15 extra practices...

[Rocco]

Is the most important thing at this point. Starting off with the QB situation. Those practices will greatly help Hunt, but equally as important, will help with Kimble and Wilson. It's becoming apparent that next year's QB battle will be wide open and will also include both of the incoming freshmen. I have high hopes for Edouard, but he will still be a true freshman and have a lot of learning to do. I've heard great things about Kimble since the start of camp, and got to see him practice twice. He passes the look test. Good news is that we have some talent there, albeit unproven talent.

Further, we really need to focus on our running game. With PTG likely done for the next 2 games, Morris and MacFarlane will get a bigger workload to complement Jerome. Pitt and BC will both be games fought in the trenches. It's obvious that our passing game is horrific, so let's throw in a few more wrinkles in with the running backs. Loved what I saw with that screen to MacFarlane against FSU, I don't understand why we don't put both Morris and MacFarlane on the field at the same time in those situations. They would eat linebackers up in the flats. This also makes Hunt's job a lot simpler, doesn't have to make a great throw, go through as many reads, etc. Most importantly, the torch needs to continue to be passed along to Morris and MacFarlane. I am by no means saying that Jerome isn't capable, but I am saying that those 2 guys should've been playing over PTG all year. Huge difference in talent.

The WR situation is hopeless the rest of the year. With Estime out, it's time to move on. Really looking forward to getting this new group of WR's in. Man oh man.

Lastly, Emerich needs to continue to get reps. He is being thrown into the ring next year and he has HUGE shoes to fill for Macky. 15 extra practices would be huge for him, along with Knapp.

Win a game, make it to the Pinstripe Bowl and continue working on this thing. The good news is that the passing game has no place to go but up and our running game only looks to be that much better with what we've seen from M & M.

 

[Lou_C]

Yeha, that time is absolutely invaluable, especially when you think about how many restrictions are in place as far as number of practices and times with coaches. With so many teams going to bowl games now, you simply can't miss bowls regularly and keep up.

 

[Rocco]

Yeha, that time is absolutely invaluable, especially when you think about how many restrictions are in place as far as number of practices and times with coaches. With so many teams going to bowl games now, you simply can't miss bowls regularly and keep up.

Especially a school like Syracuse. When we were missing bowls every year not long ago, it killed our development. I say this considering that the recruits we were getting needed as much coaching "up" as they could get. Great coaching can mask inferior talent, and every practice helps.

 

[upperdeck]

with all the stuff the NCAA does i still dont understand why teams that get bowl games get to practice more than the teams that dont. it doesnt have to be 1-1 but teams that are bad could probably use the extra time to get better as well.

 

[Full_Rebar]

Great point. I'll keep saying it- the NCAA should just allow these practices for everyone. It makes more sense to let teams practice between semesters (and summer) instead of during classes in the Spring...but the NCAA surely wouldn't think about academics first.

 

[Frozen]

With PTG likely done for the next 2 games, Morris and MacFarlane will get a bigger workload to complement Jerome.

Don't forget about Steve Rene. Don't you dare forget about Steve Rene.

 

[Lou_C]

Especially a school like Syracuse. When we were missing bowls every year not long ago, it killed our development. I say this considering that the recruits we were getting needed as much coaching "up" as they could get. Great coaching can mask inferior talent, and every practice helps.

People disagree with me, but it's the biggest reason why I push the scheduling I do. It is imperative that schools schedule 6 absolute wins if at all possible. Not six winnable games, or six should wins, they need to try to have six games they will absolutely win barring a total, fire the coach, Virginia or Purdue-style implosion.

I know some people like to say "Eh, I'd rather not go to the Pinstripe bowl if we can't beat Maryland (or Northwestern or Penn State or whatever)." But that is so short sighted. Think about a team that misses four bowl games, you're losing almost an entire season of practice and development over a team that is going to even garbage bowl games.

I do NOT want to rehash that debate here at all, just emphasizing what a big deal it is that you guys have a chance to get there this year, when very few people outside your fanbase thought you would.

 

[FAL]

People disagree with me, but it's the biggest reason why I push the scheduling I do. It is imperative that schools schedule 6 absolute wins if at all possible. Not six winnable games, or six should wins, they need to try to have six games they will absolutely win barring a total, fire the coach, Virginia or Purdue-style implosion.

