Wow. A freshman was named a captain over the weekend.
I know, I know, I know. Greg Paulus is actually a grad student.
But he¬†is a first-year recruit of Doug Marrone and still hasn’t played a down of real football. It begs the question: Can a mercenary be a team leader?
The whole situation is reminiscent of Favre ’08.
You know how the story went. He played in preseason camp, was elected a captain by his teammates and then rode off into the glorious sunset of a Superbowl and honest pastures.
Or not. Paulus is Brett Favre. He just can’t give up the sport. He’s a hired gun who is easily the biggest question mark on the team.¬†With such sentiments swirling out there, you would think this team is just trying to milk selling a few more season tickets and bring some edge back to the team. Untrue.
For proof that it isn’t just a gimmick, just consider the other members of the captain’s roster.
Art Jones is arguably SU’s best player and a potential first-round draft pick in 2010.
Mike Owen has become the poster child for the Marrone era. Don’t believe us? See Big East Media Day or any and every team function. This guy has become the voice of the Orange. And he had 175 receiving yards last year. He has clearly emerged as a vocal force for the media to get sound bites from.
And Rob Long is one of the best punters in the country.
So you have a first team All-Big East selection, the poster child and the great special-teamer.
Then there is Paulus. I don’t want to go NBA draft on you and mention “intangibles.” I don’t want to go Bud Poliquin and say he’s the greatest thing that ever lived.
But hell, he’s a Marrone recruit, he’s new to the team and he’s played point guard at Duke.
He’s something. And whether or not he excels on the field, he will be the captain until this team’s season ends.
So if he really is Favre, he would sign on to coach at UNC next year, right?
