Will Syracuse Football be better in 2021

[ImperialOrange]

Exactly. I understand he is purposely setting the bar low but come on man. What average Joe fan is going to want to pick up season tickets after reading that.
It’s good we got the depth excuse fired up already for season 6 of Dino in July.

Average Joe's aren't buying seasons this year regardless. Could have had all 5 star all American recruits and us on this board are the only ones that would notice... And we're buying tickets regardless.

Average Joe needs more wins than losses for a season to even care

 

[Finwad32]

Just win.

 

[SUDadx2]

Exactly. I understand he is purposely setting the bar low but come on man. What average Joe fan is going to want to pick up season tickets after reading that.
It’s good we got the depth excuse fired up already for season 6 of Dino in July.

The average fan may be more concerned with the economy and the potential for Covid restrictions being re-implemented before they lay out hard earned money for season tickets than how high or low the head coach sets the bar for the upcoming season.

Hey, Dino said we're going to go to a bowl game. Where do I buy season tickets?

Dang, gas is $4 a gallon. I can't afford season tickets right now.

Uh oh... Covid infections are on the rise. Some places are mandating masks again. Oh, what the heck. Let me lay out a few hundred bucks on season tickets for games that I may or may not be able to attend in person.

 

[Trueblue25]

Judging by the map last week and a discussion I had with a dome tickets rep, season ticket sales are actually very promising right now.

I think people want live sports again.

 

[RandomGuy]

The most disturbing thing for me, is that if Covid hadn't bought 6 super seniors, we might be looking at the same record as last year. (Ref. "Short conversation")

 

[IthacaMatt]

That almost sounds like a mass exodus. Lol

It's almost a full recruiting class that up and left.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Coach Babers referred to this as "roster churn" in a recent article.


33 players who could still be on the roster are not.

4 medically disqualified

4 professional football

22 transfers (13 since the end of 2020); Arron Hackett and Nykeim Johnson were contributors.

2 Did not enroll

1 disciplinary release



Sam Heckel C Medical DQ 2020

Michael Clark OL Medical DQ 2020

Liam Sullivan OL Medical DQ 2018

Patrick Davis OL CFL 2021

Gabe Horan Ol/TE Medical DQ 2019

Qadir White OL transfer 2021

Cooper Dawson OL transfer 2021

Kevin Lemieux DE transfer 2021

David Summers QB transfer 2021

Garrison Johnson RB transfer 2020

Kevin Johnson WR transfer 2020

Ed Hendrix WR transfer 2021

Andre Cisco S NFL 2021

Cam Jonas S transfer 2021

Trill Williams DB NFL 2021

Tre Allison OLB transfer 2019

Chance Amie QB transfer 2019

Juan Wallace LB transfer* 2020

Jawhar Jordan APB transfer 2021

Jason Munoz DL transfer 2020

Zach Morton DE transfer 2021

Justin Ellis DE transfer ?

Nadarius Fagan LB transfer 2019

Markenzy Pierre RB transfer 2021

Kadeem Trotter S transfer 2020

Ifeatu Melifonwu S NFL 2021

Arron Hackett TE transfer* 2021

Nykeim Johnson WR/Ret transfer* 2021

Drew Gunther QB transfer 2021

Tim Walton LB transfer 2019

Jaquwan Nelson DE released 2017

Jaelin Moss DL will not enroll 2021

Akeem Dixon RB Did not enroll 2018


13 transfers in one year is extremely high. An assistant coach left an poached a couple of players (chit happens). I suspect the coaches encouraged a few players to move on if they did not project as contributors.

Geez, that really hurts to read that. We lost a ton of very promising guys, especially at LB and on the lines, people who could be playing for us right now.

 

[TheCusian]

4 medical DQ’s on the OL and I’m not sure why we’re killing Dino for depth at the position

 

[IthacaMatt]

Why are we surprised? They went hard after quality transfers. Didn’t get them. It’s no different than recruiting HS kids.We are gonna miss on players that have good options. The better transfers want to play for contenders and that leaves slim pickings. You’re left with guys who may not be any better than what you have. Even when you get transfers. You still have to coach them up.

Yeah, but you can't just leave 10 roster spots open. You can't do that.
I mean, that's like a basketball team saying, "we'll only have 7 scholarship guys this year".

If anybody gets hurt, what are you going to do? If you lost 15 guys in the portal, you have to replace those bodies, just to have a full team.

