Spring Football Notes...

[RICuse44]

Agree. From what I've heard, I'll be shocked if Hodge isn't starting in the middle next year. Hear he's making some pretty good gains in the weightroom as well. He seems to be gaining some *good* weight.

I've got to admit though I'm surprised Cam didn't slide over. Maybe its because he is a senior and they want some more continuity at the MIKE. I thought though that Hodge was a little bit faster than Cam which may help out with coverage responsibilities. Although if truth be told I would rather see Cam blitz most of the time. He is a great blitzer.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I think this Spring will solidify Hodge locking up the starting MIKE job.

Wasn't Batten supposed to be a Vernon Davis clone?

Going to be interesting to see if Foy is able to work his way back into the rotation, we all saw how deep Funderburke got buried in the dog house. Could be a huge blow seeing how well his development has come.

Vernon Davis clone? Bit of a stretch there

 

[Rocco]

I've got to admit though I'm surprised Cam didn't slide over. Maybe its because he is a senior and they want some more continuity at the MIKE. I thought though that Hodge was a little bit faster than Cam which may help out with coverage responsibilities. Although if truth be told I would rather see Cam blitz most of the time. He is a great blitzer.

Moskal will get a long look at the MIKE.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Kimble being limited might matter.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Kimble being limited might matter.

If nothing else, it means more reps for AJ Long.

 

[OburgOrange]

How is it that there are injuries ? Are they recovering from surgeries?

 

[anomander]

Vernon Davis clone? Bit of a stretch there

Hey that wasn't my comparison, I can't remember who or where, but I thought that's what someone had said ?

 

[RMH44]

Hey that wasn't my comparison, I can't remember who or where, but I thought that's what someone had said ?

You're right, I think I read the same thing on here around the time he signed. I never really understood the comparison because he was so light. Hopefully he does a great job at LB so we can save a RS or two.

 

[AAM62]

hodge and cam together for a lot of snaps scares me in pass coverage just from a height perspective. I wish those guys were a few inches taller

 

[anomander]

Moskal will get a long look at the MIKE.

even before Luke's injury I thought it would be either Hodge or Moskal at the MIKE

 

[money3189]

I saw enough in Hodge this year to convince me he should be the starter. I told people he would add muscle and be right in the mix. Its definitely starting to look that way. Arciniega's spot to lose but it doesn't help that he's sitting out this spring. I was not a fan of lynch going in the middle. He would have to learn a new position that can set him back. Keep him in the position he's been playing for 3 years. There's familiarity and comfort. All he has to do is sharpen up what he already know. He is gonna make even more plays because of his experience there. I've always thought Batten's film was more impressive on the defensive side. He has the length and speed. He just have to get comfortable in a stand up position but I love the move. The Trudo move to center is perfect. He could be a NFL center IMO.

 

[supp]

Interesting stuff. Sounds like Shafer wants to put his coaches under the microscope this Spring too, having them go against each other in game-type situations in every contact practice. Maybe they've always been doing this but the fact that he's mentioning it here probably means that's it's a point of focus this Spring. Sounds like a good idea to me. We had a hard time making adjustments when teams figured out our game plan last year. And in the blowouts, we just looked flat-out unprepared. Makes sense to turn the pressure up on the coaches in practice and hope they respond positively and think a little quicker on their feet.

 

[RF2044]

If nothing else, it means more reps for AJ Long.

Long and Wilson are the big beneficiaries of this opportunity.

 

[anomander]

I saw enough in Hodge this year to convince me he should be the starter. I told people he would add muscle and be right in the mix. Its definitely starting to look that way. Arciniega's spot to lose but it doesn't help that he's sitting out this spring. I was not a fan of lynch going in the middle. He would have to learn a new position that can set him back. Keep him in the position he's been playing for 3 years. There's familiarity and comfort. All he has to do is sharpen up what he already know. He is gonna make even more plays because of his experience there. I've always though Batten's film was more impressive on the defensive side. He has the length and speed. He just have to et comfortable in a stand up position but I love the move. The Trudo move to center is perfect. He could be a NFL center IMO.

I agree with everything you said, accept the last sentence. I was expecting Emerich to step in at the center position. I liked the idea of having continuity with the unit. Emerich must not have developed the way the staff was hoping.

 

[money3189]

I agree with everything you said, accept the last sentence. I was expecting Emerich to step in at the center position. I liked the idea of having continuity with the unit. Emerich must not have developed the way the staff was hoping.

