The Daily Item from Sunbury, Pennsylvania • 13

THE DAILV ITEM Sunburv, Nov. 21 1989 13 JLL Broncos Elway gate is aiverted kiris trip ByJayMariotti 1 f- OH Scripps Howard News Service WASHINGTON No longer is the Senate investigation necessary. If it seemed peculiar that John Elway would visit the White House in the morning and suddenly take ill in the afternoon, Elwaygate became irrelevant to the future of the presidency Tuesday morning at 12:03 EST. It also, quite honestly, became a non-story for the Denver Broncos. Monday night in RFK Stadium, while virus-stricken Elway visited an Oval Office of another sort, the Broncos confirmed something we have learned gradually during an increasingly adorable season.

Column They're not John Elway's team anymore. His ence isn't requisite to their success. They can live without him and win without him. Finally, they are a team in the most authentic sense, the best team in the AFC and one of the best teams in the NFL. Of the many inspirational wins this club has compiled on its carefree run toward Super Bowl contention, the 14-10 victory over the Redskins is the most charming yet.

The. team that proves something new and marvelous every week showed a national TV audience and more importantly, themselves that John Elway isn't the end-all to their fortunes. Amid violent swirls of dust and debris that turned football strategies into those normally applied to kite-flying, the Broncos maintained life when No. 7 was peaked. They flourished without him.

If the season finishes in glory, this assurance will be recalled as the most important charac-ter boost. It wasn't until after dark, as they boarded buses at the Westin Hotel, that the players learned Elway couldn't play because of a stomach virus. Pale and dizzy with nausea, Elway was wobbly as he climbed on the bus. Seeing the sick Elway, the Broncos easily could have folded spiritually. Admit it.

Even you expected the cause to die. But Gary Kubiak wouldn't let it die. The defense wouldn't let it die. And the special teams wouldn't let it die. Aftervan ugly early moment that seemed to spell doom Kubiak's sack and fumble that led to a Washington touchdown after one minute the Broncos allowed only a field goal.

Dan Reeves outfoxed Joe Gibbs, and the Broncos played smarter football in the horrible wind. Afterward. Reeves complained about the lack of respect accorded his 9-2 team. That's old news, coach. They respect you.

This will be a fun week in Colorado, a week filled with talk-show callers wondering if Kubiak is better suited to run the offense than Elway. Let's not get too crazy here but the question is far from ridiculous. (Continued on Page 15) By Ken Gordon Scripps Howard News Service WASHINGTON Even without its main gunslinger, Denver proved Monday night it can still shoot teams down. Led by backup quarterback Gary Kubiak, starting for an ill John Elway, the Broncos won a war of attrition at RFK Stadium, defeating the Redskins, 14-10. It was the teams' first meeting since Washington pounded Denver in the 1988 Super Bowl, 42-10.

Denver (9-2) didn't overwhelm Monday night, but executed in key situations and hung on to win. Kubiak (13 of 27, 123 yards) had thrown just two passes all year and looked rusty but he threw for both Denver scores! Add in running back Bobby Humphrey's 110 yards rushing, arid you get a Bronco victory. "I was grateful to get the opportunity to play," Kubiak said. "I was very nervous, as this was a big game for us. "When you'rebackup especially to John Elway you get used to not playing, so I was very nervous." Meanwhile, dropped passes, a botched fake punt and terrible second-half field position did in the Redskins (5-6).

Washington could not come up with clutch plays. After Washington failed to drive on several fourth-quarter possessions, the Broncos got the ball back on their own 29 with 6 45 to play On a critical 3-and-15, with 3:40 to play, Kubiak threw 15 yards to Michael Young. Humphrey's tough running then enabled Denver to run out the clock. "I was very excited about my game," Humphrey said. "I'm proud of our offensive line, feel if we keep playing the way we are now, I can keep getting 100-yard games.

The game may have been more notable for who didn't play than who did. Denver did without Elway, who was suffering from severe nausea. But Washington missed quarterback Doug Williams (sore back), running back Gerald Riggs (sore left arch) and suspended drug offender Dexter Manley. Manley's replacement, Marcus Koch, left the game early in the third period with a sprained knee and did not return. Trailing 14-7 at half time, Washington wasted several third-quarter opportunities.

The Redskins moved to Denver's 13 early in the period, but Jamie Morris fumbled for the second time, and the Broncos recovered. Several plays later, Redskins cornerback A. J. Johnson intercepted Kubiak and raced 28 yards down the sideline to the Denver 14. But Washington went nowhere, and settled for a 33-yard Chip Lohmiller field goal.

With 6:57 left in the third, Denver's lead was cut to 14-10, but-there the margin would stay. "I just feel that right now we're not making the plays when we have to," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "Right now a lot of things are going against us. The offense just couldn't Sustain anything." 1 1 -J (AP) Denver Broncos' quarterback Gary Kubiak (8) gets away from Washington Redskins' linebacker Wilber Marshall (58) in the first half of Monday night's game at RFK stadium in Washington. Kubiak, starting at quarterback in place of an ill John Elway, guided the Broncos to a 14-10 win.

