http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/...wport.html

Notes from Newport
Posted by DWebb July 17, 2007 12:47PM

- Defensive end Lee Williams, defensive tackle Cornelius Campbell and offensive tackle Eugene Newsome have been re-instated to the Syracuse University football team and are cleared to practice in pre-season camp. The three players were dismissed from school in January because of academic issues.

- Freshman tailback Jamere Knox, who did not qualify, plans to attend prep school. Knox apparently transferred out of Wicomico High School in the final three weeks to another school in hopes of helping himself academically. It did not. Knox attempted to re-enroll at Wicomico. He was credited with missing 16 days of classes, which led to his inability to qualify at SU. The plan, from what I hear, is Knox intends to play at Syracuse after prep school.

- All-Big East Conference defensive end Jameel McClain of Syracuse spent a week this summer working out with former Orange star Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts. McClain said he worked out five days in the weight room with Freeney, who typically spends time in Syracuse because of his relationship with SU strength and conditioning coaches Will Hicks and Hal Luther. McClain said Freeney also spent two days with him on the practice field, showing him a few new tricks.

Freeney's new contract came up after the fact.

"Never ask about a man's money, just like you never ask about a women's age," McClain said.
"That's what my dad told me," said Syracuse safety Joe Fields, sitting next to McClain.


Still, McClain sighed and said, "A $30 million signing bonus. He's just a regular person."

- Syracuse senior Dowayne Davis said he expects to start out at cornerback when preseason camp starts. Davis was moved to cornerback from safety late in spring practice. He said he's prepared to play wherever the coaching staff decides. He thinks he could play both positions depending on opponent's personnel.

- Syracuse quarterback Andrew Robinson sent out routine text messages to teammates during summer workouts. Senior receiver Taj Smith said all the receivers got them, which typically arrived before their voluntary workouts. "It's time to work," was a favorite message from Robinson, Smith said.

- Smith, Davis, McClain and Fields represented Syracuse at the Big East Conference's media day in Newport, R.I. Each player said they've been wowed by the freshman class that arrived on campus July 1.

"You can look at those guys and you see why they're here," Fields said.

- Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson woke up Tuesday morning to find a copy of USA Today outside his door at the Hotel Viking. The centerpiece story of the national newspaper's sports section was about "The Express," the movie being made about the life of former Syracuse University halfback Ernie Davis. Needless to say, Robinson was thrilled and believes the large spread and pictures are an omen of good things for the Orange program.

"We stand on the shoulders of those before us," Robinson said. "Not only are we proud of it, but we also feel a responsibility. I thought it was very appropriate that it came out today. This is the kickoff of our season."

- First item out of Greg Robinson's mouth in discussing the impending work of preseason camp was the offensive line. Robinson vowed by season's end that the line would be better. The inside positions are set with center Marvin McCall and guards Ryan Durand and Carroll Madison. The issue remains the tackles and the key players of interest will be whether freshmen Jonathan Meldrum and Tucker Baumbach can overtake a group that includes Corey Chavers, Larry Norton and Eugene Newsome.

"Last fall, the offensive line was an area of issue," Robinson said. "I'd like to believe by the end of the season this year, this will be a position of strength. Just as I've watched them develop, I know how much they have to improve this summer and training camp."

- About 130 news organizations were present for the Big East Conference's annual media day. It's the largest group to gather in Newport and included several members of the national media including ESPN.com, CBS Sportsline, Sports Illustrated, the Sporting News and The New York Times. Columnist Bob Ryan and reporter Mark Blaudschun of The Boston Globe were present this weekend. What must Boston College be thinking?

- Finally, heard former SU head coach Paul Pasqualoni got to spend three weeks of vacation at his summer home in Rhode Island. A friend of Pasqualoni's told me he was as relaxed and contented as he's ever seen him and that he was loving life in the NFL.

- Donnie Webb

Couldn't let the West Virginia fans have ALL of the fun.

Cheers,
Neil