{BFD, perhaps you didn't read or listen, but I've been praising the heck out of Mario since he started playing well. In my game blog that I do from start to finish, I write what I see. When I saw Mario in the first quarter, he was blocked one-on-one by Zach Strief, a backup tackle. And I wrote it. Sorry if you didn't like it. Then they stood him up and moved him to the other side and then back, and then he played well. Then I praised him. After the game, I praised him in the Chronicle, on Chron.com's audio and video and in my blog. And I praised him on 610 this morning If he continues to play well, I'll praise him. If he doesn't, I'll criticize him Now, what part of that do you not understand? Or, do you just read and hear what you want to read and hear and don't actually comprehend? As far circulation, has it occurred to you that circulation is down at just about every newspaper in the country because you can get it for free on our websites? Duh? Yes, I'm sure you're right; it's because of Justice and me. By your line of reasoning, if we write what you want to read -- praise Mario all the time, right? -- then our circulation will skyrocket? Geez, I didn't realize it was that simple. Thanks for clearing it up. -- JOHN}

I've been praising the heck out of Mario since he started playing well.

Then please accept my apologies.  Between my jobs emptying septic tanks and waiting tables at that big truck stop on I10, I honestly don't get to read/view every little thing that is posted.  If you have been praising him, great.

Back to my original point, however, before Bush fumbled, Mario already had:

1-10-NO 31     (10:38) 25-R.Bush left guard to NO 31 for no gain (90-M.Williams).

2-1-HOU 39     (8:14) 25-R.Bush up the middle to HOU 37 for 2 yards (47-W.Demps, 90-M.Williams). (Source: NFL.com)

That's just statistically.  On the field, he was holding his containment area(s) well on the run, and though his pass rushing technique is certainly immature, he was extremely active.  And this is why I was...I dunno...shocked?  disappointed?...at your statement.  In reality, Bush wound up with 14 carries and 23 yards (tossing out the hold), and that's in large part because he got tired of Mario hitting him.

I gathered that the Mario pre-season theme was "He's good but he lacks intensity."  And when you add that to the response a friend of mine received from Mr. Justice of why the latter hates Mario ("He can't play." - full email on 10/29/07), I was definitely getting an echo chamber feel from the Chron writers.  When, I have to tell you, the common, uneducated fan like myself has been mighty impressed by the play of not only Mario this year, but also by the entire front seven (with the Jags game being a nauseating exception).

I don't want blind idolatry from my sportswriters, but I do except something bordering on objective fairness.  And this I am getting in far better quality (factual and entertainment) elsewhere.  I sincerely hope you can understand why.

OR...could it be because newspapers are an outdated source of information, since everything in them is at least 12 hours old by the time you read them?  Yet the old-school writers--especially the sports guys--refuse to change the style/approach to newspaper writing?  Could that be it?

No, it must be because I can read the same drivel online.