Rickie Collins

[All4SU]

Agree with some of the above and would add I would agree as a program, no proverbial "corners" have been turned yet. Great first season. Talent upgrades from high school are happening and the staff seems to making an impact on the field, off the field, etc. That said people said we turned a corner with Dino and Marrone and we didn't with either. Let's see how next season and 2026 goes. Lots more football to be played. Overall we are going in the right direction but there could be some challenges without a doubt next year. 2026 will be most interesting.

I would argue that we turned the corner four times with Marrone, and found ourselves right back where we started.

The thing about turning corners is this, try not to do it more than twice, or you’re going backwards.

 

[Cusefan69]

I would argue that we turned the corner four times with Marrone, and found ourselves right back where we started.

The thing about turning corners is this, try not to do it more than twice, or you’re going backwards.

 

[Qbobby]

I would argue that we turned the corner four times with Marrone, and found ourselves right back where we started.

The thing about turning corners is this, try not to do it more than twice, or you’re going backwards.

Maybe Dougie thought he was working for Joe Gibbs.

 

[AcAndAc]

So beyond next year what is different? Is it just the schedule? We will always need young guys to rise up because this is college football and that is how it works.
I don’t understand the last question. Are our guys automatically less able to rise up then other teams?

Absolutely the schedule. You are going to need depth to survive the bigger/faster/better players next year. Forget about injuries, which can be random... just the sheer physicality presented by the opponents. Clemson has a 6th year guy coming back and is not losing that much. Even Dabo is pulling in a few portals this year. They are looking to be much bigger/better/faster/stronger next year. Notre Dame/Tennessee are going to be bigger/better/faster/stronger than UNLV/Ohio. And so on.

But forget about the top of our schedule. BC ran over our defense last year. Our defense loses several key players... but our young guys will be a year older. But isn't BC in the same boat? Their offensive will be a year older too and they have young guys to rise up. yetthey are also bringing in an Alabama QB and some portal OL help. It is not going to be our 2025 defense vs their 2024 offense. It will be our 2025 defense (however improved) against their 2025 offense (however improved).

The point is that our opponents and peers have returning talent, but are still supplementing areas of need with the portal. To not go crazy in the portal is one thing. To not add ANYONE on defense is perplexing. If we could not tackle the slower/smaller players on our schedule last year, how will we tackle faster/stronger players.

 

[buffalorange]

Collins! Paging Rickie Collins! Has anyone seen where Rickie Collins has disappeared to in this thread?

 

[cuse62]

Do people really think, if we bring in 3 players (who ever they want) we will win however many more games next year?

I do not believe that is how football works. Besides McCord, would you switch FSU talent with ours last year. It is not just talent that wins.

 

[Domedog84]

Absolutely the schedule. You are going to need depth to survive the bigger/faster/better players next year. Forget about injuries, which can be random... just the sheer physicality presented by the opponents. Clemson has a 6th year guy coming back and is not losing that much. Even Dabo is pulling in a few portals this year. They are looking to be much bigger/better/faster/stronger next year. Notre Dame/Tennessee are going to be bigger/better/faster/stronger than UNLV/Ohio. And so on.

But forget about the top of our schedule. BC ran over our defense last year. Our defense loses several key players... but our young guys will be a year older. But isn't BC in the same boat? Their offensive will be a year older too and they have young guys to rise up. yetthey are also bringing in an Alabama QB and some portal OL help. It is not going to be our 2025 defense vs their 2024 offense. It will be our 2025 defense (however improved) against their 2025 offense (however improved).

The point is that our opponents and peers have returning talent, but are still supplementing areas of need with the portal. To not go crazy in the portal is one thing. To not add ANYONE on defense is perplexing. If we could not tackle the slower/smaller players on our schedule last year, how will we tackle faster/stronger players.

I see what you are saying certainly. I would have loved to see a few key adds as well on defense. It’s hard to bring in starting level talent from the portal. We pulled in several transfers last year that began their career at factories and had us all drooling and excited and then barely played or never saw the field.

I am not ready to answer every question with just trust Fran, but so far he has delivered on his plan. Next year could be tough, but I don’t want Fran to abandon his plan, I want to build for sustained success. We will see if Fran can do it. We have watched lots of guys that couldn’t, and honestly, if Fran does it here he will be gone and we will start the fun over again, but hopefully in a much better place.

TLDR: I appreciate your sentiment, I guess I am still hopeful and not ready to concede all our players suck.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Collins! Paging Rickie Collins! Has anyone seen where Rickie Collins has disappeared to in this thread?

Yes, I came here hoping to get his thoughts on Fran's use or non-use of the portal.

 

[Domedog84]

Yes, I came here hoping to get his thoughts on Fran's use or non-use of the portal.

You could write a super funny pun about his name and get this thread right back on track.

 

[CbusCuse]

You could write a super funny pun about his name and get this thread right back on track.

QB1? You can't ever count out Rickie Bobby Collins.

 

[Stevenson]

Getting back on topic? Where can I get good pancakes in Barbados?

 

[orangefog]

Getting back on topic? Where can I get good pancakes in Barbados?

IHOP?

