Syracuse Football: Keon Lyn Returns, How Bout Marcus Sales?

by Sean Keeley on Dec 8, 2011 7:18 PM EST

Cornerback Keon Lyn missed the Syracuse Orange football team's final game of the season against the Pittsburgh Panthers. In a bit of good news, for once, his punishment has been deemed over by Coach Marrone and he is back with the team.

Lyn did travel with the team to Pittburgh but was sent home beforehand because of "conduct detrimental to the team."As is par for the course, Marrone didn't elaborate on the reasons.

Today, Marrone announced the issue over.

"Keon is back on the team," head coach Doug Marrone said this afternoon. "The one-game suspension will serve as his punishment."

The sophomore will be a key cog in the defensive secondary next year as it tries to repair it's image following a disastrous 2011 season.

Meanwhile, wither Marcus Sales? The suspended wide receiver's legal troubles are over and Marrone left the door open for his possible return next year. It sounds like the possibility of Sales' return in 2012 still exists.

Sales’ attorney said the player is hoping to meet with Marrone soon, perhaps as early as Friday. Michael Vavonese said he and his client received official word today that an SU judicial board had reinstated Sales as a student in good standing. That means Sales can appeal to Marrone to be allowed to return to the Orange.

The question will be whether or not this season counts as a redshirt for the senior.

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I really don't see the big deal about Sales.

He is talented, but besides one great play against USF, and a stellar day in NYC, I do not think he is anyone to count on. He was a head case for most of his career, and consistently under-performed.
Then again, the gamble could be worth it. I guess we don’t lose anything by bringing him back.

by all-orange on Dec 8, 2011 7:27 PM EST reply actions

Have to say I agree

Great game but then again a lot of people have had one great game

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by Sean Keeley on Dec 8, 2011 8:01 PM EST up reply actions

He's a deep threat who reliably can catch the ball

Something the offense desperately could of used.

A player like him takes heat off of Provo, spreads the defense out, allows the offense more room to work.

Then again, Sales might not have mattered if the playbook says two runs and a badly designed TE rollout on 3rd and long.

Go Orange(men)!

by SUmonkey on Dec 8, 2011 11:55 PM EST up reply actions

We need

all the experienced help we can get at Wide Receiver. I think those two games you mentioned were more or less the only 2 games he got meaningful reps. He didn’t really get a chance to under-perform as a Junior as most of the season he was in the dog house. We have no other receiver we can count on except maybe Lemon, lots of maybes but no other provens. And don’t forget he does have some chemistry with Nassib, who else can Nassib hit with a bomb? I also like the physical maturity of a fifth year senior in a matchup vs a lower classmen or smaller cornerback.

by Piety Hill on Dec 8, 2011 8:56 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

Our receiving corps is weak at worst, and thin at best. Another “potential” solid player would always help. It certainly can’t hurt.

http://cusepulp.blogspot.com/

by Lots of Pulp on Dec 9, 2011 8:35 AM EST up reply actions

Especially with Graham jumping into the draft.

Wait, what?

by firstmatewiggles on Dec 9, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

He should get a chance

He was cleared of everything – seemingly even the traffic violation for running a red light.

I can’t imagine he comes in ahead of Alec Lemon on the depth chart like he would have this year though.

by DMF on Dec 8, 2011 7:51 PM EST reply actions

Really glad Keon is back

He’s got star potential

by DukePettyjohn on Dec 8, 2011 8:22 PM EST reply actions

I would say, bring back Sales for spring ball ...

a sort of probation to see where he’s at and how he responds… if he does well, offer a scholarship for next year…. if he keeps his nose clean and works hard until the fall, then he should be given a second chance.

by OrangeNutz on Dec 8, 2011 10:08 PM EST reply actions

Having a receiver with big game potential is never a bad thing.

He was a non-factor for a long time here, but he proved he can be a deep threat who can actually catch the ball, so I would like to see him back in the fold. He will probably be on a very short leash though, so he better keep his head straight.

Clear eyes, full bologna sandwiches!

by NOLACuse on Dec 9, 2011 8:27 AM EST reply actions

Have him back

as a walk-on.

by Pinker on Dec 9, 2011 8:41 AM EST reply actions

Marcus

I’m torn on the kid whether or not having him back will really help. Our receivers outside Lemon next year aren’t really stellar but is Marcus worth it really? I know him and Mike Williams are two completely different cases but they’re off field antics remind me of one another.

Since the early 1990's I have not been able to get Mike Hopkins' bloody face out of my brain. I don't remember what game it was but I'll never forget that as my first memory of SU basketball. Mike Hopkins, bloody face, bloody nose, all for the love of Syracuse.

by JFerg393 on Dec 9, 2011 8:52 AM EST reply actions

Its not getting arrested and thrown off the team if all the charges are dropped. Remember that!

F#&% the Big East

by dacj501 on Dec 10, 2011 12:16 PM EST up reply actions

If the NCAA clears him

You bring him back. But I would not get my hopes up on clearance.

Anyone who can have ONE great game is worth putting on the field.

As for off-field antics, I am a firm believer that there is more to discipline than just kicking people out and putting them in prison. Whatever Sales’ problems are, there is still time for rehabilitation. He has not murdered anyone. Sadly, we can relevantly say he has not molested anyone (who thought this statement would be any more relevant than references to regicide). There are no drug TEST issues that we know of. We have no idea that his grades are poor. And even if you HAD some of those things… football might be the last, best chance to get this kid’s life turned around and refocused.

At the end of the day, if the program is going to talk big about making men out of players… it is worthless to only allow players that are already men to be on the team. You are going to have to convert some of the kids into men along the way. And all of them are physically going to be men after 4-5 years… presumably the development we speak of reflects maturity and leadership.

Step up HCDM and fix this kid’s life. If he never wins any games for us, the day you get fired (all coaches eventually get fired it seems—Peter Principle?), you’ll have one more reason to be proud of your career when you look back.

Dictated, but not read.

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by ezcuse on Dec 9, 2011 9:07 AM EST reply actions

Marcus has quite the reputation around campus as a "go to" guy.

If you need something. Marcus will go to his brother and get it for you.

With his brother the felon walking around loose … will Marcus be able to avoid temptation, or will the two of them drift back into the life?

by DanteAmore on Dec 9, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions