via www.newstimes.com

By Tom Sullivan

The hype lasted a couple days, but media day is officially in the rear view mirror. Now, Doug Marrone and the 2010 version of the Orange get down to business.  

Syracuse football opened up its first day of fall camp Monday and it was a considered a success no matter what actually happened on the field – the Orange received word that Delone Carter would be back with the team. But things will be much quieter over the next 24 days leading up to kickoff against Akron. Fans can expect bits and pieces from the limited time the media gets each day at practice, but the real news and progress reports will come from Doug Marrone and the players who address the media after practice.

While fans may feel somewhat in the dark, fall camp can never be underestimated. On the practice field behind the scenes is where position battles are won, injuries alter depth charts, cohesiveness is established and the foundation that will set the tone for a grueling three month season is laid.

A lot more happens than most see in the next 24 days.  Here are the 10 most pressing storylines to keep an eye on as camp progresses.

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(10)  Will the eyeball test translate to results on the field for Deon Goggins?
Goggins left a pretty lasting impression the first time he stepped on campus, and it had little to do with the football field. By all accounts, the kid is an absolute beast –a thick but cut 6’3” and 280 lbs. But he wasn’t brought in as a JuCO to flex in the mirror. Scott Shafer wanted quality depth along the interior defensive line and some people think he’ll have a chance to do more than that. He’s listed third on the preseason depth chart at defensive tackle, but maybe there isn’t all that much separating Goggins and starting defensive tackle Andrew Lewis.

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(9)  Will either of the Hofstra transfers show enough to get on the field in what is their senior years?
Marrone accepted the transfers after the demise of the Hofstra program in the offseason for the exact same reason – both Aaron Weaver and Jose Cruz played positions of need for the Syracuse football team. Weaver immediately made an impact during spring practices and is actually part of the two-deep at receiver heading into camp. Cruz’ spring was less publicized, but with the loss of Cody Catalina for 2010 due to injury, he too is listed on the two-deep – as back-up tight end to Nick Provo.

Were both listed so high on the chart because of their talent?  Or because the freshmen hadn’t arrived on campus and there wasn’t much in the way of competition in the spring? With the recruiting class now part of the mix, the Hofstra transfers have their work cut out to stay on the two deep.

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(8)  Who will emerge as the third running back now that Averin Collier is ineligible?
This would have been camp’s #1 question had the announcement of Delone Carter’s return not been made by Doug Marrone on Monday. But the loss of Collier makes the battle for the third halfback spot still worthy of keeping an eye on. Carter will be the star of the backfield and Antwon Bailey will act as the change of pace, third down back he was last year. But Bailey’s size limitations will put pressure on whoever is the third back to be ready to go at any time in case something happens to Carter. That burden is going to fall to one of two true freshmen – Jerome Smith or Tyson Gulley. Before the announcement of Carter’s return, Marrone went so far as to say he was happy with both of the youngsters so far.

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(7)  Can Dorian Graham bring back the promise he showed freshmen year – at an entirely new position?
Graham was one of eight true freshmen to play in every game in 2008. But a shoulder injury cost the promising safety from powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale his entire sophomore season.

The “chart freak” is the fastest player on the roster and the coaches felt the wide receiving corps lacked a true speedster. The biggest issue for Graham isn’t going to be the physical aspect of the switch, but rather getting a handle on route running, blocking and the playbook – all things the former safety has never had to do.

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(6)  Just where will Shamarko Thomas end up?
Fan favorite and true sophomore Thomas played all over the field last year, racking up seven starts at any combination of linebacker, corner and safety. Despite the constant shuffle, he played well and proved he needs to be on the field in some capacity. He is listed on the preseason depth chart at strong safety, but the healthy return of veteran Max Suter again makes Shamarko a candidate to move around and strengthen other positions where Scott Shafer feels he can make a bigger impact.

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(5)  What freshman linebackers will prove themselves ready to play?
One look at the Syracuse preseason depth chart and you’ll understand why this is such a pressing question. While it’s talented, the SU linebacking corps is probably the thinnest of all positions on the team. The dismissal of E.J. Carter left the team with three starting senior linebackers, an unproven junior back-up and five freshmen.

Starting weakside linebacker Ryan Gillum has done nothing to prove he belongs on the field, so there is ample opportunity for one of the talented freshmen – including Malcolm Cater and Marquis Spruill – to get on the field early. Either way, Scott Shafer has his linebackers so active each game that one or two of the freshmen is going to be forced to see the field from day one in order to spell the starters.

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(4)  How will injuries affect the depth chart?
This isn’t so much a question as it is a reality. At some point this fall, people are going to get hurt. The question is who and for how long. The depth chart is scary-thin in a number of positions. Any serious injuries to starters could have major effects on the depth chart, especially at places like linebacker.

It’s an annual concern that’s out of anyone’s control. All that players, coaches and fans can do is hold their breath and pray Syracuse escapes fall camp without any major injuries.

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(3)  Who will emerge as the #1 wide receiver?
There isn’t exactly a lot of experience or talent returning at the wide out position for Syracuse. Sure, Alec Lemon showed signs last fall that he can be a tough, reliable target and Marcus Sales went off in the spring game, but it’s never a good sign when a Division-1AA transfer makes the two deep the minute he steps foot on campus.

Van Chew and Lemon are listed as the two starters, but this will be a wide open competition over the next 24 days. Keep an eye on guys like freshman Jarrod West and Sales to make a case for playing time.

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(2)  Can Charlie Loeb do enough to make Doug Marrone think twice about who should be his starting quarterback at Akron?
Marrone has insinuated all summer that there is no starting QB controversy and that Ryan Nassib will be his guy come September 4^th. But this is the same Doug Marrone that replaced Nassib with Duke basketball star Greg Paulus as his #1 QB a week into camp last summer.

It’s clear that if Loeb comes out and continues to play at the level he did in the spring game – and Nassib struggles at times this fall – at the very least Marrone will have to ponder getting Loeb some playing time early in the season. 

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(1)  Will Nathaniel Hackett earn the trust of Doug Marrone?
When Marrone made the announcement that he was turning the offensive playcalling duties over to the 30-year old Hackett last month, people openly questioned the decision and its timing. It’s not as if Marrone’s going to take back the duties if he isn’t overly impressed with Hackett, but his ability to concentrate on other areas of the football field is dependent on him having absolute trust in Hackett’s offensive mind. It’s safe to assume Marrone’s been very impressed with Hackett’s mind so far, but the pressure for the young man to run an offense has never been like it will be in the next month.