Intensity Rises in Day Three
8/6/2007 6:36:13 PM | Football
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With the addition of shoulder pads to the practice gear, the Orange moved a step closer to full contact. The third practice session of 2007 preseason camp included individual skills work, seven-on-seven drills and offense versus defense game-like situations.
"On the first day in shoulder pads, all of a sudden it changes the dynamic of the practice field a little bit," said head coach Greg Robinson. "It’s getting used to them (the shoulder pads) and getting back to having a little bit of contact – nothing live or anything like that. It was good to be able to bang around a little bit and just add parts of the physical aspect to the game.”
Sophomore Andrew Robinson and junior Cameron Dantley are the primary signal callers running the offense while freshmen Cody Catalina, David Legree and Mike Coulter get acclimated to the collegiate game.
"[Today] went pretty well," Andrew Robinson said. "I think the offense got a lot of things accomplished today. Now we will go in the room and take a look at the practice and see how everything went – getting to the specifics and the fundaments and the schemes and concepts we went through today. I think overall the practice went pretty well.
"All of us (quarterbacks) have a really tight relationship. I think that the young quarterbacks kind of look to me in camp for a little bit of guidance and some knowledge when we are out on the field as far as the leads, drops and coverages and basically all the things that go with being a college quarterback at this level. I think they are learning and learning pretty well.”
Dantley is focused on the important role he plays as the backup signal caller. As a sophomore, Dantley was a member of the Orange travel squad, but did not play in any games.
"It’s definitely a different experience this year," Dantley said. "I have a lot to do with the offense – seeing that Andrew and I are on top of the list. I’m just trying to get myself in position, no matter what, to know the plays, know the offense, and know our chemistry."
One of the primary targets for Robinson and Dantley is tight end. The tight end group includes seniors Jawad Nesheiwat, Arthur Kapalanga and Kyle Bell, junior Ryan Donnelly, sophomore Mike Owen and freshmen Darnell Pratt and Nick Provo. Owen is making the transition to offense after playing defensive end for the Orange in 2006.
"It’s going well," Owen said of his new role. "I’m just learning, but I have to learn everything quickly. I’m getting better with each day. That’s what I’m trying to do. That’s my goal. The hardest thing is just taking the plays and doing it out on the field full speed with players flying around you, just trying to get in an open spot and hit your targets correctly."
The Orange have one more day of practice in shells before donning the full pads for practice on Wednesday. Syracuse begins the 2007 season on Friday, August 31 in the Carrier Dome against Washington (8:00 p.m., ESPN). Tickets are available online (click here) or at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX).
