Letters

Media coverage helps pump up athletes' egos

I was disappointed to read Jamal Lewis' recent comments on his ability to run the football. He said he should be used more often because he was probably the best runner in football.

Maybe he is, but why should he say so? Perhaps it is because the media have made sports and athletes so very important that the individuals believe they are something truly special.

Recently, we have seen sports stars get into trouble with illegal acts. This might be because some think they are above the law - after reading their own press clippings.

Robert Curtis Bel Air

Balanced offense is key to reaching Super Bowl

Notwithstanding the January 2001 Super Bowl and John Eisenberg's opinion that the Ravens need to run more ["Passing chance is one Billick just can't resist," Monday], the Ravens will not make the Super Bowl without a balanced offense, including a legitimate passing game.

The Ravens need to pass 25 to 30 times a game, but they need to do it using more three-receiver sets and more 15- to 20-yard patterns. If the Ravens have four receivers (including the tight end) running pass patterns, opposing defenses have to account for them.

That likely means at least five defenders back and no more than six in the box. The Ravens can run against six in the box without a fullback. (The Colts' Edgerrin James averages about 100 yards per game, mostly as a lone setback.)

Using three-wide-receiver sets, Jamal Lewis can get his 30 carries and Kyle Boller can throw 25 to 30 times, and both the passing and running games will benefit.

Without a proficient passing game, the Ravens will not score enough to get to the Super Bowl. An over-reliance on the running game is a sign of a team playing scared. Teams that play scared don't win Super Bowls.

Ron Holstein Carney

Sarcastic headline on Army was bad joke

We hope no one will accuse us of lacking a sense of humor, but we thought the sarcasm in the headline "East Carolina ends Army's winning streak" [Oct. 31] - playing on the fact that Army had won two games after previously losing 19 straight - was inappropriate.

Whoever came up with the headline should keep in mind that the Army players who were the butt of the joke not only have many more important demands on their time - demands not shared by most of the opposing players - but also that in a few months, the Army players may well be on the front lines in Iraq or Afghanistan fighting to preserve our First Amendment (and other) rights at the risk of injury or death.

Some jokes just aren't that funny.

Stanley M. Levy and Andrew D. Levy Highland

Humility, grace lacking with today's athletes

How sad it is to see your reporters devoting space to football players who indulge in self-glorification with celebratory dances, chest pounding, running away from the team to point to themselves after a making a tackle and other childish behavior.

These players get the most TV camera time and ink for their antics. Increased coverage encourages more outlandish behavior. Whatever happened to humility and grace?

How I long to see a halfback make an exciting run for a touchdown, hand the ball to the referee, and trot back to the bench ... period.

Why should leagues have to develop rules on sportsmanship and taunting? It is the coaches who allow this behavior. "Football builds character" was once a coach's mantra to parents and players. Now it is a joke.

Tom Foster Parkville