Taj Harris, Nykeim Johnson and Garrett Williams Press Conference | Dec 1

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Taj Harris apologizes for showing the middle finger to a TV camera earlier this year. This is the first time he's spoken since then: "That was a childish mistake. That's something that I want to put behind me. ... That's definitely something that I've learned from."

Taj Harris is asked why SU's quarterbacks haven't been able to do what Eric Dungey did. He says it's not about one position; offensive production takes execution across the unit.

Taj Harris on the biggest lesson of the year? "You have to trust your teammates." Everyone had to prepare like they were playing and that anyone else could be playing.

Taj Harris said offensive improvement next year starts in the summer: "I feel like on the offensive side of the ball, we're going to be ready." Notes guys coming back from injury and new players enrolling.

Taj Harris on Chris Elmore moving to OL: "Rhino is an amazing football player. Since I got here, I've watched him step into roles that a lot of guys couldn't go into. ... If every quarterback goes down, guess who's going to be playing quarterback (laughs)?"

____________________

Nykeim Johnson on 2020 takeaway: "You've just got to prepare for anything you can face."

Nykeim Johnson on Andre Szmyt: "That's my guy."

Nykeim Johnson said he hasn't made his decision on potentially returning for 2021. Believes the offense will be better because of the reps young guys got this year, as well as players returning from injury.

Nykeim Johnson: "You never should be relieved that a football season is about to end because it could be your last one." Said a football player never knows the last time he'll get to step on a field.

Nykeim Johnson on how Chris Elmore may be the face of the 2020 team: "I would say that's a good thing. He put the team first, playing out of position all year."

____________________

Asked CB Garrett Williams what the next step is for Syracuse's defense going into 2021: "We've got to put on weight. We're really undersized at a lot of positions."

Garrett Williams said Syracuse views the matchup with Notre Dame as an opportunity to show what they can do. Orange opened as a 33-point underdog on Sunday.

Garrett Williams said he expected the deep ball to Tutu Atwell pre-snap based on formation when he logged his highlight interception at Louisville. On his Dad's video from the stands: "He only recorded one play from the whole game and it happened to be that interception."

More Garrett Williams on the Syracuse defense: "As a whole, I think everything we're doing as a defense is putting us in a good direction for the following years."

Garrett Williams on the historic significance of a potential one-win season at Syracuse (first since 2005, second since 1948): "We all know we're not a 1-10 team, but you can't dwell on the past. You just have to live in the moment."

 

[baggerbob]

Taj Harris apologizes for showing the middle finger to a TV camera earlier this year. This is the first time he's spoken since then: "That was a childish mistake. That's something that I want to put behind me. ... That's definitely something that I've learned from."

Taj Harris is asked why SU's quarterbacks haven't been able to do what Eric Dungey did. He says it's not about one position; offensive production takes execution across the unit.

Taj Harris on the biggest lesson of the year? "You have to trust your teammates." Everyone had to prepare like they were playing and that anyone else could be playing.

Taj Harris said offensive improvement next year starts in the summer: "I feel like on the offensive side of the ball, we're going to be ready." Notes guys coming back from injury and new players enrolling.

Taj Harris on Chris Elmore moving to OL: "Rhino is an amazing football player. Since I got here, I've watched him step into roles that a lot of guys couldn't go into. ... If every quarterback goes down, guess who's going to be playing quarterback (laughs)?"

Run a few series of 2 tight ends and Elmore at wildcat to soften up the defense.

 

[orangepassion]

Taj Harris apologizes for showing the middle finger to a TV camera earlier this year. This is the first time he's spoken since then: "That was a childish mistake. That's something that I want to put behind me. ... That's definitely something that I've learned from."

Taj Harris is asked why SU's quarterbacks haven't been able to do what Eric Dungey did. He says it's not about one position; offensive production takes execution across the unit.

Taj Harris on the biggest lesson of the year? "You have to trust your teammates." Everyone had to prepare like they were playing and that anyone else could be playing.

Taj Harris said offensive improvement next year starts in the summer: "I feel like on the offensive side of the ball, we're going to be ready." Notes guys coming back from injury and new players enrolling.

Taj Harris on Chris Elmore moving to OL: "Rhino is an amazing football player. Since I got here, I've watched him step into roles that a lot of guys couldn't go into. ... If every quarterback goes down, guess who's going to be playing quarterback (laughs)?"

____________________

Nykeim Johnson on 2020 takeaway: "You've just got to prepare for anything you can face."

Nykeim Johnson on Andre Szmyt: "That's my guy."

Nykeim Johnson said he hasn't made his decision on potentially returning for 2021. Believes the offense will be better because of the reps young guys got this year, as well as players returning from injury.

Nykeim Johnson: "You never should be relieved that a football season is about to end because it could be your last one." Said a football player never knows the last time he'll get to step on a field.

Nykeim Johnson on how Chris Elmore may be the face of the 2020 team: "I would say that's a good thing. He put the team first, playing out of position all year."

____________________

Asked CB Garrett Williams what the next step is for Syracuse's defense going into 2021: "We've got to put on weight. We're really undersized at a lot of positions."

Garrett Williams said Syracuse views the matchup with Notre Dame as an opportunity to show what they can do. Orange opened as a 33-point underdog on Sunday.

Garrett Williams said he expected the deep ball to Tutu Atwell pre-snap based on formation when he logged his highlight interception at Louisville. On his Dad's video from the stands: "He only recorded one play from the whole game and it happened to be that interception."

More Garrett Williams on the Syracuse defense: "As a whole, I think everything we're doing as a defense is putting us in a good direction for the following years."

Garrett Williams on the historic significance of a potential one-win season at Syracuse (first since 2005, second since 1948): "We all know we're not a 1-10 team, but you can't dwell on the past. You just have to live in the moment."

Really appreciate these write ups and like what I'm hearing from the guys, especially Taj. Hopefully he's growing up and can be a leader next year.