Well we are progressing quite nicely to the start of this season.  As of this writing we are just 11 days away from the home opener versus Minnesota!  And after reading a few of Brian Bennett’s Big East position rankings, it’s clear we suck, really suck. And I’ll boldy predict how we will fair with the rest of the ratings, we will suck, suck and suck some more.  Speaking of “giant sucking sounds”, here’s our poster boy from 1992 – H Ross Perot (I just love those charts!)

So while sadly the world of pundits would like to move quickly to Florida vs USC, the rest of us that actually want to see some games have to figure out something to do in the meantime.  I figured it was time to look at our various positions and rank them from least concerning to most pressing heading into the season.

1. Running back.  Such is the life of the Syracuse Orangemen fan that we list a position of least concern as one that must replace a 1000 yard rusher.  Yes Curtis Brinkley, last season’s workhorse is gone, but he as left the position in the great hands or should I say “tremendous biceps” of Delone Carter.  Carter has had a great camp and is looking to return to the promise of his freshman campaign where he rushed for over 700 yards.  Joining Carter is Antwon Bailey, last year’s hero in the Notre Dame game.  These two will garner the majority of the carries and they have fellow runners Averin Collier and Mike Jones behind them.  Jones has even caught the eye of Coach Marrone and will likely be a kick returner this season.  On a scale from one to ten, I rate my concern for this unit a one.

2. Punting .  Junior Rob Long entered the program two years ago and has handled the punting duties like a seasoned veteran, demonstrating a strong durable leg.  Now an actual veteran, he is listed in many circles as a possible first team All BE kicker.  If he needs to work on anything, it is his ability to place kicks inside the 20.  All in all, this is not an area of concern in my mind, I give it a .5 rating.

3. WRs.  Ok here is where the rankings start to get interesting.  Coach Marrone has been imploring the overall unit to produce a worthy #2 to compliment Mike Williams.  Alec Lemon has shown promise, but he’s a true frosh.  Donte Davis, Marcus Sales, Da’Mon Merkerson, Van Chew and Lavar Lobdell are all in the mix.  Still when I evaluate our team, at least we have Mike Williams.  Look how lost we were last season with NO go to receiver.  I know things will have to get better, but at least we got Mike.  So on the concern o meter, give this one a 2.

4. CB/S.  An area of concern in the spring has quietly looked like it has been upgraded this fall.  Mike Holmes is turning heads at Safety.  Max Suter is the other safety and he played well as the nickel against spread teams last year.  Nico and Kevyn Scott are holding their own at corner.  Yes the loss of Dorian Graham is a concern, but it sounds like we have some playmakers in Philip Thomas, Shamarko Thomas and Rishard Anderson who all look like they will see the field.  If they all must be pressed into action then it will be an issue, but right now the top 4 seem to be set.  On the concern o meter, I put this unit at 5.

5. Coaching staff – yeah I went ahead and listed the staff here, because ultimately it will be the coaches whose game management will be key to whatever success we have this season.  So far there is reason for optimism, but the reality is that DM has no head coaching experience.  It remains to be seen if the staff will have any issues like getting plays called in a timely manner or have trouble in making adjustments.  I think we are all anxious to see what kind of product we get.  On my concern level, I’d put it at a 4.5.

On to the real big problems after the jump…

6. QB.  Yep here it is.  What are we going to get out of the QB spot or should I say Greg Paulus?  He sounds like a kid who is focused and improving by the day.  He has big game experience just not on the gridiron.  I am encouraged by DM’s positive words the last few days but how does it really translate to game day?  Can he make all the throws, can he read defenses?  The one spot where all eyes will be, both locally and nationally.  From a concern standpoint, I’d put it right up there with what’s coming and say its a 7.

7.  LB.  “Wafer thin.  The waif is in.  She’s chlorine clean and portion fed.”  Ok we are talking serious concern here.  We have one guy with starting experience in Derrell Smith and another with promise in converted RB Doug Hogue, but hello the rest is a complete mystery.  Earl Carter a true frosh will be pressed into duty and Ryan Gillum looks like he has made strides this fall.  Beyond them we have no one.  An injuries to this unit and we will be playing a base defense with 5 DBs.  We may see alot of that anyway.  Either way this unit has serious concerns going in.  Hopefully the starting unit can utilize its speed and wrap up ball carriers.  Last year’s team was good at the “Thud”, but that was it.  If this unit regresses to last season’s numbers the defense will be on the field along time.  Put the concern at 8.5

8. DL.  Yes Art Jones is in the middle and thank goodness for that.  Jones, a potential AA candidate, will be handling two or more lineman on most occasions.  Notre Dame tried single teaming him to no avail.  Other teams will undoubtable have learned their lesson.  There is concern on the edges because Chandler Jones, Mikhail Marinovich and Jered Kimmel are young and the lack of a pass rush the last few years has made opposing quarterbacks all too comfortable in the pocket.  This has to change if the posture of this defense is going to improve.  On a concern level I put this unit right up there at 9.

9. OL.  Ok this is an easy call here.  The offense’s woes the last few years have been centered around this unit.  Sacks allowed, inability to run, penalties, you name it this group has struggled with it.  Facing a fourth OL coach in four years is not a recipe for continuity in a group that craves consistency like a two pack a day smoker craves nicotin.  In the last couple of days there have been positive signs of the players buying in to Coach Marrone and Coach Adkins daily tutorials.  How big an impact will it have?  Just 10% better play by this unit would probably improve the offense by 25% or more.  As far as concerns go this is a 10 for sure.

10. K.  All right the biggest concern has to be in the kicking game.  Sure would be nice if Mike Williams could make like Ochocinco here:

but alas, we are left with relying on a freshman walk-on whose name is synonomous with the 8 mile country rather than kicking prowess.   Last year Louisville attempted only 11 FGs because they couldn’t trust their kickers.  Well, the scene could be just as bad for the Orangemen.  Marrone maybe in four down territory the instance the Cuse crosses midfield.  For a team struggling for points, having to forgo an attempted field goal could be dispiriting.  No pressure Ryan.  This concern should go straight to 11.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at 2:17 pm by LvilleOrange . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.