Many men's coaches concede that some skills have eroded as the emphasis on athleticism has taken over.

When he returned from service, his skills had eroded and he never played another game.

As the pressures from college recruiters and low test scores intensified, his skills on the court eroded.

His first few years in Indy cars were good, not great, and critics wondered whether his skills had eroded.

But the panel said it still believed that his skills had eroded enough to put him in danger.

They will always remember him as the superstar from 1985, not the player whose offensive skills had eroded by 1995.

Convincing the boxing world that their skills have not eroded in recent years is an entirely different challenge.

Conversely, athletes remind us of our fragility because their skills erode at an early age.

But, at 31, he understands that a featherweight's skills erode.

And even as his skills have eroded with the Mets, he is known for playing the game soundly.