Syracuse
Syracuse

Syracuse Team Report

Updated: April 25, 2012 09:43 EST

Doug Marrone certainly didn't make it easy for the experts to figure out what to expect in 2012 based on the Orange's spring performance. That's because unless you were with the program, you didn't get to see much of it.

Only 13 of the 15 sessions were open to the fans and media. The rationale was that it allowed Marrone and the coaching staff to build chemistry and try new things without the scrutiny that comes from public sessions.

Of course, there's a downside to that as well. Without a body of work to focus on, the 9-0 Spring Game, in which the defense scored all the points, is going to have to sustain the Orange fans' optimism (and sell some tickets). Granted, there were a lot of injuries that sidelined key personnel, but the time behind closed doors didn't lead to much excitement.

How serious those injuries are is also governed by the same level of secrecy. Fourteen players sat out the spring game, and Marrone said that further details would be provided in August when preseason camp begins.

The players and coaching staff expressed no regrets, saying that the closed sessions helped build chemistry. For the sake of the program, that had best become evident in September, given that the Orange are coming off a disappointing 5-7 finish that left the team without a bowl berth in 2011 and the fact that the season-ticket sales probably won't be helped by the lack of exposure.

There were some positives to take into the offseason. For example, the strong play by the defense was encouraging in the Spring, given the loss of Chandler Jones and Phillip Thomas to the NFL Draft and assorted other key players with injuries. The receivers who were healthy looked promising, and Marcus Sales and Jeremiah Kobena should both become targets for Ryan Nassib next year.

But as for everything else, the spring didn't provide much in the way of answers. The coaching staff may be optimistic, but Orange fans won't find out how accurate those platitudes are until camp resumes in August.

--RB Prince-Tyson Gulley was expected to be the favorite to start, but reportedly did not have a great spring and had 18 yards on seven carries in the spring game. He also reportedly had trouble holding onto the football in practice, which would put him at a big disadvantage in his battle with Jerome Smith and Steve Rene for playing time.

--For some reason, Syracuse began its spring game about 15 minutes before its scheduled noon start. No reason was given for the early kickoff, though with an announced attendance of 3,716 few fans would have missed the start because of traffic problems.

SPRING MOVERS:

LB Siriki Dibate -- Dibate got extended action thanks to the injury that sidelined Marquis Spruill, and he took full advantage of the opportunity. He was one of the stars of the spring game, picking off a pass in the end zone and recording five tackles, and could be poised for an increased role in 2012.

WR Marcus Sales -- Sales sat out 2011 after being arrested on drug charges that were later dropped. Though he reportedly looked rusty at times this spring, he and Ryan Nassib had rediscovered their chemistry by the end of April, and Sales should be a big part of the offense in his final season this fall.

WR Jeremiah Kobena -- Kobena has made the most noise as a special teamer so far, but showed some newfound reliability as a receiver this spring. If his hands and route-running don't betray him, his game-changing speed could make him a force this season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Having the press not there and it just being us -- the offense, defense and coaches and the support staff around us -- has really helped us to buckle down and get a lot done in these last five or six weeks." -- Senior guard Zack Chibane told the Syracuse Post Standard, on the closed practices this spring.

2012 OUTLOOK: In a sense, Doug Marrone was the victim of his own success in 2011. The Orange outperformed expectations in 2010, so its return to the mean was a big disappointment for the hopeful fan base. Nevertheless, this is a big year for him if he hopes to keep the confidence of the hometown fans. Syracuse should be a bowl team in 2012, and anything less would definitely have Marrone on the hot seat heading into the offseason.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Even though position battles will continue into the summer, the Orange have a lot of talent to work with here. It starts with an experienced quarterback. Ryan Nassib might not make the spectacular play, but he's consistent. The Orange passing attack looked much better this spring, thanks to a group of wide receivers that finally offers big play possibilities. Jerome Smith and Prince-Tyson Gulley are the early favorites to emerge from among the crowded pool of running backs, but for the Orange to succeed in 2012 the offensive line is going to have to perform much better than it did this spring.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The defense is in transition because of graduations, and players could be switched around when the newcomers arrive this fall. Dean Goggins and Rob Welsh both moved from tackle to end to shore up weaknesses there, but the line looked great in the spring game. The secondary is less experienced, but filled with athletes who can become playmakers if they adjust quickly.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Ross Krautman should be the kicker again this fall, though it was interesting that Ryan Lichtenstein took both field goal attempts in the spring game. Considering he missed both, Krautman probably doesn't need to worry. Jonathan Fisher and Riley Dixon both had their moments at punter, and the return units should be solid again in 2012.

TOP NEWCOMERS:

QB Ashton Broyld -- OK, the incoming freshman isn't going to unseat Ryan Nassib for the starting job. But he's a tremendous athlete who saw time in the Spring Game at running back and wide receiver, and could give the Orange an additional dimension for defensive coordinators to worry about. He had perhaps the offensive play of the spring game, turning a short pass from backup QB Charlie Loeb into a 44-yard gain.

DE Markus Pierce-Brewster -- Pierce-Brewster, along with fellow juco transfer Zian Jones, will be counted on to provide instant help to the undermanned defensive line. He was one of the top junior college defenders in the country a year ago at City College of San Francisco, and should be able to adjust to the Big East level of play without much trouble. He's a key player to watch, because if he shows the ability to play right away the coaching staff can move Rob Welsh and/or Dean Goggins back inside to defensive tackle.

TE Ron Thompson -- Thompson was one of the two four-star players in this year's class, and he plays a position that has been very valued in the Doug Marrone offense, as Ryan Nassib often looks to his tight end as a safety valve. Given Nick Provo's graduation, this all-state selection will get every chance to play right away.

ROSTER REPORT:

--OT Justin Pugh missed the Spring Game with what was termed an upper body injury. It's unclear how serious the injury is, or whether it will affect his offseason preparation.

--QB Terrel Hunt was out for spring practice after admitting to stealing a bottle of cologne. That having been said, his absence likely didn't hurt him, given that the backup quarterbacks were not impressive in the spring game. He still could find himself as Ryan Nassib's backup when the season begins.

--Alec Lemon sat out the spring with a shoulder injury, but should be ready to go when practice resumes in August.