Published: Thursday, February 22, 2001

Charley Walters: Don't print that

Pioneer Pres

Don't print thatPssst: Some people believe that free-agent running back Robert Smith would unretire and return to the Vikings if the team traded wide receiver Randy Moss

* The Vikings, Twins and Gophers met Wednesday to discuss ways to improve their signage revenue at the Metrodome, where under their current arrangement they will share profits after the governing sports commission's $1.9 million take this

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), February 22, 2001

Answers

"Some people believe that free-agent running back Robert Smith would unretire and return to the Vikings if the team traded wide receiver Randy Moss"

Do ya suppose Charley Walters actually believes this tripe is journalism!? Did he actually write; "Some people believe"...!? Who were these people, Charley? Were they fellow sports-reporters? Were they people close to Robert Smith who may have had "inside information"? Were they sources from within the Viking organization? I get the impression that it was none of the above and that Mr Walters had simply read some of John Q Public's comments found on an obscure internet message board. At this point I consider this "report" as nothing more than trivial gossip. It's unfortunate that so many people will believe the story is true simply because it made it into print.

Needless to say, this kind of "reporting" irritates me. I expect it from the National Enquirer but I would think the Pioneer Press would hold it's writers to a higher standard.

I'm not a regular reader of Charley Walters... Is he nothing more than a gossip columnist?

-- Clark (cdvike@mindspring.com), February 22, 2001.

I read him all the time in the Press and he never divulges his sources. it's always a "little birdie" told me or some shit like that, so who knows. Besides I don't believe this one anyway. Go Vikes!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), February 25, 2001.

I seem to remember a little pregame confrontation in the locker room when Robert requested that Randy turn down his music and when that didn't happen - Robert shut the darn thing off himself! Obviously they are not good friends. Granted my age is showing - I consider Randy Moss a talented but spoiled brat! Unless he matures - Randy will be a major problem once Chris Carter retires.

-- Jan Zumbo (dvt99@aol.com), February 28, 2001.

That's right Jan! I remember that incident you bring up a good point and it's not age that showing it's wisdom!

-- Ralph (RFELIX7550@aol.com), March 04, 2001.