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Show 12 - The Daltr IRafe Ttottaf, HcmmIv Ckraaid First half of NFL season nothing .'to year. But so far, Favre is throwing lots of interceptions. 4. Buddy Ryan's impact. The Oilers hired Ryan to improve their defense. Well, they went from third last year to 13th this year. 5. Jeff George's holdout The Colts got him an offensive line through free agency and a running game through the draft. But George didn't feel appreciated and stayed out through most of training camp. The Colts once thought about an AFC East title; now, they think about what might have been. MVPOffense: Emmitt Smith, RB, Cowboys. Before Smith signed a four-yea- r, $13.6 million contract, the 2 were and without Cowboys hope. With him, they're Bowl. toward the Super cruising MVPDefense: Rod Woodson, CB, Steelers. He leads the NFL with interceptions and leads a Pittsburgh defense that has been playing like the old "Steel Curtain." Rookie of the YearOffense: William Roaf, OT, Saints. He has almost instantly become one of the best at one of the most difficult positions in football. BY BOB GLAUBER Newsday Let's put it this way: The NFL has seen better days than the first half of the 1993 season. Whether, it was all those field goals instead of touchschedule created by two bye downs, the watered-dow- n weeks, the relentless rate of injuries to quarterbacks, or the difficulty of some teams dealing with new free agents, you have to admit there have been more exciting beginnings to a season. But we'll take the optimistic point of view. We'll hope that the first-hasnooze was simply setting the stage for a rather exciting stretch drive to the playoffs that with so many teams in position for postseason play, the scramble down the stretch will be worth the early monotony. In the meantime, we give you a look at the best and worst of the first half: The five biggest surprises of the season: 1. Bernie Kosar's release. The folks in Cleveland are comparing the magnitude of last Monday's shocking decision to waive Kosar on a par with Art Modell's firing of Paul Brown in 1963, and the retirement of Jim Brown in 1966. 2. The Redskins' fall from grace. Richie Pettibon has found out in a hurry what it's like to replace a legend. It's virtually impossible. 3. The year of the kicker. Due to the ineffectiveness of offenses in the "red zone," field goals have been coming in bunches. Last year, 11 kickers scored 100 or more points. But this year, 18 are on pace to score that many, a 64 percent increase over 1992. 4. The Lions' performance. Five weeks ago, Coach Wayne Fontes couldn't decide on a quarterback. Now he has the hottest team in the NFC Central, with Rodney Peete at the controls. 5. Phil Simms' durability. The Giants' quarterback has outlasted not only Joe Montana and Jim McMahon, but Dan Marino and Troy Aikman. Simms is a big reason the Giants are thinking playoffs. The five biggest disappointments of the season: 1. Montana's injury problems. So far this season, Montana is 14 of 32 in quarters played, that is. Too bad. When healthy, the Chiefs' new quarterback has looked like his 0-- lf Rookie of the YearDefense: Wayne Simmons, LB, d Packers. For a team that has produced such busts as Tony Mandarich and Brent Fullwood, Simmons is a refreshing change. - Most Improved PlayerOffense: Tommy Vardell, RB, Browns. "Touchdown Tommy" had no touchdowns and 369 rushing yards last year. Going into Sunday, he already has one TD and 387 yards this year. Most Improved PlayerDefense Corey Miller, LB, Giants. His emergence has been instrumental in the Giants' improvement on defense. Best Coaching Job: Marv Levy, Bills. OK, so you're a little upset the Bills are headed for a fourth straight Super Bowl appearance. But don't let that stop you from appreciating what a terrific job Levy has done so far. - Worst Coaching Job: Jerry" Glanville, Falcons. Hey, Jerry, Elvis has left the building. Keep it up, and you'll be next. Comeback Player of the Year: Boomer Esiason, QB, Jets. Esiason has escaped the pitiful Bengals to rejoin his former QB coach, Bruce Coslet, and the change has done wonders. Esiason went from a 57.0 rating last year to 97.1 this year. Best Acquisition: Michael Brooks, LB, Giants. first-roun- ld greatest-of-all-tim- . 2. The lack of exciting games. Even the best and Packers-Chief- s matchups such as s have been poorly played. 