Orange Backs Impress Marrone
4/13/2009 7:51:01 PM | Football
Head Coach Doug Marrone Transcript | Student-Athlete Transcript
Spring Game Central
The Orange has a three-person battle raging at the running back position. The competition is exactly what head coach Doug Marrone wants from every spot on the field. Junior Delone Carter, sophomore Antwon Bailey and redshirt freshman Averin Collier push each other every day in an effort to earn the starting tailback role for a program that has had many legends carry the ball.
"I'm happy with the play of the running backs," Marrone said. "I'm happy with the way they practice. I'm happy with the way they compete. There's a lot of competition at that position and you see players getting better. That's what we're looking at, establishing that at all the positions. We really are."
Marrone envisions an offensive game plan that incorporates all three backs.
“I do see them all having a role on this football team and being productive," Marrone said.
The most experienced of the group, Carter is working toward becoming the productive back he was as a true freshman in 2006 before a hip injury sidelined him for the 2007 season.
“I play a role as a veteran and as a voice of encouragement to my teammates during these tough times we're having in practice and I'm the type to pick them up and let them know we can beat them and we have nowhere to go but the top," Carter said. "There are so many things that I can do out of this offense. It's even going to be surprising to me to see what I can do. There is so much we can do and so much we can show the fans and the people. You can really show your talents with this type of offense.”
Collier has his sights set on contributing to the Orange offense in his first collegiate season. He is pushing Carter and Bailey with a goal of earning the starting spot.
“I hope Delone and Antwon are doing the same thing," Collier said. "That's just the competitiveness of all of us. We make each other better. That's what makes our drive go even further and makes us develop even faster is our competitiveness with each other."
The competition in the backfield has been brewing throughout Spring practice.
“When you create competition at a position and you have that type of player, those players like that competition," Marrone said after practice on April 6. "Right now, they're feeding off each other and, really, I feel very comfortable about the way they're progressing and developing. We talk about the physicality of our offense, defense and special teams and there are glimpses of it coming along."
Bailey said he senses the battle will be evident when the Orange takes the field for the annual Spring game this Saturday (Aprl 18, 1:00 p.m., Carrier Dome, free admission).
“It's going to be real competitive," Bailey said. "We're going to be out there hitting, blocking, running, tackling. It's going to be a real competitive attack mode game. I think it's going to be competitive because nobody's job is set in stone that and we all want to get this thing going in the right direction.”
The 2009 Orange begin the season on September 5 against Minnesota in the Carrier Dome. Season tickets can be ordered online and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX).
