Loss of AET | Syracusefan.com

Loss of AET

stlorange

Scout Team
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
410
Like
909
Anyone else concerned about the loss of AET for this upcoming year? He was a terrific addition last year and probably won us a game or two. I'm cautiously optimistic for next year (like I am every year) but logically would expect us to take a step back or two without AET. Maybe he can be replaced by committee but I sure remember a lot of crucial receptions by him last year.
 
Sure, Etta-Tawo was our MVP -- difficult to replace his production and yes he made a ton of crucial plays.
Then, consider -- Pierce is a weapon at TE that was lacking last season, and overall we have 8 or 9 starters returning on offense. The true frosh Pierre helps to upgrade the depth at the RB position. QB position has depth we haven't had in a long time.

Ishmael has the potential to have more catches, and one or more of Butler, Custis or true frosh WRs will need to emerge. Seems very possible.
 
Almost less worried about our passing game than i am our linebackers. We return some very solid vets and have very excited talent coming in.
 
I think you'll see production like Roger Lewis and Gehrig Dieter (not numbers necessarily but the second year in the system)

Dieter
2014 - 35 for 460
2015 - 94 for 1,033

Lewis
2014 - 73 for 1,094
2015 - 85 for 1,544

So I think Erv and Ish should have very good seasons and collectively they pick up the pieces. AET will surely be missed, though.
 
Take solace that no other team in Division 1 returns more starters than Cuse this Fall.

Phil Steele

Hadn't seen this before - thanks for sharing.

I believe there has been a direct correlation between wins and returning starters. Which should hopefully bode well for next year.
 
I'm thinking Erv steps up even more after his huge jump last year. Excited to see what he can do with even more targets.
 
Remember AET went from nothing at Maryland in 3 years to breaking almost all of our single season records. My guess is that it was equal parts: hardwork/talent and coaching/system. Knowing their track record, I'd expect someone or more than a couple of WR make a huge jump. Custis is my guess, but Butler is right there too.

Plus Pierce and a running game (hopefully).
 
Would I love to have him back absolutely. When is the last time we had an establishes nationally recognized star return the next year? It's been a while. I'm not really that concerned though. I expect the offensive production to make a noticeable jump for two reasons: 1. a lot of returners back in the same system 2. The defense will get off the field more often and a bit faster, giving us the ball back more.

Going into last season my lack of confidence in our defense was the main reason I didn't think 40 point games would be that common for us. I feel better about that this year.
 
Remember AET went from nothing at Maryland in 3 years to breaking almost all of our single season records. My guess is that it was equal parts: hardwork/talent and coaching/system. Knowing their track record, I'd expect someone or more than a couple of WR make a huge jump. Custis is my guess, but Butler is right there too.

Plus Pierce and a running game (hopefully).

I agree with your bottom line (offense should be OK with better balance), but in fairness AET was not nothing at Maryland. He had 3 years of playing experience, was a part-time starter, and had put up some numbers -- including a 100 yard game against SU as a sophomore. AET arrived at SU, was a revelation from the opening of the season, and immediately our #1 receiver.
 
Hadn't seen this before - thanks for sharing.

I believe there has been a direct correlation between wins and returning starters. Which should hopefully bode well for next year.

yep, toss in some very strong Juco and grad transfers coming in and hopefully we can get through our insane schedule and to a bowl!
 
I dont think Custis will be what some of you are hoping. He will be a long ball threat here and there, catch some situational redzone balls but he won't be consistently productive as we think. Devin Butler will be IMO. He has the quickness and run after catch ability for this scheme. He will have alot of catches because he will be targeted on screens. Part of the reason why AET made plays down the field was because of the short game. We threw hitches, stops and jail breaks to him, and when defenses came down, we went over the top. Thats what the scheme requires. Ish and Custis are not the type that get YAC. I think overall, we will be more productive as a unit. Pierce will open things up for us. Ish and Custis will get more down the field looks this year. Our vertical passing game was one demensional last year.
 
I dont think Custis will be what some of you are hoping. He will be a long ball threat here and there, catch some situational redzone balls but he won't be consistently productive as we think. Devin Butler will be IMO. He has the quickness and run after catch ability for this scheme. He will have alot of catches because he will be targeted on screens. Part of the reason why AET made plays down the field was because of the short game. We threw hitches, stops and jail breaks to him, and when defenses came down, we went over the top. Thats what the scheme requires. Ish and Custis are not the type that get YAC. I think overall, we will be more productive as a unit. Pierce will open things up for us. Ish and Custis will get more down the field looks this year. Our vertical passing game was one demensional last year.

Agreed. I'd like to buy in to the "belief without evidence" on Custis, but I just can't. I hope I'm wrong.
 
Anyone else concerned about the loss of AET for this upcoming year? He was a terrific addition last year and probably won us a game or two. I'm cautiously optimistic for next year (like I am every year) but logically would expect us to take a step back or two without AET. Maybe he can be replaced by committee but I sure remember a lot of crucial receptions by him last year.
Nope - the only concern I have for the offense is the O-line being capable blockers. If they're at all adequate then this offense will put up better passing numbers than they did last season with AET.
 
Nope - the only concern I have for the offense is the O-line being capable blockers. If they're at all adequate then this offense will put up better passing numbers than they did last season with AET.
I agree, I want to see the line improve on run and pass blocking as a whole
 
I think what bodes especially well is that we return balance from last year. With the additions of Pierce and Custis I think we'll have a particularly balanced passing attack. Significantly better o-line play and run game will, in my mind, make next years offense a nightmare for the majority of teams on rhe schedule.
 
The big change from 2016 will be on the defensive side. Lots of returning starters and primary reserves, influx of 2 grad transfers, 4 jucos, and better size in the secondary.

In 2016, WR production was concentrated in 4 veterans (AET, Phillips, Ishmael & Estime) with not much from the TE position, and no back-ups pushing the WR starters (other than Cornelius). The mix is different this time, with projected strength at TE (Pierce), and a deeper pool of candidates for roles. In fairness, the returning candidates are unproven (Butler, Custis, Riley) or true frosh who may or may not be able to contribute early. So, August will be interesting.
 
No not concerned. AET wasn't even the #1 or #2 guy at MD. He wasn't even getting sniffed for practice squads before he came here, Dino's system made him and it will make others as well. By system I mean the whole thing, conditioning, diet, practice style, etc. Go take a look at Garopollos recruitment out of HS, Dino made him a dang NFL QB. Kid only had offers from Montana St, Eastern Illinois, and Illinois State. Recruiters weren't banging down his door in any sense of the word. Now if we can just figure out how to play defense......
 
I agree with your bottom line (offense should be OK with better balance), but in fairness AET was not nothing at Maryland. He had 3 years of playing experience, was a part-time starter, and had put up some numbers -- including a 100 yard game against SU as a sophomore. AET arrived at SU, was a revelation from the opening of the season, and immediately our #1 receiver.

I think we largely agree - I did downplay his production at MD a bit. But his dings at MD were his hands and consistency... I think Dino and co were able to largely remedy those things very quickly. I have your utmost trust in their ability to get the most out of WR talent.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
167,128
Messages
4,681,713
Members
5,900
Latest member
DizzyNY

Online statistics

Members online
294
Guests online
2,180
Total visitors
2,474


Top Bottom