Mailbag: It takes a big man to admit he was wrong
Insider | Notes | Mailbag
I'm like Fonzie.
I have a hard time saying I was wrong.
Wr ... wr .. wrong.
So this week, when I admitted I was wrong about the Seattle Seahawks and Donovan McNabb -- two wrongs make a right? -- the e-mailers either thanked me for being man enough to admit a wrong or seared me for being off-target in the first place.
McNabb has been sensational in his first three games, shooting down my theory of a year ago that he was the league's most overrated player. The Seahawks are off to a 3-0 start and in a weak division, and it's looking more and more like the NFC playoffs might go through Seattle or Philly.
Also received plenty of e-mails about the way Italians are portrayed in films and television, something I alluded to in my Power Rankings. Of course, the critics said the dumb image was being kept alive by me, while the fellow goombas agreed with me.
We're not all on The Sopranos or live that way.
If you don't believe me, I'll send over Rocco and Vito again to remind you what nice people we really are.
From: John
You gotta love sports writers. As soon as Willis McGahee has a sub-par game, you question the wisdom of drafting him in the first round. If he has a great game, you would have said it was a brilliant move.
John: Check my track record on this one. I never thought it was a good move, dating back to when he was drafted.
From: Josh
I don't know if this might have anything to do with it (big rushing numbers), but tackling in the NFL is terrible right now. And it's not just defensive backs. Linebackers and linemen are making sloppy tackles, or should I say they are making sloppy missed tackles. So many times I see a guy get 5 extra yards or so just because of terrible tackling.
Josh: Couldn't agree with you more. Part of that is because teams don't tackle anymore during training camp. As the season moves along, the tackling will get better. It always does.
From: Mike
Hey, Blockhead, do your homework. Winslow is NOT out for the year. Best-case return is Nov. 14.
Mike: Uh, not quite. He's out for the year, just like I said. OK, Blockhead?
From: Dan
It's refreshing for a sports journalist to admit he was wrong. We (Seahawks) are going to make it to the Super Bowl. Even though people question the defense, I don't think they have a weakness.
Dan: Everybody has a weakness, whether in life or on the football field. My weakness is seeing a good pizza slice in front of my face. The Seahawks' weakness is their linebacker play.
From: Herbert Ray Samples
Bo knew football, Petey knows football, too. I have something to base that statement on as I have been watching football since even before the days of Blanchard and Davis. Those critics out there are jealous of your superior knowledge of the game at the same intensity level that the republicans were jealous of the political acumen of William Jefferson Clinton.
Herbert: Thanks for the kind words. But this I want you to know: I did not have relations with that woman. She didn't want me. Yeah, OK.
From: Chris
Hey Pete, thank you for finally admitting you were completely wrong about McNabb. So, I guess I have to say sorry for wishing your cats to become road kill. It was a mean-spirited thing to say ... but hey, I've bleeding green for 20 years now, so you can understand my anger.
Chris: Don't ever bring my cats into this and make it personal. That will get you a knock on your door from the fellas, if you know what I mean. Sir, Mr. Prisco has a message for you.
From: Chad
Prisco, looks like you're another dumb Italian just like the rest of them.
Needless to say, Chad didn't leave a return address.
From: Gary
I had to chuckle about your smart Italian comment. Of course you're right, but you write a column dedicated to betting on football! You could be the central figure in a Sopranos episode! Paulie Walnuts leans on you to write about Kurt Warner's bad hand so the Giants line moves and Tony wins big, or you get a hand with multiple fractures.
Gary: If Paulie Walnuts is leaning on me, first thing I tell him is he has hair like a skunk before running for cover. By the way, I'm waiting for my chance to be in The Sopranos. I'm right out of central casting you know.
From: George
Pete, why do you say Kerry Collins is a better player than Rich Gannon? Do you believe Gannon's better days are over?
George: His career might be over. We hate to see anyone get injured, but that could be a good thing for the Raiders. Collins is better.
From: Tim Kayser
It really ticked me off when Dick Vermeil told Larry Johnson that it was time to take off the diapers and grow up and be ready to play some football. Then he never gives him a chance to go out there and demonstrate it on the field. It's bad karma to go public and rip a player to the media. It almost never solves the problem and in lots of cases just makes matters worse. And now that karma is at work, their season may quickly go down the tubes. I'm not a Chiefs fan but this has to be a nightmare for their fans.
Tim: It's only going to get worse in Kansas City. Would it shock anyone to see Dick Vermeil quit after this season?
