Syracuse Football Practice Recap: Day 14

by Sean Keeley on Aug 25, 2010 1:15 PM EDT

Just so you know, Scott Shafer is scared to death of Akron:

"My personality is such that I am never as confident as I want to be. I’m always so scared to death of the first game. Like a little kid, find the next guy and we will figure it out as we go."

Tyrone Wheatley is a big Antwon Bailey fan, if you couldn't tell:

"He’s huge," Wheatley said. "He’s really huge. You have a guy that can stay in all three downs and can do a large variety of things. You can put him in the backfield, in the slot, line him out wide. He’s a threat. That’s exactly what he is. Anytime you have a threat, that’s great to have. He’s a valuable asset to us."

Our old offensive coordinator used to have a thing for people with a little extra baggage in the trunk (if you know what I mean). While he's gone, part of his mantra lives on for the offensive line. Syracuse's starting guard Andrew Tiller knows...he used to tip the scales at 403 pounds. Now, he's done to a much more maneagable 335 and its paying dividends.

"I feel 10 times better," Tiller said. "This year I’m pretty sure I’ll have no problems going full speed every single play, hitting and running. I’m in way better shape, way better condition . . . all that."

"We’re expecting some big things from him," Adkins said. "His movement skills are quite obviously much better because of the weight loss, and his endurance is better and his strength levels are better, so consequently there is a confidence in him that has increased, too."

SU Football: O-Line Bigger, Faster, Stronger (and Slimmer)

Ollie Haney is the seventh Orange to miss the season with an injury. An MRI revealed a torn pec muscle, which will require surgery. Haney played in four games last year but had been switched from DL to guard.

Derrell Smith is one of 30 players being considered for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award, given to a FBS senior that excels on and off the field. Nice consideration given all of Derrell's academic and charity work.

Keon Lyn tweets that he'll be back on he field Thursday, though no official word as he recovers from mono and also awaits word from the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Phillip Thomas is six teeth lighter following surgery on Monday. He expects to be back in pads on Wednesday.

Special Teams

What's the deal with Ryan Lichtenstein's leg? He took only one kick yesterday, a 30-yard miss. The Kraut took the rest. I'm all for resting legs but something seems strange. He can't be THAT tired...

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Comments

Some might say

That Tiller went on the Adkins Diet… I wouldn’t, because that’s a horrible, horrible pun. bust some might.

by Trapped_In_ACC_Hell on Aug 25, 2010 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Some would be

Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician - The Syracuse blog that cares.

Buy my book "How To Grow An Orange"

by Sean Keeley on Aug 25, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

What’s the deal with Ryan Lichtenstein’s leg? He took only one kick yesterday, a 30-yard miss. The Kraut took the rest. I’m all for resting legs but something seems strange. He can’t be THAT tired…

When an entire principality weighs all its hopes on your leg it really saps the energy.

Go Tartans!

by voteprime on Aug 25, 2010 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

Next year...

…our incoming punter Jimmy Vatican City had better take it easy.

"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998

by kotite4ever on Aug 25, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

If his leg

can’t support the hopes and dreams of a principality with a population of 35,000 how is he going to support the hopes and dreams of 40,000 Orange fans (hopefully) in the Dome?

by YodaWore44 on Aug 25, 2010 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Scott Shafer is smart

Every year, a few good BCS teams lose in upsets week 1. Several others get huge scares.

We are not even a good BCS team. Everyone counting your victories needs to take a step back.

I would be more confident if this was a better MAC team. The fact that they have three coaches with some familiarity with us scares me quite a bit.

Of course, most BCS schools that get upset or scared in Week 1 come back to support the team Week 2. Our program is not yet back to a point where it can afford such a setback. This scares me more. Akron would love to win, we absolutely HAVE TO win. That adds to more pressure for us.

by ezcuse on Aug 25, 2010 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

Completely agree

We are in no position to look past ANYONE. I think the coaches should be able to point to the Maine game last year, where we trailed – at halftime – at home! This team isn’t good enough to just show up and beat anybody, and that definitely includes Akron.

"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998

by kotite4ever on Aug 25, 2010 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions

My thoughts are as follows:

Phillip Thomas is six teeth lighter following surgery on Monday.
Did someone tell #SHAMARKO that Phillip is friend, not enemy?

What’s the deal with Ryan Lichtenstein’s leg?
I wonder if it is a mental thing because last year he was a walk on who got the job by the process of elimination/departures. This year he is the incumbent with more pressure on him to improve. All I know is as someone who spent their senior year about 5 miles away from his HS and who loves trying to get #Lichtenstein trending on Twitter, I hope whatever the issue is, he has it resolved soon.

“He’s huge,” Wheatley said. "He’s really huge.
Are we sure Wheatley did not confuse Bailey with DC3? I am not saying Bailey is not huge and maybe he is refering to the role he will play in the offense. By the way, Fuccilo called and said he has the trademark on “HUGE” and he will charge for each reference unless Wheatley purchases a car from him. Even Fuccilo says DC3 is HUGE and he can forgive those references for fear of those biceps wrapping around his throat.

One last thought, why the hell does college football not have preseason games starting already? Everytime I watch an NFL preseason game, all I can think of is how much I need to see Syracuse on the field. I feel like Forrest Gump when Jenny lets him touch her for the first time, I will lose it before the damn game even starts. On the other hand, it feels great to be this excited for Syracuse football again as opposed to wondering how much I will be ridiculed for wearing my Orange 44 football jersey on Saturdays in effin ACC country. You know how sad it is when Duke fans can point and laugh during football season? Duke Football for crap’s sake!

by Orange Chuck on Aug 26, 2010 12:21 PM EDT reply actions