BUZ HOUGHTALING (Newport News). I greatly enjoyed your article regarding player antics in the end zone. I absolutely agree with you that if TV stopped showing these players in the end zone, the problem would go away.
HESSLER. One can only hope that becomes the case. Something else TV could do is ignore the seizures these guys have after making routine plays, such as a tackle after a three-yard gain. I don’t believe making television a “no-celebrating zone” would take the fun out of the game because there isn’t much fun in watching a guy prance and pose by himself rather than celebrate with the teammates who helped him make the play.
TYE (somewhere in Florida). My first Christmas wish: The little idiot (Redskins’ coach Steve Spurrier) moves to Miami. My second Christmas wish: (Redskins’ owner) Dan Snyder sells the team.
HESSLER. I doubt that either of your Christmas wishes will come true, though the first one may not be out of the question. As for the second wish, Snyder bought himself a lifetime toy and he enjoys playing with it too much to get rid of it. Being a Red
CHUCK KUROWSKI. Over the past two years or so, I’ve read your report cards on the Redskins, and it seems (cornerback) Champ Bailey has had quite a few off days. Could he be overrated?
HESSLER. There are days I wonder the same thing, but then I realize that I hold Bailey to a much higher standard than, say, fellow cornerback Fred Smoot. Bailey will allow some completions, but the fact the league’s players voted him to a fourth consecutive Pro Bowl makes it clear that other cornerbacks are beaten much more often. Another thing that sets Bailey apart from most cornerbacks is that he is a willing, and effective, tackler. Through 15 games, he registered 67 tackles, more any defensive lineman.
ANTHONY BUSIC (Salem). I’ve been a Redskins’ fan since the early 1970s, and I’m so disgusted with the team on the field today. For all his college greatness, Spurrier seems clueless at times as an NFL coach. I hope he leaves for a good college job.
HESSLER. Spurrier had a good college job and left it. I doubt he would just leave $5 million per year on the table and go back. If it happens, it will likely be because he was fired and no other NFL owner takes a chance on him.
