It’d be easy for the Syracuse football team to fold.

After losing 19 seniors, including 12 starters, from last season’s 1-10 team, no one would’ve thought much if the Orange chalked 2006 up to another rebuilding year. But that hasn’t been the case, at least in appearance.

After the first two weeks of spring practices, it’s clear the worst season in Syracuse football history doesn’t hang over the Orange’s head as much as it serves as a reminder of what could happen if SU doesn’t start the season with the right attitude and a renewed work ethic. It’s another chance for Syracuse, and the players appreciate the breath of fresh air.

Throughout the team, players have praised Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson’s ability to remain tough while still cracking a smile. It’s a different atmosphere for the Orange, which is still adjusting to the stark differences in Robinson’s coaching style from Paul Pasqualoni, his predecessor.

‘It’s a lot more fun with coach Rob,’ Syracuse senior punter Brendan Carney said. ‘That’s probably the thing that stands out the most. Guys are having fun the whole time and coming in from practice and talking about it in the locker room. I feel like you get more production out of your guys that way, when you let them have fun.’

Robinson’s not being any easier on this year’s Orange – far from it, the head coach said. It’s more a sign Syracuse has moved on from learning what Robinson expects to actually trying to execute it.

It took all last year for the players to grasp Robinson’s system, probably best evidenced in 2005’s one-win campaign.

‘I don’t know about more fun,’ Robinson said, showing a bit of a smile. ‘Maybe they’re closer to being in the hunt. I think it’s the same. Now they know where we’re coming from, they know what their role is here.’

Part of that role is fighting for the vacant spots at the top of the depth chart. Positions on the offensive line, at running back and in the secondary are just a few places where longtime starters have graduated and left numerous young players battling to grab the spot.

With the youth comes eagerness to prove the underclassmen belong on the field just as much as the established veterans. The environment makes the veterans work right along with the young players.

‘The guys are working,’ cornerback Nick Chestnut said. ‘Whenever guys are working, you know they are going to improve. When you’re 1-10 and you’re so far down, the only thing you can go is up. That’s what we’re looking to do. We’re looking to improve every year.’

Robinson’s guaranteeing nothing, even for last year’s starters, meaning everyone has reason to work. The only announcement he’s made concerning the depth chart is senior Perry Patterson will start at quarterback for Syracuse – at least for now.

The uncertainty creates incentive for all players to work harder than they may be inclined to if the depth chart had some form to it. With the hard work comes competition, and in turn, more hard work.

‘Years past we come out to practice, you know your role,’ defensive end Cornelius Campbell said. ‘Coach Robinson, he’s installed in us to compete every play – compete in individual drills, we compete in bag drills.

‘We don’t only compete during scrimmages but in the classroom. It’s something he feels that will make us better. If you have a guy behind you, and you know he’s coming 100 miles per hour, it’s going to make you want to go 101. That’s one thing that’s helped this team a lot – that open competitiveness.’

It all comes back to the culture Robinson’s created this year. The players weren’t the only ones who had to adjust after Robinson’s first campaign fell flat. The head coach also made what he thought were necessary measures to extract the best from the Orange. All the while, Robinson keeps his easygoing attitude.

The challenging, but relaxed environment fits together nicely for SU.

‘He’s demanding and he wants the best out of his players, but he gives it the right way and he cracks a smile,’ Carney said. ‘We haven’t seen that in awhile around here. It’s fun to be around someone with his personality.’

Published on March 28, 2006 at 12:00 pm