Turkey Bowl ’08: A look at Thanksgiving Football

There’s not a better time for football than Thanksgiving. Undoubtedly, we will stuff our faces as we visit with our families, but without the ability to resume our post as captain of the armchair, Thanksgiving would lose a lot of its appeal.

This Thanksgiving appears that it will stack up with the best of them. There are tons of headlines taking the field that are sure to entertain. Let’s take a look at the match ups.

NFL

Tennessee (10-1) at Detroit (0-11) (12:30 p.m. ET) – It’s a good thing this one’s getting played early in the day. There’s no doubt that this one could get ugly early. The Lions got rid of one of their key playmakers in Roy Williams for draft picks, but its going to take a lot of luck in those next two drafts to bring this team back from the basement. It also doesn’t help that they have one the best teams in the league (if not the best) coming into their house on this day of thanks. To be completely honest, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Titans build a cushion and let their starters rest most of the second half. What also makes this game a bit lackluster is that a loss wouldn’t kill Tennessee, and a win will have no affect on Detroit’s season.

Seattle (2-9) at Dallas (7-4) (4:15 p.m. ET) – Everybody remembers Romo’s botched hold on a field goal attempt in the last match-up between these two teams back in 2007, but this is a different year, and these are different teams. The Seahawks have been suffering through an abysmal year after being plagued by injuries at most major positions, especially to their receiving core. America’s team is on a two game streak since Romo has been back from a finger injury and, if you ask T.O., the ‘Boys have finally unleashed him. With the addition of Roy Williams running routes opposite Owens, it would appear the Cowboys have too much firepower for Seattle to keep up with. The bottom line is that Dallas can’t afford to be upset at home if they want to have a shot at locking up a wild card spot in the NFC.

Arizona (7-4) at Philly (5-5-1) (8:15 p.m. ET) – Eagles fans have given Donovan McNabb the business since the team drafted him in back in ’99. It’s a daunting task to be a QB in Philly, so it’s definitely going to be interesting to see how McNabb bounces back this week as he returns to the starting lineup after being benched this past Sunday. The Cards come to town looking to seal their first division title since 1975. The Eagles number six ranked D is going to have to step up to stop what looks like it could be an MVP campaign for Kurt Warner.

NCAA

Texas A&M (4-7) at Texas (10-1) (7:00 p.m.) – Everyone might be tired of the words ‘style points’, but that’s exactly what the ‘Horns need to gain in this game if they want to keep their chance of a BCS championship game bid alive. This one should go in their favor as the Aggies bring in the Big 12’s worst rushing attack against the Big 12’s best rushing D. A&M also brings in some controversy at the quarterback position along with a young receiving core who are getting their first look at UT, in Austin no less. All this without mentioning that the guy under center in burnt orange is putting together a Heisman campaign, and the ‘Horns running backs are finally starting to develop. None of this may matter too much in the end. If OU gives OK State the Texas Tech treatment in Stillwater on Saturday, they shouldn’t have a problem overtaking Texas in the BCS, and then it’ll be up to the boys in the SEC to see whether we’ll see the Red River Rivalry again…in Miami.

Sean Taylor Tribute Week: The U

I don't think I remember the first time I saw him play at Miami but I remember why I noticed him. Who is this number 26 that hits harder than a Molotov cocktail? His Name was Sean Taylor and he did everything right on the football field. It was as if Sean was ordained from birth to play safety for some football team.

Taylor had prototype measurements when he was at the "The U" 6'3" 220 pounds. Furthermore, he was not one dimensional as some safety's are, he supported the run with the ferocity of a scorned woman, his pass coverage skills were awesome, he ran with the ball probably the best ever for a safety his size, and he would knock your ever-loving socks off if given the most minute opportunity. This was a man-crush at first sight. It did not help that Taylor adhered to the finest GQ standards with regards to his football wardrobe, rocking the orange visor, black spats, and signature elbow bands and taped fingers. Taylor was simply well put together from the mold which coaches wished their safety whether it be strong or free would come from. All the hoopla aside, what I really liked about Sean Taylor was the pure passion that he displayed when playing the game he loved. He never quit, always played it by his rules, and laid it all on the line time and time again. Moreover, Sean was always at his best in the big games versus FSU, Ohio State, Florida it did not matter Taylor always lit up on the field as much as he lit up fans faces with his awesome play.




