SPORTS MAIL.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Connecting the dots

I just watched New England vs. Jacksonville in a nationally televised Christmas Eve broadcast. The game essentially ended on a challenged, controversial fumble with Jacksonville trailing 24-21 and in possession of the ball.

The game was hard-fought by professional athletes, warriors with a lot at stake, earning million-dollar paychecks.

As the game clock wound down, players from both sides were able to keep things in perspective, embracing and showing respect for their opponents. There were smiles and cameras.

We shouldn't think for a moment that there wasn't also some disappointment and frustration on that field. Don't assume that maturity and good sportsmanship cannot coexist in the same arena with passion and desire.

We shouldn't pretend to know an individual's heart, emotions, commitment and sacrifice.

So then, why in the name of common decency would Ron Bellamy and The Register-Guard trash Oregon football players who put on a happy face during photographs with friends and family after a very disappointing loss in the Las Vegas Bowl?

Coaches, players, fans and even sportswriters already had plenty of fuel for second-guessing. In this case Bellamy stepped way over the line by saying smiles during brief contact with family indicate a lack of passion during the football game.

It is not Mr. Bellamy's job to tweak sports news by psychoanalyzing young men. Journalists already have enough power in determining what will be reported.

They shouldn't also presume a right to manufacture by connecting dots in a way that distorts truth.

SID MARKS

Springfield

Do the math

In 110 years of Oregon football they are 539-457-46. Oregon football has an all-time winning percentage of .557, and averages 4.9 wins per year historically.

In 2006 they went 7-6, a winning percentage of .538, certainly in line with the long history of winning just one more game than they've lost.

In his career, Mike Bellotti has coached Oregon to 97 of those wins and 48 of the losses for a winning percentage of .676, almost 20 percent above Oregon's all-time winning percentage, which of course includes those 97 wins. Take away Bellotti, and Oregon's overall record is 442-409-46. In 99 seasons without Mike Bellotti, Oregon is exactly 33 games over 500. And although I didn't count them, I would bet that there are far more losing seasons than winning ones in 110 years.

People, please get a grip here. Certainly 2006 was a disappointing season. You don't think the Oregon coaches and players are disappointed in their performance this year? I guarantee you they are, and I guarantee they will be motivated to work extra hard to do better next year.

But keep this in perspective: If UO goes 8-4 in the regular season next year, they will have outperformed their historical average by three, and their winning percentage by almost 20 percent. And if they win only eight games, I bet some of you so-called Duck fans will be calling for Bellotti's head on a platter once again.

I have been a die-hard Duck fan since 1972, when I went to my first football game, and a season ticket holder since 1998. I'm disappointed by the team's performance too.

But that pales in comparison to the disappointment I feel when I read the ignorant and short-sighted letters and/or comments from so-called Duck fans like those that were printed in this paper last Sunday. And I am very disappointed in The Register-Guard for printing most of them.

Print something intelligent from readers if there is such a thing from Duck fans. We can get the garbage rants off any Oregon blog we read.

MIKE CAVANAUGH

Lake Oswego 

Bowl bright spot

What a great Sun Bowl game! It was fun to watch all the way to the very last play. Congratulations to coach Mike Riley, the OSU team and staff. What a fabulous year they've created. Kudos from a Duck fan and ex-Missouri resident!

NANCY CURRAN

Eugene

Have patience

I have been reading about the unhappiness with coach Mike Bellotti and the performance at the Las Vegas Bowl. Some of you have short memories. Over the past 10 years coach Bellotti has been in charge of the football program, his record surpasses that of many of the coaches in the country.

One year ago, the Ducks were 10-2 after losing Kellen Clemens with four games left in the season. They won all four with two untested quarterbacks and great coaches, who are now being criticized for losing games late in the season.

I have been a Duck since 1947 and must remind you we have not enjoyed such a 10-year period of success in the past 50 years. So be patient and support the coaching staff and players. They haven't become dumb in one month.

MEL KRAUSE

Wilsonville

Remember when

This morning (Dec. 28) I read The Register-Guard's Sports Mail, I was at first amused and then horribly embarrassed. I couldn't believe that the spoils of the Duck football team had somehow caused its fans to become insane.

This loss of touch with reality scared me at first, but then I remembered, and I was calm. These aren't Duck fans. These are not the fans who endured the mire of mediocrity that plagued the Ducks and their loyal soaked and dripping (it used to rain at Autzen Stadium) fans alike.

The real Duck fans know that there is hope, a hope that is beautiful, we know that we will have a 10- or 11-win season again, and if we are lucky, 12.

These things were as unfathomable 20 years ago as the world being round centuries ago. Oregon was 10-2 last year.

Twenty years ago I and many Duck fans would have sold our souls for a bowl game; we probably would have promised our first-born for 10 wins.

The Ducks never lose real fans, they only lose filler for the stadium. Thank you to the Duck kids who fought so hard this year. I look forward to next year and the hope of something special.

KEVIN VANNATTA

Seattle

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