Any Spring Practice Updates?

[Orangeyes]

Sounds like a Seal team drill

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I'd like to respond to a few things, because I think some of your comments stand as one point that is helpful in showing how far apart some members of the fan base truly are.

And I see no indication that the fan base is "defeated."

I do not ever recall seeing multiple people on this forum openly discussing that they gave up their tickets and took the time to write a defense of their reasons for doing so. To me, people not just giving up their tickets, but openly discussing it and finding others that feel like them indicates to me that at least a portion of the fan base is "defeated." That portion doesn't matter to some, but for a program that last season was openly floating the idea that they are having difficulties recruiting because we don't have enough fans... well, it seems to me as though they should matter.

If you feel defeated, that's your problem.

That sounds great, but again, that's simply false when the program itself has acknowledged that it needs more fans. For multiple fans to feel defeated before spring practice has even wrapped up should not be acceptable to a program that openly has stated that they need more and stronger fan support.

You will recall that we lost 15 practice sessions in the fall by failing to go to a bowl game. That I'm sure has made a difference in his thinking this spring.

I would be fine with that line of thinking if I felt like the staff demonstrated any kind of urgency in doing everything they could to avoid missing a bowl. However, in the final game of the season the staff rolled out their favorite gameplan - against a team with an awful quarterback their goal was to "keep it close" and "give the offense a chance to pull it out in the end," to say nothing of missed opportunities vs Rutgers and others. So it's an awfully bitter pill for me to swallow that the reason why our program needs to be shrouded in (more) mystery is because coach feels he needs to keep things quiet because we weren't gutsy enough to play like a team that really needed to go to a bowl.

One last comment - I am sooooo tired of the idea that "all we need to do is win," as if that magically solves all problems. Do you know why I hate that phrase? Because recent history shows that winning isn't exactly on our side. Marrone's 17-20. We have a pretty difficult schedule. Supposedly our offense is changing (I'll believe it when I see it), but that should carry some concern too, because if the offense is so radically different from what we've been running, and we've been recruiting to that offense, what's the ceiling? But the biggest reason why I hate "all we need to do is win" is because just like we've seen in other aspects of how our staff does things, there's no margin for error. We don't provide ourselves any leeway. It's win, or not, and maybe I'm a defeated fan too, but I have to really talk myself into the idea that we're going to win a lot of games this season.

 

[OrangePA]

I'd like to respond to a few things, because I think some of your comments stand as one point that is helpful in showing how far apart some members of the fan base truly are.



One last comment - I am sooooo tired of the idea that "all we need to do is win," as if that magically solves all problems. Do you know why I hate that phrase? Because recent history shows that winning isn't exactly on our side. Marrone's 17-20. We have a pretty difficult schedule. Supposedly our offense is changing (I'll believe it when I see it), but that should carry some concern too, because if the offense is so radically different from what we've been running, and we've been recruiting to that offense, what's the ceiling? But the biggest reason why I hate "all we need to do is win" is because just like we've seen in other aspects of how our staff does things, there's no margin for error. We don't provide ourselves any leeway. It's win, or not, and maybe I'm a defeated fan too, but I have to really talk myself into the idea that we're going to win a lot of games this season.

I agree with nothing you say.

Every year a few yo yos anounce that they are giving up their season tix - and they do so in a way that suggests that it's somehow meaningful to those on this board.

So a guy gives up his tix this year because he is charged a $7 service fee. Such thinking has no significance at all and obviously should have no influence on how the team is run.

And a few get upset because a few spring practices are closed - when virtually nobody on this board attends spring practice or even considers attending.

When Marrone beats WVU he is a great coach, and when he loses to Rutgers he stinks. The feelings on this board vary according to the W-L record.

He is making an effort to win - that is why practice is closed for now. If he does win people on this board will be happy and more and more fans will fill the Dome.

If you don't think that's true, then you don't recall the days in the early 1980s when less than 30,000 came to watch Coach Mac's early teams or the the early 1970s when less than 15,000 regularly came to Archbold to see Ben's final two teams.