Here is a rundown of his prolific college career:

Sean Taylor enrolled at the University of Miami in 2001 and, that year; he was one of just four true freshmen to play for Miami in the 2001 national championship season. He carved a niche for himself in Miami's secondary in nickel and dime defensive schemes. In 2001, Taylor was named "Big East Special Teams Player" of the Week for his performance against the University of Pittsburgh. The 2001 season also proved a hugely successful one for the Hurricanes, with the team winning its fifth national championship since 1983, making them the most successful college football team of the past three decades with more national championships than any other Division I program during this period.

2002 was supposed to be a tough year for Hurricane secondary. Miami lost three starters in the defensive backfield in the 2002 NFL draft, Ed Reed, Phillip Buchannon, and Mike Rumph. Sean stepped up to the challenge and was a second-team All-Big East selection by the league's head coaches in his first season as a starter. He finished third on the team in tackles with 85 (53 solo), broke up 15 passes, intercepted 4 passes, forced 1 fumble, blocked 1 kick, and returned a punt for a touchdown. He led all defensive backs in tackles, interceptions, and passes broken up, and had a career-high 11 tackles (2 solo) and intercepted 2 passes in the Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State University.

2003 was Taylor's final year at Miami; Taylor produced a historic season that culminated with a plethora of honors and awards. He was named a consensus First-Team All-American, the "Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year" and a finalist for the "Jim Thorpe Award" given to the nation's best defensive back. He led the Big East Conference and ranked first nationally in interceptions with 10, tying the record for interceptions in a season with former Hurricane standout Bennie Blades. He finished first in total tackles with 77 (57 solos). He intercepted two passes in Miami's impressive win over the University of Pittsburgh, playing a key role against Pittsburgh star receiver Larry Fitzgerald who was held to two receptions for 13 yards. He returned interceptions for an average of 18.4 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown return at Boston College, a 50-yard scoring return at Florida State University, and a 44-yard scoring return against Rutgers University. His three touchdown returns of interceptions are a Miami single-season record.

Taylor went on to a successful career in the NFL with the Washington Redskins, but I will always remember the college Sean Taylor in that orange visor pumping the crowd up just before he obliterated some tailback, wide receiver or grabbed a pick-six to the zone that helped spur his team to victory. 26 was a man amongst boys and you knew it when you saw him play his game.

RIP SEAN TAYLOR YOU WILL BE MISSED




Sincerely,


ONE OF YOUR TOP FANS

Academinole: Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle

Myron Rolle a starting safety for the Florida States Seminoles has won a prestigious Rhodes scholarship, which will give him the opportunity to attend Oxford University (England) for two years. The award is given annually to 83 recipients in the world from various countries and only 32 North American candidates are chosen to receive the prestigious award. The scholarship will pay for two to three years of tuition, room and board at Oxford. Rolle has said he likely would study medical anthropology at Oxford. Rolle interviewed for the award Saturday in Birmingham, Ala., won it, then hopped a plane to Maryland for the second half of his team's victory over the Maryland Terps.

Rolle is the first BCS conference starter to win a Rhodes scholarship since Stanford tight end Cory Booker in 1992. Booker now is the mayor of Newark, N.J. Rolle, who aspires to be a neurosurgeon and build clinics in his parents' native Bahamas, is also a potential first-round NFL draft pick. He said Sunday that he’d decide with his family whether to delay football. If he plays in the NFL, he'll follow in the footsteps of some well-known athletes who won Rhodes Scholarships: Byron "Whizzer" White: Colorado halfback won in 1939, then went on to become an All-Pro and a Supreme Court justice. Bill Bradley: Princeton star won in 1965. The basketball Hall of Famer later served 18 years in the U.S. Senate and ran for president in 2000.Tom McMillen: Maryland forward won in 1974. After an 11-year NBA career, he was a three-term congressman.

