Countdown to Kickoff: Bloodlines
8/6/2003 8:09:04 AM | Football
Smith is the nephew of current Tennessee Titan linebacker and former SU standout, Keith Bulluck. Bulluck was the Titan’s first-round pick in 2000 and is fifth all time at Syracuse with 290 solo tackles.
Smith, a linebacker like his uncle, was the New York Sportswriter’s Association Section I Player of the Year in 2001 and earned PrepStar All-American honors at North Rockland High School. He joined the Orangemen in 2002 and redshirted last season. This year, he will push for playing time in the linebacking corps.
Brooks is the cousin of Chicago Bears wide receiver Bobby Engram, and appeared in 10 games last season at linebacker. He made six tackles in 2002 and recovered his first fumble against Auburn. Brooks could see time this season backing up captain and starting middle linebacker, Rich Scanlon.
Davidson is truly a chip off the old block. His father, Greg Davidson, played center for the Houston Oilers in the early 80’s, and Beau, a junior college transfer, played offensive line at Blinn College before coming to SU. He enrolled in January and will back up Lenny Cusumano and Joe Donnelly at tight end in 2003.
Lemon, a redshirt freshman, is the cousin of Arizona Cardinals’ cornerback Duane Starks, and like his relative, plays in the defensive backfield. Lemon started in the 2002 South Florida All-Star Game at corner and was named to the Miami Herald’s All-District and All-Dade County Third Team. He will compete for the starting cornerback spot across from sophomore Steve Gregory this year.
Mackey is the great nephew of Syracuse legend and NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey. The elder Mackey played for the Orange from 1960-62, and in an era when the forward pass was used sparingly, led the team with 131 receiving yards in 1962. He was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the second round of the 1963 NFL Draft and played 10 seasons in the league. Mackey was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Jerry Mackey, a redshirt freshman, was a two-time, first-team all-state linebacker at Freeport High School, and will provide depth at the position in 2003.
Bell, a newcomer to the Orange this season, is the nephew of former NFL linebacker Thomas Henderson. Henderson earned a spot in the 1978 Pro Bowl as a member of the Dallas Cowboys and also played for the Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, and San Francisco 49ers during his career. Bell’s father, Duane Bell, also played professional football. He was a member of the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL in 1983-84.
The younger Bell will add depth at the wide receiver position in 2003. He was a SuperPrep and Gridiron All-American as pass catcher at Valley Forge Military Academy in Pennsylvania last season.
Syracuse begins the season on Saturday, September 6 at North Carolina. Game time is 1:30 p.m. The Orangemen will kickoff a seven-game home schedule on September 13 when they host Louisville. SU will then host Central Florida on September 20 at Noon in a game that will be televised by ESPN Regional, followed by a game against Toledo at 6:30 p.m. on September 27.
For ticket information and prices, call the Carrier Dome box office at 1-888-DOMETIX. Tickets are available at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), by telephone (888-DOMETIX) or on the Internet www.dometix.com .
