Jersey Orange
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Some quick notes on Game 1 and the 2018 season. Limited on time so apologies for the fragmented thoughts.
- There is a feeling of optimism around game 1 and the season. Have heard very good things from those who see practice / get reports from those at practice.
- Staff feels that we have legitimate ACC talent and depth at OL, DL, QB and CB. OL and DL in particular is night and day from last year. We have struggled against the MAC teams because we have been at best equal to these teams in the trenches. The feeling is that we are stronger on both lines this year, a push at the skill positions, and a plus at QB.
- The feeling is that the team will be much better at the end of the year as the young kids at CB, WR and LB will break through the J-curve around game 6-8. Dino is nervous - knows the good start is imperative as the team could come on strong late and needs the momentum from the fan base. WMU is a tough, tough opponent.
- Have heard great things about Taj Harris. He is he least experienced / refined of the freshman WRs but he goes up and catches everything. He is also really quick and shifty for his body type and makes people miss. Great pick up.
- Love Dungey’s comments on DeVito / Amie. Why? Because DeVito is perhaps the best pure arm talent Syracuse has seen coming out of HS. The ball never hits the ground on 7-on-7s. If Amie can be in a position to compete with TD, Syracuse is in great shape.
- Shy Cullen. I like this kid and have heard very good things. Once of those JR Johnson types that SU always seems to have great success with. Versatile, fast and strong. Will get the opportunity to make some big plays and will fill a pass-rushing role. No real position - just a ball player.
- Trill Williams. People compare him to a young Charles Woodson. I am not supposed to write that on here. But he is good. Really good. Good OL + DL + Corners + QB make for a good team.
- Custis. Hoping he has a Johnnie Morant-type senior year. Talent is there and he has the ability to dominate at times. Huge question mark that will factor into how far this team can go - I am not sure the staff even knows what level of production they will get.
- 4-2-5. Think the new formation will work well. Foster is like having another LB and Cordy gets the chance to play the Polamalu role. I am really high on Cisco. The kid is a naturally instinctive safety and really plays the ball. Think Quentin Harris as a center fielder.
- Dungey. I am expecting a big year. This guy is one of the great competitors that has come through the program. He is a difference maker and the reason I don’t see us winning less than 6 games. Reminds me of a QB-version of Don Darius.
- LBs are a concern, but are matched with a very strong up-the-middle DL. Slayton is an NFL player and McKinley has really come on strong. Gap coverage is a concern - WMU will try to pull as much as possible from the Wake Forest tape - which really showed how to stretch our defense. Big fan of Josh Black and Berry as well. We haven’t had many seasons where we have players like this coming off the bench.
- Overall. Team is faster, bigger and stronger than at any time in the Babers era. The OL is really playing well and Dungey is in his third season as QB and has some developing weapons at WR that are going to see some time as young kids. Talent is there, depth is improving, we are bigger and more athletic. Just need to find a way to win game 1 to set up a bowl season.
Lots of other notes as well that I will post when I have more time.
- There is a feeling of optimism around game 1 and the season. Have heard very good things from those who see practice / get reports from those at practice.
- Staff feels that we have legitimate ACC talent and depth at OL, DL, QB and CB. OL and DL in particular is night and day from last year. We have struggled against the MAC teams because we have been at best equal to these teams in the trenches. The feeling is that we are stronger on both lines this year, a push at the skill positions, and a plus at QB.
- The feeling is that the team will be much better at the end of the year as the young kids at CB, WR and LB will break through the J-curve around game 6-8. Dino is nervous - knows the good start is imperative as the team could come on strong late and needs the momentum from the fan base. WMU is a tough, tough opponent.
- Have heard great things about Taj Harris. He is he least experienced / refined of the freshman WRs but he goes up and catches everything. He is also really quick and shifty for his body type and makes people miss. Great pick up.
- Love Dungey’s comments on DeVito / Amie. Why? Because DeVito is perhaps the best pure arm talent Syracuse has seen coming out of HS. The ball never hits the ground on 7-on-7s. If Amie can be in a position to compete with TD, Syracuse is in great shape.
- Shy Cullen. I like this kid and have heard very good things. Once of those JR Johnson types that SU always seems to have great success with. Versatile, fast and strong. Will get the opportunity to make some big plays and will fill a pass-rushing role. No real position - just a ball player.
- Trill Williams. People compare him to a young Charles Woodson. I am not supposed to write that on here. But he is good. Really good. Good OL + DL + Corners + QB make for a good team.
- Custis. Hoping he has a Johnnie Morant-type senior year. Talent is there and he has the ability to dominate at times. Huge question mark that will factor into how far this team can go - I am not sure the staff even knows what level of production they will get.
- 4-2-5. Think the new formation will work well. Foster is like having another LB and Cordy gets the chance to play the Polamalu role. I am really high on Cisco. The kid is a naturally instinctive safety and really plays the ball. Think Quentin Harris as a center fielder.
- Dungey. I am expecting a big year. This guy is one of the great competitors that has come through the program. He is a difference maker and the reason I don’t see us winning less than 6 games. Reminds me of a QB-version of Don Darius.
- LBs are a concern, but are matched with a very strong up-the-middle DL. Slayton is an NFL player and McKinley has really come on strong. Gap coverage is a concern - WMU will try to pull as much as possible from the Wake Forest tape - which really showed how to stretch our defense. Big fan of Josh Black and Berry as well. We haven’t had many seasons where we have players like this coming off the bench.
- Overall. Team is faster, bigger and stronger than at any time in the Babers era. The OL is really playing well and Dungey is in his third season as QB and has some developing weapons at WR that are going to see some time as young kids. Talent is there, depth is improving, we are bigger and more athletic. Just need to find a way to win game 1 to set up a bowl season.
Lots of other notes as well that I will post when I have more time.
