Conference 7.286::sports_91

    Under "Pain and Frustration" in the dictionary, it says ...
    
    	... see "Fans, Philadelphia Eagles"
    
    Once again, His Rudeness And His Boys go down in flames in the Eagles'
    first-round playoff game.  Eagles looked unbelievably horrible in
    caving in to the hated Washington Redskins by a score of 20-6.
    
    Pathetic.  No offense, defense victimized by same Skins formations and
    plays over and over again.  Lousy special teams, no pass rush, poor
    tackling, coughed up the ball three times, couldn't finish off drives
    in the red zone, and on and on and on and <dammit> on ...    Mark
    Rypien is just not *THAT* good.   Eagles just plain stunk up the entire
    Delaware Valley.
    
    Knew this was one was over at half-time.  No heart, no nerve, no fire
    in the belly.  They didn't even got flagged for any cheap shots so you
    knew they weren't even in it to begin with.  And the pit of pits was
    yanking Cunningham for McMahon for a late 3rd-quarter series.  Had to
    do wonders for team morale, didn't it ???
    
    Third straight year the Iggles have gone belly-up in the playoffs. 
    Gets old real fast.   How does Ryan get them so fired up for the
    regular season games against these teams and then let them come out so
    incredibly wimpy flat in the playoffs ???
    
    Geez, this has got to stop.   It's a huge "IF" to make it back to the
    playoffs next year, but *IF* they do, they *** MUST *** win at least
    one game.   Anything less is a total waste of a football team.
    
    Bob Hunt

    Philly had a 1st and goal 3 plays then a FG, there next time down
    after an interception (or a fumble not sure) they had a 1st and
    goal, 3 plays couldnt get in, a holding call gave them another 1st
    and goal from the 3, and then 3 plays later they kicked a FG, this
    was 9 chances to go 10 yrds that would have changed the entire out
    come of this game and Philly blew it, Washingtons Defense played
    good but the eagles clearly threw this game away....The Highlight
    of the game was a recovered fumble that the eagles ran back for a
    td,90+yrds but was called back due to the fumble being cause by the
    ground....Just 1 of the many terrible games this weekend....
    								Mab

Do you think he benched Randall to give Norman an excuse to fire him? I
know Buddy's given to strange whims but that one blew my mind. Eagles'
mouths were again their own worst enemy. Now they can alk to the dam
Giants all they want cause the boneheaded Giants listen but the Skins
just react...

I can't remember the Skins' defense playing any better. Excellent coverage
and pressure all day long...

Bears were lucky to draw the Saints or they'd be home watching too...

mike

    Just curious, how many rushing yards did Cunningham have against
    the 'Skins? Seems to me like Randall was trying to do it all just
    by passing, and while he's just average as a passer (IMHO), he's
    really lethal when he's running and passing.
    
    Carlos 

    � Do you think he benched Randall to give Norman an excuse to fire him?
    
    Norman Braman doesn't need an excuse to fire Ryan.  Ryan's contract
    runs out at the end of this season.  If His Rudeness does not wish to
    continue coaching the Eagles, all he has to do is sign somewhere else.
    
    As for the Eagles' mouths, yes, this has gotten them in trouble in past
    playoffs.  This year was a little different, though.   In 1988, they
    talked big before they lost to the Bears.  Last year, same thing with
    the Rams.
    
    This year, they were quiet the week before the game.  The Skins were
    using the Eagles' talk during their November loss on Monday Night as
    their motivation.  This was the game that the Eagles won 28-14 and put
    a total of nine Redskins out of the game with injuries.   Apparently,
    the Eagles were talking trash all night long in *that* game and the
    Skins paid 'em back for it in the playoffs.
    
    I'm resigned to the Eagles trash talk.  That's how Ryan coaches them. 
    Talk is fine if you can back it up.  That's what they *MUST* figure out
    how to do.   They can talk all week long for all I care but they can
    not show up to play like they did this past weekend.
    
    Braman's got a very interesting decision to make.  I truly believe that
    Ryan has very skillfully placed himself in a position where he is the
    *only* coach who can lead this team.   If Ryan goes, the Eagles will
    self-destruct and will be in for yet another long and painful
    rebuilding program.  
    
