文章基本信息

标题：Midseason Report - National Football League; 1998 - Abstract
作者：Chris Jenkins
期刊名称：The Sporting News
印刷版ISSN：0038-805X
出版年度：1998
卷号：Nov 9, 1998
出版社：American City Business Journals, Inc.

Midseason Report - National Football League; 1998 - Abstract

Chris Jenkins

With the season at its midpoint, this is a good time to assess what's gone right and what's gone wrong

Halfway through the NFL season, and what have we learned? That Todd Marinovich's dad was right. If your kids can't be computer geeks, pressure them into becoming quarterbacks. Just check out the list of quarterbacks who have started games this season, and you'll see Steve DeBerg, Trent Green, Billy Joe Tolliver and Billy Joe Hobert. As if that's not enough, Bubby Brister, Jason Garrett and Donald Hollas have won multiple games. Donald Hollas?

John Glenn isn't the only old guy getting the job done these days. Of the five quarterbacks at the top of the league's ratings charts, three are over age 35. A fourth, Vinny Testaverde, celebrates his 35th November 13. The most promising rookie isn't Ryan Leaf or the man taken before him, Peyton Manning. No, it's Charlie Batch, who has proved that he can adeptly hand off to Barry Sanders.

Here's the clincher: There will be another team in the NFL next year, and chances are there will be another expansion team running by 2002. Believe us, there's room for your tyke here (we're guessing little Billy is more mature than Leaf, anyway). It's a growth industry, kids. Jump on it.

Now, our look at the first half:

Top coach

Dennis Green, Vikings. Red McCombs might be new at the NFL ownership thing, but signing Green to a long-term contract extension might be the most savvy front-office move of the season. It also might have put the Vikings over the top. Players love Green, so much so that some of them agree to stay in the middle of nowhere for less money than they could get elsewhere.

Green has rewarded McCombs with a team full of killer instinct. In the past Green's teams have started strong, only to suffer a midseason swoon. But whether it's the Packers at Lambeau or the Redskins at home, this team has been primed for every game. Now, it's favored to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Other front-runners

Midseason MVP: Terrell Davis, Broncos. Mark McWho? We've seen some pretty awful football so far this year (Raiders vs. Chargers, October 11), but Davis' McGwire-like season will be one of the compelling stories of the second half. The Broncos' back is currently on pace to shatter Eric Dickerson's season rushing record of 2,105 yards in 1984. However, the road gets tougher from here on out. In the second half, Davis faces a schedule that includes two dates with the Chargers' top-ranked run defense and road games against the Giants and Dolphins. However, he does get two games against the Chiefs' grossly over-rated (and overpaid) run defense.

Top defensive player: Bill Romanowski, Broncos. Whether you like Romanowski or not--and we're guessing not--you can't deny he has been everywhere for the Broncos. That Romanowski and John Mobley have both excelled is more impressive when you consider they are adjusting to playing with a new middle linebacker. But despite his inexperience, Glenn Cadrez is proving he can hold his own.

Top rookie: Randy Moss, Vikings. OK, let's all take a deep breath. Moss went from the devil incarnate to the next Jerry Rice in the space of a few months. He's neither, of course, but we're certainly leaning toward the latter right now. Yes, Moss is still Jay Buhner to Cris Carter's Ken Griffey Jr. Lots of home runs, just not on a consistent basis. But he's just getting started.

Top assistant coach: Willie Shaw, defensive coordinator, Raiders. Shaw is the key figure in one of the first half's most shocking turnarounds. Statistically, the Raiders had the worst defense in the league last season. They now have one of the best, giving up about 130 fewer yards per game. That's the main reason behind the Raiders' fast start. Defensive tackle Darrell Russell has been a force, and cornerbacks Eric Allen and Charles Woodson allow Shaw to run a variety of zone blitzes.

Top five surprises

Randall Cunningham. Remember how we told you some players stay in Minnesota out of commitment to their head coach? Here's one, and it's paid off big-time for the Vikings. Cunningham was cutting marble two years ago, but he came back last year to lead the team to a playoff win. Now, he's the league's highest-rated passer and is 5-1 as a starter. And when Brad Johnson returns from injury, Cunnigham says he's ready to put his ego aside and sit.

Flutiemania. Could the Bills be a playoff contender? It sounds silly. But then again, so did signing a tiny quarterback who had spent the previous eight seasons in the CFL. With starter Rob Johnson injured, this team has rallied behind Flutie's excellent play. And when the blustery Buffalo winds whip up in December, Flutie could get even better. Remember he's used to playing in those conditions.

