Where I Come From: My All-Time Favorite Syracuse Players
by Sean Keeley on Jul 8, 2010 1:05 PM EDT
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This post is part of a week-long series sponsored by EA Sports NCAA Football 2011.
Would it be too cliche to say Donovan McNabb? I think it is. Kinda like a Yankee fan saying their favorite player is Derek Jeter or a Colts fan saying their favorite player is Peyton Manning. Such a boring choice, regardless of whether or not it's warranted.
At least I have good reason to choose Donny. I was there for his sophomore, junior and senior years. I watched almost every important game he ever played in a Syracuse uniform. I would see him on campus and blush like a little girl if he ever looked in my direction. He high-fived my mom on the Carrier Dome turf, for God's sake.
That said, I wouldn't exactly say McNabb is my "all-time, number one favorite" player. I don't think I have one. It's McNabb by default, really. Superstars have been hard to come by in Central New York and we instinctively gravitate to the few ones we do encounter. Besides, there's only so many guys whose jersey can be sold in the bookstore.
However what makes college football so fun is that there are so many non-superstars that become fan favorites for the strangest of reasons. We like guys cause of their names (#Shamarko!), we like guys cause of one special moment or play (LICHTENSTEIN!), we like guys cause of a memorable game (Diamond Ferri) and perhaps because we shared a class with them or have a particular off-the-field memory of them.
I have two distinct eras to cull from when thinking of who my favorite players are. 1996 - 2000, when I was at SU. 2005 - Present, when I was writing this blog. Everything before 1996 was before my time and the early part of the decade I can't really say I was paying nearly enough attention. So from those two eras, I choose these guys as the ones I think of most fondly.
Donovan McNabb - Pretty sure this requires no explanation. Of the many stats, records and stories from McNabb's time at SU, the fact that he started every single game during his four-year career at SU. We'd kill for a QB half as durable as that.
Pat Woodcock - Obviously.
Duke Pettijohn - Pettijohn and I had a class together and, really, that's all there is to it. We didn't talk much and there was no shared moment that I will relish for all my days. We sat within five feet of one another for a couple months and that qualified him to be one of my favorite players. That's how it works.
Tebucky Jones - First of all, his name is Tebucky. Second of all, he was a solid DB and playmaker that got picked in the first round of the NFL draft. Third...his name is Tebucky.
Curtis "Boonah" Brinkley - Boonah drew the short straw on when he came to SU. He played during the GRE, suffered a rough injury and never truly got the national respect he deserved. We didn't really learn how good of a guy he was until after he left SU. We at least got to see how good of a RB he was, even if it was for a short time.
Andrew Robinson - When I started this blog, I latched on to Robinson instantly. He was the heir apparent and the QB that was about to lead Syracuse back to glory. Intrinsically linked forever with Mike Williams, the both of them left Syracuse under much different scenarios than we first thought. It was a long, strange trip to say the least and when he left SU as a back-up TE, it seemed a disappointing finish. Though you'd never know that hearing Andrew talk. A classy guy and a great representative for the program.
Shamarko Thomas - Possibly the best first-name in the history of Syracuse football. He's only just beginning to make thatn ame stand for greatness on the field and not just on Twitter.
Ryan Lichtenstein - A country all too himself. The former walk-on kicked the game-winning field goal last season as time expired to beat Northwestern and make Syracuse fans feel like the curse was finally being lifted.
Everyone's got their own favorites. Who are yours?
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I'll go with
Kyle McIntosh – I lived in the same apartment block as him and his brother on South and he was a cool guy. Plus, he had a great career at SU despite the assertion he was only recruited as a chip to get Ian to SU.
Diamond Ferri
obviously, I was a freshman during the 2004 season.
I also liked matt tarullo because I met him in the dining hall. He was decked out in Lax gear and I thought “no wonder we win so many national championships.” The guy was HUGE and shredded. He looked like he could just as easily play line backer as center. Both the scariest person I ever met and one of the funniest.
It was hard to like guys during the GRob era. Firstly I knew too many of them, and was bigger than most of them. The way the just accepted losing really made you lose respect for the players.
I give Art Jones all the credit in the world for coming back he SR year. He goes on the list for that, and because his brother is one of the best guys in the UFC.
Before I got on campus players? Keith Bulluck. Saw him play before I was an SU fan. Followed him into the NFL. Leadership, playmaking ability, red gloves with a baby blue uniform haha.
McNabb is the obvious choice, but some other players that were great to watch were:
- Kevin Johnson – He was a great returner and target for McNabb.
- Dee Brown and James Mungro – Great backfield combination for a couple of years.
- Keith Bullock – I believe he went from RB to Safety to Linebacker. He also sported the band-aid under the eye, which was nice.
