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It's Opening Day for the Syracuse Chiefs and there will be an Orange twist this season as former SU punter Rob Long is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the 2:00 game against the Pawtucket Red Sox.

As you know by now, the public has been closely following Long's story after he was forced to miss the Pinstripe Bowl win due to what turned out to be a cancerous brain tumor. Rob is healing quite nicely and has even continued auditioning for NFL teams.

Before heading out to Alliance Bank Stadium, we caught up with #47.

MP: I know you played a little hockey before focusing on punting, what's your claim to glory on the baseball diamond?

RL: Four-time Little League all-star. However, I was never allowed to pitch because I kept hitting the batters.

MP: What advice have you gotten on throwing a first pitch and what's the scouting report on Rob Long as a pitcher? Is there a player you grew up imitating?

RL: The best advice I've gotten so far was "don't bounce it." I'm wild at times with absolutely no pitch variety. I grew up imitating John Kruk I was trying to bat but I remember pretending I was Mickey Morandini playing infield probably because he had a cool last name especially when the late Harry Kalas would say it.

MP: You're a Phillies fan, right? How excited are you for this summer with that pitching staff including former Syracuse Chief Roy Halladay?

RL: I'm extremely excited I think they have a great thing going there and the offense is on fire. Roy is an absolute freak on the mound. He will contend for another Cy Young Award.

MP: When we last updated the fans, you were about to get a tryout with your hometown Eagles. How did that go and what's your latest?

RL: That was like a dream come true, I had a great time just being there. The tryout went well and had a really nice conversation with Coach (Andy) Reid about many things, among them baseball and the Phillies of course.

Five Reasons to Check Out Football's Spring Game: The switch away from a offense-vs.-defense controlled scrimmage toward more of a conventional game with sides chosen by the coaching staff has added some competition and intrigue for Saturday's culmination of spring practice (1:00, Carrier Dome). Here's what we'll be watching for:

1) We mentioned in last week's column that the receiving corps figures to be improved with a healthier Van Chew and Alec Lemon and the return of Jarrod West. Marcus Sales punctuated Tuesday's practice with a goal line drop, but has caught plenty in scrimmage situations. Here's hoping he offers a sure-handed Saturday as a preview of the real season.

2) You'll no longer need a complicated table to figure out the scoring system. The teams will play one another straight up. The primary difference from a regular season game is that the kicking unit will play for both teams and won't be challenged. Punts won't be covered. The receiving team will simply take over after a fair catch.

3) There are plenty of holes to fill on defense, but no shortage of athletes to step in. Sure, they'll be young and inexperienced. Check out the way rookie convert Dyshawn Davis flies to the ball. Phillip Thomas and Keon Lyn have made plays in the scrimmages I've seen.

4) What will we see from the running backs? It's often hard to tell, since the primary objective for all coaching staffs is to complete spring ball as healthy as possible. Antwon Bailey is the heir apparent to draftworthy Delone Carter. I'm looking forward to seeing if Prince-Tyson Gulley can't rip off a long one Saturday.

5) Select-a-Seat: You'll have an opportunity to “test drive” available seats throughout the building and walk away with season tickets starting as low as $99.

Spring Fling: Our broadcast of the spring football game Saturday will be significantly less formal than in the regular season. We'll be less focused on any given 2^nd-&-6 than the development of individual players and the trajectory of the program. Chris Gedney and I will have an “open door” policy for the radio booth that day, so hopefully we'll be able to have a few former players drop by.

I'd be happy to field your questions on anything regarding the Orange. Shoot me an email to the Radio Mailbox.

This Weekend's Broadcasts:
Thursday, 8:45 a.m.     TK99                      Free Parking with Gomez & Dave
Thursday, 7:00 p.m.    TWCS                       Syracuse Sidelines
Saturday, 12:00            OAA                           Softball vs. Villanova (DH)
Saturday, 12:45 p.m.   ESPN97.7                Spring Football Special
Saturday, 1:00 p.m.     OAA                           WLAX at Georgetown
Saturday, 4:00 p.m.     TWCS/ESPN97.7    MLAX vs. Providence (Foxboro)

Syracuse University Athletics

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