Tag: Syracuse University

Legendary NFL running back Jim Brown dies at 87

Legendary Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown has died at the age of 87

Arguably the greatest running back in the history of football — at any level — the iconic Jim Brown died Thursday at the age of 87.

Brown died at his home in Los Angeles with his wife, Monique, by his side.

Brown played for the Cleveland Browns from 1957-65. He previously starred at Syracuse University, also playing lacrosse for the Orange. He was taken by Cleveland with the sixth pick in the 1957 NFL draft.

Brown retired early — for a superstar athlete in his heyday — and went on to become a movie actor, appearing in 30 films.

Brown is the Browns’ all-time rushing leader with 12,312 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns across his nine-year career, which spanned from 1957-1965. He never missed a game in his career, led the league in rushing eight times and was voted MVP three times. Brown was an NFL Champion with the Browns in 1964 and helped lead them to the NFL Championship game three times (1957, 1964, 1965). He was also voted to the Pro Bowl every year of his career and was a first-team All-Pro selection in eight seasons.

Per ClevelandBrowns.com:

“Jim Brown is a true icon of not just the Cleveland Browns but the entire NFL,” Jimmy and Dee Haslam said. “He was certainly the greatest to ever put on a Browns uniform and arguably one of the greatest players in NFL history. Jim was one of the reasons the Browns have such a tremendous fan base today. So many people grew up watching him just dominate every time he stepped onto the football field but his countless accolades on the field only tell a small part of his story.

… “Jim Brown is the Cleveland Browns and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Monique, his children and entire family as well as all those who mourn this immense loss.”

Tributes came in through social media:

 

Daughter says Cowboys’ coach Markus Paul’s organs saved 4 lives

Markus Paul’s daughter said her dad’s organs have saved four lives

The daughter of late Dallas Cowboys’ strength and conditioning Markus Paul provided some amazing information on Monday.

Tabitha Paul said her father was an organ donor and it led to saving four lives.

Markus Paul, 54, had a medical episode Tuesday at the Dallas Cowboys’ training complex. He was rushed to the hospital but died the next day.

Markus Paul was part of multiple NFL organizations in the strength and conditioning area. He was an All-American DB at Syracuse, where he still holds the school record with 19 interceptions.

Watch: Syracuse QB spikes ball on fourth down to seal loss to North Carolina State

How did Syracuse’s last-gasp against North Carolina State fall apart?

If anything, Rex Culpepper can consider himself in company with Tom Brady. It’s easy to lose track of downs with the game on the line.

That’s exactly what happened Saturday at the Carrier Dome as Syracuse frantically drove for a late score that could have given it a chance to tie North Carolina State in an ACC contest.

On third down at the Wolfpack 7, Culpepper took an 11-yard sack and everyone in Orange and Blue went into panic mode to get back to the line of scrimmage as the clock ticked away.

The announcers knew Culpepper couldn’t spike the ball to stop the clock. However, the quarterback didn’t realize it was fourth down and clocked the ball and sealed the 36-29 defeat.

The play was similar to when Brady lost track of downs at the end of Tampa Bay’s loss to the Chicago Bears earlier in the NFL season.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Floyd Little enters hospice care

Pro Football Hall of Famer Floyd Little has entered hospice care

The great former Syracuse and Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little has entered hospice care after undergoing cancer treatments since the spring.

“Floyd’s courageous battle with a difficult disease (cancer) is now at a critical stage in his life,” former Syracuse teammate Pat Killorin wrote on Facebook Saturday night. “This is a time when a husband and wife must make important decisions regarding potential end of life decisions.”

Today we are going to talk about a new phase in Floyd’s journey…. hospice,” Killorin wrote. ” … In the many years I have had the honor to be a family caregiver for hospice, I have seen the mentral strain, tearful decision-making process, and frustration of two people in love asking the Lord to take their hand and guide them to make the right decision for their loved one. So much is discussed that is heartbreaking, however necessary for peace of mind. Hospice provides a chaplain to help hospice patients as they struggle through this process.”

