playmakers for 2012

[kcsu]

Who will be our Top Playmakers for 2012 on O? Last year we didnt really have any but if i where forced to pick i would say in order Baily, Provo, Alec. Out of those three only Provo would have started for most of the teams we played. This year we are still extremely thin in the playmaker catagory but i will go out on a limb and say that in order our top three playmakers will be Sales, PTG, Alec. Im excited to see what our RB's can do and i expect a break out year from both Smith and AAM.

Who will our Top Playmakers be for 2012 on D? Last year i would say P Thomas, Spruill, Jones and again with the exception of P Thomas who is gone we really didnt have anybody step up game in game out. This year i think that Lynch, Lynn, and Bromley will surprise. I also have high hopes for Goggins if he moves to DE and my Dark Horse is Wilkes.

 

[sutomcat]

Who will be our Top Playmakers for 2012 on O? Last year we didnt really have any but if i where forced to pick i would say in order Baily, Provo, Alec. Out of those three only Provo would have started for most of the teams we played. This year we are still extremely thin in the playmaker catagory but i will go out on a limb and say that in order our top three playmakers will be Sales, PTG, Alec. Im excited to see what our RB's can do and i expect a break out year from both Smith and AAM.

Who will our Top Playmakers be for 2012 on D? Last year i would say P Thomas, Spruill, Jones and again with the exception of P Thomas who is gone we really didnt have anybody step up game in game out. This year i think that Lynch, Lynn, and Bromley will surprise. I also have high hopes for Goggins if he moves to DE and my Dark Horse is Wilkes.

I take issue with your opinion that only Provo would have started for most of the teams we played. Lemon had a very good year (68 catches, 834 yards) and was named 2nd team all conference.

Don't think naming the likely starting RB and the likely starting WRs is going out on a limb when picking our top play makers, but those are good choices. David Stevens quietly made 19 catches and came on strong late in the season. I think he is destined to put up numbers similar to Provo's from last year (51 catches, 527 yards). Might even get more yards per catch than Nick; he has good speed for a TE. The staff likes Kobena a lot. Of all the young WRs on the roster, he would seem the one best positioned to emerge as a deep threat in 2012.

 

[kcsu]

I take issue with your opinion that only Provo would have started for most of the teams we played. Lemon had a very good year (68 catches, 834 yards) and was named 2nd team all conference.

Don't think naming the likely starting RB and the likely starting WRs is going out on a limb when picking our top play makers, but those are good choices. David Stevens quietly made 19 catches and came on strong late in the season. I think he is destined to put up numbers similar to Provo's from last year (51 catches, 527 yards). Might even get more yards per catch than Nick; he has good speed for a TE. The staff likes Kobena a lot. Of all the young WRs on the roster, he would seem the one best positioned to emerge as a deep threat in 2012.

I wasnt asking for "out on a limb" picks just who you thought would be our top play makers. As to Alec i agree he had a good year not sure what teams we played that he would have started for. Also i think that Smith will get the nod at RB over PTG. As to Stevens i agree good call. Kobena sure has the speed to be a play maker and a much needed deep threat. Who do you like on D Tom?

 

[sutomcat]

Lemon was 2nd team all conference. That means that the 8 head coaches in the Big East, the people that presumably voted for the all conference teams, thought 2 WRs in the conference were better than he was. That alone, IMHO, refutes your opinion of Lemon. You are not alone. I don't understand why he is so unappreciated by so many Syracuse fans.

Anyway, on defense, I really like a lot of the young talent we have. Assuming this unit can stay healthy (last year was one of the worst I have ever seen for this), there should be a bunch of breakout performances. I think Shamarko Thomas, Keon Lyn, Cam Lynch, Dowayne Davis, Deon Goggins and Durell Eskridge (is there anyone on this list with a normal first name?) are all poised to have big years.

 

[orange03]

Lemon had a nice year, but somebody had to catch passes.

 

[kcsu]

Lemon was 2nd team all conference. That means that the 8 head coaches in the Big East, the people that presumably voted for the all conference teams, thought 2 WRs in the conference were better than he was. That alone, IMHO, refutes your opinion of Lemon. You are not alone. I don't understand why he is so unappreciated by so many Syracuse fans.

Anyway, on defense, I really like a lot of the young talent we have. Assuming this unit can stay healthy (last year was one of the worst I have ever seen for this), there should be a bunch of breakout performances. I think Shamarko Thomas, Keon Lyn, Cam Lynch, Dowayne Davis, Deon Goggins and Durell Eskridge (is there anyone on this list with a normal first name?) are all poised to have big years.

