Colorado State
Colorado State

Colorado State Team Report

Updated: April 25, 2012 08:27 EST

Jim McElwain's first spring practice with Colorado State was eventful, to say the least.

In addition to the typical football duties of a first time head coach, the Rams had a significant off-the-field issue to address. After some Colorado State students said they were physically attacked by Rams football players, the Rams indefinitely suspended three players -- junior defensive end Nordly Capi, junior linebacker Mike Orakpo and junior defensive end Colton Paulhus.

McElwain said he would let the legal process play itself out before making an ultimate decision on the players' futures, and had no update at the end of spring practice.

"Know this, that the harshest form that we could do is to indefinitely suspend until all the facts are out there," McElwain said, according to The Coloradoan. "... This is unacceptable in this program, it's unacceptable to this university, and until we get all the facts, we're totally cooperating in every way, shape or form that we can, so we get what really is out."

Capi and Orakpo are perhaps the Rams' two best defensive players, and if they aren't allowed back on the team, it would be very tough to replace them.

The rest of Rams' spring practice was comparably quiet. McElwain said he wanted to take it slow with the players, so the coaches didn't install much of the playbook. So the 15 practices were spent evaluating the players and working on fundamentals, and also setting a tone right away with the team.

"We wanted to find out who was committed, who was willing to learn, who could take the right steps, and block and tackle," McElwain said.

What McElwain saw from the team was one that needs to improve, but has some solid talent. The Rams, despite poor records the last few years, do have some building blocks. The issues that McElwain saw in spring practices and the spring game weren't too troubling.

"I think they're all fixable," McElwain said. "That's where, this summer, the commitment of this team is going to take over.

--New Colorado State coach Jim McElwain was set on creating a new culture in spring football. He is going to demand that the players pay attention to every detail, and no detail is too small.

"Everything from tucking your shirt in to hustling between drills," McElwain said. "Those were things that got better as we went forward."

--The spring game was dominated by defense. That might not be a good sign for Colorado State's offense, but the positive is that defensive players like linebacker Max Morgan and cornerback Shaq Bell stood out in the 10-3 game.

Bell made the play of the game, a 45-yard touchdown return on an interception, the day's only touchdown.

"In the locker room at halftime it was like somebody on defense was going to have to score," Bell told the team's website. "I jumped the route and took it to the house."

--One thing that was apparent by the end of spring practice was that the Rams had bought into what McElwain was bringing to the program in his first year.

"We're all behind coach Mac and having him as our leader," quarterback Garrett Grayson said. "We're all 100 percent behind him knowing his background and what he offers us. One of the first things he told us is how his spring practices are based off the New England Patriots and what they do every day. Hearing stuff like that and knowing what the Patriots have done in the last 10 years really makes you believe it."

SPRING MOVERS:

LB Max Morgan -- Morgan had 10 tackles in the spring game, and stood out as one of the top performers. Morgan played a bit as a freshman last year and could have a huge role if Mike Orakpo, who is suspended, doesn't return.

WR Dominique Vinson -- Vinson moved from defensive back to receiver, and coach Jim McElwain singled that out as a positive development for the team. Receiver depth has been an issue for the Rams, and Vinson could end up being a sorely needed playmaker.

QB Garrett Grayson -- Not that it was a surprise after he finished last season as the starter, but Grayson solidified his role as the starter going into training camp. Even though the coaching staff is preaching competition at the position, Grayson is clearly the best quarterback on the roster.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "My first thing was making sure we could get in and out of the stretch line without hurting each other. We got that accomplished." -- Coach Jim McElwain on starting with the fundamentals at the beginning of spring practice.

2012 OUTLOOK: Colorado State has a lot of talent returning in a league that has a lot of question marks and change. While the Rams have the ability to make some noise in the Mountain West, a major off-the-field incident, which led to indefinite suspensions for three players -- junior defensive end Nordly Capi, junior linebacker Mike Orakpo and junior defensive end Colton Paulhus -- has left the Rams with a lot of question marks of their own. Capi and Orakpo are probably the Rams' two best defensive players. Combine that with an offense that struggled with its new system over the spring, and the Rams have a long way to go before proving they can be a contender in the Mountain West.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Rams' offense was not very good during the spring. Colorado State didn't score an offensive touchdown in the spring game. Still, there are reasons for hope. Quarterback Garrett Grayson has some experience and is a talented dual threat, running back Chris Nwoke had a strong finish to last season, and tight end Crockett Gillmore is one of the best in the league. The development of some playmaking receivers and some stability on the offensive line would help.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Colorado State's secondary stood out during spring practice. The Rams didn't give up any deep balls during the spring game, and the secondary could be a strength. The pass rush should also be solid, even if leading sacker Nordly Capi is not reinstated from his suspension. Similarly, if outside linebacker Mike Orakpo doesn't return from suspension that will hurt the defense, but there appeared to be decent depth at the position after spring ball.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Jared Roberts helped his case to be Colorado State's kicker this season. He hit two field goals over 40 yards, and his only miss was a 55-yarder that had enough distance. Also, Thomas Coffman was impressive returning kickoffs in the spring game, and could be an asset for special teams.

TOP NEWCOMERS:

LB Kevin Davis -- Davis is an in-state product, with good size and athleticism. He could help on defense right away, and at very least could be a key special teams player.

DT Calvin Tonga -- The junior college transfer could be an important player for the Rams. Colorado State doesn't have much size on the defensive line, so the 295-pound Tonga could step right in and help against the run.

TE Brett Jordan -- Jordan has great size for a tight end, and could be a key backup right away. He won't start but could learn under Crockett Gillmore, one of the best returning tight ends in the league.

ROSTER REPORT:

--DE Nordly Capi, OLB Mike Orakpo and DE Colton Paulhus were suspended indefinitely in connection with an incident involving the beating of some Colorado State students. The Rams have shed little light on the future of those players, other than waiting for the legal process to take its course.

--QB Conner Smith drew praise at the end of spring practice from the coaching staff, as did M.J. McPeek. Most likely, those two will be competing for the starting backup job during training camp.

--DE C.J. James worked on becoming a more complete player over spring, worrying about all facets of the game instead of just getting up the field towards the quarterback. His contributions will be vital if suspended defensive end Nordly Capi isn't reinstated from suspension.

--LB Broderick Sargent will make the move from defensive end to outside linebacker. Sargent didn't participate in spring ball because he is still recovering from knee surgery.