The Daily Sentinel from Grand Junction, Colorado • 29

I The Dally santinai Sunday, January 7, 1 990 Page DDFIL Los Angeles (11-5) at New York (12-4) Giants beatthemselves in last 2 against Rams yards) and Lionel Mangel (33 receptions lor 539 end Zaks Mowatt had 32 receptions lor 272 DEFENSE: rush (No. 5), pass (No. 28), overall Jerry Gray had six interceptions. Linebacker tied for fourth in the NFC with 16 5 sacks. Gray Pro Bowl selections.

DEFENSE: rush (No. 4), pass (No. 7), overall Lawrence Taylor, who leads the Giants with 15 selected to his ninth straight Pro Bowl. Linebacker Banks had 97 tackles, four sacks and forced The Giants allowed an NFC-best 252 (At East Rutherford, N.J.) KICKOFF: 10.30 am MST.CBS LINE: New Yoric by 3V4 RECORD VS. SPREAD: Los Angeles 10-7, New York 1 11-4-1.

VS. COMMON OPPONENTS: Los Angeles 3-2, New York 5-1. SERIES RECORD: Los Angeles leads the regular-sea-son series 18-7 and the playoff senes 1-0 Los Angeles quarterback Jim Everett threw five touchdown passes in a 45-31 victory at Giants Stadium last season and the Rams broke a four-game losing streak with a 31-10 victory at Anaheim Stadium this season. LAST MEETING: In their 31-10 victory, the Rams out- seven fumbles, gained the Giants 445 to 207 and had a 37 26 to 22 34 edge in points, time of possession. LAST GAME: Los Angeles beat Philadelphia 21-7 on the road In the NFC wild card game Running back Greg Bell gained 134 yards on 27 carries New York beat the Los Angeles Raiders 34-17 at home in its final regular-season game.

tons for 467 yards). Tight yards RAMS (No. 21). Cornerback Kevin Greene and Greene are GIANTS (No. 5).

Linebacker sacks, was Carl SPECIAL made 23 of 30 ranked last in the returned 47 New York goal attempts wire eerlvces- TEAMS: Los Angeles kicker Miks Lansford field goal attempts; punter Dale Hatcher NFC in average at 38 8 yards Ron Brown kickoffs for a 20 6-yard average for the Rams. kicker BJom Nlttmo has made nine of 12 field since replacing injured Raul Allegre, who made 20 of 26 attempts. Allegre could be activated, but the Giants would have to waive Nittmo and would not be able to reactivate him If AllSgre is re-injured New York punter Sean Landeta averaged 43 1 yards and led the NFL with a 37 8-yard net average. New York retumman Meggett averaged 1 2 7 yards on punts and 21 4 yards on kickoffs. KEY STATS: New York is 7-1 at home this season.

The Giants led the NFL in fourth-down conversions, both offensively and defensively They converted 77.3 percent (17 of 22) of their offensive chances and held opponents to 23 5 percent (4 of 17). Both teams have a plus 7 in takeaway-giveaway margin Third game in a row on the East Coast for the Hams New York Giants tight end Mark Bavaro is out of playoffs because of a knee injury that has sidelined turn since October. Bavaro, who injured his left knee against San Diego on Oct. 22, had hoped to return in postseason. t' New York could activate defensive end Eric Dorsey, who has been sidelined since the second week of the season with a broken right foot RAMS OFFENSE: rush (No.

13), pass (No. 4), overall (No. 4). Everett, who led the NFL with 29 touchdown passes, ranked second in the NFC and third overall with a rating of 90 6 He threw 17 Interceptions The line features Pro Bowl tackles Tom Newberry, Jackie Smith and center Doug Smith. Wide receiver Henry Ellard, who had 70 receptions for 1 ,382 yards, also is a Pro Bowl selection.

Wide receiver Willie "Flipper Anderson had 1,146 yards on 44 receptions and tight end Pete Holohan added 510 yards on 51 receptions Bell was fourth In the NFC in rushing with 1 ,1 37 yards. GIANTS OFFENSE: rush (No. 15), pass (No. 20), overall (No. 20).

Quarterback Phil Simms completed 228 of 405 passes for 3,061 yards with 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions Running back Ottls Anderson rushed for 1,023 yards on 325 carries and scored 14 touchdowns. Rookie running back Dave Megget, a Pro Bowl selection as a kick returner, had 34 receptions tor 531 yards and added 117 yards rushing on 28 carries. The top receivers are Odessa Turner (38 recep- Pittsburgh (9-7) at Denver (11-5) When Coach Bill Parcells of the New York Giants was greeted by about 75 reporters at his news conference at 'Giants Stadium Wednesday, he said, I hope this many come to my funeral, The problem for his team is that many seemed ready to write the Giants obituary for this season as they prepared for todays divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. Even though the Giants have the home field edge against the Rams and are favored by 32 points, Parcells has spent much of this week answering questions about how the Rams were able to blitz his team for 76 points in their last two meetings. The Giants were never in either game.

