Voice of the fan

Sporting News, The, Feb 12, 2001

Choice voice

`What an injustice it is that Trent Dilfer has a Super Bowl ring and Dan Marino doesn't.'

--Kevin Cronin, Green Township, N.J.

Bucking the trend

In the January 29 issue, THE SPORTING NEWS talks about the flat play of the Eastern Conference in the NBA.

What do you expect from teams such as New York and Philadelphia, who don't have enough firepower to score 100 points every night? You want a team from the East that is exciting to watch? The Bucks. With virtually no national respect, Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson, Sam Cassell and Tim Thomas are proving the East will have to score points to get to The Finals.

Nathan Heller Fitchburg, Wis.

Not good enough, huh?

After reading Dave D'Alessandro's article about the 76ers (TSN, January 22), I am reminded of the cynical mentality of some fans and writers on the East Coast. As if having the best record in the NBA wasn't enough, we are now expected to win every game. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all teams could be 82-0? Let us not forget that the Sixers have the best road record in the league and have beaten Utah, Minnesota and Sacramento, as well as Portland, on the road.

Although I was disappointed by the loss to Portland in Philadelphia, I am also smart enough to realize that one game does not a season make. So fear not East-coasters. Don't panic, and take them one at a time.

Luigi Borelli West Lawn, Pa.

Think about it

After reading Dave Kindred's article "A Memoir of a Football Life" (TSN, January 15), I felt compelled to write. The story was superbly written, and Mr. Kindred couldn't have selected a better man to write about than the great coach, George Allen.

I would hope that every football player in the nation read the article and took from it the same thought that I had, and that's the thought that each and every team, be it high school, college or professional, should immediately do away with the common practice of dousing one's coach with any liquid as a form of celebration. Had Allen's last team decided not to dump icy water on its coach to celebrate a winning season, then we still might enjoy the company of this great coach.

Please guys, stop and realize what you might be putting your coaches through by continuing to celebrate with this insane practice. Coaches probably would prefer a hug, a pat on the back or a hoisting onto players' shoulders as an expression of joy.

Kevin Williams Oklahoma City

Upon further review

* The Ravens are interested in pursuing unrestricted free-agent quarterback Brad Johnson. His first name was incorrect in the Ravens notes of the February 5 issue.

* Rondell White plays for the Cubs. The team was incorrect in a February 5 story about players who were injured last season.

* Elmer Dessens went 11-5 with a 4.28 ERA in 147 1/3 innings for the Reds last season. The statistics were incorrect in the February 5 Reds team report.

Armchair quarterbacks

Admit it. You watched. Super Bowl 35 was more gritty than pretty, but you didn't change the channel. You did, however, have reason to complain.

"There's nothing like an endless stream of three-and-outs to get my blood pumping," writes Rich Roylance of Kimball, Neb. "And what about that quarterbacking showcase? Doesn't the NFL have a rule as to how many times you can throw into double coverage? Combine that with `staring down' your receivers, and any defense should look like the greatest ever. I would have to say that Britney Spears was Super Bowl MVP."

Yeah, you watched. And you'll keep watching what happens to the guys who played.

"Now the fallout will begin. All of the defensive players that made the Ravens so successful will now want 100 percent, 200 percent raises," writes Jim LaRose of Scranton, Pa. "Then maybe two, three or four players will have to be let go because of `salary-cap problems.' Trent Dilfer will want a big raise, along with the other offensive players. It happens to almost all Super Bowl teams. Remember the Cowboys, Steelers and Packers from only a few years ago? Let's wait and see what the Ravens defense looks like next season."

Oh, and about that MVP award--you stayed tuned in for that, too, didn't you?

"Ray Lewis was everywhere the ball was, whenever Kerry Collins had enough time to throw," writes Paul Stanley of Ottawa. "Give the man his due. Most of you could not have survived what this man survived this last year and do what he did over the course of the season. Swallow the sour grapes and enjoy your feast of crow with all the other naysayers."

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