Dino Press Conference | Aug 31

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Babers said the team initially discussed the shooting of Jacob Blake on the field shortly after it occurred. There was another conversation during a more formal meeting setting that included player questions.

Babers describes John Thompson as a role model for young coaches like himself when he was coming up.

Babers brings up mental health issues among the younger generation and the importance of shining a spotlight on that. "It's one of those times where there's a lot of pain and where there's a lot of pain, there's usually growth."

Babers said he believes Syracuse has "a really good guy" to play the Rover position in Tony White's 3-3-5. He declines to name the player, but said it's an important spot considering the responsibilities covering the deep middle.

Babers said SU has committed to playing Trill Williams at one position, but he has the flexibility to move around the secondary. Still being veiled about the starting lineup.

Asked Babers about competition at RB and LB. He declined to delve into what he's learned and mentioned injuries being a factor. Followed up about RBs Abdul Adams and Jarveon Howard, who have not been pictured/videod practicing, and what their status is. He said to contact them.

Babers said every active player participated in the scrimmage. Implies there was a noticeable dropoff on the second-team lines, which include freshmen.

Babers said first-team OCs Sterlin Gilbert and Tony White "have done a fantastic job." D includes all-new terminology and the instruction period before players returned to campus went "about as well as you could do in the Zoom world."

Babers is asked about players potentially opting out: "I don't know... It's just one of those years where you have to stay flexible." Babers said the program's clean testing streak remains intact. No positive results from the last batch.

Babers is asked to assess his tenure through four years. "I would say that I'm not as bad as 4-8 and I'm not as good as 10-3. I'm probably somewhere in between. I think the process is the most important thing. And the process is working." Called the roster a "major rebuild."

Babers said TE Aaron Hackett is coming off an injury, but is now practicing. Declines to get into how his receiving ability will be utilized in the bolstered system, but he described Hackett as someone who the staff can turn to at any time and rely on to make a play.

Babers is asked about Florida OG transfer Chris Bleich. Said he expected the NCAA waiver process to take this long -- that's the way it's been for all of Babers' immediate eligibility waivers at SU. No specifics shared on the process or timeframe.

Babers is asked about players potentially taking more online classes during the pandemic. Said all academic decisions for players are done by their academic counselors. He likes it better that way. Wasn't the case at Bowling Green and Eastern Illinois.

Babers said the most important assessment of his offensive line will come during North Carolina prep. Success will stem from individuals executing specific assignments. Everyone needs to be in sync, including TEs and RBs.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Followed up about RBs Abdul Adams and Jarveon Howard, who have not been pictured/videod practicing, and what their status is. He said to contact them.

Explains all of the snaps for Markenzy Pierre.

 

[Bulldog04]

Man if Abdul and Howard Dont play, the offense is going to struggle struggle

 

[FasterCuse]

Explains all of the snaps for Markenzy Pierre.

I didn't listen to the interview, but if Baber's is saying to contact these players directly does that imply they both opted out of the season?

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[RF2044]

That sure would put a lot of pressure on Pierre, Jordan, and maybe Tucker.

 

[Whitey23]

I didn't listen to the interview, but if Baber's is saying to contact these players directly does that imply they both opted out of the season?

awkward.

 

[orange44]

awkward.

Yes...very

 

[TheCusian]

awkward.

I’d wait for the video. “Filtered through Bailey’s tweets” can have more than a little Bailey frustration with Babers tacked on

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Man if Abdul and Howard Dont play, the offense is going to struggle struggle

Unless... it means we see a lot more Jordan.

 

[AAM62]

That sure would put a lot of pressure on Pierre, Jordan, and maybe Tucker.

Yea I've seen a ton of Pierre in pictures. Both opting out would suuuuuck.

 

[721Comstock]

Unless... it means we see a lot more Jordan.

Agreed 144%. Not that we don't want Abdul and/or Jarveon to play.

Glass half full - Jawhar gets a lot more snaps, Markenzy Pierre shows off the running form (sans the ball control issues that landed him in Dino's doghouse) from Frosh year, and maybe one of the other guys like Tucker gets a chance to shine.

 

[cusefan88]

Sounds like Adams and Howard won't play. It jives with Athletic report last week or two weeks ago that a starter and key reserve would opt out. Jordan and Pierre it seems are the duo with I guess Sean Tucker being the 3rd back?

 

[FloridaFan]

Sounds like Adams and Howard won't play. It jives with Athletic report last week or two weeks ago that a starter and key reserve would opt out. Jordan and Pierre it seems are the duo with I guess Sean Tucker being the 3rd back?

Has there not been reports here about Howard practicing?

 

[All4SU]

Did Mack Briwn coach against the 3-3-5 very much when he was at Texas?

 

[721Comstock]

Has there not been reports here about Howard practicing?

Don't recall seeing any. For him or Adams.

Which now may make more sense.
And also, why Markenzy has been "seen" (such as it is) so prominently this offseason.

I guess Dino is waiting until just before the UNC game for them to announce that, so that the Tarheels don't know which RB's they need to gameplan for?

 

[Sudano]

Don't recall seeing any. For him or Adams.

Which now may make more sense.
And also, why Markenzy has been "seen" (such as it is) so prominently this offseason.

I guess Dino is waiting until just before the UNC game for them to announce that, so that the Tarheels don't know which RB's they need to gameplan for?

They don't gameplan for one player over the other. They all run the same plays. They gameplan for the plays.

 

[Sudano]

Sounds like Adams and Howard won't play. It jives with Athletic report last week or two weeks ago that a starter and key reserve would opt out. Jordan and Pierre it seems are the duo with I guess Sean Tucker being the 3rd back?

The news is getting worse every day. Top two RBs are out with a bunch of OL. This season could get ugly quick.

 

[PhatOrange]

There were earlier pics of both practicing I thought but I'd have to go back and check. However, I would guess players on the fence about opting out were held out of the scrimmage. How could they not be? You have to go with the players you know are going to play.

I'm honestly perfectly fine with Pierre, Jordan and the freshman Tucker. I've believed Tucker had a real outside chance of disrupting the depth chart to begin with.

**Adams would be able to come back next year and Howard would effectively be taking his red shirt. Having each for another season would sure be interesting. If opting out is indeed what is happening, it must be a tough call for Adams. He's no where near the NFL draft board right now and he's already sat out a season.

 

[orangepassion]

Don't forget about Lutz. Truthfully, RB is the least of my worries.

 

[721Comstock]

Don't forget about Lutz. Truthfully, RB is the least of my worries.

And Wax could switch back in a pinch too.
We've got a LOT of depth there.

 

[PhatOrange]

The Rover is most likely Coley and he's the guy in the picture of Iffy making that goal line INT over Williams.

I'm wondering who's going to win the FS battle, Greenwood or Nunn. (and if we'll see DClarke somewhere. I'm guessing he backs up Coley at the Rover.) The other question is if they move Cam Jonas around. He was penciled in the spring to back up Cisco but Stritz' departure means there'll be some movement. It's either Clarke or Jonas unless that freshman Carter steps up.

 

[P Vasiloff]

Jordan and Lutz bring a lot of speed to the backfield. Lutz subbing in for Jordan still keeps a lot of speed on the field. Would love to have Adams and Howard but if not, (I respect their decisions if indeed that's the case) than it's next guys up. Go Orange!!!!!!

 

[money3189]

There were earlier pics of both practicing I thought but I'd have to go back and check. However, I would guess players on the fence about opting out were held out of the scrimmage. How could they not be? You have to go with the players you know are going to play.

I'm honestly perfectly fine with Pierre, Jordan and the freshman Tucker. I've believed Tucker had a real outside chance of disrupting the depth chart to begin with.

**Adams would be able to come back next year and Howard would effectively be taking his red shirt. Having each for another season would sure be interesting. If opting out is indeed what is happening, it must be a tough call for Adams. He's no where near the NFL draft board right now and he's already sat out a season.

I thought Tucker was the was the steal of the class. Im still slightly worried though, Howard and Adams have game experience and depth can be a real problem if Pierre gets banged up. Cooper has to step up. Maybe they move Wax back to RB?