The 2006 Orange Secondary
Countdown to Kickoff: Secondary
8/29/2006 9:11:26 AM | Football
Countdown To Kickoff
Position Previews: Secondary
Junior Dowayne Davis returns at strong safety after ranking second on the team in tackles (78) in 2005. Davis moved to safety last season after playing cornerback during his first year with the Orange. Behind him on the depth chart are sophomores Donta Herrod and Bruce Williams. Herrod appeared in 10 games last season, recording five tackles. Williams is shifting over from wide receiver to play safety for the first time with Syracuse. A thumb injury may limit his playing time during the first game.
Having Davis at one safety slot will provide depth and leadership as Syracuse tries to break in a new starter at free safety to replace NFL draftee Anthony Smith. Smith was a first team All-BIG EAST member in 2005, led the team with six interceptions and was third in tackles (71). Smith was a starter since 2003 and the battle for his replacement has come down to game week. Sophomore A.J. Brown and junior Joe Fields are both listed as possible starters for the season opener against Wake Forest. Brown redshirted in 2004 and appeared in nine games last season. Fields spent his first two seasons with the Orange as a quarterback, making the switch to safety during spring ball. While Brown has more experience at the position, Fields has shown vast improvement over training camp and is considered the best athlete in the secondary by head coach Greg Robinson. The coaching staff wanted this week of practice to determine who the starter will be.
One cornerback slot will be filled by senior Tanard Jackson, but the other is vacant with Steve Gregory in the NFL. Jackson has started the past 22 games, compiling 98 tackles and three interceptions during that stint. Junior Quinton Brown, who is in his first season in the secondary after formally playing wide receiver, and redshirt freshman Jason Tanner are in contention to back up Jackson.
Gregory was fourth on the team with 60 tackles and had two interceptions as a senior. Senior Terrell Lemon and sophomore Nick Chestnut are both in contention to be his replacement. Lemon saw action in all 11 games last season, recording five tackles. Chestnut has moved back to cornerback after filling in at wide receiver last year due to injuries. Both should see playing time against Wake Forest.
“It’s good to have Tanard Jackson back, after starting all 11 games last year,” cornerbacks coach Jim Salgado commented. “Terrell Lemon, Nick Chestnut, and Derek Bailey are all battling for that other spot. The guys who get it done on the practice field are the ones that are going to get the chance to play on Saturdays.”
Safeties
26 Dowayne Davis (6-0, 200, Jr.)
15 Bruce Williams (6-0, 190, So.) *
49 John Baselice (5-10, 196, Sr.)
17 A.J. Brown (6-0, 193, So.)
5 Joe Fields (6-1, 215, Jr.) *
18 Reggie McCoy (6-0, 197, So.)
6 Donta Herrod (5-11, 195, So.)
31 Andrew Taitt (6-1, 190, So.)
Cornerbacks
28 Tanard Jackson (6-1, 193, Sr.)
14 Quinton Brown (5-11, 174, Jr.) *
40 Jason Tanner (5-11, 195, So.)
4 Terrell Lemon (5-10, 180, Sr.)
27 Nick Chestnut (5-11, 182, So.)
23 Derek Bailey (5-8, 189, RF)
*New position for 2006
In 4 days, Syracuse will take the field. Visit suathletics.com regularly for 'Countdown to Kickoff' to get an inside look at the 2006 season as the excitement builds. Season and individual game tickets are available via the internet and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX). To purchase tickets via the internet, click here.
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