* I have been a Jets fan since Joe Willie Namath showed up at Shea Stadium some 45 years ago and a season ticket holder for most of that time, and I think walking away from the Peyton Manning auction was a very good move. Betting the ranch on the possibility of obtaining a great but an aging and damaged quarterback had too many downsides. Manning is in his late 30s and missed last season undergoing three separate surgeries. The odds on him regaining his old talents are not good and those of maintaining them for a few years are even worse. Young Mark Sanchez’s performance slipped a little last year after two excellent seasons, but he will be back to his old form and better. The Jets made the right move.
ED MICHAELSON
Staten Island
* I guess we all knew Peyton Manning wasn’t going to play in the same city as his brother, Eli. As much as I wanted Peyton Manning in green and white, the Jets have other issues that need to be addressed. As far as Peyton Manning goes, the fact he has a residence already in Florida, and the chance to take a team that has been in the doldrums to the playoffs are all ingredients that point to his going to Miami. The bottom line is wins and losses, and with Brandon Marshall and Reggie Bush already on board, I think Miami will be ecsastic.
KENNY CULLEN
Throggs Neck
A different game
* I was sad to hear about the passing of Alex “Red” Webster. He was an important member of the 1956 NFL champion New York Giants, the last Giants team to actually win the championship in front of their hometown fans. But that was when football was a sport and not a marketing machine, over 50 years before the coin toss would have its own sponsor. And Webster’s death reminded me how the business of sports really does not understand or care about the average fan or the simple pleasure of enjoying the game.
PATRICK GRANT
Brooklyn
No ex-Cuse
* Players fail multiple drug tests and are allowed to continue playing without consequences. An assistant coach allegedly molests boys. Yet, coach Jim “I’m not Joe Paterno” Boeheim remains a legend.
ALAN HIRSCHBERG
Forest Hills
Garden party
* As a New York sports fan, it is great to see the Knicks and Rangers become important enough to both be on national TV on the same day, as they were last Sunday. Jimmy Dolan is the second luckiest man on the face of the earth . . . again.
STEVE FEUER
Oceanside, N.Y.
Bounty hate
* Pro football coaches and players who put monetary bounties on opponent players should be thrown out of the league. Those vicious fools just don’t understand anything about sportmanship.
JR CUMMINMGS
Manhattan