Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="OttoinGrotto, post: 497048, member: 297"] This is how I think it works. Syracuse isn't located in a hot bed of talent, so we probably won't ever get 5 stars. The recruiting sites don't have the same incentive to get overly excited about our guys as other schools provide, so we probably won't see our early interest commit guys get bumped. However, I think the star system can be used as a guide at least somewhat in evaluating our recruiting. We'll know recruiting has improved when the percentage of our classes made up of three star or better talent increases, because that means that we're 1) not relying on as unknown quantities as 2 stars may be and 2) we're winning recruiting battles against other name schools. To Marrone's credit, it was true that the % of 3 star or better talent increased for his second class compared to his first, and his third class compared to his second (not sure how this one would have shaken out for this upcoming class). I don't think it's unreasonable to believe that the majority of our classes can be comprised of 3 star talent, with 4 and 5s peppered in and "Coach's choice" 2 star players to round out the classes. Syracuse has a unique selling proposition - we are the only BCS program that plays in the controlled conditions of a Dome. Offensive and kicking talent should have high interest in taking advantage of those conditions, so long as our style of play is suited to such conditions. I believe Shafer and McDonald understand that, and I believe this past season we saw an offensive style suited to the Dome. I expect that as those schemes become the norm that the combined advantage of deploying them in the Dome will increase the quality of recruit we can sign on offense. As the talent on offense increases and the performance of the offense increases I believe that our profile as a team will increase, making it easier to attract defensive talent (to say nothing of the idea that I think Shafer's defensive style is something that is already appealing). In closing, while some facilities can and should be improved, Syracuse has institutionally failed to capitalize on the unique facility it does have, and once it elects to tailor style of play to the Dome recruiting will improve over time. [/QUOTE]

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