Thanks not sure on Lemon as he did have a big year just doesnt seem to have that clutch performance extra something that you look for in a play maker. Still he is steady and more suited for a number 2 role which is why i hope that Marcus steps up this year. On D I really like Lynch and think that he is going to end up being special. As to a under the radar type player how about Donnie Simmons?

 

[Chip]

Hoping Kobena steps up. Seems like the most explosive returning player on the roster.

 

[orangepassion]

If PTG can stay healthy, he will be a playmaker. He is explosive.
Kobena's going to have to improve his hands to be a factor.
Shamarko is excellent when he's 100%

 

[cusestudent]

Lemon will be our top playmaker, he was last year and will fill that role agin this year. I think the o-line takes a huge step forward and dominates at least half of our games. Nassib will finally come into fruition and shut people's mouths about him. I think he is the only QB to take snaps unless its mop-up duty.

On D Cam Lynch will be our biggest playmaker and lead the team in tackles and tackles for loss. Davis will be a huge playmaker that gives the D a spark every time he makes a bug hit, and obviously Spruill has been key since he played as a freshman. I can see the d-line sucking for this year with all the growing pains. The defensive backs will depend on Thomas as the main playmaker from there.

 

[Aweart23]

Lemon was 2nd team all conference. That means that the 8 head coaches in the Big East, the people that presumably voted for the all conference teams, thought 2 WRs in the conference were better than he was. That alone, IMHO, refutes your opinion of Lemon. You are not alone. I don't understand why he is so unappreciated by so many Syracuse fans.

Anyway, on defense, I really like a lot of the young talent we have. Assuming this unit can stay healthy (last year was one of the worst I have ever seen for this), there should be a bunch of breakout performances. I think Shamarko Thomas, Keon Lyn, Cam Lynch, Dowayne Davis, Deon Goggins and Durell Eskridge (is there anyone on this list with a normal first name?) are all poised to have big years.

Alex was a beast who only got better as the year went on...which in and of itself is remarkable as he was playing with a significant injury to his shoulder for a good part of the year...I'd really love to see a healthy (in body) Alex and a head screwed on properly Marcus Sales on the field this fall...

 

[crales44]

Lemon was 2nd team all conference. That means that the 8 head coaches in the Big East, the people that presumably voted for the all conference teams, thought 2 WRs in the conference were better than he was. That alone, IMHO, refutes your opinion of Lemon. You are not alone. I don't understand why he is so unappreciated by so many Syracuse fans.

Anyway, on defense, I really like a lot of the young talent we have. Assuming this unit can stay healthy (last year was one of the worst I have ever seen for this), there should be a bunch of breakout performances. I think Shamarko Thomas, Keon Lyn, Cam Lynch, Dowayne Davis, Deon Goggins and Durell Eskridge (is there anyone on this list with a normal first name?) are all poised to have big years.

Dowayne's back? Adds a lot of experience to the secondary.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Hard to judge before Spring ball when we see what shape guys are in and how others are recovering from injury.

Offense: Hoping Lou Alexander is in shape and takes over at LG. He doesn't have to to be great, just adequate. Pugh, and Alexander should allow running room on the left. I'll go with Adonis Ameen Moore as a guy that really steps up. Hopefully PTG is back close to 100% to take advantage of the edges but AAM could be a one cut bull of a back if he's got his mind right.

Defense: Goggins and Shamarko. Both upper classmen with high motors and enough individual talent to make plays on their own. Cam Lynch in year 2 should be alot more fun to watch as well.

 

[OrangeAl]

Lemon had a nice year, but somebody had to catch passes.

Yup, with Nassib laying them in there, how could he not catch at least 68 passes?

 

[orange03]

Yup, with Nassib laying them in there, how could he not catch at least 68 passes?

Seeing that most of our pass attempts are 10 yards away, not all that hard. He's a nice player, but certainly don't think of him as a playmaker per se---but on this team, he probably would be the closest thing to it that we have. Not meant to be a knock.

 

[SoBristol]

To be more objective, Nassib & Lemon are among the better guys in the league at their positions -- and beyond that we have a lot of balance and no real standouts. Sales may be OK, but West could be just as productive. After several years of having one workhorse back (Brinkley, then a couple years of Carter, then Bailey), we likely won't have a 1000 yd runner dominating the position.

That might be the biggest challenge for the coaching staff: spread the load around among a wider slection of OK players. Use 3 running backs in rotation. Get Kobena & Broyld into the mix somewhere. Not all the snaps for Nassib -- mix it up.