They trailed 28-10 at halftime last season and lost 45-31. They were behind 24-3 at halftime this season and lost, 31-10. Maybe theyre just better than us, Parcells said in a sarcastic tone. Should we play or should I just go home and get under the covers and hide? You sound like my wife. Shes afraid of the Rams, too.

Championship teams rarely beat themselves. "Turnovers, mistakes and penalties at the wrong time, they can have a tremendous, determination on the outcome of each game, said Parcells. Yes, the Rams have an explosive offense that averages 377 yards a game, blending excellent receivers with a capable running game. The offensive line might be the best in football, and quarterback Jim Everett is one of the leagues bright young stars. However, the primary reasons for the Rams last two victories have more to do with poor play by the Giants than the offensive might of the Rams.

i' Last season, 35 of the Rams points were set up by Giants mistakes two fumbles and an interception deep in Giants territory and a special teams breakdown that allowed a 44-yard kickoff return by Gaston Green, which positioned the Rams for another score. For their first three scores, the Rams had to drive a total of 65 yards. i' This season, the Giants put themselves in a deep hole on Nov. 12 in Anaheim, when they gave up 14 points in a span of 14 seconds late in the second quarter. Wide receiver Aaron Cox was open for a 51-yard scoring pass from Everett because safety Myron Guyton slipped on the slick grass and couldn't provide deep coverage.

Cox's TD made it 17-3 Rams, and it was 24-3 seconds later. David Meggett fumbled the ensuing kickoff at his 21-yard line and Everett made it hurt by throwing a TD pass to Flipper Anderson on the next play. Theyre a talented offense anyway, and when you give them a short field to work with, they only need a couple Linebackers David Little (104 tackles) and Greg Lloyd (92 tackles and seven sacks) lead the Pittsburgh defense, which had 31 sacks this season after an NFL-low of 19 last season. Cornerback Dwayne Woodruff had four interceptions. BRONCOS DEFENSE: rush (No.

6), pass (No. 3), overall (No. 3). Denver allowed the fewest points in the NFL (226) and led the AFC in rushing defense (98 8 yards). All-Pro Linebacker Karl Mecklenburg led the Broncos with 130 tackles Safety -Dennis Smith was named the team's defensive MVP.

Cornerback Tyrone Braxton had six interceptions Nose tackle Greg Kragen, Mecklenburg and Smith are Pro Bowl selections. SPECIAL TEAMS: Anderson has made 21 of 30 field-goal attempts and punter Harry Newsome averaged 41.1 yards with a net average of 34.1 yards. Newsome had an NFL record six punts blocked last season and has had two blocked in his last two games Pittsburgh cornerback Rod Woodson led the NFL in kickoff returns with a 27.3-yard average and was named to the Pro Bowl. t' Denver kicker David Treadwell, a rookie Pro Bowl selection. made 27 of 33 field goal attempts.

KEY STATS: Denver has lost three of its last four games. However, the Broncos have allowed less than 100 yards rushing in 10 of 16 games and have not allowed a running back to go over 100 yards in a game Pittsburgh and Denver tied for the AFC lead takeaway-giveaway margin with a plus 11. Pittsburgh, which finishing last in 1988 at minus 6, had 21 interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries Pittsburgh (6-3) and Denver (5-3) are the only AFC teams with winning records on the road NOTES: Pittsburgh has 12 rookies on its roster. Comer-back Dwayne Woodruff is the last remaining active player from the Steelers' 1980 Super Bowl champion team, i' Half of Denver's Super Bowl XXII starters no longer start KICKOFF: 2p MST, NBC LINE: Denver by 914. RECORD VS.

SPREAD: Pittsburgh 10-7. Denver 1 1-5 VS. COMMON OPPONENTS: Pittsburgh 3-1, Denver 3-2. SERIES RECORD: Denver leads the regular-season senes 8-4-1 Pittsburgh leads 2-1 in the playoffs, including a 33-10 first-round victory at Denver in 1984 LAST MEETING: Denver beat Pittsburgh 34-7 at home on Nov 15 when running back Bobby Humphrey ran for 105 yards The Broncos held the Steelers to 1 70 total yards LAST GAME: Pittsburgh beat Houston 26-23 in overtime in the AFC wild card game on Gary Anderson 50-yard field goal Denver lost to San Diego 19-16 in its final regular-season game. LAST PLAYOFF GAME: Washington beat Denver 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII on Jan 31, 1988 STEELERS OFFENSE: rush (No.

