Spring Practice Reaches Midway Point
4/3/2009 7:47:15 PM | Football
Head Coach Doug Marrone Transcript
At the halfway point of their first Syracuse Spring practice season, Orange head coach Doug Marrone and the coaching staff continue to phase in the offensive and defensive schemes. During the seventh practice session the focus was on the red zone.
“We're implementing areas and phases of the game as we go through this spring," Marrone said. "Today was an emphasis on the tight red zone. Every time we put a phase in of what we're doing, you still see the same thing. You may see some good individual things going on. (Wide receier) Mike Williams went up and made some plays, but also you could see we have a long way to go. It's hard development to be effective in that area of the field."
A veteran offensive coach, Marrone is also paying close attention to the defensive side of the ball.
“I do see some better things out of the defense as far as chemistry and more communication," Marrone said. "What happens when you install a system, all of a sudden everyone gets out there and they just start trying to play. Now, you're starting to see some communications and you're starting to see players pick them up. We've worked very hard in tackling. We're taking baby steps there in improvement. The more coverages we get in, the more things we can do defensively and that'll help them in that area of the field. You don't want to be too vanilla in that area of the field."
Marrone did observe improvement in two young players getting their first taste of college football at their positions in redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Nassib and converted tight end Cody Catalina. Nassib, who was named first-string on Monday, is working hard under the direction of offensive coordinator Rob Spence.
"Do I see progression in him? Yes. I do. But, do I see areas he needs to work on? Yes, absolutely," Marrone said. "One of the things Coach (Rob) Spence is spending as much time as he can with the quarterbacks, working on their footwork. He's no different than any other position as far as his development."
Catalina, who moved to tight end from quarterback prior to Spring practice, displayed solid receiving skills on several plays in the redzone scrimmage periods.
"I'm very pleased with his ball skills," Marrone said. "I think he's done a very good job of catching the ball. He's made a lot of tough catches in areas all over his body and then we still need to improve in other aspects of the game, the route running, the finishing, so we're able to advance the football."
The Orange will practice Saturday at the Carrier Dome (12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.). Fans should enter the building through Gate B and are invited to sit in the Carrier Dome stands on the lower level of the South side of the Dome (home team sideline). Parking is available in Stadium West lots.
The annual SU Football Coaches Clinic concludes Saturday morning with presentations from Syracuse coaches followed by a 12:00 p.m. practice in the Dome.
Spring practice concludes with the annual Spring Game on April 18 (Carrier Dome, 1:00 p.m., free admission). 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).