I know some people like to say "Eh, I'd rather not go to the Pinstripe bowl if we can't beat Maryland (or Northwestern or Penn State or whatever)." But that is so short sighted. Think about a team that misses four bowl games, you're losing almost an entire season of practice and development over a team that is going to even garbage bowl games.

I do NOT want to rehash that debate here at all, just emphasizing what a big deal it is that you guys have a chance to get there this year, when very few people outside your fanbase thought you would.

Great insight and sage advice! Well stated.

 

[baggerbob]

People disagree with me, but it's the biggest reason why I push the scheduling I do. It is imperative that schools schedule 6 absolute wins if at all possible. Not six winnable games, or six should wins, they need to try to have six games they will absolutely win barring a total, fire the coach, Virginia or Purdue-style implosion.

I know some people like to say "Eh, I'd rather not go to the Pinstripe bowl if we can't beat Maryland (or Northwestern or Penn State or whatever)." But that is so short sighted. Think about a team that misses four bowl games, you're losing almost an entire season of practice and development over a team that is going to even garbage bowl games.

I do NOT want to rehash that debate here at all, just emphasizing what a big deal it is that you guys have a chance to get there this year, when very few people outside your fanbase thought you would.

Now if someone could only get it through the heads of the powers that be, scheduling Army, Colgate, would be better then Penn St, Northwestern, Maryland, Missouri.

 

[Crusty]

I think with Nova and CMU next year they got the point. I just hope we don't pull a Maryland and play St Mary's three times and declare victory. It is possible to carry this stuff too far and then the team is not ready for conference play. Everything in moderation.

 

[JoeSU]

The tangible benefit of going to a bowl game is the extra practices, while the intangible advantage is how it affects public perception. It keeps the football program in the public eye, and it means a lot to be able to tell a recruit "we've been to (or won) 3 bowl games in the past 4 years". For an established program like VaTech, I don't think this means as much, but for a program like SU that has struggled to regain respectability, it provides a base to build on. A team is not going to go from a losing record to a top 25 program in one step.

 

[Lou_C]

The tangible benefit of going to a bowl game is the extra practices, while the intangible advantage is how it affects public perception. It keeps the football program in the public eye, and it means a lot to be able to tell a recruit "we've been to (or won) 3 bowl games in the past 4 years". For an established program like VaTech, I don't think this means as much, but for a program like SU that has struggled to regain respectability, it provides a base to build on. A team is not going to go from a losing record to a top 25 program in one step.

Agreed on perception. With the proliferation of bowl games, going to a bowl game isn't really a signifier of anything any more, but missing a bowl game certainly is. Nobody looks at teams that miss bowl games with any frequency as anything less than the bottom of the barrel in the sport. It may not be fair, when it doesn't take into account schedules, but that's just the way it is. People just won't look at a non-bowl team as any good at all.

 

[RICuse44]

People disagree with me, but it's the biggest reason why I push the scheduling I do. It is imperative that schools schedule 6 absolute wins if at all possible. Not six winnable games, or six should wins, they need to try to have six games they will absolutely win barring a total, fire the coach, Virginia or Purdue-style implosion.

I know some people like to say "Eh, I'd rather not go to the Pinstripe bowl if we can't beat Maryland (or Northwestern or Penn State or whatever)." But that is so short sighted. Think about a team that misses four bowl games, you're losing almost an entire season of practice and development over a team that is going to even garbage bowl games.

I do NOT want to rehash that debate here at all, just emphasizing what a big deal it is that you guys have a chance to get there this year, when very few people outside your fanbase thought you would.

That extra season is particularly valuable for the development of players from the Northeast, especially New York. As a freshman they are already behind the eight ball in terms of time on the field compared to their southern counterparts. Missing bowls just makes it moreso.

 

[SmilinBob]

How many reps will the young qb's get if they have the extra 15? You have 2 seniors and of course Hunt and you're trying to win the bowl game as well, how many times can Wilson or Kimble be in the 1st or 2nd team mix?

