Let's see the team HERE this fall!
With just four sessions left to go in spring practice, some of our earlier conclusions about where the team stands now have been reinforced over the last week or so:
1) The Offense is Still Ahead
Confounding what just about every observer expected coming in, the offense remains sharper and more effective than the defense.
None of the skill players is standing out, but the offensive line looks bigger and much improved. The running game has been especially strong for the offense, or stopping it has been especially impossible for the defense... depending on how you want to look at it.
2) Hill is the Leader
He's still in his freshman year, but this team really looks like it belongs to rising sophomore Anders Hill right now. It just moves with more precision and the read option plays execute better. There's a spring in the step for the offense when his unit is in there too.
Yes, Brett Nottingham is back on the field and wearing #4. But he's not getting reps with the 1's or 2's, and I'm not sure where he fits in.
3) Position Changes Galore
The folks in charge of updating the Columbia football roster web page are going to be busy in the next week or so. Changing the positions of a few returning players is very common when a new coaching staff comes in, but it looks like the shuffling will outpace that norm.
Two defensive backs, speedster rising sophomore Dylan Weldon and rising senior Joshua Foster, look like they'll be moved to WR and they looked good at different times catching passes.
We already knew about junior Tyler Kwiatkowski moving from LB to FB, so the list is growing.
On defense, sophomore LB Alexander Holme looks to be moving up to the D-line. He and senior Toba Akinleye appear to be the first team DE's with Niko Padilla of course at DT. The other starting D-lineman may end up being sophomore Lord Hyeamang or sophomore Dominic Perkovic.
Akinleye seems to bring a special brand of excitement on every play and he's trying to earn the nickname the Columbia football Instagram account gave him: "The Brooklyn Bully." (More about that crucial and must-follow Instagram feed later).
... and then all of the D-line news make go out the window when Chad Washington and Charles Melka return for training camp.
4) Check out the Team's Instagram Feed NOW!
You can check out a lot of very educational photos and videos on the Columbia football team's Instagram feed.
If you know your player numbers, you'll get more of an idea of who's playing at what position. And the video of Padilla and junior LT Kendall Pace going one on one is particularly encouraging for those of us who know the O-line has to improve.
Also be sure to "double-tap" LIKE the pic of campus as there's a movement to have the team do some informal but inspiring walk-throughs on South Lawn this fall.
5) This is Still a Very Happy and Pumped Group
Even as spring practice grinds on, the enthusiasm and just plain joy in this team is still there. It's impossible to describe how much better it feels to watch these guys out there.
7 comments:
I will be among the first to line a 50 yard field
on the lawn. The team could practice one day a week on the lawn. The idea was proposed when Jim Garrett coached, but Sovern would not take the freaks and potheads off the lawn. Let's do it now!
Hey, screw Sovern. He certainly screwed CU sports, AND Baker Field.
Problem is, as Coach says, that South Lawn won't support a full playing field. But why not have a practice once a week there? What a great way to involve the student body. Too bad we can't have a true game in the middle of campus. What a hoot that would be.
Just another idea to make things crazy, fun, exciting and inclusive.
Could put up some portable stands! Hey Bags- put me in charge of this operation- I'll get the school cranked up !!!
Hill has a good deal of maturing to do before he is a leader. In fact, the entire team is going to have to mature and learn how to win. That is the going to be the exciting aspect to the season, figuring out that process. I want to believe this team can win at least 1 game. My gut tells me if they pull it together they can steal at least one, hopefully a few. That is what they need to gain that elusive confidence. Once they have that they can build off it.
Funny, the discussion of uniforms came up recently and now North Carolina is going with an argyle look within their light blue and white color scheme Seems more appropriate for Columbia!
Jake: you mention Washington and Melka as returning? They were off the team last year, and not at spring practice.
Is anyone that quit under Mangurian getting any reps?
You cannot be at spring practice if you not enrolled in school.
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