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THE MAIL
Terry Francona may very well be correct in his comments about the Red Sox ownership and how badly it ended for him, but I want to know why he suddenly lost touch with his players. Why didn't he talk about the reasons he let the team get so far out of control and why he was unable to get them back on track and back to caring about winning?
Bob Plotkin, Longmeadow, Mass.
Not Even Close
I find it laughable that the Red Sox are referred to as an empire (Too Big to Succeed). An empire suggest years of dominance and championships. An empire does not go 86 years between World Series wins. The Marlins have the same number of World Series wins since 1918 as Boston, and they had 74 fewer years to win them in.
Sam Vincent Sorvino, Oregon City, Ore.
Quick Hits
After reading David Epstein's essay about Junior Seau and brain trauma (SCORECARD), I was left wondering if players and coaches are paying attention to the growing research that suggests that the combination of big-impact hits and constant smaller hits to the head play a major part in the trauma to a player's brain? While the average pro player may suffer a minimum of one or two concussions throughout his career, by the time he retires he has taken countless lower-level hits to the head while participating in practice drills, scrimmages and games—often as early as Pop Warner football, when players can be as young as five years old.
Jerry Chiplock, Saginaw, Mich.
Marv-elous Idea
There was a huge omission in your The Old Canada Try chart (SCORECARD) in which you acknowledge the players and coaches who have had both successes and failures in the NFL and the CFL. Marv Levy led the Bills to four straight Super Bowls, is in the NFL Hall of Fame and won the CFL's Grey Cup twice as coach of the Montreal Alouettes.
Mike Lague, Montreal
Facing Tough Questions
I appreciated Phil Taylor's honest and rational commentary on Royce White (POINT AFTER). The question of how the Rockets should deal with White's anxiety is a sensitive subject; however, sometimes the hard questions must be asked. While I empathize with White, I can't help but think that maybe he should try something that does not require frequent travel and that will keep his anxiety at a minimum.
David Jackson, Millbrae, Calif.
The Start of Something Big
After reading your story on Colin Kaepernick (O.K., Now We Get It), I can't help but think of Tom Brady and how he took over for the highly touted Drew Bledsoe as the Patriots' starting quarterback in 2001. Jim Harbaugh's decision in choosing Kaepernick over Alex Smith may create a legacy for himself and Kaepernick, the same way it did for Bill Belichick and Brady in New England.
Matt Chippin Fredericton, New Brunswick
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FEEDBACK
Former No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell is attempting an NFL comeback. Which team do you see him playing for, if any?
David Mumford: None. At over 300 pounds, Russell looks like an offensive linemen. Pathetic shape for a quarterback.
Caleb Dolman: The only team I could see him playing for is the Jets. They have no real quarterbacks on their roster so it would make sense.
Nickolas Cain: Not really sure, but good for him for at least trying. Everyone deserves a shot at redemption. He was a stud at LSU. He was just young and dumb with too much bonus money up front.
Bryan Wall: Maybe he should give the CFL a go first to see if he can still play.
Mike Kiser: I can't see any team giving him serious consideration after what they have already seen of him during his first run. Once a bust, always a bust.
John Gore: There are too many good athletes in the NFL at quarterback for a team to commit money to a guy like Russell, who has a poor record and questions about his character.
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