Some questions for the board

[SWC75]

Like everyone, I've been watching highlight tapes of Robert Washingotn:

I love his combination of power, speed, (especially the acceleration through the line) and moves. I'm excited he's coming to Syracuse, especially considering the other schools who were recruiting him. Maybe his recruiting will make enough noise nationally to get other recruits to come.

We currently have George Morris and Robert McFarlane, who will be seniors in 2016 when Washington comes and Erv Phillips, who will be a junior. Morris has been a disappointment. McFarlane has shown signs but not made it big. Phillips looked very promising last year.

Our 2015 recurring class includes three promising running back recruits: Jordan Frederick, Tyrone Perkins and Dontae Strickland. They will be sophomores when Washington gets here.

Washington said he's coming here because of the opportunity to play immediately. He's also indicated he wants to wear #44. He feels he could be the guy to turn this program around.

How many other good players are really likely to come here because Washington would be the new #44.?

Would they have come here just because he'll be here or would the #44 make a difference?

If he clearly better than the other guys we've got, (or will have)?

Is he so much better that it's appropriate that he be given the number that will designate him as the guy who's expected to become the face of the program, the star the team is built around?

How will the other players react to his being anointed as "the guy"? Will it create problems?

Would it be better for the best of Morris and McFarlane to wear $44 in 2016, Phillips to wear it in 2017, the best of Frederick, Perkins or Strickland in 2018 and Washington in 2019, (assuming they would want to)?

 

[Toga]

My sources say no.

 

[CUSU]

Just some points in no order.

1. No, use it like it was used in the past.
2. Morris and McFarlane are not good enough, period. I don't think anyone currently on the roster is.
3. The jury is still out on Strickland who I have high hopes for also, but you still give the jersey to Washington. This is the exact type of kid (Washington) you give it too. Full package, seem to have a great head on his shoulders and would represent it well. He knows the history and Ernie is his idol.
4. Did it create problems in the past when Rob Conrad wore it? or whoever else?
5. How is it enticing for a recruit to receive #44 when most RBs gets to where it on their way through the program? That wouldn't make it special, at least in my opinion.

LGO

 

[Bornorange]

I like the carrot approach.

 

[jgeorge322]

I think rb's can co-exist. Look at what bama does. I hope strickland and washington are both so good the coaches are confused on who to play on what snap.

 

[Stern]

I don't care about the whole #44 thing. So overrated.

BUT...if this kid is going to have any success and live up to the hype, the staff better start recruiting o-line hard and land some better o-line talent to put in front of him. Otherwise he can wear #44 and have all the hype in the world. With no blocking he will be a 2 YPC back and be ordinary.

 

[TheCusian]

I don't care about the whole #44 thing. So overrated. BUT...if this kid is going to have any success and live up to the hype, the staff better start recruiting o-line hard and land some better o-line talent to put in front of him. Otherwise he can wear #44 and have all the hype in the world. With no blocking he will be a 2 YPC back and be ordinary.

I think the last two groups of recruits for Oline could be very good. I'm betting they grab at least one or two high 3 stars this cycle.

Momentum is s goooood thing.

 

[jekelish]

I don't care about the whole #44 thing. So overrated.

BUT...if this kid is going to have any success and live up to the hype, the staff better start recruiting o-line hard and land some better o-line talent to put in front of him. Otherwise he can wear #44 and have all the hype in the world. With no blocking he will be a 2 YPC back and be ordinary.

I was thinking this as well. I wonder if the coaches are still keeping in touch with Jack Wohlabaugh. Love to flip him if we keep this momentum up.

 

[SWC75]

Just some points in no order.

1. No, use it like it was used in the past.
2. Morris and McFarlane are not good enough, period. I don't think anyone currently on the roster is.
3. The jury is still out on Strickland who I have high hopes for also, but you still give the jersey to Washington. This is the exact type of kid (Washington) you give it too. Full package, seem to have a great head on his shoulders and would represent it well. He knows the history and Ernie is his idol.
4. Did it create problems in the past when Rob Conrad wore it? or whoever else?
5. How is it enticing for a recruit to receive #44 when most RBs gets to where it on their way through the program? That wouldn't make it special, at least in my opinion.

