SU’s Marrone still sorting things out as opener nears

ASSOCIATED PRESS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

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SYRACUSE — With only a week and a half remaining until the season opener at home against Northwestern, Syracuse coach Doug Marrone still doesn’t have a whole lot to talk about.

“I don’t think a coach ever says, `We’re exactly where we want to be or where we should be,”’ Marrone said Wednesday night, emphasizing that conditioning was a concern.

“We’re a ways away from being a team that can go out there and compete the way we all would like to compete. There’s still a competition with some groups. I was wishing that it would separate itself better. Within the next couple of days, we’ll make those decisions ... and move on from there and start getting ready for the upcoming season.”

With classes beginning next week, Marrone said the players would have to get settled in over the next two days to “get them ready to go academically” before they begin preparing for the Wildcats.

Marrone did announce that doctors had recommended that sophomore offensive tackle Kristofer Curtis stop playing football because of injury.

At Syracuse, running back is a position of historical significance when you consider the impressive players who have played the position for the Orange — from Jim Brown and Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis to Floyd Little, Jim Nance, Larry Csonka and Joe Morris, to mention the most noteworthy.

Last year, senior Antwon Bailey went over 1,000 yards rushing and caught 29 passes for 200 more, but this year no one has stood out in preseason camp. Moving freshman Devante McFarlane over from defense has had an effect, Marrone said, remaining noncommittal.

Jerome Smith was the frontrunner after spring practice but still hasn’t been anointed.

“I wouldn’t say he’s the guy we’re going to give the ball to 30 times (a game),” Marrone said.