It came so quick and left so early, but that is part of what makes the NFL so great. It is not 82 games or 162 games, just 16 on-the-edge of your seat games. This week's article is our year end recap on all of your favorite Syracuse Alumni. Picking a player of the year is hard, but one player shined bright for one of the NFL's best defenses. Jameel McClain is our Syracuse Pros Player of the Year. McClain was second on the Ravens team with 84 tackles. He also registered a sack and an interception. McClain led the team in tackles in nearly every game in the second half of the season. He looks forward to going deep into the playoffs as the Ravens have played well enough to merit a first round bye. Here is what the rest of the former Orange players did this year:
McClain's teammate Arthur Jones played well for the Ravens as well this year. Jones recorded 20 tackles in limited action playing the backup nose tackle to Ngata. Jones missed a few games this year with a head injury and is now healthy going into the playoffs.
Delone Carter's rookie season started great, but like all rookies the inevitable rookie wall hit near the end of the year. Carter ended up carrying the ball 101 times for 377 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was a budding star near mid-season when fumblitis took in. Carter quickly found a spot in Head Coach Jim Caldwell's dog house. He had fumbled in consecutive games. Carter was able to dig his way out by year's end.
Dwight Freeney continued his great play at defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded just 19 tackles this year. Despite the low tackle total he registered 8.5 sacks and found his way on yet another Pro Bowl team.
Quinn Ojinnaka did play in a few games and was effective for the Colts this year on the offensive line.
Olindo Mare nearly lost his job this year for the Carolina Panthers by missing two game tying field goals in different games this year. He did sure up his game by the end of the year not missing his last 4 field goals. He ended the year with 110 points. He hit 22 field goals out of 28 and 44 of 45 extra points.
Will Allen had a fairly good year for the Miami Dolphins this year. With Allen entering the late stages of his career he became a nickel back and was able to record 43 tackles for the Dolphins.
Steve Gregory's season had a major bright spot when he returned an interception for a score to seal a win for his San Diego Chargers team. Gregory ended up with 67 tackles and one interception on an ever so improving defense.
Mike Williams and Tanard Jackson's seasons started out with a bang with the first 4 of 6 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They then went on to lose the next 10 games. Jackson ended the year with 35 tackles and 2 interceptions. His play earned him a contract extension with the team. Mike Williams avoided the sophmore slump and ended the year with 65 receptions for 771 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Anthony Smith played the majority of games for the Tennessee Titans on special teams. He had 11 tackles for the 8-8 Titans.
Doug Hogue's rookie season with the Detroit Lions ended up in the playoffs. Hogue played on special teams as well for the Lions and recorded 6 tackles.
Tony Fiammetta started the year by getting cut by the Carolina Panthers. He ended the year starting for the Dallas Cowboys with owner Jerry Jones calling him, "The best fullback I've seen since Moose Johnston." Fiammetta lead the way blocking for Demarco Murray and Felix Jones. In nearly every game he played the Cowboys rushed for at least 100 yards. He ended the year with 4 carries for 4 yards. He was also a solid receiver out of the backfield.
Be sure to watch the 4 Syracuse Alumni in this year's NFL playoffs. Stay with Syracuse Pros for updates throughout the playoffs!
No comments:
Post a Comment