Morris took a handoff straight up the middle for a score on the Redskins' first play. Washington returned the favor on its next drive. Morris was stopped for a yard loss and stripped of the ball by Dennis Smith, Tyrone Braxton picked up the loose ball and raced 35 yards to the Redskin 5. "When needed big plays, we got them," said Bronco defensive end Ron Holmes, who contributed two tipped passes. that's the way this defense has played all year." 'i Kubiak then threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Melvin Bratton to tie the score with 8:48 left in the first quarter.

Humphrey said, "If we keep pulling together as a group, this team will be there at the end." Ken GordM covers sports for Scripps Howard News Service. The game was tied at 7 in the first quarter when Denver took off on its game-winning drive. Although the Broncos were moving effectively, it appeared Denver was stopped when Tracy Rocker stuffed Sammy Winder on 3-and-12 at the Redskin 29. However, Rocker was called for a 15-yard facemask penalty, Six plays later, Kubiak found Ricky Nattiel in the back of the end zone for a 5-yard scoring strike with 9:25 left in the half. The go-ahead drive took 18 plays and ate up 79 yards in 8:15.

The teams traded fumbles and resulting touchdowns in the first quarter. On the game's third play, Kubiak was sacked by Fred Stokes, who pWiced on Kubiak's fumble at the Bronco 8 Yount wins AL MVP Cardinals fire Gene Stallings ByBernieMiklasz St. Louis Post-Dispatch A showdown, between Phoenix Cardinals coach Gene Stallings and general manager Larry Wilson ended dramatically Monday. After announcing that he intended to resign at the end of the 1989 season, Stallings was fired immediately by Wilson, who named running backs coach Hank Kuhlmann as interim head coach. "Gene made his decision," Wilson said, "and I made mine." Stallines.

54. compiled a 23-34-1 2' 'it jr: IS to retire and haven't made all that much money. I'm a football coach and will always want to be a football coach." The growing animosity between Stallings and Cardinals management came to a head this weekend, after Stallings read critical remarks made by Wilson in a column published by the Post-Dispatch last Wednesday. Wilson told the Post-Dispatch that Stallings "works" at being popular. Wilson intimated that Stallings created a positive image for himself at the expense of Cardinals management.

Cardinals attendance for home games has lagged this season, and owner Bill Bidwill has been under fire from the team's fans. "Don't think that I don't know he's popular," Wilson said of Stallings. "And he works at it. Maybe that's one of the things that bothers me a little bit. One man doesn't make the show." Stallings was given a copy of the Post-Dispatch story Friday and met with Wilson about it late Saturday night in Anaheim, before Sunday's game against the Los Angeles record after being named Cardinals MILWAUKEE (AP) Robin Yount's 16 years with the Milwaukee Brewers have been ones of quiet efficiency.

He's a hitter and a leader, not a talker. So when Yourit won his second American League Most Valuable Player award of the decade on Monday, it was no surprise that he had little to say. Humility and consistency have long been his trademarks. "I appreciate the award and thank Jhe baseball writers for their votes," the pubiicify-sliy Younf said from Hawaii, where he was vacationing. "It's always nice to be recognized, but I want everyone to realize that this award is also for my teammates, the organization and the great fans of Wisconsin." Those great fans of Wisconsin got a jolt earlier this month when Yount, who broke in with the Brewers as a long-haired, 18-year-old shortstop in 1974, filed for free agency.

What would the Milwaukee Brewers be without Yount, who led the team to the World Series in 1982 when he won his first MVP award? Yount, never one to stir up controversy, hinted at the end of last season that he wanted to return to the Brewers, but only if the team made some changes to increase its chances of returning to the World Series. At age 34, -getting back to the World Series is Yount's one remaining goal in baseball, not 3,000 hits and not awards. Yount, the major league's hit leader of the 1980s with 1,731, enters the 1990" season with 2,602 career hits. He also led baseball with 337 doubles in the 1980s. "His accomplishments speak for themselves.

But I don't think individual awards mean anything to Robin," Brewers manager Tom before 1986 season, rnoe-nix, ravaged by injuries, is only 5-6 this season, but Stallings was praised throughout the National Football League for keeping the team in playoff contention. His four-year contract was due to expire Feb. i. "It's best that wemake a move and put this team back in perspec Robin Yount AL MVP again said. "What means most to him is the fact he can play this game at the high level that he sets for himself and at a level that will help the ball club win.

He puts everything in a team perspective." Yount, the Brewers' centerfielder, joined Stan Musial and Hank Green-berg as players to be MVPs at two positions and also became the first AL winner to play for a team that didn't have a winning record. The Brewers were 81-81 in 1989. Greenberg, with Detroit, and Musial, with the St. Louis Cardinals, each won their MVP awards as first basemen and outfielders. Yount, who switched to the outfield in 1985 because of shoulder problems, is the second Brewer to win the MVP (Continued on Page 15) (AP) Rams.

