With the Lions heavily studying the New England Patriots offense all spring, especially the role WR Wes Welker plays with the Pats, the question is: who will be Columbia's Wes Welker?
If Head Coach Pete Mangurian and OC Jamie Elizondo are lookig for someone roughly the same size as Welker, (5-9 and 180 lbs.), they have a couple of talented returning players who fit the bill.
First could be rising junior Louis DiNovo, who had a nice first season with the varsity last year and at 5-11 and 195 is just a bit bigger than Welker.
Second is senior enigma James Burrell. Burrell stands 5-10, weighs 180 and has good quickness. The trouble is he's been on and off the roster a few times in his career and he has to prove he's "all in" for the team.
Among the incoming frosh, there are a couple of potential candidates.
Trevor Bell is extremely quick, and at 5-7 he better be. If he can be trusted to get open underneath and take college-level hits... watch out.
Brandon Blackshear from Sherwood HS in Oregon is probably coming in as a cornerback, but he played plenty at WR in high school and he is the right size for the role.
Finally, Andrew Dobitsch from Northern HS in Tappan, NJ is another WR candidate with the right frame.
Of course, if the coaches decide actual size is not as important, the whole equation changes. Also, the position could be platooned.
This is just one subplot in the very interesting competition we'll see for playing time at the crowded position of WR this year.
7 comments:
what about the older Gerst? Can he catch and is he shifty or is he more straight ahead speed?
Trevor Bell is an extraordinary athlete. Aside from his running ability, he has already high jumped 6'6" and has triple jumped in the high 40's. The incoming class has some very talented athletes, but Bell is certainly the only one who can high jump nearly one foot more than his height.
Jake, I don't think that being small is part of the job description of a slot receiver. Mthe fact that most slot receivers are small is simply a reflection of the fact that it is one of the few positions where short guys can still be big contributors.
Coach Mangurian has just confirmed on Twitter that key recruit, Nico Padilla, is a Columbia Lion!!!!
The Old Lion is correct. Heck with height, it's pass catching ability and quickness that count.
Bell and several other inccoming freshmen are also dangerous kickoff and punt receivers. Very oftern you will find that a good slot receiver is also a good kickoff or punt returner. You need great speed, concentration and athletic ability at those positions. A slot is the offensive equivalent of a cornerback.
I'd think shiftiness and lateral quickness is more important in the slot, along with of course ability to catch the ball and take a hit....
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