Orange Returns Experienced Offense
3/7/2011 5:00:00 PM | Football
2011 Spring Practice Schedule | 2011 Pre-Spring Depth Chart
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The experience for the 2011 Orange football team lies on the offensive side of the ball. Seven of the starters from the 2010 New Era Pinstripe Bowl champion offense return for head coach Doug Marrone. Defensively Syracuse welcomes back five starters, while the special teams has four returners with significant experience. Syracuse takes the field in preparation for the 2011 season on Tuesday, March 8 for its annual Spring practice.
All Spring practice sessions are open to the public. For practices scheduled for the Manley Field House arena (due to inclement weather), fans should park in the Manley South parking lot and walk around the field house to use the Comstock Avenue entrance to Manley Field House. Fans are invited to watch practice from the balcony in the arena.
The offensive line features returning starters Justin Pugh, Zack Chibane, Andrew Tiller and Michael Hay for first-year offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who was SU's quarterbacks and passing game coach in 2010. Sophomore Macky MacPherson, who is also SU's short snapper, will take the place of the graduated Ryan Bartholomew at center. Senior quarterback Ryan Nassib returns to direct the offense and starters Van Chew and Adam Harris are back at wide receiver and fullback, respectively.
The Orange offense also welcomes back receivers Marcus Sales, Alec Lemon, and Dorian Graham and running backs Antwon Bailey and Prince-Tyson Gulley.
Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer will have veteran defensive ends Chandler Jones and Mikhail Marinovich to anchor a defensive line that will have to develop new tackles after the graduation of Bud Tribbey and Anthony Perkins. The young group of tackles who will work with coach Jimmy Brumbaugh includes Jay Bromley, Cory Boatman, Deon Goggins, Ollie Haney, Max Beaulieu and Robert Welsh.
Returning starter Marquis Spruill will move to middle linebacker from the outside , with senior Dan Vaughan and sophomore Brice Hawkes slated to play the outside. In the secondary, junoir Phillip Thomas returns as the starter at free safety. Cornerbacks Kevyn Scott and Ri'Shard Anderson will take over for the graduated Mike Holmes and Da'Mon Merkerson. Starting strong safety Shamarko Thomas will be limited in Spring practice due to surgery performed on January 5, 2011 to repair his ulnar collateral ligament after an injury to his left elbow on September 11, 2010.
Kicker Ross Krautman, a freshman All-American last year, returns to handle the kicking duties, while junior Shane Raupers returns to the team to battle for the punting position. Kick returners Gully and Graham will be joined by freshman Jeremiah Kobena, while Steven Rene will be the punt returner. MacPherson will handle the short snapping duties on PATs and field goals and junior Eric Morris is slated to be the long snapper.
In addition to Thomas' injury, freshman tight end Louis Addazio will be limited in Spring practice due to injuries, while redshirt senior tight end Cody Catalina and sophomore quarterback Nick Raven will be out for the Spring due to injuries. Addazio injured his right shoulder during his last year of high school that required surgery on September 27, 2010.
New season tickets can be ordered now online (www.SUAthletics.com) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX). Renewals for preferred seating, premium seating, and season tickets can be processed online (www.SUAthletics.com). New preferred/premium seat patrons are invited to call the Carrier Dome Box Office for more information.
