sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2011
- Messages
- 25,650
- Like
- 111,345
I am temporarily filling in for OE as he recovers from surgery. Get well soon Dan.
Recruiting
HS Coach of New SU Verbal West Lindor Says He Was Recruited as a Hybrid Y/TE (PS; Bailey)
Syracuse has been in hot pursuit of a tall, athletic target to plug into the "Y" position of its offense during this recruiting class. The staff sought a player who could line up in the slot, playing as a wide receiver/tight end hybrid, and serve as both a reliable blocker and playmaking threat — a type of athlete the Orange did not have on its 2013 roster.
The staff targeted in-state talent Alex Parkinson, and turned down a commitment from Miami receiver Frank Battle. But ultimately, it was Affton (St. Louis, Mo.) High School senior West Lindor who verbally committed to SU's Class of 2015 on Wednesday evening.
Affton head coach Dan Oliver confirmed that Lindor is being recruited for that position in an interview on Wednesday, and he provided some insight as to the type of athleticism and skill set Lindor possesses.
"He's a basketball kid, so he knows how to use his body to hold guys off while he goes to get the ball," Oliver said. "I think that's kind of the natural thing that most everybody who's recruited him for offense has looked at."
...
SU News
SU OL Coach Joe Adam Says C John Miller Has Taken a Leadership Role with OL (PS; Bailey)
In only a matter of months, John Miller has turned the center position from a question mark into a position of leadership for Syracuse.
The 6-foot-2, 305-pound junior college transfer emerged this spring, taking hold of the first-team center spot and allowing Rob Trudo to stay at left guard, where he started all 13 games last season.
And according to first-year offensive line coach Joe Adam, Miller has only continued to improve.
"He's really taken quite a leadership role up front," Adam said on Thursday. "He's just a steady guy. He found his groove here. He found his rhythm. He just continues to improve."
Miller, a rising senior, saw limited time in five games last season before breaking out in spring ball. He replaces three-year starter Macky MacPherson, and allows the other four starters on the offensive line to return to their natural positions entering training camp.
...
Juwan Dowels Has Ups
SU DB Coach Fred Reed Breaks Down the 3 SU Frosh CBs Heading Into Training Camp (PS; Mink)
Syracuse is getting closer to the start of training camp in early August, and that will be the first time the coaching staff can work with the true freshmen.
...
...
Cordell Hudson
"Cordell is long, really big hands. He's not as tall as Julian but has some of the physical features Julian has in terms of really big hands, long arms, runs well. That's what I liked about him on tape. He had really good ball skills."
Juwan Dowels
"Juwan is a really good press cover cornerback, and that's kind of what we do, and he's really skilled at that. And that's what we liked about him on tape. He played against some guys who are 5-star skills. He has played against some really good people, practiced against some really good people, and he's held his own in those situations. His cover skills are what I like about him."
Antwan Cordy
"What I learned about Antwan, Antwan was a tenacious player on film. He's not the tallest guy but man is he tenacious. His work ethic is second to none. I would say he's probably one of the hardest-working guys of the young kids that are coming in as freshmen. He has tremendous work ethic. He's a hungry guy. He wants an opportunity and I think he's going to be a guy that maybe surprises people because of his work ethic."
Cam Lynch (38)
Sean Hickey, Cam Lynch to Represent SU Football at 2014 ACC Football Kickoff (PS; Mink)
Senior left tackle Sean Hickey and senior linebacker Cam Lynch will represent Syracuse University at the 2014 ACC Football Kickoff, the conference announced Thursday.
The two-day event runs July 20-21 at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C., and serves as the conference's media days leading up to the 2014 season.
Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer will also be in attendance.
...
SU QB Terrel Hunt Will Attend Manning Passing Academy This Weekend (PS; Bailey)
Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt is entering his second season as a starter for the Orange. And when training camp opens up near the start of August, he'll be bringing some extra training from the Manning Passing Academy.
