 |
| |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
"Everybody views us as struggling and down and probably unable to get back up to where we're used to being," SU senior defensive end Josh Thomas said. "Unfortunately, we're not looked at as much competition right now. I know we're not as bad as other people look at us." OFFENSIVE KEYS: As long as the Orangemen have tailbacks Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes, one of the top backfield tandems in the nation, there is reason for optimism in upstate New York. Reyes is a powerful, swift back who can run through defenses and run away from defensive backs. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry a year ago, and coaches say he has taken his game to another level. Rhodes has added more size and is just scratching the surface of his potential.The two backs will benefit from running behind a veteran offensive line, experienced tight ends and an underrated fullback in Thump Belton. Senior quarterback R.J. Anderson is eager to take back the job he fought so hard and long to win. After leading Syracuse to a 10-3 season in 2001, Anderson inexplicably regressed and played so poorly that coaches had to pull the plug and summon senior Troy Nunes off the bench. Anderson's touchdown-to-interception ratio slumped to 4-to-8 last fall, and he completed just 43.3 percent of his passes in '02. Anderson's job will be a lot easier if the Orangemen's talented but underachieving corps of receivers can play with some consistency. DEFENSIVE KEYS: They're talking tough. They say they'll have a nastier temperament and will be on a weekly mission to atone for their pitiful performance of last season. It won't matter unless the Orangemen improve their secondary, which welcomes three new starters and two new coaches.The key piece to the puzzle is Diamond Ferri. He was slated to be Syracuse's starting tailback last season until academics and off-field problems forced him to take a year's sabbatical. He's back as the starting strong safety. Terrell Lemon won the cornerback spot opposite Steve Gregory, who emerged as one of the top young defensive backs in the league last season. The Orangemen return four starting defensive linemen, led by tackle Louis Gachelin. There's no Dwight Freeney, and the team's pass rush remains soft. Rich Scanlon moves from outside linebacker to inside linebacker to run the defense. The linebacking corps should get a significant boost in the fall with the return of senior starter Jameel Dumas, who withdrew from school in the spring for personal reasons. SPECIAL TEAMS: Syracuse needs a significant upgrade and could overhaul its entire kicking game. Junior Collin Barber faded last season and missed a crucial extra point at the end of a one-point loss to Temple. He's likely to be challenged by incoming freshman Ricky Krautman. Redshirt freshman Brendan Carney takes over the punting duties. He's 6-foot-5 and has a serious leg.Jamel Riddle is an exceptional punt returner. He earned second-team All-Big East honors last season. But Riddle was dismissed from school for academic reasons and has a legal matter hanging over his head. His return is uncertain. FINAL ANALYSIS: The key to a turnaround at Syracuse is the defense. The Orangemen do not have enough offensive firepower to overcome a defense that regularly surrenders 500 yards per game. This group must improve its pass rush, its ability to cover receivers and its tackling. The Orangemen should be able to move the ball on the ground with Reyes and Rhodes running behind a veteran offensive line. If Anderson returns to his 2001 form and some of the talented receivers emerge, head coach Paul Pasqualoni might be able to squeeze a bowl appearance out of this group.• Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
