sutomcat
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Syracuse Pro Day Roundup
Macky MacPherson Fired Up Over Bench Press Performance (PS; Carlson)
MacPherson said he considered his pro day mostly successful, but a miscue on the bench press bar was one of the most notable moments of the afternoon for Syracuse.
After whipping off his first 15 repetitions of 225 pounds with ease, seemingly well on the way to the 30 that strength and conditioning coach Will Hicks expected him to perform, a small break in his form left MacPherson struggling to salvage his effort of 24.
"I was flying through and got 15 easy," MacPherson said. "My right shoulder blade almost fell off the bench. I almost pulled my pectoral, managed to catch that, and managed to eek out nine more. (Six) reps isn't going to kill you. It's not going to get you drafted in the fifth. It hurt my feelings because that was my goal."
Marquis Spruill Shows His Skills (PS; Mink)
In any other year, there would be a strong chance linebacker Marquis Spruill would head to Indianapolis to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine. But because a record-number 98 underclassmen declared for this year's NFL Draft, Spruill was one of the bubble invitees who got bumped off the list.
Instead, his chance to work out in front of NFL scouts came a month later, atWednesday's pro day held at Manley Field House on the Syracuse University campus. Spruill was one of a dozen ex-Syracuse players to participate in the event, attended by scouts representing 29 of 32 NFL teams. By all accounts he tested well after spending part of the offseason training in Florida with a pair of teammates.
Video: Jerome Smith Very Happy with His Results (PS; Axe)
Smith's 40 time at SU pro day on Wednesday was "in the high 4.5, low 4.6" area according to Smith and Syracuse assistant athletics director for strength performance Will Hicks.
In the video above, Smith talks about how he improved his 40-yard dash time and how he is handling the NFL Draft process.
Former SU Football Players Improve Their Stock at SU Pro Day (CNYCentral; Eschen)
Running back Jerome Smith was grinning from ear-to-ear as he addressed the media, excited about a much-improved performance compared to his showing at the NFL Combine in February.
"It was a good workout for me," Smith, who improved his 40-time from about a 4.8 to around 4.5/4.6, said. "I got better at everything compared to the Combine. My numbers at the Combine were horrible, so I had to come back here and redo things. I redid everything, so I did well."
Smith said his slow 40-yard dash times at the Combine caused some scouts to say he would be a fullback, a moniker Smith wanted to shed quickly this afternoon. He said he did not handle the Combine well mentally, and that his numbers suffered because of that. But, on Wednesday, Smith felt comfortable enough to both run faster and do more reps on the bench press. He said his hard work with Coach Hicks paid off as well.
Spring Football
Video: Scott Shafer Gives Spring Practice Update (PS; Axe)
Battle for Punt Returner: Desir vs Estime (PS; Mink)
Desir was asked, in a hypothetical world where he had the power to decide who returns punts for the Orange, which direction he would go.
There is Desir, the strong safety who was rock solid as a return man last season fielding all 27 punts cleanly, ensuring no loss of possession and small victories in hidden yardage.
And there is sophomore Brisly Estime, the jitterbug-like slot receiver with track speed, the player who, in an instant, can swing the momentum in a football game because of that acceleration. It was on display late in the fourth quarter of the Texas Bowl victory, when Estime scampered 70 yards to set-up the winning score against Minnesota.
Both players are splitting time as punt returners in practice.
Future Players
Rodney Willams Named to Simms North-South All Star Football Classic (Philly.com; Anastasia)
Former Players
Stabbing Incident Doesn't Cost Mike Williams (PS; Mink)
Bucs coach Lovie Smith told reporters in Orlando at the NFL owners meetings that he will withhold further comment on Williams until they meet.
"I don't believe a guy should get a death sentence on one infraction," Smith told reporters. "I made the statement I'm not going to kick someone off the team based on being a victim, from what I was initially told. But again, you don't get a life sentence on one incident. I look for a pattern. If a player shows a pattern of behavior that we don't feel like we want displayed by our Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then more drastic measures come into play. I'm not to that point right now.''
Other
Solvay Football Players Honor Westhill's Reed Derrenbacher (PS; Weidner)
Neighboring school districts Solvay and Westhill are fierce rivals on the football field.
But on Friday, Solvay football players will wear black shirts with blue ribbons attached in honor of Westhill quarterback Reed Derrenbacher.
Derrenbacher, a Westhill senior who was a few weeks shy of his 18th birthday, died early Monday.
About 30 Bearcat players will bus to his calling hours at the New Comer Funeral Home in North Syracuse.
Solvay sophomore quarterback Colin Lucio said he came up with the idea for the black shirts and ribbons on Tuesday night. He spoke to teammates and coaches, who helped organize Friday's trip.
