MORT'S MAILBAG: Aug. 23

	Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith is chasing Walter Payton's career rushing record, but what about an ESPY?

Q: How do you explain leaving Emmitt Smith off the nominations for ESPY Football Player of the Decade? I felt he could have been the Player of the Decade, and to not be nominated is an insult. What is your feeling? -- Art Flamino, New Castle, Pa.
MORT: Art, I haven't seen the list, but I also would consider it an oversight to leave Emmitt off the ballot. I am launching an official Mort investigation. Without even seeing the list, my no-doubt-about-it group for the past decade would be Smith, John Elway, Brett Favre, Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice. After that, Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Dan Marino, Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Junior Seau, Cris Carter, Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Larry Allen and Tony Boselli probably would be high honorable mention. You can make a case for a lot of these guys.

Q: Does Brett Favre have the right personnel around him to lead the Packers back to the playoffs and maybe to a division title this season? -- Andy Palmquist, Coon Rapids, Minn.
MORT: Andy, I think the Packers are loaded with talent, and time will prove that Ron Wolf again did terrific work in his final couple of years on the job as GM. So, yes, Favre has enough talent around him. It is young talent, so they may have some problems with inconsistency, but I really believe Favre and the Packers are serious contenders this year. By serious, I mean Super Bowl serious.

Q: What's wrong with the Redskins? Did Jack Kent Cooke put some kind of curse on them from the grave when his son sold the team? They seem to be a team of discontent and confusion on the field and have been so for the past eight years or so. Is it coaching, the organization, management or the players? -- John, Ashburn, Va.
MORT: John, I think this is what happens when you have transfer of ownership, head coaches, coordinators, etc. One of the great keys to success in the NFL is to have the entire organization on the same page. That entails so much -- on the personnel side, it dictates the kind of players you draft and sign to fit your offensive and defensive schemes, identity, et al. I believe if Marty Schottenheimer is allowed to do his thing without interference, the Redskins will settle down and be fairly competitive. It could even happen this year. And, don't forget, they were a kicker away from being a playoff team in 2000.

Q: Do you think Quincy Carter can prove the experts wrong this season since he starting for the Cowboys? -- Steve Carpenter, Oklahoma City, Okla.
MORT: Steve, in fairness to Carter and the "experts," I think you have to wait another year or two. But will he get another year or two? I believe that if the Cowboys feel Carter is not special, and they are picking high in the draft in 2001 (like second or third ... Houston has the first pick), then they likely will take another quarterback.

Q: Is Lamar Smith the real deal in Miami or a one-year wonder? -- Scott Zylka, Orland Park, Ill.
MORT: Scott, I think Lamar will prove to be the real deal. He also happens to be playing for his next contract.

Q: One mistake: NexTurf has been used for football, at Huskie Stadium in Seattle. -- Scott Gulbransen, San Diego, Calif.
MORT: Scott, you are talking about Field Turf, and it is different than NexTurf. But I am getting conflicting info as to whether NexTurf has been used for football. We're trying to clarify this.

Q: Chris, I usually have a great deal of respect for your work, but ranking the Packers as No. 13 in your latest rankings is a great understatement. The Packers did not show up to play against Cleveland and maybe their DT situation is a question mark, but I still feel that with a healthy Brett Favre the Packers can beat any team in the league. So I am asking for your explanation of why you ranked the Packers so low. -- Robert, Milwaukee, Wis.
MORT: Robert, I hope you don't attach "respect" for my work to my rankings. It's only the mid-preseason rankings. I think Packers fans will very much enjoy my forecast for the 2001 season. Even then, it's only a forecast.

Q: As a 49ers fan, I was surprised to see that you dropped them three spots (from your pre-training camp rankings) to No. 20. From what I understand, they've had a good camp. What gives? -- Jeff Anderson, Campbell, Calif.
MORT: Jeff, I might have had a blind spot on the 49ers. I still wonder whether their defense is too young. It is fast, and it does have a great player up front in Bryant Young, but I guess I have to see how they come out of the shoot next month to really get a better handle on the 49ers.

Q: Just who are the Tennessee Ravens? You have them ranked pretty high this year. -- Mac McCarthy, Lexington, Ky. MORT: Mac, I love you guys! Obviously, there was an error, and I have gotten a lot of flak. Forgive me. Forgive my editors. Are we OK now?