The Kokomo Tribune from Kokomo, Indiana • Page 16

16 Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune Saturday, Jan. 27, 1990 Comparison of positions shows 49ers the favorite By Murray Older man Nrwspaprr Knlr rprisr Ass'n NEW ORLEANS (NBA) This is how the NFC San Francisco 49ers and the AFC Denver Broncos stack up for Super Bowl XXIV: Passing 49ers: No one gets rid of the ball faster than Joe Montana No one is better at switching off to alternate receivers. Montana's arm strength is suspect but he can still burn you long. He throws well moving to the right. Steve Young is a fine stand-in.

Grade. A-plus. Broncos: John Elway is most dangerous when he's throwing on the move, either right or left. He has great arm velocity, and he's developing a touch. On passing downs, he throws out of the shotgun.

He sometimes gets in trouble by throwing into coverage. Grade: A. Receiving 49ers: All-Pros Jerry Rice and John Taylor, with 27 TDs between them, are the best WK tandem in the NFL. They're dangerous on slant-ins. They also excel after the catch.

They block well, too. Mike Wilson and newcomer Mike Sherrard are brought in for four- wideout formations Grade: A. Broncos: Vance Johnson is the primary deep target. Mark Jackson, who supplanted Ricky Nattiel as other starter, is best on "out" patterns. Nattiel is used on spreads.

Michael Young has been a big contributor on third down. Grade: B-plus. Tight Ends 49ers: Brent Jones, an adequate blocker. is a dangerous receiver if secondaries double on S.F.'s wideouts. He has good hands.

Rookie Willie Walls goes in mainly for runs. Grade: B. Broncos: Clarence Kay starts good blocker, possession receiver with Pat Kelly for relief. Huge Orson Mobley operates mostly as H-back. Grade: B.

Running 49ers: Roger Craig, an All-Pro, is a slasher. Tom Rathman is a straight-ahead bruiser and a splendid blocker. They're best between tackles and attacking the weakside. Extra dimension is their sure-handed ability as passing outlets (Rathman had 73 catches). They operate in the on short yardage.

Grade: A. Broncos: Rookie Bobby Humphrey's ability to squeeze through holes changed the character of the Bronco offense. His sore ribs may be factor, though. Sammy Winder is an experienced fill-in, but he's a limited threat. Melvin Bratton is the blocking fullback in the two- man set.

Grade: B-plus. Offensive Line 49ers: Without big names, the 'Niners have improved their pass blocking. On runs, they pull tackles as well as guards. Bubba Paris and Steve Wallace share left tackle. RT Harris Barton is on the verge of All-Pro fame.

LG Guy Mclntyre is an All-Pro he's the swiftest. Center Jesse Sapolu is the spirited anchor. Grade: B. Broncos: Denver's new emphasis on size has panned out: LT Gerald Perry (305 pounds), LG Jim Juriga (275), Keith Kartz (270), RG Doug Widell RT Ken Lanier 1270). The guards Juriga and rookie Widell were big additions this year to improve the running game.

Perry is the key to protecting Elway. Grade: B-plus Kkkinu 49ers: Mike Cofer had a productive debut. Replacing Ray Wersching as the placekicker, he led the NFL in scoring. Punter Barry Helton has a strong leg. but he's a bit erratic.

Grade: Broncos: All-Pro David Treadwell, supplanting fixture Rich Karlis, led the AFC in field goals. Left-footed punter Mike Horan's specialty is coffin-corner kicks. Grade: B-plus. Defensive Line 49ers: They use a three-man front, with under-rated Pierce Holt at left end and fiery Kevin Fagan at right end. There's none better than Michael Carter in the middle, but a sore ankle might limit him.

Vet NTs Pete Kugler and Jim Burt see action, too. Larry Roberts is the designated pass rusher. Grade: B-plus. Broncos: Here's another basic three-man front. RILB Karl Mecklenburg pitches in as a pass-rusher.

LE Alphonso Carreker and RE Ron Holmes, the lead sacker, provide outside protection. NT Greg Kragen had a Pro Bowl year. This unit improved greatly against running game. Grade: B-plus. Linebacking 49ers: LOLB Charles Haley symbolizes the new NFL breed of pass rusher-coverage man.

His job is to contain John Elway. ROLB Keena Turner is a wise old vet. as is ex-Raider Matt Millen. the LILB. The most over-looked man on this unit is RILB Michael Walter, who plays on all downs.

Grade: B-plus. Broncos: There's good outside mobility in ex-lineman Simon Fletcher, and young Michael Brooks. Rick Dennison is a savvy inside man. But the key is All-Pro Karl Mecklenburg, who roams all over. On passing downs.

Marc Munfordisused. Grade: B. C'ornerbacks 49ers: Don Griffin is developing into a premier NFL cover man, but they'll pick on Darryl Pollard. In spots, vet Eric Wright helps. And for a nickel package, former starter Tim McKyer is excellent on man-to-man.