Ultimately, it's about winning and that is what Marrone is trying to do. If you feel that open spring practices or $7 service fees or a recruiting event are crucial to the process, I think you're wrong.

Events and marketing are important. I agree with that. But, I am willing to defer to the coach right now if he feels he must devote himself to pure and intense coaching this spring.

I think he deserves that kind of deference for now.

 

[rrlbees]

I agree with nothing you say.

Every year a few yo yos anounce that they are giving up their season tix - and they do so in a way that suggests that it's somehow meaningful to those on this board.

So a guy gives up his tix this year because he is charged a $7 service fee. Such thinking has no significance at all and obviously should have no influence on how the team is run.

And a few get upset because a few spring practices are closed - when virtually nobody on this board attends spring practice or even considers attending.

When Marrone beats WVU he is a great coach, and when he loses to Rutgers he stinks. The feelings on this board vary according to the W-L record.

He is making an effort to win - that is why practice is closed for now. If he does win people on this board will be happy and more and more fans will fill the Dome.

If you don't think that's true, then you don't recall the days in the early 1980s when less than 30,000 came to watch Coach Mac's early teams or the the early 1970s when less than 15,000 regularly came to Archbold to see Ben's final two teams.

Ultimately, it's about winning and that is what Marrone is trying to do. If you feel that open spring practices or $7 service fees or a recruiting event are crucial to the process, I think you're wrong.

Events and marketing are important. I agree with that. But, I am willing to defer to the coach right now if he feels he must devote himself to pure and intense coaching this spring.

I think he deserves that kind of deference for now.

You're beginning to embellish like IB and a few others like to do. I don't know of a single person that gave up their tickets because of a $7 fee. Can you name someone?

As to a bad coach when we lost to rutgers? Nah, he was the same coach as he was when we beat WVU, but he made a chickshit decision that told his team he didn't trust them. A 6 inch decision cost the team a bowl and that is on Marrone. But as far as the big picture, he is/was the same coach.

 

[OrangePA]

You're beginning to embellish like IB and a few others like to do. I don't know of a single person that gave up their tickets because of a $7 fee. Can you name someone?

As to a bad coach when we lost to rutgers? Nah, he was the same coach as he was when we beat WVU, but he made a chickshit decision that told his team he didn't trust them. A 6 inch decision cost the team a bowl and that is on Marrone. But as far as the big picture, he is/was the same coach.

I think Stern dropped his tix because of the fee.

You mean the throw from inside the three that was INT'd?

If Bailey holds onto the ball in OT or if Philip catches that pick six, we win the game.

Way too many mistakes in that awful loss.

 

[rrlbees]

I think Stern dropped his tix because of the fee.

You mean the throw from inside the three that was INT'd?

If Bailey holds onto the ball in OT or if Philip catches that pick six, we win the game.

Way too many mistakes in that awful loss.

I don't think Stern gave them up for $7.

No, I am talking about the 4th and 6 inches for a TD when we chose to kick the FG. Marrone can't control that dropped pick 6 or Bailey's fumble, but he made the call that told his team they couldn't get 6 inches for the win.

 

[OrangePA]

I don't think Stern gave them up for $7.

No, I am talking about the 4th and 6 inches for a TD when we chose to kick the FG. Marrone can't control that dropped pick 6 or Bailey's fumble, but he made the call that told his team they couldn't get 6 inches for the win.

I don't recall the specifics, but I seem to recall agreeing with the decision.

Say what one will about Rutgers, but their DL was stronger than our OL.

Get the points. We did get the FG didn't we?

Or did Ross miss? I think he did.

 

[rrlbees]

I don't recall the specifics, but I seem to recall agreeing with the decision.

Say what one will about Rutgers, but their DL was stronger than our OL.

Get the points. We did get the FG didn't we?

Or did Ross miss? I think he did.

We got the FG.

 

[OrangePA]

We got the FG.

That game still sticks in my craw.

I really can't stand that team from middle-New Jersey.

Should have won the game by 30.

 

[orangenirvana]

Lets hear some your marketing ideas.

What would you do to improve the program?

