Votes Are In: The Fizz’s 2nd Annual Syracuse Spring Game Depth Chart
D.A. | Apr 21, 2012 | Comments 5
The Spring Game kicks off today, so it’s time for The Fizz’s annual two-deep depth chart (here’s how last year’s roster looked). Team Fizz each filled out his own positions based on who they think should be starting, and who should be second string for SU this fall. Each player received two points for a starting vote and one point for second string.
There were a couple of tight races, plenty of no brainers, and a few head scratchers.
Category 1: Mark these down in pen
Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales ran away from the competition as starting wide outs, there is no better option than Ryan Nassib at QB, and Mackey MacPherson, Zack Chibane and Justin Pugh were voted as unanimous starters on the offensive line.
Deon Goggins and Brandon Sharpe coasted to starting spots at defensive end, while Eric Crume is locked in at defensive tackle. All but one of The Fizz staffers has Marquis Spruill slotted as middle linebacker. Shamarko Thomas took unanimous honors at safety.
Category 2: Too close to call
There were a couple of tight races, the closest being at tight end. Incoming freshman Ron “Sugar Bear” Thompson gave Beckett Wales a run for his money at the second starting position. Wales edged Thompson by one point to snag the starting role. Kanell and Hoffman sided with Sugar Bear, Plavin and I went with Wales, Fitz was undecided between the two, and Moskowitz threw a curve ball out there saying Louie Addazio will get the starting nod. The Fizz sees the tight end position being a wide-open race.
The second closest race on offense was the backup to Nassib. The dynamic Ashton Broyld is getting reps this spring, and got love from Team Fizz to edge out John Kinder in a 3.5-2.5 vote. The half votes come from Kevin Fitzgerald, who had Broyld and Kinder on an equal level. AB has been turning heads early in spring practice. Lets see if he can keep it up through the Spring Game and summer.
On defense the competition was tougher. The biggest battle was between Dan Vaughn and Cam Lynch at strong side linebacker. Vaughn, the redshirt senior, squeaked out a 10-8 victory over the talented sophomore. The Fizz believes that Vaughn’s experience and leadership ability gives him the nod early, but look out for Lynch. The Peach State product played well when given opportunities last season and we think he has more upside than DV.
As for the closest second string role, Brandon Reddish barley got by Ritchy Desir for at nickelback. Desir may be the defense’s swiss army knife, placed all over the field by Team Fizz. Hoffman has Desir starting at free safety, while Fitz has Ritchy playing safety as well. We think he’ll have a huge impact at corner/safety and punt returns. Watch out for Desir, he’ll find his way on the field and make plays.
Category 3: Are you serious?
Time to roast some Fizzsters on questionable picks. Jake Moskowitz might be the only man in America not to have Spruill as SU’s middle linebacker. Mosk took Dyshawn Davis in the middle, and Lewellyn Coker starting on the weak side. Jake, as mentioned above, also has Addazio starting in Marrone’s two tight end system.
Craig Hoffman is in love with the young Florida DB’s. Hoff has freshman Julian Whigham at second-string corner and Desir taking over as starting free safety. Hoff believes speed kills. JW and RD both have wheels and are playmakers in the secondary.
Andrew Kanell was the only member of Team Fizz to have wider receiver Kyle Foster in the two-deep roster. Foster was primarily a special teams player last season.
Alex Plavin and I both had freshman James Washington as a second string defensive end. Washington is considered one of the most talented recruits Doug Marrone brought in this season. While it’s still uncertain if Washington will be rushing the quarterback from line or as an OLB, The Fizz believes he will be on the field in obvious pass rushing situations.
Final Notes:
The Fizz believes in the future, and has five players from the this winter’s recruiting class on the two-deep. Myles Davis, Ashton Broyld, Zian Jones, and Markus Pierce-Brewster all received honors.
Davis is in as the starting fullback even though he hasn’t played much at that position. Myles was an outside linebacker for Milford Academy the last two seasons. MD is a monster at 6’2’’ and 235 lbs and will be the lead blocker for SU.
Ashton Broyld could play all over the field this season but The Fizz loves him at QB. Syracuse has lacked a dynamic playmaker in recent years and we believe Broyld is a type of player that can give defensive coordinators fits to game plan against.
We are high on the JUCO kids Zian Jones and Markus Pierce-Brewster. These two both have played against college level competition, and we see both stepping in to compete for snaps immediately.
The Fizz Depth Chart puts some players in places you may not expect. Check it out, agree/disagree and let the debating begin!
Posted: Dave Van Moffaert
Well guys, my son and I got to the spring scrimmage game late and didn’t get a chance to see it all,but what I saw was pretty impressive.
The defense looked a whole lot faster and stronger to me. I believe that the two junior college players will help on the inside of the line. Moving Deon Goggins to the defensive end position is going to make this a stronger unit over last years unit.
I know that Ryan Nassib is going to be the starting quarterback and I think after watching Kinder and Broyd in the same backfield today should only make Ryan more determined to succeed because if he doesn’t I believe that kinder will see some playing time this year.
The recievers looked pretty good to me and I’m glad that Marcus Sales is back. He must have been working out during his slow time because he looked just as fast today as he always has.
Overall I was impressed. I believe that this team has speed and a group of play makers that will lead us to the promised land at the end of the year.
This is Coach Marrone’s 4th year as head coach of the orangemen. The team is purged of all of GRob’s players. Let’s see if Coach Marrone can accomplish and believes in what he has been telling all of us for the last 4 years These are your players coach. Open up the damn offense,because if you do the dome will become the loud house again.
I wish them all well and hope that they have a very successful season.
GO CUSE!
Wayne Morgan anyone?
G. Morris is going to definitely be in the mix for the 2-deep HB spot. Also, I think Wayne Morgan finds his way into the 2-deep as well.
Football season can’t come soon enough.
i really like this years recruiting class and feel these 2 deeps could change very quickly because i personally beleive that some will have tough times keeping there jobs. just an observation, and also hope syracuse invests in there football program and all the athletic programs as we head to the acc conference.i liked our defense and feel we’ll be good there but honestly i’m concerned about the offense. we must score touchdowns and convert first downs all year on a consistant basis. we have to score on offense and also the offense has to be able to eat up the clock because the defense can’t be on the field 95% of the time. see you at the dome .. go orange..
I agree about Morris. I think we can find his way to the field by mid-season. The offense line looked shaky in the game, could be a concern