Grade: B-plus. Broncos: Here's the soft spot of Denver's defense Tyrone Braxton and Wymon Henderson lack the speed to stay with S.F.'s Hice-, Taylor duo. Unless the LBs and or safeties help, the 49ers will roll. Kip Corrington operates in the nickel defense. Grade: C.

Safeties 49ers: All-Pro Ronnie Lott, at free safety, is soul of the 'Niner defense. Still physically intimidating, he's an opportunist. Chet Brooks at strong safety was a real find, replacing injured Jeff Fuller. Tom Holmoe and Alfred Jackson are spot players. Grade: A.

Broncos: Dennis Smith, an All-Pro, and Steve Atwater are in the same league as the S.F. duo. Smith is a prototypal strong safety hitter. Rookie Atwater was the find of the '89 draft, starter from moment he reported. The big burden is to double deep and yet protect the middle.

Grade: A. Return Teams 49ers: John Taylor can be the most dangerous man on the field, breaking long punt return. Terence Flagler is swift on kickoffs. Spencer Tillman was a valuable addition. Grade: B-plus.

Broncos: Vance Johnson, with sure hands, replaced low-producer Ken Bell on punts. Bell is still used on kickoffs. A return specialist is on the list of Bronco needs. Grade: B. Prediction: Super Bowl XXIV is a game between two balanced teams: one good, one great.

There's just no way, based on their record, you can pick against the San Francisco 49ers. But I think it will be a lot closer and more interesting than generally predicted. Final score: San Francisco 24, Denver 20. All-Pro Ronnie Lott is soul of the 'Niner defense (AP photo) DENVER BRONCOS Elway 416 223 536 3051 733 18 Kubiak 55 32 582 284 516 2 Broncos 474 256 54.0 3352 7.07 21 Opp. 504 266 53.2 3201 6.35 13 4.3 18 4.3 69 737 36 2 36 22 691 4.4 20 4.2 69 73.7 2.6 21 4.2 75 (4.1 Johnson Jackson Sewell Young Humphrey Kay Mobley Winder Nattiel Broncos Opp.

76 28 25 22 22 21 17 14 10 256 268 1095 446 416 402 156 197 200 91 183 3352 3201 14.4 69 7 15.9 49 2 166 56 3 18.3 47 2 7.1 13 1 94 20 2 118 36 0 65 19 18.3 43 1 13.1 69 21 11.9 75 13 Braxlon Henderson Atwater Smith Broncos Opp. 6 3 3 2 21 20 103 172 34 1 58 193 25 0 34 113 30 0 78 390 50 0 318 15.1 50 2 194 9.7 32 1 laiU Bell Brono Opp. 21 3 143 68 24 0 45 9 344 7.6 38 0 28 18 370 13.2 52 0 Treadwell 46 120 Broncos 46 362 Opp. 55 226 Humphrey Winder Elway Alexander Bratton Broncos Opp. Humphrey Johnson Bratlon Elway Sewell Alexander Jackson Kay Winder Young Braxlon Kragen Mecklenbuig Nattiel Robbins Broncos Opp.

Bell Broncos Opp. 30 602 20 1 33 0 43 876 20.4 68 0 72 1256 17.4 36 0 12. Holmes 9. Meek lenburg Carieker 5' Powers 3. Kragen 2, Lucas 2.

Townsen'd 2. Brooks 1. Dennison 1, Munford 1. Broncos47for 374 yards. Opp.

43 lor 351 yards. Horan 77 3111 63 404 Kubiak 2 43 29 21 5 Etoay 1 34 34 340 Broncos 80 3188 63 39.8 Opp 84 3440 64 41.0 5, Carnnglon 1. Elway 9. Henderson 1. Humphrey 4.

Jackson 1. Kubiak 2. Nattiel 2. Winder 1 Broncos 26, Opp. 43.

OFF. 4 lor 0 TDs. Elway 2 0, Humphtey 30, Kay 1 0, Kubiak 10. Perry 1 0. Smith! 0.

Broncos 13-0, Opp. 17-0. DEF. Atwalur 1 lor 0 TDs. Bell 1 0 Brarton 2-0.

Brooks 2 0. Dennison 1 0. Fletcher 1 0. Kragen 4 1 Mecklenburg 4 1, Munford 1 0, Robbins 1 0, Smith 2 0, Townsend 20, Broncos 22-2, Opp. 12-1 28 0 0 28 45 370 0 0 370 344 343 21.5 140 33.7 35.0 TIME-OUT for ENJOY CHEERING YOUR FAVORITE TEAM IN THE SUPERBOWL GAME WHILE YOU ENJOY THESE SUPER BASKET DEALS Dairy Queen RMsl First Downs Rushing Passing Penalty PiutMno Net Yards Qained Rushes PsaMng Total Yards Gained Secka Yards Lost.