    Does Braman want to see that happen ???  I don't and for that reason
    alone, I say keep His Rudeness in Philly.  Dump him *after* this
    current core talent level fades away and they've gone as far as they
    can go with it.   Then put him out to pasture.
    
    I have no idea what Braman will do.   I think Ryan would sign another
    deal, though.
     
    Bob Hunt
    

    Bob Hunt, you are very objective in your analysis of Saturday's game,
    and i appreciate that.  The Eagles were totally dominated, and really
    looked lost out there.  Booby Ryan (tm) should be fired, this team had
    the talent to go all the way and he blew it.  What a dic$head !!!! BTW,
    did you feel the "fumble" call was correct ?
    
    Just wondering,
    
    John "D Cowboys" R.

 Technicial you're correct Bob, Norman doesn't need an excuse  but as you
 yourself has said Buddy has put himself in an advantageous posistion with the
 players. To fire him and justify it to the players Norman need an excuse and
 he got one. I got a feeling Buddy's moving on and Norman knew about it already.
 If Buddy is going to get respect from his next group of players he couldn't
 just run out on this group hhas to get AXED...

 the above is pure specualtion and my opinion but it's the only pluasible
 explaination for why Buddy pulled Randall....

 mike

    Yes, the fumble call was correct in that it was Byner's contact with
    the turf that knocked the ball loose.   According to the rules, the
    surface can not cause a fumble.   The argument might be made that Byner
    was not yet down since his knees were still in the air but it was a
    valid reversal and I'm sure the replay advocates were thrilled. 
    Regardless, it was a *HUGE* turning point and sadly all-too-typical of
    the luck the Skins historically enjoy against the Eagles.
    
    And, yes, Mike, I realize that no new contract for Ryan is the same
    thing as a virtual firing.   Whatever happens, happens.  I still think
    Ryan is the only coach for this team as it stands right now.  If Braman
    wants to eat a few years worth of poor teams, then he should let him
    go.  If he wants a good shot at making it back to the playoffs the next
    few years, he should keep him and put up with the circus atmosphere.
    
    Eagles fans are intensely passionate about the team.  It is a tough
    town to play ball in.  There are times that I would wish for a little
    less "emotion" on the team and a little more technical talent.  I don't
    perceive the current Niners or Landry's old Cowboys as winning on pure
    emotion.  They have (and had) the stud horses.   There are some teams
    that have great moments with emotion, like the 1977 Broncos, but very
    few sustain any long term excellence.
    
    That's my long-range wish for the Eagles.  Stop trying to win on fire
    alone.  Do it with some ice, too.   I don't know if Ryan can lead that
    kind of a team.
    
    Bob Hunt

Interesting side note on the Byner fumble. In the owner discussions this 
year the Eagles Owner cast the deciding vote to KEEP instant replay this year. 

    The reason I brought up the "fumble" was to get a different Eagle
    perspective from the one we are getting in the Football Conf.  Once
    again I appreciate your frankness.
    
    Now that football is over for both our teams, I will have to start
    supporting Duke, and you that other team in the ACC. :)
    
    John "D Cowboys" R.

    >I still think
    >Ryan is the only coach for this team as it stands right now.  If Braman
    >wants to eat a few years worth of poor teams, then he should let him
    >go.
    
    
    I think that's just what Ryan wants people to think, what he's been
    working years at.  I also think its a con.  This from the coach who has
    asserted that he's done the best job in football over the last 5 years,
    and hasn't won a playoff game in that time.
    
    Dan

    The major reason why I feel that Ryan is the only one who can coach
    *this* squad is their holdout history over the last 4-5 years.
    
    Every year, the Eagles have a major holdout problem in training camp. 
    This year, it was Keith Jackson, last year was Reggie White, year
    before was Mike Quick, and so on.
    
    Very bitter holdouts, too.  Braman goes to France every summer for his
    vacation and he tells Harry Gamble before he leaves not to sign them
    until he gets back.   Ryan sticks up for the players in all cases and
    loves to blast the front office for the long holdouts.
    
