Sports Editor Don McCormack's Mailbag: The readers get their turns

On the Browns...



Don,



The quarterback position isn’t the big problem for the Browns believe their biggest problem is the lack of an offensive line that can block, other than Alex Mack and Joe Thomas, and Rex Hadnot, when he is healthy.

The Browns have nothing. For the most part, the line has been neglected in the draft sice their return to the NFL. Eric Steinbach does a decent job when he is healthy. However, when someone is injured, the Browns may as well stay home on Sundays. They also need some receivers who know how to run routes and can catch more passes than they drop.

They also need to have speed. If the Browns had Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or Tom Brady, they would still stink.

I have been a Browns fan for 50 years and it pains me to see this lousy excuse for a team. I think this team is probably the worst team in pro football history. I hope they can get the front office in order before the draft rolls around and they fill it with a staff that knowsfootball talent.

Randy Lerner should be arrested for false advertising for calling this a professional team. They are lousy. The Browns are lucky they don’thave to play the Florida Gators, the Alabama Crimson Tide or the TCU Horned Frogs because they would probably lose all those games.

Glenville High School might even give them a run for their money.

As lousy as you are, I still love ya, Cleveland!

A Browns fan forever... go Browns!



Bob DeMay



P.S. Mangini and Daboll both need to go.



n Bob, I received your message before the Browns beat the Sqealers, but I’m betting you still feel pretty much the same way. — DM



Saying thanks



Don,



I enjoy reading the articles that you publish and also enjoy reading about the young men and women of the athletes who I competed against back in the ’50s and ’60s.

At this time, I would really like to thank Jim DeGeorge for mentioning me in his letter to you. Thanks, Jim.

Wow, back in the ’60s, there were some real good athletes in all of the city schools. I can say Terry Melaragno was a very good athlete and that I had the privilege to play against Terry and also played on the same state championship American Leagion baseball team of 1963.

Wow, to be put in the same category as Terry and Wash Lyons makes me feel pretty good. Wash was a hard guy to tackle and so was another great from Ashtabula, Willie Miller. Willie would hurt you everytime you tackled him.

One thing I never told my old St. John friends was, “I am sure glad we played them on the first game of the year and not the last,” beacuse they seemed to be the most inproved team that I can remember from the start of the football season to the end.

Don, congrats on your milestone, and keep up the good work reporting on the fine young athletes that we have in Ashtabula County.

In being an athlete, one can make so many friends, even if you don’t see them on a daily basis.

Thanks again for the good reading material.



Brian Gaines

Rome, Ohio



n Brian, thanks for the cool email. I enjoyed your perspective on things. — DM





The Chubby Special



Don,



Although I had graduated prior to this time, I still remember all those guys, fondly. And even though I am not a big football fan, your replay of “The Chubby Special” brought a smile to my face, and actually gave me goosebumps!

Having played softball for Coach Lamport for several years, I appreciate what a great man, and an inspirational coach he was/is. Everyone was pretty upset when he actually followed Jefferson’s rules and suspended those seven players, but for it to have turned out the way it did, well, it was totally amazing.

Congratulations to Mike Adams for his pending induction into The Ashtabula County Football Hall of Fame. And to all those guys that proved just how tough Jefferson could be at a time when it was least expected.



Vera Kitchen



n Vera, good to hear from you. Watching people thrive through adverse conditions is something to be treasured. — DM



On Joe Kearney



Don,



I played football with Joe in the early ’60s. He came down with a serious illness that year but kept a positive attitude about his health and the team.

I am very proud to say he is a friend of mine and extremely pleased he got the recognition he deserves.



John “Chick” Chickerneo



n John, no one deserves an honor like this more than Joe Kearney. I couldn’t agree more. — DM



The write stuff



Don,



Please do all of us Loyal Readers of yours a favor: write a column every day!



Sincerely,

Elise Walker

Geneva



n Elisa, thank you for the sentiment, but I believe you’ll be seeing less as opposed to more. — DM



The wrong stuff



Don,



Your “Thankful Fors” concept was a waste of good trees.

If I wanted to read that (crap), I’d buy some romance novels.

Stick to sports: It’s about the only thing you know anything about.



J.S. Campbell

Ashtabula



n J.S., thanks for reading. — DM



Don,



Know what I would be thankful for? If you never came up with another idea like your “Thankful Fors.”

I bet you like chick flicks.



Jarrod Unger



n Jarrod, you have something against chick flicks? — DM



Don,



We need more Tom Harris columns and less of yours.



Arthur Blevens



n Arthur, know what? I agree with you. — DM



Don,



Has anyone ever told you that you need a new picture to run with your columns?

I’m tired of looking at that one.

You remind me of a Village People reject with that picture.

There’s something for you to think about.



Tim Wolford



n Tim, how could you insult the Village People like that? Though most won’t admit it, songs such as “Macho Man,” “YMCA” and “In the Navy” were liked by many back in the day. Personally, I was always partial to the cop, Victor Willis. As for my photo, look at it this way — your cats will always have a target. — DM



On the run



Don,



My son was a runner in high school and is now running for college. I was also a runner many many years ago.

One reason a runner does what they do is because THEY CAN. What I mean by that is they found something they are good at and you don’t have to be in the top five to be in the starting line up or even the top 10 to make the team.

Running is also very addictive. You skip a night and your body gives you a feeling of guilt. Runners have pride (as they should) because as you said their sport is other athletes punishment.

Running creates pride, comittment, self-disipline, confidence, a feeling of belonging and many other things.

Perhaps you need to be a little off the wall to be a runner, but it is a sport that is tough and never recognized near enough.

Hopefully, I gave you a better understanding of WHY runners do what they do.



Don Robinson

Jefferson



n Don, I officially challenge you to a race! — DM

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