Spring Break
The Daily OrangeReason to Smile
Don't let Art Jones' constant grin fool you. He knows the pressure is on him to lead the Orange defense
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 8/28/08, 1:22 AM EST Section: Football Guide
"Life's too short to keep a frown," Jones said. "My whole family has that positive attitude because that's the way I was raised. Just enjoy it because you can't play this game forever, and I'm really blessed to be in the position that I am."
Syracuse enters this season with a defense shrouded with questions. The Orange lost safety Joe Fields and defensive end Jameel McClain, arguably its two top defensive players from last year, to graduation. Brandon Gilbeaux, who was coming off a successful sophomore season, was suspended for academic reasons this summer and later transferred to Delaware. Senior Bruce Williams, who Jones called the one defensive player who impressed him most this offseason, was converted from free safety to wide receiver to help bolster Syracuse's offense.
That leaves Jones as likely the best defensive player on the team, especially considering the youth at linebacker and defensive back. The Orange returns just four defensive starters from last year - Jones, end Vincenzo Giruzzi, linebacker Jake Flaherty and cornerback Mike Holmes - and may start six sophomores in the season opener against Northwestern Aug. 30.
The unit is looking for a role model, and the coaching staff is looking for Jones to fill that role.
"He's really taken that next step into being more of a leader," said Syracuse co-defensive coordinator Derrick Jackson, who coached the defensive line in 2007. "Last year, as more of a younger guy, he wasn't as vocal. Now, we're expecting him to take more of a vocal role as a guy who has proven himself on the field. Guys will rally around him and listen to what he has to say."
Vocal leadership, though, is against Jones' personality. In his first two years at Syracuse, Jones' smile and free spirit earned him the reputation as one of the team's class clowns. He would lead practical jokes during training camp and try to keep the rest of the defense loose during the long two-a-days in the 90-degree August heat.
Syracuse enters this season with a defense shrouded with questions. The Orange lost safety Joe Fields and defensive end Jameel McClain, arguably its two top defensive players from last year, to graduation. Brandon Gilbeaux, who was coming off a successful sophomore season, was suspended for academic reasons this summer and later transferred to Delaware. Senior Bruce Williams, who Jones called the one defensive player who impressed him most this offseason, was converted from free safety to wide receiver to help bolster Syracuse's offense.
That leaves Jones as likely the best defensive player on the team, especially considering the youth at linebacker and defensive back. The Orange returns just four defensive starters from last year - Jones, end Vincenzo Giruzzi, linebacker Jake Flaherty and cornerback Mike Holmes - and may start six sophomores in the season opener against Northwestern Aug. 30.
The unit is looking for a role model, and the coaching staff is looking for Jones to fill that role.
"He's really taken that next step into being more of a leader," said Syracuse co-defensive coordinator Derrick Jackson, who coached the defensive line in 2007. "Last year, as more of a younger guy, he wasn't as vocal. Now, we're expecting him to take more of a vocal role as a guy who has proven himself on the field. Guys will rally around him and listen to what he has to say."
Vocal leadership, though, is against Jones' personality. In his first two years at Syracuse, Jones' smile and free spirit earned him the reputation as one of the team's class clowns. He would lead practical jokes during training camp and try to keep the rest of the defense loose during the long two-a-days in the 90-degree August heat.
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