Tucker on 44

[SuFTW]

I’m talking about this year too. They’ve NOW built around Tucker, it’s not the same as building an entire offense around here from the start. They fell into realizing how good he was. It’s not like DB identified it originally, then designed a whole offense around Tucker. I guess you also don’t realize DB’s offenses historically are built around a strong running game.

Built around Tucker NOW, that’s the point. That’s what’s current, it doesn’t matter how they got there. You are reading too much in to the post that started this. The point was Tucker has an offense that functions around him now, so why give that up. How we got here or what Dino did in the MAC doesn’t really matter.

 

[baggerbob]

You seem to be confusing Sean's current statements and my personal feelings about #44. Right from the start I have advocated for giving him the number. Right from the start. You are correct; the program currently has no story to tell. None. Of course it is about marketing SU football and the tremendous upside of keeping the tradition alive. Who does not understand that? Anyone?

And from my personal communication with the AD they are botching it this year.

Perhaps he will get it next year but I can understand how he might feel the way he now does. Everybody and their dog wants him to wear #44. The ghost of Joe Paterno probably wants him to wear it. But there is awkward hemming and hawing from SU, statements from Rob Konrad and Floyd's widow, and it has become a somewhat embarrassing circus for a kid who appears to be pretty humble. And I disagree with you; it has a LOT to do with Sean Tucker because if Sean didn't exist the number would be still locked in a vault, and it would be yet another year removed from past greatness without anyone caring. It is solely because of his performance this year that we are even having this discussion. As for "greatness", he is close to that by the standards of SU and certainly by the standards of the ten who have worn the number since Jim Brown. We get too hung up on Jim, Ernie, and Floyd; there were many before Jim and ten after him. Sean is as deserving as most of them and when he seemingly has to jump through hoops to please the self-appointed keepers of what little flame there is left in the tradition, is it any wonder why he might think about blazing his own trail?

Of course it is a no-brainer to give him #44; you and I both know it and that is what has made it frustrating for we fans and very likely for Sean as well.

As a fan since Jim was here, if Tucker doesn't get the number then no one should ever get the number, and that includes Floyd's grandson.

 

[David321]

As a fan since Jim was here, if Tucker doesn't get the number then no one should ever get the number, and that includes Floyd's grandson.

If Floyd’s grandson does come here, I already feel bad for the kid. His grandmother isn’t doing him any favors.

 

[Dick_in_MI]

If Floyd’s grandson does come here, I already feel bad for the kid. His grandmother isn’t doing him any favors.

I don't know what will happen with the number. All signs point to it being offered to Sean next year. I assume he would take it despite any current vagueness.

Floyd's grandson is in a no-win situation on this and like you I feel for him. Unless he is a star coming out of high school they will have totally changed the rules for being gifted the #44. This isn't like Buddy getting JB's number. That number has no history. Chaz Owens wore Billy's number in high school but does not now. 44 is different.

If Floyd's grandson gets #44 without having to pay his dues like all the others since Jim Brown, then the "legend of 44" has become "the legend of Floyd Little" and would seem to point to a financial arrangement. That, of course, has already drawn speculation but that also totally changes what we all thought the tradition of 44 was all about.

 

[GoSU96]

If you don’t think Tucker is at least going to consider transferring you have your head in the sand about what’s going on here.

The kid is good enough to win a Heisman. He’s not going to go to a team and “sit behind other RBs” or anything like that. Teams are going to offer him through back channels and promise him the number 1 spot.

The kid wants a bowl and the Heisman and to be drafted. And all three of those look iffy at best at Syracuse currently.

I hope he stays and I think he’s one kid that may stay but you can not sit here and say that there is no chance because there is a going to be a solid chance that A LOT and I mean A LOT of programs are going to reach out to him and sniff around.

Playing at Syracuse is not going to prevent him from getting drafted. And not many teams are going to run their offense through a tailback

 

[Orangeman]

BC red bandana? Never heard of it, never seen it, don't care.

This one hits home, I'd read up, it's a great story (non-BC football fan here obviously, but it's a great story)

 

[OrangeDW]

No actually just another important D player and 2 coaches. Both D. I dont expect anything. I just share what im told.
I was told in the Spring Shrader would start. I was told during the Rutgers weekend that 2 D players were most likely leaving. I was also told that there was a very good chance 2 D coaches were most likely gone. I was never told anything about Taj or Tommy or Tucker. Tucker is pure speculation.

More like pure dramatics.

 

[rrlbees]

This one hits home, I'd read up, it's a great story (non-BC football fan here obviously, but it's a great story)

They had that special about it on the ACCN today. It’s a great story.

 

[Janner]

Not sure where everyone is getting these ideas of him leaving are from. He gets a ton of touches every game and is the 2nd leading rusher in the county in a run based offense. And, he has stated he wants to run track for SU in the off season. That doesn't sound like an overly unhappy player to me.

 

[Chip]

Playing at Syracuse is not going to prevent him from getting drafted. And not many teams are going to run their offense through a tailback

We had 2 DBs drafted and one made a roster as a FA from a 1-10 team that couldn't stop the Little Giants (annexation of PR not included).

The NFL finds everyone.

