Hot Corner

Otis makes the play

They are a number of key positions up for grabs this year for the Columbia Lions. Of course, quarterback is the one that gets the most attention and there are plenty of questions at just about every other position.

But I'm wondering who will get the nod at the two corner positions, where the Lions seem very thin on experience, if not talent, right now.

And I can't think of too many phrases in the English language that are more frightening than, "freshman cornerback."

JoJo Smith and Eugene Edwards did a nice job last season at the corners, but they're both gone to graduation.

I was very optimistic about the return of Chad Musgrove, but he was apparently injured in the Spring Game and I have no idea of his status.

Grant Jefferson is off the roster, presumably because of injury.

That could mean that Columbia will go into training camp with sophomore Calvin Otis as the most experienced corner on the squad.

Otis was impressive as a freshman, but it's hardly comforting to have to rely on someone who just turned 19 to lead a crucial part of your defense.

Junior Jared Morine is older, but he has seen very limited playing time.

That leaves a handful of defensive backs, most of them freshmen, to compete for the open corner slot, (assuming Otis gets the start on the other side).

Sophomore Craig Hamilton out of Detroit might make a run. At 5"8, he'll be challenged by some of the taller wide receivers in the league like 6"6 Matt Luft at Harvard. But Hamilton saw a lot of duty in the Spring Game.

At 5"11, sophomore Daniel Myers might fit the bill a little better. But he too is without much game experience.

5"9 sophomore Rex Cole had even less playing time than Morine and Myers.

Freshman Ross Morand from high school power St. Xavier in Cincinnati has a great shot to get on the field. He's known as a hard hitter and stands 6"2.

I don't know enough about another freshman, Kurt Williams, but he seems to have good size and he did a final high school year at super high school power Don Bosco in New Jersey. There may be reason to be hopeful despite the fact that he doesn't turn 18 until four days before the opener.

The other freshmen defensive backs, Kalasi Huggins and Neil Schuster are complete question marks.

Of course, you could make the argument that Columbia's entire pass defense was untested last year because of the pronounced weakness against the run. But if the defensive line gets a better pass rush going this season, the secondary will have some needed help.

The starting corners, whomever they may be, will also look for help from the more experienced crop of safeties led by juniors Andy Shalbrack and Drew Abeyta and aided by impressive sophomores Augie Williams and Adam Mehrer.

But any way you slice it, this unit is a question mark for 2008.