Let the real games begin

Page 7 of 19 -- In the Eagles game I didn't appreciate Ty Law's tackling James Thrash, Eagles WR, by his knees when Thrash appeared to be off the ground and had his hands well above his head. Thrash was unable to cushion or even re-direct his fall - he could easily have been severely or permanently injured. The Eagles defenders notably didn't play like that. Shouldn't the NFL ban tackling the knees of a receiver when their feet are off the ground and their hands are above their head?
-- Chris Baker, Harpswell ME

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A: I understand your concern Chris, but I think that's just a bang-bang, instinctive play by the cornerback. I don't know how you can ask players to make those split decisions on how to tackle someone. I think there are too many rules as is.

Hi, Nick. I'm a Patriots fan in Yorkshire in the U.K. This is not so much a question as a thought. I read in a U.K. magazine that Bill Parcells has a .428 winning percentage without Belicheck as his right-hand man. How much credit do you think Belichick deserves for his time with the Giants and Jets given that he won a superbowl with the Patriots without Parcells?
-- Ian Smirthwaite, United Kingdom

A: It's a factor, but for anyone to suggest that Parcells wouldn't have been a great coach without Belichick isn't giving The Tuna enough credit. Parcells taught these guys how to be good coaches. For my money, Parcells is one of the greatest ever.

Nick, Reading about the Eagles' new digs, I noticed that they have escalators leading up to each specific seating level. Not only had I thought that Gillette was originally supposed to have similar escalators, I thought they were supposed to be installed and fully operational by this season. Is this a plan, or did I just imagine it? We folks up in the 300 seats have a looong walk up those infernal ramps before and after each game. Thanks in advance and keep the great answers coming!
-- Mark Cordeiro, Coventry, RI

A: I know it was reported that the escalators were going to be installed down the road and perhaps some people thought that meant the very next season. From what I hear, it's still on a to-do list, but I'm not sure how far up the food chain it is.

More of a comment than a question, as a Patriots fan living one hundred miles upwind from Chicago, I periodically tune into the Windy City's sports media for ammusement. The overwhelming consensus on the Chicago airwaves is that the Bears have committed unforgivable errors by essentially handing the Patriots two core defensive players while gaining nothing in return.
-- J. Londondison WI   Continued...