The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 28

8-C THE GALVESTON DAILY NEWS SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 20,1987 AP Laserphoto H.ft. AP Laserphoto Tex Schramm AP Laserphoto Tom Landry Landry not to blame By DENNEH. FREEMAN A Sports Writer IRVING, Texas Don't be a Bum Bright and blame Tom Landry for what ails the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys' owner has never been to training camp. He wouldn't know a trap block from a post pattern.

He grumbled that Landry didn't play Danny Noonan on a day the rookie had five tackles. He carped that Landry wouldn't get Herschel Walker the ball on a day the football millionaire had the dollar signs knocked out of him for getting it too much. Let's dismiss Bright's notions by considering he's a strict football novice. He charts every game but he's a fan, no X-and-O genius. Since the frustrated Bright, who has had a well-documented second division season in the financial world, brought it up, let's fix the blame for Dallas' disaster of '87.

The Freeman File fault finder puts part of the problem at the doors of Club President Tex Schramm and Personnel Director Gil Brandt. Brandt, rated the best in the business in the 1970s, has made legendary mistakes in evaluating talent in the 1980s. Just to name one there was cor- nerback Rod Hill of Kentucky State, a first-round pick in 1982. The Cowboys saw something in him no other club did. It turned to be a mirage.

Hill was terrible and Brandt had projected him as a ANALYSIS Pro Bowler. Want another one? What about offensive lineman Howard Richards, the first pick in 1981. Richards turned out to be another bust. It would be cruel to go on. There's the late Larry Bethea, a defensive lineman, who was a first pick in 1978 yet never produced.

What about Jesse Penn as the second choice in 1985? Another underachiever. What did Brandt see in these guys to sell Landry a bill of goods? Now comes a bite of the sour apple for Schramm. Tex, what took you so long to recognize that Brandt should NOT be BOTH negotiating with players and evaluating college talent? Brandt had the player signing chore taken alway over a year ago but he never should have had both time-consuming duties. Tex should have realized this a long time ago. In recent years, the Cowboys have signed some potential Pro Bowl talent in Danny Noonan and Mike Sherrard with Brandt on the evaluating trail fulltime.

But Landry has to suffer for all those bad mistakes. Landry does have the call on draft day but he's only as good as his information. Otherwise Landry might have drafted Dan Marino or Joe Montana, two quarterbacks who were available but passed over by the Cowboys. Tex also draws another knock from this corner by bringing in passing coordinator Paul Hackett from San Francisco. Landry could have used a few fresh ideas, but having Hackett around fulltime just muddied Dallas' offense.

Landry keeps trying to use Hackett's stuff to keep him and Tex happy. The Cowboys would have been better off just letting Landry work out his own offense. He's been to five Super Bowl. Landry must know something. There's strong word that Schramm brought in Hackett to be Landry's successor.

Nobody produces as well when he has to look over his shoulder at his competition every five minutes. Landry doesn't need to be motivated. All he needs is to be left alone and he'll solve the Cowboys' perplexing personnel puzzle. The Cowboys were a snakebit team this year. From the moment ace receiver Mike Sherrard broke his own leg in training camp, it was destined to be a star-crossed season.

Of course. Bright wasn't in training camp. Maybe he missed the news. Schramm recently stated that the entire organization was to blame for missing the NFL playoffs a second consecutive season. "If the boot fits, pull it on." Schramm said.

Fine. Tex. I bet Tom's don't. Moon has become leader HOUSTON (AP) Houston Oiler quarterback Warren Moon finally has taken a firm grip on the leadership role that has been waiting for him through three seasons of new offenses, new coaches and unfulfilled hope. Moon, who previously led by example, has blossomed during his fourth season to become a vocal spokesman for the team, and he has carried his actions onto the field.

Moon has helped the Oilers to a 7-6 record and positioned them for their first chance at the NFL playoffs in seven years. But the Oilers must win Sunday against Pittsburgh in the Astrodome to retain serious playoff hopes. Moon's emergence started with the strike. "The players looked at me a lit', tie differently, they saw a side of me that they hadn't seem before, the vocal side," Moon said. "I stood up and spoke my mind and spoke the team's mind." When the strike ended, Moon Continued talking.