The junior quarterback posted on Instagram on Thursday that he'll be flying to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La., to participate in the camp this weekend.
...
SU Football Hopes Relationship with UCLA's Noel Mazzone Brings Better Results for Offense (PS; Mink)
The meeting of the minds took place on a cold January night at an Indianapolis restaurant, and one day we may all look back and say this dinner was a defining moment for the construction and growth of the Syracuse offense.
Around the table sat Syracuse assistant coaches George McDonald and Tim Lester. There was Widener head coach Bobby Acosta, who would soon be hired as the Syracuse tight ends coach, UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and Nate Sassaman, an assistant at Widener. Soon enough the coaches sketched out plays and formations in ink on napkins, and the congruity of it all confirmed to McDonald this was a crew worth keeping around.
Mazzone ran a high-octane, fast-tempo, high efficiency offense when he returned to the college game as offensive coordinator at Arizona State in 2010 and has been a mentor to Acosta since he interned for the New York Jets under Mazzone a few years prior. Mazzone has gone on to brand and market his offensive system under the name N-Zone, the same system Acosta ran at Delaware, the College of New Jersey and Widener, one he helped implement in various high schools in New Jersey, his primary recruiting territory. In all, there are more than 400 clients at all levels of college and high school football using N-Zone, Acosta said.
...
LT Sean Hickey Named to Outland Trophy Watch List (PS; Carlson)
Syracuse left tackle Sean Hickey, widely considered one of the ACC's top three tackles, was recognized on a national level Thursday when he was named to the Outland Trophy Award watch list.
The Outland recognizes the country's top offensive or defensive linemen. Hickey was joined by 63 other players and eight other ACC players on the list.
The ACC players include Florida State offensive tackle Cameron Erving and offensive guards Tré Jackson and Josue Matias, Clemson defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, Virginia Tech defensive lineman Luther Maddy, Georgia Tech offensive guard Shaquille Mason, Louisville center Jake Smith and Duke guard Laken Tomlinson.
...
Preferred Walk-On Cole Murphy Details Path to Kicking for Syracuse (PS; Bailey)
Cole Murphy was warming up for a high school soccer game back in March when he got the call. It was Syracuse special teams quality control coach Chris Gould.
"Hey, we're very interested," Gould told the Valencia (Calif.) High School kicker, "and we would love to see where you're at."
But Murphy couldn't really talk at the moment. So when he got home from his game that night, he immediately called Gould back.
"I didn't realize it was New York time so it was about 9 o'clock," Murphy joked."I was like, 'Whoops, I didn't realize that. I apologize.'"
After one month of phone conversations, continued training and consideration, the 6-foot-3, 193-pound Gould committed to Syracuse as a preferred walk-on. Now, the field goal and kickoff specialist is only a few weeks away from suiting up at training camp.
...
ACC News
ACC 2014 Season Countdown: Miami Has Questions at QB and Defense (PS; Stevens)
2013 record: 9-4 (5-3 ACC)
2013 postseason: Lost to Louisville in Russell Athletic Bowl
Last season without a bowl appearance:2012
Coach: Al Golden (22-15 in three seasons at Miami, 49-49 in eight seasons overall)
Coordinators: James Coley (offense, 2nd season), Mark D'Onofrio (defense, 4th season)
All-conference returnees: LB Denzel Perryman (first team), TB Duke Johnson (second team), G Jon Feliciano (honorable mention), CB Tracy Howard (honorable mention), WR/PR/KR Stacy Coley (honorable mention as a specialist), S Deon Bush (honorable mention)
Notable losses: T Seantrel Henderson, WR Allen Hurns, G Brandon Linder, QB Stephen Morris, P Pat O'Donnell
Rising name to know: QB Jake Heaps. Miami went to college football's equivalent of free agency to plug a hole under center, adding the well-traveled Heaps over the summer.
...
College Football News
College Football Preview/Haiku Fest: Nos. 91-95 (Turnaround Unlikely for UConn; PS; Stevens)
...