Similar on defense -- we should have an improved defense, so don't take this as negative. The improvement will come through balance and depth, with no true standouts or all-league candidates. Mainly, we have no names (other than within the SU family) who are returnees from a weak unit. DL will rotate 6 or 7 guys -- no all-stars in the bunch, but better size at DT. Consider that the returning DL guys rarely got pressures or sacks and it will be a challenge again this season. LBs all return, but the better ones (Lynch & Davis) are a year away from being "playmakers" in a real sense. At DB, the new strength is that the unit finally has average depth if guys like Anderson & Lynn are healthy.

 

[PhatOrange]

Seeing that most of our pass attempts are 10 yards away, not all that hard. He's a nice player, but certainly don't think of him as a playmaker per se---but on this team, he probably would be the closest thing to it that we have. Not meant to be a knock.

What a crock. Lemon averaged more yards per catch than Mohammed Sanu and only had 1 less touchdown.

 

[money3189]

I think everyone is underestimating PTG. I know he has injury issues. If healthy, he can be more productive than Bailey. PTG has more wiggle to him and is capable of having more big plays than Bailey. Im going to expect that from him this year. Lemon is consistent. I think people are hard on him because most of his catches are within 20 yards, and he also dropped a few important passes during crucial moments of the game the last two years. But if you look from his freshman to his juinor year he is the most reliable when healthy. Sales will free up lemon and vice versa. Sales will give us more opportunites to go deep. Nassib have to thow better deep balls though. I think thats one of the reasons Hackett doesnt call plays designed to go deep. Stevens, with his 4.5 speed and good hands can be a match up problem for defenses. Not expecting much from Wales. I think he will be used like Jose Cruz. Mainly blocking. If AAM gets into shape, look out. He will be a pounder and SU will run more power design run plays like we did with Carter. Jerome Smith hits the hole hard but I'm not sure if he has the vision and the elusiveness to make big runs. Defensively, D. Davis will continue to make plays. I expect him to double the amount of tackles for losses. Lynch will be great, Spruill hopefully he starts making some big tackles during crucial moments. I think Sharpe will surprise us as a pass rusher. My issue with him is if he can play every down through out the game with out wearing out. Shamarko will provide big hits, I dont think he is a ball hawk. More like a LB for run support. Bromley, Goggins, Z. Jones, Boatman will be steady, hopefully Z. Jones can get pressure on the QB for us. Lyn and anderson will be much improved with the new secondary coach providing discipline and enthusiam. Thats something schafer havent been able to do because he's in the booth during the games. I will be in better shape to determine play makers after spring ball. Of course you all know that I am a big Ashton Broyld supporter. So dont be surprise if you see him in some capacity this year. Hahaha

 

[shizzah]

I think everyone is underestimating PTG. I know he has injury issues. If healthy, he can be more productive than Bailey. PTG has more wiggle to him and is capable of having more big plays than Bailey. Im going to expect that from him this year. Lemon is consistent. I think people are hard on him because most of his catches are within 20 yards, and he also dropped a few important passes during crucial moments of the game the last two years. But if you look from his freshman to his juinor year he is the most reliable when healthy. Sales will free up lemon and vice versa. Sales will give us more opportunites to go deep. Nassib have to thow better deep balls though. I think thats one of the reasons Hackett doesnt call plays designed to go deep. Stevens, with his 4.5 speed and good hands can be a match up problem for defenses. Not expecting much from Wales. I think he will be used like Jose Cruz. Mainly blocking. If AAM gets into shape, look out. He will be a pounder and SU will run more power design run plays like we did with Carter. Jerome Smith hits the hole hard but I'm not sure if he has the vision and the elusiveness to make big runs. Defensively, D. Davis will continue to make plays. I expect him to double the ammount of tackles for losses. Lynch will be great, Spruill is be hopefully start marking some big tackles during crucial moments. I think Sharpe will surprise us as a pass rusher. My issue with is if he can play every down through out the game with out wearing out. Shamarko will provide big hits, I dont think he is a ball hawk. More like a LB for run support. Bromley, Goggins, Z. Jones, Boatman will be steady, hopefully Z. Jones can get pressure on the QB for us. Lyn and anderson will be much improved with the new secondary coach providing discipline and enthusiam. Thats something schafer havent been able to do because he's in the booth during the games. I will be in better shape to determine play makers after spring ball. Of course you all know that I am a big Ashton Broyld supporter. So dont be surprise if you see him in some capacity this year. Hahaha

I pretty much agree with everything here. If PTG stays healthy, you have to be excited about the sample (albeit very small) of work from him we have seen. Lemon has been pretty good after the catch early in his career. I'm not sure if its a matter of hitting him in stride where he has the ability to make a cut (he's pretty good at this actually) and pick up yards...or maybe having a viable threat that leaves him in single coverage, but I hope to see more of his YAC ability.

I do however think Wales can be more than just a blocker; he is a very good receiver and looks pretty fluid running routes.

