Define success

Page 5 of 17 -- A: No, your points are well taken and it's easy for us to say take a cut for the good of the team. I would agree with that in every other sport except football. The careers are short. They have no guarantees. Some of the stronger agents in the game, like Carl Poston, say if a contract was agreed upon and signed it should be honored unless it's reconfigured positively for the player. If a player's talents are dwindling, then he should consider a cut, but in Law's case where he's still on top of his game, should he take a pay cut? If anything, he should get a raise. Maybe I'm just too pro-player, but in baseball I'm not as much because those salaries are completely out of whack and players should take less for the good of the team.

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Nick, I personally have no problem with your responses to all of the crybabies who write in to complain about your take on the Patriots. They, unfortunately, have the opportunity to write in and say what they want. You are gracious enough to respond. I know you try to include everyone's opinions, but I don't read your column to listen to these chumps complain about your predictions, thoughts, etc. I say don't give them the time of day. Your "true" readers who appreciate your opinion, whether or not it is the same as theirs, will appreciate it. Thanks for your unbiased opinion.
Joe Sawhill, Des Moines, Iowa

A: Thanks, Joe. It's fun to get those sometimes. I think it's fun to run them because they're so outrageous and people like yourself understand how crazy some of them are that it makes for good entertainment. I've received a lot of letters saying just stop running them because they're getting a bit predictable and the act is old. I mean, the team is 10-2 and we still have people writing in about how I thought trading Bledsoe to Buffalo was a bad idea.

Nick, great column. As a transplanted New Englander, I look forward to your column every week. Do you know why Steve Grogan has never been offered an offensive coordinator's job in the NFL? I thought as a QB that he did a outstanding job calling the plays. I just loved his penchant to gamble on third and 1.
Mark Nooth, Meridian, Idaho

A: I don't think so. I was always a big advocate of Steve getting a shot as a QB coach, but as time passed nobody ever gave him the chance. He's a great guy with great values and I know he's doing very well in the sporting goods business. A few of those ex-Patriots either would have or are doing well. Steve Nelson has built quite a power house at Curry College, and I'm kind of hoping Holy Cross recruits him for their vacant job.   Continued...