18), pass (No. 28), overall (No. 28). Quarterback Bubby Brister, who completed 187 of 342 pass attempts with nine touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, ranked 1 1th in the AFC with a 71 1 rating. Louis Llppt led the Steelers in receiving with 944 yards on 50 receptions Rookie Tim Worley was the top rusher with 770 yards on 195 carries BRONCOS OFFENSE: rush (No.

6), pass (No. 23), overall (No. 15). Quarterback John Elway completed 223 of 416 pass attempts for 3,051 yards with 18 touchdowns and 18 interceptions Rookie running back Bobby Humphrey rushed for 1,151 yards on 294 carries Wide receiver Vance Johnson had 76 receptions for 1 ,095 yards STEELERS DEFENSE: rush (No. 19, lied), pass (No.

16), overall (No. 19). AP Laserphoto Lawrence Taylor sprints during practice at Giants Stadium Thursday. Against the Rams Nov. 12, left tackle Irv Pankey kept the Giants linebacker from building a head of steam.

Dickerson denies ultimatum about line: Hell report to camp Associated Press Taylor doesn't talk to reporters during the week, but Giants linebacker Steve DeOssie said, They have a great offensive line. They pride themselves on being able to wear down an opponent. Thats exactly what they did to Philadelphia. Their victory over New York was the key to the Rams season. While the Giants were traversing their schedule in relatively smooth fashion, the Rams were streaky.

They won their first five games, the only team to do so. Then they lost four in a row, three on the road, and appeared in jeopardy of falling out of the playoff race. Then came the rout of the Giants. They won five more in a row. of first downs and theyre in the end zone, said Giants defensive coordinator Bill Belichick.

We're going to have to do a few things a little differently, Parcells said. I really dont have to get hit in the face with a skunk three times before I smell it. In November, the Giants fell behind the Rams so quickly that they were forced to abandon the running game. The Giants also have to get more heat on Rams quarterback Jim Everett. Theyve sacked him only once in the last two games.

One of the keys is that left tackle Irv Pankey has been able to neutralize linebacker Lawrence Taylor. denied rumors that he had asked Coach Ron Meyer to revamp the Colts offensive line or attempted to renegotiate his contract. On last weeks NFL Live show, San Diego Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard said Dickerson planned to issue an ultimatum to Colts general manager Jim Irsay. Dickerson is under contract to play next season for $1.45 million, the final year of the contract he signed following his trade to Indianapolis by Los Angeles in 1987. A nagging hamstring injury bothered Dickerson much of the 1989 season and he missed a game due to the injury for the first time in his NFL career.

INDIANAPOLIS Eric Dickerson vowed Saturday to play for the Indianapolis Colts in 1990, a day after saying he might not even report for training camp. If my health permits me and I dont get hurt all season, no tragedy happens, I will show up for the 1990 season, Dickerson said in an interview with Bob Costas on NBCs NFL Live. In an interview published Friday in the Atlanta Constitution, Dickerson said, Right now, I plan on coming in, but there's still a chance I might not show up. Dickerson, the NFLs seventh all-time rusher, 5 't a i Broncos. From page ID Pittsburgh out of field goal range.

John Elway then hit Vance Johnson on a 44-yard touchdown play and Denver added two subsequent scores. The Steelers finished with just seven first downs and 170 total, yards. The Broncos have played re- -markably consistent football this season. The defense yielded thej fewest points (226) in the NFL, and rookie Bobby Humphrey rushed -for 1,151 yards and gave Denver a dependable ground attack. Pittsburgh was erratic.

After the two embarrassing losses to start the season, the Steelers won four of six before losing to Denver. They were then shut out by Chicago 20-0, but rebounded to win five of their last six. during the regular season, when the Broncos lost three of their last four after winning the AFC West crown. Theyre probably as hot a team as there is in the conference right now," Reeves said of the Steelers. Theyre playing with a lot of confidence.

I cant give them enough credit. They started the season so poorly (losing their first two games by a combined score of 92-10), then they came back to the playoffs. The Broncos beat the Steelers 34-7 on Nov. 5, but it was close until midway through the third quarter. Despite dominating the first half, the Broncos led only 13-7.

The Steelers drove to Denvers 22-yard line early in the third quarter, but Bubby Brister was sacked by Ron Holmes for a 13-yard loss, taking would bring out one of those Trophies (given to the Super Bowl winner), but I dont have one. I brought out money just one year, before the Pittsburgh game in 84, to show them how much they could make in the playoffs, Reeves recalled Wednesday. "Sixty-some thousand dollars in one-dollar bills is a lot of money. But these guys are making so much money it doesnt impress them any more. I dont think its a motivating factor now.

Winning a title is. Reeves is not satisfied as his team aims for a third Super Bowl appearance in the last four years He can take comfort in a rock-solid defense and productive running game elements that generally win championships. However, Reeves is feeling obvious discomfort about his teams flaccid finish overcome a lot of things. Its the parallels one at least that have Denver Coach Dan Reeves a little concerned. In 84, Denver had a 13-3 record, Pittsburgh 9-7.