The young man has a hard choice to make: the NFL millions or the educational opportunity at Oxford. But the great thing is he had used college sports the way it is supposed to be used, as a vehicle to better things. Student athletes across the country should aspire to reach the academic and athletic heights that Mr. Rolle has in their individual collegiate journey. Success is a forgone conclusion for Myron but in his case it may be the neurosurgeon: Dr. Myron Rolle or the Pro Bowl Safety Myron Rolle, I think either outcome will be fine for Rolle who graduated with an undergraduate degree from FSU in 2.5 years. Congratulations to Myron Rolle, for providing a positive story when so many today are based around negative actions of athletes. 6Magazine salutes you

Signing Off: Claude “Cognition” Clayborne A.K.A Triple C

Sean Taylor Week: Sean the Redskin

Coming to the into the league as the 5th overall pick to the Washington Redskins, Sean Taylor was poised to be one of the greats. Standing 6'3" and 230 lbs. with 4.4 40 speed, strength and great instincts you knew Taylor was going to be special, and that he was in his rookie year. Taylor posted 76 tackles, 4 picks, 1 sack, 9 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles in his rookie campaign. As a rookie he earned the nickname "Meast" for being half man/half beast because of his ferocious hits on opponents.



Taylor added to his stellar rookie campaign, finishing with 70 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble returned for a touchdown. In this year he became recognized as one of the hardest hitters in the NFL. Taylor helped the Redskins win a playoff win by intercepting a pass and taking it back to the house for the game winning touchdown.

In 2006, It was Taylor's most inconsistent year, but he still made the Pro Bowl which shows you what kind of ball player he was. He finished 2006 with 111 tackles, 1 interception, 6 passes defensed and 3 forced fumbles.



In 2007, which is sadly his last year he had his best year. He only played in 9 games and posted 42 tackles, 9 passes defensed, and 5 interceptions (which could have been 8, but Sean had a bad game against the Giants where he intercepted 2 Eli Manning passes but dropped 3 others). Taylor was posthumously named to the Pro Bowl in his last season was a Redskin.

I really miss watching him play. I was a huge fan. It is such a joy to watch a great safety play the game. The fun that people experience when they watch the Troy Polamalu, Brian Dawkins, Roy Williams, Bob Sanders, and Ed Reed, is equivalent if not greater watching Sean. He by far had the most physical gifts of the afore mentioned safety's. He had the size of Roy, range of Troy, instincts of Dawkins, ball skills of Ed, and ferciousness of Bob. People said he would be the next Eric Turner and I know he surpassed their expectiations. He will be sorely missed.

I sent an email out to Commissioner Roger Goodell to allow the NFL players to wear their socks and shoes any way the choose just like Sean used to do. I know it would be a great tribute to Sean Taylor and all the players would enjoy it also. If you want to help out contact Goodell to persuade him at Roger.Goodell2@nfl.net, Telephone #: 1-212-450-2000 or (212) 450-2027.

Peace, Love, Sean Taylor,


Richard Boadu

Isn't Slavery Over?

The Emancipation Proclamation was signed January 1, 1863. It still took some time for slaves to be freed, but it happen. Then you had the "institutionalization" which resulted in sharecropping after slavery was over, and that soon ended as well.

It's been said for a long time that athletics was a form of slavery, but no one said it until William C. Rhoden with his great book 40 Million Dollar Slaves. I was a college athlete at one time and I know how it is from the athlete's perspective. When you can't give "them" what they want anymore you are useless.