I hear you. I just figured he had two years to learn from mackey, impress the coaches and solidify his position. trudo sliding over tells me that the staff hasn't seen enough in emerich

 

[money3189]

Interesting stuff. Sounds like Shafer wants to put his coaches under the microscope this Spring too, having them go against each other in game-type situations in every contact practice. Maybe they've always been doing this but the fact that he's mentioning it here probably means that's it's a point of focus this Spring. Sounds like a good idea to me. We had a hard time making adjustments when teams figured out our game plan last year. And in the blowouts, we just looked flat-out unprepared. Makes sense to turn the pressure up on the coaches in practice and hope they respond positively and think a little quicker on their feet.

Great Point. I agree. He is definitely challenging the coaches. Competing doesnt only make the players better but the coaches too.

 

[RF2044]

I agree with everything you said, accept the last sentence. I was expecting Emerich to step in at the center position. I liked the idea of having continuity with the unit. Emerich must not have developed the way the staff was hoping.

New staff from when Emerich was brought in, so who knows. Kid could still be a figural player over the course of his three remaining years, and emerge as a contributor / starter down the road. But I'm guessing that the Trudo move is as more about getting the best 5 players out there on the field than Trudo's NFL prospects.

 

[jekelish]

I admit I have been almost entirely on the basketball board for the last few months but...why the hell did I think Cam Lynch was a senior this past year? I was absolutely convinced. Probably that damned Andrea Adelson's doing, no doubt.

Either way, thanks OX for posting all of this stuff and getting the ball rolling. Always excited to hear about these things. Also, I imagine one of the reasons Batten is at least starting out trying to move to defense is the fact that we've got two outstanding TE prospects in Enoicy and Custis coming in, and he'd probably get lost in the shuffle?

 

[timkay99]

The Trudo slide makes sense. Palmer was the first interior lineman off the bench last year. Then gives you palmer-trudo-robinson as G-C-G. Hickey at LT. RT would be Lasker's for the taking- yes, he will be a junior next year. Backups then Knapp, Foy, and then would expect someone else to emerge this spring.

Surprised no one has said it yet, but I will. If Trudo really does stay at C, Denzel Ward is going to be given a chance to win the RT spot in the fall w/ Foy moving inside to RG if he comes back. My opinion.

 

[anomander]

I admit I have been almost entirely on the basketball board for the last few months but...why the hell did I think Cam Lynch was a senior this past year? I was absolutely convinced. Probably that damned Andrea Adelson's doing, no doubt.

Either way, thanks OX for posting all of this stuff and getting the ball rolling. Always excited to hear about these things. Also, I imagine one of the reasons Batten is at least starting out trying to move to defense is the fact that we've got two outstanding TE prospects in Enoicy and Custis coming in, and he'd probably get lost in the shuffle?

Both Enoicy and Custis have reiterated that they both were recruited as a WR and plan on playing their throughout their careers, so it's not looking like that was the reason.

I hear you. I just figured he had two years to learn from mackey, impress the coaches and solidify his position. trudo sliding over tells me that the staff hasn't seen enough in emerich

yep i agree. kind of disappointing, but the staff is able to evaluate these guys day in and day out in practice, individual drills, film/weight room etc. With practices closed it's impossible for any of us to doubt the move.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Syracuse football spring practice schedule

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Syracuse releases pre-spring depth chart

 

[ottodaorange]

Nate Mink‏@MinkNate5 mins
Pre-spring depth chart lists Ryan Sloan at DT opposite Crume. Marqez Hodge at middle linebacker

Nate Mink‏@MinkNate4 mins
Offensive line: from left to right: Hickey, Palmer , Trudo, Knapp, Lasker

Nate Mink‏@MinkNate3 mins
Logjam at wide receiver , but Funderburk is on the 2 line behind Broyld

Where is the link for pre-spring depth chart?

 

[BlazeOrange]

I hear you. I just figured he had two years to learn from mackey, impress the coaches and solidify his position. trudo sliding over tells me that the staff hasn't seen enough in emerich

Could also be that they want to look more at the other guards. There is no other center on the depth chart, so both Emerich and Trudo will get plenty of time this spring. Putting Trudo at the top will push Emerich to take the spot. Trudo knows the guard position, so they can give him reps at center as a potential starter (if some of the guards rise to the occasion or Emerich doesn't) or backup (in case he's needed there during the season).

The only wrinkle is that we have a new OL coach. If he's changing things around, then this is more likely to be a "real" move.

 

[OrangeBlood]

Who is going to play TE? Moore and Parris are solid blockers but who will catch the ball? Maybe being phased out of offense?