Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="RF2044, post: 5509170, member: 40"] Interesting [to me] story about Mack. He was a guy we flipped on signing day, from Northern Illinois. So one of those guys who sends his LOI in and gets reported by the SUAD, but was not on the radar -- for those who follow SU football recruiting. I paid attention because he was from Minneapolis area, where I live. And after doing some quick research, I almost immediately wrote him off. Because if the guy was a decent prospect, why wouldn't he even get a sniff from the hometown Minnesota Gophers? And at his size [6-5 or 6-6 and 330] I figured he was just big and slow. Later that spring, he set a state record in one of the track and field strength events, discus I believe -- and they had a picture of him in the sports page. I was shocked to see that he looked svelte -- he was in a gray t-shirt, and didn't look fat -- at all. He looked lanky, with a big chest and zero gut. The only other OL I've ever seen like that was Matthew Bergeron. So then I started paying attention to him a little bit more. After a redshirt year, I was intrigued when he started popping up on the 2-deep last year around midseason, as a LT. Even though we had all of those transfers and higher profile OL. Then he earned a "starting" role in spring practice. And like many others, I wondered if any of the incoming OL portal guys would inevitably relegate him to the bench. In preseason camp, I paid close attention as the coaches seemed to use every conceivable combination of OL to try to identify the best 5 guys. And Mack again seemed to solidify his hold on LT. Heading into the game againt Tennessee, I was worried that this low-rated recruit I'd paid attention to a bit over the years would be going up against 4- and 5-star blue chip defensive line players from a team that went to the College playoffs last year. What if I was overrating him? What if my "Bergeron" comparison based upon that surprising photo was just wishful thinking? But Mack held his own. And the team really missed him when he was out -- none of the other guys seem to have the attributes needed to play LT and protect the QB's blind side, other than Mack [maybe Hawn eventually will]. There is only one Bergeron. Guy was a physical freak, a 2nd round pick, and a starting LT in the NFL. But this guy is cut from the same cloth. Same type of bizarre physique and athleticism, for such a "heavy" guy. Same unusual lateral mobility for a player so large. Hope he has a similar career trajectory. But most of all, we're lucky to have him. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?