From: niepornt@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (David Marc Nieporent)
Subject: Re: Niners Defeat Deadskins, Selves
Originator: news@nimaster
Organization: Princeton University
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 10:02:08 GMT

In <1993Jan10.083946.27878@PacBell.COM> jpglori@srv.PacBell.COM (JOHN) writes:
>In article <1993Jan10.001717.14544@netcom.com> mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers) writes:

>>[ Zimmers sarcasm deleted ]

>>o Steve Young almost undoing his fine passing day with 3 (that's not
>>  a typo -- THREE) lost fumbles, two of which were truly wierd.  The
>>  first wierd one came after a nice run, when Steve slid, *got back up* and
>>  lost the handle.  The second came on Young's attempt to draw the ball
>>  back for a pass and succeeded in flipping the ball ten feet into the air.

>Well, you have the pessimist and then you have the optimist. Gee, Zimmers,
>which are you? :-) This was not a beauty contest. IMHO, the Niners-Skins
>was exciting despite the fact that this game had more turnovers than
>a bakery. (Line stolen from local sportscaster). A good team will overcome
>adversity and win the game at the end. The Niners displayed their
>character. The Niners stuck with Young despite the TOs. Young succeeded
>in getting the job done. It wasn't pretty, but his work ethic and
>instensity was evident. He did not panic. Young's numbers were 227 yds
>passing, 2TDs, 3 fumbles and 1 INT and still WON!

Bull.  The Forty-niners won.  Steve Young didn't win.  Quarterbacks
don't win at all.  Teams do.  (This isn't to say that Steve Young isn't
a good quarterback -- he is, of course.  But he didn't play well today.)

Mediocre teams (like the Redskins) overcome adversity.  Good teams don't
*have* adversity.

>>o Though I already mentioned the Washington offense, Mark Rypien deserves
>>  his own dishonorable mention.  Rypien was intercepted twice on passes 
>>  that could best be called coyote-ugly, consistently under- and overthrew
>>  recievers that were wide open, and fumbled a handoff during a drive
>>  that could have put the Deadskins ahead.  Mark would have looked quite
>>  appropriate in a Raiders jersey today.

>Bull, Rypien had passes dropped at crucical times by his receivers or
>fumbled away by his backs! In the 3rd qtr. 1-10 Rypien play fakes and
>passes to an open Byner who drops the pass!  4th qtr. 3-17 :49 seconds
>left and Rypien passes deep middle to Sanders who lets ball slip
>between his hands!! 4-17 Rypien drops back, scrambles and passes to
>Middleton and he drops the ball!  Rypien deserves HONORABLE mention
>for NOT GIVING up and for being a warrior. He was in the trenches and 
>the Niners were not at all certain the game was theirs until the end!

For $3 million a year, he *better* not give up.  He gets honorable
mention for doing his job?  (Badly?)

Yes, the Redskins receivers bobbled balls they should have caught.  But
he wsa still throwing incredibly poorly.  The incompletions weren't all
his fault.  But the interceptions were.  He consistently underthrew his
receivers.

>>o Jerry Rice dropping a *perfect* pass late in the game when the score
>>  was 17-13.  That could have been a turning point.

>Could have, IFs, big deal.....it had NO bearing on the game!

Of course it did.  The fact that the 49ers won doesn't mean it had no
bearing.  Any more than the fact that the 49ers won meant the Redskins'
13 points had no bearing.

>>o The Candlestick field.  From the looks of the soggy turf, this field
>>  is in as bad shape as it was in '81.  As crummy as both teams played,
>>  it's hard to tell who the field detracted from the least (I refuse
>>  to say it "benefitted" either team), but by game's end, both offensive
>>  and defensive lines seemed to be moving in slow motion.  That must
>>  be brutal for a lineman to play in that stuff -- it's a combination
>>  of running and swimming.  It's not likely to get any better for 
>>  next week, either.

>Same conditions for both teams and the instensity of two championship
>caliber teams was the equalizer, not the field!  The road to the
>Super Bowl goes thru Candlestick and no amount of whining or complaining
>will change this. Championship calbier teams will win under any and all
>conditions, period.

That's silly.  Every one of the teams in the playoffs lost some games.
Does that mean they aren't championship caliber?  What happens when
championship caliber teams play each other?

>>For the Deadskins:  you were lucky to be here, and it showed.  A better
>>effort might have beaten the stumbling, snake-bitten Niners, but you
>>were down to the task of out-losing to them.

>You really believe this?  The Skins got there on experience and work
>ethic. For you to insinuate or state otherwise sounds like an
>insult to the Redskin organization. I'm sure the playoffs teams are
>relieved the Skins loss, but then again, now they have to face the Niners.

Bull.  Experience and $.50 gets you a copy of the USA Today.
The Redskins were a mediocre team, (though, to be fair, injuries played
a large role in this), and it showed.  They finished the year 10-8.
That's mediocre.  

They got there on some talent, good coaching, and a ridiculous playoff 
system which allows almost half the teams into the playoffs.

I'm a Redskins fan and I'm not insulted; it isn't an insult to state the 
truth.

>>For the Niners:  shower up and hit the film room.  A repeat performance
>>next week against either the Eagles or the Bowboys will almost surely
>>result in your trading in your tix to Pasadena.

>You still don't get it Zimmers. The Niners know how to win. The
>pressure is on the team coming in to Candlestick. The pressure will be
>too much. The Niners will hit the showers and film room, just like
>they have after every game this season. You really think they won't! 
>Sheesh!

The 49ers are a good team.  That's why they won 14 games during the
regular season and now a playoff game.  That's why they won.  Every team
knows how to win -- the question is having the talent to do it.  And
they do.

>>Somehow I thought I'd enjoy this game more...

>Somehow, I doubted it....:-) Tell that to the NINER FANS that saw the 
>game in person! :^)  I'll guarantee it, they enjoyed it!

Anyway, GO CHARGERS.

-- 
David M. Nieporent   | Is it too early to start making predictions for 1993?
niepornt@phoenix.    | Probably, but that never stopped me before.
   princeton.edu     | ALE: Baltimore ALW: Chicago NLE: Montreal NLW: Atlanta
Baltimore Orioles 93 | AL MVP: Cal Ripken  AL Cy Young: Mike Mussina
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro