Upon the release of the SU depth chart yesterday, one name was predictably missing: Max Beaulieu. And that makes me wonder if Marrone and co. did the right thing switching him to offense before last year. Beaulieu enters his redshirt sophomore season as a work-in-progress tight end nowhere near the depth chart. With the additions of Sugar Bear Thompson and Josh Parris, you have to wonder if Beaulieu will ever make a huge impact for SU.
This is not the first time I’ve sighed at the story of Max. Last summer at¬†the time of the switch I wrote¬†about the bizarre legacy of the University School in that ’10 class, and the disappointment that Mad Max was never going to be the QB terror we all hoped. He also told The Fizz¬†last season he was approached by Marrone to switch to offense, and was surprised by the move.
This roster is the first one totally assembled by Marrone.¬†He took the job just a few months before ’09 National Signing Day. The ’10 Class was that monster, 31 players signed. And one of the biggest names was¬†Beaulieu. A 3-star defensive end from Ft. Launderdale was supposed to be the beast pass rusher, and game-changer on defense.
Generally speaking, I trust Marrone. I remember the bad ol’ days very well, and before The Dougie took over it was bleak around here. Really bleak. Like Contagion bleak. So I look at the 2012 Syracuse football season with optimism. Despite the collapse of last year, it always feels like Marrone has his finger on the pulse of the squad and can squeeze enough out of his players. I think they have a very good chance at 6 wins and a bowl game. But I do wonder about the move of Max.
Here was his scouting report as a senior in high school:
“We watched Max last year and throughout the spring and summer and felt that he was a top-flight college football prospect. He‚Äôs one of the state‚Äôs better players.
This is not just one of those ordinary talents who schools from the Northeast come in and get. This is an athlete who was being heavily recruited by schools such as Purdue, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Arkansas, South Carolina and Nebraska.”
Fast forward to this summer. Here’s Dave Rahme’s take from two weeks ago, the very last paragraph on practice notes from day 5 of camp:
“The mystery of sophomore tight end Max Beaulieu continues. The converted defensive lineman watched a Loeb pass on a midrange slant whiz past him and get picked off but later delivered the best block of the scrimmage, an open-field flattening of middle linebacker Siriki Diabate. If Beaulieu can learn to catch more consistently he could help this team.”
Those words make me cringe. “If he can learn to catch…” Well, he’s a tight end. So, yeah that’s kinda important. Maybe he just grows into a force of nature blocker and that’s his contribution to the team. And the fact he still has three years of eligibility is encouraging.
I just look at this defensive line and think about his potential impact there. Losing Chandler Jones and Mikhail Marinovich leave big voids. There does seem to be help on the way with some recent recruits. But I wonder if it wouldn’t have been best to let him develop on defense and hope that eventually he figured it out.
Maybe this isn’t even on the coaching staff. Maybe we just have to look at¬†Beaulieu and chalk him up as a high school stud that just didn’t translate at the next level.¬†More than anything, it’s just disappointing that three seasons into his college career and Max doesn’t even show up on SU’s two-deep.
Posted: D.A.
Should SU have switched Max to tight end?
116 responses to “Two-Deep Tango: Was Switching Max Beaulieu to Offense Smart by Syracuse?”
Ugh. My post when he was first moved from DE to TE: you have a 6’3″, 240lb DE who maybe doesn’t fit with exactly what you need at DE … why not convert him to OLB and use him there? I get speedy guys, I get LBs who can fly, but eventually, there comes a point where you need to take on a blocking OL, and a 5’11”, 210lb LB is not going to win many battles straight up against a 6’7″, 320lb OL. Your LBs need to be fast enough to string out a running play side to side, fast enough to run with TEs, and fast enough to rundown the slower RBs. Once a top RB is past the LBs, the DBs have to make the play, but the idea is to keep him from getting past them.
Kev
REBeaulieu, You bring in a kid described as a “best at the DE spot and convert him to an inconsequential position with respect to talent he demonstrates there. How does that make sense. Then on top of that you recruit two excellent prospects into the program named Thompson and Parriss.What a waste. It cannot be defended.
I was thinking maybe ILB,I think if he’s cerebral enough put a little more heft in the middle..at least on running plays?He don’t seem to have found his place yet after 3 yrs but lets move him around till we do since were finally developing a little depth!!I realize he’s not 1st string material their but lets find a way to utilize him ….@FF,don’t forget notes and comment’s on previous thread!!
