Those Low Ratings Must Be Maddening

In his article on John Madden’s addition to “Monday Night Football,” Larry Stewart writes, “John Madden is talkative on the air.” This is like saying it is slightly warm in Death Valley or kind of chilly in Siberia.

I used to be a big fan of John Madden, but now, from the time a play is whistled over until the quarterback takes the next snap, Madden yammers incessantly.

Thank goodness for the 40-second play clock and the mute button on the remote control.

Philip R. Blustein

Beverly Hills

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Will ABC ever learn? Now John Madden isn’t making any difference and the ratings are down. Well, I’m no rocket scientist, but maybe they should think about the following: Their ratings have dropped every year for the last seven years.

Well, could it be that over that period the second-largest market in the country does not have a football team? Come on, NFL, stop trying to squeeze us for money. Also, just come out and say that L.A. will never be considered for a football team as long as it involves the Coliseum.

You need us more than we need you!

Scott Bryant

Lake Forest

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Despite repeated warnings from your writers about the hazards of expansion football, I tuned in to watch the fans of the Houston Texans expressing either complete nirvana or delirium over their team’s inaugural victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

It made me wonder why I wasn’t watching the L.A. Californians instead. I came up with these reasons.

Like many football fans, when Philip Anschutz pulled out from his plan to bring a team to L.A., I was crushed, but upon further thought, is this really the kind of fickle potential ownership we want? At the slightest provocation have him pull up stakes? So I thought what we need is a potential owner like billionaire Bob McNair of Houston, somebody who has the money and the love of their community to bring football to L.A.

Unfortunately I could come up only with a millionaire who loves L.A. enough to be our McNair, Randy (“I Love L.A.”) Newman. I know he dislikes short people, but I’m not sure he likes football.

So to any billionaires out there who love L.A. and football, please contact me ASAP so we don’t spend another decade on the outside looking in.

Mark Kummrow

Santa Monica