LETTERS
The NHL's efforts to reduce the number of concussions may appear honorable to some, but to me it's sheer hypocrisy, considering how the league continues to allow players to fight and throw punches at each other's heads. If it really wanted to minimize concussions, the NHL would ban all fighting on the ice.
C. Ralph Verno, West Chester, Pa.
As the NHL continues to evaluate the effectiveness of Rule 48 (It's a Whole New Game, Oct. 10), there is no doubt that the dynamics of hockey will eventually change. However, when assessing fines and penalties, the league should consider that injuries incurred by incidental hits are inevitable. The severity of an injury or the fact that a star player takes a big hit should not dictate the punishment.
Erika Triscari
Falls Church, Va.
Motown Sound
Thank you for your article on the Lions' resurgence (Remade in Detroit, Oct. 10). It's inspiring to see this team perform so well while the city of Detroit is in the midst of such hard economic times. I think the Motor City finally has an NFL team that will keep its citizens going for many years to come.
David Lacey, Riverside, Calif.
Taking a Stand
I was amazed by Michael Rosenberg's article on bullying (SCORECARD, Oct. 10). While I had heard many stories about bullying, I had never heard one as cruel as Nadin Khoury's. It was great reading about how he stood up for himself and was able to share his story and inspire others with his courage.
Tyler Scott, Columbus, Ohio
As a teenager who has been bullied throughout my life, I was happy to see a high-profile sports figure such as DeSean Jackson take action to highlight this major issue. No one ever really came to my aid while I was being bullied in the locker room and on the soccer field, so to see that Jackson is actually concerned about bullying is making a huge impact in my life. All schoolchildren should read this article because it could give them the hope and confidence it has given me.
Brian Babyak, Weston, Conn.
Defensive Stops
While the numbers put up by the 2011 Alabama defense are certainly impressive (Tide and Punishment, Oct. 10), I think the most important statistic needed to judge a great defense may be points surrendered. Since the 1920s only three teams have reached regular-season perfection by remaining unscored upon: Colgate in 1932, Duke in '38 and Tennessee in '39.
Kent Stephens, South Bend
Southern Gentleman
I wholeheartedly agree with Joe Posnanski's comments in What the Game Needs (POINT AFTER, Oct. 10). I was a walk-on offensive lineman at Georgia Tech in 1976 when Bill Curry was the team's offensive line coach. At the time, many of the coaches and players treated walk-ons with mild disdain. On the contrary, Coach Curry treated me with the same respect he gave to all the scholarship players under his tutelage. Any parent would be lucky to have his or her child be coached and taught life's lessons by such a man.
Scott Lyle, Baltimore
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FEEDBACK
Which performance by an NFL team or player got you on your feet during Week 7?
Kyle Randolph: Hands down it was Cowboys rookie DeMarco Murray, whose franchise-record 253 yards rushing against the Rams outdid both Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith.
Jerry Palatini: Tony Gonzalez's five catches against the Lions to become the league's No. 2 alltime receiver, behind Jerry Rice.
Kyle McFarland (@KMcFarland2): The Raiders' performance got me on my feet ... so that I could jump off a cliff.
Samantha Klein (@samiamSHK): Drew Brees's five touchdowns to help the Saints put up 62 points on the Colts. Nothing like a good old butt-whooping.
Kenny Stables: Definitely not Tim Tebow. He barely beat Miami. Talentwise, he's a fifth-rounder at best.
Alex Ferrari (@AFerrari4u): The Dolphins, for somehow blowing that game to the Broncos. However, instead of celebrating, I was on my feet banging my head against the wall.
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LAYNE MURDOCH/GETTY IMAGES (MURRAY)
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