Submitted by Michael Sipes, Nov 8, 2006 08:59

I have had my fair share of disagreements with Mr. Gardner over past articles, as one will with all good columnists. But I believe Mr. Gardner has nailed a growing problem with the sport in this article. One of the things I always loved about this sport is that it is a players' sport, not a coaches' sport, such as NFL football, basketball & baseball. I sincerely hope that it remains a sport where the brilliance of the player, reacting to situations as they unfold on the pitch, or themselves creating those situations, maintains greater imortance than coaching strategy. I also hope that the celebrity status be reserved for the players, not the managers. I have always believed that the secret to good coaching is simple-have good players. Managers would be well advised to remeber this simple caveat and, therefore, keep their egos in check.

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