They have accumulated once again, like old traffic tickets stuffed in the glove compartment. Despite the best intentions and resolutions of each new year, a large number of corrections and clarifications that should have been published throughout 2011 did not appear because of the diligent efforts of the author.
The Eighth Annual Corrections Column is not something we're proud of, but it is time to come clean, ask forgiveness, and make a new start. Once more, promise, this won't happen again.
In a column on Feb. 3, Bob Ford wrote: "There are many things you can say about Andy Reid's decision to make Juan Castillo, the team's offensive line coach since 1998, the new defensive coordinator. . . . You can say that it is another example of Reid's being too infatuated with the football organization he has built and its schemes. . . . You can also say that Reid led a whole bunch of defensive coaches around the NFL on a merry chase for the last few weeks, and some of them have the right to feel used by the process. . . . You can say that Reid, who only promoted Castillo when he was also able to hire legendary offensive line coach Howard Mudd, might have his football priorities a little out of order. . . . You can say all of that, and maybe a few things more, but you cannot say it is the wrong move, and you cannot say it won't work just because it looks different."
As a matter of fact, The Inquirer can say exactly that.
In a June 4 column on the NFL labor situation, Bob Ford wrote: "The NFL and its players took in another performance of The Incredible Dancing Lawyers on Friday in St. Louis, which might have been the best entertainment in town, assuming you've already spit in the Mississippi and been up in the Arch."
The Inquirer does not hold with expectoration in public and is afraid of heights. It does, however, enjoy a good dancing lawyer now and then.
In a Dec. 11 column on baseball, Bob Ford wrote: "Shortstop Jimmy Rollins, as represented by agent Dan Lozano, and the Phillies, as represented by general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., have done the traditional dance of a free agent and his team when both know closing time is approaching and no better partners are out there. Not too close, not too distant, but there's no sense peering surreptitiously over the other's shoulder to scan the dance floor for an upgrade, either. They'll be going home together, and that's that."
The Inquirer has never noticed how fond Mr. Ford is of the damn dancing metaphors.
