I managed $118 down recently, but it was only that low for a very brief time. Like a few hours. The return opened at $163 and never dropped. Those flights are now $193 down and $293 back

. I don't know how often you fly, but if the price drops you can get JetBlue credit for the difference. You have to use the credit within one year from when you made the original reservation, though.
Also, whenever you get an e-mail about JetBlue having a sale, it never applies to SYR, unless you want to fly to JFK. So don't count on saving money that way.
OP, I assume you mean "non-stop" and not "direct." ("Direct" would mean the plane stops somewhere but you don't have to get off.) There usually is one non-stop down and one non-stop back each day. I think the other flights require you to get off at JFK.