Tebow's Magic Comes up Short

The matchup between the Patriots and Broncos today was more anticipated than most people would have expected when the season began. Everything that Tim Tebow has done over the past 8 weeks made this game attractive because you had Tebow, one of the most popular players in the NFL, against arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Tom Brady. The game was close early on, but by the third quarter, the Patriots defense had all but sealed up a victory for the Patriots. And no that wasn't a typo. The Patriots defense was what won them the game today. After giving up 16 early points in the first quarter, the Pats defense only gave up 7 more points the rest of the game. The Patriots defense has been one of the worst in the NFL all season long, but they showed today that they will be ready to play when the playoffs begin. They kept getting pressure on Tebow and didn't allow him to make some of the miraculous plays that he had made in weeks past. Sure, Tebow is still having a great season and the Denver Broncos are in great position to win their division and host a playoff game for the first time in a while, but give credit where credit is due. The Patriots showed up ready to play today and torched a Denver Broncos defense that has locked most teams down all season long. Tom Brady and the Patriots made a statement today and I have a feeling that they are going to be a difficult out come playoff time.

Memphis Returns to action @ Louisville.

The Memphis Tigers will take the court this afternoon on the road against Louisville. The last time we saw this Memphis team was on Sunday, when they lost at home to Murray St. There was a clear lack of effort by the team last week, but for some reason I am still excited about today's game. This team is bound to step up at some point this season. It took until March last year, but they finally got it together and won a C-USA tournament title. Today, I think they respond from 3 early losses and give Louisville more than they can handle. I mean, what choice do they have? The schedule doesn't get any easier with Georgetown looming on Thursday and Josh Pastner knows that if this team reaches 5-5, the city of Memphis is going to be outraged. After so much promise coming into this season, a .500 start would certainly be unexpected. Will Barton can't do it by himself, but the return of Charles Carmouche, as well as the debut of Ferrokhan Hall, should help take some of the weight off Barton's shoulders.

University of Memphis Tobacco Ban Article

Tobacco Use Could Lead to Suspension

November 20, 2011

By Grant Milner, Junior, University of Memphis

The University of Memphis will implement a tobacco free policy on campus beginning in July. The new policy has been issued by the University of Memphis administration in hopes of showing students and faculty members how to be respectful in the community after their time at the school.

Last year, the student government petitioned to make the campus tobacco free and saw positive results from students and faculty.

Administration and school officials are warning students that if they do not comply with the tobacco free policy on campus, there could be suspensions to follow. Complying with the state law, the University of Memphis currently bans smoking within 20 feet of any building.

            “I was shocked when I heard the news about the ban,” said Alex Hoffman, a sophomore at the University of Memphis.

            He said jokingly, “I don’t know how I am going to get anything done on campus now.”

             The University of Memphis is not the only school that is banning tobacco products on campus. One hundred percent smoke free campuses are becoming more common across the United States, as 586 schools have now made the switch to tobacco free. From the University of Kentucky, to the University of Oklahoma, schools are beginning to realize just how important it is for their campuses to be tobacco free.

            “I don’t think that anyone likes to go through a cloud of smoke every time that they walk into a building on campus,” said Kody Alexander, senior at the University of Memphis.

            “Come July, our campus will be a much healthier place to be in general because you aren’t going to see cigarette butts littered everywhere. Cleaner equals better.”

            Schools are having success so far with their new tobacco policies according to an article from CNN. The University of Kentucky has implemented a volunteer group that walks around campus and respectfully asks those who are smoking cigarettes to put them out and gives them information that can help them quit smoking.

            More than 120 schools in the last year have now switched to tobacco free policies on campus. Students play the most key role in getting tobacco off campus because the students are what keep the universities in business.

            “New policies typically come about because students and faculty are questioning the role of tobacco in an educational setting and deciding to discourage its use and exposure,” said Liz Williams, Project Manager of the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation.

            College campuses continue to worry about the role of tobacco in their student’s lives because of the statistics of how many people are using tobacco.

            Of the 30,093 students surveyed at 39 different colleges, 4.4 percent had smoked at least once a day in the past month according to a report by the American College Health Association.

            “Smoking has become way too socially acceptable,” said Lexus Keoninh, a junior at the University of Memphis. “It doesn’t matter where you go on campus, people are smoking. If you go to a party on the weekends, people are standing out back smoking like it is the cool thing to do.”

            Smoking has become so common on college campuses that if a person lives on campus, he or she gets a more of an idea of how much people smoke in college. Eleven percent of students on campus at the University of Memphis smoke on an everyday basis.  

That is why colleges and universities all across the United States that are going to these smoke-free campuses are worried about how many residents the campus will lose if the tobacco ban is established.

            “I’m glad I moved off campus before this ban happened,” said Alex Hoffman, a Carpenter Complex resident last year. “I wouldn’t have made it through the year if I had to leave my apartment every time I wanted to smoke.”

            Family housing is also available on campuses for those that need a more affordable place to stay while in school. What will parents who enjoy smoking do? Will they be forced to leave their homes on campus because of their habit?