Sacks Net Yards Qained Pssses Attempted Passes Completed Complelion Percentage Had Intercepted Combined Net Yards Control Ploys Aversge per Play Yards Returned Returned lor TD Punts Average Distance Punt Metuma Average Return Returned lor TD Klckon- ftaiums Aversge Return Returned tor TD Fumbles Lost Penalties Penalty Yardage Touchdowns Rushing Passing Returns Extra Points Goals Field Ooals Attemoled Safeties Total Poi ntl BRONCOS 49ERS Opp. 308 246 125 90 163 142 20 14 2092 554 38 3352 43 351 3001 474 256 540 20 5093 1071 48 2t 318 2 80 398 45 76 0 43 204 0 26 12 83 594 40 15 21 4 39 33 1580 426 37 3201 47 374 2827 504 288 532 21 4407 977 45 20 194 84 410 28 132 0 72 174 0 43 22 102 823 25 10 13 2 25 17 27 0 350 124 209 493 40 4584 45 282 4302 463 339 702 11 1021 61 21 262 0 56 398 39 110 0 51 187 0 110 922 35 2 49 29 36 0 283 76 178 29 1383 372 37 3568 43 333 3235 564 318 560 21 4618 140 0 35 103 0 76 189 0 34 16 75 581 26 9 15 2 26 23 31 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 70.2 3521 912 26 Montana 386 Young 92 Bono 5 49tra 40 3M 70.2 (.49 35 Oft- S64 316 56.0 3566 6.33 15 64 696 1001 1088 4 BOO 62 1240 67 8 87 1 20.0 7.2 2.7 8 3 0 11 21 2.1 33 0.0 2.3 3.7 95 1124 50 1208 45 1579 95 114.8 65 68.5 Rio Taylor Craig Jones Wilson Sydney Flagler Walls Henderson 49tra Opp. 82 1483 73 616 60 1077 49 473 40 9 500 103 9 71 6 51 4 16 3 130 339 4584 316 3566 18.1 68 17 84 36 1 180 95 10 97 44 1 12.5 36 4 114 19 1 79 13 0 85 30 0 40 9 1 43.3 78 13.5 95 35 1U 65 15 Lott Brooks Wright 49tft Opp. 5 3 2 21 34 68 26 0 31 10.3 19 0 37 18.5 23 0 262 12.5 42 0 11 140 127 35 0 Taylor 49ara Opp. 36 20 417 116 37 0 39 20 429 11.0 37 0 35 4 361 10.3 22 0 Craig Rathman Montana Flagler Young 49m Opp.

Rice Taylor Craig Jones Montana Ralhman Young Flagler Haley Henderson Jackson Walls Wilson Opp. 271 1054 79 305 49 227 33 129 38 126 493 1966 39 27 6 39 13 I 4.6 19 3 39 29 1 33 22 2 4.0 29 14 372 13(3 3.7 23 9 0 0 6 0 3 1 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 14 9 0 102 0 60 0 42 24 18 12 12 6 6 6 6 6 6 2 442 2 253 Coler 47 136 49ers 2946 47 442 Opp. 49 253 Flagler Tillman 49ers Opp. 32 643 201 41 0 10 206 206 60 0 51 954 18.7 60 0 76 1435 18.9 37 0 Holt Fagan 7. Slubbs 4V Roberts Kugler 3, Brooks 1, Romanowski 1.

Walter 1.49trs 43 for 333 yarda, Opp. 45 lor 262 yards. Helton Opp. 4. Flagler 5.

Greer 1 Helton 1, Henderson 1, Montana 9. Rathman 1, RomanowsK) 1. Sydney Taylor 3. Walls 1. Wilson 2.

Young 2. 49ers 32, Opp. 34 OFF. 1-0 TDs. Flagler 10.

Helton 10. Montana 30. Paris 10, Rathman 2-0, Tillman 10. Walls 10 Wilson 10. Young 10.

49era 13-0, Opp. OEF. 10 TDs. Fagan 20. Qosi 1 -0, GnHm 1 0.

Haley 11, Henderson 10. Holt 1 0. Jackson 10, Millen 30, Roberts 1-0. Homanowski 20 Waller 10, 49ert 16-1, Opp. 14-1.

INCLUDES: SANDWICH FRIES AND MED. SOFT DRINK DO FISH BASNET DEAL HOT DOG BASKET DEAL 1.85 INCLUDES: SANDWICH FRIES AND MED. SOFT DRINK THESE EVERYDAY INCLUDES: SANDWICH FRIES AND MED. SOFT DRINK ARE AVAILABLE AT AT THE FOLLOWING DAIRY QUEENS. 2016 N.

WASHINGTON 2130 W. SYCAMORE 3545 S. LAFOUNTAIN 457-7556 452-8751 453-7222 DAIRY QUEEN IS HOME OF MJZZARDS PIANUT BUST! PARFAIT SPLITS CAKIS AND LOOS.