What’s up people! I’m back again to wrap-up another great week of NFL action here on the Rucker Report. For most teams, and fans, week 6 is a pivotal week regarding the direction your team. There are injuries, team chemistry and most importantly win’s & loses. The NFL this year, in my opinion, has definitely been must see TV. Each week holding drama that leaves you on the edge of your seat like the fight previews on Basketball Wives or Jersey Shore (Yeah I’m fist pumping right now…..lol).
With that in mind, we’ll start in Detroit where the undefeated Lions (5-0) were taking on the resurgent ‘Niners (4-1) the game lived up to the hype as both teams defense taking the spotlight ending with a ‘Niners 25 – 19 win. However, real story was the post game scuffle between Lions’ head coach Jim and Niners Head Coach Jim Harbaug. It’s customary after the game for the coaches to walk across the field and shake hands. Harbaug (a first year coach) was excited about the victory as he ran across the field to shake hands–he gave Schwartz a hard hand slap and a “move out my way” pat on the back. That’s when it turned into the club scene from last season’s Basketball Wives Miami with Tami and Meeka fighting. After the dust settled both coaches took the high road and let it be known that sportsmanship is the most important thing, but both coaches still had the “If I run into dude again…It’s On!” face.
Next up, the drama of the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles took the stage. The Eagles travelled to Washington to face the division leading Redskins, the Eagles needed this win in a bad or Kevin Hart stated that he would unleash Uncle Richard Junior on Head Coach Andy Reid, if the didn’t pull this one out. Well no one has to get there “Muffin cap peeled back blue!” or ” Go Nite – Nite !” because the Eagles were able to pull out a 20 -13 victory.
Up the turnpike in Jersey, the Jets, who have been front-page news in the New Post all week for chemistry issues in the locker room, also needed a win. And, what better chance than to get that win; than with a Monday Night match up with the win-less Miami Dolphins. But, this was’t a throw away game — the Jets/Dolphins rivary normaly make for a great game, regaurd of either team’s record. On this night the Jets Defense and all world corner Darrelle Revis …aka “Revis Island” took center stage showing why they should still be considered a dangerous team in the AFC holding the Dolphins to two field goals the entire game ending in a 24 -6 win.
There was one more game that really stood out to me this weekend and that was the Carolina Panthers with “Superman” Cam Newton travelling to the Dome to face the Dirty Birds (Atlanta Falcons). Like I told y’all after week one: “Cam Newton is a problem!” He led the Panthers to a 17 – 14 lead heading into the 4th quarter. But the Birds showed me something as Micheal” The Burner” Turner took over–scoring two touchdown’s in the 4th quarter sealing the comeback victory 31-17.
In other actions we saw the Packers, Ravens, Steelers, Raiders and Patriots continue their winning ways.
As I mentioned before, week 6 can be that turning point for your team and this years version of week 6 brought some expected and unexpected changes. The Vikings contine to struggle under first year head coach Leslie Frazier and new quarter back, Donovan McNabb, resulting in a QB change during their 39-10 blowout loss against the Bears. The Redskins also changed their QB change benching, Rex Grossman in their loss against the Eagles. And the biggest news came from the Raiders. After their win against the Browns, they lost QB Jason Campbell to a possible season ending shoulder injury, so they convinced the Bengals to trade the former all-pro and retired QB Carson Palmer.
Well people as the season continues to unfold I’m sure the stories will only get better and better.
In closing, this week’s version of “Say Word” is an important topic to me, and many followers of sports. Sportsmanship. Now I know that I’ve made jokes about the post game scuffles for comedy sake. But my issue is for the kids. Young adults and even adults that watch events like this and believe that it is cool and that it was the right thing to do. Listen people if you never believed it before believe it now: kids see everything we do and say and mimic those actions–both negative and positive.
So with this in mind, please help teach your kids the meaning of sportsmanship. Being competitive doesn’t mean showing the next person up. Yeah I know talking trash, celebration dances, pounding on your chest and facial expressions that say “C’mon Son” are fun (I have done them myself) but understand that they have their moment. Y’all know your momma used to say “It’s a time and place for everything.” Teach them to rise above and be better. And in this internet age, let’s be aware of the images we put out there for public. People that know me always hear me say “Sports is Life” and just think how an unsportsman like moment could translate into: a kid NOT walking away from a fight and it ends tragedy.
We’ve Got to Do Better.
Until next week people…Be Easy!
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