Depth Chart or Depth Charge?
The winds of change continue to blow on the Syracuse Orange football team. Yesterday the university announced that seven more players have left the program. Also with that announcement was the release of the post spring, pre-season football depth chart. A quick perusal of the chart reveals some startling revelations. The list looks more like a depth charge than a depth chart.
For starters, what the heck happened to the weakside LB position? The loss of Parker Cantey has thrust Derek Hines into the top spot on the depth chart at the Will. Hines was on no ones radar (except the staff obviously) during spring. It was obvious from the get go that LB was a weak area when Hogue and also departed Dan Sheeran were sent immediately into the fray. Now its up to Juco Hines and incoming frosh EJ Carter to step in and play right away. No need to mention that we surely can’t afford an injury at the Will.
Speaking of places we don’t need an injury, its the Oline. Where are the guards? Only 3 listed total on the depth chart. I suppose the tackles can move over easy enough in a pinch, but again this is looking like a place where we can ill afford an injury.
Another spot of concern is the secondary – namely our corners. The departure of Nick Chestnut, who was in the starting mix at corner, is surely surprising to say the least. He only had another year left in the tank, and came is as a walk-on. Some rumblings are out there that he didn’t get a scholly. With only 74 on scholly now, why would this be the case if its true. May have also been an academic casualty – tough luck for the Orange either way as now the Scotts are flanked in the two deep by Juco John Henderson and true frosh Shamarko Thomas.
As for the rest of the list, it’s no surprise that Greg Paulus starts out listed as the #3 at QB. How long he stays there will be a hot topic the rest of the summer into August. Speaking of surprises, I was sort of shocked to see Lavar Lobdell exiled as the #3 Z receiver. Then again three years of drops and that shouldn’t have been too shocking. I assume he will be highly motivated this off season. Or not. He had a major opportunity to grab the reins as a go to receiver last year and we know how that finished.
On the good front, I will interpret Art Jones manning the top of the DT rankings as a positive that he will be ready for the start of the season.
Antwon Bailey leading the RBs was also a sign that he has solidified his status at the end of the season as Curtis Brinkley’s replacement. Delone Carter should still see a ton of time and they likely could split the bulk of the carries. It’s a sign as to how different this regime is to the previous that we don’t see multiple players listed on the #1 or #2 lines. They seem to have made decisions on who’s ahead and that’s it.
At this point its hard to make a call on how or why so many guys have left. While the PS has tried their hand at it, thanks to DM’s tight lipped philosophy, it’s understandable that people will get curious. At any rate, we have who we have and now its up to Coach Marrone and company to get these guys ready for the season. One hopes that all the recent changes haven’t blown up any chance the team has at reversing fortunes this season.
