Letters

As a lifelong Jets fan I had become accustomed to their being the "same old Jets" and to the broken heart that comes with that. But due to the play of the offensive line this season, the Jets have been winning games that they would normally lose. Even though the O-line gets the least amount of recognition on the field, I guarantee that it will be the reason the team rolls all the way to the Super Bowl.

Paul Haramis, Roseland, N.J.

So the Jets' offensive line (The Big Difference, Nov. 22) weighs in at more than 1,500 pounds, over 300 pounds per man. Is this what the picture of elite athleticism at the highest level of football competition has become? Men with fat bellies hanging over their belt lines?

Lawrence S. Nagle

Signal Mountain, Tenn.

Your article on the Jets mentions that the offensive linemen work "more than they yap... . They beat you up and walk off the field." Is this something new in sports? People who actually do their jobs and often do them well, without having to brag about it? Stuff like this could really make me want to become a Jets fan.

J. Kevin Egan, Portland

Matters of Opinion

I was bewildered to find that Louisville wasn't among the top 68 teams in your men's college basketball preview (Filling the Brackets, Nov. 22). To exclude a team that has consistently been a leader in the Big East and a strong competitor in the NCAA tournament while including teams from the America East and Patriot conferences is outrageous. I guess the Cardinals exposed your mistake when they dominated your 12th-ranked team, Butler, last month 88--73.

Meredith Garner

Simpsonville, Ky.

You mention in your bracket predictions that Tennessee could win the SEC, yet you don't think the Vols are good enough to round out your top 20?

Terry Pruitt, Rockvale, Tenn.

I'm not sure how you can rank the Connecticut women's squad (Hunting for the Bears, Nov. 22), which entered the season having won 78 straight games and the last two national titles, anywhere but No. 1. I guess you're now surprised that UConn has extended its streak to 86, including a win over your No. 1 pick, Baylor.

Chris Holden, Dedham, Mass.

Sad Reality

SI's photo of Don Holleder leading Army onto the West Point football field in 1955 (LEADING OFF, Nov. 22) has long been one of my favorites. However, after reading that Major Holleder was killed in Vietnam 12 years later, I couldn't help but wonder just how many more cadets from that picture also lost their lives in the war.

Peter Boam

Novato, Calif.

Bring It On

Chris Mannix's description of Manny Pacquiao's destruction of Antonio Margarito (Inside Boxing, Nov. 22) was truly outstanding. It's a shame we may never see Pacquiao fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. because whoever won could go down as the greatest fighter of all time.

Rick Bueti

Chappaqua, N.Y.

Fair Game

Selena Roberts's column about the football controversy at Southington High (POINT AFTER, Nov. 22) brought back memories of my days coaching high school football. During one of our games we too found the other team's list of plays. But when I handed the list to our head coach he, unlike Coach Hernandez, crumpled it up and dropped it in the trash can.

Bill Knox, Haslet, Texas

If Southington's coach had stolen the armband codes from the opposing team, that would have been one thing. But the opposing player dropped it on the field. Totally different. For anyone to compare this incident with Spygate is outrageous, because Patriots coach Bill Belichick violated rules that were clearly designed to prevent such cheating.

Erik Michae, Plainville, Conn.

I can't believe that any coach would not consider this a form of cheating. If this situation were presented to the players as a hypothetical—"What would you do?"—I bet they'd be able to determine right from wrong and demonstrate good sportsmanship.

Phil Orlowski, Portland

The ethical thing for the coach to do would have been to let the other team know he had the armband and would use it. That would give the opposing team time to adjust its game plan, and no one would have an unfair advantage.

Dave Millis, Edgewood, Iowa

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PHOTO

DAVID BERGMAN (JETS)

PHOTO

BOB ROSATO (COVER)