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Wyatt Baker
A couple of quick news items before I ask you all to weigh in on some questions:
-Former Columbia assistant coach Chip Kelley makes $2.3 million per year now as the head coach at Oregon. If he were still living in Manhattan that would cover rent for a small apartment for six months… maybe.
-Columbia’s class of 2015 for the wrestling team has been announced. There are some athletes there with impressive football pedigrees, especially Wyatt Baker from Orange County.
Baker played defensive tackle for Servite High School, the same school where Columbia got Ray Rangel '10.
If Coach Wilson et al have imposed some kind of rule against two sport players, (if so, Lou Miller '10 would be an exception), but if so that rule should be broken to see if young Mr. Baker is interested. We're talking about a 6-3 265 pound DT!!! He's just what the doctor is ordering for the Lions priority one: STOP THE RUN.
Okay, let’s hear what you think about these burning questions:
Question 1:
Columbia returns a very strong offensive line, an All Ivy versatile QB, and at least two very promising speedy running backs.
What’s the best way to utilize these assets? Choices below:
1: Run the option offense on every darn play… out of the wishbone if necessary!
2: West Coast Offense, baby! Let Brackett throw short passes to the backs and the WR’s almost all the time. Use the short passes to set up the run and then the bomb.
3: Despite the lack of a proven FB, run the I-formation all the time and mix in lots of play action.
4: Your idea here
Question 2:
Three Ivy schools have yet to announce their incoming football classes of 2015. They are Columbia, Cornell and Yale. Who will be the first team to report next? Who will be the last?
Okay, lemme hear from ya!
posted by Jake @ 7:37:00 AM
22 comments
22 Comments:
Well...all I can say is I remember the Brown game from two seasons ago. Brackett ran the option all day on them. With two speedy running backs and the strong line, I like an offensive scheme that sweeps to the outside and does not get clogged up in the middle.
I therefore prefer idea 1 more than 2 because it makes the defense have to cover more ground. You can always pepper in some FB led trap plays and swing passes to mix things up but otherwise.....(wait for it)....LET BRACKETT BE BRACKETT!
... don't change the offense .... run the option .... have some plays designed to get Garrett outside ... PLAY GOOD DEFENSE ....
Frank F '70C
The offense isn't the issue; we will score our points.The issue is stopping the run.
I like all three styles of offense depending on game situation, but that wasn't your question. The option gives us the best chance to gain yardage because this team (as the 1st poster points out)is loaded with speedy backs and a speedy, excellent ball handling QB who absolutely thrive on running outside the tackles.
The problem with this type of offense is that it may be turnover prone, particularly on wet, windy, and/or cold days.The West coast offense is hard to run because you must have multiple (preferably 4 or more) talented receivers and the ability of the QB to make multiple reads quickly. Historically we haven't given Brackett that kind of time or weapons.
I like the "I" formation (and options off of it, but, as you stated, you need a monster FB to make it effective.
Your question about incoming wrestler Wyatt Baker is spot-on, which leads me to ask the same question about rising senior wrestler Kevin Lester who weighs in at 285 lbs and was a NCAA qualifier as a junior and All-Ivy as well. Coming out high school, Kevin was recruited by Boise State to play football.
Lou Miller set the precedent. Wouldn't it be great to see these two monster players lend their talents to the football team?
Tod Howard Hawks 66C
Get that kid on the football field! Wrestlers usually have great hands and are strong at the point of attack. I guarantee this kid and Lester could both make an immediate impact. Wonder if the wrestling coach would be ok with them playing?
Looking at a kid’s measurements (most are inflated) and wishing they would play football is all good, however, the person must have the desire to play. Schools are filled with students who on paper look great, but for whatever never pan out. Must be a reason these individuals decided not to play football.
Beyond desire and physical ability, there is a significant amount of mental knowledge required to learn the game of football, that can't be necessarily learned overnight
GET GERST 15-20 TOUCHES A GAME AND HE WILL BE THE BEST BACK IN THE IVY'S AND OPEN THINGS UP FOR BRACKETT AND COMPANY
AGREED ON GERST!!! But he has to stay healthy; I think he was injured quite a bit last season. And Brackett is already the best QB, and probably the best player, in the Ivies. And Adams is the best OL.
Get the backs the ball. Garrett is strong,fast,and explosive. Let Brackett do his thing and make any adjustments from there.
I say put that frosh FB in. His films look good...as he seems to find his blocks, makes them and creates openings. Even if he is a bit green, give him a shot and see if he steps up. in addition to the solid O-line, he might give Gerst, Garrett and Brackett those extra holes per game to make more third down conversions and maybe break a few more big gainers
You only need a few more of those per game to change the outcome.
Tall order for a freshman
Maybe, but give him some plays and see how he does. If too soon, then not too much lost.
Except for that rare case 2 sports is too much of a load at this level especially at an Ivy school.
Karl Groth
i was speaking of the FB kid, not awrestler
Am I the only one who would question a guy who puts on enough eye-black to make him look like Liz Taylor in Cleopatra? Seriously... what happened to all of the old school football players?
The QB takes a lot of hits running option. We can't afford to lose Brackett. It also leads to fumbles.
We should expect teams to bltz heavily all year. We will need to run screens, draws and flare passes. We should also use rolling pockets and sprint outs to give brackett time to evade blitz and throw/run. We also need to stop throwing long sideline passes for 2 or 3 yds. We should also try throwing short passes over middle--by short I mean the 5 to 7 yd variety and not 20 yders down seam.
I fully agree about avoidance of those long sideline passes which get 2 or 3 yards. Teams hurt us with 10 yard sideline throws last year.
We're going to score points. The questions will be whether we can stop anybody and whether we can consistently play 60 solid minutes against better Ivy teams.
Jake, a Yale football alumnus just told me about a 300 pound run stuffer who has transferred from Duke to Yale. He also told me that Yale admissions has been holding up a few recruits and transfers who are academically very borderline.
As in the past you can expect constant pressure. Short quick passes and counters will be key. The biggest reason teams constantly load the box and blitz against us is because they know we either don't adjust or are slow to adjust. Our tendencies are probably the most predictable in the country. When it comes down to it a change in game time play calling needs to happen or the guy running the offense needs to be changed. The run the same play 3 times and out mentality has killed us for years. The tools are all there, you just need to use them properly.
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