PaulusWatch: Day One

by Sean Keeley on Apr 23, 2009 1:58 PM EDT

And here we go.

When we heard yesterday that Greg Paulus was "likely" to come to Syracuse and play football this season, it was only a matter of time before we got the requisite denial. That came in last night through Duke and the ESPN report was said to be just a tad premature.

Clearly, ESPN is sticking by Joe Schad's scoop as that is now the top story on their college football page. The report also notes that "if Syracuse becomes his second college destination, Paulus is considering studying for a master's degree in communications." Ah, the old Newhouse-Masters-tricker.

Paulus himself took part in the ACC Barnstorming Tour yesterday. He answers some questions about his future (scroll down) but doesn't get into specifics. Obviously.

Finally, the news that Paulus was likely coming to SU has been polarizing ever since the rumors originally popped up. One person who hasn't needed any convincing is Bud Poliquin. Poliquin was calling for the return of the prodigal son last week and now he's practically demanding that it happen:

But only the most closed-minded of folks in some weird rush to judgement would suggest that this riskless chance, whose yield could be so extraordinary, is one that should not be taken by either the program or the kid.

Remember, SU has won only 26 of its last 83 games, so it has absolutely nothing to lose. Paulus, whose career as a basketball player may or may not have a life overseas, has this one final season of eligibility to impress the NFL's beef merchants, so he has absolutely plenty to gain.

There is no intelligent reason, then, for the Orange to dismiss Paulus or for Paulus to reject the Orange. None. And the more I ponder this potential union, the more I sense it will become official sooner than later.

Gotta admit, I'm starting to drink the Kool-Aid. What is the harm, really? Worst case, he doesn't beat out Ryan Nassib and he's bitter all season sitting on the bench. Best case, he earns the starting spot and helps Nassib in his learning process. And I do think Paulus will have to earn that starting job, Doug Marrone doesn't strike me as the type to hand out starting jobs from what I've seen so far.

So now we wait. Greg's in town this weekend. Will we know for sure what's happening come Monday? Probably not, but certainly soon.

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There's no harm

There’s no downside, but Bud is so far over the top you’d think he’s on the Paulus family pay roll….

by Russianator on Apr 23, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

Very

possible

by Sean Keeley on Apr 23, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

He needs

the extra money to buy an updated version of the Hackneyed Expressions and Beaten to Death Cliches" style guide

by Russianator on Apr 23, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Is “NFL’s beef merchants” in that book? If so, I may want to buy it.

by Otis Hill on Apr 23, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Good for Paulus

If he does come to SU, getting that masters in Communications is a wise move.

I don’t think there’s much of a downside here. If Paulus can come in and win the starting job, so be it. If he can’t, great, we at least have another backup QB….

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Apr 23, 2009 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

of course there is a downside

you add a year to the rebuilding effort, if charlie loeb or ryan nassib are the guys of the future play them now……….lets not have a crappy season with paulus this and another on next year because of no experience………….besides if it were to work out with paulus, poliquin would reach a whole new level of idiocracy this town has never seen before, nor do they want to see

by 86trash on Apr 24, 2009 7:43 AM EDT reply actions