Reader e-mail about black QBs, Rudi and Corey

It's Sunday afternoon, about 3:35 p.m. Time to kill some time while waiting for the start
of the Super Bowl from the press box here at Alltel Stadium.

Whenever newspapers write about issues of race, the reaction is strong and swift. On
Friday, I wrote about Donovan McNabb being just the third African-American quarterback to start in 39 Super Bowls. Here's a sampling of some of the e-mail I received after writing about race in football:

One reader wrote this, and all I received was an e-mail address, which I won't reproduce
here.

Re: QB -- Black starters still rare
"And so are White NBA basketball players."

My response: But white NBA players aren't subject, nor were they ever, to racial
prejudice to get their job. It's strictly a matter of talent. Black quarterbacks
were incorrectly judged to be not intelligent enough or too good of athletes to play that
position.

Another reader, named John, wrote this: "to me this is a funny story ... blacks still crying about lack of nfl qb's ... as they take over every other position ... what ever happened to the white running back, the white db? ... don't stereotypes work both ways? ... why no outrage
over no black kickers? ... fact is the best players play ... this is and old and tired story."

My response: I couldn't disagree more. I know, as a white male, that I have enjoyed the path of least resistance. I also know how hard I have worked and competed to get to this point in my career. I appreciate that minorities and women have encountered obstacles that I can't even imagine. Their achievement doesn't reduce me. It adds to my appreciation of how much more challenging some people's routes have been than mine.

When six former NFL quarterbacks, all black men, think it is important enough to form an
organization and have a news conference, it is a newsworthy story. Warren Moon said it best: They are trying to preserve the history of the black quarterback and reach back to help others.

I continually find it unnerving how the "white community" will allow African-Americans to
entertain it but turn defensive when black men -- quarterbacks, in this case -- say something
white people don't like. Readers are entitled to their opinions. I'm entitled to mine, based on my experiences.

And now, onto the Rudi Johnson front ...

This e-mail came from Chris: If a franchise tag and a 6.323 million dollar paycheck isn't enough for Rudi then let him sit! I suspect that on a percentage basis, relative to his current salary, this increase is significant. Certainly better than the 4 percent I recently received. I would also suspect that if he does decide to pout for a season his value would diminish substantially. I realize the market he competes in is different than my own, however, I also realize our respective markets will do just fine without either one of us.

And then there was this, from Mark: So based on your experience covering the team, will
Rudi be on the Bengals next year? Everything I read is how much they love Chris Perry and don't want to overpay for Rudi when history suggests any RB will do.

My response: Interesting questions and comments. Rudi Johnson is one of the most team-oriented professional athletes I have known in seven years of covering the NFL and Major League Baseball.

It's business. Chris is right in that we can't compare our economic situations to those of
athletes, particilarly an accomplished one like Johnson. Will he be back? Some days I think yes.
Some days, no. I suspect people were surprised by the amount of the franchise tag. It came in higher than the Bengals might have expected.

Perry's injury definitely complicated the sitation for the Bengals. If he had been able to play, even as a backup, the team would have a better idea of what he can do. But the organizations and coaches do feel confident -- at least in public -- about Perry's ability to take on the featured back role.

And finally, this about Corey Dillon from a reader named Igor: I am increasingly
disappointed by your constant negativism in your writings about Corey Dillon. I refer to your
articles (1/21 and 1/22). How quickly we forget! For many years, Dillon was the only positive
factor on arguably the worst franchise in football; his sterling performances on the field were
"in spite of" the atrocious play of the team, the incompetent coaching on the sidelines and the miserable management of the Brown family. ... Dillon is having arguably a better year than (Marvin) Lewis, and I think you should "get off his back." The Bengals are beginning the same contract negotiation (games) with Rudi Johnson. Will you be critical of Rudi Johnson if he decides to leave the Bengals?

My response: Corey Dillon signed a contract that he did not honor by trying to talk and misbehave his way out of Cincinnati. His constant complaining, while being paid millions of dollars in compensation, was unprofessional. I don't wish him ill. He clearly has had an outstanding season for the Patriots. But I respect Lewis more for his work in Cincinnati. Dillon fell into a golden situation. Lewis is single-handedly leading the Bengals' return to the NFL.

And, as far as comparing Johnson and Dillon, Dillon was under contract. Johnson is not.
Johnson and his representative are allowed to negotiate in the media if they choose. Johnson
played out his contract to his best effort. There are those who say Dillon quit on his team a couple of times.