FB | After injury-riddled spring, Robinson cuts scrimmage short
John Clayton
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Sports
Greg Robinson felt compelled to apologize to the fans who dotted the Carrier Dome bleachers.
Less than an hour into Syracuse's annual Spring Game scrimmage, the Syracuse head coach explained avoiding any more casualties in this injury-plagued spring was more important than extending the festivities any longer.
"The most important thing is that we got out of here with no one getting hurt," Robinson announced over the Dome's public address system.
The early ending gave the Orange offense a 20-13 victory over the defense. The scoring for the game was based on a unique system Robinson employs for the Spring Game, designed to reward explosive plays and consistency.
But Robinson's decision also likely left many of the 3,428 fans in attendance wanting more. The scrimmage itself consisted of just 37 plays, and many of those took place without SU's most notable players. Several players sat out with injuries, while starting quarterback Andrew Robinson played only the game's opening possession.
"We had an agenda today which was not to do too much scrimmaging, because we have scrimmaged more (in spring practice) than I ever really wanted to," Greg Robinson said after the game. "We doubled the number of reps in live scrimmaging this spring, and I think it has been very good for us as a football team."
Indeed, Saturday at the Carrier Dome resembled a carnival more than a football game. Rock band Luna Halo provided the SU players a soundtrack as they warmed up on the field. The actual scrimmage action was broken up by on-field contests - including one in which a fan attempted to catch balls booted by SU punter Rob Long.
Robinson himself emceed the event, explaining pre-scrimmage drills to fans and providing occasional commentary.
There was football, too, albeit less than most would have expected.
Some of that certainly can be chalked up to SU's injury situation, especially at running back. Delone Carter and Curtis Brinkley were held out of the game, as was incoming freshman Averin Collier, who fractured his foot in spring practice. Defensive tackle Arthur Jones, arguably SU's most consistent player on defense last year, also sat out the game with a virus.
Less than an hour into Syracuse's annual Spring Game scrimmage, the Syracuse head coach explained avoiding any more casualties in this injury-plagued spring was more important than extending the festivities any longer.
"The most important thing is that we got out of here with no one getting hurt," Robinson announced over the Dome's public address system.
The early ending gave the Orange offense a 20-13 victory over the defense. The scoring for the game was based on a unique system Robinson employs for the Spring Game, designed to reward explosive plays and consistency.
But Robinson's decision also likely left many of the 3,428 fans in attendance wanting more. The scrimmage itself consisted of just 37 plays, and many of those took place without SU's most notable players. Several players sat out with injuries, while starting quarterback Andrew Robinson played only the game's opening possession.
"We had an agenda today which was not to do too much scrimmaging, because we have scrimmaged more (in spring practice) than I ever really wanted to," Greg Robinson said after the game. "We doubled the number of reps in live scrimmaging this spring, and I think it has been very good for us as a football team."
Indeed, Saturday at the Carrier Dome resembled a carnival more than a football game. Rock band Luna Halo provided the SU players a soundtrack as they warmed up on the field. The actual scrimmage action was broken up by on-field contests - including one in which a fan attempted to catch balls booted by SU punter Rob Long.
Robinson himself emceed the event, explaining pre-scrimmage drills to fans and providing occasional commentary.
There was football, too, albeit less than most would have expected.
Some of that certainly can be chalked up to SU's injury situation, especially at running back. Delone Carter and Curtis Brinkley were held out of the game, as was incoming freshman Averin Collier, who fractured his foot in spring practice. Defensive tackle Arthur Jones, arguably SU's most consistent player on defense last year, also sat out the game with a virus.
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