. . . On Delone Carter
Honestly, how many times have you said "Well, things can't get any worse, right?" over the last two years?
My advice: stop saying it; the butterfly effect is substantial.
Delone Carter was poised to be Syracuse's only reliable contributor in 2007. With a green quarterback stepping behind center and a constant "work-in-progress" offensive line, Carter -- along with Taj Smith, arguably -- was the only bright spot for an offense that could be worse than its 2005 incarnation.
And now Carter is broken with all signs indicating that he will not materially participate next year.
I do not worry that Carter will fully heal and spring back to form in 2008. What is worrisome at this juncture is the status of Curtis "Boonah" Brinkley and Paul Chiara. Brinkley is still rehabilitating from his knee surgery this offseason and Chiara has not done a thing on the football field during his tenure that promotes any ringing endorsement. Brinkley was poised to spell Carter this season, but he was not a "1-A" option. He was clearly a "B" option, fulfilling that role out of a lack of depth.
All in all, Brinkley is going to carry a heavy load in 2007, and because of that, I am increasingly concerned.
. . . On Syracuse Orange Lacrosse
There is no point to sugarcoat the obvious: this team stinks.
I have been fervently following Syracuse lacrosse for almost 10 years now and this group of athletes is the worst I've ever seen put together on the Carrier Dome carpet. Lacrosse season has always been my favorite time of year. Now, I just hope that everyone wears the same uniform combination when the Orange charges out of the tunnel.
The Rutgers contest aside, Syracuse has yet to develop an offensive or defensive identity. Dan Hardy has been somewhat of a disappointment on attack, Greg Rommel appears to still have rust on his stick, Steve Panarelli has become Ric Beardsley without the talent, and Peter Coluccini continues to flip-flop between horrendous and stupendous.
It is increasingly frustrating to even think about this squad and its possibilities. Frankly, a loss Friday to Albany would put a nice, solid stamp on this year in Syracuse athletics:
1. A four-win football campaign;
2. The worst tournament snub in NCAA basketball history; and
3. The first season Syracuse has not been invited the men's lacrosse championship tournament since 1982.
Awesome!
Honestly, how many times have you said "Well, things can't get any worse, right?" over the last two years?
My advice: stop saying it; the butterfly effect is substantial.
Delone Carter was poised to be Syracuse's only reliable contributor in 2007. With a green quarterback stepping behind center and a constant "work-in-progress" offensive line, Carter -- along with Taj Smith, arguably -- was the only bright spot for an offense that could be worse than its 2005 incarnation.
And now Carter is broken with all signs indicating that he will not materially participate next year.
I do not worry that Carter will fully heal and spring back to form in 2008. What is worrisome at this juncture is the status of Curtis "Boonah" Brinkley and Paul Chiara. Brinkley is still rehabilitating from his knee surgery this offseason and Chiara has not done a thing on the football field during his tenure that promotes any ringing endorsement. Brinkley was poised to spell Carter this season, but he was not a "1-A" option. He was clearly a "B" option, fulfilling that role out of a lack of depth.
All in all, Brinkley is going to carry a heavy load in 2007, and because of that, I am increasingly concerned.
. . . On Syracuse Orange Lacrosse
There is no point to sugarcoat the obvious: this team stinks.
I have been fervently following Syracuse lacrosse for almost 10 years now and this group of athletes is the worst I've ever seen put together on the Carrier Dome carpet. Lacrosse season has always been my favorite time of year. Now, I just hope that everyone wears the same uniform combination when the Orange charges out of the tunnel.
The Rutgers contest aside, Syracuse has yet to develop an offensive or defensive identity. Dan Hardy has been somewhat of a disappointment on attack, Greg Rommel appears to still have rust on his stick, Steve Panarelli has become Ric Beardsley without the talent, and Peter Coluccini continues to flip-flop between horrendous and stupendous.
It is increasingly frustrating to even think about this squad and its possibilities. Frankly, a loss Friday to Albany would put a nice, solid stamp on this year in Syracuse athletics:
1. A four-win football campaign;
2. The worst tournament snub in NCAA basketball history; and
3. The first season Syracuse has not been invited the men's lacrosse championship tournament since 1982.
Awesome!
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