LEAGUE NOTES

          NFL: Under the header, "Sadly, NFL Avoids The Tackle On
     Drugs," a DETROIT FREE PRESS editorial states the NFL loses
     "credibility when it sacrifices some standards where drugs
     are concerned, and the union does its drug-using members no
     favors by letting them off the hook" (DETROIT FREE PRESS,
     9/17).  NBC's Jay Leno, on Cowboys DL Leon Lett being
     suspended for violating its substance abuse policy: "He's
     not allowed to play or practice, but I guess he still gets
     paid.  He still gets his money.  Well that should work out
     great.  Take a guy with a drug problem, put money in his
     pocket and give him a lot more free time" (NBC, 9/16).
          MLB: USA TODAY's Hal Bodley writes that NL President
     Len Coleman "has an excellent opportunity to make certain"
     MLB increases minority hiring in his new role as Senior
     Adviser.  Bodley: "He can -- and should -- be effective in
     this role as long as he has it" (USA TODAY, 9/17).