In S.F., Ann Killion writes fans may have a "sense of deja vu with the 49ers" after LB Reuben Foster's arrest and subsequent release. Killon: "A player is accused of frightening criminal behavior. A player is arrested. A player is given a second chance. A player is arrested again. A player is fired." The common denominator in the "recurring criminal incidents involving 49ers players is CEO Jed York, who has not clearly and publicly set a team standard." Additionally, the 49ers’ relationship with Santa Clara County law enforcement "has deteriorated to the point where they no longer get courtesy calls for incidents involving their players" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/27).
LASTING IMPACT: A HOUSTON CHRONICLE editorial states that the city's fans should remember that late Texans Owner Bob McNair’s "risky gambit in bringing the Texans to town was more than just a celebration of football." It was a "contribution to our city’s civic life practically unmatched in modern history." For "more than two years McNair lobbied the NFL and team owners, rallied local leaders" and paid $700M of his "own energy industry fortune to bring pro football back to Houston." Over the years, McNair "earned some harsh criticism," but his "contributions, including his generous philanthropy outside of sports, rise above the controversies" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/27).
NOT THE RIGHT FIT: The Flyers fired GM Ron Hextall yesterday, and USA TODAY's Kevin Allen notes when Hextall "played goaltender in the NHL, he was the king of aggressiveness," but his style as an exec was "far different." He was "less impulsive, more calculating," and "favored long-term planning to quick fixes." The Flyers "may have wanted him to be the Hextall of old to deal with the current struggles, and his unwillingness to do that probably cost him his job." Fans can conclude that Flyers brass "expected Hextall to light a fire under an under-achieving team." However, he "didn't seem to have a match" (USA TODAY, 11/27).