- Dwight Freeney – Was ridiculous. Vick couldn’t get away from him on one fine Saturday.
If I were to go back further I’d say Kirby Dar Dar – electric returner and WR.
Quentin Spotwood
Dude was electrifying on punt returns….
"Size matters. At least in basketball." - James Arthur Boeheim
by Bernie Fine is the Man on Jul 8, 2010 1:23 PM EDT reply actions
I obviously second this one
He was ridiculous on returns… 3 or 4 for TDs in one season if I recall correctly. A solid player who got derailed by injuries. I remember scoring a lot of points with him on an NCAA game on Sega.
My first memory of Syracuse football in person was watching Rutgers get dismantled in 1992. Guys like Qadry Ismail, Marvin Graves and David Walker definitely rank high for me as they contributed heavily to me getting hooked on SU football.
by SpotOnSpotwood on Jul 8, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
McNabb, obviously
Until the last few years, Marvin Harrison was way up there just for being a great wideout and basically sane. Unfortunately, this is looking less and less like it was actually the case. Sigh.
Damien Rhodes, because you can count the number of my fellow Fayetteville-Manlius grads who played FBS football on one hand (if an F-M athlete is a division I athlete, he’s probably on the lacrosse team).
Yes. Didn’t he make 1st Team All-Big East as punter a few times? I also made a pledge get his autograph at Lucy’s once and tell Brendan that they think he is the best player on the team.
by Maggie'sCaresAboutYourSafety on Jul 8, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Walter Reyes
I was a freshman in 2003 and Walter managed to put together a good season on the ground for us. My best memories from that season were the entire student section chanting “Walter Reyes” at games towards the end of the season.
Also gotta give a nod to Diamond Ferri. Not only did this guy single-handedly win the SU/BC game for us, but he was once seen playing the bongos at my buddy’s house late night after a party
by Maggie'sCaresAboutYourSafety on Jul 8, 2010 1:39 PM EDT reply actions
+1 to all of those
Especially Darius. A missile in the backfield.
Homer: Aw, twenty dollars! I wanted a peanut!
Homer's Brain: Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!
Homer: Explain how!
Homer's Brain: Money can be exchanged for goods and services!
Homer: Woo-hoo!
by bigbluethruandthru on Jul 8, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Kirby DarDar
So he’s a bit before your time but certainly fits your criteria. Still remember Chris Berman on SportsCenter after Kirby took a reverse on the opening kickoff against Florida to the house in 1992 (?):
“Kirby DarDar gets the BallBall and he’s GoneGone!”
And the infamous Dome sign"
“KirbyKirby DarDar FanFan ClubClub”
Steve Gregory
P hurt his NFL chances by trying to move him to receiver in ‘04, but he actually turned into a pretty solid corner in his senior year. Still kicking around as a special teams player for the Chargers, so it’s good to see his career didn’t get de-railed too badly.
David Tyree
I used to hit up Shaw pretty much daily for a late lunch and would sit by the TV’s and watch sportscenter reruns while I ate. David Tyree would be there pretty much every day as well. We never talked much, nothing more than “Oh snap what a dunk”, or “Did you see that Pass” etc. Who’da thunk that dude would make the most important catch in Giants history. Who’da thunk that guy had all those problems after watching that piece on him by E60 a few years ago.
Walter Reyes is one.
Always disrespected because of the mediocrity of the overall team.
Diamond Ferri -BC game. ’Nuff said of course, but he was indeed much more than that.
Joe Fields – Overhyped and in over his head as a QB, but he managed to transition to another position and acclimate himself quite well given the era he played in (GRE).
Steve Gregory
Luke Cain – No reason other than I played basketball with him sometimes at the gym and he was really chill. One of those players you knew for whatever reason and hoped to see have success on the field.
Matt Hale – Honorable mention for almost killing me with a fairway shot at Drumlins. He also dated one of my architecture classmates briefly.
There are others I suppose, like LaCasse and Wyche, Rice Moss (great name), Tanard “Action” Jackson. I feel that I am about to start watching Syracuse teams filled with players that I will appreciate much more than this whole list though, to be honest. I started in fall 2003 and really didn’t pay much attention to SU before that. McNabb I was a fan because of the Eagles and his association with Syracuse later validated my love for him (it was never my reason for liking him).
I think Tanard deserves some consideration
for the sole fact that he was stabbed on a Sunday night, then was able to play a good game against Florida State the following Saturday.
by Rocket Ship Science on Jul 8, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Good call on LaCasse
I can’t believe I forgot about him. He had crazy speed for a guy his size. A much less talented Dwight Freeney type. Thought for sure he would make it in the NFL as a linebacker or something. Guess that didn’t work out as planned.
as a 26 year old lifelong cuse fan
Its impossible to say anyone other than donovan mcnabb was my favorite player to wear the orange and blue. If pushed for another football player I’d have to say marvin harrison or dwight freeney.