I'm not being sarcastic. Tell us what you would do.

For the past three years spring practice has been open. Orangeyes, OrangeExtreme, Tomcat, DCCuse and a few others show up regularly. Me and a few others show up once in awhile.

The open practice thing has not translated into large Dome crowds or a groundswell of any kind of support - at least as far as I can tell.

The ticket prices are very low - that does not seem to make any difference. Instead we get complaints about $7 handling charges.

The team went to a bowl game at Yankee Stadium in Marrone's second year - defeating a well-coached K-State team with a decent offensive performance - apparently you don't see that as a positive.

Instead we're right back to where we always seem to be - what we always seem to read on this board, year after year dating back to the DeLeone days - your call to "replace the offensive coaches."

Sorry, but it's just the same old mantra that ignores the details of where the program is and has been and where it is going.

I can pretty much assure you that if the team performs well this fall, you and the rest will be back cheering them on and ignoring the closed practice issue.

First and foremost, Marrone has to make at least a portion of practices available to the media. If you want to keep the few fans out, so be it. But you have to give at least something to the media. They have nothing to write about right now. It's as if spring practice isn't even happening right now. And maybe that's no big deal, I don't know. But to me, it just doesn't seem like a good idea.

You won't see me complaining about ticket prices or parking. Don't lump me in with others.

The bowl game in Year #2 was absolutely a positive. But how much of that had to do with a great, innovative offense?

And you can't follow that up with a total collapse and a last-place finish in the worst BCS conference in history and not expect some heat.

Who says I'm not cheering them on?

 

[GHLF]

You're beginning to embellish like IB and a few others like to do. I don't know of a single person that gave up their tickets because of a $7 fee. Can you name someone?

As to a bad coach when we lost to rutgers? Nah, he was the same coach as he was when we beat WVU, but he made a chickshit decision that told his team he didn't trust them. A 6 inch decision cost the team a bowl and that is on Marrone. But as far as the big picture, he is/was the same coach.

This board is a combination of personal resentment that comes across when people do not feel they are kept in the loop enough. It then spews out in the form bad game day decisions by the coach. If they were treated like a queen all would be well. I better be quiet, it is so nauseating

 

[Scooch]

I hear that [player x] showed up in the best shape of his life. [Player Y] is really motivated by what [good / bad] thing happened last year. The [coaches / marching band] spent hours analyzing what went [good / bad] last [year/decade] and I think you're all going to be surprised how different the [offense / halftime show] looks. Conference title?! Hmmmmm.


You're welcome.

 

[rrlbees]

This board is a combination of personal resentment that comes across when people do not feel they are kept in the loop enough. It then spews out in the form bad game day decisions by the coach. If they were treated like a queen all would be well. I better be quiet, it is so nauseating

I'm glad I have no clue what you just said.

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[DeepThrowIt]

Lets hear some your marketing ideas.

What would you do to improve the program?

I'm not being sarcastic. Tell us what you would do.

.

http://syracusefan.com/threads/three-easy-fan-friendly-initiatives-for-su.23910/

 

[SmilinBob]

How about we let the guy that is in charge do the job the way he thinks it should be done and support the team?

 

[Hoov50]

Just got back from a High School Coaches Clinic from that was held at UNC. Larry Fedora was great to listen to a long with his entire staff. The first night, there was a huge reception with beer, all types of food, and all of the coaches/graduate assistants stayed until the last person left. Fedora told every coach in the beginning that while we were there, we had access to any part of their spring practice. I sat in on defensive meetings and then a defensive line meeting. I was about 4 feet away from the D-line while they were practicing during their spring practice. They had people with video cameras running around all practice recording stuff to put on their UNC Football blog. It was quite an experience. I would love to see something like that from SU.

By the way, UNC Defensive Coordinator Dan Disch is a great speaker and is going to do great things at UNC. I will tell you right now, UNC's defensive is going to play very out of control. He spoke about the importance of playing defense in controlled chaos. Bodies flying around. Making every player sprint to where the tackle was to "tap helmets". Their defensive philosophy is "getting in the black" which apparently means smacking people around as hard as you can, to the point right before the yellow flag gets thrown. It will be interesting to watch UNC, the turn around from Davis to Fedora is a complete 180.

