Antwon Bailey flared right and snared a swing pass in stride at the Syracuse football team’s practice Wednesday. The sophomore running back turned upfield and a familiar face closed in on him – Doug Hogue.

‘That’s my running back brother,’ Bailey said. ‘It’s kind of different, but we’re all willing to do what’s best for the team.’

Instead of competing with Bailey for carries in the backfield, Hogue has already been switched to linebacker two days into spring practice. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound junior faced an uphill battle at running back. Delone Carter is currently No. 1 on the depth chart with Bailey and Averin Collier not far behind.

So on Tuesday, Hogue was called to the coach’s office and officially swapped his red practice jersey for a green one. ‘Good news,’ he called it. At linebacker, he’ll have a chance to start.

‘Most definitely, it’s a goal to start,’ Hogue said. ‘The guys that were there before me are a heck of a lot smarter than me as far as the linebacker position. I’m going to have to get in my books and do what I have to do and try to beat these guys out. Outwork them.’

Hogue worked mostly with the No. 1 defensive unit at practice. Derrell Smith shifted to middle linebacker, while Parker Cantey manned the other spot on the first unit. Wide receiver Dan Sheeran is also flipping to linebacker.

After one day of practice, head coach Doug Marrone was convinced Syracuse needed new blood at linebacker. The nation’s 101st-ranked defense needed a new brand with more athleticism.

‘We wanted to make sure we could get better at that position athletically – bring in some people that could run with some decent size,’ Marrone said. ‘And also at the same time create competition at that position.’

It was an odd sight – Hogue raising his right fist into the air and yelling ‘Huddle!’ to summon the defense together. But the change was predictable. After averaging only 3.2 carries per game last season – combined with Bailey’s flickers of greatness at Notre Dame, memories of Carter’s 2006 season and Collier’s still-fresh hype – it was time for Hogue to shake things up.

Touches would have been few and far between.

‘If we put him on the defensive side of the ball, one, he can help us and, two, he gets more snaps or have him in a position where he can start,’ Marrone said. ‘Athletically, he can do things well, and we’re looking for the 11 best players on offense and defense.’

Hogue had ups and downs Wednesday. Without pads on, practice was heavy on teaching and technique – precisely where Hogue admits he has catching up to do. Hogue punched in early Wednesday to work with fellow linebackers on his initial steps in coverage and run support.

The switch is under construction. On one 7-on-7 play, Hogue hesitated in racing out to cover Collier out of the backfield. Collier caught the ball and gained the sideline. Linebackers coach Dan Conley stormed in. ‘Don’t hesitate on that!’ he yelled. ‘Just go with him.’

Hogue started at linebacker for four years at Roosevelt High School, so this may be like riding a bicycle for Hogue. But reviving his linebacker instincts will take time. And scolding.

‘Coaches were hard on me, I expect them to be hard on me,’ Hogue said. ‘There can’t be another way. They were hard on me as far as getting the steps together.’

Installing the ‘O’

This isn’t anything new to Andrew Robinson. He knows the drill by now.

For the third time in four years, the Syracuse quarterback is digesting a new offense.

‘Every offense comes with new challenges and terminology,’ Robinson said. ‘It’s like studying for a final exam. It’s tough going out there, trying to learn a whole new offense.’

But still, Marrone and his players vow the installations are on track. To buck the learning curve, Syracuse is loading up on repetitions. During SU’s first two practices, two different offensive units took the field during the no-contact scrimmages.

Marrone is also giving all quarterbacks a chance to work with the first-team offense.

‘There’s definitely been a lot more practice and a lot more repetitions in practice,’ Robinson said. ‘That’s something that will benefit guys in terms of competition.’

The offense is starting from scratch. Before every play, a coach holds up a diagram in the huddle. And elements of offensive coordinator Rob Spence’s system from Clemson are being taught. On Wednesday, the offense briefly practiced a no-huddle offense with some shotgun sprinkled in while also practice a bubble screen to Donte Davis repeatedly.

The subtle changes had Davis smiling after practice.

‘Based off practice, it looks like we’re going to be passing a lot,’ Davis said. ‘Most of the time, at least.’

Familiar Face

Bob Brotzski was officially hired as the Orange’s director of player development Tuesday. Brotzski and Marrone were both offensive tackles on Syracuse in the 1980s. For the last two years, Brotzski was the tight ends coach at Robert Morris. He was at practice Wednesday. He also played four seasons in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.

thdunne@syr.edu

Published on March 25, 2009 at 12:00 pm