    Each of the players eventually caved in and reported and each of them
    said they did it for Ryan.   No other reason.
    
    The 1987 strike is another reason.  Ryan refused to even look at the
    scab players and told the squad to either stay out together or come in
    together.  After the strike was overf, Ryan waived the entire scab team
    in one swoop and the regulars marched back in singing praise for Ryan.
    
    He lives and coaches a "we vs them" atmosphere and that's why they love
    him.   He did the same thing with the Ditka's Bears defense and Ditka
    couldn't wait for him to ride out of town after Supe 20.
    
    Bob Hunt

    Hey guys, this is the NFC playoff note, lets talk about some teams
    that are in the playoffs!!!  I loved saying that about an Eagle
    conversation!!!
    
    (So give me a break, I have to enjoy it while I can, Bears are living
    on a little borrowed time!)
    
    Go_Bears_anyways. 
    
    Chip_GSH_Bach
    
	P.s.  The Bears will beat New York, then Washington, then Cincy,
    	      there, I've said it...

    RE: .13
    
    I should have said "... about some teams *STILL* in the playoffs..."
    
    Sorry
    
    Chip_GSH_Bach

    
    I say that the reason the Eagles haven't won a playoff game under Buddy
    is because the MVP of the regular season bites on a chicken bone every
    time he gets into the playoffs.
    
    Good QB's lead their teams to the playoffs, GREAT Qb's win the playoff
    game they are in.
    
    Metz
    

    
    Sunday's games were the games given to us courtesy of ABC and the 3 rd
    wildcard game.  Both games stunk. 
    
    On the fumble callback in the Philly game, I believe if the ref
    purposely did not blow the whistle, knowing that it would be reviewed
    and his blowing the whistle would force the decision.  By not stopping
    the play he left open the optionn that the replay booth could make the
    right call.
    
    Bruce

    Stat that was displayed on the screen towards the end of the
    Bears-Saints game: The Bears have beaten the Giants the last five times
    the two teams have played, and eight of the last nine.
    
    
    py

    
    The Bears have never beaten the Giants in the Meadowlands.

re:  Eagles vs. Redskins (sorry, just got back)

Those Replay jerks must have been into the 'shrooms.  How anyone could have
called that a dead play is beyond me, since Byner almost landed on his head
as the ball went loose.  

Seems now that if an_ear_hair or pimple of the ball carrier even thinks about 
touching the ground, the play is then retroactively called dead by the replay
geeks.

I was only interested in seeing a good game, BTW, as neither team is a real
favourite of mine.

IMHO, that was the play that turned the game right around as it obviously took
the wind out of the Philly sails.

Shame to see that the replay can detract from the game instead of adding to it
as it was intended.

rick ellis

I've long been against replay.  To me, it detracts from the game,
emasculates the referees, and when you come right down to it,
you've still got a judgement call from the replay ref.

If God had wanted there to be instant replay in sports, refs would
be born with lenses for eyes, and VCRs for brains...

JMHO,
'Saw

    
    The plays that turned it around was when Philly couldn't punch it in
    from inside the 10.  They had something like 3 possesions inside the
    10, that's nine attempts and they still couldn't make it.
    
    Bruce

    That replay was about the only call I've ever seen that makes a
    good arguement for having a replay official.  The ground cause the ball
    to jar loose, it scares me when people say they couldn't see that.
    
    There wasn't any play that turned that game into a dwEagle lose, it was
    the LACK of play from Mr Excretement (Opps I mean Mr Excitment).
    
    I also thought the Mcmahon move was worth a try, its not like Randall
    had been a clear offensive threat, and Jimbo is well known for the
    Insta-rally.  (Althought big Butty Ryan, could have used a little more
    diplomacy when he did it, but if it helped contribute to his demise,
    then there is justice afterall)
    
    Chip_GSH_Bach

>    That replay was about the only call I've ever seen that makes a
>    good arguement for having a replay official.  The ground cause the ball
>    to jar loose, it scares me when people say they couldn't see that.
 
