Marcus Libman
After focusing on two very good stats from the 2021 season in prior posts, it's time to look at one area of Columbia's game that will definitely need improvement in 2022.
That would be passing yardage, where the Lions only put up an average of 163 yards per game.
The 5.8 yards per attempt number was also disappointing, when most football experts like to see a 6.5-7.0 YPA.
There were some positive reasons for these somewhat anemic numbers. They include the amazing rushing attack Columbia had at its disposal last season. There was also a new starting QB to break in, (which went quite well), and the loss of top receivers like Josh Wainwright '20 to graduation. Also, wildcat QB Gabriel Hollingsworth clearly wasn't ready to throw the ball as much as many fans hoped. The obvious talent of WR Bryson Canty didn't really emerge until week 9 as well. Finally, there were some injuries and other issues keeping key WR's like Mike Roussos and Wills Meyer out of some games.
I also think the coaches were a little too cautious with QB Joe Green, especially after he proved himself early in the season. I don't think it's a stretch that will change in 2022, especially after Green gets even more time to prepare with spring practice around the corner.
One of the pluggers last season at WR, Marcus Libman, already proved he can be relied on as a weapon, and we know about Canty and Meyer. If Mike Roussos decides to return to CU for his senior year the Lions will already have a strong receiving corps to work with, but everyone will need to step it up.
7 comments:
My expectation is that the Lions will have the best receiving corps in the Ivy League season. Bryson Canty, Marcus Libman, Wills Meyer and Jack Ertz are all very talented and incoming freshman wide receiver, Edan Stagg, was Columbia's top recruiting target in the Class of 2022.
Here's a link to Stagg in action:
https://www.hudl.com/video/5fe20287b3c9c40c406f50bc
I will go out on a limb and predict that Joe Green will be first team all Ivy. He is clearly the best pure passer we have had since John Witkowski and with a winter in the dome will be ready for a record breaking season. I think we are set at WR, and we will have more weapons than we have ever seen at the WR position. Just give him a TE who can also catch and watch out.
I agree with the oldlion's prediction that Joe Green will be first team All-Ivy. As to the tight end position, I believe we already have a standout tight end in Luke Painton who was second on the team last year in receptions. At 6'6" 260, Painton certainly has the size to be a dominate tight end in the Ivy League and a first team All-Ivy player as well. Columbia also has plenty of depth at the tight end position with guys like Busby and Larsen, amongst others. There should be tremendous competition at the tight end position, but Painton is clearly the leader.
Painton can be great but has to hold onto the ball. He had too many drops.
I agree with the optimism. Our receivers were middling last year, but also very young. Libman and Meyer were solid, Canty looked terrific at the end of the year, and Painton was not a reliable receiver but had a handful of excellent catches. They all have a full off season to work with Joe, which can only help.
Joe is really talented and might be 1st team all-Ivy, but the Yale QB is also really good.
Whoaaaa! Pump the breaks! Lions were last in passing offense and we are now saying next year they will have best receiving core and Green will be first team all Ivy?!!
I like the Yale QB; he is more of a dual threat guy; I think Green has a better touch. As far as the receivers, Canty can do it all and Young is excellent out of the backfield.
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