@Chris,I agree,what a waste!!
personnally i’m very dissapointed with this, you have a 4 star de from florida and you convert him to te. i just don’t see him playing te here with parris and thompson but then again who knows. i’m not trying to knock the player but maybe su doesn’t have much confidence with him at de. i would have let him play defense and special teams. maybe just play him at special teams and hope he gets some confidence out there and plays better at whatever position. i’d hate to see a scholorship guy not play.
@Everyone – How about…that the kid just isn’t a very good football player or doesn’t have the drive that the coaches are expecting him to have.
Could those “experts” who gave him 3 stars be wrong ? Another example of how the star system means nothing.
On top of that, we have DE’s on the roster that he will never be able to pass that are the same age/class or younger.
Pierce Brewster
Goggins
Donnie Simmons
Sharpe
Robinson
Josh Manley
He was put in a position by the coaching staff where he might be able to help the team instead of being buried on the depth chart.
It’s not really that big of a deal.
Anyone ever heard of David Oku… where is he at today…wasn’t he a sure thing 5 star kid?
I really view him as a kid who had the potential but used that potential to get to go to college free nothing wrong with that, if he wanted to play football he would have gone to Nebraska or Arkansas but he choose Syracuse which at that point in our recruiting makes me think maybe he just wants an education
Good post CuseOnly!!
nice to c ya again CDL,wondered where ya were!!
Sounds like we are all in the same boat on Max. Shame. Maybe he grows into the TE thing more but yeah DE seems like a better use of his talents.
Hey Guys,whats up with the NY Times?always boosting RU,send some letters and E-mails and remind them that were in NY..wait till the USC game fella’s!!we’ll shock people!!
Can’t stand them ESPN pundits…but I can’t stay away from ESPNU!!
@Russ its been a busy week school is starting the homework is a good 4 hours a night on the bright side looking forward to next saturday should be a good one
@CuseDotLuse,thats what I thought,it also seems the Dipper will start this week?Im gonna miss u guys being around as much!!But glad to see ya just the same!I know u guys will ace ur grades!! with the season starting I no you’ll be around!!
@CDL,did u make ur prediction on previous thread?if u have time!
rutgers can kiss my ass. i think rutgers only were lucky with schiano. there going down those toilet huggers
How nice of you to enlighten everyone on ur opinion’s and showing ur lack of class!!I can’t wait to meet u?btw where did u go tu school?FU?…
Rutger’s Stink’s,but this is a clean,family friendly and diverse board,let’s please try to keep it that way!
@Ron,does above nutty post look familiar??hhmmmm I wonder?..
Im starting to worry about Bigdipper,50hrs and not so much as a by your leave sir?I hope the kids just been hzving fun or on a final summer outing?geez this is why some people never have kids!I hope I’ll see something by morning…the board don’t feel right w/o him!u’d think he’say he won’t be posting for a couple a days?
I am sure the dip is fine Russ. Probably just busy as heck lately. This topic of Max being switched must have been put up just for the sake of putting something up right? I mean CuseOnly is right the kid just isn’t panning out. It is in the coach’s best interest to put this kid where he can help the team most and so far he can’t help anywhere. If he could play LBer he would be playing LBer so that is not a solution either. The kid will most likely come and go after his 4 years and never be heard of again by SU fans. Hopefully he is applying himself in the classroom and will have a great future with the education he is getting from SU. Wish him the best but really is this something worth writing about? What’s next ” What happened to Lichenstein?”
Norma,your right ,really better they didt even do one today! Really a non-story!Who cares were Max is lol Thanks for your reassurance,Christ its nuts but I worry,he’s so “real”,again thanks Norma!
con’t (last 2 sentences meaning dip!)
It looks like ur a night owl too?…
@Norma, I don’t know if you’ve noticed but sometimes they rush off a good story and fill its place with BS but all in all I enjoy the freedom and encouragement the Fizz staff gives us…they seem like “good fellas” in any use of the expression!!
@Lonewolf,I will extract revenge on the Yagyu clan!!!LOL..
Good morning fellas;had a fantastic and enjoyable weekend. Saturday I got to meet and talk with the incoming freshman on the women’s basketball team and on sunday it got even better.
I had the chance to meet Michael Jordon’s daughter “Jasmine Mickeal Jordan” and welcomed her back for her sophomore year at Syracuse University. She is very pretty, stands approximately 6′ tall and is extremely SMART. but as I found out later the best was yet to come.