That might be too much work, or wasted effort?
Of course you have to coach them up. That's what they do every year.
Every coach installs an offense and a defense at the beginning of every season.
There are always personnel, and often coaching changes from season to season.
Every season is its own beast. Why go into the fight undermanned at the outset?

 

[IthacaMatt]

4 medical DQ’s on the OL and I’m not sure why we’re killing Dino for depth at the position

Let's not get into the Doctor DQ discussion again.

 

[gmoney44]

The average fan may be more concerned with the economy and the potential for Covid restrictions being re-implemented before they lay out hard earned money for season tickets than how high or low the head coach sets the bar for the upcoming season.

Hey, Dino said we're going to go to a bowl game. Where do I buy season tickets?

Dang, gas is $4 a gallon. I can't afford season tickets right now.

Uh oh... Covid infections are on the rise. Some places are mandating masks again. Oh, what the heck. Let me lay out a few hundred bucks on season tickets for games that I may or may not be able to attend in person.

The article did less than nothing to build enthusiasm for the up coming season. We get jack squat from Dino the whole offseason and this is what he has to say when he finally opens up. Not a good look.

 

[SUDadx2]

Let's not get into the Doctor DQ discussion again.

I don't see the question as one about the legitimacy of the DQ, rather its a question as to why folks want to question the HC about depth that has clearly been impacted by an issue that is, and should be, beyond his control.

 

[Scooch]

It's been a weird offseason, so I don't blame the staff for most of the early departures necessarily. However, it does seem really strange to me that we didn't max out scholarships. Could we not have found another 4 or 5 guys who were worth taking a shot on? Just having more bodies to practice would seem to be useful, since we seem to trot out that excuse reason every year as a challenge we have to overcome.

 

[gmoney44]

Judging by the map last week and a discussion I had with a dome tickets rep, season ticket sales are actually very promising right now.

I think people want live sports again.

I use to ask them every season and they always said it looks go so far. Then we go out and break low season tickets and attendance records. I eventually stopped asking.

 

[SUDadx2]

The article did less than nothing to build enthusiasm for the up coming season. We get jack squat from Dino the whole offseason and this is what he has to say when he finally opens up. Not a good look.

I am excited about 2021.

I'm excited to see what the roster looks like when camp opens in a few weeks.

I'm excited to see how the team has grown and developed since last season. Many of the young pups who who thrust into battle last season have grown, matured and developed. I'm interested to see if the offensive scheme has developed more with a full season and subsequent spring to implement. The same goes for the defense. I'm excited to see more sophisticated coverages, blitz packages, adjustments and fewer blown mistakes that come with more time in a system that is still relatively new.

 

[gmoney44]

I am excited about 2021.

I'm excited to see what the roster looks like when camp opens in a few weeks.

I'm excited to see how the team has grown and developed since last season. Many of the young pups who who thrust into battle last season have grown, matured and developed. I'm interested to see if the offensive scheme has developed more with a full season and subsequent spring to implement. The same goes for the defense. I'm excited to see more sophisticated coverages, blitz packages, adjustments and fewer blown mistakes that come with more time in a system that is still relatively new.

I think we can be decent this year and I’ll be watching like every season since 85 when I was 8. I just thought it was a crap interview by Dino. I’ll get over it, especially if he wins.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I don't see the question as one about the legitimacy of the DQ, rather its a question as to why folks want to question the HC about depth that has clearly been impacted by an issue that is, and should be, beyond his control.

I understand your point, and I agree. Some things are beyond Dino's control, but not that of the university. That's my point. They could have picked a different doctor after some borderline calls, where players got clearance to play for other schools.

But beyond that, fine, some were disqualified. That doesn't explain the refusal to replace them. That's the real point.

 

[storange]

Yes

 

[IthacaMatt]

It's been a weird offseason, so I don't blame the staff for most of the early departures necessarily.

However, it does seem really strange to me that we didn't max out scholarships. Could we not have found another 4 or 5 guys who were worth taking a shot on? Just having more bodies to practice would seem to be useful, since we seem to trot out that excuse reason every year as a challenge we have to overcome.

Yes, times 100

 

[SUDadx2]

It's been a weird offseason, so I don't blame the staff for most of the early departures necessarily. However, it does seem really strange to me that we didn't max out scholarships. Could we not have found another 4 or 5 guys who were worth taking a shot on? Just having more bodies to practice would seem to be useful, since we seem to trot out that excuse reason every year as a challenge we have to overcome.

