Already Playing the NFL Name Game

Why does T.J. Simers keep referring to the prospective local NFL franchise as the Stars when they don’t even exist yet? I’ve spent several days compiling a list of potential nicknames, and it appears that there are approximately 7,776, of which Stars ranks no better than 16th. Whomever they may be, perhaps the new owners should let the fans choose the team’s name. They could open the floor to suggestions, select the eight or 10 best, and have the fans vote on ballots published in The Times. The fan(s) submitting the winning original entry would be rewarded with free season tickets.

Although T.J. appears to be lobbying hard for Stars, I suspect he’d secretly prefer another name. The main problem with his nefarious plan is that it’s difficult to tell whether the plural should be “Simers” or “Simerses.” Personally, I think the “Los Angeles Allens” has a nice ring to it.

ALLEN E. KAHN, Playa del Rey

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Sounds like a heck of a deal, John Elway going to L.A. [May 2]. As a California native, I hope something good like that happens to return football in an exciting way to a place it belongs. But it won’t be Elway.

You’re not paying much attention, T.J. His family calls Denver home. He loves it here. And he is immensely loyal to Bowlen, Shanahan and this city. There is no way he would ever compete against them. If football ownership is his future, a share of the Broncos is what he’ll want and what he’ll get.

B.G. TAYLOR, Aurora, Colo.

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Am I the only one who senses there is no one in L.A. or Orange County who wants a professional football team? These NFL officials who keep trying to convince us that they are doing us a favor to consider L.A. must be clueless, or have an exaggerated image of their importance.

God knows how much we miss Al and Georgia and their wonderful teams. NFL officials, please do me and, I suspect, a few other people a favor: Stay out of L.A.

HECTOR HERNANDEZ, Orange