FWG On ESPN Radio: Looking Back At PITT, Ahead To Syracuse

// November 1st, 2011 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Morning Links: Tebow Cant Throw…PERIOD, Morning Miracles in Central New York, and I’ve Hired an Intern

// February 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

• All of this “Tebow in the NFL” talk has led me to the conclusion that people aren’t too sure if he can make it.  Judging by the above picture, his side-arm delivery is rock solid and ready to take the NFL by storm (of locusts).  There has been some talk about him heading the Jags, which apparently is not sitting well with Uche Nwaneri, who got on the Jags fan board and gave his own Top 5 of why Tebow sucks.  Reason #1… “He can’t throw….PERIOD!”  read the other 4 reasons here. [YahooSports]
  
• Speaking of Tebow, here’s your morning miracle: 31 players signed on to play Syracuse Football. Now do you believe in the impossible?   Oh and here’s one of the little whipper-snappers now.  With his helmet of hair and athletic body, he’s already two steps ahead of me career wise.

• In more FWG news, after an extensive search, we’ve hired an intern.  You won’t see him, cause he’ll be behind the scenes, getting my coffee, folding my clothes and making my dinner.  I tried to warn him “this will be nothing but a blemish on your resume”  But, he seems to think we’re doing something right here.  And I can’t disagree with him; 22 intern applicants and 1,000,000 readers can’t be wrong.  Then again, they probably could.

Hat Tip To Syacuse Football, And Greg Paulus

// November 3rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Rob Lunn, Uconn, Uconn Temple Justice, Uncategorized

Syracuse.com Syracuse, NY — Tears filled the eyes of Syracuse University head football coach Doug Marrone as he made a passionate defense of starting quarterback Greg Paulus, who was booed by some Syracuse fans during the team’s 28-7 Big East Conference loss to Cincinnati on Saturday at the Carrier Dome….I have never seen an athlete, at any level including the NFL, work as hard, mentally and physically, as Greg has worked since he’s joined us here at Syracuse. Really, what he’s accomplished is extraordinary. Maybe it can’t be fully appreciated because most don’t know just how difficult it is to play quarterback at a Division I program.

“In the era of video games, virtual reality, it’s easy to believe that throwing a pass, reading a defense, avoiding a sack is as easy as the push of a button, that any of us can do. The problem, it’s not that easy. We can’t do that.”

Well, I think everyone knows that I’d like to go ahead and really give it to the Syracuse football program.  But when a coach is this honest, this forthright about the shortcomings of his own ability, and supports his players to this degree I just can’t.  I don’t believe in moral victories, and there aren’t a lot of notches in the “W” column this season for ‘Cuse, but this is something to behold.  Marrone puts it best, it easy for people to get mad at Syracuse, unable to comprehend why they can’t win.  Has a culture of losing taken over at Syracuse?  Certainly not.  Every week is a battle, and players prep just as hard for every opponent.  You NEVER go into a game expecting to lose.  I think that is what Marrone is trying to say here, every week Paulus, despite a lack of on-field success, is preparing to his fullest, working the hardest.  Unfortunately we don’t see the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into Saturdays game.  No, all we see is the 4 quarters of football, when really players and coaches alike have spent countless hours in the weightroom, film room, and on the practice field.

Read The Rest HERE

Greg Paulus: Enjoy It ‘Cuse Fans

// September 8th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

I’ve learned a lot over the years playing college football. Special teams will win or lose you at least two games a year, kickers are nonathletes, and chemistry is key at the quarterback position.
I, for one, expected Greg Paulus to be more of a distraction for Syracuse than a player who gives them an opportunity to win.

As the first snap with Paulus in the shotgun sailed over his head for a turnover, my theory was supported.   And clever remarks filled my brain, “ohhhh TASTE IT CENTRAL NEW YORK!”

But Paulus, to my surprise, showed tremendous poise. His second series was more successful. There he was, double-pumping and looking off defenders like a seasoned quarterback — or at the least, a man who’d taken more snaps than free throws over the past four years.

