Sad news for Syracuse Football: He we not return

Syracuse, N.Y. — Axe me your questions and I’ll tell you no lies.

The mailbag was overflowing with inquires, opinions, coaching strategy and more from readers and Syracuse Sports Insiders.

Hey Brent. Alright, I’ve had time to think about this and digest it. During the first quarter I legitimately was concerned that I was having some sort of heart event. I questioned the dome dog I had in my hand and the beer in the other and how I was treating my body.

By the third quarter, all my symptoms dissipated. My point is that if I as an invested fan was that nervous, it’s understandable that this team is going to need time to settle those jitters as well. The fact that this is an entirely new team/culture in more ways than not. Hopefully this was enough adversity, mostly self-inflicted, but adversity nonetheless to grow this week and be ready for Georgia Tech.

-Bryan (Syracuse Sports Insider)

Bryan, Fran Brown certainly agrees with you that his team needed to taste a little adversity in its first game against Ohio as he noted in his postgame comments.

That said, the Orange defense giving up 255 rushing yards to Ohio is certainly eyebrow-raising.

Call me crazy, but I think it could end up being a blessing in disguise as opposed to SU feasting on a cupcake in its first game and filling up on empty calories.

If that doesn’t wake Syracuse up to better prepare for Georgia Tech’s ground-and-pound approach, I don’t know what will.

Hey Brent,

This edition of Orange football is not an 8-4 team. I think we will see many changes and improvements. They will struggle to achieve a 6-6 record. Rocky Long and Tony White had a vastly superior defensive scheme. This defense won’t stop anybody’s offense. Losing Marlowe Wax will be very significant. If they continue to lose players every week as in previous years they will not have the depth to sustain a strong, physical defense. They have to get their emotions under control. The roughing the kicker and late hit out of bounds will be killers against more disciplined teams.

All in all I think Fran Brown is a positive step forward. But the program may take a step backward before it moves forward.

Joe Russo-Syracuse, NY

Joe has seen enough and has it all figured out after one game, you guys.

I know last year was last year and this year is this year, but if last year’s MASH unit in Orange managed six wins, I’m not ready to declare this year’s team to have the same fate based on one game.

There is no question that losing Marlowe Wax is a significant blow. He’s the most irreplaceable player on the defense due to his production (SU’s leading tackler the past two seasons) and leadership.

You hate to see Syracuse lose a heart-and-soul player in the first game of the season in consecutive years after watching Oronde Gadsden II go down with a Lisfranc injury last season. .

Axe,

I thought the Quad Walk was great and will only continue to grow in size and get better. I don’t know if it’s a universal thing or not but many of us stop and touch the Ernie Davis statue and specifically his cleats when walking into the Dome on game day. It would be cool if the team incorporated that into the walk. Just a thought.

Michael, the first Quad Walk of the season was certainly a success. I think

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you make a fine suggestion to make it even better. It could be Syracuse’s version of Notre Dame players touching the “Play Like a Champion Today” sign or Howard’s rock at Clemson.

I expected to see a double tight end set and some throws to him (Dan Villari) because he looked like (Rob) Gronkowski last year, but did he even play???