Sunday Truth

Spring football is here and look how it excites grown men like Christmas does a child.

Is CU ready to put last season's nightmare behind it and build for a winning record in 2007?

Will it stabilize the offensive line, develop a play-making, minimal-mistake leader at quarterback and find wide receivers who can embarrass opposing secondaries?

Will Hugh Charles be the mule or is someone else ready to emerge as a ball hog in the backfield?

These are the points on coach Dan Hawkins' offensive syllabus.

On the other side of the pig, who replaces Abraham Wright's pass rush and are Brandon Nicolas and George Hypolite capable of escalating their interior destruction?

Jordon Dizon -- merely good or extraordinary?

Michael Sipili -- ready to become a bull in a china shop?

Terrence Wheatley -- good enough to become the next NFL defensive back from CU?

What do the Buffs do now that the driver (kicker Mason Crosby) has been taken out their bag?

Hey, how long is this test?

Too many questions but the BGT will be paying attention to learn the answers.

Brooks on Hawkins

In a fantastic article on Saturday in the Rocky Mountain News, B.G. Brooks spoke to one of the most intriguing people on the CU roster -- quarterback Cody Hawkins, who gets attention as much for his talent and potential as his last name.

You can just sense Hawkins' confidence and fire in that story and the BGT will let you know this -- news organizations don't waste time or space on guys they don't think are going to play. Hawkins didn't get all that space because he's the coach's son.

Now, for some nuggets and my usual, ever-so-humble breakdown.

To start, you hear Hawkins make comparisons to other players and you see him modeling himself for success. He just wants to learn and associate with greatness. It says here that the guy is special, even before he takes a snap. He also has that hunger to be great that is necessary for all high achievers.

The more you read, the more you see intelligence, fire in the gut (had to inherit that) and someone you just know can bust out. Hawkins is far from a physical specimen but at the college game, if you are gifted and bright, you can still excel.

More Brooks

Brooks also did his own breakdown of the quarterback candidates -- Hawkins, incumbent Bernard Jackson and JUCO winner, Nick Nelson.

Now, maybe I ought to preface these comments by saying they do not reflect the coaching staff or CU's opinion. They're mine, all mine and only mine so throw the dirt on me for them. I don't mind being chained to the porch just don't wish to be in the doghouse of anyone but my ex-wife.

Dan Hawkins' comments on the signal callers mentioned Jackson's confidence, Nelson's experience and Cody Hawkins' work ethic.

BGT: That is not merely a statement meant to satiate a writer like Brooks. It says something, it means something.

Jackson is confident, because well, he's always confident. Nelson has the experience the other two QBs don't, which is a big thing, especially after last season's offensive debacle. The younger Hawkins is Peyton Manning in his approach, which is not just a way of saying that's all he has going for him but instead a comment on maybe Jackson not being the model employee. Trust me.

Brooks scouting report

The article then gives up the skinny on the three candidates and it's money stuff.

On Jackson, Brooks mentions the obvious strengths -- athleticism and arm strength. He also plays it straight when he writes about B-Jack's struggle to read defenses and getting points on the board.

BGT: Jackson's abilities are undeniable but his weaknesses are in critical areas. More will be needed for him to hold on to the starter's job. The word here is that he will need a huge spring and fall to continue to hold office. The talent is there as are the possibilities. He is bold and has a dynamic package of skills but does he want it bad enough to work himself into becoming a consistently big producer? If he does, he could be dynamite. That, however, appears to be a longshot at this point.

Talking about Hawkins, Brooks details leadership, reading defenses, being smart, a quick decision maker and having the talent to make plays while only questioning his size, experience and arm strength.

BGT: When I'm reading Brooks' report on Hawkins' strengths, all I can think of is one thing and maybe you did too -- Tom Brady. Now, there were question marks too, very real ones but experience will come, size is something that can be overcome at the college game at quarterback, and arm strength, well, Hawkins will have to be smart and not even try certain passes, for fear of getting them returned to the house, but he could still be a star with that negative trait. He just has to exercise discretion and restraint, something that isn't in my DNA but better be in his.

Brooks' report already makes this all sound like Hawkins is the man -- for this season, at some point.

On Nelson, the word is he is a leader and smart at the line of scrimmage. He gets knocked for a slow release.

BGT: Again, like Hawkins, his strengths are Jackson's weaknesses and the strengths written about are imperative to quality quarterback play. The slow release can be worked on and even as it is, it will not be a fatal flaw if Nelson is intelligent enough to know what he has to do early in the play and has the top-shelf timing on it with his receivers. Of course, with that slow release he better be outstanding at looking off defenders or else he's going to become a linebacker trying to run them down the other way.

Bottom line in this race is Hawkins and Nelson, while not the exciting athletes that Jackson is, are more likely to succeed and amp up the offense unless B-Jack can improve his recognition skills and accuracy on throws.

Speculation is just that -- assuming -- but that's all we have at this point, before spring and fall practice so the early truth is that Hawkins and Nelson are the favorites, with Hawkins being the desired driver to take over this offense, this team and Nelson being the fallback choice with Jackson the third QB and trick-play artist in the playbook.

If Hawkins merely shows potential but not consistency, Nelson will be the man under center to start the season where he will be asked to manage games in low-risk form. He will not be expected to become Koy Detmer or even Colt McCoy.

The highest upside: Hawkins
Safest play this season: Nelson
Most volatile experiment: Jackson

Favorites
Nelson to start the season
Hawkins ready early to take over if Buffs get out of the gate slow
Jackson must accelerate learning immediately to stay in race

The new monarch

The names of Air Force's Jeff Bzdelik and Denver Nuggets' assistant Mike Dunlap have been often and long mentioned as hot possibilities to become the next head basketball coach at Colorado but what about this other guy being mentioned by both Andy Katz of ESPN.com and Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com -- Blaine Taylor of Old Dominion?

Just who is this guy?

By the looks of it, an accomplished winner, but would his hire be a highly-inspired choice and one that would send fans for the phones to buy season tickets and get the attention of recruits nationwide? Not sure if all that makes the heart beat faster, not knowing if he is the one to take the Buffs' program into games against some of the better coaches in the country and get his share of skins.

Guess that question is for all of us to decide.

BGT aimless crowing

Final Buff Comments

Richard Roby -- still has first-team All-Big 12 potential stamped all over him.

Dominique Coleman -- became more dangerous as season progressed. Will be missed.

Jermyl Jackson-Wilson -- underutilized in 2006-07 -- more needed and he's capable.

Marcus King-Stockton -- he wondered why Sean Kowal and Marc Van Burck have scholarships if he's expected to do all the work.

Jeremy Williams -- if he keeps grinding, he's going to bust out in the next three seasons. He has star potential.

Xavier Silas -- his father is the key as much as the next coach in getting the most out of him. Right now, he is raw and as headstrong as a wild horse.

Kal Bay -- o.k., we know what he's not good at but what about what he can do, which is lead, create and hit perimeter shots when he's in rhythm. Will become one of the better points the Buffs have had in some time.

Everyone else -- too small a sample

Best-of-the-Big 12

Texas' freshmen trio of Kevin Durant, D.J. Augustin and Damion James

Kansas talent, defensive commitment, composure and team play

The emergence of Texas A & M as a basketball school

The coaches -- a mother lode of success from Bill Self, Rick Barnes, Bobby Knight, Bob Huggins and the dangerous young guys like Mike Anderson, Greg McDermott and Jeff Capel

Acie Law

Baylor's young talent of Curtis Jerrells, Henry Dugat, Kevin Rogers and Aaron Bruce

Nebraska's Alexs Maric

Knight beating better teams, Huggins turning around Kansas State, both showing coaching matters

CU's perimeter players

Best in the land

Ohio State -- Interior dominance, winning point guard, chemistry, talent.
Kansas -- stacked talent base, defense, chemistry, momentum.
Florida -- size, talent, Billy Donovan.

Going coast-to-coast

Tubby Smith is in big trouble at Kentucky unless his team reaches the Sweet 16.

Mike Bohn has noticed the success at Texas Tech and Kansas State and will think long and hard about a proven winner vs. a high return, high risk younger coach.

Want a crazy name? Former Kansas State player and coach, former Florida and Illinois coach, and current Nevada-Las Vegas ringmaster Lon Kruger. Dude has only taken four schools dancing in March. Vegas might work for many but Krueger seems to be more a Big 8, Big 12 guy to me.

Unsubstantiated but word/rumor is CU guard Marcus Hall is considering transferring -- the operative word again being "considering." Still haven't seen his change-of-address paperwork but that that is what the winds brought this way.

Small school guys who are invited to dinner in Boulder include Gregg Marshall of Winthrop, Anthony Grant of Virginia Commonwealth and Matt Brady of Marist. Already broke bread with Mark Few of Gonzaga, Mark Turgeon of Wichita State, Chris Lowery of Southern Illinois, Todd Lickliter of Butler and Mark Fox of Nevada.

How about Tony Bennett's coaching at Washington State? Win a couple in the NCAA Tournament and he'll be irresistible -- for someone. And soon.

And here's something to pause and ask, "what did he say?" Texas coach Rick Barnes, on his star freshman, in a Dennis Dodd story on CBSSportsline.com, "I don't know Greg Oden," Barnes said. "I know Kevin Durant, and I know he hasn't even gotten started yet."

Had Dan Hawkins been the CU basketball coach, would CSU seven-footer Jason Smith have ended up at some school in Fort Collins?

Longhorn tabbed for Denver

It might be early to be talking NFL draft but the SportsXchange has its' eye on Texas cornerback and Thorpe Award winner Aaron Ross as the man for the Denver Broncos' first-round pick, no. 21 overall.

You always want to take the best talent, a playmaker but where does Ross play if Champ Bailey and the newly acquired Dre' Bly are your starters?

He would be one highly skilled and overpaid body as a reserve.

More draft smack down the road.

Farming is good in Colorado

Been following Dayn Perry's top-100 minor league prospects countdown at FoxSports.com, where he's now listed the bottom 59 of that list. We mentioned some Colorado Rockie field workers before and here are some more for you.

Left-handed fireballer Franklin Morales is no. 48 because of his golden arm and strikeout totals and former first-round pick, Ian Stewart, a third baseman is at no. 43.

BGT: Morales has an unquestionably high ceiling but his control issues are going to haunt him as he climbs the rung in the minors and eventually it will all catch up to him -- his ERA will skyrocket and he'll be relegated to a was-a-prospect, unless he can slow himself down and still get people out. He's overrated now but still worth watching with that heat.

Stewart has all the skills but hasn't tied it all together yet. Could become an All-Star and could just be another guy. He simply needs to keep working, become a better contact hitter and the rest will take care of itself. He was fantastic in spring training a year ago and had a solid but unspectacular season in the minors. Get his average well over .300 down in the weeds and look out when hits Coors.

Remember that current Rockies' outfielder Matt Holliday once looked like a low-average, no power guy in the minors too but his work ethic was so strong that he got over that mediocrity to consistently powder baseballs at the major league level. And he's still growing as a player. Stewart has more natural ability. The question is whether he can drive himself through that wall of limitation Holliday once faced.

Gotta see

If you pay for the subscription to ESPN.com, you just have to check out the great Peter Gammons' story on Minnesota Twins' star centerfielder Torii Hunter.

Maybe it won't move you like it did me, and that's certainly possible, as I'm a big sap, but it shows Hunter to be what we have too little of in this world.

Remember, Hunter is a "somebody" in Major League Baseball. He could choose to be a chump of chumps, like Barry Bonds, if he wanted to and he could simply tell you "scoreboard" if you protested but he doesn't take that ego-maniacal route like BB.

In the end, Bonds will have the records he quietly craves but how will he be thought of as a man of this world after he retires?

Gammons' work, always worth reading.

Best your way,

Truth