Syracuse Football Practice Recap: 8 Days Til Akron

You can be sure the Orange are currently working hard in preparation for the mighty Zips. While we await a morsel of information concerning their efforts, let's get caught up on the news o'the day.

WR

Was Jarrod West set to become the No. 2 wide receiver for the Orange before his injury?  That's what Papa West said in an interview with The Express-Times.

"He had moved up to their No. 2 receiver, and he broke it during a walk-through practice," said Jarrod's father, Warren West. "He had the surgery and they put a screw in his foot. It's a shame; it was only the third day of practice."

My guess is that he means to say West was No. 2 on the depth chart at one of the receiver positions, which would have made him the 4th, 5th or 6th overall WR.  That sounds more likely, as we know Doug Marrone was high on West, though I never got the sense he was so high on him that West had jumped Lemon/Chew/Weaver.

OL

Ryan Bartholomew is one of 37 players named  to the 2010 Rimington Trophy watch list, given to the nation's top center.

LB

With the starting WLB spot seemingly-locked up, it sounds like Marquis Spruill is going to be a freshman to watch.

After recording 109 tackles -- including 22 for loss -- his senior year at Hillsdale, Spruill spent last season at Fork Union before arriving at Syracuse in time for spring practice. He was the No. 13 prep-school prospect in the 2010 recruiting class and has emerged as the front-runner to crack the starting lineup at middle linebacker, though he is competing with junior Ryan Gillum.

Special Teams

One of the fiercest battle happening on the team right now seems to be at the kicker spot.  Every day Ryan Lichtenstein stays off the field and doesn't tend to his kingdom, it's another chance for Ross Krautman to steal the show.  Thankfully, the two are friends off the field and are keeping the competition on it.

"We’re good friends," Lichtenstein said after a recent practice. "I was his host on his official visit up here. I give him a ride home (after practice and meetings) every night. We’re cool."

"When it’s on the field, we’re obviously competing," Krautman said. "Like any team, there’s always competing kickers."

But off the field: "He’s a good guy, and I like him," Krautman said of Lichtenstein.

Honestly, it doesn't sound like they're THAT good friends. "He's a good guy" and "we're cool" is how you describe that guy in your Econ class you talked to once, not your drinking buddy.

Nolan mentions that coaches have hinted The Kraut will handle kickoffs and some longer field goal tries.