In a Jim Armstrong column in the Denver Post, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins is quoted as saying, on the Buffaloes bumbling start to the season: "It's not pain. It's not agony. It's a situation and you understand it. I'm not into this rebuilding business.
Certainly there's a foundation that has to be laid, but I don't know how you realistically come into a season and kind of go, 'Well, you know, guys, I really feel like in about eight years you're really going to like what's going on here."'
TheTruth...Hawkins remains amazingly consistent on his stance on what he bought into, where the program is and how it isn't a quick fix. He isn't having any problem. It's just no one else is hearing it outside the university. His players get it, the the athletic department gets it, the administration, the same thing.
Yet, to most others, the sky is falling, as if CU was loaded up with USC or Texas-type talent, as if former coach Gary Barnett went shopping and stocked the cupboards with premium goods before he was sent packing.
Speaking of Barnett, the man remains in the news a lot for not even coaching a team this fall. The profile is high and look for him to get another job in the next few years. That's right, the next few years. It says here it will take that long for the perceiveddreck to melt off him in the eyes of athletic directors around the country.
His work at Northwestern, and yes, CU still make him attractive.
In a Ventura County Star article written by Jake Schaller on Sept. 17, where Barnett was asked about possibly succeeding Fisher DeBerry at Air Force, Barnett responded by saying "I don't know about that one...I've always had great respect for that program and institution."
TheTruth...Read into that what you will but dig deep and you here, "it's not my cup of tea but that job is attractive, you bet." And honestly, tarnished coaches can't be choosers. Just ask UTEP's Mike Price.
And fact is, Barnett might be a natural fit at the academy, as he has roots in the area from his prep coaching days and his style of playing would fit what the military is all about and has been about, running the football.
Also in that article, Barnett was firm in his belief that CU isn't devoid of talent, saying "There's plenty of talent there." Of course, easy for him to say, he doesn't have to coach it and his career record for the Buffs, despite his success, was hardly eye catching, at 49-38 in seven seasons.
The man is still very angry, which honestly, and just ask former Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson about this one, doesn't bode well for selling yourself to your next employer, when the AD has to sell you to everyone else.
Could Colorado go 0-12 this season?
Say it ain't so
MSNBC contributor Joey Johnston asked that question and concluded that too many things have to go wrong for a winless season to happen and in that time, something good has to go down.
But then he vascillates and says the Buffs may indeed be headed down that rough road.
Foolish.
Yes, CU is bad. Very bad right now but by the end of the season, some magic will all come together on the same day, or days, and a win, or wins will be added to the books.
So despite a pitiful start, made worse by the fact that only past opponent, Arizona State looks like a winning team, it is unlikely the Buffs would lose each game.
But point is, people are now asking such a question, which says it all to where this program is in right now...the depths.
Which leads us to this story...
Daily Camera reporter Kyle Ringo did a story Wednesday on CU's 213-straight game scoring streak and how it might be in jeopardy this weekend against a vaunted Georgia defense.
Ringo's work definitely has merit and is well timed, especially with the Buffs decision to play offense this season with blindfolds.
However, is this what it's come to? Stories about even scoring at all? That's not on Ringo, it's on the offense that's missing, misfiring, out of gas, whatever.
Where have all those big scoring days gone?
Maybe the school known for internal investigations can get one started on this issue.
Dempsey talks pressure
Denver Post writer Chris Dempsey wrote a story on Sept. 18 on finger pointing.
Not at me.
Not even you.
Within the ranks on the Buffs.
Offense vs. defense.
The guys stopping the ball are doing a superior job to those in Boulder trying to advance it.
Cornerback Terrence Wheatly, apparently a budding politician, said, diplomatically, "We understand the situation. They are doing their best. That's all we can ask for."
You truly believe that's the thought process of Ron Collins' unit on Saturdays?
Ah, o.k.
Please pee in that cup.
At least Wheatly is keeping the discontent in-house and muffled.
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