Letters

What, the Hex?

With your NFL Preview Issue the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED cover jinx came through again, big time. Not only was Patriots quarterback Tom Brady featured on one of your six regional covers, but he is also shown putting forward the knee that he injured in Week 1 against the Chiefs, ending his season.
Peter Mandzuk, Danbury, Conn.

I have enjoyed reading your magazine for years, but if I should ever become famous, I respectfully request that you do not put my picture on your cover.
Kent Walter, Alliance, Ohio

Your NFL Preview failed to include SI's prediction that Tony Romo, Marion Barber, T.O., DeMarcus Ware and Terence Newman will all unexpectedly retire in late September. I just assume you believe this will happen, given that you predict Philadelphia (Scouting Reports, Sept. 1) and not Dallas to win the NFC East.
Sam Fiano, Fairfield, Conn.

Back in the 1980s the NFL employed a scheduling process in which strong teams had to play against each other more often. In the schedule ratings in your NFL Preview, I noticed that both the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers, surely the two strongest teams in the NFL last year, have been given the two weakest schedules in the NFL, ranked at 32 and 31, respectively. Evidently, the NFL now rewards good teams with weak schedules.
Donald Connors, Arlington, Va.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For the 2002 season the league adopted a scheduling method whose priority was to ensure that every team played every other team at least once every four years: In addition to six games against divisional foes, teams play all four teams in a division out of their conference, and in their conference, with the divisions rotating yearly. The two remaining games are against teams that finished in the same position from the remaining conference divisions; so New England, for example, plays fellow division winners Indianapolis and Pittsburgh this year. The Patriots' rating reflects the weakness of their division foes and of the NFC and AFC West, which the AFC East goes against this year.

Gene Upshaw

As the former assistant executive director of the NFL Players Association, let me say that Gary Smith's story on the death of Gene Upshaw, NFLPA executive director and Hall of Fame guard (Gene Upshaw, 1945--2008, Sept. 1), channeled the man we all knew and loved, as much as he would let each of us. The man I worked under could be inspiring and infuriating in equal doses, but he was an original who stayed true to what he believed in, no matter what. Reading your article was bittersweet, bringing him to life, but, like my decision to call his cell on the day after his death just to hear that deep, commanding voice, painful. This story was nonetheless a gift for his family and friends, who will pull it out and read it from time to time and remember the big guy and what he still means to them.
Doug Allen, Los Angeles

The Healing Season

Selena Roberts's story about the Dolphins' 1972 perfect season and the death of her brother (POINT AFTER, Sept. 1) spoke to anyone who has ever had to come to terms with such a loss. Not only could you feel Roberts's grief in each passing sentence, but you also knew that writing the article was therapeutic for her. It was therapy for her readers as well.
William Todd Wallace, Canton, Ohio