Maybe This Clarett Should Age a Little More

Once again J.A. Adande [Aug. 28] strikes his singular note of being the poster artist of the “Gimme Mine” generation. Today’s subject is Maurice Clarett. But before young Mr. Clarett decides to take Adande’s advice and go running off to the NFL, he might want to talk to some other folks for additional opinions.

He could start by talking to any number of “sure thing” college running backs who saw their pro careers evaporate in the blitzkrieg of NFL defenses. Rashaan Salaam is probably free to take a call, or Ki-Jana Carter. Or he could talk to other college players who, unlike himself, actually did win a Heisman Trophy. I hear Gino Torretta and Eric Crouch might have some time on their hands.

Meanwhile, as Adande waits by the phone to provide encouragement to his next example of the poor young athlete being held back by the invisible rich boogeymen, he could spend some mental cycles revisiting his shining example of Spencer Haywood and the NBA. Arguably a phenomenal player, his meager .465 field goal percentage as a high-scoring forward presaged the decline in shooting and defensive skills in the NBA game. Opening the floodgates to less mature young men seeking only their nightly five-second highlight on “SportsCenter” might not be considered a positive trend in some circles.

Eric Hainline

Santa Ana