 

[rrlbees]

We had 2 DBs drafted and one made a roster as a FA from a 1-10 team that couldn't stop the Little Giants (annexation of PR not included).

The NFL finds everyone.

They never found me.

 

[Chip]

They never found me.

I think it was the Wonderlic score.

(this thing works on so many levels) :

 

[Regis]

The legacy of wearing #44 is a bit worn out imo. I totally respect it, but imagine being told you're to wear a # to honor a tradition that you may know nothing about. There was some major potential there when they incorporated it into the uniform. The Orange 44. Has a great ring to it and is super unique. It's like Dez Bryant and CeeDee Lamb wearing 88. Seems kind of forced and when it's all said and done it doesn't really have the impact it should. Just imo. Player makes the number, number doesn't make the player.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

Dino should bench him until he accepts the 44

 

[buffalorange]

Wasn't ND like 2-9 when Paul H won the Heisman?

Yes. And cheating a much more deserving Jim Brown out of the award.

 

[jgeorge322]

Man we lay one clunker and everyone has gone in the dumps…

 

[FasterCuse]

If you don’t think Tucker is at least going to consider transferring you have your head in the sand about what’s going on here.

The kid is good enough to win a Heisman. He’s not going to go to a team and “sit behind other RBs” or anything like that. Teams are going to offer him through back channels and promise him the number 1 spot.

The kid wants a bowl and the Heisman and to be drafted. And all three of those look iffy at best at Syracuse currently.

I hope he stays and I think he’s one kid that may stay but you can not sit here and say that there is no chance because there is a going to be a solid chance that A LOT and I mean A LOT of programs are going to reach out to him and sniff around.

Don't forget he could probably land somewhere mid 6 figures with NIL deals at a larger school that has an idea of what they are doing to retain top talent.

 

[Bayside44]

FWIW two RBs won the Heisman since 2009. Temper expectations there.

He should get the # if he wants it next year. Understand he probably has his gear he wants to sell all printed up with #34.

 

[JoeSU]

It really has nothing to do with Sean Tucker.

He is a terrific running back. Is he a superstar? I wonder about that.

What it's really about is marketing Syracuse University Football.

Right now, the Program has no story to tell.

If Sean - or some other notable RB - were given No. 44, it would be a headline in the sports world. It would run as a lead story on ESPN, and would include a whole package of video and storytelling, including the "Story of No. 44" with Jim Brown and those who followed.

It would bring back "The Express" - the first African-American to win the Heisman and would tell the story of the three-time AA Floyd Little.

It would prompt Stephen A and whomever to debate the bringing the number back.

It would place Syracuse University Football in the college football spotlight.

It would promote a really cool tradition - the passing down of a number to honor the GOAT - Jim Brown.

It would, in the process, inspire high school players to learn about the Legend and the Program - and perhaps cause them to aspire to pursue the number.

It's such a no brainer it's not even funny.

This would make a wonderful story to hype a SU bowl game.
Just sayin'

 

[Cuse181]

Don't forget he could probably land somewhere mid 6 figures with NIL deals at a larger school that has an idea of what they are doing to retain top talent.

lol what? Mid six figures? Most fans don’t know players who aren’t at their school, you honestly think quiet Sean Tucker could waltz into another market and magically get a 500k NIL deal? There’s like 4 players in the whole country that are confirmed to have that, and Walker (a close comparison as another Heisman hopeful RB) isn’t one of them, so I’m not sure Tucker is going to do it either.

 

[kcsu]

This would make a wonderful story to hype a SU bowl game.
Just sayin'

Great post. Why cant SU get it right? Is it JW?

 

[rrlbees]

Great post. Why cant SU get it right? Is it JW?

Yes because JW wants to bring down SU football. He’s a plant.

 

[rrlbees]

It really has nothing to do with Sean Tucker.

He is a terrific running back. Is he a superstar? I wonder about that.

What it's really about is marketing Syracuse University Football.

Right now, the Program has no story to tell.

If Sean - or some other notable RB - were given No. 44, it would be a headline in the sports world. It would run as a lead story on ESPN, and would include a whole package of video and storytelling, including the "Story of No. 44" with Jim Brown and those who followed.

It would bring back "The Express" - the first African-American to win the Heisman and would tell the story of the three-time AA Floyd Little.

It would prompt Stephen A and whomever to debate the bringing the number back.

It would place Syracuse University Football in the college football spotlight.

It would promote a really cool tradition - the passing down of a number to honor the GOAT - Jim Brown.

It would, in the process, inspire high school players to learn about the Legend and the Program - and perhaps cause them to aspire to pursue the number.

It's such a no brainer it's not even funny.

Or the hype would last one week. I really doubt all those things would just all of a sudden happen because Sean got 44. Really really doubt it. It sounds like a fairy tale personally.

 

[Bayside44]

Or the hype would last one week. I really doubt all those things would just all of a sudden happen because Sean got 44. Really really doubt it. It sounds like a fairy tale personally.

None of those thing would've happened, and if we gave it to him before Clemson which is what people were clamoring for the story would've been (locally) how it got all screwed up.

 

[orangefog]

They never found me.

They found you…wanting.