Orange Finish First Week Of Training Camp

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The first full week of Orange football training camp is complete and three weeks from now Syracuse will open up the 2007 campaign against Washington on August 31 (8 p.m., ESPN). Click here to buy tickets or call the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX).

During Friday’s practice the offense and defense squared off for a short yardage scrimmage. Head coach Greg Robinson was happy with what he saw from both sides.

"The first play out of the shoot the offense scored a touchdown," Robinson said. "Then the defense had a couple of stops down on the goal line that were big and the offense came back and threw a touchdown pass. So, just in a full scrimmage situation I saw some good things."

The offense continues to learn the system and Robinson believes they are handling the progression well.

"We’re making progress. I see the offense – they’re working hard," Robinson said. "We probably have 80% of our offense in and I see a lot of good concentration. It’s not perfect, but I like what I see. I like the way they’re competing. I think as a unit they are working hard to pull together and that's important."

A big part of the Orange offense is the wide receiving corps. Solid relationships within the unit are helping to push the group to improve. Sophomore Mike Williams believes the camaraderie of group allows it to stay loose and grow as a unit.

“It’s definitely easier because we all get along," Williams said. "When you don’t get along with people you can’t have a good friendship and you have different things on the field. It just converts to a bad thing. We all get along.”

On the other side of the ball, the defense is advancing just a quickly as the offense.

"We have put in a good amount of what we are going to be doing throughout the season (defensively)," Robinson said. "I think the concentration has been very good there. We work a lot of players on defense and I’m pleased with the progress they’re making, not perfect, but I think it’s good."

One of the Orange defenders, junior Ryan Howard, is making the transition from junior college to Division I.

"The biggest transition is probably the defense," Howard said. "There’s a lot more terminology, a lot more plays, and a lot more attention to detail. Junior college is more talent, more instinct. Here it’s more of a mental challenge, as well as a physical challenge. I think I’m doing pretty well. All I can do is work hard and keep working hard and try and get better."

Howard and the Orange will practice twice on Saturday before taking a day off this Sunday.

Syracuse University Athletics

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