Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer and cornerback Ri'Shard Anderson discuss a play at Syracuse's Spring practice on Thursday.
Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Defense Draws the Attention on Day 4
3/24/2011 7:54:09 PM | Football
View the Spring Practice Photo Gallery
2011 Spring Practice Schedule
The loss of six starters and another part-time starter on the defensive side of the ball has prompted a lot of questions about how defensive coordinator Scott Shafer will keep his unit ranked among the nation's best. The determination to prove they can continue where the 2010 Orange left off was clear during the fourth day of Syracuse's Spring football season as the Orange conducted spirited offense vs. defense series in front of more than 300 fans at Manley Field House.
“Our story this year is the success of last year's defense,” Shafer said. “Nobody expected last year's defense to be as productive as it was. Because we lost seven good football players from that group, people are not expecting a lot from this year's defense. Our message is those players proved themselves – now it is your turn.”
The five returners include defensive ends Chandler Jones and Mikhail Marinovich, linebacker Marquis Spruill and safeties Phillip Thomas and Shamarko Thomas.
“There are always a lot of things that you have work on. You thought you improved on one day and you hope not to come back the next day and make the same mistake, but with the youth we have at all of the different positions, we see that see-saw effect at times,” Shafer said. “That's why we're focused on our maturity level as players on and off the field. They are learning how to be professional student-athletes and that gives us the opportunity to put something special on the field.”
Junior Phillip Thomas is one veteran Shafer is relying on as he has started the past 16 games. During practice he makes plays on the field and always gathers his unit on the sideline to provide encouragement and motivation.
“We need the young guys to step up in the system,” Thomas said. “In Coach Shafer's philosophy, we want to stop the run first. I'm just trying to help the young guys. When I was young, Mike Holmes and Da'Mon (Merkerson) helped me, so now I have to help the younger guys get into the rotation. If I have a lot of energy, they will probably feed off of it. That's what Coach Shafer keeps telling me. I try to bring that to practice everyday.”
One of the new faces on the defense is linebacker Dan Vaughan, a senior who is vying for one of the open starting linebacker spots. Vaughan has played in 24 games for the Orange, primarily on special teams.
“We're young and all of our coaches are telling us that people expect us to be an inexperienced unit and that's what we are right now,” Vaughan said. “We're all athletic and we're all built for this defense. We're all going to learn it and bind as a unit.”
This Saturday, SU will travel to Sahlen's Field in Rochester for an intra-squad scrimmage. The gates will open at 11:00 a.m. and the team will take the field at 12:00 p.m. Following the scrimmage, the Orange will greet the fans and host an autograph session.
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.
2011 Spring Practice Schedule
The loss of six starters and another part-time starter on the defensive side of the ball has prompted a lot of questions about how defensive coordinator Scott Shafer will keep his unit ranked among the nation's best. The determination to prove they can continue where the 2010 Orange left off was clear during the fourth day of Syracuse's Spring football season as the Orange conducted spirited offense vs. defense series in front of more than 300 fans at Manley Field House.
“Our story this year is the success of last year's defense,” Shafer said. “Nobody expected last year's defense to be as productive as it was. Because we lost seven good football players from that group, people are not expecting a lot from this year's defense. Our message is those players proved themselves – now it is your turn.”
The five returners include defensive ends Chandler Jones and Mikhail Marinovich, linebacker Marquis Spruill and safeties Phillip Thomas and Shamarko Thomas.
“There are always a lot of things that you have work on. You thought you improved on one day and you hope not to come back the next day and make the same mistake, but with the youth we have at all of the different positions, we see that see-saw effect at times,” Shafer said. “That's why we're focused on our maturity level as players on and off the field. They are learning how to be professional student-athletes and that gives us the opportunity to put something special on the field.”
Junior Phillip Thomas is one veteran Shafer is relying on as he has started the past 16 games. During practice he makes plays on the field and always gathers his unit on the sideline to provide encouragement and motivation.
“We need the young guys to step up in the system,” Thomas said. “In Coach Shafer's philosophy, we want to stop the run first. I'm just trying to help the young guys. When I was young, Mike Holmes and Da'Mon (Merkerson) helped me, so now I have to help the younger guys get into the rotation. If I have a lot of energy, they will probably feed off of it. That's what Coach Shafer keeps telling me. I try to bring that to practice everyday.”
One of the new faces on the defense is linebacker Dan Vaughan, a senior who is vying for one of the open starting linebacker spots. Vaughan has played in 24 games for the Orange, primarily on special teams.
“We're young and all of our coaches are telling us that people expect us to be an inexperienced unit and that's what we are right now,” Vaughan said. “We're all athletic and we're all built for this defense. We're all going to learn it and bind as a unit.”
This Saturday, SU will travel to Sahlen's Field in Rochester for an intra-squad scrimmage. The gates will open at 11:00 a.m. and the team will take the field at 12:00 p.m. Following the scrimmage, the Orange will greet the fans and host an autograph session.
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.
Built in the 315 | Episode 1: The Foundation
Friday, March 06
Built in the 315 | Episode 1
Friday, March 06
John Wildhack Interview
Wednesday, February 11
Calvin Russell Interview
Tuesday, January 13
