Head Coach Doug Marrone - Spring Practice
April 1, 2009
What is going on with (quarterback) David Legree?
“He is no longer with the team."
Is that going to force you make a move at quarterback or are you going to stick with two?
“I'll stick with two unless the situation changes by injury, we'll play with the players that are here."
Would it be fair to go back and ask (former quarterback) Andrew (Robinson) to be quarterback at this stage?
“I have no plans on doing that."
Did you discuss that with Andrew (Robinson) today? Did he ask to come back (to play quarterback)?
“We did not discuss that nor did he ask to come back."
How do you feel about that situation with only two quarterbacks now? In terms of the numbers…
“I feel good. I feel good about the players that we have. I can't control the numbers."
What would like to typically have in regards to numbers at the quarterback position with your program?
“At least four."
How was the practice today?
“I liked it. It looked like it picked up. That's what we need to do, and that's what we need to do every single day."
What were the pieces of it that you liked?
“Enthusiasm, better enthusiasm. The tackling improved. We still have a long way to go, but I saw it improve. We're really concentrating on that over the course of practice. Myself, that is."
Is there a reason you went inside today?
"Yes. 80-90% chance of rain this morning and there was an 80-90% chance of rain at noon. We had to make a decision, we made the decision, let's go."
(Linebacker) Doug Hogue was been nicked up, but you've been using Dan Vaughan a little bit. Can you discuss what you see with Dan?
“Everyone is one ankle away or one hamstring away or whatever injury away and Dan (Vaughan) gives us a lot of versatility because he knows all three (linebacker) positions. So, again, we are developing him to to compete for the starting position, as well as being able to back up multiple positions. If you're number two on our depth chart, we want to be able to put the next best player in so we'll evaluate that as the spring goes on. If he's the next best player, we want to plug him into either one of the linebacker positions. He can learn three and that'll help him down the road."
It seems like every ball thrown to (tight end) Cody (Catalina) he's been able to catch. What have you seen in his transition (from quarterback to tight end)?
“I've seen good ball skills, but a lot of things need to improve. He needs to get it, tuck it, and turn as fast as he can, be more physical. The closer the ball is to the sideline, the more physical you need to become with the people carrying the football. So basically it's the same aspect as what we're talking to our players about -- a lot of the little things."
On the flipside, (wide receiver) Lavar (Lobdell) had a couple drops today. What's going on there?
“It just needs to be improved and we need to keep throwing him the football. I think when you're at this stage of the game and someone drops a football, you need to come back and keep throwing him the football so he can develop that confidence. He has the ability to do it and we need to develop that confidence for him to get it done on a consistent basis."
(Running backs) Delone (Carter) and Antwon (Bailey) are both getting some first-team reps at running back. What have they shown you so far?
“I like them. I think they're both competitive. They're competitive with each other. They're competitive in drills and I like what I see. We're still developing both of them from that position. I'm talking about positive yardage and ball security. I'm talking about route running and be able to turn it up field and turn it into positive yards. They've responded well and I'm pleased with them."
How do think (linebacker) Derrell (Smith) has adapted to being at the middle (of the linebacker unit)?
“Good! I was right behind him and I was telling him way to go. Believe what you see. It's tough when you change positions, especially when you move from an outside position to an inside position. It's a little bit tougher transition and things happen a lot faster in the middle. I was pleased today. I thought he played better today, but again, we still have a long way to go. He would be the first one to tell you that."
Back to the inside running game, how do you think that went?
"We're trying to work inside-out. You work with your power stuff inside first and eventually you get to the perimeter. We had a couple plays on the perimeter today. We need to keep improving and we're not where we want to be yet, and it's something of a point of emphasis to keep working on the plays of really just knocking someone off the football and on defense knocking someone back."
(Defensive tackle) Lamar Middleton has been getting some work with the first group. Has he elevated himself or is that just by looking at him?
"It's just looking at him and seeing it. A lot of times during the spring, you want to move people up or down and see how the react, see if they pick up their game and get them in against different types of competition. We've been doing that with a couple positions."
What do you think is the best part about living in Syracuse so far?
"It's the same thing when I was a student. The University, the people, the community…everyone's been so nice. My father-in-law came up and said everyone was so nice up here. (smiling) I said 'I haven't played a game yet.' It's really about the people."
Did one side or the other win the scrimmage at the end of practice today?
"I look just for competition. I think what happens when you go to a scrimmage and you have multiple plays, I think you'll see some good and some bad. I don't know if in my position, I'll ever be happy, being the head coach. If something good happens on one side of the ball, you're a little upset about the other side. As long as we can go out there and be competitive and keep building on today and being more competitive, more enthusiastic about ourselves, we've taken steps in the right direction."
What have you learned from the players in your time here as much as maybe they've learned from you and your staff?
"I'm not sure I've learned a lot except who they are and what they need to work on. I've prepared for this my whole life, so I'm ready for this every step of the way."