This time the Broncos are 11-5, the Steelers 9-7) Conspicuous by its absence was a stack of money in the Denver Broncos team meeting room, alongside AFC championship trophies the Broncos earned in 1986 and 1987. The last time Reeves tried a motivational tool for the team, he displayed dollar bills prior to a playoff game with the Steelers in 1984. This week Reeves took a different tack. I wanted our players, especially our younger ones, to see these trophies," he said. This weeks game is a big step in our goal to win another conference championship.

I rookies, have won six of their last seven games including a dramatic, come from behind 26-23 overtime victory over Houston last Sunday in the AFC wild-card game. Excuse the Steelers if they are a little cocky this The fact that theyre at least eight-point underdogs for the second consecutive week hardly matters to the Steelers because, as Pittsburgh quarterback Bubby Brister said, We probably wont get any respect until we go to the Super Bowl. Said Ilkin, I think there are a lot of parallels that can be drawn between the 84 team and this football club. We are similar in that we were kind of an up-and-down team we got hot down the stretch and took it into the playoffs. The same thing is happening this year.

Weve tout in the title game the following week. Surprise: Pittsburgh 24, Denver 17. The Steelers will get a chance to repeat history today when they meet Denver at Mile High Stadium in the National Football League divisional playoffs. The Broncos are again favored, the game is again at Mile High Stadium, but only this time, everyone is talking about Denver-Cleveland III in the championship game replacing the Dolphins. Ive been thinking about 1984, because everybody keeps reminding me of it, said Pittsburgh Pro-Bowl and offensive tackle Tunch Ilkin, who was around in 1984.

Now the Steelers, complete with 12 Deckon eady when major 1 nlnrqHn ITSlifit VJVFJLVFA AAA VJLlJ I- Jeff Letofsky Daily Sentinel ington, Phoenix, Sacramento, Calif, New Orleans, Vancouver, British Columbia, Nashville, or Indianapolis. Ind. Some of those cities already have built or are committed to building new stadi- ums. Denver received a big boost this past eek when Coors Brewing Co. signed a letter of agreement to become a limited part- ner in the Denver Zephyrs, a Class AAA franchise playing in the American Association The agreement is subject to negotiation of a final contract and approval by Coors board of directors.

"The addition of Coors is a tremendous boost to our efforts, said Suplizio. Multiple ownership is a requirement by Major League Baseball and no one else has the muscle that weve been able to muster in the Rocky Mountain region. ball overlap, baseball refuses to be placed in a situation of being scheduled around football games t' Mile High Stadium is tc cavernous to provide the proper atmosphere for baseball If the average attendance is 10,000, fans will feel lost in a stadium i' Major League Baseball believes that least 10,000 season tickets must be sold for a club to be successful. With such a large stadium, fans would not feel that they must buy season tickets to secure seats for prime games Suplizio said that Colorado has some stiff competition to get a team Indications are that the TampaSt. Petersburg area of Florida almost certainly will get a franchise, leaving only one for Miami.

Or lando, Buffalo, the Meadow lands complex in northern New Jersey, Wash To oversee the operation of the commission itself. Suplizio said the top priority is get the voters in Denver to pass a proposal for a new baseball only stadium We have to convince the public that Major League Baseball will provide an economic benefit to Denver, said Suplizio The CBC is working on raising money so we can have an election onsult-ant to propose the ballot question to the public." The commission wants a proposal on the November ballot which, if passed, would impose a one tenth of one percent sales tax on Denver area voters to pay for a stadium The tax vtould not go into effect until Colorado is granted a franchise A baseball only stadium is necessary for three reasons, according to Suplizio t' According to the Mile High Stadium lease, the Broncos control scheduling of all events, and because football and base cal committee to assure voter approval of a baseball stadium question t' To raise contributions and in-kind contributions for the commission and a stadium board. To sell Major League Baseball on granting a new franchise to Colorado Suplizio To assure that the Colorado Baseball Commission and stadium board work together 'To generate fan excitement about having a team, which would help demonstrate to Major League Baseball that there is strong community support Sam Suplizio says bringing Major League Baseball to Colorado is a Yes, Yes" proposition The Grand Junction businessman, who is vice chairman of the Colorado Baseball Commission, believes baseball can only have a positive effect on Denver and Colo- is no downside to the entire proposition, safa Suplizio, one of 15 commission members. "After 30 years of plowing ground, Major League Baseball has committed to expanding and we have to be ready" The commission, chosen by Cov Koy Romer and the leaders of both houses or the state legislature, has six major responsibilities, and a committee has been established to fulfill each responsibility Establishing an independent politi.