Time for the backup, RJ Anderson, to get the big start. Sean of Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician is on vacation as you probably already know. Therefore, the backup is at the helm over at Nunes/Magician in the form of Jameson of The Bleacher Report, among other fine sports publications. I asked the questions and he gave the answers. Thanks to Jameson for filling in while Sean is away.
1. Orange::44: The last bye week has come and gone. I guess that means we are stuck with Robinson the rest of the season. Thoughts on that?
Jameson: Although Greg Robinson made it through the week, I still don't think he's going to make it through the year. I'm guessing eventually SU will pull the trigger and fire him, but let him finish out the year. With Ty Willigham stepping down, one high profile job is open. Syracuse can't wait much longer or else other schools will start getting a jump on getting a new coach.
2. Orange::44: Will Syracuse be able to pull off the stunning upset of Louisville again?
Jameson: No. This SU team doesn't have enough of a pulse to upset Louisville. The Cardinals lost last year because they didn't have a defense. This year, the UofL defense is good enough to shut down Cameron Dantley and The Droppsies.
3. Orange::44: Who is your current front runner to take over the head coaching position at Syracuse?
Jameson: I don't have just one front-runner. I'm happy with any coach who has the knowledge and skills to recruit. Get good players on the hill and you'll win something. At this point, this city needs a team that can put up a consistent fight, win a few big games, and generally get the city's hope up. Football has always been a huge part of this community and it seems like this city is missing something when only 15,000 people want to spend their day watching Syracuse football instead of 50,000.
4. Orange::44: It was a crazy week in Big East football. Who do you see winning the league this year?
Jameson: I'm pretty sure Syracuse has as good as odds to win the Big East as anybody guessing who's going to win the conference. If I had to take a gander, I'd still say South Florida. That defense will eventually come around and Matt Grothe is still the best quarterback in the Big East. Fear the Grohawk I say.
5. Orange::44: Turning to basketball, the Big East media poll lists Syracuse finishing 6th. Is that right or do you see this team doing something different?
Jameson: I'll say sixth is the right place for Syracuse. You've got four premiere teams in Louisville, UConn, Notre Dame, and Pitt. Then a group of good teams that Syracuse is in. There's probably a good chance one of those teams will finish ahead of the 'Cuse. I think Syracuse is underrated, but the Big East is just so tough, it's hard to see them higher than that. If I had to pick the team most likely outside that top four to win the conference it would be Syracuse. After the top four, SU has the deepest and generally most talented complete team.
6. Orange::44: What player are you most looking forward to watching this season?
Jameson: I'm really looking forward the entire backcourt. There could be something very special brewing there if Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, Andy Rautins, and even Paul Harris stay healthy, pick up where they left, and gel together. There is three guys there that can score 20 points on any given night plus potentially one of the most dangerous long range shooters in the conference. Plus Rautins is huge and muscular. He finally looks like a Big East caliber athlete.
7. Orange::44: Finally, how is it filling in for Sean at Nunes and what other stuff have you been working on?
Jameson: Filling in for Sean at Troy Nunes has been enjoyable. Writing in the blog form/style that he does is tough and much different than what I do. I contemplated just writing my own way, but I didn't want to mess with the style of his site. I haven't been able to post as much as I've liked, but I'm hoping to pick it up later this week. The Phillies have been occupying the majority of time lately. Plus I've got my work for CBS and Fox Sports as well as being a full time student and President of Otto's Army. So I've got my plate full to say the least.
1. Orange::44: The last bye week has come and gone. I guess that means we are stuck with Robinson the rest of the season. Thoughts on that?
Jameson: Although Greg Robinson made it through the week, I still don't think he's going to make it through the year. I'm guessing eventually SU will pull the trigger and fire him, but let him finish out the year. With Ty Willigham stepping down, one high profile job is open. Syracuse can't wait much longer or else other schools will start getting a jump on getting a new coach.
2. Orange::44: Will Syracuse be able to pull off the stunning upset of Louisville again?
Jameson: No. This SU team doesn't have enough of a pulse to upset Louisville. The Cardinals lost last year because they didn't have a defense. This year, the UofL defense is good enough to shut down Cameron Dantley and The Droppsies.
3. Orange::44: Who is your current front runner to take over the head coaching position at Syracuse?
Jameson: I don't have just one front-runner. I'm happy with any coach who has the knowledge and skills to recruit. Get good players on the hill and you'll win something. At this point, this city needs a team that can put up a consistent fight, win a few big games, and generally get the city's hope up. Football has always been a huge part of this community and it seems like this city is missing something when only 15,000 people want to spend their day watching Syracuse football instead of 50,000.
4. Orange::44: It was a crazy week in Big East football. Who do you see winning the league this year?
Jameson: I'm pretty sure Syracuse has as good as odds to win the Big East as anybody guessing who's going to win the conference. If I had to take a gander, I'd still say South Florida. That defense will eventually come around and Matt Grothe is still the best quarterback in the Big East. Fear the Grohawk I say.
5. Orange::44: Turning to basketball, the Big East media poll lists Syracuse finishing 6th. Is that right or do you see this team doing something different?
Jameson: I'll say sixth is the right place for Syracuse. You've got four premiere teams in Louisville, UConn, Notre Dame, and Pitt. Then a group of good teams that Syracuse is in. There's probably a good chance one of those teams will finish ahead of the 'Cuse. I think Syracuse is underrated, but the Big East is just so tough, it's hard to see them higher than that. If I had to pick the team most likely outside that top four to win the conference it would be Syracuse. After the top four, SU has the deepest and generally most talented complete team.
6. Orange::44: What player are you most looking forward to watching this season?
Jameson: I'm really looking forward the entire backcourt. There could be something very special brewing there if Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, Andy Rautins, and even Paul Harris stay healthy, pick up where they left, and gel together. There is three guys there that can score 20 points on any given night plus potentially one of the most dangerous long range shooters in the conference. Plus Rautins is huge and muscular. He finally looks like a Big East caliber athlete.
7. Orange::44: Finally, how is it filling in for Sean at Nunes and what other stuff have you been working on?
Jameson: Filling in for Sean at Troy Nunes has been enjoyable. Writing in the blog form/style that he does is tough and much different than what I do. I contemplated just writing my own way, but I didn't want to mess with the style of his site. I haven't been able to post as much as I've liked, but I'm hoping to pick it up later this week. The Phillies have been occupying the majority of time lately. Plus I've got my work for CBS and Fox Sports as well as being a full time student and President of Otto's Army. So I've got my plate full to say the least.
Thanks again to Jameson for stopping by. I'm sure you'll see him in the front row of every Syracuse Basketball game this coming season. Here is is at Manley for the Midnight Madness. No he is not the one with the Wrestling Belt on.
Editor’s Note: This is another installment in the ongoing collaboration between Orange::44 and Nunes/Magician. Usually every other Tuesday Nunes::44 will appear here, while the following week Orange::44/Magician will appear on his site. Until then, enjoy Nunes/Magician articles and stay tuned to Orange::44 for complete postgame coverage from every Syracuse game.Labels: Basketball, Big East, Football, Nunes/Magician
Where in the hell did you get that photo?
Have you been stalking me? haha
Nothing like getting a screen shot of Midnight Madness coverage.
At least it wasn't like what Sean did to Axe when he was on OTL.
Dude....
RJ Anderson was a beast in NCAA Football 2003 for Xbox.... option all day long TD
If you cant take a screengrab that shows the person in the worst possible light, why bother...