THE MAIL

Jeff Saturday (Calm amid the Chaos) never got the credit he deserved for helping the Colts win Super Bowl XLI. Because of his ability to keep Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher at bay, Indianapolis was able to make key running plays on third downs and eventually beat Chicago 29--17. It was probably the first Super Bowl in which I thought a center, if not the entire offensive line, should have been selected Most Valuable Player.

Jeff M. Sellers, Aliso Viejo, Calif.

LETTER

Split Personality

I had mixed feelings after reading Alexander Wolff's essay on retiring UConn coach Jim Calhoun (INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL). I bristled a bit when Wolff declared Storrs, "the only unlovely college town in New England." That couldn't be further from the truth. I did, however, agree with his assessment of Calhoun. The guy is complex in nature. Not only is he brutally profane, biting and sarcastic, but he is also dedicated and endearing, to the point that he generates an unbelievable amount of loyalty.

Eric Ferreri, Durham, N.C.

Playing Both Sides

It seems ironic that your opening photographs of football players being hit so hard that their helmets are coming off (LEADING OFF) are followed by letters responding to your article on concussion-related dementia in the NFL. It's difficult to determine whether you understand the toll that football can take on players or you celebrate it.

Mark Milroy, Springfield, Va.

Speed Skaters

I just read your package on speed in sports, and while I thought it was excellent, one thing about it left me scratching my head. How could you overlook a sport like hockey, which is based on continuous foot speed? In fact, hockey is so reliant on the players' agility and how fast they skate that most shifts on the ice last only about 45 seconds.

Larry Ringel, Metairie, La.

Hurry It Up a Little

I can't believe Phil Taylor is lamenting the emphasis on speed in sports, specifically in baseball (POINT AFTER). Has he watched a game lately? MLB games lasted an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes 40 years ago. In the decade from 2000 through 2009 the average game time was 2 hours and 57 minutes. The last thing we need is a slower game.

Kerry Carpenter, Florissant, Mo.

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INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL: JIM CALHOUN

SEPT. 24

NFL CONCUSSIONS

SEPT. 10

THE BOY THEY COULDN'T KILL

SEPT. 17

DE'ANTHONY THOMAS

SEPT. 24

TWEET OF THE WEEK

THE PROBLEM WITH JETS FANS BOOING? THEY'RE ACTING AS IF THEIR TEAM IS GOOD. AS IF THEY EXPECTED BETTER PLAY AGAINST THE 49ERS.

THELO GILLESPIE (@YUTEAALI)

FEEDBACK

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith threw for 656 yards and eight touchdowns in a historic Big 12 shootout against Baylor, won by the Mountaineers 70--63. Does Smith's epic performance make him the new Heisman favorite?

Philip Martin: Despite Smith's astronomical stats against Baylor, I think it's way too early for this kind of talk. I want to see how he and the Mountaineers compete against Texas, Oklahoma and the rest of the Big 12 before I start thinking Heisman.

Jared Kenshin Cumberlander: I don't know how anyone is still questioning Smith's talent. He's got everything you want in a QB, and then some. The Heisman will definitely be his if he keeps this up.

Michael S Moorer: Not impressed. West Virginia has yet to play a team that actually attempts to pressure Smith or play defense.

Nick Bautista: The guy threw eight touchdown passes! He cannot be ignored!

Chris Willingham: The Mountaineers will not win any big games in the Big 12 by allowing [an] opposing team to score 63 points. They will fall soon, and it will hurt Smith's Heisman chances.

Marcus Brewster: I think Smith is the sleeper who will steal the Heisman from USC's Matt Barkley the same way Robert Griffin III stole it from Andrew Luck last year.

PHOTO

ROBERT BECK (COVER)

FOR Sept. 24, 2012

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TWITTER.COM (TWEET)

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ROB CHRISTY/US PRESSWIRE (SMITH)

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