The 2006 Orange defensvie line
Countdown to Kickoff: Defensive Line
8/28/2006 9:02:20 AM | Football
Countdown To Kickoff
Position Previews: Defensive Line
Defensive end is one of the premiere positions in Syracuse football history. Dwight Freeney revolutionized the position during his four years at Syracuse and last season the Orange had two ends who added their own chapters to the history books. Ryan LaCasse and James Wyche started every game last season and combined for 13.5 sacks and 110 tackles, but both were selected in the NFL Draft last April.
There was a spirited battle to find replacements for the two pros during training camp. Junior Lee Williams is the only player on the 2006 roster who saw any time at defensive end last year. Williams saw action in all 11 games last season, registering 11 tackles. He is listed as one of the starting defensive ends for the season opener. On the other side from Williams is junior Jameel McClain. McClain spent his first two seasons with the Orange as a linebacker and performed primarily on special teams. He moved to defensive end this fall and impressed coaches enough to earn a starting role.
Brandon Gilbeaux, who redshirted in 2005, is Williams’ backup at one end slot.. Like McClain, change is a theme with the other defensive ends on the depth chart. McClain’s backup, senior Jamar Atkinson, is also making the move from linebacker to defensive line. Senior Shadeed Harris is shifting from defensive tackle to defensive end for 2006.
Senior Chris Thorner and junior Tony Jenkins will anchor the defensive line between the inexperienced ends. Thorner started every game in 2005, registering 26 tackles. Head coach Greg Robinson is very confident of the abilities of Thorner on the inside.
“As the 2005 season went on, I thought (Chris) played better and better for us,” Robinson said in a press conference Sunday. “He is our nose tackle and he is a physical football player, which is very important in any defense. He is probably the most physical player that we have in the interior line.”
Jenkins saw action in every game and compiled 35 tackles and one sack. Backing them up will be junior Cornelius Campbell, sophomore Nick Santiago and redshirt freshman Arthur Jones.
Interview with Orange defensive line coach Tim Cross on Orange All Access
Orange Defensive Linemen in the NFL
Orange Defensive Linemen in the NFL
Ends
52 Jameel McClain (6-1, 252, Jr.) *
53 Jamar Atkinson (6-2, 235, Sr.) *
62 Andrew Lewis (6-3, 267, Fr.)
55 Lee Williams (6-3, 262, Jr.)
61 Brandon Gilbeaux (6-3, 256, RF)
83 Shadeed Harris (6-3, 270, Sr.)
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