I met and talked with Ri’Shard Anderson who will start at the strong side OLB position on the defensive unit,starting at ILB and leader of the unit Siriki Diabate. I met the kick off specialist and WR Jeremiah Kobena and talked to him about his speed and thought that he would return a couple of kick-offs for touchdowns and got a of chuckles from him. He told me that he would try his best at accomplishing that feat. In that group was the starting OG Lou Alexander and later the OG Rob Trudo.
They told me that the team is ready and was real eagar for the season to start.
In the end I hope that all of the cockiness,tough talking, conditioning and practices that they’ve gone through get’s transferred onto the field for them to become winners and travel to a bowl game. I believe that we’re setting at the dawn of a new era for the Syracuse University Football Team. On Saturday I hope to witness the resurgence of a doormat program,turning itself into one that gains the national respect that so many of us want and the team deserves.
GO(9-3)CUSE;
Ron,sounds like u had quite a weekend?When u said u would be away till Monday,I thought u were taking another trip to Buffalo.How long was this job in the works?Were u interviewed this weekend or are ya connected?Make ur prediction w’the rest of us on previous thread,this thread was silly and I only joined in out of sheer boredom and to interact with other “Cuse” fan’s!!did Superman,Hulk or Spiderman report yet?LOl…
@Russ;I retired at the ripe old ages of 60 and 62. My wife has worked for Human Resources at the university for the last 37 years and got me this part time job there 3 years ago. I wasn’t going to be around over the weekend because of putting in 13-14 hour days and that’s not including the travel time.
I like Norma’s prediction of 31-21,but after talking to some of the players last night, I think the spread will be even greater.
The bad news is that I found out Sugar Bear Thompson has a lower body injury and won’t get to play on Saturday. Looking for Beckett Wales to have a huuuuuuuuuuugh game.
I think Syracuse has too many weapons for Northwestern to handle and will win the game 43-13.
GO CUSE
@Russ I mean I love reading anything about the team, so for that I am grateful, just don’t think this is that big of a deal. Oh well I thank the Fizz guys for giving us an article at least, better than other boards!
@Russ yeah I wake up and can’t get back to sleep for a couple hours more routinely than I would like recently.
@Ron great weekend! Very cool you got to chat with those folks.
It is GAME WEEK Fizz Fam!!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait!
@Ron I like the enthusiasm! Let’s hope your prediction on the score is right, would love to see the team that dominant!
Myles Davis, fullback, appears to be out for the year with an injury as well. At least that is what Coach Marrone made it sound like in the paper. Too bad, the kid has fought hard to get back from a blown out knee and was pushing to be a starter. Hope he heals quickly and completely.
Longest running joke: “i thought nobody would appose a 16 yr old’s opinion…so i said i was that age so Ron or anyone else wouldn’t argue with me. Two things happened: 1 russ proclaimed me a “real” 16 yr old..lol 2. people didnt care, not really.. opinions are opinions lol 3. So FF wats funnier now, Dip’s hilarious age(not 16) or Normas extremities lol?
Russ – dude if I ever bail out ..im leaving a “dear john”! Directing traffic as usual huh russ?
Norma- the MB story has legs..Myles Davis switched to fb, now he’s dinged up, with a history of injuries, seems like a questionable move.
Sackster- I too, speak pirate,,”down with RU!”
Ron- Cool experience, very cool…is Ms Jordan playing bb? Walk-on?
Chris- I think with so many bodies on the team, talent will slip through the cracks sometime, who sits to put MB on the field, although he could be used with the TEs are nicked up?
KevMonsta- I agree….6’4″ 300+ lbs vs. 5’11” 220 is a matchup nitemare
To ask the LBs to go it alone would be murder, but if the DTs generate a push, situationally,it works. But MB would make a better 3/4 LB, his size would’ve helped Diabate, again, who do u sit? Not a Dt…
Russ covered the post! Unc you know I’m a grad, being this articulate is a curse. No more class for me! CDL on the other hand, “study hard mi amigo!” I gotta yung soul, not like “the russ & ron show”, i envy u guys!
Putting Myles Davis at Fb? He could’ve easily been put at MLB, weird decision for a player with history of prep injuries. Too many players, too many treats….
@Norma Stitz; I think the running game duties will be in good hands and playing time split between AAM and George Morris III.
What concerns me the most is I haven’t heard too much about Deon Goggins and Jayson Bromley. Both players are pure studs and are needed on the defense. Are they injured? I guess we will have to wait until Saturday to find out.
