Letters

Roger Goodell has certainly made an impact on the NFL. I applaud him for his tough stance on players' safety and discipline, and for the professionalism he expects personnel to display at all levels. If he can settle the labor dispute without a lockout, he will be a genius.

Ron Caputo, Chandler, Ariz.

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Peter King's article on Roger Goodell (The Man of the Hour, Feb. 7) caught me completely off guard. I now have a significantly different outlook on Goodell's position as NFL commissioner, a job that is both glamorous and thankless. The contrast between Goodell as stern gatekeeper and passionate head of state is quite revealing. While I don't agree with many of the rules he has put in place that have taken the edge off the game, at least I now know that there is a method to his madness.

Mark S. McKinney

Santa Ynez, Calif.

Your article showed exactly why the owners feel Goodell is the right man to resolve the NFL's issues. However, the author failed to mention anything about players who often don't see eye to eye with the commissioner. For example, center Jeff Saturday ended a meeting with Goodell in the Colts' locker room last August because Goodell was being berated by the players. It makes you wonder how well the NFL can function if the employees don't respect the boss.

Dylan Snyder

San Rafael, Calif.

Odd Man In

Your article on Brian Wilson (Three Quarters Nuts, Feb. 7) illustrates that he is baseball's most underrated closer. Although Wilson saved more games than either Mariano Rivera or Billy Wagner last year, his talent has been overshadowed by Rivera's and Wagner's ability to still save games despite their age, and by talk of their potential places in the Hall of Fame.

Alex Schiffer

Westfield, N.J.

Wilson might give a crazy first impression, but critics should realize that his eccentricities simply highlight his unique character. His is not the desire for attention that so often plagues other athletes. Besides, his talent clearly complements his quirkiness, as he is an integral fixture on a dominant pitching staff.

Neil Jariwalla

San Jose

Changed Man?

Your article on Ben Roethlisberger (Chasten the Dream, Feb. 7) focused on the degree to which the Steelers and their fans have forgiven him for his egregious misconduct. I wonder, however, about the people who suffered firsthand from his boorish behavior. Has Roethlisberger apologized to them and sought to make amends for how he mistreated them? That would be the best evidence that his apparent change of heart is real.

Jay Misenheimer

Puyallup, Wash.

Flying High

I thoroughly enjoyed your article on Blake Griffin (Poster Boys, Feb. 7). He continues to impress basketball fans not only with his monstrous slams but also with his hustle and dedication on the court. He's bringing the Clippers back from basketball purgatory and finally making the team interesting to follow.

Charlie Beyerl

Hingham, Mass.

I wanted to thank Chris Ballard for the excellent profile of Griffin. For far too long the Clippers have played second fiddle to the Lakers. With Griffin's help that's about to change.

Matt Engel, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

There's no denying that Griffin is a unique specimen and an amazing dunker. However, the photo of his dunk on the Knicks' Danilo Gallinari shows a blatant offensive foul: Griffin grabs Gallinari's arm as he attempts the throw-down.

Tim Josephs

Asheville, N.C.

Is it by pure chance that your photograph of Griffin dunking over Zack Novak makes Griffin look like he's wearing a Superman cape?

Dave Ayrault, Pointe Park, Mich.

Tweetin' It Up

I want to thank Joe Posnanski for his not-so-subtle commentary on the mundane tweets of famous athletes (POINT AFTER, Feb. 7). The thought that anyone could be moved by the dietary choices of John Daly or Doyle Brunson left me no choice but to LOL.

Brian Ogolsky, Towson, Md.

Your brilliant column on athletes and Twitter only confirmed what I already suspected: The vast majority of tweets are both narcissistic and inane.

Pat Crowley

Lexington, Mass.

I do not use Twitter or read blogs, because I feel that most of their authors are saying nothing worthwhile. Still, there are times when I worry that I might be missing out on something. Thankfully, your column has confirmed my original thesis.

Alan E. Krause

Oak Park, Ill.

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