The sleaziest job in America is not a lawyer or a used car salesman, heck not even an advertiser. It is a college academic adviser. It is their job to keep athletes eligible to play at all cost. I've seen it with my own eyes and friends from other schools tell me that they wanted to be a doctor, or an engineer, lawyer and were instructed by their adviser that it would be "too hard" for them to concentrate on that and play whatever sport they were playing. So they were encouraged to major in a less challenging major. Are you kidding me? It gets worse, because when those kids barely get to play, get hurt, or don't make it professionally, who is there to help them. No one. They don't graduate and no is left to help them. You can give me the argument that it is their responsibility etc, but the enviornment they come from is not the best by any means. They can't know the true reality because they have such great gifts athletically and have been spoon fed for so long it's natural for them to think making the pros is inevitable. They don't mature as they should through college because they don't have too. Once the harsh reality sets in that they will not be the next LeBron James or Devin Hester its hard pill to swallow and no one is there to help. They realize they've been used.

I saw read a very disturbing article the other day. Only 6 FBS football programs make money. I first thought to myself how is this, it can't be. But it is. When you factor in the salaries of everyone from coaches to janitors who clean up after games, the scholarships are actually paid to the schools by the athletic departments, and other miscellaneous expenses. There are 120 FBS football programs, and only 6 make money. I still can't believe it that's why I wrote it again.

So if, only 6 make money what is the point? If taxpayers only knew what they're money was going towards. Now yes I know there are boosters, donors, and alumni that provide money, but alot of programs rely on state tax money, especially the teams that do not profit and are public universities.

What bothers me the most is that these kids are being used, and for what? Take kid from ghetto, he gives his body to your program in hopes of fulfilling a childhood dream and in turn the university pays for his education. While paying for his education, university encourages kid not to pursue an esteemed major. Your teams sucks, and you don't make a bowl game for five straight years. In that time, the AD fires the head coach to bring the winning ways back to the school. New coach and old player don't mesh to well and player sees no more playing time. Don't forget he was encouraged not to pursue an esteemed major. His eligibility is up and his degree is on the way after he finishes taking 9 more hours of coursework that he has to pay for because his scholarship money is gone. This is also known as a huge waste of time, 5 years worth of time, not to mention the mental and emotional damage that has been done to the former "student"/athlete.

Sounds like a sophisticated form of modern day slavery to me.


Peace,


Thomas Black

College Football: Recap Week 13

Georgia Tech beat up on Miami racking up 427 yards against the Canes Thursday night in Atlanta. Miami came into the game ranking sixth in the country in run defense only yielding 107 yards per game. Paul Johnson and his triple option attack gashed the Canes again and again Thursday night. Miami looked helpless against Jonathan Dwyer, who led the Yellow Jackets with 128 yards rushing. This game is proof that the Spread Offense isn’t the only offense putting up huge numbers and Johnson has proved this throughout his career.

Syracuse, who is in the mists of a terrible season put together their best game of the year and beat Notre Dame in the snow Saturday afternoon. The Golden Domers were terrible other than namesake wide receiver Golden Tate. Tate has showed this season that he is one of the better receiving threats in the nation. Tate scored two touchdowns to keep Notre Dame in the game, while his teammates were being pelted with snowballs by a disgusted student section. The victory could not save the job of head coach Greg Robinson, but it may have put Charlie Weiss position at Notre Dame in just as much jeopardy. To make matters worse for Weiss, Notre Dame is almost guaranteed a blowout loss coming next week with a trip to face USC. Syracuse a 19.5 pt underdog waltzed into South Bend and handed Notre Dame their 14th loss in the last two years more than any other two year period in Notre Dame history. It may be time for a change if Notre Dame is to rejoin the elite ranks in college football.

Houston Nutt and Ole Miss went into the Tiger Stadium and dismantled LSU 31-13 Saturday evening in a game that may have announced the emergence of yet another power in the SEC. The Rebels led by quarterback Jevan Sneed who went 16 of 25 and put up 274 yards and 2 tds and threw no interceptions. Sneed continually beat the Tiger secondary with viciously accurate passing throughout the game. Ole Miss is a virtual lock for the Cotton Bowl now as they surpassed the Tigers for second place in the SEC west with their victory in Baton Rough. Hoddy Toddy is now 7-4 under first-year coach Houston Nutt. Ole Miss beat the Tigers for the first time in seven years Saturday and knocked out LSU almost as fast as Tiger quarterback Jarrett Lee in route to the landmark victory. Look for the Rebs to be a much-improved team next year.

