TEED OFF

While I applaud the efforts of the composers of last Sunday’s Puzzler to be creative, I must take issue with two of the clues.

42 Across, “ ‘Salome songs”: To the best of my knowledge, there are no arias, as such, in “Salome.”

43 Across, “place-kicker’s prop”: The place-kicker does not use a tee. The ball is placed on the ground by the holder from whence it is kicked. The tee is used on kickoffs, which is not place-kicking. Actually, the term “place-kicker” is obsolete. The player who kicks from a tee or a hold is now called the “kicker,” as opposed to the “punter.”

ANGELO S. LAIACONA

Los Angeles