According to Donnie Webb of the Syracuse Post-Standard, Syracuse HC Doug Marrone has done the inevitable and named former Duke PG and current Orange grad student Greg Paulus as his starting QB. He replaces redshirt freshman Ryan Nassib who had been the de facto starter while Paulus’ eligibility issues were finalized.
While this isn’t surprising really, it is a relief, as there had been talk that Paulus and Nassib would split time in the early going. I don’t think that would’ve been the right approach, and I am glad Marrone is of a similar mind. It’s impossible to know how good Syracuse might or might not be – odds are they are going to have a similar record as the last 4 years under Greg Robinson – the cupboard is that bare.
But maybe, just maybe, the former #1 high school QB prospect will find enough talent to work with and maybe the Orange can shoot for a .500, or, gasp, bowl-qualifying 6-5 record. Not likely, but at least for the first time in a long time, there’s a reason for Syracuse fans to be hopeful about an upcoming season of Orange football.

August 19th, 2009
Yay Greg! Go Syraduke Bluorange!!
August 19th, 2009
And Brent Axeman from Syracuse.com (The Post-Standard) has it right: this was really a simple decision, and an easy one to make (presuming of course that Paulus was at least reasonably ready to run the team, and not completely overshadowed by Nassif in camp) –
/If Paulus “fails”, Nassib gets to ring the bell. It is really as simple as that folks. If Paulus “fails” as quarterback, then, you know what, Doug Marrone tried./
http://www.syracuse.com/axeman/index.ssf/2009/08/here_we_go_greg.html
August 31st, 2009
And now, Co-Captain!
http://www.cnycentral.com/sports/sports_story.aspx?id=343590