Spring Break
The Daily OrangeBartholomew remains unconcerned about snapping trouble
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 10/28/09, 2:50 AM EST Section: Sports
Ryan Bartholomew isn't worried about all the snaps that floated over Greg Paulus' head Saturday against Akron. The junior center insists there are just some "little technique issues" that he needs to work on, as he continues to fill in for injured starter Jim McKenzie.
But that doesn't mean Bartholomew isn't cognizant that another repeat performance this week against No. 5 Cincinnati could doom the Orange.
"I know that if I mess up snaps like I did last week, the chances of beating Cincinnati would be very slim," Bartholomew said. "Therefore, I gotta make sure I get my snaps back and do my part to help the team win."
Bartholomew will look to improve as the replacement center, when Syracuse (3-4, 0-2 Big East) welcomes the Bearcats (7-0, 3-0) to the Dome Saturday (noon, ESPNU). He will be making his third career start at center, after starting the first five games of this season at left guard.
"I've been playing it for about three weeks," Bartholomew said. "I'm still adjusting to it, and it takes a little adjusting for anybody moving to another position."
Bartholomew made his first career start at center against West Virginia on Oct. 10, after McKenzie suffered a hand injury. In his second start as a center last week, Bartholomew looked like a novice. He had about a half-dozen bad snaps, which essentially neutralized Syracuse's shotgun offense at times. Though SU still won the game, 28-14, Bartholomew's play was alarming.
Bartholomew said a portion of his snapping problems stemmed from his formation. He said his backside was tilted too high, which can lead to high snaps. Head coach Doug Marrone, a former offensive lineman, also saw a problem with Bartholomew's hand placement.
"Ryan tends to hold the ball a little flat handed, when you just want the fingertips being able to control the ball," Marrone said. "If you have smaller hands, you want the ball to be held a little higher. You want to hold the ball a little more toward the nose of the ball so you have a little more control over it.
But that doesn't mean Bartholomew isn't cognizant that another repeat performance this week against No. 5 Cincinnati could doom the Orange.
"I know that if I mess up snaps like I did last week, the chances of beating Cincinnati would be very slim," Bartholomew said. "Therefore, I gotta make sure I get my snaps back and do my part to help the team win."
Bartholomew will look to improve as the replacement center, when Syracuse (3-4, 0-2 Big East) welcomes the Bearcats (7-0, 3-0) to the Dome Saturday (noon, ESPNU). He will be making his third career start at center, after starting the first five games of this season at left guard.
"I've been playing it for about three weeks," Bartholomew said. "I'm still adjusting to it, and it takes a little adjusting for anybody moving to another position."
Bartholomew made his first career start at center against West Virginia on Oct. 10, after McKenzie suffered a hand injury. In his second start as a center last week, Bartholomew looked like a novice. He had about a half-dozen bad snaps, which essentially neutralized Syracuse's shotgun offense at times. Though SU still won the game, 28-14, Bartholomew's play was alarming.
Bartholomew said a portion of his snapping problems stemmed from his formation. He said his backside was tilted too high, which can lead to high snaps. Head coach Doug Marrone, a former offensive lineman, also saw a problem with Bartholomew's hand placement.
"Ryan tends to hold the ball a little flat handed, when you just want the fingertips being able to control the ball," Marrone said. "If you have smaller hands, you want the ball to be held a little higher. You want to hold the ball a little more toward the nose of the ball so you have a little more control over it.
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