Letters

Above It All

The first thing I do when I receive SI each week is look at the LEADING OFF�pictures. The action shot of LaDainian Tomlinson by Peter Read Miller (Nov. 28) may be the best sports picture I've ever seen. LT is soaring above everyone else, a comment on his status as an NFL running back.

Nathan Smith, Columbia, Mo.

Peyton's Place

Enough with the Peyton Manning lovefest (Unbeatable?, Nov. 28)! A large part of why the Colts are unbeaten has to do with the team's pathetic schedule (they play Houston and Tennessee--twice!) and the creation of the AFC South, an act of NFL gerrymandering. When Manning finally wins important games outside, in the cold, then he'll be a great quarterback, not just a great climate-controlled quarterback.

Maya Fernando, Chicago

The Naturals

Not that I condone the use of anabolic steroids or amphetamines while competing in sports (SCORECARD, Nov. 28), but I hope America is ready to cut baseball and its players a break when the run output and energy level decrease as a result of the tougher antidrug policy. If you've asked for baseball to clean up its act, sit back and enjoy home run champions hitting 35, RBI leaders with 110 and the suicide squeeze becoming popular again. Just don't boo when the game takes a step backward.

Brett McDonnell, Arlington, Texas

Why am I being asked to feel sorry that players will no longer be able to pop some pills to get themselves up to play a game? What kind of message does it send to me as a worker and a parent that, according to two managers, they will need expanded rosters and players will need more time off if amphetamines are banned?