Doug Marrone clearly laid out his reasoning behind his increased privacy with the team this week. The Syracuse head coach is leading an extremely banged-up Orange team, and with the injuries piling up, he’s closing off practice this week to ‘figure out what is best with this football team.’

‘We have a lot of injuries. I’m not going to lie to you,’ Marrone said at his Monday press conference. ‘We have guys who are banged up, we have to make a decision on players. Some players will be in casts, some players will be heavily wrapped up. Some people may practice, may not practice. We as coaches have to decide whether they will play or not.

‘In doing so, we’re going to close practice this week. I’m going to be available on Tuesday and Wednesday for everyone. I’ve been very good about being open. It’s just a very tough situation right now.’

Syracuse entered its game this past Saturday against Toledo without its arguably two best defensive players — defensive end Chandler Jones and strong safety Shamarko Thomas. Middle linebacker Marquis Spruill didn’t start and saw limited time. Cornerback Keon Lyn was on and off the field.

Jones and backup safety Olando Fisher are still listed as being out until further notice with lower body injuries, according to SU’s game notes for this Saturday’s Big East opener against Rutgers. Thomas is back on the depth chart, and Spruill and Lyn remain in their starting positions as well.

On the original game notes, SU athletics had written that Syracuse running back Prince-Tyson Gulley was out for the season with a broken collarbone. Jerome Smith was in his place on Syracuse’s two-deep depth chart as the backup running back.

But Sue Edson, Syracuse assistant director of athletics for communications, said it was a mistake, and Gulley is being evaluated.

Gulley is coming off the best game of his career against Toledo, rushing for 66 yards on 10 carries. But Marrone did not respond to a question about Gulley’s health.

‘I just can’t comment on any injuries,’ Marrone said. ‘And that’s, I’ve never really, I don’t know, I just need everybody’s help. That’s all I’m asking. I know you guys have a job to do, I truly understand that.

‘… I understand exactly what’s going on. I don’t foresee myself ever really doing this again. Hopefully we will never be in this situation.’

mcooperj@syr.edu

Published on September 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Mark: mcooperj@syr.edu | @mark_cooperjr