How did some former members of the Syracuse football program perform during the first week of the 2018 NFL preseason?
Despite their football team not having a ton of success during the 21st century, a bunch of former Syracuse players have still been able to find jobs in the NFL.
Although, the recent group of guys who have played for the Orange and gone on to find work in the NFL are not at the same talent level as some of the players the school was producing in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
From 1996 to 2002, Syracuse had 10 players get selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. Since then, only three guys who played football for the Orange have been picked in round one or two of the draft.
Syracuse currently has more than 10 former players competing for a spot on an NFL roster this year, including at least six from the school’s 2017 team.
The NFL recently kicked off their first full week of preseason football for 2018. For the former Orange players, these exhibition games were their first real chance of the year to prove they belong on a pro roster.
Looking at the former football players who used to suit up for Syracuse inside the Carrier Dome, how did some of them perform during Week 1 of the 2018 NFL preseason?
Offensive Players – Preseason, Week 1
Amba Etta-Tawo – WR (New York Giants)
In a matchup against the Cleveland Browns last Thursday, Etta-Tawo was on the field for just 18 of the Giants’ total snaps on offense. He had no catches in the game, but he was targeted on a deep pass that resulted in him drawing a defensive pass interference penalty and a first down for New York.
Steve Ishmael – WR (Indianapolis Colts)
In limited action (eight offensive snaps) for the Colts in their preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday, Ishmael finished with one catch for 10 yards.
Despite his lack of time on the field, Ishmael’s chances to make Indianapolis’ final roster still might have increased after their matchup with the Seahawks due to the season-ending injury to fellow Colts rookie receiver Deon Cain.
Jamar McGloster – OT (Detroit Lions)
Against the Oakland Raiders last Friday, McGloster was on the field for only 10 of the Lions total offensive snaps. After signing with Detroit less than two weeks ago, the former Syracuse offensive lineman certainly has his work cut out for himself to make the Lions’ 2018 roster.
Ervin Philips – WR (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Philips was able to get on the field for 14 offensive snaps in the Buccaneers’ matchup against the Miami Dolphins last Thursday. He finished with two catches for 22 yards.
The former Orange receiver also ended the night with a tackle as part of Tampa Bay’s kickoff return coverage. Philips has reportedly been getting some time with both the second and third-team offenses during Buccaneers training camp this year.
Justin Pugh – OG (Arizona Cardinals)
In his debut with the Cardinals on Saturday, Pugh appeared in one offensive series for Arizona in their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The former Syracuse offensive lineman did not give up any pressures and he played a key part in the Cardinals scoring a touchdown on their opening drive of the night.
Andrew Tiller – OG (New Orleans Saints)
Tiller saw the field for a good portion (29 snaps) of the Saints’ preseason matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars last Thursday. Since he entered the league in 2012, the former Syracuse guard has had stints with multiple NFL teams and is attempting to make New Orleans’ 2018 roster as a reserve blocker.
Defensive and Special Teams Players – Preseason, Week 1
Jay Bromley – DT (New Orleans Saints)
A third-round pick by the New York Giants in 2014, Bromley was signed by the Saints last May. During New Orleans’ preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last Thursday, the defensive tackle was on the field for 21 of the Saints’ total defensive snaps.
A reserve for most of his NFL career, Bromley is trying to make New Orleans’ 2018 roster as one of their backup defensive tackles.
Riley Dixon – P (New York Giants)
After spending his last two seasons with the Denver Broncos, Dixon is now in New York as the punter for the Giants. During New York’s preseason matchup against the Cleveland Browns last Thursday, the former Syracuse punter certainly got a ton of work.
Dixon finished with 10 punts against the Browns, averaging 44.2 yards per punt. His longest of the night went for 62 yards and he had three punts land inside Cleveland’s 20-yard line.
Zaire Franklin – LB (Indianapolis Colts)
The former Syracuse linebacker spent a good amount of time on the field for the Colts in the team’s preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday. Franklin was on the field for 17 of Indianapolis’ defensive snaps and 11 of their special teams snaps.
He finished with a total of three tackles against the Seahawks, including one for a loss.
Chandler Jones – DE (Arizona Cardinals)
Jones appeared in two series for the Cardinals’ defense during the team’s preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. The defensive end looked like his normal, pass-rushing self versus the Chargers as he was able to generate a bunch of pressure on the opposing quarterback.
Jones finished with one tackle on Saturday and he appears to be ready for another NFL season full of bringing down opposing signal callers.
Cameron Lynch – LB (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Entering his third season with the Buccaneers, Lynch was given a bunch of opportunities to make plays during the team’s preseason game against the Miami Dolphins last Thursday.
Syracuse Orange
In 27 snaps on defense and 10 snaps on Special teams, the former Orange linebacker racked up a total of five tackles. Lynch is listed on Tampa Bay’s current depth chart as one of the team’s backup outside linebackers, so contributing on special teams is likely his best shot at making their roster this year.
Shamarko Thomas – S (Indianapolis Colts)
Known for dishing out some violent hits throughout his days at Syracuse and during his career in the NFL, Thomas delivered another big blow in preseason action for the Colts last Thursday. But this time, it resulted in the safety getting ejected from the game.
During Indianapolis’ matchup against the Seahawks, Thomas was flagged for 15-yards and ejected from the game after delivering an illegal hit to Seattle receiver David Moore.
Thanks to his ejection, the former Orange safety was only on the field for five of the Colts’ total defensive snaps and six of their special teams snaps. He finished with one tackle.