    Agreed.  This call could end up going a long way in saving instant
    replay, at least for another year.  While I was waiting for the
    decision, I watched the replays and thought there wasn't any doubt the
    fumble was caused by the ground, but I didn't think they would have the
    guts to reverse such a crucial call in a playoff game.  If the Eagle TD
    hadn't been called back, it would've been a different game.
    
    Joe   
 

    If the rule states that the ground cant cause a fumble then it was
    a good reversal, although I now dislike the rule as well as instant
    reply....That fumble was initialy cause by one hell of a Hit...The RB
    was thinking TD all the way and got his body knocked out from under
    him, It was clearly not a fumble (by the rules) but I think it should
    have been one.   He was flipped around and when he was coming down
    moved his arm out a little to break his fall and when his arm hit the
    ground (the same arm the ball was in) the ball came lose.....This is
    not a clear cut rule in my opion and didnt like the outcome of the call
    Oh Well, the refs control and decide the game sometimes nothing we fans
    can do but sign ....
    									MAB

    Chicago at NY Giants:
    
    This should be some good old-fashioned football with defense
    dominating, and it probably won't be pretty.  I predict no TD's to be
    scored in this one.
    
    Joe

    RE: Chi vs N.Y.
    
    I think the defense will score some TD's.  The defense to score will
    will the ballgame.
    
    Chip_GSH/Against-all-odds_Bach

    	New York Football Giants 31
    	Chicago Bears 		  3

    This game would have been much more interesting if the officials would
    have called some of those holds on the poor Redskin receivers by the SF
    defensive backs.  And I thought that Clark was interfered with on that
    4th down pass into the end zone late in the game.
    
    The Redskins had every chance to win this game in the 2nd half.  I was
    not that impressed with SF.
    
    Joe

    
    > This game would have been much more interesting if the officials would
    > have called some of those holds on the poor Redskin receivers by the SF
    > defensive backs.  And I thought that Clark was interfered with on that
    > 4th down pass into the end zone late in the game.
    
    > The Redskins had every chance to win this game in the 2nd half.  I was
    > not that impressed with SF.
    
    Agreed.  While Montana was brilliant in the first half, the credit 
    given to the 49er defense in this one was unwarranted.  If not for Mark
    Rypien's ineffectiveness down near the goal line, this one would have
    been real interesting.  The 49ers did little to force Rypien's
    mistakes, and the Skins ended up outgaining the Niners by over a 100 
    yards in total offense.
    
    As mentioned, there seemed to be a lot of borderline calls, almost all 
    of which went the Niners' way, too.  The out-of-bounds catch off the
    halfback pass (if the tight end was ruled as forced out, then why did 
    they go upstairs for the review?), the non-interference on the Skins' 
    last drive, and Darrell Green's unnecessary roughness on Jerry Rice
    were all pivotal calls.  The last one was particularly interesting to 
    me.  Since when is it illegal to pick up and slam a loose ballcarrier
    to the ground?  Sure, it was a rough play, but Green's just a little 
    guy and Rice was nowhere near tied up, as the lack of a whistle 
    attested to.  Star treatment?
    
    glenn
      

    I still can't believ that the ref swallowed the whistle on that blatant
    P.I. call against Clark - he was MUGGED, and no flag !
    
    Doc

>    I still can't believ that the ref swallowed the whistle on that blatant
>    P.I. call against Clark - he was MUGGED, and no flag !
    
 
 but he was looking back for the ball Doc. I agree with you though, it seems 
 to me that the refs have decided to allow anything but absolute blant holding
 on pass plays in order to protect the precious QB's but in return are allowing
 the DB's to mug people as long as they make an attemp on the ball...

 mike

    THe only call I saw that was totaly off was a pass that SF caugh on the
    7yrd line where he clearly stepped out of bounds (on the line which I 
    always thought was out) they reviewed this and let them keep it, the
    results 7 pts for SF..could have made a difference...Cant believe they
    stayed as close as they did should have been a closer more exciting
    game, between the refs and Rypien playing the way he did the game got
    very boring.....Looking forward to the NY SF rematch, should be 2 great
    games this weekend....Hoping for a LA VS NY Superbowl..
    								MaB

    The refs tend to give anything and everything to the 49ers.
    
