LETTERS
Belichick gofer probably was just following orders
To the sports editor:
And now we have NFL Spygate.
It’s good to see New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick get nailed substantially ($500,000 fine).
The only problem is that the poor schmuck who got caught probably will get the ax. Ironically, that schmuck no doubt was following orders and would have been fired if he refused to cheat.
If the Patriots’ front office picks up the tab for Belichick, that will give a clear indication of where the cheating orders originated from.
But then, we’ll probably never know on that one, huh?
DUANE WASHUM
NFL commissioner isn’t consistent with penalties
To the sports editor:
Hmmm, let’s see, an NFL player gets suspended for four games for cheating the first time, one year for the second time and faces a lifetime ban for the third offense.
Why shouldn’t coaches and owners be penalized the same? Since this is the second time for the “cheatin’ Patriots,” the whole coaching staff and the owner should be suspended for the entire year.
Are you reading this, commissioner Roger Goodell? The integrity of your league and your legacy are on the line here, and the solution appears to be simple: Equal punishment for all. Nothing more, nothing less. Cheating is cheating, period.
DOUG LOW
If signals intercepted, get better at disguising them
To the sports editor:
If you’re giving signals to somebody, you’re trying to be clandestine. If those signals are being intercepted, get better at disguising them.
New England and Bill Belichick didn’t do anything wrong. The same thing is done in baseball every day.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has gone overboard with his punishment of Belichick and the Patriots.
KIPP ALTEMARA
NFL pregame show has no room for Olbermann
To the sports editor:
Regarding “Remote Control” columnist Bill Taaffe and his take on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” pregame show (“NBC flagged for changes to pregame show,” Sept. 11):
I love studio analyst Cris Collinsworth and even anchor Bob Costas — in small doses. But when I read that Keith Olbermann was joining the mix, I made the decision to tune out.
After reading Taaffe’s take on Olbermann, I’m glad I did.
HOWIE REED
Rebels can’t justify not giving ball to Summers
To the sports editor:
Regarding UNLV football coach Mike Sanford not using Frank Summers in critical short-yardage situations in the Utah State and Wisconsin games, I have to say, “Mike, shame on you!”
Summers was recruited specifically for short-yardage situations. How can Sanford say the tough Wisconsin defense was 100 percent (the reason) why Summers was not used?
If I were Summers, I would be embarrassed over your “no confidence” vote in my ability to pick up 1 yard in two attempts against a good defensive line.
Mike, how can you justify sending a relatively light quarterback — Travis Dixon — into that tough Wisconsin defense and let a 240-pound monster sit on the bench?
RON SWARTZ
The Review-Journal welcomes letters from its readers. Letters should be 100 words or fewer and must include the author’s name and phone number. Send letters to: Letters to the Sports Editor, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. Letters also can be e-mailed to: jhawk@reviewjournal.com.
