Letters To The Editor
Kicker’s good works inspiring
Your article in the Dec. 24 sports section about the Minnesota Vikings kicker was definitely first class. It’s important for us to see who the real heroes in life are. They certainly aren’t the jocks who are crying about not enough zeroes on their paycheck. We have to help the next generation understand that the real heroes are the ones giving back to America, especially that part of America that lives around the corner. Faud Reveiz is going to the Pro Bowl this year. He became a hero, however, by the things he and his family did off the football field. I found a refreshing attitude in his remarks: “There is nothing owed (me). There is much I need to repay.” This is the kind of story we need to see in our morning paper and our kids need to read on our school bulletin boards every day. Faud, America needs you.
EMERY WOLD
Spokane
Erickson’s not pro material
I don’t claim to be as “in the know” and/or as knowledgeable as all the sports writers in the country. Am I one of a very few, however, who cannot understand why everyone thinks Dennis Erickson is the greatest thing to hit coaching since I don’t know when?
All of the talk about him being in such demand for numerous NFL jobs just blows my mind. When he took the Miami job, he walked into a very established program. He had talent in place that could field probably two teams that would be very strong. The reputation of Miami continues to draw talent just by who they are.
If Erickson is such a great coach, why didn’t he turn out contenders at Washington State? (Editor’s note: Cougars beat No. 1 UCLA, No. 14 Houston and finished 9-3 and ranked No. 18 in Erickson’s second season). The obvious reason is because he had average talent to work with. If he was such a great coach he should have been able to turn them into “powerhouses.”
There are numerous coaches who, given the talent Miami has, would do as well - if not better - than Erickson. This group includes the likes of Mike Price and Jim Lambright.
If, by some means, Erickson does end up coaching an NFL team, I would like to see it be Tampa Bay or Cincinnati. That should prove his “coaching abilities.”
WILLIAM J. HIATT
Spokane