Letters
The excerpt from The Wave (Sept. 13) provided an exhilarating reading experience. Even though I've never surfed, Susan Casey's descriptions transported me into the belly of a 100-foot beast. You have to tip your hat to the adrenaline junkies who risk their lives in an attempt to ride those colossal swells.
Daniel Berger, Riverside, Calif.
I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my body as I read The Wave. I could taste saltwater and smell and feel a wave the size of a skyscraper bearing down on me. I've taken many hard hits playing football and lacrosse, but that's nothing compared with taking the crushing blow of a wave ... and then paddling out for more.
Wayne Lantier
West Palm Beach, Fla.
The Long March
I enjoyed Jim Trotter's article on the drive put together by the Titans at the end of their game against the Cardinals (99 Yards to Go, Sept. 13). I could picture the receivers running their routes, the Cardinals' blitzes bearing down on Vince Young and Young making his reads—and I could understand why he made those reads. This type of story brings out the mental chess match between offensive and defensive coordinators. It was great to get a glimpse inside the heads of a game's key strategists.
Gary Trebels
Arlington Heights, Ill.
Even though most pro teams have a battalion of assistant coaches, we often hear from only the top guy. It was refreshing to read that the Tennessee coaching staff could orchestrate two minutes and 37 seconds of the game without micromanaging by Jeff Fisher. That says a lot about Fisher's leadership style.
Robert Kirchubel
Lafayette, Ind.
Past Perfect
I loved Dick Friedman's essay (SCORECARD, Sept. 13) because I was also there at Boston University Field during the inaugural AFL season of 1960, cheering for the Boston Patriots in the end zone at $2.50 per ticket. Friedman had it right-on with the atmosphere and the craziness of those AFL games. What an experience!
John Larrabee
Lexington, Mass.
Dodger Blues
It has taken Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt only a few years to completely destroy what took the O'Malleys decades to build (The Embarrassment of Riches, Sept. 13). The McCourts have become the most embarrassing professional sports franchise owners in the history of Los Angeles, which is no small feat considering Al Davis used to reside here and Donald Sterling still does.
Dan Sullivan, Pasadena
For Openers
The coverage of college football's opening weekend was good, but why put Alabama running back Trent Richardson on the cover? The Tide won a national championship last season—wouldn't it have been better to show a school that's not constantly in the headlines?
Bill Grier, Troy, Mich.
I didn't agree with Penn State coach Joe Paterno's decision to start freshman quarterback Robert Bolden in the Nittany Lions' first game. True freshmen shouldn't have the first-string spot in a major program, especially at a playmaking position such as quarterback. Timing is everything. Using a player too early in his college career can cost a team in the long run.
Ted Williams, Bel Air, Md.
Passion Play
My brother, who still has dreams of playing in the NFL, signed to play deep snapper for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League, which Phil Taylor wrote about in his column (POINT AFTER, Sept. 13). I love football with a passion. That same passion drives my brother—and all UFL players—to persevere on their makeshift path. Sometimes you wonder if many NFLers truly love the game or simply love the money.
Brady King
Dallas
So the average salary for the United Football League is $50,000 for an eight-game season, and Jeff Garcia and others are saying they play in the UFL for the love of the game? Let's have Garcia try being a high school teacher (or insert your overworked/underpaid occupation here) for 36 weeks a year for considerably less money, and then I might believe he understands what taking "the prima donna out of the game" really means.
Mike McCarthy
South Bend
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