Shots received two additional emails from Washington Post newbie, Howard Bryant – late of the Boston Herald,.

They, like the original two (scroll down, friends) are worth reading. Enjoy the weekend. . .

". . . your interpretation of my current state is not accurate. . .

. . .I think it is important that it be clear that I DON'T want to come back to Boston. I was just recognizing that I had a kick-ass job and this one is going to require a great deal of time and adjustment on my part. I'd NEVER walk from a paper like the Post just because the first 60 days have been tough. Nona Bryant didn't raise a weakling.

. . . I left for a reason. Lots of them, in fact. To paraphrase the late A. Bartlett Giamatti, "The Boston matter is now closed. - HB"

Nona’s gonna love getting a touch in Shots – I just KNOW IT!

Shots also had received, before Bryant had even read my words (but after publication in Friday’s Shots), the following. Bryant was replying to Shots’ question of: “All right – now I really am intrigued – How’s this for a scenario: The Herald comes back to you, boosts you 75K and gives you a two-year, no-cut contract. Do you return?”

Bryant replied:

"This, you can use for publication:

"I'd have to say no. For one: This place is awesome. It is top of the line journalism. They take it seriously. They take you seriously. The Herald are good people, good fighters, and gave me the best job in Boston. But no paper I've ever been at matches the resources, reach and weight of this place. No paper comes close.

Plus, there's the competitive side to me which says put your work up against what everyone else is doing. Don't think about going back to a place just because it was comfortable, because there was a time when the Herald wasn't comfortable and also because I'm not sure I do my best work comfortable. Fear is my great motivator. I tell myself every day here: "If you're so good, then be good here, at the top of the journalistic food chain, where everyone is watching. If you can't, then maybe you're not so good after all."

Two things from Shots perch on this one: “the best job in Boston” – he may be right about that. Especially if it were ever used proper-like.

Also, Bryant clearly holds the Post in HIGH esteem – as he should. However, his regard for the ‘Gate Guys doesn’t ring as true as it might of “back in the day.” (And what’s with the line about the Herald being “good fighters?”)

Korn and Wilby are monsters, yes – but they also teeter on being overspoken because of their national PTI soapbox. And let’s face it, with the venom that runs through these pages and a mounds of others – there’s not the glory and reverence that once came with sportsWRITING. Too much of it and too little real, palpable talent.

Whoooo – Friday night writing wipes me out. . .