Day 54: Mike Telep
Mike Telep strikes a pose today
I'm a little late with this, but week one opponent Fordham has five players on Phil Steele's college football preview's All-Patriot League preseason team.
Four of them are on the second team, but the sole first-teamer should be no surprise to Lion fans: Xavier Martin. The rising junior has been the #1 reason for Columbia's losses to the Rams the last two seasons. Stopping him or as they say, containing him, will be a key to victory in The Bronx this September.
Another interesting note is that second-teamer Jordan Bledsoe is moving from the offensive line to the defensive line this season. A number of key seniors on D-Line graduated last May and I had been wondering if Head Coach Tom Masella had a plan to replace them. Apparently, he needed to borrow from the offense.
Fordham opens its 2009 season just 40 days from now at the University of Rhode Island on September 5th.
Mike Telep '75
When Mike Telep came to Columbia in 1971 from the Cleveland suburb of Parma, Ohio he was already a great size for that time at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds.
His timing wasn't great. He was just a year too young to be a part of that great '71 varsity team, and his three years at that level were tough in the win-loss category.
But like so many great Columbia players of the past, Telep performed so well that the opposing coaches couldn't ignore him. He made Honorable Mention All Ivy as a sophomore in '72 and 1st Team All Ivy as a junior in '73.
Under new Head Coach Bill Campbell Telep's role diminished somewhat and the 1-8 Lions didn't place even one offensive player on the 1st or 2nd All-Ivy team.
Even though his '73 stats were better, Telep's best year was that '72 season when Columbia came into the year favored by many to win the Ivy League. He teamed with wide receiver Jesse Parks to give QB Don Jackson some great steady targets.
Today, Telep is back in Ohio where he is active in local government and hosts a regular Bible study class.
posted by Jake @ 2:21:00 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Jake, looking at prospective all Ivy talent, including all Ivy returnees, I think that we really have a shot at going all the way this season if the following occurs: we get off to a good start; the QB situation is settled early in camp; we avoid major injuries; our two new starting tackles play well; somebody emerges as a serious home run threat at tailback; and we avoid boneheaded mistakes on the field. Our talent level -- at least on paper -- is certainly in the top echelon of the league.
We have rarely has this much returning talent and depth... that's true. It's all about the execution.
Almost any team is capable of winning the Ivy League Championship if "we get off to a good start, the QB situation is settled early in camp; we avoid major injuries..." etc. I do agree that our talent level is certainly in the top echelon of the league." Another question mark, however, is the kicking game where a replacement has to be found for Jon Rochall. Overall, my attitude is to skip the "ifs" and stress the positives. YES WE CAN
We have an outstanding incoming kicker.
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