    JaKe
    

    And they never gave anything nor everything to the great Steelers teams
    of the 1970s, right, JaKe ???
    
    Like, the Bradshaw pass that bounced off of Frenchy Fuqua's haid and
    into Franco Harris' hands that should have been ruled incomplete and
    the ball turned over to the Raiders, just to name one particular
    example.   Instead, the Steelers marched straight on into immortality
    from there.
    
    Oh, and if any of you anti-Steelers out there ever want to know one of
    the best ways to get under their skin and irritate them, just pretend
    you don't know what they're talking about when they got all excited
    about that "Immaculate Reception" play.
    
    Did this a couple of months ago when JaKe and Dan'l were both going off
    the deep end over their legendary Steelers ...  One of 'em mentioned
    the "Immaculate Reception" and I quickly countered with a fake blank
    look and a "What ??? question.   Stopped 'em both dead in their tracks. 
    Too funny.
    
    Bob Hunt

    Re: Giants and Hostetler
    
    with all the talk about them in the AFC note, I get the impression that
    he's a better QB than Simms ;-)  
    
    49'ers will win easy, 24-7.
    
    Mike

    RE. 35
    
    Gee, Bob, such unprovoked animosity against the Steelers...from a
    person who hails from the City of Brothers Who Shove.  Are we a bit
    jealous over the Eagles stinging defeat...in their first round game
    once again?
    
    Sorry, pal, the only team in Pennsylvania wears black and gold.  If
    Philly would've survived to the super bowl, we might have had a:
    
    	XXXXNew York vs. South Jersey game
    
    Now don't ever do that again.  I thought you were my friend. 8-(
    
    	--dan'l

    Well put, Dan'l!!!
    
    As for the "Immaculate Reception", I grew sick of seeing the play about
    3 hours after the game was over, and I've never outgrown that sickness
    of it.
    
    
    JaKe
    

    There is a big difference between the 70 steelers and the 49ers of
    today the steelers got alot of calls that went there way without
    instant reply...Now you have the refs favoring the 49ers and when it
    goes upstairs to the reply boothe there too busy counting there money
    to overturn anything....When a man is out of bounds its not to
    difficult to see it if you open your eyes when your reviewing the
    call...In this case it would not have made a difference Washington
    really didnt have a chance but getting tired of the same old teams
    being shown favoritism througout the years.....Oh well...Smart money
    this week may go on the giants there listed at 7.5 underdogs today..
    Ill take a TD+....
    								MAB

    	Giants are going to win.  The 7-7� points is a nice buffer.
    I saw the Doc yesterday and he told me he hoped a real man's team,
    i.e. The New York Football Giants would win this Sunday.
    
    				/Don

    
    
    	To be fair to the ref's (why is it I'm always defending the refs?)
    or reply officials, I thought the explanation was that the receiver
    would of come down inbounds if he was not hit.  On that play, there 
    was contact and I thought that the explanation was that the replay 
    people ruled it a catch because the contact forced him out prematurely.
    
    
    	As for the I.R. who really cares now?  It was a freaky play that
    went the Steeler's way.  Contrary to what Bob believes to be a turning
    point for the Steeler's, this play in no way effected the destiny of
    the Steeler's, it just adds to the mystique!  The Steeler's were well
    on their way by that time as next year would prove.  The I.R. is just
    one of those plays to build upon.  Gee, I'm amazed that no Cowboy fans
    have jumped in and claimed foul and "what if" on the interference call
    involving Swann in SB 10!
    
    							bill..g.
    

    Let's see, there are the Clemson Tigers, the Clemson 49'ers, the
    Clemson Steelers, the Clemson Raiders..... Come on!!!! Only the truly 
    BAD teams are affected by officiating {or those teams with an
    inferiority complex}.
    
    Rich
     

    re .41
    
    Goose, the I.R. was an illegal play - Fuqua touched the ball before
    Tatum layed the wood to him.
    
    As for that awful call on Benny Barnes ... never mind !
    
    Doc

    Any good reason why the Giants rushed for another TD with seconds
    remaining in the game?  Wasn't 24-3 bad enough? It may have seemed
    insignificantat at the time, but the Bears probably won't forget it.
    
