sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to Intergalactic Star Wars Day!
As you all may know, I am not only a huge Star Wars nerd, but I also am a mystic of the Jedi religion. Yes, you may call me ridiculous or accuse me of following a false religion, but just wait until the Force gets you back. Now let us get straight to the point of Intergalactic Star Wars Day.
This special day is held on the 4th of May. During this day, all citizens of Earth may be included in the celebrations and rituals. The main celebrations of this day are usually marathons of Star Wars movies or TV shows, and playing any Star Wars video games. To brush up on your Star Wars lore, I recommend visiting Wookiepedia and researching anything you have questions with. This is just a quick little post to let you all know to wear your Jedi Cloaks and eat all your Bantha noodle soup!
May the Force be with you!
SU News
Brisley Estime
Top Syracuse Prospects for 2017 NFL Draft (TNIAAM; Cassillo)
The 2016 NFL Draft is over, and one Syracuse Orange player -- national hero Riley Dixon -- was selected. So now we turn our attention to next year's draft, despite being 12 months out.
Plenty of Orange players could potentially be drafted, just by way of being eligible. But which ones have the best chance? We evaluate SU's top options to get their names called next spring.
(all names listed alphabetically)
Brisly Estime, wide receiver (senior)
Syracuse fans have loved Estime's speed and ability for years, and last season, it finally seemed like others caught on. His role obviously grew within the offense in 2015, but it's only scratching the surface of what the quick wideout can do in the passing game. Criminally underused in terms of the deep ball, a switch to Dino Babers's offense could change everything about how scouts view him. Right now, he's likely a top-tier return man who could carve out some space on a roster as a reserve receiver. He has tons of rooms to grow this fall, however.
Marqez Hodge, linebacker (senior)
Hodge's (lack of) size is a bit of a detriment for the NFL. But over the course of his career, he's shown some speed and ability to get into the backfield. The old style of defense played into his strengths. Brian Ward's Tampa-2 may not. But if he can still make his presence known and show an ability to adapt to a different scheme and change the way he plays in space, there's a shot he gets more looks.
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Florida, Syracuse Coming to ODU Satellite Football Camps (pilotonline.com; Minium)
Florida and Syracuse have jumped on the satellite football camp bandwagon and will send their coaching staffs to Old Dominion this spring, quarterbacks coach Ron Whitcomb said.
In all, six Power 5 schools are scheduled to come to ODU in June.
Florida, from the SEC, will take part in a camp that ODU is co-hosting with Maryland on June 12. Terps’ coach D.J. Durkin approved the Gators’ participation Tuesday.
Syracuse, from the ACC, will take part in a camp on June 16 that is being co-hosted by Penn State, said Whitcomb. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin signed off on Syracuse’s participation last week.
Michigan will co-host ODU’s first camp of the spring on June 5. Last week, Virginia agreed to co-host a camp at ODU on June 16.
Virginia Tech declined an invitation from the Monarchs, and will conduct its own camp in Virginia Beach, ODU officials said.
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SU vs NC State Game Will Be All About Uniforms in the Stands: Military Day and Scouts Day (TNIAAM; Menefee)
Syracuse Orange football has declared November 12th Military Appreciation Day and Scouts Day in the Carrier Dome when the Orange face ACC-foe N.C. State.
Military members, veterans, and their families are being offered complimentary tickets to the game. Boy scouts and girl scouts are invited to go on the field before kickoff and participate in a scavenger hunt in the Dome. The first 250 scouts will be given scout participation patches.
The athletic department and its marketing team have been busy in the offseason announcing the launch of several other football events as well, like the Orange Outagainst the Louisville Cardinals and Youth Football Night for the home opener. Syracuse is also kicking off the "No Huddle Tour" this summer around New York.
It's nice to see the school ramping up efforts to get people excited about Syracuse football and the Dino Babers era. Hopefully they don't run out of themed days for upcoming seasons. Prepare yourselves for "Costco Members Day," during which all Costco members get free samples of pigs in a blanket at concession stands, and "Bolo Tie Appreciation Night," when the first 200 people to the Dome get free orange bolo ties.