LGO

One other question: Washington's a 4 star guy. What if we have a chance at a five star guy in the next class, (or even the same class). What number does he get?

I just think it's better for all the running backs to have a shot at being #44 than to just hand it to one guy.

Point of order: not every running back who goes through the program would get the number. They'd have to out-compete others in the same class and it wouldn't be automatic every eyar: the coaching staff would have to recommend it and the living 44's would have to approve it.

 

[TheCusian]

One other question: Washington's a 4 star guy. What if we have a chance at a five star guy in the next class, (or even the same class). What number does he get? I just think it's better for all the running backs to have a shot at being #44 than to just hand it to one guy. Point of order: not every running back who goes through the program would get the number. They'd have to out-compete others in the same class and it wouldn't be automatic every eyar: the coaching staff would have to recommend it and the living 44's would have to approve it.

I think you just hand it out like it has been in the past. I think in this particular case - RW44 is such a leader, it won't be a problem.

 

[CUSU]

One other question: Washington's a 4 star guy. What if we have a chance at a five star guy in the next class, (or even the same class). What number does he get?

I just think it's better for all the running backs to have a shot at being #44 than to just hand it to one guy.

Point of order: not every running back who goes through the program would get the number. They'd have to out-compete others in the same class and it wouldn't be automatic every eyar: the coaching staff would have to recommend it and the living 44's would have to approve it.

I just want it used like it was in the past.

I mean honestly do you think we are pulling a 5* RB next cycle and a 4* the next? Robert Washington is a unique recruit that is going against the grain, they are few and far between. If he turns out to be a brilliant back and lives up to the legacy, maybe we can get another great back and start the tradition again. Realistically I don't think we are going to have the problem of having too many stellar backs to wear it, and if we do you address it when it happens. I don't think you change the way it was used now just in case in the future we have three 4 or 5 star RBs on our roster.

If the backs that wear it do live up to the number they might even leave early, allowing it to be used more often.

Just my opinion, others may differ.

 

[GoSU96]

Would it be better for the best of Morris and McFarlane to wear $44 in 2016, Phillips to wear it in 2017, the best of Frederick, Perkins or Strickland in 2018 and Washington in 2019, (assuming they would want to)?

no

 

[julaw]

I'm honestly more worried about whether our OL can open up running lanes for Strickland and RW

 

[tep624]

I'm honestly more worried about whether our OL can open up running lanes for Strickland and RW

Yep, if our OL over the next few years is reminiscent of last years', we're going to be in trouble regardless of who is running the ball.

The brightside is that Robert Washington is one of those kids, like many, that says he's going to recruit other top players to come with him. However, I actually believe him when he says it. He knows kids across classes too. If the OL isn't up to snuff, I'm sure he's going to do whatever he can to help this class or future classes address it.

 

[Trueblue25]

McFarlane's about to have a 1150 yard year.

 

[jekelish]

McFarlane's about to have a 1150 yard year.

Well I certainly hope so, but I'm not expecting our leading rusher to have much more than 800 yards this season, tops. That's also because DMC and GMII will be splitting carries and also giving some up to Erv and maybe one of the freshmen. I'd say leading rusher will be about 750, second will be at about 500, Hunt will be around 400, and then the rest combined for about 200.

 

[julaw]

Yep, if our OL over the next few years is reminiscent of last years', we're going to be in trouble regardless of who is running the ball.

The brightside is that Robert Washington is one of those kids, like many, that says he's going to recruit other top players to come with him. However, I actually believe him when he says it. He knows kids across classes too. If the OL isn't up to snuff, I'm sure he's going to do whatever he can to help this class or future classes address it.

I mean I really like Clausman and Byrne, I really think they'd take our OL to the next level. But we really need upgrades over the likes of Palmer, Lasker, and McGloster...

 

[jekelish]

I mean I really like Clausman and Byrne, I really think they'd take our OL to the next level. But we really need upgrades over the likes of Palmer, Lasker, and McGloster...

We need to flip Jack Wohlabaugh...

 

[julaw]

We need to flip Jack Wohlabaugh...

And what are the chances of that happening?

 

[AAM62]

I also think strickland/perkins move to the secondary and some point and a guy like fredricks plays the hback role.