Basketball my favorite player has to be carmelo anthony. 2003 was my freshman year on campus and carmelo was like a gift from god being on campus the same time as me. Also was a HUGE john wallace fan, and jason cipolla after the 1996 georgia game!
by orngfan on Jul 8, 2010 3:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
All joking aside
McNabb’s my favorite. Always has been. Other than the afore-mentioned Graves we havent had a quarterback we followed for 3-4 years and Lord knows its gonna be a while until we have another. Its been just as fun rooting for him the the NFL as well. I will never NEVER forget seeing him at Chapel Hill donning that awesome #5. First thought that hit my head was “damn this guy better be good. That was Marvin Graves’ number”.Yeah I think he turned out OK. Too bad the only two othertimes I got to see him play in person were at VPI in 95 and 97 : (
Max Suter, Andrew Lewis, Art Jones, Shamarko Thomas
Yeah, all newbies. Max’s returns were the one thing I looked forward to during the GRE era.
Also a soft spot for Perry Patterson.
I know there are more names
But the guy that comes to mind first, without even having to think about it, is Josh Pace. I think I would love Josh Pace even if 2003 never happened. But just thinking about that ugly left hand floater that always seemed to find the basket all season, especially in the finals, gets me misty for the days-gone-by.
After last season, Andy Rautins will also probably be put on the pedestal of worship right next to Josh Pace.
Arthur Jones
Watched him play from middle school all the way to the dome. The best player to ever come from my area.
I'm really amazed...
that the namesake of said publication that I’m reading was never mentioned. I’m disappointed, Sean.
i may never hate an orangeman more than i hate troy nunes.
maybe greg robinson.. not sure coaches count tho
Quadry "The Missile" Ismial
The other Donovan Darius
And how, on a blog named after him Troy Nunes not be named???
WIll Allen
Him and my wife were lab partners. Real nice guy, good student, good football player. Will root for Will no matter where he plays.
But universally love just about all of these other mentions.
Go Orange(men)!
BOOM
1. Quadry “The Missile” Ismail
2. Kirby Kirby Dar Dar
3. Donovan McNabb
4. Chris Gedney
5. Donovan Darius
McNabb...although cliche....HAS to be my #1
followed by:
Kevin Johnson, Walter Reyes, Dan Conley, and Donovan Darius. Marvin Graves gets honorable mention, but he graduated the year before I got on campus.
Oh, and MOTHERFUCKER JIM BROWN THAT’S WHO.
"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998
Dan Conley for sure
Got the rare two year medical extension because he kept blowing out his knees. Guy could have been an NFLer if he was healthy, but kept coming back to help the team. Met him a couple times when he came to Baldwinsville on recruiting trips, and he was also a very pleasant guy. He and Glenn Young were a fearsome duo at linebacker.
Homer: Aw, twenty dollars! I wanted a peanut!
Homer's Brain: Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!
Homer: Explain how!
Homer's Brain: Money can be exchanged for goods and services!
Homer: Woo-hoo!
by bigbluethruandthru on Jul 8, 2010 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
ROB LONG!
It’s probably a bad sign for your football team when all the college girls are obsessed with your punter instead of, say, your start quarterback/running back/wide receiver.
Chicks dig the long ball
In all seriousness, he was a damn fine punter…if there ever was such a thing.
Go Orange(men)!
Tebucky Jones was a favorite of mine and his name was fun to yell – GO TEBUCKY!!!!!
Of course watching McNabb throw to Harrison never got old
I like a lot of our players now but something about watching guys live when you’re a student and they’re a student seems to make me feel more of a connection for some reason.
Has to be McNabb
Not only a Syracuse fan, but also an Eagles fan… yeah, he’s a hero of min.
While I was at Syracuse (2000-2003), my favorites were the RB triumverate of Diamond Ferri, James Mungro and Walter Reyes.
No love for the throwback SU stars?
RBs – Jim Brown, Floyd Little, Joe Morris, Ernie Davis many others who could have blown away Ferri, Reyes etc.
WR- Art Monk
TE- John Mackey
K- Gary Anderson
come on guys show some respect for the tradition of SU
I said Jim Brown!
I have a signed Mackey Daily Orange too, from when I was visiting and he happened to be there for some reason. Poor guy – it’s a shame that he basically has dementia now.
"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998
dan conley
i can’t believe the near absense of dan’s name here. far and away, the most dominating defensive football player i have seen in person. First round talent…unfortunately, chronic knee injuries derailed his career. great to see him back with the orange family. #49 was a beast!
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