Jerry Mackey’s career wasn’t what he expected it to be.

He’d battled all kinds of injuries – shoulder problems and the subsequent surgery in spring 2005, a hyper-extended elbow in summer preseason camp – just a few months after he posted a year that produced high expectations for the last two years of his career.

He watched as new Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson handed the starting job Mackey earned in 2004 to Kelvin Smith, who moved over to middle linebacker from the outside to fill the void Mackey left.

He played through last season in pain – the physical pain of an elbow which probably needed season-ending surgery and the emotional pain of his team winning only one game in 11 tries.

In 10 games in 2005, he had 16 tackles.

Mackey had plenty of thinking to do in the offseason, and the result is a multi-layered transformation. Healthy – and happy – for the first time since his sophomore season in 2004, Mackey will backup fellow senior middle linebacker Kelvin Smith.

Not that being second-string bothers Mackey. He’s just worried about ending his career the right way.

‘In the beginning, it was very frustrating,’ Mackey said. ‘You can only control what you can control. That’s what I’m doing. I’m doing the best I can in the job I have to do.

‘The outside factors, the injuries, I really can’t control that. What I can control is just becoming a better player and that’s what I’m doing, that’s what my focus is. It’s not so frustrating when you look at it like that.’

Mackey stepped into spring practices with a new outlook to match his equally changed physique. No longer will he worry about not starting. He knows he’ll have his time to play. Taking care of just his business will assure that.

That’s what he did this winter. With a whole new outlook on football and life, he decided he would do what’s best for himself. He enlisted the help of Will Hicks, the Syracuse strength coach, and went to work. He lifted, he ate differently – he did exactly what Hicks told him.

It worked.

Mackey entered spring practices listed 10 pounds lighter – he wanted to improve his quickness – but noticeably more muscular. He said he feels great thanks to his offseason work.

If Mackey remains healthy, he and Smith could form one of the most experienced and talented duos at one position for the Orange.

‘He’s been playing ball for awhile,’ Smith said. ‘He’s a real good player. He keeps me going. Ever since he’s been here he’s been keeping me motivated.’

This season will be Mackey’s last for the Orange, and he just wants to have fun. He wants to win, sure. But that’s just part of it.

Ask Mackey what he really wants and he’ll tell you he just wants to be happy. Stepping back on the field was Mackey’s first step toward happiness.

‘This is the first time we’ve seen Jerry healthy,’ linebackers coach Steve Russ said. ‘When I came in, he was injured. He came back, got going and hurt his elbow. Speaking from my own experience with injuries, whenever you’re out for an extended period of time, you have a deep appreciation for the chance to play.’

That appreciation comes to the surface when Mackey talks about the upcoming season. A smile appears on his face and his eyes light up as he animatedly moves his hands as he speaks. He speaks about how he’s dealt with the pressure of coming off a good season, of coming from a family already stamped in Syracuse greatness.

Mackey’s great-uncle, John, was an All-American tight end for SU in the 1960s.

But his injuries have helped him learn how to slow down, avoid getting wrapped up in succeeding and just enjoying his life and the daily work it encompasses.

Mackey knows, win or lose, just to smile.

‘You really can’t put too much stress and pressure on yourself,’ Mackey said. ‘It’s not bad to have to some stress to keep you motivated. All you can do is your best and if you can honestly say that in your heart, then I guess at the end of the day you got to walk with a smile on your face no matter what happens – success or failure.’

Published on April 5, 2006 at 12:00 pm