3. Brett Favre's inconsistency. After last year's heroics, which included three comeback wins in the fourth quarter, greatness was expected of the Packers' quarterback this 49ers-Cowbo- ys nt The Broncos, in desperate need of quality players on Brooks. He's a major defense, were silly for not reason the Giants are ranked No. 2 in defense, compared to ' self. e Free-Age- last year's No. 18 ranking. Worst Free-Age- nt Acquisition: Erik McMillan, DB, Eagles. Coslet was right,' McMillan can't play anymore. After seven games as an Eagles backup, McMillan was released and then picked up by the Browns. The Eagles thus wasted a $400,000 signing bonus. Best Trade: The Esiason deal. The Jets gave up a 1994 II. ltS3 ml Botes cheer about third-roun- d pick which will probably escalate to a No. 2, based on Esiason's splendid performance to get a quarterback capable of getting them into the playoffs. Worst Trade: The Mervyn Fernandez deal. The 49ers pick to acquire the Raiders' gave up a 1994 fourth-roun- d veteran receiver. On Aug. 6, after playing in one preseason game, Fernandez retired. Best Game: Eagles 35, Jets 30, Oct 3. Late in the second quarter, the Eagles were down 21-- 7 and had lost .quarter-- : back Randall Cunningham to a broken fibula, They rallied behind Bubby Brister and capped the furi-- . ous comeback on Eric Allen's interception return in the fourth quarter. Worst Game: Colts 9, Patriots 6, Oct. 31. No sarcasm necessary to put this one in perspective. Best Play: Allen's interception return. Hope you enjoyed his wonderful journey from the right sideline, across the middle and then down the left sideline, all the while the Jets' tacklers flailing their arms in vain. You may never see another play like it. fumble. The Worst Play: Lewis Tillman's fumble, which came near the goal line in the first quarter ' of a 10-- 6 loss to the Jets Oct. 31, may have turned the Giants season around if the Giants don't make the play-- . 94-ya- rd 94-ya- . first-quart- er offs. Memorable Quote: Oilers offensive line coach Bob Young. Young, who helped fuel a national controversy about offensive tackle David Williams' decision to remain with his wife after the birth of their son rather than fly to Boston to play against the Patriots Oct. 17, said: "My wife (once) told me she was having a baby, and I said, 'Honey, I've got to go play a football game.' David,. .should have been here. This is like World War II, when guys were going to war and something would come up but they had to go. They didn't say, 'I can't go fight because my wife's having a baby.' " Luckiest Team: Raiders. The Raiders, scored the TD the four left seconds over with after a Jets winning clock screw-u- p in the final minute. And last week, they beat the Bears, 16-1because Chicago kicker Kevin Butler missed field goals of 21 and 30 yards in the fourth quarter. Unluckiest Team: Patriots. Bill Parcells' new team is but has lost five games by three points or less. Team Hurt Most by Free Agency: Eagles. With all their injury problems, the Eagles could have used guys like Jim McMahon, Reggie White, Mike Golic and Keith Byars, all - of whom are playing elsewhere. . ... Team Hurt Least by Free Agency: Bills. Despite losing Will Wolford, Shane Conlan and Carlton Bailey, the Bills have the best record in football. Super Bowl Prediction: Let's be different. Bills 24, Cowboys 20....Naah. Cowboys 37, Bills 24. ; 5-- 3, 4, 1-- 8, ,. ffift Poles Trading Knight might not have been a good idea for Suns BY SHAUN POWELL Newsday As dense as the Western d Conference is with teams, the Suns may have brought themselves even more title-minde- competition by gift-wrappi- Negele Knight for the Spurs. The credo in team sports is "never give a competitor a break." Everyone knows the Spurs, with David Robinson and Dennis Rodman, are an average point guard away from making things miserable for a lot of teams. "In May, the Suns may regret their decision to exchange Knight for the economy price of a second-roun- d pick. "If it does come back to haunt . us, then it does," Vice President Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "But we can't worry about that. "It all depends on Knight. Two years ago, he was worth a lot more several teams called in bids. Knight with on several hit occasions pinch for Kevin Johnson, he of the first-roun- d fragile hamstrings, and served notice. As an emergency starter he once delivered 19 assists in a game, then burned Tim Hardaway for 27 points. As a reserve, he backed K.J. " admirably. This was accomplished while Fitzsimmons was coaching. Paul Westphal took over and sent Knight to the bench in favor of