Hey Wait...We're Playing Football Again Already?

Wow, that snuck up on me.  The Syracuse football team opens spring practice Monday.

Head coach Doug Marrone will hold 15 practice sessions -- including the annual spring game at 1 p.m. April 17 in the Carrier Dome -- as he and his assistants prepare the returning Orange players for the 2010 season, which opens Sept. 4 at Akron.

Practices are open to the public so this is your chance to see not only how Ryan Nassib looks but also get a glimpse into those blue-spheres that "Ridiculously Good-Looking" Charley Loeb calls eyes.  Ladies, control yourselves.

It's also a chance to see what those early enrollees are up to, which wide receivers are going to step up, how in shape the linemen are, who wants to step up and be our starting secondary and whether or not anyone wants to challenge Delone Carter for more playing time.

Practice schedule is below.  It all culminates on April 17th with the Spring Game, which is usually way too much hype for what it's worth.  Just as long as there's no thud drills, I'm happy:

• Monday — 3:50 to 6:05 p.m.


• Wednesday — 3:50 to 6:05 p.m.


• March 26 — 4 to 6:15 p.m.


• March 27 — 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.


• March 29 — 3:50 to 6:05 p.m.


• March 31 — 3:50 to 6:05 p.m.


• April 2 — 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.


• April 5 — 3:50 to 6:05 p.m.


• April 7 — 3:50 to 6:05 p.m.


• April 9 — 4 to 6:15 p.m. (Carrier Dome)


• April 10 — Noon to 2:15 p.m. (Carrier Dome)


• April 12 — 3:50 to 6:05 p.m.


• April 14 — 3:50 to 6:05 p.m.


• April 16 — Practice closed


• April 17 — Spring game, 1 p.m., Carrier Dome