Seeking consistent Grossman
LINDENHURST — Concerning Mike Downey’s Rex Grossman column (Tribune, Aug. 23), let’s face facts: If Grossman had not fumbled multiple times in the Super Bowl, then his Monday performance in Indianapolis would not have been questioned. But he did fumble multiple times in the Super Bowl, and even though the exhibition game against the Colts was “meaningless,” as Downey puts it, the game was on national TV, which means added pressure, and Grossman failed under this pressure, plain and simple. Until he can perform in big games consistently, he will be questioned. Obviously the folks at Halas Hall feel the same way, as he has yet to be locked up with a new contract. The Bears are not yet sure Rex is the guy.
He needs to perform consistently. If he does, the Bears will be extremely hard to beat. If he doesn’t, then he will probably be an ex-Bear.
— James Damenti
Grossman not the answer
CHICAGO — I am not a Rex Grossman skeptic jumping back and forth when he does well and when he does badly. I am an out-and-out disbeliever. I’ve seen high school quarterbacks with more poise and talent.
When the Bears win, it’s because of the strength and skills of the other players. The Bears are going nowhere with Mr. Grossman.
— Kathleen Melia
Bat Soriano 5th
LAKE FOREST — So Cubs manager Lou Piniella plans to restore Alfonso Soriano to the leadoff position on his return to the lineup, notwithstanding Ryan Theriot’s outstanding performance in that spot since Soriano’s injury.
While Soriano professes to be “more comfortable” leading off, he is not suited for the position: He doesn’t take enough pitches, he strikes out too much, and his power and clutch-hitting ability are underutilized because he too often bats with no one on base.
Soriano should bat fifth, which means Aramis Ramirez in front of him would see more fastballs and Soriano would bat more often with men on base. He might come to the plate two or three fewer times each week, but he’ll more than make up for it with more RBIs. The only way Soriano can justify his $136 million contract is if he can produce runs with his power in addition to scoring runs.
— Bob Karlblom
Hey, Marbury, wake up!
GRAYSLAKE — Knicks guard Stephon Marbury’s statement defending Michael Vick’s dogfighting by comparing it with deer hunting is the result of a pea brain trying to express itself.
First of all, dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states. If that is too big a word for Marbury to understand, it means against the law. Deer hunting is regulated and has a short season. Most of the time the hunt is for bucks only unless the herd is too large to support life for all the deer.
The deer are not tortured like the dogs are in dogfighting. Baby deer are not killed like puppies are by putting them in the ring with adult dogs for training.
If not for his ability to shoot a basketball, Marbury would be saying, “Want more ketchup for those fries?”
— Bob Adelman
Way to go, Rick! …
PEORIA — I want to commend the Tribune’s Rick Morrissey for his column “The Greater Outrage” (Tribune, Aug. 22). What a refreshing perspective. Not only do I wholeheartedly agree, but articles expressing this viewpoint are all too rare.
Until violence against women gets the media attention that drunk driving and second-hand smoke get, John Q. Public will not take notice. Now if only other journalists would join Morrissey’s efforts.
— Rae Lyn McCormick
… and take another bow
CHICAGO — I’ve been working in the fields of sexual assault and domestic violence for more than 10 years, and quite honestly the media has never been a friend. Coverage about the issue is so often wrong, or wrong-headed, or just mean. So it was unbelievable to come across a column like Rick Morrissey’s that speaks the truth about a culture that perpetuates, tolerates and encourages violence against women and girls. Thank you for getting it right.
— Lynne Johnson
A trip worth not taking
GENEVA — I have a suggestion for the White Sox. For the next two years, just forfeit their scheduled West Coast games.
Considering how the Sox perform out there, it won’t alter the won-lost records of the teams involved. The Sox would save a considerable sum of money now expended on airfares, hotel rooms, meals and other expenses associated with these trips. The Sox could then use this money to clean house and acquire ballplayers who do not forget how to play winning baseball in the Pacific Time Zone.
— Ed Nowinski
Sox leaders are inept
WEST FRANKFORT, Ill. — Let me get this straight. In March Kenny Williams and Ozzie Guillen declared: “We have a team that will contend.” With five weeks left they’re contending all right — for last place. How can two supposed career baseball people be so inept at judging talent?
Mr. Reinsdorf, 2005 was apparently a fluke. Fire them.
— Mike Klempin Jr.
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