Rams dropped the ball at finish
I could have sworn I saw Yu Darvish returning punts for the Rams last Saturday. Bennett Beebe Westwood :: Isaac Newton stated that a body at rest tends to stay at rest and a body in motion tends to remain in motion. The Rams’ decision to have its offense remain at rest in San Francisco, in its last game of the season, clearly tended to have it remain at rest. Rest injured players, not healthy ones. Bruce N. Miller Playa del Rey Stating the obvious: 1. The Rams had an astonishing turnaround season with myriad upsides for the future. 2. If they run the ball only 16 times, they’re not beating Atlanta nor anyone else.
Look at the regular season. In 11 wins, the Rams averaged 32 rushes for 136 yards. In four losses (omitting the “rest game” finale), it was 19 for a paltry 88.
You’ve got an MVP contender averaging nearly seven yards a carry at half, you’re down only three and you decide that’s the time to aim for your season low in rushing attempts? Geez, Jeff Fisher could have done that. Cy Bolton Rialto Rams lose. Already saw it coming. Kinda used to it after the many years of watching them try to find that winning page to write. Now back to their overly used drawing board. “Maybe next year” has never been in short supply in the Rams’ front office. John Houchens Lancaster Regarding Todd Gurley running into a stacked Falcons defensive line in the first half of their playoff game, I am reminded of the old serenity prayer: “God grant me the serenity of knowing when to run to set up the pass, the courage to pass to set up the run, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
It looked like Eric Dickerson against the ’85 Bears out there. Jim Gorin Whittier
Don’t know what game Dylan Hernandez was watching, but here’s what I saw.
A coach so nervous for the week prior to the game he could hardly sit still.
One of the best special teams in the league so nervous they blew simple catches that gave up 13 points in the first half.
Except for Robert Woods, sure-handed receivers so nervous they couldn’t catch a ball.
Coaches so nervous they called most of the game “not to lose.” Jim Goalen Santa Monica
Fight’s over
I just read the Chargers are playing a game in London next year. Perhaps the NFL should think this through and leave them there. Hey, it’s no secret the league wants to put a team in London. What a perfect time to do it. The Chargers are absolutely delusional if they even think there’s a “battle for L.A.” Anybody who watched or witnessed the team’s “home” games at Stub Flub Center this past season should know that by now, but then again we’re talking about a team with the most incoherent ownership in the NFL. William Winkler Burbank
Lakers are down
You have to admire the Lakers team built by Magic and Rob Pelinka, especially if you are a Celtics fan.
Look at the big picture ... a coach with little experience coaching, a general manager with experience as an agent, and a former star with no experience running a team and a poor record as a coach. Bill Plaschke suggests trading Lonzo Ball. To whom? It would have to be a team that wants to destroy itself. This is the real magic... Joseph Carroll Camarillo
Loved Plaschke’s article on Lonzo Ball. After Lonzo’s placid slap in Walton’s face, I’m ready to trade him to Brooklyn for Timofey Mozgov. Heck, I’d be happy to trade him to the Lithuanian team for “future prospects.” Craig Fagan San Diego
Magic Johnson is one of the greatest Lakers ever, a great businessman and probably a very nice person. As a Lakers executive he has accomplished very little. He knew there was a lot of baggage coming with the drafting of Lonzo Ball and yet he has done nothing to make Lakers fans feel that he has Luke Walton’s back. If he is really 100% behind Walton why doesn’t he come out and say so and just come out and tell LaVar to shut up? Maybe it isn’t PC but it sure would go a long way to make Lakers fans know where he really stands. Luis Cruz La Mirada
The Lakers are a billiondollar corporation. In what other professional business environment does an employee’s daddy publicly complain about the boss, and get this much attention, regardless if it’s warranted or not? And what corporation would publicly address such garbage? Seriously. The Lakers have much bigger problems. Kelli Nicholas Santa Ana
The sun rises in the East and sets in the West and LaVar Ball will always be a loud-mouthed imbecile. Knowing that, the Lakers need to sit down with Lonzo and ask, “Do you truly want to be a Laker and play for Luke Walton?” Anything short of a complete and convincing yes, and they should get rid of him. After all he can play for any coach. Gil Moe Palm Desert
This talk of retiring Pau Gasol’s number is ridiculous with only two Lakers championships. Before Gasol you would have to retire Michael Cooper (5), Derek Fisher (5), Kurt Rambis (4), Rick Fox (3), Devean George (3), A.C. Green (3), Byron Scott (3), Brian Shaw (3), and of course Robert Horry (3). Yes we loved Gasol when he was in L.A., but we also loved the other guys above who have more championships with the Lakers. Steve Shaevel Woodland Hills
Lou Williams put up 50 to silence the Warriors! He was and would be the best scorer if he was still on the Lakers. And they got Corey Brewer and a draft pick for him? Mark Heffernan Bakersfield
The Times will save tons of newsprint in 2018 if you delete any coverage of basketball in Lithuania. This should also include Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, and for good measure, Finland and Poland. Kevin Park Mission Hills
Old news?
In his front-page story on the Rams being poised to retake L.A., Bill Plaschke continues to cite the Lakers as major players on the SoCal sports scene. Dude, they are so yesterday’s news. Other than a charismatic and likable coach, there’s nothing about the present Lakers that can touch their charmed legacy. If you must mention them, drop them in after the Dodgers, Rams, Clippers, Chargers, Angels, Trojans and Bruins. If there’s any room left. Pete Howard San Luis Obispo Not guilty?
For those who thought there was a snowball’s chance in hell USC would allow De’Anthony Melton to play for the Trojans this season, you are delusional. The internal investigation was nothing but a façade in order to save face in the midst of FBI allegations. The university had absolutely nothing to gain and everything to lose by reinstating his eligibility, so when in doubt, keep him out. Larry Herrera Redondo Beach
FO for DeAnthony Melton means “Fight On.” It means something else for the NCAA. Ted Bartscherer Pasadena
Cutting remark
With $100 million floating around the Raiders’ news conference this week, did anybody in the organization consider taking part of it to get these guys some decent haircuts? Mer Valdez Long Beach
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