1.Tell us about your recruiting class. It appears as though you landed an instant impact RB. What gives Orangemen fans hope for 2008?
Before we begin, I do have to say that we are the Orange now, not the Orangemen (ed note: I cannot do it - they'll forever be the Orangement to me!). As much as I would love to still be the Orangemen, we are not.
This class is one of the best Syracuse has seen at least in the last five years. For the first time in the Greg Robinson era, he has gotten some excellent recruits, highlighted by the top recruit out of New York State Averin Collier. Collier (5'11''/200lbs) is a running back with strength, speed, and a good knowledge of the game. It is nice that we could secure a recruit from our neighborhood instead of letting them slip away to Rutgers, Connecticut, or another major school. Mike Hart, RB at Michigan, was from Syracuse and a big example of the lack of being able to keep recruits in our area. Syracuse already has an excellent stable of Running Backs so Collier will be a nice addition to the running game.
Another top recruit from New York State is from Syracuse's Christian Brother's Academy, about ten minutes from the university. Marcus Sales plays wide receiver, and adding him to our thin but talented receiver core, he should be a welcome addition.
Really, the fact that we have a decent recruiting class, that Syracuse landed a few top recruits from New York, and there were some coaching additions and shake ups that poise the Orange for a solid year that should be far better than the last.
2. Northwestern opens up the season with Syracuse at home. While, NU can NEVER pencil in a win (see Duke last year), fans around here are expecting to win that game. When 'Cuse fans see Northwestern on the schedule, they think what ???????????
Most likely the same thing. In Syracuse, hope always springs eternal. The first game of the year is most often a litmus test for the fans. If the team performs well, then attendance will be fairly good, but if they look terrible attendance will fall off rapidly. I will say this, the home opener every season in the Carrier Dome is electric -so it is too bad this game is in Evanston. The fans are out in numbers, the crowd is loud and in the game, and people are excited to see what the team can do.
Really, Syracuse has a lot of potential. If the team capitalizes on it, limits mistakes, and plays with a purpose it will be a game. However, Syracuse's offense was not stellar last year, and the defense left much to be desired. Improvements will be made, and players will be better. I would definitely not sleep on the Orange - especially in a season opener.
3. Tell us about the state of the program other than what we can glean from the record (2-10 in 2007, 4-8 in 2006) and catching the occasional ESPN appearance.
This program has a lot of tradition. Syracuse has won the National Championship in 1959. Syracuse has a Heisman Trophy winner in Ernie Davis in 1961. Syracuse is also in a great football conference in the Big East. I say this not to blow our collective horn, but to show that this program will not be down for too long. A program with this much tradition never is. In 2004 Syracuse tied for first place in the conference and went to a bowl game. With this recruiting class most people that follow Syracuse feel they have finally started turning the corner from mediocre to competitive again. Syracuse will probably not upset a ranked team next season, but it is very possible they will not lose to anyone they are not supposed to either. With a full core of healthy running backs again, a solid wide receiver, and a quarterback who is much more mobile than our previous, this should be a fairly competitive squad.
4. Which players should we fear heading into the opener?
Northwestern should clearly fear Mike Williams. He currently possesses the record for most games in a row with a touchdown for Syracuse in team history, and it is still active. He made some spectacular catches last season and is on par to do the same this year.
After sitting out a year because of a dislocated hip, running back Delone Carter will be back in full force. He has a chip on his shoulder after sitting out a year, and will do everything he can to make up for it. This back is big and powerful and will not be afraid to lower his helmet and hit some defenders.
Our special teams is an excellent unit as well. Patrick Shadle was the forth best junior kicker in the nation last season according to ESPN's Mel Kiper. He was very accurate and had some very long field goals, his longest being 50 yards. Look for him to continue his success into his senior year. Our punter Rob Long got a lot of practice last season and had quite a few punts pinned down inside the 20. Finally Max Suter became the love of all of Orange Nation last season. He is excellent at kick and punt returns and is always dangerous when the ball is in his hands. Look for him to give the Orange excellent starting field position.
5. What is the pervasive mood of fans in Syracuse as it relates to football?
It has been bleak the last few seasons. 2005 until now has been the worst stretch of Syracuse football in history. Which ticket prices going up, stupid marketing gimmicks and numbers being retired for great players still do not fool anyone. Generally though, the die hard fans still come out. There is still the atmosphere of big time college football. Syracuse is always on TV, even if it is just ESPN Regional. And, as I said before, hope always springs eternal for Syracuse fans.
6. I noticed your countdown clock to frustration. No offense, but being a very similar school to Syracuse, we take offense to programs that have not endured the kind of pain we have endured. However, we believe we've turned the corner in football on the path to competitiveness. What, if anything, worries you about Northwestern?
Your quarterback, CJ Bacher, seems like he could be explosive on the gridiron and do some damage on the offensive end against Syracuse. It seems that he was plagued with interceptions last year though, so I guess it will be a wildcard against the Orange. Do not feel bad though, as the Orange defense is also a wildcard.
As for the frustration, I grew up watching Syracuse football with my father. I saw the Don McNabb era and even got to go to the last two Syracuse bowl games. I have even seen Syracuse beat the number seven team in the country win in triple overtime. That is why it is so frustrating to go through the worst stretch in franchise history. While your program may not be in the best shape, ours had seen better days, which I think could be more frustrating than never knowing what an amazing program could be (ed note: uhhh...we actually do know thanks in large part to then LB-now-Coach Fitz.)
Thanks Brian, we'll be sure to check back with you as the season approaches. In the meantime, for more February analysis of Syracuse that doesn't relate to hoops, check out SMQ's recent post...here.
Footnote:
Cats and Cuse fans alike share a rather unique bond. An upcoming biography feature film, "The Express" on above-mentioned Heisman Trophy winner, Ernie Davis was actually filmed at Ryan Field last spring in addition to Lane Tech High School. This is the same movie that Damien Anderson tried out for - and did not make - as one of the featured players alongside Davis. The movie is scheduled to be released in October of this year. Below is a photo from Universal Pictures of one of the scenes shot at Ryan Field (hard to tell). The movie stars Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown plays Ernie Davis. For more info check out the link here.
Sad Day
Condolences to the Paynter family for the loss of 21-year-old Northwestern Wildcat, Brian Paynter, who helped out with the football team. Paynter is part of the famous NUMB Paynter family and I choked up when I read about the fact that at the very end of his bout with cancer he actually married his high school sweetheart. Brian died three days later. Read the obit here. I would be surprised if Fitz did not do some type of classy tribute to Brian this upcoming season.
1 comments:
Touching story. The NW family has been through a lot recently, with the Coble family's struggles, and Walker's passing. Purdue fans are keeping them all in our prayers.
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