sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2011
- Messages
- 26,691
- Like
- 116,399
SU News
New SU OC Tim Lester Faces Uphill Battle Due to Lack of NFL Talent (PS; Carlson)
Syracuse head coach George McDonald didn't have much success as the Orange's offensive coordinator. He didn't have much to work with either.
McDonald had just one likely NFL Draft pick at his disposal during his two years as an offensive coordinator, a lack of top-shelf talent matched by just 22 of the 66 power-five football programs in the country.
Naturally, that group includes Kansas, Wake Forest and Purdue, teams that join the Orange among the worst power-five offenses in the country over the past two years.
The Orange did not have a draft pick on offense in 2014. The only player projected as a2015 draft pick by CBS Sports is left tackle Sean Hickey. Teams with an offensive lineman as their only draft pick generally performed more poorly than those who had an excellent skill-position player.
Still, a lack of NFL talent doesn't doom an offense to mediocrity. Three of those 22 teams have bucked the trend by averaging more than 30 points against peer schools the past two years. Four others have overcome offensive deficiencies to become ranked this season.
...
Scott Shafer Says His Orangemen Hanging Tough (AP; Kekis)
Scott Shafer's second season at Syracuse hasn't gone smoothly. And with top-ranked Florida State coming to town, the Orange will have somewhat of a different look.
Starting quarterback Terrel Hunt is out 4-6 weeks with a broken calf bone and Shafer has juggled his staff. Offensive coordinator George McDonald has been demoted to receivers coach and quarterbacks coach Tim Lester is now calling the shots offensively.
"Between the two of them working together, hopefully, we can create some flow," Shafer said Tuesday.
Shafer said he decided to make the staff change after the Orange's third straight loss, a 28-6 setback at home to Louisville on Friday night. It was announced on Monday. Shafer said school administrators were not involved.
"For me, every tough, difficult decision is always going to be made in the best interest of improving the team," Shafer said. "It's really as simple as that. It's my job to make those decisions and move forward as quickly as possible."
...
Shafer Calls Meeting with #1 Florida State 'A Great Opportunity' (SNT; Michael)
Syracuse University football coach Scott Shafter believes there’s no obstacle that can’t be overcome with old-fashioned determination and sheer will.
But when you’re the captain of the Titanic and the icebergs are right in front of you, there’s no amount of determination and sheer will that’s going to save you.
That’s what the Orange, losers of three consecutive games, face Saturday when defending national champion Florida State visits the Carrier Dome in a noon game that will be televised nationally by ESPN. The 5-0 Seminoles, who own the nation’s longest winning streak at 21 games, are ranked No. 1 in the country in the Associated Press and Coaches polls.
“It’ll be a great opportunity for our kids to look at this opportunity heading into the Florida State game knowing we’ll be major underdogs,” Shafer said. “It’s a great opportunity for our kids to live out their childhood dreams heading into this game, and I really look forward to the challenge ahead.”
...
New SU OC Tim Lester Faces Uphill Battle Due to Lack of NFL Talent (PS; Carlson)
Syracuse head coach George McDonald didn't have much success as the Orange's offensive coordinator. He didn't have much to work with either.
McDonald had just one likely NFL Draft pick at his disposal during his two years as an offensive coordinator, a lack of top-shelf talent matched by just 22 of the 66 power-five football programs in the country.
Naturally, that group includes Kansas, Wake Forest and Purdue, teams that join the Orange among the worst power-five offenses in the country over the past two years.
The Orange did not have a draft pick on offense in 2014. The only player projected as a2015 draft pick by CBS Sports is left tackle Sean Hickey. Teams with an offensive lineman as their only draft pick generally performed more poorly than those who had an excellent skill-position player.
Still, a lack of NFL talent doesn't doom an offense to mediocrity. Three of those 22 teams have bucked the trend by averaging more than 30 points against peer schools the past two years. Four others have overcome offensive deficiencies to become ranked this season.
...
Scott Shafer Says His Orangemen Hanging Tough (AP; Kekis)
Scott Shafer's second season at Syracuse hasn't gone smoothly. And with top-ranked Florida State coming to town, the Orange will have somewhat of a different look.
Starting quarterback Terrel Hunt is out 4-6 weeks with a broken calf bone and Shafer has juggled his staff. Offensive coordinator George McDonald has been demoted to receivers coach and quarterbacks coach Tim Lester is now calling the shots offensively.
"Between the two of them working together, hopefully, we can create some flow," Shafer said Tuesday.
Shafer said he decided to make the staff change after the Orange's third straight loss, a 28-6 setback at home to Louisville on Friday night. It was announced on Monday. Shafer said school administrators were not involved.
"For me, every tough, difficult decision is always going to be made in the best interest of improving the team," Shafer said. "It's really as simple as that. It's my job to make those decisions and move forward as quickly as possible."
...
Shafer Calls Meeting with #1 Florida State 'A Great Opportunity' (SNT; Michael)
Syracuse University football coach Scott Shafter believes there’s no obstacle that can’t be overcome with old-fashioned determination and sheer will.
But when you’re the captain of the Titanic and the icebergs are right in front of you, there’s no amount of determination and sheer will that’s going to save you.
That’s what the Orange, losers of three consecutive games, face Saturday when defending national champion Florida State visits the Carrier Dome in a noon game that will be televised nationally by ESPN. The 5-0 Seminoles, who own the nation’s longest winning streak at 21 games, are ranked No. 1 in the country in the Associated Press and Coaches polls.
“It’ll be a great opportunity for our kids to look at this opportunity heading into the Florida State game knowing we’ll be major underdogs,” Shafer said. “It’s a great opportunity for our kids to live out their childhood dreams heading into this game, and I really look forward to the challenge ahead.”
...