He was the NFL rushing champion in 1971 (1,133 yards) and currently ranks second in team history in rushing attempts (1,641), yards (6,323), and touchdowns (43), behind fellow Hall of Famer Terrell Davis in all three categories.

A Gofundme called Friends of Floyd has been ongoing. You can click here if you wish to contribute.

Watch: Trevor Lawrence throws first college pick-six

Trevor Lawrence threw a pick-six to Syracuse’s Garrett Williams

Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence is apparently doing whatever he can to dissuade the New York Jets from choosing him with the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

How else can you explain the quarterback throwing his first college career pick-six while playing against a team that calls New York State home … okay, Syracuse isn’t exactly the Big Apple.

Anyway, with the Tigers leading the Orange, 24-7, Saturday, Lawrence’s pass was picked and taken to the end zone by Syracuse’s Garrett Williams.

And the jokes were on:

Lawrence is likely — assuredly — to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft, although he would have one more year of eligibility to play at Clemson.

Garrett Williams, in case you were wondering, is a redshirt freshman.

 

Prospects for Jags fans to watch: Syracuse safety Andre Cisco

The Jags could use a few more playmakers in their secondary and Andre Cisco could provide them with the boost they need.

In his first game back from one of the more mystifying offseasons in college football history, Syracuse’s All-American safety, Andre Cisco, started the 2020 season as if it was another week. In the Fighting Orange’s opener, he added yet another pick to his name, giving him 13 on his career.

Scouts have been long wondering when Cisco’s impressive and seemingly unsustainable ball-hawking production will level off, but if his 2020 debut is any indication, Cisco is here and he is here to stay. Last week against North Carolina, Cisco made his presence felt early in the second half, snatching the aforementioned pick from North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell on a deep attempt up the seam. Cisco read it the whole way and raced to make a play on the ball.

It’s Cisco’s crazy range, risky play style, and incredible ball-skills that make him one of the more fascinating prospects. He’s a high risk, high reward player as Cisco has allowed eight touchdowns in his career as well. Clearly, this is an area where he needs to improve.

He can also be displaced and has had several lapses in coverage. At the same time, he’s one of the fastest read and react players that I have ever seen. Simply put, Cisco’s speed, range, and ball skills are undeniable.

In this play above, Cisco quickly decifers the play and flies to intercept a ball that most couldn’t dream of making a play on. His speed and quickness allow Cisco to put himself in a position to make almost any play. He’s just as good in the box as he is in the deep middle.

Some players, who are of the ball-hawking variety, often lack the tackling skills, however, Cisco uses his stature well and doesn’t shy away from contact. He lays the wood when needed and is always looking to make a statement play.

Both an efficient downhill run-defender, and a dangerous weapon on the back end of a defense, it’s clear to see why Cisco keeps Atlantic Coast Conference offensive coordinators up at night. He’s a game-changing ball magnet and offenses will have to watch out whenever Cisco is on the field. He might not be the most risk-averse safety in this upcoming class, but no safety has had as much impact on the field as the Syracuse All-American.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are in need of play-making defenders, especially on the back end of their defense. With the recent injury to Jarrod Wilson and the lack of depth in the secondary, a safety of Cisco’s caliber would be a welcomed addition to a young and developing defense as the team looks to rebuild their once iconic secondary.

WATCH: How did Syracuse manage a 9-point victory in OT?

A defensive TD gave Syracuse a rare 9-point victory in overtime Saturday against Wake Forest.

Syracuse downed Wake Forest, 39-30 Saturday at the Carrier Dome. The final score is not unusual. What is odd is the Orange won the game by 9 points in overtime.

How can that happen?

Well. the teams went to free football tied at 30. Syracuse managed a field goal in its possession to take a 33-30 lead.

Wake got the ball and was driving for what would have been a winning touchdown until Trill Williams got in the act.

Watch as the Orange sophomore DB from Yonkers, NY, rips the ball from Wake Forest receiver Kendall Hinton at the 4 and racing 96 yards for a defensive touchdown.

And, there you go. Syracuse gets the field goal in overtime and a defensive touchdown and that adds up to a 39-30 victory that concludes the Orange season.