Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSU players react to Williams' departure, recent suspensions
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 11/4/09, 2:30 AM EST Section: Sports
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This week, though, things were different. A small group of players arrived in a pack, all clad in their traditional orange polo shirts.
When the media began asking questions, their answers matched their arrival. Everyone was asked a series of questions about the recent departure of wide receiver Mike Williams, who quit the team Monday. Everyone took the same stance: They had nothing to say.
The players were tight-lipped about Williams quitting the team at the first media opportunity since Monday's announcement by head coach Doug Marrone.
Marrone announced Tuesday through a press release that running back Antwon Bailey, defensive end Torrey Ball and offensive guard Andrew Tiller have been suspended for Saturday's game because of a violation of team rules. Williams, Bailey, Ball and Tiller were all involved in a car accident early Sunday morning.
"Coach has rules and guidelines and those are the things that this team is going to do," quarterback Greg Paulus said. "Coach always talks about doing things together and doing things as a family, and he sets the standard through his example."
Paulus was the most candid about Williams, but he did not mention Williams' name in any answer. Other players were a lot less open in their responses.
Safety Mike Holmes said he didn't read too much into Williams' departure, saying it was "probably personal stuff," and after several questions about Williams said he did not want to talk about it.
Wide receiver Donte Davis was more blunt. His response to the first question about Williams was, "I really don't want to talk about that situation right now." He answered questions pertaining to the Orange's offense and how it will respond without its best weapon.
In Syracuse's one game without Williams this season, a 28-14 win over Akron, Syracuse quarterbacks Paulus and Ryan Nassib threw for a season-low 105 yards. With two-thirds of the season now complete, the offense will have to adjust to fill the void left by Williams.
Williams had 49 catches for 746 yards and six touchdowns on the year. The next closest receiver, Davis, only has 18 catches for 184 yards and one touchdown.
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