Countdown to Kickoff: Orange in the NFL
8/9/2004 9:08:23 AM | Football
Quarterback Donovan McNabb is one of the most recognizable SU graduates in the NFL. He was the second overall selection in the 1999 draft by Philadelphia and he has not disappointed. McNabb, who was appointed to the Syracuse University Board of Trustees in November, 2002, has accumulated more than 15,000 yards while leading the Eagles to three straight NFC Championship Games. He is a four-time Pro Bowler and was named the 2000 NFC Player of the Year.
Former Orange standout Marvin Harrison is considered the best wide receiver in the NFL right now. Harrison will begin his ninth season with the Indianapolis Colts. He has been named to the All-Pro team four times and the Pro Bowl six times. In 2002, Harrison caught a NFL record 143 passes.
Also with the Indianapolis Colts is 2002 graduate Dwight Freeney. The first round draft pick has recorded 24 sacks and 13 forced fumbles in two seasons. He was selected to the All-Rookie Team in 2002 and the Pro Bowl in 2003.
Tennessee linebacker Keith Bulluck had his best pro season last year, his fourth in the NFL. His 137 tackles, five forced fumbles and two interceptions earned him All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl selection.
Included in the group of SU graduates who in NFL camps are New York Giants cornerback and Syracuse native Will Allen and wide receiver David Tyree, Jacksonville safety Donovin Darius, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Kevin Johnson, New Orleans Saints safety Tebucky Jones, Indianapolis Colts running back James Mungro, the Miami Dolphins trio, including kicker Olindo Mare, linebacker Morlon Greenwood and fullback Rob Konrad, the Denver Broncos trio of offensive lineman P.J. Alexander, linebacker Charles Burton and fullback Kyle Johnson, Cleveland Browns running back Dee Brown, Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Melvin Tuten, St. Louis Rams center Dave Wohlabaugh, Buffalo Bills punter Mike Shafer, Seattle Seahawks fullback Chris Davis, the Kansas City Chiefs duo of defensive tackle Eric Downing and cornerback Willie Ford, the Washington Redskins linebacking duo of Kevin Mitchell and Clifton Smith, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Quentin Harris, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Will Hunter and Oakland Raiders tight end Roland Williams.
Members of the 2003 Syracuse team who are in the NFL are Detroit Lions fullback Thump Belton, Colts defensive end Josh Thomas, 49ers defensive tackle Christian Ferrara, Falcons tight end Joe Donnelly, Steelers running back Darryl Kennedy, Raiders wide receiver Johnnie Morant, and a pair on the Kansas City Chiefs roster in offensive tackle Kevin Sampson and linebacker Rich Scanlon.
Syracuse begins the season on Sunday, September 5 at Purdue. The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ABC. SU then plays at Buffalo on September 11 at 6:00 p.m. The Orange kicks off the home portion of the schedule on Saturday, September 18 against Cincinnati at 12:00 p.m. SU will also host Rutgers (Oct. 2 at 12:00 p.m.), Florida State (Oct. 9), Connecticut (Oct. 30) and Pittsburgh (Nov. 6).
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. Individual game tickets go on sale on Wednesday, August 11.