"I'm a lot more vocal," he said. I "I feel more in control of what I'm doing and I can suggest things -to guys. I can help guys with their assignments when they're not sure to do." Moon has had different offenses and different position coaches in each of his first four seasons. "I said at the beginning of the season that next year will be my best year when I've had a full year with one offense," Moon said. "Hopefully this staff will be around and we can do the same things next year." AP Laserphoto Warren Moon Moon's maturity has not gone unnoticed by Coach Jerry Glanville.

"The biggest difference is the way he competes now," Glanville said. "I rate quarterbacks by how they compete and make a win. We don't beat Cincinnati without Warren Moon. "That's so far back a lot of people have forgotten about it but I haven't. He would not let Cincinnati beat us." The Oilers won that Nov.

i game 31-29. Offensive guard Bruce Matthews sat out the first eight games of the season in a contract dispute. He returned to find a different Warren Moon. "I came back and it was an entirely different Warren Moon." Matthews said. "The talent was the same but there was something in his confidence that said he knew he was going to get the job done." Moon helped the Oilers beat San Diego 33-18 on Dec.

6 despite a shoulder injury that doctors thought at the time could be career threatening. "I had back surgery last year and I'm aware of what career threatening injuries really are." Matthews said. "I respect him for what he did. It was a gutsy move." The Oilers have a chance at a winning season for the first time since 1980 if they can overcome the big-game letdown that was responsible for successive losses to Cleveland and Indianapolis. Pittsburgh, its defense looking more like the Steel Curtain of previous years, stands in the way with an 8-5 record and tied for the AFC Central Division lead with Cleveland.

The Steelers could win their first division title since 198-1 if they beat the Oilers and Cleveland in their final two games. The Oilers remain in playoff contention if they can win their final two games against the Steelers and Cincinnati. Cowboys-Rams loses luster ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) "America's Team" is suffering. Anaheim's team is over its agony.

The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams, clubs with similar records but in markedly different circumstances, play Monday night in a game that has -far less significance than many past meetings between the NFC foes. The Cowboys have lost their last four games to fall to 5-8 and will have consecutive losing seasons for the first time in 23 years. Their coach, the once-revered Tom Landry, has come under fire from the club owner. Injuries and age have taken a dreadful toll on Dallas' lineup. The Rams have known misery and controversy this season, too but not lately.

After a 1-7 start, they've have won their last five in a row and still have a slim chance to make the playoffs. Landry, whose Cowboys over the years often faced the Rams in the playoffs, now looks at Coach John Robinson's club with a certain amount of envy. "Where the strike hurt us so much, the controversy over Eric Dickerson hurt them tremendously," Landry said of the Rams, who traded the disgruntled running back to Indianapolis in midseason. Bum Bright, the Cowboys' owner, recently criticized Landry for some of his coaching decisions and also said, "I think the aura of the Cowboys is dying. I'm talking about an aura where they were Landry said it has been difficult to take the criticism.

"I think you have to stick together if you're going to win," the Cowboys coach said in a tele- phone conference call with reporters. "We've been together a long time and stuck together well, but when you get into adversity, things come. "You've got to remember in Dallas, especially with owners, we're having a tough time in Texas. California and the East Coast are doing pretty well, but in Texas we're in a mild depression. "Like our owner, Bum Bright, there's no telling how many millions and millions of dollars he's lost already with real estate and oil and I guess the Cowboys are one thing he felt pretty comfortable with.