    BoB 
    

    The Giants/Bears game just beg the question:  "Is Phil Simms really
    a_exellent QB, or are the Giants a_excellent football team?"

    The score was 24-3 for a total for 27pts the over/under betting line
    was 32.5, someong on the giants staff must have bet the over so they
    needed the score to put them at 34.  Just an opinion !!!
    								M_Air_B

WRONG.

C'mon folks, open those eyes.

You're Jeff Hostetler.  You've been sitting on the bench behind Phil
Simms for years, and you're getting older.  Suddenly, you have the
chance for full and complete observation in an adequate test.

Surely you want to showcase ALL of your talents.  That final run for
the TD was a fine run.  In fact, I'd be willing to bet that it goes
a long ways towards getting Hoss the #1 billing next season....

JMHO,
'Saw

Frank Hoss's TD made the score 24-3 

I was Carthen's TD late in the game to make the score 31-3..


Lame way to give a old vet 1 more TD. 

Jeff

Mac the answers are the giants are a_excellent team and phil simms was
a_excellent qb...key word was...

mike

Oops!

I knew I had one too many Samuel Adam's Winter Lagers!  

Now that I've properly removed the egg from my face, my foot from
my mouth, and let the blush drain from my cheeks, I'll humbly
beg your collective forgiveness....

I will?

As Chris Berman would say:  "Nah!"


8^)
'Saw

>    Any good reason why the Giants rushed for another TD with seconds
>    remaining in the game?  Wasn't 24-3 bad enough? It may have seemed
>    insignificantat at the time, but the Bears probably won't forget it.
    
    BoB,

	The Giants achieved a first down with X minutes left, effectively
meaning that they would run out the clock with 3 snaps. The Bears called a
timeout on first or second down, thereby meaning that the Giants had to
run all 4 plays. What the Giants did, basically, was line 9 men across the
line of scrimmage, have Hostetler handoff to the remaining back, Carthon,
the same play, every time, for 4 plays. Nobody in motion, no cross-blocks,
no pulling guards, just straight ahead plays. The Bears did not stop them.
The Bears probably would have been more insulted if the Giants kicked a field
goal. Also, the offensive line of the Giants played the last drive as though
they were playing the 49ers, it was said after the game, meaning the Giants
wanted to finish the drive off, which they hadn't been able to do against
the 49ers on Dec. 3rd. It was basic football, and I think Ditka could appreciate
it. I heard noone on the Bears complain after the game, either.

	Jim M
    

    re: 9'rs get call's,  why do you think Debartello (sp?) puts so much
    money into football?;^^
    
      That o-line death grip is as good as the faiders d-backs grip;^^
    
    	Hopefully jints win!!!  Jersey that is.......
    
    		T-bone

    Giants win 15-13 !!!!
    
    Jo wyoming gets his clock cleaned in the 4th, 9er's fall apart. 
    
    Giant's will take Buffalo apart in Tampa.
    
    Cadzla
    

    What started as a terrible day in the world of football ended absoultly
    great.....Watching (rewatching I had to tape it) the raiders get there
    buts kicked all over the field was a terrible experience but seeing
    Matt Bahr kick a field goal with 4 seconds left to win the game and end
    the 3-peat chants and save all us football fans from listening to
    4-peats for a year...I say thank you very much.....Did the best team
    win...Who cares the 49ers are out of there......Sorry for basking in
    this glory but I love it....Of course alot people were looking at me
    strange when I started praying in the Pool Hall for Bahr to hit that
    Field Goal but it was worth it.....Giants controlled this game almost
    lost it due to not being able to put up the 7, but with the giants
    defense the 9ers didnt have a chance......I loved IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    								MAB

    
       The Giants were able to put up the 7. It's just that Mo
    Carthon forget that your hands have to be close together to
    catch a football :^>
    
    Bull~
    

    I felt the refs were really jobbing the Giants...from the minute the
    replay didn't overturn that obvious incompletion.
    