            In the new tobacco policy, however, there is a plan to keep smoking rooms at the Holiday Inn on campus, and to allow smoking for school plays and other artistic activities going on at the school.

            There will not be policing on campus in July, but merely students looking out for others in the University’s attempt for a “Healthier New Century” as the school celebrates its centennial. After all, 87 percent of lung cancer deaths occur from people that are frequent smokers.

             

           

Need help quitting smoking? Get help by visiting this website. 

Here is the sound that I created about the tobacco ban on campus at the University of Memphis. To view captions and information on the actual photos, visit my photostream on the right side of the page.

Here is a video that I created about the University of Memphis going to a tobacco free campus in July. There are certainly mixed opinions around campus and I believe that I captured them well here.

Chris Paul to Knicks?

There have been a lot of rumors around the NBA now that the lockout has been lifted. Yesterday, we heard that Chris Paul would be traded for Rajon Rondo and today we are hearing that Chris Paul wants to be a New York Knick. I think that this would be a great fit for him because he would be playing alongside Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. Paul claims that he would sign an extension with the Knicks if he were to be traded. Paul currently has 1 year left on his contract which would be taken over by any team that he is traded to. If I am the Hornets, I trade him and get as much value player-wise as I can because after this season, he is a free agent and the Hornets would not be able to get anything out of Paul leaving New Orleans. I do think that it is funny that the organization that the NBA owns is getting rid of its best player. Especially because the NBA wants the talent to be more equally spread across the league. And Chris Paul moving to the Knicks would create another power-trio in the NBA along side the Miami Heat with Lebron, Wade, and Bosh. If the Knicks can acquire Paul, they will a legitimate contender to win the NBA title.

Pac 12 Makes splash with new hires

The PAC 12 is off to a great start filling its coaching vacancies. It was announced recently that Rich Rod would take the Arizona job and today it has been announced that Mike Leach will take the job at Washington State. Both of these hires are huge for these two schools. Arizona has had talent in the past with Stoops, but I feel like Rich Rod will be able to get his style of players to Arizona and that his spread offense will work very well there just like it did in West Virginia. Mike Leach, who is taking over one of the worst football programs in the country, will have his work cut out for him. I don't know if he will be able to turn their program around the way he did with Texas Tech, but I think he will at least get people excited about the football program in Cougar country. UCLA is next. Let's see what they've got up their sleeve.

Bobby Valentine to Manage Red Sox

Bobby Valentine was named the new Boston Red Sox Manger yesterday afternooon replacing Terry Francona. Bobby Valentine won a Japan Series in the 90's, and is most recently known for managing the New York Mets. Valentine led the Mets to the World Series in 2001, winning the pennant over the St. Louis Cardinals. I think that this is either going to be a home run type of hire, or an epic failure. Valentine is known by his collegues to be very smart and an intense person. If he can regain control of the clubhouse in Boston, there is no question that this team can succeed. I mean, they have a ridiculous amount of talent left over from the Theo Epstein era, so this is not the same situation that he (Valentine) was in when he took over the New York Mets. Adrian Gonzalez will make sure that this team doesn't fall apart like they did last season. Having Bobby Valentine at the helm doesn't hurt either.

Twitter

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Small names make big hit in the NFL-Demarco Murray and Tim Tebow

Demarco Murray went absolutely nuts yesterday as the rookie running back rushed for over 250 yards and a touchdown. The cowboys may have found their running back of the future as Felix Jones has been somewhat spotty in his performances so far this season. And Tim Tebow lead the Denver Broncos back from 15 points down with 4 minutes to go. Tebow is a winner and that has clearly become evident in his short career in the NFL as a starter. Tebow is probably not the quarterback of the future for John Elway and the Denver Broncos, but he may make some serious noise this season.

Check out my newest video posted on YouTube of the Memphis golf team fundraiser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nsWefCTzMk

Opening NFL Sunday brings excitement

The NFL kicked off with a bang this afternoon with a lot of big plays and scoring. Cam Newton sets a rookie record for most passing yards in a debut, and Mike Tolbert flexed his muscles in a three touchdown performance leading the Chargers to an opening day victory over the Vikings. Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh renewed their rivalry as the 49ers got the victory thanks to a Ted Ginn kickoff return late in the 4th quarter to seal the deal. The Texans asserted themselves with a 27 point victory over the Peyton Manning-less Colts and proved that they will be a true contender in the AFC this season. A surprising victory for the Detroit Lions today in Tampa Bay has restored faith in the minds of many Detroit fans. Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and Javhid Best along with a much improved defense could have the Lions back in playoff contention. Last, but not least, the Baltimore Ravens will be headlining all across the country tomorrow morning after an emphatic win over their divisional rival the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-7. I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, but I like the Ravens to finally break through in the AFC and make it to the Super Bowl. Ray Lewis says he would do anything to feel that confetti coming down again. I like the Packers to come out of the NFC and repeat as Super Bowl Champions. My dark horse pick is the Houston Texans. You heard it hear first. That's all for now, and until next time, PEACE.