. No bowl makes it a failure and a step back. We'll see.

  • vkberlinn:

    luvy,

    whats the question?
    No one cares about your opinions.

    Kyle, so Neill is more of a holder. I am howling.

    Do you think Helfrick has " simplified the play book really? Kinda looks like the same old stuff.

    • Kyle Ringo:

      It's definitely simplified when Tyler is in there. When Cody is in, there is much more on the table.

  • copcobuff:

    Kyle,

    What's the best thing you've seen or noticed about the coaching staff this season? How about the team in general?

    • Kyle Ringo:

      I would say the best thing I've noticed about the coaching staff is that they have been patient and consistent with the same messages without panicking. I would say the best thing about the players is that none of them have jumped ship or called each other out. Seems to be a tight group.

  • thefishheadsoup:

    thanks - appreciate your time and probity.

    • Kyle Ringo:

      Your welcome. And thanks to everyone for participating. Let's do it again next week.

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