Another day has passed and so it is once again time to talk about another part of the Syracuse Football team and their "Up & Down". This time it is time to look at the heart of the defense, the line backers. I have always thought that this is the most key of positions when it comes to the defense and when it comes to controlling the game. Here is what I think of this SU's line backer core for the upcoming season:
The Up:There is a leader. This group of young men definitely have a leader, and he is a veteran as well, in senior Jake Flaherty. He should be manning the middle spot for the Orange and if he has the same type of season that he had last year it should be good enough to have done his job. However, just like the rest of the defense, Flaherty must try to get into the backfield more if he wants to have this defense be as good as it can be.
The Down:Too many youngsters in the group. While Flaherty is going to be the leader and the veteran, after that there isn't that much as far as experienced players. The ones that did have some, have been moved to other slots, and now the ones fighting for the starting jobs seem to all be sophomores and without too much game playing time.
The Up:The middle is going to be tough. With Jones on the line and then Flaherty in the middle LB spot you have to think that opponents running up the gut won't have that much of a good time. This is going to be the best part of the defense, with great talent and experience at the positions.
The Down:Size means something for a LB. One thing that scares me about the group is that a lot of them do not have the size to be your typical line backer. Even Flaherty is only 6'1"/225 lbs., while Mike Mele, who should be the weak side LB is 6'0"/215 lbs. and Derrell Smith comes in at 6'1"/225 lbs. The only one that really has the size for the spot is Parker Cantey, who should be the starter at the strong side, weighing in at 6'3"/220 lbs.
The Up:Big plays might just be the key to this group. They might not be the biggest bunch of line backers, but they do have the talent to make up for it. Now, if they can also become keen to the big plays, they could truly be the surprise for the Orange this coming year. The speed needed to make tackles from side to side is there, the first step to beat the line for a run at the QB is also there, now they have to put it all together and see what happens.
The Down:Will they hold up for the long run. This group is going to be tested over and over I believe and while I think that they can come up with big plays every so often, will they also be able to close up the gaps left by the line and help the defensive backs as much as possible. This is going to come down to being able to have a chance at doing something positive for the team, and only by having that chance will this group will shine in 2008.
The Up:Building for the future. I know that this "up" is becoming old, but on the other hand with a lot of underclassmen getting the nod as starter or being a key reserve you have to think that this is going to be a nice group in a couple of years, when they will have matured and learned what it means to endure the Big East schedule. The `08 season might just be a preview for years to come, the problem it might be without their head coach.
The Down:One chance to shine for most. Yes, this group is young, but it is also (as I said before) undersized for being in Division I. Add to that the fact that head coach Greg Robinson might just be out the door and you have the reality that this group is not just playing for the season, but also showing who could be the future HC for the Orange what they could do. As most of the time happens new coach means new system, and that might just mean a new group at the position, unless these guys can prove they are worthy of having the spot.
That is it, that finishes the "Up & Down" for the line backers. Tomorrow I will talk about the defensive back for the Orange. I am truly torn on this group of young men, on one side I think they have a leader and he could do a great job for HC Robinson, while on the other I am just wondering if they have the experience or the built to do enough for the team.
Another day has passed and so it is once again time to talk about another part of the Syracuse Football team and their "Up & Down". This time it is time to look at the heart of the defense, the line backers. I have always thought that this is the most key of positions when it comes to the defense and when it comes to controlling the game. Here is what I think of this SU's line backer core for the upcoming season:The Up: There is a leader. This group of young men definitely have a leader, and he is a veteran as well, in senior Jake Flaherty. He should be manning the middle spot for the Orange and if he has the same type of season that he had last year it should be good enough to have done his job. However, just like the rest of the defense, Flaherty must try to get into the backfield more if he wants to have this defense be as good as it can be.
The Down: Too many youngsters in the group. While Flaherty is going to be the leader and the veteran, after that there isn't that much as far as experienced players. The ones that did have some, have been moved to other slots, and now the ones fighting for the starting jobs seem to all be sophomores and without too much game playing time.
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