PLAYERS' COMMENTS GET LEVY TALKING

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 29, 1992                   TAG: 9201290005
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BUFFALO, N.Y.                                LENGTH: Short
PLAYERS' COMMENTS GET LEVY TALKING
Marv Levy is fed up with his Buffalo Bills in more ways than one.
In the aftermath of the Bills' 37-24 loss to the Washington Redskins in Sunday's Super Bowl, Levy warned his players about their behavior before big games.
"I think some of them could use better judgment in their public statements," the Bills' coach said before his team left Minneapolis on Monday. "I think you're better being totally bland in your comments.
"I don't think they realize a comment they make is interpreted in greater depth than the depth of thought they gave before making the comment. They're better off just talking football."
Levy wasn't naming names, but his comments appeared to be meant for NFL Most Valuable Player Thurman Thomas and defensive end Bruce Smith.
Smith complained that some fans sent him racist letters and that he was considering asking for a trade, while Thomas insisted he wasn't getting enough recognition.
After the game, in which he missed the Bills' first two offensive plays because he couldn't find his helmet, Thomas criticized the coaching staff for not giving him the ball more. Levy said Thomas was wrong.
"We were in a mode where we had to pass," Levy said. "When you fall behind, you don't have a game plan anymore. You've got to play catch-up."
Then, there was Leon Seals' postgame demand to be traded.
"I don't care what player wants to be traded," Levy said. "I care if we want to trade him."

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB