Buffs Camp Notes: Why one Buff says "Coach Tucker does not play"

 

BOUDLER, Colo. ⁠— Wednesday was the sixth day of Buffs Camp and, as always, BSN Denver was in Boulder to document what went down.

Here are the key storylines:

Wide receivers are focused on the team

K.D. Nixon wouldn’t say that the Buffs’ past receiver groups were selfish, but he went out of his way to say it is particularly team-oriented so far in camp.

“Nobody’s being selfish. That’s our biggest goal this year,” Nixon told BSN Denver after practice.

When asked if this was a new phenomena, he responded: “I don’t talk about the past. Guys say leave it in the past and press forward, so I’m pressing forward.”

Stereotypically, receivers are thought of as the most selfish guys on the team. That’s where you find divas like Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson. It’s just the nature of being a big-play threat.

Hearing that the guys are focused on the team is a big deal.

“Everybody has personal goals, but with this team coach doesn’t like us talking about those, so I’d do anything for the team,” Nixon said.

If you’re wondering how the lack of selfishness could translate to on-field improvement, Nixon offered one big transformation.

“We actually are blocking right now,” Nixon said. “We’re actually having fun blocking for the running backs, seeing them make big plays because that’s how you open up the passing game.”

Wide receviers blocking has been a theme throughout camp so far. When Nixon took the podium for the first time on Friday, he mentioned the need for wide receivers to block in this offense. Mel Tucker says the two best ways to judge a team’s effort are how well the receivers block and how well the cornerbacks tackle.

Nixon believes this mindset is why the Buffs could make some noise in the Pac-12, despite often being picked last in the South division.

“We’re physical as hell,” he said. “That’s what people don’t get. People think that just because we’re in the Pac-12, we run from phyiscalness. No. No. They’ll see. Coach Tucker does not play.”

Mel Tucker shouts out Daniel Arias

Speaking of wide receivers, sophomore wideout Daniel Arias was the first player Mel Tucker mentioned when asked who stood out today.

“I keep seeing Daniel Arias, every day, make plays,” Tucker said. “Like every single day.”

At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Arias is the Buffs’ secondary big-bodied receiving threat behind Laviska Shenault. The competition at receiver is deep at Colorado, but Arias has asserted himself in the mix.

But since the Buffs are so deep, it might still be tough to crack the rotation. Tucker still expects Arias to contribute.

“Whether it’s blocking, short throws, intermediate, deep balls, he plays fast,” he said. “He does a good job in special teams work.”

Junior cornerback Mekhi Blackmon also received some praise. Blackmon is a little small, but Tucker said he’s impressed by how he doesn’t shy away from contact.

“He might be one of our most improved players from spring,” Tucker said, adding that he’s had fun working with the cornerback.

Redshirt senior quarterback Steven Montez rounded out the group of shoutouts. Montez has often been a target for Tucker’s praise, including when the coach said Montez was one of the most talented quarterbacks he’s been around.

Today, it was Montez’s deep ball that stood out.

“I love to see him spin that rock,” Tucker said.

Tucker also noted that he’s been impressed by the progress his team has made so far in camp.

“We just have so many guys who are competing and getting better on both sides of the ball,” he said. “It’s really good to see.”

Defense bounces back

Mel Tucker was worried that Wednesday could be a weak showing; it’s the sixth practice of camp and the second in pads. Guys have gotten into the flow of things, so they may not have been quite as eager to get out there.

“My experience says it might be one of those types of days,” Tucker said.

Last night, Tucker voiced his concerns to the team and challenged them to step up today. He says they did.

“We confronted it and guys really pushed through today,” Tucker said. “It was an enthusiastic practice.”

The defense in particular stepped up on Wednesday, after lagging behind the offense on Tuesday.  In the trenches, the defensive line redeemed itself following a poor showing the last time out. Tucker said the practice was fast and competitive.

“I expect it to be a back-and-forth every day,” Tucker said. “That’s what we want.”