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Sporting News, The, July 1, 2005 by Randy Shy, Jeff B. Hawkins, Giles Parker, Greg Buelow, Mike Rossi

'Has everyone forgotten the Broncos had a top five defense last season (TSN, June 17)? The Broncos' 'D' will be just as good, if not better.'--Randy Shy, Lamar, Colo.

* By returning to the Lakers, there is no downside for Phil Jackson. If he gets the team back into contention, he silences everyone. What could the naysayers offer up then? However, if he fails to achieve that goal, the finger doesn't point at him. It would point at Kobe. If you don't think Phil didn't recognize that and that it wasn't his major reason for choosing L.A. over anywhere else, then you haven't been paying attention. At all.--Jeff B. Hawkins, Peabody, Mass.

* The Patriots will win their third championship in four years. They lost one lineman (Joe Andruzzi) but got a "C" grade (TSN, June 17) while San Diego was called "the NFL's most stable franchise." As a Patriots fan, I thank you for the bulletin board fodder.--Giles Parker, Braintree, Mass.

* I hope Major League Baseball makes some needed changes to interleague play. I think it is unfair for divisional teams to play different interleague teams. There needs to be a balanced schedule so that all teams in a division play the same opponents in the same number of games.--Greg Buelow, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

* Thank you to Kyle Veltrop for his wonderfully written piece on Jason Varitek (TSN, June 17). I have been a Red Sox fan my whole life, and Varitek's passion for the game matches our passion for our beloved team. Why can't more players play for the love of the game?--Mike Rossi, North Attleboro, Mass.

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