Frank Johnson. Soon, injuries and dissatisfaction with month to round into form when he returns. By then, the Cavs will know what Danny Ferry is worth and where they stand in the his demotion sent Knight into a funk. Last week, Westphal preferred Duane Cooper, released by the Lakers, over Knight as the third guard. Because Knight will become a East. Gut reaction: Cavs guard Mark Price held a news conference to introduce a candy bar bearing his name. For photo-o- p purposes, he took a few bites. Then he missed the next day's practice with a stomach virus. free agent next summer, the Suns wanted to deal him now. It just so happened, Fitzsimmons Harper on the outs: Sometime after Mavericks coach rationalized, that the Spurs Quinn Buckner declared Derek Harper untouchable, and before the two exchanged insults during a game, their relationship were the only team with a slot for Knight. But this may be a case where a third guard was worth more to , fizzled. . Buckner is coaching straight the Suns on the bench in Phoenix than on the floor in. from the old school, meaning he's inflexible. Harper, a proud San Antonio. . Crunch -- time for Cavs. and respected veteran, seldom Prediction: When the Cavaliers drew the ire of Dick Motta, John return home a week from today MacLeod or Richie Adubato, flush from a tough Western trip, who preceded Buckner. Things they'll be six games under .500 deteriorated further when and worried sick about the loss Buckner, began sitting Harper in of Larry Nance. fourth quarters in favor of Fat It is much too premature to Lever, who hardly has been suggest the Cavs are in trouble. seen in three years. The resurrection of guard John Suddenly, Harper no longer is welcome. Battle and the quick contribuBuckner has refused tions of rookie Chris Mills will the Spurs' offer of J.R. Reid, but would listen if the Magic served help keep them afloat. But the ramifications from the up Scott Skiles. Back hurts, mouth is fine: recent surgery to repair Nance's Charles awhile. knee Barkley on the Knicks: may linger right Nance, 34, is out at least two "People making the Knicks months and likely need another favorites only proves that there . rd are a lot of drunk people around." Barkley on the Nets: "I hope Chuck Daly) doesn't have a heart condition. He goes from the Dream Team to Armon Gilliam and Benoit Benjamin." Barkley on the City of Brotherly Love: "For the record, I'm not friends with anyone from Philly except Mitch Williams. I know how he feels. It's not good to lose there." Around the league: Isiah Thomas is shooting below 40 percent and blames a rib broken by teammate Bill Laimbeer during practice just before the season opened. "I knew I was really hurt," Thomas said, "when I tried to hit him and couldn't swing." This and that: The Kings started Randy Breuer, then Mike Peplowski at center. Ouch. Duane Causwell was last year's starter but his numbers suggest he's strictly backup quality. Still, he isn't happy. "Everybody knows who the man is here," he said. "I'm the man." ...By making 63 consecutive free throws, Mahmoud Abdul-Rau- f broke Dan Issel's team record, yet the Nuggets coach refuses to concede. "Chris Jackson made 59 in a row," Issel said. "Mahmoud made five in a row." Journeyman Bulls guard Pete was Myers, Michael's stand-in- , flooded with so many interview requests that he unplugged his phone. "That hasn't happened in a while," Myers said. So when exactly was the last time it happened? "Well, never, actu' f ally." Asked if he wants the scoring Dominique Wilkins replied,, "I don't even think about it, I don't really care." title, Then, asked who might average at least 30 a game this year, he said: "I think myself or Karl Malone can get that." Heat players shaved their heads for unity. Glen Rice calls them the "Walnut Gang." Allexcept Willie Burton and Rony Seikaly got scalped. "If we make the Finals," Seikaly said, "I'll shave mine." Clippers GM Elgin Baylor wrote a letter to season ticket holders guaranteeing satisfaction in the season opener. Good thing Mark Aguirre made the winning- - shot as time expired on the Blazers. Thursday night, Alonzo Mourning got the best of Shaquille O'Neal in their first d meeting. Shaq had foul problems and missed eight free throws; Zo had 18 points and 10 rebounds and the head-to-hea- Hornets recorded a 33-poi- nt win. Still, O'Neal said, "If Charlotte had the first pick (in 1992) they would've picked me instead of him. They may say they wouldn't have picked me. But they know they would." |