Wisconsin needed overtime to beat Cal Poly of the Football Championship Subdivision, in Madison Saturday. Cal Poly’s kicker Andrew Gardner missed three extra points during regulation to give the Badgers a chance to take the game to overtime. This is a low point for a once promising season for Wisconsin. The loss would have probably been the biggest upset since Appalachian State beat Michigan at the Big House last year. Poly parlayed the usage of its Wing- T offense to roll up 276 yards rushing in the game. This is yet another instance of an unconventional offense piling up huge numbers on the ground similar to Georgia Tech running the option or Nevada running the Pistol formation. Hats off to Cal Poly in proving that you can never overlook an opponent and proving that Wisconsin has fallen very far in a short amount of time.

Utah behind the arm of Brian Johnson (303 yards passing and 4 tds) and a good defense beat up on BYU in the annual “Holy War” game in Salt Lake City. Utah clinched an undefeated season going 12-0 with the victory. Furthermore, the Utes guaranteed themselves a spot in the BCS, while simultaneously clinching the Mountain West Conference title outright. The victory was also was the first in three tries for the Utes to beat BYU. Now all that the Utah is waiting for is their destination in January. 6Mag pointed out that Johnson was the most underrated quarterback in the country earlier this season, and you have to agree after his performance Saturday. Hats off to the Utes for crashing the BCS in style.

Last but not least Oklahoma beat the “Coal Tar Stuffing” out of Texas Tech in Norman Saturday night. Oklahoma set the pace by getting Demarco Murray going early (125 rushing yards and 2 tds) as Oklahoma scored 35 second quarter points to take a 42-7 advantage at halftime. Oklahoma is averaging 46 point in the first half of games since the loss to Texas in October. Oklahoma played a nearly perfect game in front of the largest crowd ever (85,000 +) at Gaylord Family-Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma displayed a balanced offense, passing for 326 yards and rushing for 230 yards in the game. The defense, played as if their lives depended on it, held the Red Raiders to 21 points and limited Michael Crabtree to 6 receptions for only 62 yards. Sam Bradford may have taken over the lead for Heisman with a 304 yard 4 touchdown performance. Graham Harrell did reach a milestone in the game passing Ty Detmer for second all time on the NCAA all time passing list. Harrell who has thrown for 15,120 yards in his career still needs nearly 2,000 yards to break the record set by Hawaii’s Timmy Chang (17,072). Oklahoma may still have a chance to sneak into the national title game if they can beat Oklahoma State in convincing fashion. This scenario would have OU jump Texas in the BCS ratings which will determine the Big 12 South winner if there is a three-way tie amongst Tech, Texas, and Oklahoma. The Sooners should not have any problem with this given their Florida-like resurgence after their loss in Dallas earlier this year. Look out for the Sooners next week as they try to prove to the country that they belong in the Orange Bowl.

Sincerely,



Cal Poly Clayborne

NFL Week 12 Recap

The only headline in the Bengals vs. Steelers is that Ocho Cinco was deactivated. The game was boring and of course the Steelers won 27-10. So, when is Marvin Lewis going to be deactivated.

Donovan McNabb was benched? Smart move Andy, and what did his replacement Kevin Kolb do? Not much better throwing 10/23 and 2 interceptions. Well let me take that back he was apart of history, because he is the person who threw Ed Reed's record setting interception return of 108yards. The Ravens defense is scarier than ever to be honest and Joe Flacco is in a race with Matt Ryan and Chris Johnson to win rookie of the year. Oh yah, Ravens win the bird battle, 36-7.

