Derric Daniels
You can bet junior quarterback Derric Daniels wishes Saturday’s game with Georgetown was an away game for the Rams. For the Washington, D.C., native it would be an early start to a leisurely Thanksgiving Break at his old stomping grounds. But the H.D. Woodson High standout has felt right at home at quarterback ever since arriving in the Bronx, easing into the starting role as a sophomore in 2004 and never relinquishing the spot since. His first year was his finest, as Daniels set school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns. Among his impressive performances was a game against Duquesne in which Daniels was responsible for five scoring strikes. He helped the Rams jump out to a 21-3 lead at Georgetown last season by throwing three touchdown passes before Hoya senior quarterback Nick Cangelosi led the home team back to a thrilling 24-21 win. Daniels will undoubtedly seek revenge for last year’s loss on the Hilltop, an embarrassing affair close to home. Daniels was an honorable mention all-Metro pick his senior year at Woodson and was named the MVP of the 2002 DCIAA all-Star Classic. A win over Georgetown would be the perfect appetizer for Daniels before a happy holiday homecoming to the District.
Marcus Taylor
It is hard to find positive qualities in a defense that is relinquishing nearly 350 yards per game, but if there is one salve for the gaping wound that is the Fordham defense, it is senior linebacker Marcus Taylor. Taylor’s stats on the season conjure up images of another dominant linebacker named Taylor: 101 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, three interceptions, four sacks and four forced fumbles. While Marcus may not quite be L.T. material, his senior year in the Bronx has been memorable. After sitting out the entire 2003 season with an injury, Taylor has been a mainstay in the Ram’s defensive backfield, earning second team All-Patriot League honors in 2005 after leading the team with 120 tackles. Those who remember Georgetown’s 2004 loss to Fordham may recall Taylor returning an interception 43 yards to commence a 36-6 thumping at Jack Coffey Field. An all-League selection at Silver Spring (Md.) Springbrook High, Taylor was also a standout basketball player and still holds the school’s record for most charges taken in a season. It is safe to say that Taylor will be remembered after his college career as a player who inflicted punishment far more often than he took it.