And when they aren't going good, he doesn't like it very well, I guess. "Ah, heck, a guy's got to express himself. It (the criticism) didn't help us, but we've got to overcome it if we're going to win." NFLCAPSULES By The Associated Prtss A look at Sunday's matchups in the National Football League: PITTSBURGH (8-5) ATHOUSTON (7-6) Steelers are tied for AFC Central lead with Cleveland while Oilers are a game behind. Steelers must win to set up showdown with Browns next week. Houston must beat Pittsburgh and Houston (next Sunday) and hope Cleveland and Pittsburgh lose Oilers have second best record in AFC division (3-D behind Cleveland (4-1) Houston had beaten Pittsburgh, 23-3, on Nov.

15 and trails Steelers 26-10 in season series Houston has lost three of four games; Pittsburgh has won three of last four games Last week, Pittsburgh defeated struggling San Diego, 20-16, while Houston fell to New Orleans 24-10 Pittsburgh used four Chargers fumbles and an interception to hang on to the four-point decision. San Diego led 9-0 after the first quarter before the Steelers scored the next 20 points Steelers QB Mark Malone hit on 13 of 26 passes for 164 yards and a 7-yard TD run. Malone also ran for 34 yards on 5 carries Houston fell behind 21-3 at halftime and could not make up deficit. A 34-yard TD pass from Warren Moon to Earnest Givins was Oilers only second-half score Moon ended with 258 yards on 16 for 36 passing. Moon is tied for 10th with San Diego's Dan Fouts in quarterback rankings at 72.7 Givins finished with 5 catches for 74 yards.

His 46 catches (778 yards) tie him for sixth place in AFC WR Dresv Hill caught 4 for 102. He has a 19.8-yard per catch average for second in the AFC RB Mike Rozier returned from assorted injuries to rush for 91 yards on 22 carries. He's currently third in AFC with 817 yards. KANSAS CITY (3-10) AT DENVER (8-4-1) Broncos involved in tough AFC West race, one-half game ahead of San Diego and Seattle. Chiefs have won two of three after a nine game losing streak Broncos must beat Kansas City and San Diego, both at Mile High Stadium, to clinch third division title in four seasons.

Denver can still become Wild Card with two losses. Chiefs final contest against Seattle Broncos beat Chiefs 26-17 on Oct. 18 to narrow Kansas City's series lead to 34-20 Last week, Kansas City beat the Los Angeles Raiders 16-10, while Denver lost to Seattle 28-21. MINNESOTA (V-G) ATDETROIT CJ-10) Vikings had opportunity to secure Wild Card berth last week, but now have to win at Detroit and against Washington to be sure. Can also qualify by winning one game while St.

Louis and Los Angeles split final pair. Lions looking to build momentum for next season Victory by Minnesota would be second straight winning season. Detroit has" not been over .500 since they won NFC Central with 9-7 record in 1983 Vikings topped Lions 34-19 opening week to stretch series lead to 31-18-2. In the teams last five meetings in Detroit, Lions have won in odd numbered years (1983. 1985) while Vikings hold victories in even numbered years (1982.

1984.1986). NEW ENGLAND (6-7) AT BUFFALO (7-G) Bills can win AFC East division outright with victories over Patriots and next week at Philadelphia. New England must win both its games and pray for help Buffalo is tied with Miami and Indianapolis for first place. New England is a game back, tied with the New York Jets Buffalo lost to New England back on Oct. 11, 14-7.

Since that game. Bills have gone 6-3. Patriots have lost four of last six games. Only wins came against division rivals Indianapolis and the New York Jets. NEW ORLEANS Saints are shattering all club records for consecutive wins (7) and victories in a season (10).

Bengals losing season follows 10-G record in 1986 New Orleans has clinched at least a Wild Card and trails San Francisco by a game in NFC West division. Saints can win title with two wins (at Cincinnati, vs. Greon Bay) and two 49crs losses. Bengals finish season at Houston New Orleans rolled to seventh straight victory, a 24-10 win over Houston. Cincinnati fell to state rival 38-24.

PHILADELPHIA NEW YOKKJKTS Both teams mathematically alive for playoff wild cards, but will need considerable help. Eagles are two' games behind Minnesota and a game behind St. Louis and Los Angeles Rams. Jets are lied with New England, one game behind Buffalo. Indianapolis and Miami in confusing AFC East Philadelphia has lost two straight games and four of their last five.

