Syracuse Orange Fantasy Football Draft

By Ben Glidden

Last weekend, I participated in a fantasy draft for the upcoming NFL season. While choosing from the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Hakeem Nicks, I got thinking. Who would be the number one pick in a Syracuse Orange Fantasy Football Draft?

Photo by Jason Rostkowski

There are many options for a number one overall selection. First, you would have to figure out what position you'd like to draft first.

At quarterback, of course, is Ryan Nassib. Last season, Nassib completed 202 passes for a total of 2,334 yards. His completion percentage was right around 50 percent. He threw 19 touchdown passes but he also tossed eight interceptions. He didn't lose much of his receiving core, with the exception of Marcus Sales, so it looks like he'll have some solid targets downfield. If he displays the confidence we saw from him in the Pinstripe Bowl, he'll have a great season.

Antwon Bailey will get the start this season in the backfield. This pick would come with all kinds of question marks. Bailey didn't start last season but he got a considerable amount of carries behind Delone Carter. He rushed for 554 yards on just 114 attempts. He averaged around five yards a carry and scored a pair of touchdowns. But how will Bailey do when he is getting the bulk of the carries? Can he step up as a starter? The good thing about Bailey is that he catches the ball very well. He had more receptions last year than many of the wide receivers. He caught 35 passes for just over 300 yards. But running back is an injury prone position. If your number one overall draft pick goes down early in the season with an injury, you'll be in trouble.

At the wide receiver position, there are a couple different options. I definitely wouldn't draft Sales, lets get that out of the way. My number one option at this position would be Van Chew. He had 41 receptions for 661 yards last season. He found the end zone just five times but averaged about 15 yards per reception. Another option could be Alec Lemon. He dropped a few crucial passes last season so hopefully he improves this year. He caught 32 passes for about 400 yards and four touchdowns last year.

Nick Provo would be the obvious choice if you were going for a tight end. He stepped up big for the Orange in 2010 and will be a big target for Nassib in 2011. Look for him to improve on his 365 yards receiving from last season.

You don't usually draft a kicker first round of a fantasy draft, but if you did, Ross Krautman would be the obvious selection. As a freshman last season, he kicked six field goals that were over 40 yards. Coming back for his Sophomore year, he will look to improve on those numbers. If you want a kicker first round, go Krautman.

After considering all of this information, I'm ready to make my selection.

With the first pick of the 2011 Syracuse Orange Fantasy Football Draft, I select Ryan Nassib. We know he can perform, so rather than taking a risk, I'm going with the obvious pick. Nassib's productivity this season will definitely get me first place in this fake fantasy football league.

Who would you first pick be? Tell us by commenting or tweeting us @OSliceSports

Two SU Players Have Chance at Pros

By Darius Joshua

Draft weekend is officially over and still no decision expected to come on the Lockout until July. As of now, all NFL business deals must stop. Players won’t be able to work out any contracts until the lockout is lifted. But at least players know which teams they have a chance to play for.

Only two of the four former Syracuse football hopefuls got drafted; Delone Carter and Doug Hogue. The other two Orange players, Ryan Bartholomew and Derrell Smith, will have to wait for the lockout to be lifted and try to test the waters of free agency or find a new career. 

Delone Carter was drafted in the fourth round as the 22nd pick to the Indianapolis Colts. This is a great result for Carter because he gets to join a team that usually goes to the playoffs and are always championship contenders. Led by Peyton Manning, the Colts are more of a passing team. Their running game is in need of improvement and if Carter becomes a workhorse he can give the running game, ranked 29th in the league last season, a much needed boost. 

The Colts main running backs are Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. Addai has been known to be injury prone and Brown has only been in the league for two years. Combined they both had just under 1,000 yards last season.

Doug Hogue was drafted in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions. 

Hogue joins a relatively young linebacker core. The oldest player is Landon Johnson who has been in the league for eight years. He joins a defense that was 19th in the league in points allowed, 21st in total yards allowed and 24th in rushing yards allowed. The young Detroit team was 6-10 last year and is still trying to rebuild. Event though the Lions aren’t very good, Hogue will still have work to get a position on the team. 

Carter and Hogue were able to feel the joy of being drafted, but they may still have to wait a while to experience the joy of playing in their first NFL game.

Former SU Stars Have Big Weekend Ahead

By Darius Joshua 

Syracuse football greats such as Art Monk, Donovan McNabb, Jim Brown and Jim Ringo successfully transitioned from University Hill to NFL gridirons. Now, it's time for other Orange greats to make their mark in the NFL. Four former Orange football players could be selected this weekend at the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall - Delone Carter, Ryan Bartholomew, Doug Hogue, and Derrell Smith. 

The four players were invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana to display their talents in front of many scouts. It was their chance to prove that they belong in the NFL. Here is a look at how they faired and where they stand on draft boards today.

Running back Delone Carter is favored to be drafted first among the SU players. Carter rushed for 1233 yards and scored 9 touchdowns in his last season in Syracuse and was named Pinstripe Bowl MVP after his 198 yard, 2 TD performance. He performed well at the combine and his draft stock reflects that. Most scouts have him being selected in the third or fourth round.

Center Ryan Bartholomew also had a very good combine. He benched more than any offensive lineman at the event, as he put up 34 reps. Bartholomew showed serious speed, running the 40 yard dash in only 4.97 seconds, second among all offensive linemen. With his performance at the combine, it appears that Bartholomew will be selected late on the second day of the draft. 

Linebackers Doug Hogue and Derrell Smith led the Orange defense in their senior seasons. Hogue finished the season with 60 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 interceptions while Smith tallied 72 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception.  However, they struggled to impress scouts during their combine workouts. Hogue has a better chance than Smith to make it in the league due to his elite athleticism. It is also possible that Hogue is converted to a different position, if an NFL team sees that potential in him. It appears that both of these former SU linebackers will be chosen on the third day, if it all drafted.