Syracuse football finally received significant ACC Network attention on Monday night with the premiere of the first episode of the All-Access series featuring Fran Brown’s team.
The behind-the-scenes look at some of the spring practices and the start of camp offered insights into the 2024 Orange, highlighting aspects that may only be of interest to die-hard fans. Let’s dive in:
Kyle McCord’s significance was evident. For those unfamiliar with McCord, the episode showed why Fran Brown was so eager to recruit him, even camping outside his Columbus apartment like a scene from Say Anything. McCord’s leadership qualities were on display as he:
- Was mic’d up, directing teammates during drills
- Motivated everyone to complete their reps
- Showed off his impressive throws
This reminded me of when Doug Marrone brought in Greg Paulus to set a winning culture. Regardless of what happens on the field, McCord and others are establishing a culture shift that could impact the program beyond just this season. While McCord may be the quiet, lead-by-example type, Justin Barron seems to be this team’s “vibes guy.” His style, like sporting a Salt City Mets hat and resisting clearing out his locker, shows why keeping Barron was essential for Fran Brown.
Oronde Gadsden spent the offseason picking up marbles with his toes, and we’re grateful he’s back with the Orange instead of auditioning for America’s Got Talent.
We also learned more about Fran Brown’s work ethic, from his early morning workouts to his disciplined approach with the players. It’s clear that since his arrival, Brown has emphasized building a strong culture, focusing on attention to detail and physicality. Brown wants his team to make their opponents second-guess themselves. He even delivered another memorable line with, “This is big boy football now.” That’s one for a t-shirt because Fran’s got some great one-liners.
The only downside from the first episode is that Brown’s posture was a bit concerning. Whether it was the ACC Network crew or his temporary office setup, we can’t have our leader hunched over his desk during media sessions. We need his shoulders relaxed and ready for when it’s time to celebrate.
What were your takeaways from the first episode?
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