Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMarrone names Paulus starting quarterback
By Conor Orr
Posted: 8/17/09, 10:35 PM EST Section: Sports
UPDATE: Aug. 19, 10:06 p.m.
Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus' unorthodox move from Atlantic Coast Conference point guard to Big East quarterback not surprisingly sparked a flurry of national media attention. Instantly, reporters from across country began posing a bevy of questions regarding Paulus' ability, potential and playing time.
Wednesday was no exception, as Paulus addressed both the local and national media in separate sessions for the first time since being named the Orange's starting quarterback late Monday night. Head coach Doug Marrone gave Paulus the nod over redshirt freshman Ryan Nassib after just one full week of summer practice.
Paulus transferred to Syracuse in May to play football after a four-year basketball career at Duke.
"I'm really excited," Paulus said. "It's a great opportunity. Coach Marrone made a decision and its something I'm really excited about. I'm just going to keep trying to do what I'm doing with getting better and trying to improve each day and keep building from where I was yesterday."
Paulus' arrival almost instantly placed the 2004 Gatorade National High School Football Player of the Year while at nearby Christian Brothers Academy as the top candidate to overtake Ryan Nassib, whom Marrone proclaimed the team's starter March during spring workouts.
Both quarterbacks saw time with the first-string offense during the opening week of practice - which began Aug. 10 - with Paulus moving ahead of Nassib in the eight days before Marrone's announcement. Marrone said he told both Paulus and Nassib of his decision together in a closed-door meeting.
"I think in the last couple days there's been some separation," Marrone said Tuesday following a team practice. "I feel that Greg is the player we can win with right now."
Despite not seeing Paulus throw a football in person until official practices began, Marrone maintained that his decision was purely football based and was not influenced by potential fan and media interest.
Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus' unorthodox move from Atlantic Coast Conference point guard to Big East quarterback not surprisingly sparked a flurry of national media attention. Instantly, reporters from across country began posing a bevy of questions regarding Paulus' ability, potential and playing time.
Wednesday was no exception, as Paulus addressed both the local and national media in separate sessions for the first time since being named the Orange's starting quarterback late Monday night. Head coach Doug Marrone gave Paulus the nod over redshirt freshman Ryan Nassib after just one full week of summer practice.
Paulus transferred to Syracuse in May to play football after a four-year basketball career at Duke.
"I'm really excited," Paulus said. "It's a great opportunity. Coach Marrone made a decision and its something I'm really excited about. I'm just going to keep trying to do what I'm doing with getting better and trying to improve each day and keep building from where I was yesterday."
Paulus' arrival almost instantly placed the 2004 Gatorade National High School Football Player of the Year while at nearby Christian Brothers Academy as the top candidate to overtake Ryan Nassib, whom Marrone proclaimed the team's starter March during spring workouts.
Both quarterbacks saw time with the first-string offense during the opening week of practice - which began Aug. 10 - with Paulus moving ahead of Nassib in the eight days before Marrone's announcement. Marrone said he told both Paulus and Nassib of his decision together in a closed-door meeting.
"I think in the last couple days there's been some separation," Marrone said Tuesday following a team practice. "I feel that Greg is the player we can win with right now."
Despite not seeing Paulus throw a football in person until official practices began, Marrone maintained that his decision was purely football based and was not influenced by potential fan and media interest.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
ESF '80
posted 8/18/09 @ 7:51 AM EST
THAT IS A REAL PLAN FOR THE TEAMS FUTURE!
WONDERING IF THIS WAS MARRONE'S DECISION
OR "PRIME TIME" D. GROSS?
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