The Daily OrangeFOOTBALL| First scrimmage impresses Robinson
By Scott Bisang and Mike Janela
Posted: 4/11/05, 11:17 PM EST Section: Sports
There was plenty of good and some bad, but the Syracuse football team still likes what it saw in its first spring scrimmage Saturday.
Head coach Greg Robinson said he enjoyed SU's tackling, the offensive line's surging ability and the backfield play, but that pass protection and quarterback-center exchanges could still use a little polishing.
"All in all there were a lot of things to build on and improve," Robinson said. "But for only seven days of practice, we've gotten a lot accomplished. I left the field Saturday pleased."
It was the first time the Orange scrimmaged all spring, playing in game situations after spending more than a week having implemented the offense and defense and running through drills.
It was the first time the Orange could play on its own and it took the field in front of a public crowd at Coyne Field late Saturday morning.
"To be able to focus out there without the coaches standing behind us was a good feeling," said sophomore quarterback Joe Fields. "You get out there on the field and you make plays and you feel comfortable."
Practicing in its blue and orange game jerseys, SU split up its units and spent the first portion of the Saturday practice running through drills before getting to the scrimmage.
Perhaps the most important facet of the scrimmage is that the SU coaching staff now has film of game-type situations to analyze its players, rather than breaking down tape of agility exercises and drills.
"I thought on the whole our offense had a good rhythm, especially in the passing game," Robinson said. "Tackling was good, too. We only missed four tackles on the day. I wasn't disappointed at all with what I saw."
White not out
With the overhaul of the Paul Pasqualoni era and the implementation of the Robinson regime at SU over the winter, changes swept across the entire Orange coaching staff.
Only one position coach from Pasqualoni's staff returned - Chris White.
Head coach Greg Robinson said he enjoyed SU's tackling, the offensive line's surging ability and the backfield play, but that pass protection and quarterback-center exchanges could still use a little polishing.
"All in all there were a lot of things to build on and improve," Robinson said. "But for only seven days of practice, we've gotten a lot accomplished. I left the field Saturday pleased."
It was the first time the Orange scrimmaged all spring, playing in game situations after spending more than a week having implemented the offense and defense and running through drills.
It was the first time the Orange could play on its own and it took the field in front of a public crowd at Coyne Field late Saturday morning.
"To be able to focus out there without the coaches standing behind us was a good feeling," said sophomore quarterback Joe Fields. "You get out there on the field and you make plays and you feel comfortable."
Practicing in its blue and orange game jerseys, SU split up its units and spent the first portion of the Saturday practice running through drills before getting to the scrimmage.
Perhaps the most important facet of the scrimmage is that the SU coaching staff now has film of game-type situations to analyze its players, rather than breaking down tape of agility exercises and drills.
"I thought on the whole our offense had a good rhythm, especially in the passing game," Robinson said. "Tackling was good, too. We only missed four tackles on the day. I wasn't disappointed at all with what I saw."
White not out
With the overhaul of the Paul Pasqualoni era and the implementation of the Robinson regime at SU over the winter, changes swept across the entire Orange coaching staff.
Only one position coach from Pasqualoni's staff returned - Chris White.
