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The Daily OrangeWide open at wide receiver
With its top two receivers gone, SU has a void in its passing game. The question is, who's going to step up?
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 8/26/08, 12:34 AM EST Section: Sports
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"I'm back, that's all I have to say," Lobdell said. "My real fans know what that means. Tune in Aug. 30. Just tune in Aug. 30."
That's when Syracuse plays its first game against Northwestern. For the team's sake, Lobdell, once considered a four-star recruit, better be right.
During the offseason, the Orange lost its two best wideouts and offensive weapons from last year, Mike Williams and Taj Smith, leaving Lobdell the only healthy wide receiver remaining who caught a pass last year still on the team.
Williams was deemed academically ineligible in June and likely will not return to the team. Smith chose to forgo his senior season for the NFL and signed with the Green Bay Packers in April.
Now, the Orange is relying on three inexperienced and unproven receivers to carry the load: Lobdell, Donte Davis, who missed almost all of last season with a hand injury, and senior Bruce Williams, who was converted from safety to receiver during training camp.
Granted, Syracuse's ground game should be stronger this season with Delone Carter and Curtis Brinkley both returning from injuries. But the receiving corps, which was arguably the team's greatest strength last year, is now one of its glaring weaknesses.
"Some of these guys are getting chances now they otherwise wouldn't, and I think they're all excited for it," said wide receivers coach Chris White. "All these kids want to play, and now they actually see an opportunity to play."
Still, it's hard to see how this group can match the production of Mike Williams and Smith. The duo combined for 104 receptions and 1,659 yards in 2007, which amounts to 52 and 60 percent of the Orange's totals, respectively. They also caught 15 of Syracuse's 18 touchdown receptions.
Williams alone made 60 catches, which tied a single-season school record. He also shattered Marvin Harrison's school record for most consecutive games with a touchdown reception with nine. In just two seasons with the program, Williams was already sixth on the Syracuse's all-time receiving touchdowns list with 14.
Syracuse also lost tight end Jawad Nesheiwat and wide receiver Rice Moss to graduation, and running back Paul Chiara was moved to safety. Each player caught at least 12 passes last season.
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