91. CONNECTICUT
Well, now what? That has to be the question of more than a few Connecticut fans, who watched the Huskies go from a mostly irrelevant Division I-AA program in the 1990s to Big East champions in 2010, only for everything football-related to fall apart in less than three years.
From the exit of Randy Edsall (who had the Huskies in a little 8-5 groove) to the hire of Paul Pasqualoni after six years away from the college game to being a school that could claim to be left behind in conference realignment, things have not gone well for UConn. But the hire of Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco is a promising choice for this program. Just don't expect an immediate turnaround.
Connecticut's inherit limitations (notably geography) aren't going to change. But it still has a chance to be a regular bowl contender in the American as soon as its talent is restocked.
That's especially true on offense, where Geremy Davis hauled in 1,085 yards receiving last season. That represented 28.3 percent of the Huskies' total offense, a reflection of both his considerable talent and the complete absence of an effective running game.
There's a path to six victories even this season: Stony Brook, South Florida, Temple, Tulane, Army and Memphis, with perhaps even Southern Methodist in that group. It's not necessarily a wide path, but a bowl bid isn't out of the question. Connecticut's more likely scenario, though, is a transitional year that offers some improvement but not a 13th game.
Connecticut in haiku:
A defense-first team
Clearly Huskies' S.O.P.
No matter the coach
...
Other
Dept of Transportation to Hold 6 More Meetings on I-81 (PS; Sturtz)
The state Department of Transportation will hold six more neighborhood meetings this month as it decides the future of the Interstate 81 viaduct.
The meetings will occur throughout the city of Syracuse during July. The DOT announced the meetings on Thursday.
The DOT is weighing options for the elevated section of I-81, which runs between downtown and University Hill and is more than five decades old. The project will also improve the exchange between Interstate 690 and I-81.
The DOT held four neighborhood meetings last fall and has held other meetings on the project. People can comment on the plans until Sept. 2. After that, the state will decide which options it will take forward into the next phase.
Each meeting in July will include a presentation by DOT officials and a discussion period. Attendees can also submit written comments.
...
Recruiting
HS Coach of New SU Verbal West Lindor Says He Was Recruited as a Hybrid Y/TE (PS; Bailey)
Syracuse has been in hot pursuit of a tall, athletic target to plug into the "Y" position of its offense during this recruiting class. The staff sought a player who could line up in the slot, playing as a wide receiver/tight end hybrid, and serve as both a reliable blocker and playmaking threat — a type of athlete the Orange did not have on its 2013 roster.
The staff targeted in-state talent Alex Parkinson, and turned down a commitment from Miami receiver Frank Battle. But ultimately, it was Affton (St. Louis, Mo.) High School senior West Lindor who verbally committed to SU's Class of 2015 on Wednesday evening.
Affton head coach Dan Oliver confirmed that Lindor is being recruited for that position in an interview on Wednesday, and he provided some insight as to the type of athleticism and skill set Lindor possesses.
"He's a basketball kid, so he knows how to use his body to hold guys off while he goes to get the ball," Oliver said. "I think that's kind of the natural thing that most everybody who's recruited him for offense has looked at."
...
SU News
SU OL Coach Joe Adam Says C John Miller Has Taken a Leadership Role with OL (PS; Bailey)
In only a matter of months, John Miller has turned the center position from a question mark into a position of leadership for Syracuse.
The 6-foot-2, 305-pound junior college transfer emerged this spring, taking hold of the first-team center spot and allowing Rob Trudo to stay at left guard, where he started all 13 games last season.
And according to first-year offensive line coach Joe Adam, Miller has only continued to improve.
"He's really taken quite a leadership role up front," Adam said on Thursday. "He's just a steady guy. He found his groove here. He found his rhythm. He just continues to improve."
Miller, a rising senior, saw limited time in five games last season before breaking out in spring ball. He replaces three-year starter Macky MacPherson, and allows the other four starters on the offensive line to return to their natural positions entering training camp.
...
