Kevin Johnson Believes Shafer will turn SU Around | Syracusefan.com

Kevin Johnson Believes Shafer will turn SU Around

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http://syracuse.At their request, t...son-believes-shafer-will-turn-su-around?s=185

Free Article...

Johnson Believes Shafer Will Turn SU Around

Kevin Johnson finished his Syracuse career with 1,584 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches. He also had 1,437 return yards with five return touchdowns. It was a stellar four seasons for one of the Orange’s all-time greats at the position.
So good, in fact, it made him a second round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns. He played in the NFL with four different teams and retired after the 2005 season. Since then, keeping up with the Syracuse football program has not been his forte. But that is about to change.
”I haven’t done such a great job in the past,” Johnson said. “Over the last year to year and a half, I’ve gotten more engaged in Syracuse and understanding what they’re doing. My son is in ninth grade right now, so I’m gaining a better understanding of what the high school athlete is doing and where he needs to be. He loves football, so ultimately, I’ve really just started to work with him.
”As a former Syracuse player, I’m really just starting to follow the program. Sitting down and having conversations with coach Shafer and his staff, listening to their ideas and their plan with what they want to do in the future. It really helps having a coach that’s open and honest that wants me to be a part of the program. It’s been great. I’m looking forward to catching a bunch of games this year.”
Back in Johnson’s time at Syracuse, the Orange were perennial contenders. Both in the Big East and as a national power. Since he left, the program has been on a downward spiral, reaching the low point brought about by the Greg Robinson era.
The task of the Scott Shafer led coaching staff is to get the program to what it once was. After spending some time with the coaches during a weekend coaches clinic, Johnson is convinced the right men are in place to build Syracuse back up.
”Yeah, actually I do,” Johnson said. “I think you have a group of coaches who are young and enthusiastic. I think they have the passion to really put forth the effort and push the young guys. Anytime you have passion and you have work ethic, I think those are the main ingredients to create excitement and a great atmosphere.
”I really think those guys can bring the program back to where it used to be. I think coach Shafer has built a great young staff that has the hard work and dedication to put the excitement back in Syracuse.”
 
No reason to do an interview about this if you don't have anything good to say. There's not always ulterior motives, sometimes guys really do believe, what's wrong with taking it at face value.

Sometimes, we can take a positive article and enjoy the positive outlook.
 
No reason to do an interview about this if you don't have anything good to say. There's not always ulterior motives, sometimes guys really do believe, what's wrong with taking it at face value.

Sometimes, we can take a positive article and enjoy the positive outlook.
http://syracuse.At their request, t...son-believes-shafer-will-turn-su-around?s=185

Free Article...

Johnson Believes Shafer Will Turn SU Around

Kevin Johnson finished his Syracuse career with 1,584 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches. He also had 1,437 return yards with five return touchdowns. It was a stellar four seasons for one of the Orange’s all-time greats at the position.
So good, in fact, it made him a second round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns. He played in the NFL with four different teams and retired after the 2005 season. Since then, keeping up with the Syracuse football program has not been his forte. But that is about to change.
”I haven’t done such a great job in the past,” Johnson said. “Over the last year to year and a half, I’ve gotten more engaged in Syracuse and understanding what they’re doing. My son is in ninth grade right now, so I’m gaining a better understanding of what the high school athlete is doing and where he needs to be. He loves football, so ultimately, I’ve really just started to work with him.
”As a former Syracuse player, I’m really just starting to follow the program. Sitting down and having conversations with coach Shafer and his staff, listening to their ideas and their plan with what they want to do in the future. It really helps having a coach that’s open and honest that wants me to be a part of the program. It’s been great. I’m looking forward to catching a bunch of games this year.”
Back in Johnson’s time at Syracuse, the Orange were perennial contenders. Both in the Big East and as a national power. Since he left, the program has been on a downward spiral, reaching the low point brought about by the Greg Robinson era.
The task of the Scott Shafer led coaching staff is to get the program to what it once was. After spending some time with the coaches during a weekend coaches clinic, Johnson is convinced the right men are in place to build Syracuse back up.
”Yeah, actually I do,” Johnson said. “I think you have a group of coaches who are young and enthusiastic. I think they have the passion to really put forth the effort and push the young guys. Anytime you have passion and you have work ethic, I think those are the main ingredients to create excitement and a great atmosphere.
”I really think those guys can bring the program back to where it used to be. I think coach Shafer has built a great young staff that has the hard work and dedication to put the excitement back in Syracuse.”
 
I believe he's also coaching a kid that SU is recruiting.
 
Yeah - he traveled to Syracuse, wants his son to attend - but is lying to the reporter? C'mon.
absolutely, this was about as positive an article as there could be for the program.

if he didnt like SS, my $$ would be that there would be no article instead of a slam piece.

KJ would make for a great ambassador, he should be front and center when he comes to some games this year...get him on camera on the sideline or something.
 
What's he gonna say? "No, this is going to end in a disaster."
This is sort of the standard query every time something positive is stated by someone about the program or coach or former coach :)
 
What's he gonna say? "No, this is going to end in a disaster."
Though cynicism is one possible response to a nice positive article, I prefer to think the article is spot on and that SU football will make us proud again, starting this year. I love hearing positive things from Syracuse greats and think we can support that message by giving the coaches & players their opportunity to build a competitive team before inferring failure. No doubt there will be significant challenges, but this is a new season with room for optimism. LGO!!
 
Great to have KJ back in the fold. He was one of my favorites.

Not at all surprised at what he said. Shafer is a very engaging guy, and I have no doubt that to spend time with him would make one believe that this program is headed on to bigger and better things.
 
I really like SS and want he to succeed. I believe that he will do just that!! Hopefully the big boys will try to pull him away and he says "No Thank You"
 
I keep saying this. Last year was the anomaly. I personally would bet my life savings Syracuse wins no less than eight games. Probably more.
 
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It's simply very hard objectively to be positive about SU football. I believe with my heart. My head tells me otherwise. Shafer seems like a very well intentioned guy. With loads of passion. A real shirt off of his back type. So was Gerg.

I'll happily eat crow if I am wrong. Very happily.
 
It's simple really. They guy is engaging. The players love him. Recruits love him and his staff. The community would love him more if there were some W's and momentum.

Can he find an average offense (for 2015)? (If we see that, but our D takes a step back - I'll give hime a pass this season. I trust our D coaches)
Can we win more games, spring an upset?
 
It's simple really. They guy is engaging. The players love him. Recruits love him and his staff. The community would love him more if there were some W's and momentum.

Can he find an average offense (for 2015)? (If we see that, but our D takes a step back - I'll give hime a pass this season. I trust our D coaches)
Can we win more games, spring an upset?
That upset is key. Winning games would be great too, but I feel like it's been forever, I guess Missouri when we went in and took one we weren't supposed to.
 
It's simple really. They guy is engaging. The players love him. Recruits love him and his staff. The community would love him more if there were some W's and momentum.

Can he find an average offense (for 2015)? (If we see that, but our D takes a step back - I'll give hime a pass this season. I trust our D coaches)
Can we win more games, spring an upset?
Last year was the chance to beat Clemsn sigh.
 
I keep saying this. Last year was the änomoly. I personally would bet my life savings Syracuse wins no less than eight games. Probably more.
LOL - how do you pronounce "änomoly"?

Damn you, autocorrect! :D
 

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