SU had their annual HS Coaches Clinic yesterday that includes drill demonstrations and practice viewing. Normally I attend, but was unable to this year. I am surprised no information has "leaked" from that.

 

[chakka3421]

I could really giveba $&!? about spring practice - this is like the 3rd thread on this subject - really? Don't people have better things to do with their time? I certainly have better things to do with my time than respond to these dumb winey-@ss threads and posts!

 

[OttoForLife]

I could really giveba $&!? about spring practice - this is like the 3rd thread on this subject - really? Don't people have better things to do with their time? I certainly have better things to do with my time than respond to these dumb winey-@ss threads and posts!

You just responded to this thread, so clearly you don't have anything better going on.

But seriously, the spring practice stuff is just the reason du jour for people being unhappy with the overall direction of the program. Minus one year under Marrone where we went to a bowl, the slogan for this team since the early 00s has been "wait til next year," and fans are sick of it.

And frankly, I've always been of the opinion that you'd rather have fans/customers screaming and yelling about stupid vs. not caring enough to say anything. This is part of why I think the decision to close practice and market poorly is key. If you really don't want to give the fans anything to talk about b/t the last game and spring practice, well that's a lot of time for me to spend my time, money and energy else where.

 

[OrangePA]

http://syracusefan.com/threads/three-easy-fan-friendly-initiatives-for-su.23910/

Do you know how many "marketing" people the Athletic Department and the University already have?

The suggestion is like Congress establishing a "committee" or "commission" to study an issue.

By the way, Roger Springfield is of course already with the Athletic Department - and that hasn't made driven more and more folks to the Dome on Saturdays. I just don't see how adding a segment or two to a local cable show is going to suddenly create interest that is not already there. The folks that are interested already watch the show. Adding some elements to it will not change that calculus.

A blog? That's the answer? We already have blogs - a few on this board write them as does the PS - radio talk shows, the SU Athletic Department website and this board - we talk about SU Football every day 365 days a year. And we still have people focusing on the $7 ticket processing fee and closed spring practice.

I just don't see how anything you have suggested will change anything.

Syracuse has always been a front running town. It has always insisted on winning before they will attend games on a substantial basis.

That is what Marrone is trying to do - attract fans and attention with wins.

 

[OttoForLife]

Do you know how many "marketing" people the Athletic Department and the University already have?

The suggestion is like Congress establishing a "committee" or "commission" to study an issue.

By the way, Roger Springfield is of course already with the Athletic Department - and that hasn't made driven more and more folks to the Dome on Saturdays. I just don't see how adding a segment or two to a local cable show is going to suddenly create interest that is not already there. The folks that are interested already watch the show. Adding some elements to it will not change that calculus.

A blog? That's the answer? We already have blogs - a few on this board write them as does the PS - radio talk shows, the SU Athletic Department website and this board - we talk about SU Football every day 365 days a year. And we still have people focusing on the $7 ticket processing fee and closed spring practice.

I just don't see how anything you have suggested will change anything.

Syracuse has always been a front running town. It has always insisted on winning before they will attend games on a substantial basis.

That is what Marrone is trying to do - attract fans and attention with wins.

Yeah, sorry. These ideas won't cut it.

This is sports marketing 101 -which I find ironic since I learned this at SU. As a marketer, you will never be able to control what happens on the field. Therefore, you have to use marketing to create an experience for the fan that is valuable. Yes, usually this translates into crumby promotions during timeouts and whatnot. But this is the area that SU needs to invest in. The atmosphere at SU from the minute a fan steps out of their car, no matter where they park, needs to be exciting, engaging and differentiating from anything else the fan can get at a Crunch game or the State Fair.

Not saying it's easy or cheap (though I do think if you're smart it doesn't have to be a million dollar budget either), but this is something TGD and his staff should be focusing on while HCDM does what he's supposed to do.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I agree with nothing you say.

