PaulusWatch: The End

by Sean Keeley on May 15, 2009 1:22 PM EDT

Figured I would signal the end of PaulusWatch with a catch-all post to get everyone (including myself) up to speed on the goings-on.

So we know that Paulus is officially cleared and a student at Syracuse University. His grant-in-aid has officially been processed, whatever that is, and Tremendous Doug Marrone can now comment on his arrival (couldn't have done it a couple hours earlier, huh?):

Greg is a proven winner and leader who is coming home to finish his collegiate athletics career. We are excited to have him join our program to compete and help us win.

Make no mistake, Paulus will not be handed the starting job. He is competing in the truest sense of the word.

Greg's high school coach Joe Casamento has been vocal during the process and he spoke to the Daily Orange about Paulus' arrival.

I thought he just needed some time to get away from Syracuse to make sure he still loved it and felt good about it while he was away from it. I was pretty sure he was going to come here.

Casamento and Marrone (when I met with him) both mentioned how important Newhouse was to getting Paulus to commit. Probably the real difference-maker.

Donnie Webb breaks down the waiver process that Paulus will need to fulfill in order to be eligible this season. Doesn't sound like it will be a major issue.

Of course, the real excitement from all of this is knowing that a Bud Poliquin column that compares Greg Paulus to Jesus Christ is inevitable. And Bud did not disaapoint:

The kid is a cross between John-Boy Walton and Huckleberry Finn, equal parts humility and confidence, a mix of manners and grit. Ask Greg Paulus a question and you'll get an earful of earnestness; mention his athletic deeds and, with head already bowed, he'll compliment you on your shoe shine.

Greatest. Greg Paulus. Ever.

But what of the jilted? Nebraska is dealing with the rejection in a healthy way. Making fun of Greg and pretending they were never that interested in the first place. Riiiight.

Some other links and notes to peruse below. Doug Marrone says that he wants today's SU players to leave the program in better condition for the ones that come after. Greg's going to have to work pretty fast to make it happen. Let the naysayers say their naysay, we'll put our faith in you. Just make sure all this hype was worth it.

A "proven winner" comes to Syracuse...Donnie & Bud
You can thank the Packers for reinvigorating Greg Paulus the quarterback...Donnie Webb
Brent Axe chats with Greg...The Axeman
10 questions and 10 answers about Greg Paulus...Donnie Webb
Paulus makes Syracuse relevant again...Brian Bennett
Greg Paulus on the Dan Patrick Show...SI.com
Greg talks to WRAL about his choice...WRALSportsFan
A transcript of Greg's teleconfernece...D.O. Sports Blog
So when's the Paulus Parade?...Orange Fizz
Greg Paulus aims low, joins Syracuse...Sporting Blog
Dikembe Mutombo has some advice for Greg...EDSBS
A former Dukie remembers the Greg Paulus he knew...Deadspin

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Comments

Our long national nightmare is over.

So, when does the new one start?

by Hoya Suxa on May 15, 2009 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

Any day now

been too long since a basketball player hurt someone

by Sean Keeley on May 15, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

That we know of.

by Orange22 on May 16, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

messiah for the new SU world order?

simple basic question: is paulus gonna be the next saintly troy nunes- retching.. oops, or will he be the ordained savoir come next dec, and say the next hurley or marvin graves of SU football?i would hope that he actually turns out to be ah , lets see, with his size, sorta like doug flutie , or the diminutive qbs at missouri and kansas with their spread offense? maybe even some run opton? what the thoughts on this?

by eiremist on May 15, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

I am so torn here.

I HATED Paulus at Duke. My wife’s from North Carolina, her family still lives there, and they’re huge UNC fans. While I refuse to adopt UNC as even my second team (though I may reconsider now that Hansbrough is gone), I can’t stand Duke, and Paulus was by far my most despised Dookie. And now I get to root for him in that orange uniform. Gonna take some getting used to.

by wildcatlh on May 15, 2009 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

starter?

iw ould highly surprized if it was not forgone conclusion. after all, this is a kid who was the"numero qb in hs, and recruited by both miami and ND.and its like with juco kids, even more highly amplified, he has like 4 years of maturity and experience playing a nother sport at a very prestige college for basketball and academics, duke. plus the mobility factor, to some extent, which we have not seen in like forever.. think about i t, arob, dantley, nunes, rj anderson.. and i forget what s his name, the statue kid from lancaster pa who started grobs 1st years, with bad knees from hs on? i think paulus is gonna be a natural for any kinda of juking spread free flow spread pass and some red opton.

by eiremist on May 15, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

Did you happen

to catch this comment under the Deadspin story??

apostles03
11:56 AM on Thu May 14 2009
Greg Paulus Is A Magician.com

I can see it now.

by FireMikeVeley on May 15, 2009 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

Axe

emailed that to me. God willing….

by Sean Keeley on May 15, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I ask this not to be a hater…he (along with a Maronne) has injected some life and coverage into the program?

Do you guys really think he will get some playing time?

by JRSu1 on May 15, 2009 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

Honestly

I’m not convinced just yet that he will. We have ABSOLUTELY no idea how good of a college QB he is. I suspect he and Nassib will be in a close battle, at least a while, and he might get some PT, but he’ll have to earn the starting job through the season, if he can.

by Sean Keeley on May 15, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he'll start

After all this, he has to. Everyone keeps saying that it’s not a guarantee, but Paulus is going to do everything in his power to make it one. He chose Syracuse because that’s where he has the best opportunity to make a difference in his one year of eligibility.

Go, fight, and win.

by Alex O on May 15, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions