Greg Robinson felt confident when he declared last week he would decide his starters by Sunday.

But at a press conference Sunday afternoon, Syracuse University’s head coach noted the starters at the following positions have still been undetermined: center, running back, right offensive tackle, free safety and cornerback.

Robinson said the indecision at those positions is present for two reasons. There’s uncertainty on who’s edging who in the position battles. Robinson also wants to utilize first- and second-string players interchangeably. He didn’t mention which case applied to certain players. He didn’t say when he would make final decisions.

In the most anticipated battle, Robinson said he plans to use multiple running backs: sophomores Curtis Brinkley and Paul Chiara and freshman Delone Carter.

‘The three of them are going to play (against Wake Forest),’ said Robinson. ‘Will three of them be in the first quarter in the ball game? They might. It could come out just like it is there. They’ve all done good things. We’ll see how that works out. But right now Curtis and Paul know what they’re doing moreso than Delone does as a total package. But can Delone play? Yup. He could play today in certain areas.’

Given the experience Brinkley and Chiara have over Carter, Robinson said it’s fair to say the starting job has dwindled down to the sophomore running backs.

Offense

For the rest of the offense, Robinson said he will play at least five receivers, which includes Tim Lane, Rice Moss, Taj Smith, Lavar Lobdell and Jeremy Horne.

Andrew Robinson’s nabbed the backup quarterback behind starting quarterback Perry Patterson while Stephen McDonald starts at fullback.

Robinson said Tony Fiammetta, who suffered a slight knee injury last week, was not overlooked because he was injured but because he will be used at both fullback and tailback.

Defense

Robinson plans to use 17 or 18 players against Wake Forest. Terrell Lemon and Nick Chestnut are battling for right cornerback. Robinson said if neither of the players edge out, Lemon will be picked based on seniority.

As to whom Robinson sees as the ‘best athlete in the secondary,’ Joe Fields is competing with A.J. Brown at free safety. It would be a major feat for Fields if named the starter, given he hasn’t played the position since middle school.

Defensive tackle Tony Jenkins and backup safety Bruce Williams are practicing this week, Robinson said, after suffering a knee and thumb injury, respectively. Robinson said Williams will wear a cast this week.

Special teams

Despite the cast, Robinson said Williams would return punts. But if that doesn’t work, Robinson plans to use walk-on Max Meisel.

‘I don’t have a problem with Max,’ said Robinson. ‘He’s very secure in catching the football. That’s paramount to us.’

Practice this week determines starters

Robinson doesn’t foresee a timetable in deciding the rest of his starters, publicly or privately.

‘I don’t know. I just want to watch them practice,’ said Robinson. ‘Practice today, practice Tuesday, practice Wednesday, whatever. The moment I make a statement then that’s the day you guys come back. I’m not going to make a statement.’

‘Perry is the starting quarterback,’ Robinson said, drawing laughs. ‘Nobody asked that. That’s the key.’

Published on August 27, 2006 at 12:00 pm