Yeah I know. That's why I started my post by acknowledging that we have very different views.

Every year a few yo yos anounce that they are giving up their season tix - and they do so in a way that suggests that it's somehow meaningful to those on this board.

I don't ever remember multiple people talking about giving up their fix. Do you remember people giving them up after the bowl run?

And a few get upset because a few spring practices are closed - when virtually nobody on this board attends spring practice or even considers attending.

I'm with bees on this. It's not the practices being closed but the accumulation of fan unfriendly actions.

When Marrone beats WVU he is a great coach, and when he loses to Rutgers he stinks. The feelings on this board vary according to the W-L record.

Not that you'll like this but I'm skeptical of Marrone even when he wins.

He is making an effort to win - that is why practice is closed for now. If he does win people on this board will be happy and more and more fans will fill the Dome.

That is a big if. I'm tired of that if.

Ultimately, it's about winning and that is what Marrone is trying to do. If you feel that open spring practices or $7 service fees or a recruiting event are crucial to the process, I think you're wrong.

Then Marrone is wrong too! He said the program needed more fans! Why the hell is it an either/or to win pr be fan friendly preseason? That doesn't worry you at all that we have decided we can only do one?

I think he deserves that kind of deference for now.

Based on what? Just because he's the coach? An alum? He white knuckled a decent season once?

Marrone gets far too much deference commensurate to his accomplishments than anyone I've ever seen. I've never seen a situation where someone comes in with a master plan, abandons it, and then has people vehemently state that we all need to trust the guy... because we just should.

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[OrangePA]

Based on what? Just because he's the coach? An alum? He white knuckled a decent season once?

Marrone gets far too much deference commensurate to his accomplishments than anyone I've ever seen. I've never seen a situation where someone comes in with a master plan, abandons it, and then has people vehemently state that we all need to trust the guy... because we just should.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

He took the team to a bowl win against K-State in his second year - going 8-5.

This following a four year period where the team won 10 games.

That's enough for me to defer to the guy.

You have no idea what his "master plan" was or is. Unless you somehow were given the opportunity to read it. Were you?

And, regardless, if you believe that a "master plan" as you call it, should never be altered or modified - depending upon cirumstance - than you have no managerial experience or aptitude.

 

[OrangePA]

Yeah, sorry. These ideas won't cut it.

This is sports marketing 101 -which I find ironic since I learned this at SU. As a marketer, you will never be able to control what happens on the field. Therefore, you have to use marketing to create an experience for the fan that is valuable. Yes, usually this translates into crumby promotions during timeouts and whatnot. But this is the area that SU needs to invest in. The atmosphere at SU from the minute a fan steps out of their car, no matter where they park, needs to be exciting, engaging and differentiating from anything else the fan can get at a Crunch game or the State Fair.

Not saying it's easy or cheap (though I do think if you're smart it doesn't have to be a million dollar budget either), but this is something TGD and his staff should be focusing on while HCDM does what he's supposed to do.

So, what would you do to make the atmosphere exciting, engaging and different from other CNY experiences?

Interesting topic.

 

[Bayside44]

So, what would you do to make the atmosphere exciting, engaging and different from other CNY experiences?

Interesting topic.

Thunder sticks and tee-shirt bazookas!!!!

 

[All4SU]

One thing I will say, which I really like and plan to use in my upcoming football season. After every practice, they go in and watch video and grade how the players practiced the day before. The position coaches count how many times a player did something they weren't supposed to or was not giving maximum effort. The next day, at the end of practice the offense and defense split up and make really big circles. They then call out names of players. When your name is called, you sprint to the circle and the coach tells you how many times you "let the team down" the day before. The player then says in the middle of the circle "My name is so and so, and I let the team down 4 times." Then the team does 4 up downs and then the player sprints out of the circle. They then break down with their position coaches where the leaders of the positions get on the other people for doing stuff wrong. It was a really interesting concept, which I personally loved.

Why can't they just count the good things the players do, and then call them into the circle and say, "My name is so and so, and my coach loves me. I'm good enough, I'm fast enough, and people like me dammit!"