Perhaps the coaches are saving scholarships so they can bring in a "full" class in 2022. And, recruitment of the 2021 class was a bit of a crap shoot because of the restrictions; no in-person visits etc... coaches couldn't go out and see recruits in person. and recruits couldn't come see the campus and facilities either. I'm sure some of the young men who signed as part of the 2021 class actually came to campus this summer without having ever been to the campus before. Imagine that.

Also about half a dozen of the transfers were executed after the 2021 class was signed. So when were coaches supposed to sign replacements? And lastly, SU signed 24 players as part of the 2021 class (including transfers like Shrader and Simmons, 25 if Tyler had made it), so how many more players could they have brought in? 4 or 5 more if some early enrollees could be applied to the 2020 class (maybe)? Do you really want to "take a shot" on a few guys and be stuck with them for four years just to fill scholarships?

After 2021 we could lose as few as seven players who run out of eligibility after this season. Another 20 players (RS-Jr's, Jr's and RS-So's) will have been on campus for more than four years and could graduate. And of course, with the portal being what it is, every player could choose to leave.

It has to be a nightmare to manage a roster these days with all of the fluidity and uncertainty.

 

[syrBossHogg]

The DQs to the early OL recruits were a tough break but that's why you've gotta adjust recruiting strategy and take in more bodies or go after transfers to fill in the gaps. The 2017 class brought in only 2 OL recruits, which has looked like a poor decision though with the benefit of hindsight.

Dino was hired not only to rebuild the program but to also make us entertaining on the field again, aka score some points. This offense scheme won't work if you're starting 3 star freshmen and sophomores on the OL every season.

 

[SUDadx2]

I understand your point, and I agree. Some things are beyond Dino's control, but not that of the university. That's my point. They could have picked a different doctor after some borderline calls, where players got clearance to play for other schools.

But beyond that, fine, some were disqualified. That doesn't explain the refusal to replace them. That's the real point.

Refusal... Who said they weren't replaced or that the staff didn't try to replace them?

1 DQ in 2018 - 4 OL signed in the 2019 class (1 G xfer, 1 JC, 2 HS
1 DQ in 2019 - 2 OL signed in the 2020 class (that OL coach is no longer here)
2 DQ in 2020 - 6 OL signed in the 2021 class (1 JC, 5 HS)

Replacements take time to develop. It's rare, very rare, for an offensive linemen to be ready to step in an contribute in their first or second year on campus. And quite frankly, Syracuse doesn't have a great track record of landing the type of linemen who can contribute early in the ACC, this isn't the Big East anymore.

 

[syrBossHogg]

Refusal... Who said they weren't replaced or that the staff didn't try to replace them?

1 DQ in 2018 - 4 OL signed in the 2019 class (1 G xfer, 1 JC, 2 HS
1 DQ in 2019 - 2 OL signed in the 2020 class (that OL coach is no longer here)
2 DQ in 2020 - 6 OL signed in the 2021 class (1 JC, 5 HS)

Replacements take time to develop. It's rare, very rare, for an offensive linemen to be ready to step in an contribute in their first or second year on campus. And quite frankly, Syracuse doesn't have a great track record of landing the type of linemen who can contribute early in the ACC, this isn't the Big East anymore.

Who was the DQ in 2018?

 

[SUDadx2]

The DQs to the early OL recruits were a tough break but that's why you've gotta adjust recruiting strategy and take in more bodies or go after transfers to fill in the gaps. The 2017 class brought in only 2 OL recruits, which has looked like a poor decision though with the benefit of hindsight.

Dino was hired not only to rebuild the program but to also make us entertaining on the field again, aka score some points. This offense scheme won't work if you're starting 3 star freshmen and sophomores on the OL every season.

None of the DQ's being discusses happened until 2018, so the 2017 class may be irrelevant.

Besides, those two recruits in the 2017 class actually played in 54 games so far. Patrick Davis left early for the CFL and Dakota Davis will likely play in another 12 games this season.



I agree the recruiting strategy will need to be tweaked in order to compete in the ACC.

Does the state of Ohio have any players?

 

[SUDadx2]

Who was the DQ in 2018?

Liam Sullivan ?

Class of 2016; redshirted in 2016, played in 6 games in 2017 and was DQ'd in 2018.