 

[Sudano]

IHOP?

From the one legged man

 

[GoSU96]

I don't think anyone would disagree here and if they do they are drinking too much short term Fran kool aid nor is it a knock on Fran as a HC. Tough spot to be in for next year and somebody has to take a long term approach when looking at the program

Look, whether you agree with the approach or not we aren't getting enough help in the portal next year to realistically win 9 games let alone compete for a national title. The plan is to recruit and develop and fill in as need through the portal on a smaller scale. In addition, it probably would make sense that the kids that hit the market after spring ball might come at a little cheaper price as many schools may have their rosters set and NIL money allocated.

All that said, this roster as it sits right now is not set up to truly compete against this schedule for 2025 and that's OK but next season could be a long one where 2026 could be a really nice season if a lot of the younger kids continue to develop. I get the in Fran we trust blah blah stuff and Syracuse football is back!! I just think many are setting themselves up for huge disappointment next year as personally I think it's going to be a real struggle to find 4-5 wins. In addition, doesn't mean we can't bounce back in 26.

Just my opinion and time will tell but I just think people are drinking too much of the kool aid right now but that's fine too.

Brown has earned the benefit of the doubt and some patience.

SU doesn’t have the resources to buy a roster that could win big next year, so don’t spend stupid money. Take the lumps and grow.

 

[CanadianSU]

Agree with some of the above and would add I would agree as a program, no proverbial "corners" have been turned yet. Great first season. Talent upgrades from high school are happening and the staff seems to making an impact on the field, off the field, etc. That said people said we turned a corner with Dino and Marrone and we didn't with either. Let's see how next season and 2026 goes. Lots more football to be played. Overall we are going in the right direction but there could be some challenges without a doubt next year. 2026 will be most interesting.

We’ve seen what a great qb can do for a team before as well (Dungey). Hopefully, McCord was not a one off. Don’t think it will be but still.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

QB1? You can't ever count out Rickie Bobby Collins.

Ooh that has potential.

 

[Qbobby]

I like that one! Maybe Rickie "The Dragon" Collins

 

[Cusefan69]

We’ve seen what a great qb can do for a team before as well (Dungey). Hopefully, McCord was not a one off. Don’t think it will be but still.

Yep. Though finding another McCord may be tough but ya never know. I do think perception wise we have 3 to 4 very talented QBs in that QB room who could do something. Very excited to see these guys in the Spring game and just see how they operate, move up the field and how maybe Nixon might modify the offense to strengths.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

IHOP?

Well, the “I” does stand for International.

 

[orangefog]

Well, the “I” does stand for International.

That was my logic.

 

[BillSU]

We’re not disappointed- just very concerned about whether Fran is abandoning the portal and putting too much faith in the younger guys. We’ve lost the core of what got us to 10 wins without seeing obvious replacements.

Those younger guys on the two, three and four deep on O & D have plenty of talent or they wouldn’t be here. Some didn’t get to play at all this season. But instead of entering the portal, like I have seen good players do on various other major teams, they have been developing are developed and staying with HCFB to play for him in 2025. It’s a very tough schedule and some see it as a major road block to our win column. Fran knows what he’s doing as you saw this year. Got his QB and used his players here post Babers well and got ten wins despite ST. You have to let a new coach see what winning and losing is about for themselves. Of course we should have beaten Stanford and Boston College. Pitt was a definite learning experience. That happens with good coaches and players who bought in – result 10 - 3. Ya’ll whiners will have to wait to see how we handle the schedule with what Fran has planned and is planning. Portal we’ll see.

 

[Sudano]

Those younger guys on the two, three and four deep on O & D have plenty of talent or they wouldn’t be here. Some didn’t get to play at all this season. But instead of entering the portal, like I have seen good players do on various other major teams, they have been developing are developed and staying with HCFB to play for him in 2025. It’s a very tough schedule and some see it as a major road block to our win column. Fran knows what he’s doing as you saw this year. Got his QB and used his players here post Babers well and got ten wins despite ST. You have to let a new coach see what winning and losing is about for themselves. Of course we should have beaten Stanford and Boston College. Pitt was a definite learning experience. That happens with good coaches and players who bought in – result 10 - 3. Ya’ll whiners will have to wait to see how we handle the schedule with what Fran has planned and is planning. Portal we’ll see.

Stop calling posters who are just analyzing a situation as whiners. It's ok to question and analyze.
Without it we all are just traffic cones who just sit there waiting for traffic.

 

[EnviroSciGuy]

Do people really think, if we bring in 3 players (who ever they want) we will win however many more games next year?

I do not believe that is how football works. Besides McCord, would you switch FSU talent with ours last year. It is not just talent that wins.

Yep, a team can be greater than the sum of its parts.

...and also less, like FSU.

 

[walsh2012]

You're basing track record off of coaches who are no longer there. The staff has earned the trust of fans until proven otherwise. There is a huge difference between a Garret Shrader and Kyle McCord. If one of the QB's can separate themselves from the competition and be serviceable at a minimum, that is what we need.

I liked Garret Shrader - his only knock was getting injured and that's because Dino gave him 15-20 carries a game