Ha! Let me say I told you so. Cleveland Browns management is stupid. Hey let's bench Derek Anderson for Brady Quinn, when Derek Anderson is not the problem. Our offensive line that played so well a year ago has been replaced by lazy aliens. Braylon Edwards is reverting back to the old Braylon Edwards. Our defense is ranked 27th in the league in yards allowed per game. Yah, lets blame it on Anderson. Brady Quinn plays one good game against a sub par Champ Bailey free Denver defense and he is annointed King of Cleveland and Lebron is demoted to Prince. HAHAHA, Brady stunk it up and got benched. I'm not a Brady hater, I love 'em actually, but the way they dealt with Derek Anderson was not cool. Karma is a fat girl and she is not nice at all. Browns lose 16-6 to the lowly Houston Texans.

Detroit had a 17 point lead against the Buccanneers. Wait, let me rephrase that. The Bucs spotted the Lions 17 points to work on the come from behind game, because they will need in the tough NFC South. It turned out pretty well for the Bucs. They won the game 38-20.

Better to lose now than in the Super Bowl. Just ask the Patriots. Titans got their rear ends handed to them by the Jett Favre and the New York Bretts in a 34-13 loss. The Jets DT Kris Jenkins is back to his dominating form that he had while in Carolina and he cannot be stopped. A Jets vs. Giants Super Bowl is not far off at all.

Who does Matt Cassell think he is? Tom Brady. Next thing we know where gonna see him in beantown running around with some super model. I mean two straight 400 yard passing games. He realized he had Randy Moss on his team. The Pats aren't far off, and they might have cracked the code to stopping the Miami Dolphins Wildcat formation as they defeated the Fins 48-28.

Tony Romo 22/39, 300+ yards passing, 3TDs and no interceptions...thats all that needs to be said. Cowboys defeat the Niners 35-22.

Damn you Matt Ryan! I wanted to see Vick in a Falcons jersey again. Welp, oh well. The Dirty Birds handed the Panters only their 3rd loss of the year. Impressive.

San Diego played such a great game. Phillip Rivers threw 2TDs and no interceptions. But they gave Peyton Manning too much time, as he drove his team down the field and the best kicker of all time, Adam Vinatieri, kicked a 47 yard field goal in his sleep for the win.


Sincerely,


Riverboat Ricky

JIMMYS Week 13 of Football

Here are the JIMMYS for this past weeks football action.
College JIMMYS

Brian Johnson, QB Utah

Johnson balled out throwing 30 for 36 and 4TDs as the Utes won the Holy War over a top 25 ranked BYU team.
Travis Lewis, LB Oklahoma

The true Freshman from San Antonio stood up the Red Raiders challenge and won. Lewis had 13 tackles, one forced fumble and an interception.


NFL JIMMYS

Matt Cassell, QB Patriots

All Matt Cassell needs is a super model and he'll be Tom Brady. For the second straight week Cassell threw for 400 yards. Cassell went 30 for 43 for 415 yards and 3TDs in a victory of the Bill Parcells rejuvenated Miami Dolphins.

Terrell Owens, WR Cowboys

I wonder what Cris Carter and Keyshawn Johnson will have to say on the set of Monday Night Countdown after T.O.'s performance. Will they give him his props? Well if they don't 6Magazine will. Good work, T.O. What a difference a quarterback makes. T.O. shagged 7 balls for 213 yards and 1TD. That is a 30.4 reception average...disgusting!
Ed Reed, FS Ravens

With all the pub given to that guy who plays for the Steelers and being on a team with Pro Bowl defenders at every position its easy to forget bout the Best Free Saftey in the game. Well, not this week. Reed posted 2 interceptions and returned one for 108 yards which is an NFL record.
Leodis McKelvin, CB Bills

The rookie showed his naked ascot, which he has been doing all year long, but did such an exceptional job of it we had to reward him with a JIMMY. McKelvin picked off 2 Tyler Thigpen passes yesterday and took one back 64 yards to the house.