Syracuse Football: Here’s why offensive line will be much improved in 2021

Can the offensive line stay healthy and hold the line during the 2021 Syracuse football season?

That is the focus of my second part of a 4-part series where I want to tackle issues/concerns I have seen various people share about the upcoming season. If you would like to read part one, you can click here to read it. The four parts I plan to discuss are as follows:

• Is This The Taj Harris Redemption Tour?
• Can The Offensive Line Tow The Line?
• Tommy DeVito: Are We Headed To Success City Or Struggle Town?
• With Winter Coming, Is Coach Babers Sitting Atop Seat Warmers?

If this were Jeopardy and the late, great Alex Trebek was doing this, he’d say, “Darius Tisdale. Dakota Davis. Matthew Bergeron. Airon Servais. Chris Bleich.” My response would be, “Who are 5 prime examples why I have faith in the offensive line of Syracuse Football this season, Alex?”

And as a bonus daily double Alex, I’d like to state that Airon Servais (along with Josh Black and Taj Harris) was one of the players selected as a leader of this team to represent the Orange at the recent ACC Kickoff event in North Carolina.

First off, I have to believe Airon was a representative not just because he’s a senior but because the coaching staff believes he will be a leader in the locker room and on the field. The guy has played plenty at guard and center and if healthy, could be the anchor to this line’s longevity that I feel did get better as 2020 went along.

Better? How? Anyone remember the Notre Dame game in December that allowed Cooper Lutz AND Sean Tucker to both rush for over 100 yards? You can’t do that if your line isn’t at least somewhat effective for you.

Now add in healthier, more experienced linemen, the addition of Chris Bleich and 10 other young (mostly freshmen and sophomores) and hungry other linemen ready to prove they can excel. Oh yeah and “The Rhino” Chris Elmore is back and listed at fullback which means he will be there to help pick up blitzes and assist in the backfield and plow through the line like a CNYer in their driveway in January.

Now I know some of you are thinking “Homer is more than just a town in CNY…surely you can’t be serious if you ignore that the offensive line has historically had injury and depth issues.” I am serious and don’t call me Shirley!

The Syracuse football offensive line is a pivotal component to a successful 2021 season.

Actually, even a homer like me has to acknowledge that yes there have been issues in the past that may have led to harder running lanes and Tommy DeVito being a bit gun shy in the pocket. But I’m confident this year having depth won’t be an issue, although injuries are something that is out of our control.

Heck, we’ve even got the lean mean German machine (well actually one of two German players on the roster) Mark Petry ready to prove it wasn’t over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor (which if you’re unfamiliar with the reference and over 18, please watch the classic Animal House soon).

Looking for someone to root for? Need some local flavor? How about Corcoran HS graduate Ryan Kisselstein, who has not played much in Orange but why not root for the local guy to make an impact when his number is called. Any 90’s WWE/WWF fans out there? Well SU has their own Quebecers in Patrick Davis and a favorite of mine, tackle Matthew Bergeron.

Or how about the first Orangeman to be named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week after the Duke game in 2019 (who hopefully stays healthy this season)…Dakota Davis? Syracuse football fans love Orange family members or “Ohana” as head coach Dino Babers refers to it, so we also have the cousin of former Orange RB Dontae Strickland and formerly ranked #8 by ESPN Junior College Offensive Lineman before transferring from Lackawanna CC…Number 56…Darius Tisdale.

My point is, this year we have depth. They’ve had a normal off-season with workouts and practices unlike last season including with Bleich and younger players in the rotation. The unit did start to improve towards the end of the season, including allowing two RBs to get over 100 yards against Notre Dame. That included Sean Tucker, who actually had three games with over 100 yards per game during the season.

We have a freaking Rhino that reminds me of when Daryl “Moose” Johnston was here or even Tony Fiammetta to help as well. I truly believe this offensive line, if healthy, will be an area we as fans can look at and not fear for the worst this season.

It’s like in the Avengers when everyone reappears and forms a line of support. You just know they’re going to come back with a vengeance looking for Thanos’s head this time, and I’ve got my Mountain Dew and popcorn ready to watch it going down just waiting to let out a large roar of ovation when Syracuse football scores a touchdown. LET’S DO THIS!

LET’S GO ORANGE!