While not naming any names, Shafer said the offensive line has been impacted by injuries. He did say that none of the injuries are considered serious.
"We're banged up, but nothing major right now, things I think we can overcome right now," Shafer said. "We'll have a few kids continue to see the doctors and that sort of thing, but banged up on the offensive line a little bit, hoping to get a couple of those guys back, but you take it day by day."
"Offensively we lost a lot of guys," defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough said. "Defensively, we haven't. We've been good. Knock on wood."
But there is little from putting Syracuse in a challenging situation should the Orange lose Dixon, and that is enough of a reason for the staff to bring in another punter before the start of the season.
"We're hoping, if it's the right guy," head coach Scott Shafer said following Tuesday's practice. "We'll have some good people in mind, but it hasn't been solidified yet. But we'll have someone in camp."
Syracuse is in the market for an additional punter after Jonathan Fisher left the team this offseason to focus on graduating in December. Fisher, an Oakfield, N.Y., native, was the top-ranked punter in New York coming out of high school in 2011 and entered last season as the team's punter. He appeared in three games, averaging 39.1 yards on eight punts with a long of 55.
Tim Daoust's defensive line is blessed with depth at end. Inside? Not so much. One of the staff's big initiatives this spring was to find out who can play on the interior to help fill the void left by Jay Bromley, last year's sack leader with 10.
The staff has been pleased with redshirt sophomore Marcus Coleman, who is working with the first-team inside along with senior Eric Crume.
But numbers are thin enough that Syracuse has thrown many defensive ends inside to protect against further injury and also to find a few players it can cross-train in the fall. Right now, the three best options appear to be Micah Robinson, Isaiah Johnson and Ron Thompson.
"It just makes you have to be more physical with your hands," defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough said. "This is D-line 101. This is not learn end, learn end, learn three-technique, learn nose. You have to learn all positions because we're just thin inside.
McDonald has experience coaching the wide receivers at previous coaching stops and says he has enjoyed getting back into the flow at that position.
In the video above, McDonald discusses the wide receivers and gives an update on how the Syracuse offense is performing halfway through spring practice.
While not naming any names, Shafer said the offensive line has been impacted by injuries. He did say that none of the injuries are considered serious.
"We're banged up, but nothing major right now, things I think we can overcome right now," Shafer said. "We'll have a few kids continue to see the doctors and that sort of thing, but banged up on the offensive line a little bit, hoping to get a couple of those guys back, but you take it day by day."
"Offensively we lost a lot of guys," defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough said. "Defensively, we haven't. We've been good. Knock on wood."
But there is little from putting Syracuse in a challenging situation should the Orange lose Dixon, and that is enough of a reason for the staff to bring in another punter before the start of the season.
"We're hoping, if it's the right guy," head coach Scott Shafer said following Tuesday's practice. "We'll have some good people in mind, but it hasn't been solidified yet. But we'll have someone in camp."
Syracuse is in the market for an additional punter after Jonathan Fisher left the team this offseason to focus on graduating in December. Fisher, an Oakfield, N.Y., native, was the top-ranked punter in New York coming out of high school in 2011 and entered last season as the team's punter. He appeared in three games, averaging 39.1 yards on eight punts with a long of 55.
Tim Daoust's defensive line is blessed with depth at end. Inside? Not so much. One of the staff's big initiatives this spring was to find out who can play on the interior to help fill the void left by Jay Bromley, last year's sack leader with 10.
The staff has been pleased with redshirt sophomore Marcus Coleman, who is working with the first-team inside along with senior Eric Crume.
But numbers are thin enough that Syracuse has thrown many defensive ends inside to protect against further injury and also to find a few players it can cross-train in the fall. Right now, the three best options appear to be Micah Robinson, Isaiah Johnson and Ron Thompson.
"It just makes you have to be more physical with your hands," defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough said. "This is D-line 101. This is not learn end, learn end, learn three-technique, learn nose. You have to learn all positions because we're just thin inside.
McDonald has experience coaching the wide receivers at previous coaching stops and says he has enjoyed getting back into the flow at that position.
In the video above, McDonald discusses the wide receivers and gives an update on how the Syracuse offense is performing halfway through spring practice.