Read the rest HERE

The Paulus Story

// May 16th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Uncategorized

Its official, Greg Paulus is now “former basketball start turned quarterback.” Confirmed yesterday by the Associated Press, the former Duke star will be playing (hold your breath) for Syracuse University. Mediocrity awaits.

|| RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -……”My gut and my heart were telling me that (Syracuse) was the best place for me,” Paulus said from Durham, N.C., during a conference call.The decision ends a month of speculation whether the one-time star high school quarterback from Syracuse would resume his football career.||

I have so much to say about this I’m not even sure where to start. I am from Upstate New York (hold your applause). Christian Brothers Academy (CBA), where Paulus graduated from is like the New York Yankee’s of high school football in New York. Always trying to buy their championships, then hiding behind the “we don’t recruit” mantra. I hated CBA with a burning passion. That being said, I am happy that Paulus is going to Syracuse. Ecstatic in fact. If Paulus so much as sniffs a starting role in the ‘Cuse offense in 2009 it pretty much guarantees another UConn football win against the Orange.

Read the rest HERE

Marty Gagne: 6 Overtimes (The Player’s Perspective)

// March 14th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // Uncategorized

On the morning of March 13th, 2009, the entire state of Connecticut dragged itself to work. I would suspect little protest if the legislators deemed this day an official holiday to honor (or memorialize, depending on your pessimism) the epic battle that was previously waged. No lives were lost, but plenty of sleep was. Indeed, last night was a night to remember, and not because of Andy Rautins’ faux hawk.

During the game, I received a text message that offered an astounding, yet accurate, summation of the contest. A friend wrote, “this is the single best basketball game I have ever seen.” That was after the conclusion of the third overtime.

Luckily, I watched the game at home. I can only imagine fans’ disapproval when pubs and sportsbars across the state shut down at 1:00am in accordance with Connecticut laws that govern the operating hours of alcohol institutions on weeknights.

Or imagine the lucky viewer who went to bed before Devendorf’s buzzer-beater was reviewed, only to wake up and discover that they spared themselves the six overtimes that were necessary to determine the same outcome. Moreover, that person should be grateful for two less hours of seeing Eric Devendorf. Hailing from 115 miles north of Detroit, he has earned nicknames of “roundball Eminem” and “8-Mile” from within the Syracuse community. And to be quite honest, it wouldn’t surprise me if his parents received a fine for littering when they threw him on the street. Furthermore, the fact that his miracle shot was cleared from the record books is proof that God works in mysterious ways.

And with Johnny Flynn and Paul Harris both hailing from Niagra Falls High School, Jim Beoheim would be foolish if he didn’t cut a check for the city’s Boys and Girls Club. And Rob Garrison, a high school teammate of Flynn and Harris and former UConn guard, is smiling somewhere in upstate New York.

For all intents and purposes, last night’s game was a tie. There was no winner; only a survivor. The primary starters played themselves to an even draw, leaving the victor to be crowned by second-string role players. If asked last night, I probably would have been an advocate of instituting a shootout rule (in the mold of corporate-sponsored halftime hotshot contests) to determine the winner. I can visualize Jeff Adrien repeatedly shooting from a mid-range hot spot in order to solidify his shooting touch in scout’s minds. Hasheem would be disqualified for attempting more than two lay ups in a row.

In 2006, after we suffered defeat in the Big East tournament at the hands of a Gerry McNamara heave, I can vividly remember the subconscious notion that if we won the big dance, everything would be forgiven. By nature, sports fans have a very short-term memory. If the current team brings home a national championship trophy, images of Eric Devendorf standing atop the scorers table will be a distant recollection, thankfully. To overcome the here-and-now essence of sports, and immediately be written into the history books as true warriors, is a proud accomplishment. Regardless of the season’s ultimate outcome, last night’s performance should certainly warrant the utmost respect and appreciation from fans… and maybe even a state holiday.

6 Overtimes….wow

// March 13th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Uncategorized

Syracuse survives historic Big East overtime thriller

It was a historic night at Madison Square Garden, a Big East basketball tournament thriller that started in prime time Thursday night and didn’t end until the early hours of Friday morning.

Simply put, the 127-117 victory by Syracuse over UConn, was a terrific battle of wills and stamina and was a six overtime battle that counted for 70 basketball minutes and nearly four hours of real time. It was the first six-overtime game in Big East history and the longest game in NCAA competition in 28 years.

In the end, both teams were spent, exhausted. Three starters from each team had fouled out and in the end, Syracuse was able to take advantage of the missing Hasheem Thabeet, A.J. Price and Stanley Robinson from the UConn lineup. The Orange never led in the first five overtimes but took over in the sixth five-minute test.

“I’ve never been more proud of any team I’ve ever had,” said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim afterward

Read the rest HERE

(this article is by Tom Edrington)