Delone Carter's time in limbo may be coming to a positive end. Syracuse assistant coach Bob Casullo told a radio station Thursday that the administration and football coaches are maneuvering for the Orange's star running back -- who we deem a longshot Heisman Trophy candidate -- to return to the team. He is currently suspended from school (and, in turn, the football team) for punching another student he mistakenly felt had thrown a snowball at his car. That decision netted him a trip to jail and a swift boot out of school.According to ESPN's Brian Bennett, Casullo said the following to Syracuse-based ESPN Radio 97.7: "Trust me, Coach [Doug] Marrone and the administration have come up with a plan for Delone, and in my heart I believe it's going to work out for the best for him and for this football team ... we'll welcome him back with open arms ... once he serves his penance, I'm sure he'll be back."
Those are about the most affirmative words you'll ever hear from a coach concerning a player who must clear several significant hurdles in order to gain reinstatement to his school.
That said, his impact could be minimal, at least early in the season. He cannot return to the team until he returns to school, near the end of fall camp. Syracuse can lean on several other quality backs but only Carter has a 1,000-yard season under his belt. He also has a classic mid-sized back's build that offers versatility as a power runner with some wiggle and ability to make plays in the short passing game. Given Syracuse's longstanding offensive anemia, he's clearly important to digging out of the Big East cellar this year.
