Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 1, 1990

Buddy Ryan talks a good game, but John Robinson coached a better one Sunday in Philadelphia. . . .

The Rams’ well-prepared defense exposed the weakness of the overrated Randall Cunningham, who doesn’t throw well from inside the pocket. . . .

Working against the ferocious pass rushers of the Eagles, the Rams’ offensive line didn’t commit a single holding penalty. In fact, the only penalty the Rams drew all day was on purpose late in the third quarter when they took too much time in an attempt to set up a better-placed punt. . . .

The two sacks of Jim Everett were five less than had been anticipated by Jerome Brown. . . .

Philadelphia won two of the three weekend games from Los Angeles--the Flyers beat the Kings and the 76ers beat the Clippers Saturday--but give the edge in overall importance to the City of Angels. . . .

After Mike Lansford kicked the first conversion for the Rams, CBS announcer Pat Summerall credited “McFadden.” Paul McFadden last kicked for the Eagles in 1987. Or maybe Summerall was thinking about Bud McFadin, who last played tackle for the Rams in 1956. . . .

Younger officials are needed in the NFL. The referee didn’t even raise his arms after the Rams’ second touchdown. . . .

Now the nation is more familiar with Kevin Greene, one of the better defensive players in football. . . .

The performance of Greene and his teammates didn’t hurt the chances of Ram defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur becoming a head coach elsewhere in the league next season. . . .

This just wasn’t Cunningham’s day. He also shanked a punt. However, Everett showed surprising versatility by making a tackle. . . .

One of Robinson’s strengths is his sideline demeanor. After Robert Delpino blew an assignment and heard about it from Everett, the coach consoled the running back by telling him, “That’s all right.” . . .

You can’t blame the Rams for being confident about advancing at least one more round in the playoffs. On Nov. 12 in Anaheim, they beat the Giants, 31-10, and outgained them, 445 yards to 207. Everett wasn’t sacked once. . . .

The Rams are 4-0 against the NFC East in the last eight weeks. . . .

If the Atlanta Falcons really want Jerry Glanville, the Houston Oilers should be quite willing to hand him over. . . .

Mr. Popularity started out by calling for field goal kicker Tony Zendejas to attempt a chip shot from 55 yards away in the first quarter. It got about halfway there. . . .

Best camera study of the day was that of Steeler Coach Chuck Noll going crazy as he tried to wave a 12th man off the field on the last play of regulation. . . .

Noll’s teams have won four Super Bowl championships, but this must rank as one of his finest coaching jobs. . . .

Sam Wyche, who performed capably as the guest analyst on CBS, may have a future in TV if the Bengals fail to make the playoffs again next season. . . .

NBC “insider” Bobby Beathard said Bobby Beathard was set to become general manager of the San Diego Chargers, but most of the nation beat him to the story. . . .

Wild-card playoff shares are a modest $6,000 to each player, far less than is paid most for regular-season games. . . .

He hasn’t gotten half the publicity, but Cleveland’s Michael Dean Perry is twice the defensive lineman that his brother William (The Refrigerator) Perry is. . . .

Look-alikes: Bob Boone and Kevin McHale. . . .

Colorado Coach Bill McCartney should dispense with his usual pregame routine at the Orange Bowl tonight and play a tape of the pep talk Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz gave the Fighting Irish the other day. . . .

Giles Pellerin will attend his 690th consecutive USC game and 27th Rose Bowl today. Under Pellerin’s eyes since 1926, the Trojans are 470-183-36. . . .

Ticket brokers aren’t doing brisk Rose Bowl business despite Bo Schembechler’s retirement announcement. One reason is that Michigan fans can’t afford to come out two consecutive years. . . .

You know the weather will be beautiful this afternoon in Pasadena. And people watching TV in the frigid east will think about moving here. Why can’t there be a rainstorm like there was in 1955? . . .

Heisman Trophy campaigns for 1990 are well under way. A “Detmer For The Heisman” banner was on display at the Holiday Bowl where BYU’s Ty Detmer threw for 576 yards against Penn State. And USC safety Mark Carrier said on a show about this year’s All-Americans that he wants to become the first defensive player to win the Heisman. . . .

Look for Colorado to win the national championship, Larry Smith to send his old boss Bo out a loser and Miami and Florida State to show that two of the three best teams in the nation hail from the same state.