    I'm a big Montana supporter, but I couldn't help but chuckle at the
    shot of him about five minutes after he got clonged.  He was just
    wandering around the sideline while everyone else was watching the
    game.  I was waiting for a couple guys in white coats to come over and
    lead him back to the bench.  "Just sit there now, Joey.  No, this isn't
    the planet Neptune.  You're a football player, remember?  The best
    ever.  No, I don't smell the pretty flowers."
    
    	--dan'l

 I was chuckling, too, when Summerall said that the medical report on Joe
 Montana was "that everything hurt all over".
 
 You could just imagine the doc asking: "Joe, no, over here, Joe, where
 does it hurt, Joe ???    All over ???   Okay, how many fingers ???"
 
 The Jints defense won this one and they'll beat Buffalo if they play like
 this again.   Kelly is no Montana and Thurman Thomas is better than Roger
 Craig but not by a huge amount.   The Jints stuffed both and held Rice in
 check, too.   Everson Walls made the only mistake on defense.  Guess he
 was overcome by past nightmares about Candlestick Park.
 
 NFC too tough, NFC East too tough, Jints too tough.
 
 Bob Hunt

I saw the Patriot missiles intercept the SCUD missiles on CNN.  
I was impressed.

BUT, the best hit of the day was when Leonard Marshall zeroed in on
Joe "But My Head Got Left in" Montana.

First, I was glad because every announcer on CBS was having an orgasm
every time he or she mentioned (menshoned?) Montana.  Well, he's the
best in the game, he's the only guy who can check off and find his
other receivers etc etc etc.  Well, the Giants put some good pressure
on him, and he couldn't pick up those other receivers.

Second, early in the season, Parcells wasn't giving Marshall much
playing time, and Marshall used to complain about it on his New York
Football show.  I guess he showed Parcells....

Good weekend:  Excellent Concert, Nice easy Saturday, Good Giants win Sunday.

later,
'Saw

Anyone else see the clip that went uncalled on the Taylor return 
that set up the S.F. TD?

If you've got the game on tape, take a look.

Nice win by the Giants considering they had to play the refs too.

daryll

    
    I'd say there were a fair number of bad calls going both ways..  Those
    2 phantom motion calls on the 49'ers line come to mind.  Gotta agree
    with the no-overturn on the fumble/incompletion though, they were
    so concerned about whether or not is was a fumble, they didn't even
    bother to see if it was a completion (which it wasn't).  
    
    Great game though..  glad to see Matt Bahr have another shot at the big 
    show!  He is CLUTCH!  
    
    /Jeff

   <<< Note 42.62 by MAXWEL::CHILDS "Trifecta confirmed. payoff due 9/12!" >>>


 But Jeff, the 2 phatom calls came when the Niners had the ball only cost
 them five yards each. The catch/no catch/fumble was what a 20 yard gain
 that led to the first 3 points and was on a third down play if I remeber
 correctly. The 15 yard penality that was against Dorsey put the Niners in
 posistion to kick the FG to tie the game at the half. Pretty big play when
 2 plays later they sack Montana...

 All teams are quilty of offensive holding how come we get nail 3 times to their
 one?

 and just because the rule says if you get your head in front of a guy it
 ain't clip doesn't mean that you didn't push the guy from behind....

 Giants defied all odds yesterday!!!!

 I can't ever remember being prouder of them. Everyone on the team did something
 to contribute to that win...

 mike

Seeing the Giants, huddled up on the sideline before Bahr's kick was
really inspiring.  That's a pretty intense thing, and a lot of times
when you do that you can feel the electricity.....

Next weeks' the week....
'Saw

    
    Anybody else hear Bahr mention the yellow armbands.....
    
    One of the reporters asked him how he felt, and instead of hyping the
    whole thing, it tried talking about the Gi's.....the interview I saw 
    cut him off.......
    
    
    Lou

Well, I don't know about the rest of the Wanderers, but I'm thinking
seriously of getting one to wear when I play this spring.  Even if I
have to wear it up under my sleeve (not sure of rules on uniforms)
I'm going to do it....

'Saw

      Unforunately,  I didn't get to see any of the game.  I heard the 4th
    qtr on the radio.  Sounds like I missed Joe eating his ego/arragance. 
    Too bad!!
    
