Good evening everyone, and welcome back to the Black and Gold Media Roundtable, where this week I'm joined by B.G. Brooks of the Rocky Mountain News and Patrick Ridgell of the Daily Times-Call.
One thing these two do is fire directly toward the target with answers. No Muhammad-Ali float like a butterfly with Brooks and Ridgell. It's jab, jab, jab. Honest. Fair. On the money. Entertaining.
A shout out to fellow roundtable regulars, Kyle Ringo of the Daily Camera and Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post. We hope to have them back next week.
This week, we discuss Dan Hawkins' start at the school, Bernard Jackson's future, recruiting and next season's possibilities.
BGB: There are more and more grumblings about the job Dan Hawkins and his staff have done, with CU sitting in an 1-8 hole in his first season, a place that the program is not used to being. The expectations, the results -- how has Hawkins done this season -- as expected, successful in changing the culture or highly disappointing?
Brooks: The biggest disappointment has to be the Montana State loss, which set a disastrous tone for the season and should have been a barometer on the team's confidence level (very low from the outset). Mike Kramer, the Bobcats' coach, was on the money when he said the Buffs get down late, they look around and begin questioning each other. How many times have we seen that play out?
As for Hawkins changing the culture, he's made a start -- but more time will be needed. However, with a couple of key additions (specifically, QB/WR) in 2007, I don't think CU will be sitting at 1-8 in early November. Sure, 1-8 at this point is highly disappointing, but it also could be a catalyst.
Ridgell: I think, obviously, that the season has been a collossal disappointment, and the man most frustrated is Hawkins. He knew he had holes in his roster and some glitches within the program to iron out. But I still think he believed his team had a chance to contend for a division title. Dan is a bright man and a good coach. He is working hard at changing the culture, and I think that's going well. I think he and his staff need to get better, though, and I think they will.
BGB: Is quarterback Bernard Jackson through as a starter after this season or will he likely remain the man next year and be much improved?
Brooks: B-Jax broke into the lineup this season because the offensive staff believed his athleticism offered CU the best chance to win. His development has been adequate, but he's still not the passer this offense needs. Whether he can ever get there is a valid question. If he remains "the man" in 2007, he will have to show remarkable improvement in spring ball -- and the two "name" newcomers --Nick Nelson, Cody Hawkins -- will have played as advertised.
Ridgell: It will be interesting to see what Nelson and (Cody) Hawkins can do in spring ball. I think Bernard will enter 2007 as the starter, but if he does not have a firm grasp of the offense and an ability to adjust to the blitz, he'll lose the job quickly.
BGB: What have we most learned about this team this season and what do you believe Hawkins has most learned about this program and himself?
Brooks: This team has issues -- whether scandal remnants (a theory proposed by one athletic department staffer) or transitional matters or both is anyone's guess, but it is clearly lacking in several areas. I don't buy the "talent is still there" theory, nor do I buy the theory that BJax was slated to return to quarterback under the old staff and would have competed there. Regardless of Brian White's transfer, this team would have issues at that position with Rockne/Bryant/Lombardi as the coach.
Hawkins couldn't have forseen 1-8, and while enduring it, I believe he's experienced a humility that goes with that undesirable and ugly territory. All veteran coaches claim they learned long ago to never take success for granted. If that lesson wasn't doubly underscored for Hawkins in year one, he's not the guy I think he is.
Ridgell: We didn't necessarily "learn" it, but we realized how devastating the recruiting restrictions and the overall recruiting of the previous staff were. It'll take two or two years to overcome them. I don't think Hawkins realized how big of a challenge awaited him when he took over.
BGB: Many fans are increasingly optimistic with the verbal commitments being gained in the current recruiting class but, Buffalo Council, where are the impact wide receivers?
Brooks: On the board, as the coaches like to say. Believe me, the need is recognized and the chase is on. On the flip side, recruiting receivers into a passing offense that's last in the Big 12 (115th nationally) brings to mind that old "selling sand to the Arabs" analogy. Not an easy pitch, to say the least.
Ridgell: The receiver CU so badly needs is hiding in some sort of a witness protection program. CU better find him soon.
BGB: What will have to happen for Hawkins to take this program from the disappointment of this season to a winning record next year?
Brooks: Better players at the skill positions, more confidence developed from having those players make plays at critical times. From the interaction I've seen between Hawkins and players, I don't believe there will be any hangover from this transition/foundational season. CU might not win the Big 12 North in 2007, but I'd be very surprised if it doesn't show dramatic improvement.
Ridgell: The offense has to take monster strides. Playmakers must emerge and a quarterback must master the system. And a little help from above wouldn't hurt.
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