2009 Schedule
Head coach Doug Marrone measured the progress of his team on the second day of practice based on the pace of the session. The squad completed the practice script efficiently, providing time for the Orange to focus on conditioning in the confines of the Carrier Dome. The 2009 Orange begin the season in the Dome on Saturday, Sept. 5 against Minnesota (12:00 p.m., ESPN2).
"What's exciting is that I have x-amount of reps in this practice that we were able to get done, whereas in the spring, we weren’t able to get those done," Marrone said. "I feel that we are in good condition, but we're not exactly where we need to be from a standpoint of practicing then conditioning afterward. But, we're in a new element conditioning in the Dome. I know, as a former player, the Dome is different than conditioning outside. We've conditioned outside quite a bit. I want to make sure that we work in the Dome and we run and condition in there to get used to the heat."
Several players caught Marrone's attention during the second day of practice, including senior defensive tackle Arthur Jones, junior punter Rob Long, sophomore Mike Jones, junior Derek Hines and freshmen Shamarko Thomas, Phillip Thomas and Shane Raupers. Marrone also is keeping an eye on the battle for the starting quarterback position, which is being contested by sophomore Ryan Nassib, graduate student Greg Paulus, freshman Charley Loeb and senior Cam Dantley,
A 2008 All-BIG EAST First Team selection, Jones is returning to the field after a six-month layoff due to a torn pectoralis injury. The senior ranks sixth on SU's career tackles for loss record list with 31.5.
"I was looking for was (senior defensive tackle) Arthur Jones (today at practice)", Marrone said. "I wanted to see how he was coming back. He made some plays out there on the field, which was exciting. I think there's still some stuff for him to work out coming back on the field, but I was excited to see him start making some plays today. Hopefully Arthur will progress as we go.
"The next situation is quarterback. I've seen (graduate student) Greg (Paulus) throw for a day and a half now and he'll be able to compete for the job with (sophomore) Ryan (Nassib). I've been excited about Ryan. I think Ryan has come back much improved. Greg will have the ability to compete with him. I think (senior) Cam (Dantley) didn't have a great day yesterday, which I'm sure he was disappointed about, but he came back and had a good day today. I like the way (freshman) Charley Loeb is progressing. He throws the ball extremely well. We'll increase our concepts of what we're doing in the passing game, and the defense will increase their concept of what they're doing coverage-wise. I think we'll see some separation as we go through in that situation."
Marrone is keeping an eye on the young talent in the program and has an open mind when it comes to inserting first-year players in the starting lineup.
"With regard to the young players, in addition to Charley, I am extremely happy with (cornerback) Shamarko Thomas. I think he's going to push for a starting position," Marrone said. "(Safety) Phillip Thomas should push for a starting position and Alec Lemon may have a role on this team as we go. I was very excited about Shane Raupers’ kicking. They look like kicking drills now – everyone's getting good distance, getting time on our kickoffs. (Junior) Rob Long had a tremendous off-season. He's done extremely well on the areas of kickoffs. Shane has done a good job."
While the Orange are limited to practicing in helmets and shorts for the first two practices due to NCAA rules, Marrone is focusing on the skill positions. When the team adds shoulder pads on Wednesday and is in full uniform on Friday, he will assess the players who are involved in the hitting and tackling.
"At linebacker, (junior) Derek Hines can run. I don't get too excited about positions that need to tackle because we haven't tackled yet, but as far as our ability to run, we can run well at those positions. I'm excited for tomorrow because we will have helmets and shoulder pads, so we get a little closer to what the game's about. It's a collision game with very high-performance athletes. I'm excited about that."
All Syracuse tickets are available online and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX). Adult Individual game tickets for all eight home games are $38 each. Youth tickets (ages 12 & under) for seven home games are $18 each. For the game against Maine on September 26, Youth & Senior Citizen day, all youth and Senior Citizens (ages 60 & over) tickets will be $15 each. Family Packs are available for all home games when purchased in advance, with the exception of games against Maine and Akron. A $99 Family Pack, which is a $28 savings, includes two adult tickets, two youth tickets (12 and under), $5 concession coupon and a $10 parking pass.
The Minnesota Two-Game Pack offers fans the opportunity to purchase a ticket to Syracuse’s home-opener, which is Marrone’s Dome debut, and any other home game of their choice ($66 adult/$26 youth). Fans are invited to save up to 40% on the ticket price by purchasing tickets in groups of 35 or more and 100 or more. For questions about Group Sales, please call (315-443-3212).
For further questions and details call the Carrier Dome Box Office during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-888-DOMETIX.