Readers Pick a Fight Over Plaschke Column

Concerned with the bubble reputation, Bill Plaschke [Nov. 13] criticizes Pete Carroll for not benching Rey Maualuga, the USC freshman linebacker under investigation for assault. Carroll, he writes, ought to maintain his concern with “values.”

According to Pete, he is concerned with “family” values, not public ones. That is, he does what he thinks best for his players, including a teenager whose father is dying from cancer and the kid’s teammates.

Plaschke, though, is a sports editorialist who knows only what he reads in the paper, as supplied by real reporters like Gary Klein. He gives no new information, no new insight into the case. He gives only righteous jabber, as usual.

Who cares what he thinks? Who cares what his values are?

DAVID EGGENSCHWILER

Los Angeles

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Bill Plaschke can’t find anything else to criticize Pete Carroll about, so he has to decry his handling of the Rey Maualuga situation. The LAPD hadn’t even filed a report with the D.A.’s office, and Plaschke, without knowing the outcome, would have Carroll suspend Maualuga from playing.

You have a short memory, Bill. Remember last year when they suspended Hershel Dennis for most of the season, and the D.A. ended up dropping all charges against him? Hershel lost his starting position, and saw only limited action on the reserve squad at the end of the season. Pete Carroll probably learned something from that experience, but apparently you’ve already judged the young man and found him guilty.

TOM TURNER

Palm Springs