They're 1-1 against the AFC East this season, beating New England tn OT and losing to Miami 28-10 last week. SEATTLE (S-r.) ATUUfACO The Seahawks have played up-and-down football, but are tied with San Diego, only one-half game behind the Denver Broncos in AFC West. Bears have wrapped up NFC Central division and are looking for home field advantage throughout playoffs Seattle has lost two of their last three, but won important game last week, 28-21, over Denver. Chicago was riding three game winning streak before Monday's 41-0 humiliation by San Francisco Seattle can wrap up playoff spot with wins over Chicago and Kansas City Seattle has a 3-0 record against NFC Chicago has 1-1 mark against NFC. ATLANTA CM II) AT SAN FRANCISCO Falcons finish up against -USers and Detroit for fifth straight losing season.

San Francisco is driving toward playoffs with fourth straight victory 49ers are one game ahead of New Orleans Saints in NFC West While -liters were shutting out Chicago. Atlanta was being shutout by Los Angeles Rams. The 49crs were led by Jerry Rice who tied two NFL records against the Bears. His first TD was the llth consecutive game with at least one TD pass. He ended with 1H TDs.

equaling Mark Clayton's 1984 mark. ST. LOUIS (G-7) ATTA.MPA HAY Cardinals need road wins over Buccaneers and Cowboys next week plus 1 loss each by the Rams and the Vikings to insure their first playoff berth since 1982. St. Louis would bo a Wild Card based ori overall record vs.

Los Angeles and better conference record vs. Minnesota. If the Cardinals lose to the Bucs. they could still make the playoffs by defeating the Cowboys plus 2 loses each by the Vikings and the Rams plus 1 lost by the Packers. INDIANAPOLIS AT SAN DIEGO tX-5) The Indianapolis Colts and the San Diego Chargers are both in playoff pursuit.

For the Colts the 1st time since and the Chargers the 1st since 1982. The Colts are AFC East co-leaders with the Buffalo Bills and the Maimi Dolphins all at 7-6 The Chargers are tied in 2nd place in the AFC West Division with Seattle and one game behind Denver The Chargers have won the last 5 games with the Colts. CLEVELAND (8-5) AT LOS ANGKLlvS RAIDERS The Cleveland Browns are fighting for the AFC Central division title currently tied with Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Raiders are fighting for personal respect. If the Browns win this week and the Steelers win this weekend both will meet each other next weekend in a division title matchup in Pittsburgh. The Raiders hold a 10-1 series edge over the Browns including winning the last 8 times.

The only Brown win was a 7-3 victory in 1973. The game matches the Raiders No. 1 NFL rushing offense (155.8 avg.) against the Browns No. 1 AFC rushing defense (97.5 The game also matches two former Buffalo Bills players. Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer and Raiders coach Tom Flores both with Buffa'io 1967-68.

WASHINGTON (10-3) ATMIA.MI (7-(i) NFL East champion Washington Redskins visit the Miami Dolphins who remain in playoff contention. It is only the second time the Redskins have visited the sunshine of Miami. The Dolphins have won the past three meetings with a series edge of 4-2. The Dolphins have 47-11 record vs. the NFC which is the best in the AFC.

However the Redskins are 2-0 vs. AFC teams in 1987 and 34-22 overall. Last week the Redskins upended the Dallas Cowboys 24-20. While the Dolphins stomped the Philadelphia Eagles 28-10. The Redskins need 2 wins, they face the Minnesota Vikings next week, plus 2 losses by either the Chicago Bears or the San Francisco 49ers to insure at least home playoff game.

DALLAS (5-8) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (fi-7) Monday night Los Angeles Rams are still in the hunt for a wild card berth. However the Dallas Cowboys can do nothing but play the part of spoilers. Rams would be the wild card with wins over the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers next week plus 2 josses by the Minnesota Vikings based on overall record vs. Vikings and head-to-head vs. Cardinals.

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