Veterans Anchor Orange Secondary
8/21/2009 8:02:28 PM | Football
Led by veterans Mike Holmes, Max Suter, Kevyn Scott, Nico Scott and Randy McKinnon, the Orange secondary is coming together. The group of experienced players are mentoring freshmen Phillip Thomas, Shamarko Thomas and junior college transfer John Mark Henderson. Head coach Doug Marrone praised the play and leadership of Holmes, a junior from Jacksonville, Fla. who plays both cornerback and safety. Holmes and the Orange kick off the 2009 season on Saturday, September 5 in the Carrier Dome against Minnesota (12:00 p.m., ESPN2). Tickets available online and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOME-TIX).
"Mike Holmes is under the radar from a media and fan standpoint, I really believe that," Marrone said. "He's a heck of a football player I've been saying that from day one. He can play safety and corner. He is a leader and he works hard. He's more of a leader by example, he's a quiet kid. I'm looking for great things out of him. We can do a lot of things with Mike Holmes."
Holmes, a returning starter at both cornerback and safety, ranks ninth for yards per kick return (23.5), fifth for career kickoff returns (55) and sixth for career kick return yards (1,293). He recorded 68 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 2008, starting at both safety and cornerback in every game.
"Phillip Thomas can make plays all over the field,” Marrone said. “He has a lot of range. He has tremendous natural instinct. We've had Shamarko at corner and safety, also, because he is a big hitter, strong kid. I think both those players will do a good job and they'll push for playing time with Max Suter. Max has been playing well for us, as has Nico Scott. Kevyn Scott still has some nagging injuries and we're waiting for him to come back. We have players who can play multiple positions and that's going to help us."
The secondary had a setback as sophomore free safety Dorian Graham will miss the season due to a right shoulder injury on August 19. An MRI revealed an injury to the shoulder joint that will require surgery. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Irv Raphael in the near future but the rehabilitation process will cause Graham to miss the 2009 season. Graham was one of 35 players to participate in every game and one of eight true freshmen to play in 2008. He recorded 19 total tackles while playing both defense and special teams.
"It is a shame that Dorian will miss the season,” Marrone said. “It doesn't help having someone like Dorian out. He was competing for a job in the secondary and would have been a heavily used special teams player. I feel sorry for Dorian because of the amount of work he's put in to put himself in the position he's in this year. He'll be a part of the team as soon as he has the surgery. I expect him to come around and help our younger guys. Dorian's done a great job as far as the playbook and knowing what to do. I feel badly for Dorian and his parents. Our prayers and best wishes for a healthy recovery will be with him.
Season tickets start at $100 for the 2009 season. Adult Individual game tickets for all eight home games are $38 each. Youth tickets (ages 12 & under) for seven home games are $18 each. For the game against Maine on September 26, Youth & Senior Citizen day, all youth and Senior Citizens (ages 60 & over) tickets will be $15 each. Family Packs are available for all home games when purchased in advance, with the exception of games against Maine and Akron. A $99 Family Pack, which is a $28 savings, includes two adult tickets, two youth tickets (12 and under), $5 concession coupon and a $10 parking pass.
The Minnesota Two-Game Pack offers fans the opportunity to purchase a ticket to Syracuse's home-opener, which is Marrone's Dome debut, and any other home game of their choice ($66 adult/$26 youth). Fans are invited to save up to 40% on the ticket price by purchasing tickets in groups of 35 or more and 100 or more. For questions about Group Sales, please call (315-443-3212).
For further questions and details call the Carrier Dome Box Office during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-888-DOMETIX.