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SU Target Massive CT LB Ben Mason Picks Michigan (newstimes.com; Gregory)
After spending months combing through a mountain of scholarship offers from big-time college football programs all across the country, Newtown High School’s mountain of a linebacker, Ben Mason, finalized his college plans on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior, who can bench-press more than 400 pounds, will head to the University of Michigan.
Mason announced his school of choice Tuesday evening at a press conference in front of about as many friends, family members, teammates and coaches as could be stuffed into the Cover Two sports bar in Sandy Hook. He sat at a table in one corner of the restaurant with a half-dozen caps laid out in front of him from different schools. After toying with the crowd for a moment — he initially picked up the Michigan visor, looked at it and cast it aside — he pulled the blue-and-yellow visor onto his head as the crowd let out an appreciative roar.
“It was very difficult, but when I went to Michigan, it just felt like the right place,” Mason said moments later to various members of the media on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. “I just knew when I was there. It felt like home.”
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One-Time SU Target NJ WR Frank Darby Visits Rutgers (nj.com; Hunt)
Iowa decommit Frank Darby, a 6-1, 200-pound class of 2016 wide receiver, took an official visit to Rutgers, which began last Friday at 5 p.m. and lasted until 4 p.m. Saturday.
When Darby arrived, he was checked into the Hyatt, where there were Rutgers edits hanging up in his room letting him know how much he's wanted at home.
He was then taken to Steakhouse 85 in New Brunswick, where he was accompanied by head coach Chris Ash and his son, wide receivers coach Jafar Williams, Darby's brother-in-law, and host Isaiah Wharton.
"It was great, I ate a lot of food," the Lincoln (Jersey City, N.J.) senior told NJ.com. "We were talking about everything and they were telling us how they see the game, how they are getting ready."
Later that night, Darby watched the NFL Draft with Wharton, before being escorted to a get together with additional members of the team.
The next morning, Darby was escorted to breakfast by Jafar Williams, who later took Darby on a tour of Rutgers' facilities. Darby sat down with members of the academic support team, as well as a group who he discussed life after football with, before finishing up with Ash.
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USF Went From Awful to Awesome Overnight. Can They Sustain Their Success? (sbnation.com; Connelly)
Confused? Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year's team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year's roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.
1. The new normal?
A funny thing happened in the AAC last year.
Early on, three up-and-comers stole headlines. Memphis beat Ole Miss and started 8-0. Temple beat Penn State, started 7-0, and brought ESPN College GameDay to town for a game against Notre Dame that it nearly won. Navy and its record-setting quarterback started 9-1, also with only a loss to Notre Dame.
2016 projected wins: 7.9
Projected S&P+ ranking: 41 (1 in AAC)
5-year recruiting ranking: 49 (1 in AAC)
Biggest strength: RB Marlon Mack and QB Quinton Flowers give USF one of the most explosive ground games around.
Biggest question mark: Each line must replace three starters. Does USF have reinforcements?
Biggest 2016 game: at Temple (Oct. 21). The winner is the likely favorite in the AAC East, though USF might be strong enough to win the division regardless.
Summary: In two months, USF went from listless to smoking hot, and head coach Willie Taggart went from life on the hot seat to interviewing for an SEC job. Will turnover in the trenches lead to post-breakthrough regression?
The AAC emerged as the conference for thrilling Group of Five action, finishing with Houston's two-touchdown win over Florida State in the Peach Bowl.
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Other
Star Wars Day 2016: 'May the 4th Be With You' Deals, Sales, Exclusive Offers (PS; Herbert)
May the 4th be with you, "Star Wars" fans.
May 4 is "Star Wars Day," an unofficial holiday celebrating George Lucas' world(s) in a galaxy far, far away. The event has grown over the years, becoming a worldwide celebration with many businesses offering special deals and sales.
According to AL.com, the pun "May the Fourth Be With You" first appeared in an London "Evening News" ad that congratulated Margaret Thatcher on being elected prime minister on May 4, 1979, two years after the original movie (now known as "Episode IV: A New Hope") opened in theaters. The wordplay is based on the films' frequently repeated phrase, "May the Force be with you."
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" actress Daisy Ridley appears in a new video thanking fans for supporting the "Force for Change" charity. Donations are encouraged for a chance to win a trip to Ireland and visit Skellig Michael, where her character Rey meets Luke Skywalker in the movie.
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