Guesses as to what is being worked on at practice?

[SmilinBob]

I'm sure Marrone is smart enough to have the possible scenarios that he could insert Ashton into the game and according to the situation and what Ash has displayed in practice he'll use him accordingly, like any of the newcomers will be. I do believe the delicate decisions to redshirt this year will be less frequent because we'll be seeing more young guys than ever before as this last class is the most ready we've had in the Marrone era and we'll need the depth with this schedule. I wouldn't be surprised if Marrone and staff aren't saying to this group, step up because somebody is right behind you wanting your job.

 

[SUinNYC]

If your Marrone and you see Ashton everyday destroying your 1st team defense, while he is on the scout O, you will have to be a moron to not play him now if he can help you sustain drives, create big plays and score in the redzone.

If this is actually what is happening in practice, I have no doubt that he plays. But the reports from above posters with connections to the team do not indicate that this is the case.

 

[orangeinjersey]

Prep school is not Division I football.

I was not implying that prep school was D1 football. One of the reasons (among many) to prep is to get kids ready PHYSICALLY to play at the D1 level. From what i recall seeing in pics, AB was already looking like a D1 college football player PHYSICALLY in HS. I imagine, prepping at a place known to send multiple recruits to BCS level schools, would have a solid strength and conditioning program. Having already committed to SU, i am sure SU gave the kid a S&C program to follow. That being said, if like someone else mentioned, if he is tearing up first team D in practice, then it makes sense to use him in a few packages/situations/plays this year.

 

[SUFan44]

I was not implying that prep school was D1 football. One of the reasons (among many) to prep is to get kids ready PHYSICALLY to play at the D1 level. From what i recall seeing in pics, AB was already looking like a D1 college football player PHYSICALLY in HS. I imagine, prepping at a place known to send multiple recruits to BCS level schools, would have a solid strength and conditioning program. Having already committed to SU, i am sure SU gave the kid a S&C program to follow. That being said, if like someone else mentioned, if he is tearing up first team D in practice, then it makes sense to use him in a few packages/situations/plays this year.

Division I football is not all physical. And I have no doubt that if he is "tearing up first team D's in practice", as you and a few others suggest, he will see time as a freshman in some capacity. As long as he begins "tearing up the first team D" before midseason and his redshirt year isn't wasted on 3 games.

But I'm not buying that he's ready at this point. I think Marrone is saving him from as much scrutiny as possible - as he knows that the unknown and anticipated players for fans are the most scrutinized.

 

[rosconey]

the only real answer is-EVERYTHING is being worked on

the real issue is-WILL ANYTHING BE DIFFERENT- or is this just a smoke screen for a team that still has no offensive identity and no special teams play-

 

[orangeinjersey]

the only real answer is-EVERYTHING is being worked on

the real issue is-WILL ANYTHING BE DIFFERENT- or is this just a smoke screen for a team that still has no offensive identity and no special teams play-

This closed practice thing may actually turn out to build excitement. Its like Apples next great product. You never know how great its going to be until they announce and ship the product the following week. Can we apply that same theory to SU Football?

We'll all be waiting in anticipation during the first series of the Northwestern game and we'll come out running some sort of freeze/read/spread option. Nassib didnt look bad running it vs RU in 2009. Many on this board said Marrone explicitly told Ryan to NOT RUN, Scramble becuase if he got hurt we were toast.

That being said, it would be a TREMENDOUS letdown, actually that is an understatement, IF we come out running the same generic BS offense we have have been running.