Notes on a Scorecard - Dec. 26, 1989

Pity the Eagles. On wintry New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia, they will have to match Randall Cunningham of balmy Santa Barbara and Nevada Las Vegas against Jim Everett of Albuquerque and Purdue. . . .

Inclement weather had a lot to do with the outcome the only time the Rams and Eagles met in a playoff game. But that was in the Coliseum in 1949. Led by running back Steve Van Buren, the Eagles sloshed their way to a 14-0 victory and the NFL title in a driving rainstorm. . . .

If the Rams and 49ers play, will San Francisco elect to take the road-field advantage and move the game to Anaheim?. . . .

Those who thought the Raiders were a .500 team this season were proven right. . . .

Steve Beuerlein is Mr. Inconsistent. Al Davis’ No. 2 priority in the off-season--finding a home is No. 1--should be finding a new quarterback. . . .

A couple of new offensive linemen to protect that quarterback wouldn’t hurt, either. . . . How cold was it Sunday in most of the United States? Third largest crowd in the NFL was the 50,524 for the Bronco-Charger game in San Diego, where the windchill factor was 79 degrees. . . .

The Atlanta Falcons will have plenty of time to mull over that No. 1 pick. The draft isn’t until April 22. . . .

Mark Duper, who caught only one touchdown pass for the Dolphins all season, no longer is super. And did you see the other Marks brother, Clayton, drop that key pass late in the game against Kansas City? . . .

It took AFC rushing champion Christian Okoye 90 more attempts to gain 10 more yards than NFC champion Barry Sanders. . . .

There is little doubt that Eddie Delahoussaye has moved to the top of the country’s leading jockey colony. Beginning today at Santa Anita, he will attempt to win his fourth consecutive riding title at Southern California race meetings. . . .

If the Rose Bowl isn’t the most beautiful setting for a sporting event in these parts, it’s neighboring Santa Anita. On a clear day, the view of the San Gabriels can almost take your mind off a photo-finish loss. . . .

With a victory tonight over Boston at the Sports Arena, the Clippers can match the Celtics’ home-court record of 10-4 this season. . . .

Jay Vincent should be aware that his former Michigan State teammate, Magic Johnson, will chew him out in full view of 17,505 at the Forum if he doesn’t give his all for the Lakers. In Denver, Vincent used to be called “Vacation.”. . . .

The Dallas Mavericks are trying to unload Adrian Dantley, but takers are hard to find. . . .

All that money the Sacramento Kings are going to have to keep paying Bill Russell doesn’t leave much for a new coach. . . .

The Clippers drafted the wrong Reggie--Williams instead of Miller--in 1987. . . .

Host Roy Firestone and producer Ted Green give the Lakers’ pregame shows something most lack--imagination. . . .

The four NBA expansion teams of the last two years are a combined 25-76. . . .

With a college basketball game on the line--particularly any game against Seton Hall--I want the ball in the hands of Michigan guard Rumeal Robinson. . . .

Last Tuesday, track promoter Al Franken got a telex from Romania. Olympic 1,500-meter women’s champion Paula Ivan was going to have to cancel her appearance in the Sunkist meet next month at the Sports Arena. Franken assumed it was because of Nadia Comaneci’s defection. And now track and field probably is the last thing on Ivan’s mind. . . .

The Green Bay Packers would have given Illinois’ nationally ranked basketball team a tougher time than Wisconsin-Green Bay did the other night. . . .

It’s hard to believe that Ken Landreaux was voted onto the Dodgers’ all-decade team by the media and Pedro Guerrero wasn’t. . . .

NHL standings often are misleading because of games in hand. . . .

Boxing needs fewer organizations, fewer championships, and more talent. . . .

Bob Arum, who isn’t promoting it, says the quicker Meldrick Taylor will upset the stronger Julio Cesar Chavez in a great fight. . . .

The Holiday Bowl, college football’s version of an Oklahoma-Loyola Marymount basketball game, should light up the scoreboard in San Diego again Friday night when Brigham Young takes to the air against Penn State. . . .

If you identify Christmas Day with the Blue-Gray game--excuse me, Blue-Gray Classic--you’re a football degenerate. . . .

Linebacker Matt Millen on the difference between playing for the Raiders and the 49ers: “Last year, I never stopped sweating. This year, I get cold when the offense has the ball.”