@Dip,LOl by real I meant I loved all ur All-American qualitys,you little trickster,lol,u had me going thru the Syracuse papers for accidents,how old are ya anyway?Don’t worry Dip I’ll love ya anyways HaHa GLAD UR HERE!!
The fact that u kept calling 20 yr old’s kids confused me!!I thought u had great intellect for someone so young!!
@bigdip;If I remember right,one one of your earlier post so long long ago,you made a point of tewlling me that I didn’t know what I was talking about and called me a liar.
I responded to it,made my thought known and moved on. It’s history man and there’s nothing any of us can do about it.
But in my response I asked everyone to keep it clean and civil and I know that I said I respected everyone’s opinion. I will be more than happy to debate a subject with anyone AND I MEAN ANYONE.
No Ms. Jordon is not playing basketball for the university. She is taking classes in sports management. After graduation I think that she will probably go to work for her father running one of his enterprises.
Bigdip;one other thing,I will be as honest as I can be when dealing with anyone on this web site,I don’t need to be lied too. I can be just as nasty as the other person, but I’ve decided to stay above the fray and keep in civil and clean,I wish everyone who post would do the same.
You have a nice day.
Three cheer’s for the Dipper,EVERYTHING he does is COOL!Im still smiling!!
@Norma,Ron How about my nephew huh?
Bigdip,Norma,Carlton don’t you guy’s like Russell’s banter? At times he shows us that he has a sense of humor and I think people who display that quality is sorely missed in today’s world.
Keep up the good work Russell.
Ron,I can’t believe ur still thinking about that old argument lol and Dip always acted respectful in respect to me!Also any good advice I gave him he absorbed and took into serious consideration.I’ll guarantee ya he’s still a young fella just not the youth we thought!
Thank’s Ron,remember tho about Dip,their was no malicious intent,all u guys thats what makes this board so unique,funny and good…the only thing that puzzles me is Dip never avoided an argument,except with us!Whats next?
@dip I knew you were trying to pull one on Russ! Still not sure about CDL! Hahaha! Also Myles has been at FB ever since he stepped on campus. He was supposedly a good FB in HS and maybe that knee I just slowed his quickness a bit. Not sure but for whatever reason the coaches liked him there instead of MLB.
@Ron Goggins had an amazing camp and is set to start on the DL. Bromley twisted his ankle and was rested most of camp as a precaution and he is probably going to start on DL too. If he is healthy he is definitely starting they said.
Guys,like I always said,this board is crazy but I love it…HaHaHa@Norma,CDL has some serious brains for a 15 yr old huh?if he is,but Im inclined to believe,..but thats not saying much,HaHa….Norma see’s ALL.lol
@Russell Mac Eachern;I wasn’t trying to renew an old argument. My point was,it’s history move on it’s all forgotten. Besides didn’t we both aree that the articles they were writing looked to be a more mature person? His knowledge of the game showed more intellect that any 16 year old could write.
@Norma Stitz; I was a little concerned about those two. Thanks for the update on those two.
GO CUSE;
Im still laughing fella’s,HaHaHaHa,btw Dip,u can still call me uncle unless ur over 29,lol..then will just call it friend’s as thats the age of my oldest nephew tho I have 2 niece’s in their early 30s!!
Ron,Norma,bgogo,Dip,I’ll be 61 in Nov!!Ron and Norma I know ur ages as Im not ashamed of it!When Dip mentioned Leo DiCaprio the other day I was gonna say when I ran with Jim Carroll in the 80s and 90s I met Leo while filming Basketball Diaries,oh 10/12 yrs ago?They call Hell’s Kitchen now Clinton!!how quaint!!
@RON,Ron I know,…ur too easy to tease…HaHa,jus sayin!!about his intellect I know…I was v/impressed but due to Cuse DontLuse’s intellect at 15 it was feasable!!after all he could have been closer to 17 and home schooled not to mention their “Cuse” guys!!
Guys…Goggins got moved back inside, on the two deep roster. De will be pierce-brewster juco, felt good for Goggins, but coaches saw something?
Dips age? U guys were happy i wasnt an immature adult, but i was posting for fun, i was posting erratically..then i started respecting the Fizz Fam more. I just felt like telling u guys that i had a funny forum joke on par with @norma lol, which is hilarious..b4 the season at least lol @ron my articulate banter can be classy?
@russ still been a fun summer!
@Ron ya know when we talk on the board sometimes we see an argument thats really not there!!it depends on how read it!!
Im still ur biggest fan!!