Phoenix lost 37-14. "I asked Larry if the article was accurate," Stallings told reporters in Arizona. "In part, the article re- fleeted some of his feelines that I Phoenix Cardinals' running backs coach Hank Kuhlmann talks with reporters Monday after being appointed the team's head coach when Gene Stallings was fired earlier in the day. The Cards are 5-6 this season. tive ot wnat we are nere to ao, ana that's to win," Wilson said at a news Conference.

"I think it would be disruptive if Gene was here as a part of it.K Stallings, who played and coached under the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant, joined the Cardinals after coaching the defensive backs for the Dallas Cowboys for 14 seasons. His immediate plans are un-' certain, but the well-respected Stallings has several strong allies in the NFL, including Denver Broncos coach Dan Reeves and Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka. Reeves, Ditka and Stallings were assistants on the same staff at Dallas. "I think I'm going to be kind of lost for a told Phoenix reporters. "I know I'm too young wasn't a team player.

I don't agree with that. I'm loyal to the people I work with and work for." Stallings said he made his decision late Sunday night and informed the Cardinals' players during a team meeting Monday afternoon. "I don't think we can accomplish the goals that we want unless everybody's on the same page," Stallings said. "I just don't think the team can survive with controversy, and I already discussed it with his players and his staff, and there was no time to talk about it. I think his feelings are an over-reaction.

But that's over and done. The situation he put himself in made him part of the problem. That's why I asked him to leave today." Wilson said that Kuhlmann, an (ContinuedonPagel5) don't want to be a part of that." After meeting with his players, Stallings told reporters that he planned to coach the season's final five games, then quit. But 15 minutes later, Wilson called Stallings into his office and made the change. "I was caught off guard," Wilson told Phoenix reporters.

"But he had Letters to sports editor Letters concerning sports events or topics are welcome in The Daily Item. They should be 300 words or less and not be libelous. They must be signed. They may be sent to Sports Editor, The Daily Item, Box 607, 200 Market Sunbury, Pa. 17801.

coach Classless club strikes again by axing the fans in Phoenix. On Monday, Stallings was rewarded for this excellent service. again by 1994. It's an endless, vicious carousel. And everything else will stay the same.

Bidwill won't dare tamper with his beloved scouting department, the funny farm-system headed by his No. 1 pet, George Boone. Bidwill won't hire someone like Carl Peterson, an imaginative football architect, to put together an innovative organization. Instead, Bidwill named a favorite son, Wilson, to the job last year. That's because Bidwill knows he'll be able to intimidate and freeze Wilson, who has about as much genuine power in the organization as I do.

Other than getting lucky with Don Coryell, Bidwill never has been (Continued on Page 15) 1947, but they certainly know how to ritual ly sacrifice head coaches. At least Bidwill didn't change the locks on Stallings' office, as he did to a humiliated Jim Hanifan at half time during the final game of the 1985 season. It's the only solution that ever crosses Bidwill's one-track, one-trick mind. Hank Kuhlmann, the poor sap, becomes the eighth coach employed by Bidwill since 1970. Presumably, a ninth fool will be named to the post before the 1990 season.

But the new man hereby is advised not to buy a house in Phoenix, because the job doesn't come with any firm roots. Bidwill will be shopping thing. He came out of this season a very changed young man. He has projected to our family a sense of discipline, responsibility and pride that, even if you don't win, you still hold your head high. This change resulted from Mr.

Richardson and his staff, and to them I say thank you. These athletes work very hard, and if more students would go out for football, maybe more talent would surface. You are right about one thing, Mr. Hummel. Fine young men do come out of winning teams from Sunbury.

I'm married to one! Gail M. Bucher Northumberland ByBernieMiklasz St. Louis Post-Dispatch Gene Stallings was popular with fans, praised by the media, well-respected by his players and admired throughout the National Football League. By most accounts, Stallings succeeded in coaxing the maximum performance out of a Cardinals team victimized by poor drafts and debilitating injuries. Away from the troubled playing field, Stallings devoted much of his spare time to charity work within the community and was a rare source of good public relations for a Cardinals franchise that, in less than two years, already had disenchanted Richardson producing winners Nov.

18, 1989 In response to Carl Hummel's letter of Nov. 17, regarding the Shikella-my football program Yes, Mr. Hummel, winning is a treat thing, but it's not the only thing. Ivery athlete who goes through high school cannot come out of it participating on a winning team. Life just doesn't work that way.

My son has been on winning baseball teams ever since he could swing a bat 1 think it took going through his first losing football season for him to realize that you can't win at every- Column He was fired after walking into a booby-trap set adeptly by owner Bill Bidwill and general manager Larry Wilson, one of the coldest, gutless conspiracies I've ever seen. More on that later. Meanwhile, the Futile Franchise strikes again. Bill Bidwill's Cardinals haven't won an NFL playoff game since.