SYRACUSE - Like an ace defensive strategist, Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson made a point Monday of protecting his team as the Orange began preseason football practice.

“This is not about me,” said Robinson, whose 7-28 record in three seasons has placed added pressure on everybody to get the program turned around. “This is about a team getting ready for a football season. We're talking about this season. We're not talking about future seasons or anything like that.

“I would really appreciate from you (the media) to don't put the focus on something other than what I just talked about - this team and this season,” Robinson said. “Anything else really isn't fair to these kids.”

Most observers expected Syracuse to improve in 2007 (Robinson's first team was 1-10, and the 2006 squad went 4-8). Instead, the Orange put up these sorry numbers: 2-10 overall and 1-6 and last in the Big East; 62.7 yards rushing and 291.9 yards of offense per game; nine sacks and 54 sacks allowed; 4.6 yards per punt return; 16.42 points per game and 34.8 points allowed per game; and total defense of 468.7 yards allowed per game.

Those statistics ranked 107th or worse among the 119 teams that play at college football's top level, so Robinson's plea was understandable.

Unfortunately, two of the best offensive players from last season aren't around to help out. Taj Smith, who had 44 catches for 822 yards and five TDs, gave up his final year of college eligibility to turn pro. And wideout Mike Williams, who had 60 receptions for 837 yards and 10 TDs, catching at least one touchdown pass in a school-record nine games, is no longer in school because of academic issues. The Orange will have a solid corps of running backs if previous injuries have healed adequately. Curtis Brinkley and Delone Carter, who formed a solid 1-2 punch two years ago, are back in camp at full speed and ready to go.

“It's over a year since I've been out,” said Carter, who suffered a dislocated hip in practice in April of last year and missed all of the 2007 season. “I feel like I'm at the end of the tunnel. I'm ready to come out running. I can't wait to hit somebody. I might not come off the field when the defense comes on.”

Toss in Doug Hogue, who received valuable playing time last fall, and senior fullback Tony Fiammetta and the Orange appear set in the backfield.

“I think the running back situation could be as strong as it's been at Syracuse in a number of years,” Robinson said.

Chief among the problems Robinson has to fix, though, is the offensive line, which allowed a stunning 54 sacks last season. Offensive tackle Ryan Durand said nearly the entire team ran and lifted together over the summer and had long put last year to rest.

“Last year is last year,” Durand said. “It's motivation, but it's not a black cloud hovering over our heads. The guys that are returning have experience under their belts. The sky's the limit. I really feel like we're going to have a stronger line this year.”