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Doug Marrone instilled a measure of toughness in his rookie year as head coach at Syracuse. The transformation of the Orange from Big East doormat to contender is a long road, though.
''Changing the culture and trying to create the structure and create the discipline and the leadership of the things that we have to overcome, we've won a lot of those battles,'' Marrone said. ''What we're looking for right now is to make sure that they carry onto the football field in wins. That's the one thing that we've talked about. We understand that we have to win.''
The Orange haven't had a winning season since 2001 and have won only four of 35 conference games in the past five seasons. Despite losing at least 20 players last year who didn't measure up to Marrone's standards - or maybe just didn't want to put in the effort that he demands - he anticipates a better team than the one that went 4-8 with one conference victory a year ago.
''I'm expecting us to be much more competitive,'' said Marrone, who welcomed 30 new players but still needs a few more to reach the NCAA scholarship limit. ''There's a lot of things that have to happen for us to be successful. We have to stay healthy - that's the No. 1 thing.''
Marrone's first Syracuse team had quarterback Greg Paulus leading an offense that often was efficient. Paulus, the former Duke basketball point guard, made an admirable transition back to the game he had excelled at in high school. He ended his one-year career with the Orange with two school records - most completions (193) and highest completion rate (67.7 percent).
''He was one of the greatest leaders I've been around,'' defensive end Chandler Jones said. ''It rubbed off on a lot of us, and I'm seeing it at this camp.''
Syracuse returns three starters on offense and nine on a defense that led the Big East and ranked 13th nationally in rushing defense (101.8 yards per game) in 2009.
Replacing Paulus is junior Ryan Nassib, who appeared in 10 games as the backup and completed 36 of 68 for 422 yards and three TDs.
''We've got a lot of skill,'' said Nassib, who has left-handed sophomore Charley Loeb challenging him. ''We definitely go into the season with a lot of confidence. Bottom line, just win some games. That's pretty simple to say, but it's hard to do.''
The best news Marrone has received came on the eve of preseason camp when he welcomed tailback Delone Carter back from suspension. Carter was punished by the university after being charged with misdemeanor assault stemming from a one-punch fight that followed a snowball-throwing incident on campus in February and isn't even listed in the team media guide.
''It's just a lot of weight off me,'' said Carter, a bruising 5-foot-10, 215 pound runner who led Syracuse last fall with 1,021 yards rushing and 11 TDs. ''It's just a maturing situation. I regret what happened, and I learned a lot from it.''
Antwon Bailey, who's averaged 5.4 yards per carry in two seasons, gives the Orange two solid backs.
Nassib has demonstrated touch throwing long, but Marrone hasn't found a wide receiver in the mold of former star Mike Williams - capable of speeding past defensive backs or darting across the middle for big gains.
Defense figures to be the team's strong point again despite the loss of defensive lineman Arthur Jones, now a member of the Baltimore Ravens. Linebackers Doug Hogue (9.5 sacks) and Derrell Smith (82 tackles, four forced fumbles) lead the way on a unit that improved dramatically last season in several defensive categories, going from 117th nationally to 28th in third-down efficiency among them.
''It's just a different team,'' safety Max Suter said. ''Kids that are here want to be here. It was getting better last year, but this team is definitely better.''
Now, if only the Orange's often-fickle fans don't give up too soon.
''Looking at last year from what we were showing them, I think this community could probably feel the vibes of a different culture and a winning attitude,'' Hogue said. ''Now we plan to progress. I feel with them behind us we could really make things happen.''
