espn.com Ali Contest
It takes special people to deliver a game ball the way the Black Knights Parachute Team does at Army, as Wayne Drehs learns first-hand high over Michie Stadium on Page 2's Tailgate Tour. But, then, every cadet is special at West Point, where Duty, Honor and Country always supercede the outcome of a football game.
DREHS: WHITE-KNUCKLE FLIGHT




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Page 2's Jason Whitlock offers up some hair-raising career counseling services for the Raiders' aging receivers, Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, after Oakland's Monday night debacle in Denver. It may be time for Brown to look for another line of work. But the only retirement in Rice's near future ought to be that hairstyle.

Picture of Perfection The Daily Quickie
He's perfect this year, but that isn't what defines Dodgers' closer Eric Gagne. Page 2's Eric Neel says every Gagne outing these days gives fans the best five minutes they'll find in sports.
 Sammy Sosa tied Mickey Mantle's career home-run mark, but the Daily Quickie says Sammy passed 'The Mick' a long time ago in the Baseball Pantheon. Plus, the Quickie's new pilot: Strip poker with Britney.

THE SPORTS GUY'S MAILBAG
Fenway fans can stand and cheer Roger Clemens all they want, but Page 2's Bill Simmons won't waver. To the Sports Guy, the Rocket is still the anti-Christ. The Mailbag explains.


We're just through Week 3, but that doesn't mean we can't start talking about the NFL's top rookie. Is it Arizona's Anquan Boldin? Seattle's Ken Hamlin? Maybe Green Bay's Nick Barnett? Make your case, but be sure to measure your favorite rookie up against the players on our list of the NFL's greatest rookies of all time.
10]  Randy Moss (Vikings, 2001)
His teammate, the veteran Cris Carter, said the kid Minnesota chose with the 21st pick in the first round "could be Michael Jordan." Was Moss that good? He scored 17 TDs on 69 catches for 1,313 yards in his first season.
9]  Gale Sayers (Bears, 1965)
After Sayers scored six TDs on 336 total yards against San Francisco in one game during his rookie season, 49er quarterback Y.A. Tittle said, "I just wonder how many he would've scored if we hadn't set up our defenses to stop him."
8]  Dan Marino (Dolphins, 1983)
So much for easing into the league. In his first pro start (Game 6), Marino completed 19-of-29 for 322 yards and three TDs. He still holds the record for the highest passer rating as a rookie.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NCAA FOOTBALL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Michigan 34 Indiana NL
Saturday Tennessee 16 So. Carolina NL
Saturday Pittsburgh 1 Texas A&M 50
Saturday Purdue 10 Notre Dame 43½
NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Bills 3 Eagles 41
Sunday Steelers 3 Titans 44
Sunday Panthers 6 Falcons 36
Monday Packers 34 Bears 41½
All Times ET | Bold indicates home team
Complete line


 
Got a comment about something you've seen on Page 2? Here's your chance to sound off to the editors and columnists. Plus, if you'd like to send an e-mail to The Sports Guy, here's your direct link to Bill Simmons.


TUESDAY MORNING QB
TMQ has learned this: don't run the ball after throwing an incompletion on first down!

BATTLE OF BAD
Who was worse? The '03 Tigers or the '62 Mets? We size 'em up once and for all.

THE LIST
Even though the Jets aren't scoring touchdowns, "The List" says Herman Edwards earns points for trying.

METROSEXUALS
Page 2's Stacey Pressman wants her men back and the metrosexual trend to come to an end.

THE REAL CURSE
The Sports Guy turned down a Red Sox HBO special. And he's glad.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Cubs' pitcher Shawn Estes, left, and Matchbox 20 lead singer Rob Thomas. This match was requested by 37 Page 2 readers. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


PGA Tour Golf: Valero Texas Open
4 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Second round at LaCantera.
 
MLB: Mets at Marlins
7:30 p.m. ET, FOX
Follow the Wild Card Express!
 
Friday Night Baseball
8 p.m., ESPN
Braves at Phillies.
 
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If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Wed., Sept. 24: Sleeping with the Enemy
• Tue., Sept. 23: The TMQ Commandments
• Mon., Sept. 22: Girly-Men!
• Fri., Sept. 19: BIG 'n Bullish

Other featured content:
• Baseball's Unpreparedness Plan
• Being Jeremy Shockey
• Ballpark Tour: Final rankings
• Ultimate Scorecard: 101 best uniform numbers
• The most underrated athletes of all time
• The most overrated athletes of all time
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003
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