Orange in the NFL Preview for 2014

With the NFL kicking off its season this weekend, a number of Syracuse alums will be suiting up for their new teams for the first time, while others return to action.

New York Giants
A pair of former 'Cuse standouts are expected to make their debuts with the New York Giants this weekend, making four members of the Orange playing for Syracuse alum Tom Coughlin.

Third round draft pick Jay Bromley and free agent signee Jameel McClain are the newest members of the Giants defense. They'll join 2012 graduates Ryan Nassib and Justin Pugh in taking on Detroit Monday night.

McClain is currently listed as the starting middle linebacker on the depth chart after playing the past six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He'll join right tackle Justin Pugh – who started all-16 games at right tackle for New York last year as a rookie – in the starting lineup.

Bromley will contribute to the defensive line as a reserve in his first NFL contest, while Ryan Nassib enters 2014 after beating out Curtis Painter for the backup quarterback job.

The Giants will open their season on Monday at 7:10 p.m. at Detroit.

New England Patriots
Chandler Jones returns to New England for his third season with the team. The defensive end is coming off a 2013 campaign that saw him finish tied for seventh (and third in the AFC) for sacks.

He also finished fourth on the Patriots in tackles last season and will open the 2014 season at Miami on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Indianapolis Colts
The older Jones brother is one of the former Orange who'll be sporting a new uniform this season. Arthur Jones is now an Indianapolis Colt after spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Ravens.

Jones is looking to follow up a 2013 season where he had 53 tackles and four sacks while playing in 14 games.

He'll make his Colts' debut at Denver on Sunday at 8:30 p.m.

Chicago Bears
Tony Fiammetta is embarking on his fifth year in the NFL this season and his second in Chicago. The Bears' fullback played in all-16 games last season, catching five passes for 57 yards.

Fiammetta and the Bears open the season at home against Buffalo on Sunday at 1 p.m.

San Diego Chargers
The longest tenured former 'Cuse student-athlete currently in the NFL will embark on his 13th season this weekend.

Outside linebacker Dwight Freeney is currently fifth among active players in career sacks (22nd all-time) and will look to up that number in San Diego this season after suffering a season ending injury in his first year with the Chargers last year.

Freeney will open the 2014 campaign at Arizona on Monday at 10:20 p.m.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Fourth-round draft pick Shamarko Thomas is expected to make his NFL debut this weekend with the Steelers.

Thomas and the Steelers will open the season by hosting Cleveland on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Atlanta Falcons
Two members of the 2013 'Cuse team are in Atlanta this season. Linebacker Marquis Spruill and running back Jerome Smith will both be with the Falcons this season.

Fifth-round draft pick Spruill will spend his rookie season on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in training camp.

Smith signed on with the Falcons' practice roster after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent this summer.

Buffalo Bills
Doug Marrone enters his second season as an NFL head coach after roaming the sidelines at his alma mater for the previous four seasons.

Marrone looks to improve on the Bills' 6-10 record from last season and will open the season at Chicago on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Tennessee Titans
Rookie Ri'Shard Anderson, who signed on with the Titans as an undrafted free agent, was signed to the team's practice squad prior to this week.