Trace Armstrong and Kenny Mixon. Why are the Dolphins in first place? It certainly isn't the offense, one of the most boring in the league. The defense has been the story, leading the league in points allowed. The Dolphins expected great play out of Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas, and they're getting it. But the real surprise has been the platoon at left end, where Mixon, the rookie, and Armstrong, the 10-year veteran, are more than holding up their end. Armstrong has more sacks, but that's partly because Mixon's solid play keeps him fresh. Of the three marquee defensive linemen Jimmy Johnson tried to sign in the off-season--John Randle, Sean Gilbert and Chester McGlockton--only Randle would have been an upgrade over this one-two combo.

The Vikings' secondary. This was the biggest question mark facing Minnesota this season, but they've been good enough to win so far. Statistically, they're nothing special, except in the area of takeaways. Safety Robert Griffith leads a group of aggressive ballhawks.

The Chargers' defense. Yes, their statistics are stunning, and they are getting great at individual performances from relatively obscure players such as defensive tackle Norman Hand. But look at who they've played. The Seahawks were the most explosive team on the Chargers' schedule in the first half. Let's see how they do with two games against the Broncos in November.

Top five disappointments

Kordell Stewart. The good news for Steelers fans: Stewart hasn't yet passed Leaf for the lowest quarterback rating. The bad news? It's not like he isn't trying. Stewart has been awful as he tries to adjust to a new offensive coordinator, a line that has been riddled with injuries and the loss of top receiver Yancey Thigpen. Stewart is forcing throws and making bad decisions. But let's not bring in Mike Tomczak quite yet. Behind a stout defense and the running of Jerome Bettis, the Steelers are in good shape. Bill Cowher is making the right move by keeping Stewart in there to work out his problems.

The Chiefs' defense. The second coming of the 1985 Bears? Maybe when Ricky Watters is running underwater, but not when it counts, at least so far. This team is giving up more than 125 yards per game on the ground; that's not much better than the Colts. Where was the pride against the Patriots? Where was the discipline against the Steelers? Perhaps it's a question of leadership. We'd like to have the Nevada State Boxing Commission take a swipe at the bad seeds in this clubhouse. You have to wonder if this team misses Marcus Allen's calming presence.

The 49ers' front office. When it comes to making the right moves in free agency, the Niners are a cut above, right? That might not be true anymore, as the front-office turmoil might finally be catching up with them. The defense has gone from best to near-worst this season; chalk that up to some stupid free-agent moves. The signing of defensive end Gabe Wilkins (who was damaged floods and has yet to play) and cornerback Antonio Langham (who already has lost his starting job) stand out.

The Buccaneers' offensive line. Go ahead and blame Trent Dilfer and the running game for an offense that has taken two steps backward. Sure, they deserve it. But offensive success starts up front, and the Buccaneers aren't getting it done there. Can they really miss Jim Pyne that much?

Jake Plummer. Yes, his line has been awful. Only seven teams have given up more sacks, and the Cardinals are averaging 3.1 yards per rush, even worse than last season's NFC-worst 3.2. At least last season Plummer was running wild and making plays.

Kotite's Korner

Who will follow Kevin Gilbride to the unemployment office?

Norv Turner. Paper or plastic? Democrat or Republican? Gus Frerotte or Trent Green? Some things just don't matter all that much. With rumors of Mike Holmgren shunning the West Coast for D.C. next season--hey, the Redskins will have two early first-round picks next season (their own and one of two they received from Carolina as compensation for losing Sean Gilbert)--Turner could be rapidly heading toward a reunion with Jimmy Johnson. However, Dave Wannstedt might not be making the trip with him. More on him in a sec.

Dennis Erickson. In prove-it games against the Steelers, Chiefs and Broncos in consecutive weeks, the Seahawks went from 3-0 to 3-3. Granted, the injury to quarterback Warren Moon played a part. But Erickson should make the playoffs with this talent.

Ray Rhodes. Hiring Dana Bible as the team's offensive coordinator was the last straw. Rhodes will have success elsewhere, but a fresh start would be best for everybody involved.

Conspicuously absent: Wannstedt. It's a funny thing about perception: When somebody thinks you're really going to stink, and then you only kind of stink, you end up smelling good. Team owner Michael McCaskey is looking for any excuse to keep Wanny, and the scrappy no-name Bears are giving it to him so far.

Prediction

Broncos 35, Vikings 33. John Elway retires on top. Elway will throw for more than 3,300 yards for the 10th time in his career, but nobody will notice because of Terrell Davis' run at the season rushing record. Davis will come up a bit short, but the Broncos won't.