 

[Aweart23]

I think everyone is underestimating PTG. I know he has injury issues. If healthy, he can be more productive than Bailey. PTG has more wiggle to him and is capable of having more big plays than Bailey. Im going to expect that from him this year. Lemon is consistent. I think people are hard on him because most of his catches are within 20 yards, and he also dropped a few important passes during crucial moments of the game the last two years. But if you look from his freshman to his juinor year he is the most reliable when healthy. Sales will free up lemon and vice versa. Sales will give us more opportunites to go deep. Nassib have to thow better deep balls though. I think thats one of the reasons Hackett doesnt call plays designed to go deep. Stevens, with his 4.5 speed and good hands can be a match up problem for defenses. Not expecting much from Wales. I think he will be used like Jose Cruz. Mainly blocking. If AAM gets into shape, look out. He will be a pounder and SU will run more power design run plays like we did with Carter. Jerome Smith hits the hole hard but I'm not sure if he has the vision and the elusiveness to make big runs. Defensively, D. Davis will continue to make plays. I expect him to double the ammount of tackles for losses. Lynch will be great, Spruill is be hopefully start marking some big tackles during crucial moments. I think Sharpe will surprise us as a pass rusher. My issue with is if he can play every down through out the game with out wearing out. Shamarko will provide big hits, I dont think he is a ball hawk. More like a LB for run support. Bromley, Goggins, Z. Jones, Boatman will be steady, hopefully Z. Jones can get pressure on the QB for us. Lyn and anderson will be much improved with the new secondary coach providing discipline and enthusiam. Thats something schafer havent been able to do because he's in the booth during the games. I will be in better shape to determine play makers after spring ball. Of course you all know that I am a big Ashton Broyld supporter. So dont be surprise if you see him in some capacity this year. Hahaha

Great write-up money

PTG needs a bodyguard to keep him from any further off the field injuries...I'd assign Ivan Foy to the job...Anytime PTG even thought about going anywhere other than class or the football facilities Foy should sit on him...in a loving, gentle, just keeping you safe little buddy kind of way...injury problem solved

 

[ImperialOrange]

Great write-up money

PTG needs a bodyguard to keep him from any further off the field injuries...I'd assign Ivan Foy to the job...Anytime PTG even thought about going anywhere other than class or the football facilities Foy should sit on him...in a loving, gentle, just keeping you safe little buddy kind of way...injury problem solved

HA! Agree with so many of here. If PTG is healthy, he is the big play threat. Anyone know how his recovery is going?

 

[orange03]

What a crock. Lemon averaged more yards per catch than Mohammed Sanu and only had 1 less touchdown.

What a crock. Lemon averaged more yards per catch than Mohammed Sanu and only had 1 less touchdown.

Sorry to have a different opinion then you do. I just don't think he's a "playmaker". Also, since you brought up Sanu, 9/10 college coaches would choose Sanu if given the choice. Doesn't make Lemon a bad player.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

Markus Pierce Brewster has to be a play maker for Syracuse this year. Marrone told Rhame they have to get pressure with four guys. Someone on the D Line needs to draw a double team, doubt Sharpe or Robinson are capable. There was some talk about MPB getting bumped up to a four star. He will have a lot of work to do but BE football fans have seen some JUCCO d linemen make a huge impact in their first year. Looks like a good athlete who could drop into coverage like Chandler was asked to do sometimes.

 

[PhatOrange]

Sorry to have a different opinion then you do. I just don't think he's a "playmaker". Also, since you brought up Sanu, 9/10 college coaches would choose Sanu if given the choice. Doesn't make Lemon a bad player.

that's ONLY because of Sanu's size. Lemon is faster and his hands might be better.

 

[orange03]

that's ONLY because of Sanu's size. Lemon is faster and his hands might be better.

While that might be true, it doesn't change the fact that if you're using the term playmaker, Sanu would be the more logical choice. If I'm a DC I respect Lemon, but I'm not scared of him. He might get his 6-8 catches, but most if not all of them will be in front of the defense. Would be a helluva 2nd or 3rd option, but the fact he's probably our best WR is a problem.

 

[SU2NASA]

I'm hoping we see Marcus Sales, circa 2010 Pinstripe Bowl.

 

[PhatOrange]

While that might be true, it doesn't change the fact that if you're using the term playmaker, Sanu would be the more logical choice. If I'm a DC I respect Lemon, but I'm not scared of him. He might get his 6-8 catches, but most if not all of them will be in front of the defense. Would be a helluva 2nd or 3rd option, but the fact he's probably our best WR is a problem.

Sanu's catches are all in front of a defense to. He averaged 10 yards per catch. Lemon 12.