From: v073pzuy@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Damned for all time...)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: OFF THE CUFF...
Date: 24 Nov 92 02:26:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

Some notes collected while wondering what Scott Norwood is doing right this
minute...

--Much has been made about the "fact" that the Dallas Cowboys "are still 
too young" or are "a year or two away yet."  That's yesterday's news, 
folks...the Cowboys might have been "too young" to win a playoff spot two 
years ago.  Perhaps the Bears should have beaten them last year with some 
more conservative play-calling from Mike Ditka.  But that's old hat, as 
they say.  This year's Cowboys share the best record in the NFL, have shown 
an ability to beat the NFC East's leaders of the past few years, and could 
be on track for a title game somewhere in here...

--Color me chargined over rumors that Steve Young might be playing hurt and 
not admitting it in order to keep Joe Montana from coming into play...

--This just in:  Boomer Esiason has been benched by Bengal coach David 
"Don't call me Don" Shula for this week's game against Pittsburgh at 
Riverfront.  David "Wish it wasn't the Steelers" Klingler will get the 
call.  For what it's worth, they should have made this move either a week 
earlier or a week later, but against the Steelers?  Good luck, kid...you'll 
need it...

--For all the talk about how much better the NFC is than the AFC, if the 
playoffs were to start today, only one team with a winning record would not 
be included--the San Diego Chargers.

--If John Elway doesn't come back soon, the Broncos are going to be a 
long-shot to make the playoffs...

--Color me amused by Jerry Glanville's comments after the Bills humbled the 
Falcons, 41-14, this past Sunday.  Glanville was asked how the Bills 
compared to the San Francisco 49ers, who also pasted the Atlanta team 
(twice) this season:  "About three points better."  Good to know you at 
least knew what the rest of the league was doing Week 2, Jer...

--Don't think the Patriots wish they had another crack at the Seahawks now?

--Color me malicious after delighting in the treatment Deion Sanders 
received in the Bills' game after he "vogued" his way into the end zone on 
a "sand-lot kickoff return" Sunday with the Bills already ahead, 38-0.  In 
the second half, Deion fielded a punt, only to have his leg grabbed by a 
Bill.  He lateraled the ball away, but not soon enough to keep Chris 
"Headhunter" Hale from flattening the immobilized Sanders...

--Ditto for Andre Rison and Darryl Talley...

--Have to wonder about those Miami Dolphins.  A stat was flashed during the 
Monday Night encounter with the Bills which showed that the Dolphins had 
rushed for some 212 yards in the 1st qtr, which was in the top three in the 
NFL.  However, they proceeded to chalk up some 110+, 100+, 100+ yards in 
each of the remaining three quarters.  Given all the talk about how the 
Dolphins have needed to "balance" their attack, and that the Dolphins had 
to play catchup in only one of their first 9 games (against the Jets, who 
led big at halftime and before the Dolphins even scored), what could the 
problem be?  Simple.  Well, talking in length with my father (a big Dolfan) 
about father, it's the same-old, same-old:  given the availability of Dan 
Marino, the Dolphins will always prefer to let the pass win the game for 
them.  They make big attempts to "establish the running game," as it were, 
and then abandon it.  As if this is something *new* in Miami...

--How about those Minnesota Vikings?  Defensive touchdowns left, defensive 
touchdowns right.  Jack Del Rio says, "I don't know if our defense actually 
expects to score every game, but we realize it's possible on every play.  
It's a great feeling to be part of a feeding frenzy like this."  This sort 
of fever is great on a team whose offense is performing.  The problem is, 
given the anemic execution of the Vikings' offense, the pressure on the D 
to produce points could lead to some deep plays for opposing offenses when 
the Vikes feel the need to "go for the ball" rather than "go for the man."

--Consider this report out of Philly about Dallas' RB Emmitt Smith, on a
new contract he was offered (I'll be receiving the actual news clip in about
a week):  "That (the offer) is Barry Sanders money.  I want Emmitt Smith 
money."

--Jim McMahon should be the starter in Philadelphia.  Randall Cunningham 
could be dealt somewhere to improve the team, especially on the offensive 
line...

--Lawrence Taylor will come back next year.  The question is, if he feels 
he can play next year after such an injury, whatever possessed him to plan 
his retirement so early in the first place?

--If Sunday's effort by the Bills doesn't prove the relative worthlessness 
of the "rushing title" to the back with the most yards, I don't know what 
does.  Thurman Thomas was pulled after 13 carries with 103 yards.  Thomas' 
understudy, Kenneth Davis, gained 181 yards on 20 carries.  So Thomas might 
have rushed for 300 yards (not a very big stretch of the imagination)--what 
would it prove?  Nothing, that's what...

--Jerry Glanville should thank God Sam Wyche wasn't coachign the Bills.  
For that matter, I thank God he's not, myself...

--Scott Zolak may not put up the numbers, but sometimes in 
football--particularly on a losing team like the Patriots--it's the 
attitude that counts...

--My apologies for having picked Pittsburgh to finish last in the AFC 
Central before the season started.  How many Pittsburgh fans expected much 
better?  Here's hoping Barry Foster passes Eric Dickerson's NFL-record 
12-100 yard games in a season...

--Playoff fever is catching.  Should Dallas and/or San Francisco win this 
week, a Green Bay loss against Tampa Bay would put either/both of those 
teams into the playoffs.  Of course, the Packers are a completely different 
team at Milwaukee (ask the Eagles), so the champagne may have to delay 
being uncorked just yet...

--Cheers!

					---Chet Zeshonski