Juwan Dowels Has Ups
SU DB Coach Fred Reed Breaks Down the 3 SU Frosh CBs Heading Into Training Camp (PS; Mink)
Syracuse is getting closer to the start of training camp in early August, and that will be the first time the coaching staff can work with the true freshmen.
...
...
Cordell Hudson
"Cordell is long, really big hands. He's not as tall as Julian but has some of the physical features Julian has in terms of really big hands, long arms, runs well. That's what I liked about him on tape. He had really good ball skills."
Juwan Dowels
"Juwan is a really good press cover cornerback, and that's kind of what we do, and he's really skilled at that. And that's what we liked about him on tape. He played against some guys who are 5-star skills. He has played against some really good people, practiced against some really good people, and he's held his own in those situations. His cover skills are what I like about him."
Antwan Cordy
"What I learned about Antwan, Antwan was a tenacious player on film. He's not the tallest guy but man is he tenacious. His work ethic is second to none. I would say he's probably one of the hardest-working guys of the young kids that are coming in as freshmen. He has tremendous work ethic. He's a hungry guy. He wants an opportunity and I think he's going to be a guy that maybe surprises people because of his work ethic."
Cam Lynch (38)
Sean Hickey, Cam Lynch to Represent SU Football at 2014 ACC Football Kickoff (PS; Mink)
Senior left tackle Sean Hickey and senior linebacker Cam Lynch will represent Syracuse University at the 2014 ACC Football Kickoff, the conference announced Thursday.
The two-day event runs July 20-21 at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C., and serves as the conference's media days leading up to the 2014 season.
Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer will also be in attendance.
...
SU QB Terrel Hunt Will Attend Manning Passing Academy This Weekend (PS; Bailey)
Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt is entering his second season as a starter for the Orange. And when training camp opens up near the start of August, he'll be bringing some extra training from the Manning Passing Academy.
The junior quarterback posted on Instagram on Thursday that he'll be flying to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La., to participate in the camp this weekend.
...
SU Football Hopes Relationship with UCLA's Noel Mazzone Brings Better Results for Offense (PS; Mink)
The meeting of the minds took place on a cold January night at an Indianapolis restaurant, and one day we may all look back and say this dinner was a defining moment for the construction and growth of the Syracuse offense.
Around the table sat Syracuse assistant coaches George McDonald and Tim Lester. There was Widener head coach Bobby Acosta, who would soon be hired as the Syracuse tight ends coach, UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and Nate Sassaman, an assistant at Widener. Soon enough the coaches sketched out plays and formations in ink on napkins, and the congruity of it all confirmed to McDonald this was a crew worth keeping around.
Mazzone ran a high-octane, fast-tempo, high efficiency offense when he returned to the college game as offensive coordinator at Arizona State in 2010 and has been a mentor to Acosta since he interned for the New York Jets under Mazzone a few years prior. Mazzone has gone on to brand and market his offensive system under the name N-Zone, the same system Acosta ran at Delaware, the College of New Jersey and Widener, one he helped implement in various high schools in New Jersey, his primary recruiting territory. In all, there are more than 400 clients at all levels of college and high school football using N-Zone, Acosta said.
...
LT Sean Hickey Named to Outland Trophy Watch List (PS; Carlson)
Syracuse left tackle Sean Hickey, widely considered one of the ACC's top three tackles, was recognized on a national level Thursday when he was named to the Outland Trophy Award watch list.
The Outland recognizes the country's top offensive or defensive linemen. Hickey was joined by 63 other players and eight other ACC players on the list.
The ACC players include Florida State offensive tackle Cameron Erving and offensive guards Tré Jackson and Josue Matias, Clemson defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, Virginia Tech defensive lineman Luther Maddy, Georgia Tech offensive guard Shaquille Mason, Louisville center Jake Smith and Duke guard Laken Tomlinson.
...
Preferred Walk-On Cole Murphy Details Path to Kicking for Syracuse (PS; Bailey)
Cole Murphy was warming up for a high school soccer game back in March when he got the call. It was Syracuse special teams quality control coach Chris Gould.
"Hey, we're very interested," Gould told the Valencia (Calif.) High School kicker, "and we would love to see where you're at."
But Murphy couldn't really talk at the moment. So when he got home from his game that night, he immediately called Gould back.
"I didn't realize it was New York time so it was about 9 o'clock," Murphy joked."I was like, 'Whoops, I didn't realize that. I apologize.'"
After one month of phone conversations, continued training and consideration, the 6-foot-3, 193-pound Gould committed to Syracuse as a preferred walk-on. Now, the field goal and kickoff specialist is only a few weeks away from suiting up at training camp.
...
ACC News
ACC 2014 Season Countdown: Miami Has Questions at QB and Defense (PS; Stevens)
2013 record: 9-4 (5-3 ACC)
2013 postseason: Lost to Louisville in Russell Athletic Bowl
Last season without a bowl appearance:2012
Coach: Al Golden (22-15 in three seasons at Miami, 49-49 in eight seasons overall)
Coordinators: James Coley (offense, 2nd season), Mark D'Onofrio (defense, 4th season)
All-conference returnees: LB Denzel Perryman (first team), TB Duke Johnson (second team), G Jon Feliciano (honorable mention), CB Tracy Howard (honorable mention), WR/PR/KR Stacy Coley (honorable mention as a specialist), S Deon Bush (honorable mention)
Notable losses: T Seantrel Henderson, WR Allen Hurns, G Brandon Linder, QB Stephen Morris, P Pat O'Donnell
Rising name to know: QB Jake Heaps. Miami went to college football's equivalent of free agency to plug a hole under center, adding the well-traveled Heaps over the summer.
...
College Football News
College Football Preview/Haiku Fest: Nos. 91-95 (Turnaround Unlikely for UConn; PS; Stevens)
...
91. CONNECTICUT
Well, now what? That has to be the question of more than a few Connecticut fans, who watched the Huskies go from a mostly irrelevant Division I-AA program in the 1990s to Big East champions in 2010, only for everything football-related to fall apart in less than three years.
From the exit of Randy Edsall (who had the Huskies in a little 8-5 groove) to the hire of Paul Pasqualoni after six years away from the college game to being a school that could claim to be left behind in conference realignment, things have not gone well for UConn. But the hire of Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco is a promising choice for this program. Just don't expect an immediate turnaround.
Connecticut's inherit limitations (notably geography) aren't going to change. But it still has a chance to be a regular bowl contender in the American as soon as its talent is restocked.
That's especially true on offense, where Geremy Davis hauled in 1,085 yards receiving last season. That represented 28.3 percent of the Huskies' total offense, a reflection of both his considerable talent and the complete absence of an effective running game.
There's a path to six victories even this season: Stony Brook, South Florida, Temple, Tulane, Army and Memphis, with perhaps even Southern Methodist in that group. It's not necessarily a wide path, but a bowl bid isn't out of the question. Connecticut's more likely scenario, though, is a transitional year that offers some improvement but not a 13th game.
Connecticut in haiku:
A defense-first team
Clearly Huskies' S.O.P.
No matter the coach
...
Other
Dept of Transportation to Hold 6 More Meetings on I-81 (PS; Sturtz)
The state Department of Transportation will hold six more neighborhood meetings this month as it decides the future of the Interstate 81 viaduct.
The meetings will occur throughout the city of Syracuse during July. The DOT announced the meetings on Thursday.
The DOT is weighing options for the elevated section of I-81, which runs between downtown and University Hill and is more than five decades old. The project will also improve the exchange between Interstate 690 and I-81.
The DOT held four neighborhood meetings last fall and has held other meetings on the project. People can comment on the plans until Sept. 2. After that, the state will decide which options it will take forward into the next phase.
Each meeting in July will include a presentation by DOT officials and a discussion period. Attendees can also submit written comments.
...
