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Day 11 of Syracuse Orange football practice saw the much-needed return of some RBs and OLs. Giggity.
RB
Prince-Tyson Gulley and Steve Rene are both back on the field and took some reps with the first team. And not a moment too soon.
OL
Offensive linemen Andy Phillips and Sweet Lou Alexander were both back on the field, recovered from their injuries. Hooray!
DL
Brandon Sharpe, Mikhail Marinovich and his mustache were absent from practice, Marrone "sensed a veteran needed a breather."
I don't know if you're aware of this, but, it's Ollie Haney's time, son.
"It’s been a long time for me," Haney said. "I’m excited. I know once I’m healthy I can contribute. And I feel the coaches know that, too."
Aside from some special teams play, Haney hasn't seen much action during games. The redshirt senior is hoping to spend his final season on a field other than the practice one.
The converted offensive lineman has Doug Marrone rooting for him:
"I want him to play. I want him to contribute," Marrone said. "He deserves that. He can help us."
LB
Sloted as a MLB, Lewellyn Coker has been taking a lot of reps on the outside.
Marquis Spruill, only a sophomore, has become the leader of the linebacker corp.
DB
#SHAMARKO Thomas and Phillip Thomas participated in walk-throughs and non-contact drills. It ain't the real thing but it ain't bad news either.
Kevyn Scott was absent from practice, sounds like this might have been the "breather" tactic as well.
Special Teams
Prince-Tyson Gulley and Ritchy Desir were fielding punts all day.
Ross Krautman had a rough day kicking, He missed or muffed most of his kicks, though he did hit a nice 47-yarder to close things out.
Coaches
What does it mean to Tyrone Wheatley to have PTG and Rene back?
"First and foremost they bring depth," running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley said afterward. "And then, as you see, there is the speed, the shiftiness, the outside presence, what we call space presence. You want to get those guys the ball in space. That’s what they bring."
If you notice, there is no post-practice presser with Marrone. That's cause he had some personal business to attend to. Hopefully nothing too serious.
Absent from the 45-minute media viewing session was head coach Doug Marrone. Marrone took a phone call just a few minutes into practice and left the field. He did not make it to the interview sessions later Tuesday evening to attend to personal business.
Videos
Sound bites on life and football from Brandon Reddish.