Sophomore center Macky MacPherson (pointing) is battling for the starting position with the graduation of Ryan Bartholomew.
Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Marrone Evaluates Young Talent on Day 3
3/22/2011 8:30:32 PM | Football
With the shoulder pads dusted off and the full football gear out of storage, the echoes of the offense and defense hitting in full pads rattled around Manley Field House. Orange head coach Doug Marrone and the 2011 squad resumed Spring practice this afternoon in the third of 15 sessions.
Marrone and the coaching staff are in the early stages of evaluating the younger players on the team while emphasizing the foundation of fundamentals to the entire team.
“They are running around, they're enthusiastic, they're trying to learn and trying to play,” Marrone said. “It takes me about three to four practices (in full pads) before they start separating and I get to see where they are. That leaves about another six or seven days of pads left to really go after it.”
One younger player who has stepped up to take advantage of an opportunity for a starting position is sophomore Macky MacPherson. Listed as the first-string player on the pre-Spring depth chart, MacPherson is coming into a position on an experienced offensive line, battling to replace two-year starter Ryan Bartholomew. The other four spots on the line are filled with returning starters.
“He needs to listen to the guys next to him and he'll be okay. I feel good about him,” Marrone said. “He's played center, he can move, he's smart. Replacing Bart (Bartholomew) is hard and I don't like to compare people, but Bart was a very good player for us and we expect Macky to step up and compete and win that job. There is still a lot of competition for him to get through with so many practices left.”
“We're just competing out there and having fun,” MacPherson said. “I'm trying to learn as much as I can and apply as much of what Bart told me, but it's different out there now running with the 'ones,' but it's a lot of fun. I'm trying to keep the job and trying to improve every day.”
Senior quarterback Ryan Nassib said he believes MacPherson has what it takes to fill the spot.
“He has a lot of skills and he has some speed and is sharp on his snap,” Nassib said. “He works extremely hard and he's a tough kid.”
The Orange will return to Manley Field House on Thursday, March 24 for practice at 4:20 p.m. SU will travel to Sahlen's Field in Rochester Saturday, March 26 for an intra-squad scrimmage.
All spring practices are free and open to the public.
New season tickets can be ordered now online and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX). Renewals for preferred seating, premium seating, and season tickets can be processed online. New preferred/premium seat patrons are invited to call the Carrier Dome Box Office for more information.
Marrone and the coaching staff are in the early stages of evaluating the younger players on the team while emphasizing the foundation of fundamentals to the entire team.
“They are running around, they're enthusiastic, they're trying to learn and trying to play,” Marrone said. “It takes me about three to four practices (in full pads) before they start separating and I get to see where they are. That leaves about another six or seven days of pads left to really go after it.”
One younger player who has stepped up to take advantage of an opportunity for a starting position is sophomore Macky MacPherson. Listed as the first-string player on the pre-Spring depth chart, MacPherson is coming into a position on an experienced offensive line, battling to replace two-year starter Ryan Bartholomew. The other four spots on the line are filled with returning starters.
“He needs to listen to the guys next to him and he'll be okay. I feel good about him,” Marrone said. “He's played center, he can move, he's smart. Replacing Bart (Bartholomew) is hard and I don't like to compare people, but Bart was a very good player for us and we expect Macky to step up and compete and win that job. There is still a lot of competition for him to get through with so many practices left.”
“We're just competing out there and having fun,” MacPherson said. “I'm trying to learn as much as I can and apply as much of what Bart told me, but it's different out there now running with the 'ones,' but it's a lot of fun. I'm trying to keep the job and trying to improve every day.”
Senior quarterback Ryan Nassib said he believes MacPherson has what it takes to fill the spot.
“He has a lot of skills and he has some speed and is sharp on his snap,” Nassib said. “He works extremely hard and he's a tough kid.”
The Orange will return to Manley Field House on Thursday, March 24 for practice at 4:20 p.m. SU will travel to Sahlen's Field in Rochester Saturday, March 26 for an intra-squad scrimmage.
All spring practices are free and open to the public.
New season tickets can be ordered now online and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX). Renewals for preferred seating, premium seating, and season tickets can be processed online. New preferred/premium seat patrons are invited to call the Carrier Dome Box Office for more information.
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