      I am glad to see other than the "normal" teams in the SB this year. 
    I'll give the Bills the best shot.  By 11 points to boot.
    
      If the Bills continue the way they have, then the jints offense won't
    be able to keep up IMO.  Plus the AFC is due for a win.
    
    		T-bone

Does anybody else think that the Hit put on Montana was a spear? I know these
sort of hits go on all the time but I thought it was a little blatant in this
case. The giant defender made no attempt to tackle him his only intention was
to put the top of his helmet in Montana's back. I wouldn't be stating this if
it was a facemask in the back but this was an obvious crown of the helmet shot.

IMHO I think spearing is one of the biggest things the NFL has to guard against.
Never mind teh wimpy in the grasp rules. If they enforced the spearing rules I 
think you'd get a lot less head,neck and back injuries. You might get an increase
in shoulder injuries trying to tackle the right way but I doubt it would offset
the decrease in neck injuries.

Spearing has a greater chance in permanent injuries esp to the tackling player.

I say tos the flag any time the tackle or the runner lowers his head below the
point where face to face contact can be made. At least start throwing the flags
on some of the human missle shots going on right now.

Metz

    
    Quick and short answer:
    
    No I don't think it was a spear.  Nor have I heard anyone else suggest
    this.  It was a clean hit.  It was hard, and yes he used his helmet but
    hits like that can cause fumbles which this one did.   
    
    They always seem worse when its one of your guys taking the blow.
    
    Pat
     

    
    The hit that took Montana out was clean, but the one Jim Burt put on
    Hostetler wasn't. He was coming up to the QB and went below the waste.
    There should have been a flag and possible ejection on it. If that was
    Andre Waters, they might have executed him.  ;*)
    
    Dennis
    

    
    It was a spear, but they almost never call a penalty for use of the
    helmet.  The only time I ever see it called is on a helmet-to-head shot
    or when the opposing player is already down.
    
    The NFL's "efforts" to curtail injuries, especially quarterback
    injuries, are something of a joke.  They know it's a problem, but they
    also know they don't want to take the contact and the violence out of
    the game, either.  Use of the helmet, no matter what the old-timers
    tell you about proper tackling technique, is extremely effective.
    You have the chance to intimidate a wide receiver or take out a Joe
    Montana, you're going to do it.
    
    Personally, I'm willing to admit that I like the violence, and deep
    down, I think that it's the base appeal of the game for most of us.
    How many of us would prefer to see some kind of a two-hand touch rule
    or equivalent on the opposing quarterback versus the jarring, ball-
    separating hit?  I'll take the latter, and live with the reality that
    it means football is a game of interchangeable parts...
    
    glenn
      

I can't believe you Giants fans are complaining about the officials
(We beat the 49ers and the refs).  I didn't see a lot of the first half
but I did see all of the second half (thus I missed the blown reception
call on Taylor).  However, the 49ers if any one got the short end of the stic.

There is someone else who feels it was a spear on Montana.  He lowered
his head and hit him helmet first in the upper back, neck and head.  That
is the definition of a spear.  When you in the trenches and your helment
hits the ball to cause a fumble fine, But when your in the open coming from 
behind and hit someone in the upper back and neck with you helmet, it should
be and usually is a penalty.

The Giants had drives for FG's extended due to 3 pass interferrence calls
(2 were correct, one questionable).  The Giants also got away with a flagrant
offensive interferrence call on the final drive (Baker) that got them 10-15
yards and within field goal position.  The phantom procedure calls also hurt
the 49er's (the Giants were actually off-sides on one of them).

The bottom line is that the Giants dominated the game and deserved
the NFC championship.  This mentioning of the refs helping the 49ers 
is rediculous and takes away from their termendous victory

    re.73
    
    I'm not a Giants fan, nor am I a SF fan.  I watched the game with total
    objectivity and enjoyed every minute.  I didn't care which team went to
    the super bowl because they are both very good teams.  However, I
    noted that the Giants had more calls go against them in critical
    situations than did the 49ers.  They really did overcome those calls.
    
    Great game, nonetheless.
    
    	--dan'l