All of this Restore 44 chitter-chatter got me thinking last night. You know where I stand and you know where DOC Gross stands and we know where Axe stands and we know others think it's just a number, dudes. But here's a hypothetical for you...
What if there was a stud, and I mean stud running back recruit. Like #1, can't-miss, blue chip, five-star running back. A program-maker. And he was getting offers from USC and Florida and Oklahoma and Texas and West Virginia. But instead of throwing himself at them, he said...
"I grew up rooting for Syracuse and I have dreamed of playing for the Orange. If Syracuse will let me wear #44, I will sign on the line that is dotted tomorrow and I will gladly walk away from the beaches of Southern California and the co-eds of Gainesville to follow in the footsteps of Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little. If I can't wear #44 though, it's just not special and I'll play elsewhere."
How quickly would #44 come down from the rafters? Exactly.