I find it quite humorous that there’s this overwhelmingly positive reaction to the Jets retaining Rex Ryan as head coach, as if he really accomplished something of worth. It’s true he was dealing with mediocre players on his roster, so the Jets’ final record stands as an overachievement. One thing though, their 8-8 record (Did someone say mediocre?) could have very easily been 6-10. Take two penalties away — one in the opening game against the Buccaneers and the other in the second Patriots game, both of which were committed by the other team — and the Jets most likely would have lost those two games. Would the front office and the success-starved Jets fans really clamor for his return then? As far as the Jets going in the right direction, well, they sure are if their opponents continue to gift them wins.
LOUIE REY
East Meadow, N.Y.
Great at any age
I am sick and tired of all the knuckleheads calling for Giants coach Tom Coughlin’s resignation, particularly those who point to his advanced age as a reason. This is outrageously discriminatory, on a par with racial and gender prejudice. No other coach in the NFL has won two Super Bowls in the last seven years. Though I would love to see the Giants go 16-0 in the regular season, the ultimate goal of a team is to win the Super Bowl. It shouldn’t matter if a coach is 30 or 70 years old — the bottom line is Coughlin has done his job superlatively. His age is as relevant as the car he drives or the way he likes his hamburgers cooked. Please stay, coach.
MICHAEL MAURER
Long Branch, N.J.
Not a big Mann
So can we finally say it? Eli Manning stinks now and never has been anything more than an average quarterback. Or will we continue to ignore this because he is part of NFL royalty: the annoying Manning family?
FRANK GIORDANO
Bayside, N.Y.
Blair’s flair
Oftentimes we don’t give enough credit to baseball players who excel with their fielding ability. It’s the guy who hits the long bomb who gets most of the attention. The passing of Paul Blair last week reminded me he was a guy who could play the outfield as well as anyone I ever have seen. He had style and grace , and made the difficult catch look like a stroll in the park. I for one am glad I got to see the man play. R.I.P., Paul!
GENE VanAMBURGH
Albany, N.Y.