 

[Moontan]

How many reps will the young qb's get if they have the extra 15? You have 2 seniors and of course Hunt and you're trying to win the bowl game as well, how many times can Wilson or Kimble be in the 1st or 2nd team mix?

The first 6-8 practices are there for development, letting dinged up players heal and keeping the rest of the starters healthy & in shape. The remaining practices switch to normal game prep mode.

 

[SmilinBob]

The first 6-8 practices are there for development, letting dinged up players heal and keeping the rest of the starters healthy & in shape. The remaining practices switch to normal game prep mode.

Thanks Moontan, I remember how that went.

 

[Rocco]

How many reps will the young qb's get if they have the extra 15? You have 2 seniors and of course Hunt and you're trying to win the bowl game as well, how many times can Wilson or Kimble be in the 1st or 2nd team mix?

Wilson, and especially Kimble, will get a lot of the 1's and 2's early on IMO. As much as it is about winning the bowl game, it's equally if not more important for the younger players to get work and the staff continue to assess where they're at (talent-wise). Recruiting-wise, it still gives them a chance to focus on positional needs and go out and recruit the heck out of a kid for 2 months if need be. Like Moontan said, the final week will be more like a week of game planning where Hunt and Allen will get the reps. The 15 practices are very similar to a bye week, but even better due to the expanded roles of the redshirts, 2's and 3's.

Those 15 extra practices are worth gold for this team. Cannot practice enough.

 

[All4SU]

How many reps will the young qb's get if they have the extra 15? You have 2 seniors and of course Hunt and you're trying to win the bowl game as well, how many times can Wilson or Kimble be in the 1st or 2nd team mix?

Love Charlie Loeb. But if we get extra practices, he's not getting QB reps in them. Allen's reps would be limited. The reps would fall to Hunt and the young guys.

 

[Rocco]

Love Charlie Loeb. But if we get extra practices, he's not getting QB reps in them. Allen's reps would be limited. The reps would fall to Hunt and the young guys.

Exactly, at this point Charlie can continue understanding the art of coaching football. That's the next direction for him and Shaf is giving him that opportunity next year as a GA. It is better for him to continue with the coaching nuances, he seems like the type of personable, out-going and intelligent kid that could make waves in the coaching world down the road.

 

[PhatOrange]

How many reps will the young qb's get if they have the extra 15? You have 2 seniors and of course Hunt and you're trying to win the bowl game as well, how many times can Wilson or Kimble be in the 1st or 2nd team mix?

It's essentially an additional spring practice. All the pups get reps for more than half the practices.

after that then there is normal game week prep.

 

[KaiserUEO]

the last 15 practices of hunts starting QB career.

 

[cuseguy]

It would be nice if we could get an idea how the frosh QBs look in practice.

 

[SmilinBob]

It's essentially an additional spring practice. All the pups get reps for more than half the practices.

after that then there is normal game week prep.

Do you guys know this as a fact or just hoping that it's an extra practice for the young guys? I hope you're right and let's get that win on Saturday!

 

[Moontan]

Do you guys know this as a fact or just hoping that it's an extra practice for the young guys? I hope you're right and let's get that win on Saturday!

It's how things are traditionally done. Depending on the date of a bowl game and the academic calendar, those practices could be spread out over 4+ weeks.

If you take the Belk Bowl, for example, the last SU finals are on the 13th with the bowl game on the 28th. Assuming a day or two of team obligations in Charlotte, I would expect the team to have a holiday dinner in Syracuse in the 24th and travel to Charlotte around noon on the 25th. There are only 7 or 9 possible practices between finals and the bowl game. Those would be the game prep practices. The other 6-8 practices would be held from Dec 2-13. That's when the younger players will be evaluated, and when the coaches review bowl opponent video and devise their game plans.

I suspect (but do not know for sure) that all practices must be held before the bowl game. With some bowls on the 21st, it would be a real tight schedule in order to maximize the practice opportunity. Teams playing in the BCS bowls would appear to have all of December to use those practices. That's really only true for a couple of the teams as most will be playing in their respective conference championship games. The AAC and Bevo champions have the advantage here.

 

[Rocco]

It would be nice if we could get an idea how the frosh QBs look in practice.

I've heard that Kimble looks pretty damn good.