Macky MacPherson Fired Up Over Bench Press Performance (PS; Carlson)
MacPherson said he considered his pro day mostly successful, but a miscue on the bench press bar was one of the most notable moments of the afternoon for Syracuse.
After whipping off his first 15 repetitions of 225 pounds with ease, seemingly well on the way to the 30 that strength and conditioning coach Will Hicks expected him to perform, a small break in his form left MacPherson struggling to salvage his effort of 24.
"I was flying through and got 15 easy," MacPherson said. "My right shoulder blade almost fell off the bench. I almost pulled my pectoral, managed to catch that, and managed to eek out nine more. (Six) reps isn't going to kill you. It's not going to get you drafted in the fifth. It hurt my feelings because that was my goal."
Marquis Spruill Shows His Skills (PS; Mink)
In any other year, there would be a strong chance linebacker Marquis Spruill would head to Indianapolis to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine. But because a record-number 98 underclassmen declared for this year's NFL Draft, Spruill was one of the bubble invitees who got bumped off the list.
Instead, his chance to work out in front of NFL scouts came a month later, atWednesday's pro day held at Manley Field House on the Syracuse University campus. Spruill was one of a dozen ex-Syracuse players to participate in the event, attended by scouts representing 29 of 32 NFL teams. By all accounts he tested well after spending part of the offseason training in Florida with a pair of teammates.
Video: Jerome Smith Very Happy with His Results (PS; Axe)
Smith's 40 time at SU pro day on Wednesday was "in the high 4.5, low 4.6" area according to Smith and Syracuse assistant athletics director for strength performance Will Hicks.
In the video above, Smith talks about how he improved his 40-yard dash time and how he is handling the NFL Draft process.
Former SU Football Players Improve Their Stock at SU Pro Day (CNYCentral; Eschen)
Running back Jerome Smith was grinning from ear-to-ear as he addressed the media, excited about a much-improved performance compared to his showing at the NFL Combine in February.
"It was a good workout for me," Smith, who improved his 40-time from about a 4.8 to around 4.5/4.6, said. "I got better at everything compared to the Combine. My numbers at the Combine were horrible, so I had to come back here and redo things. I redid everything, so I did well."
Smith said his slow 40-yard dash times at the Combine caused some scouts to say he would be a fullback, a moniker Smith wanted to shed quickly this afternoon. He said he did not handle the Combine well mentally, and that his numbers suffered because of that. But, on Wednesday, Smith felt comfortable enough to both run faster and do more reps on the bench press. He said his hard work with Coach Hicks paid off as well.
Spring Football
Video: Scott Shafer Gives Spring Practice Update (PS; Axe)
Battle for Punt Returner: Desir vs Estime (PS; Mink)
Desir was asked, in a hypothetical world where he had the power to decide who returns punts for the Orange, which direction he would go.
There is Desir, the strong safety who was rock solid as a return man last season fielding all 27 punts cleanly, ensuring no loss of possession and small victories in hidden yardage.
And there is sophomore Brisly Estime, the jitterbug-like slot receiver with track speed, the player who, in an instant, can swing the momentum in a football game because of that acceleration. It was on display late in the fourth quarter of the Texas Bowl victory, when Estime scampered 70 yards to set-up the winning score against Minnesota.
Both players are splitting time as punt returners in practice.
Future Players
Rodney Willams Named to Simms North-South All Star Football Classic (Philly.com; Anastasia)
Former Players
Stabbing Incident Doesn't Cost Mike Williams (PS; Mink)
Bucs coach Lovie Smith told reporters in Orlando at the NFL owners meetings that he will withhold further comment on Williams until they meet.
"I don't believe a guy should get a death sentence on one infraction," Smith told reporters. "I made the statement I'm not going to kick someone off the team based on being a victim, from what I was initially told. But again, you don't get a life sentence on one incident. I look for a pattern. If a player shows a pattern of behavior that we don't feel like we want displayed by our Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then more drastic measures come into play. I'm not to that point right now.''
Other
Solvay Football Players Honor Westhill's Reed Derrenbacher (PS; Weidner)
Neighboring school districts Solvay and Westhill are fierce rivals on the football field.
But on Friday, Solvay football players will wear black shirts with blue ribbons attached in honor of Westhill quarterback Reed Derrenbacher.
Derrenbacher, a Westhill senior who was a few weeks shy of his 18th birthday, died early Monday.
About 30 Bearcat players will bus to his calling hours at the New Comer Funeral Home in North Syracuse.
Solvay sophomore quarterback Colin Lucio said he came up with the idea for the black shirts and ribbons on Tuesday night. He spoke to teammates and coaches, who helped organize Friday's trip.
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