REPORT CARD / T.J. SIMERS : Plenty of A’s For the Day

B: QUARTERBACKS

Billy Joe Tolliver threw the ball into stands at game’s end. With 59,557 prospective receivers, it can be happily reported--finally--that he was on target.

A: RUNNING BACKS

Watching defenders try to tackle Marion Butts is like watching an elephant flicking aside gnats. Ronnie Harmon wiggles for 7.1 yards a carry.

C+: RECEIVERS

Trying to catch Tolliver’s passes sometimes is like trying to snare a shooting star. Craig McEwen flags down a Tolliver rocket to set up field goal.

A: OFFENSIVE LINE

Bully Boys got lift to practice in limo this past week. Tolliver, Butts & Co. may want to go one step further, and play role of chauffeur this week.

A: DEFENSIVE LINE

To dream the impossible dream--Elway fails to draw Burt Grossman offsides. But he spends day running from Grossman. Lee Williams catches him. And squashes him.

A: LINEBACKERS

Warning to children: Do not attempt to spike the ball at home in the manner in which Gary Plummer attempted to do so. Plummer now has as many TDs as Bo.

A: DEFENSIVE BACKS

Gill Byrd has 21 interceptions in his last 42 games, and if he isn’t sent to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl by his peers, owner Alex Spanos should pay his way.

C+: SPECIAL TEAMS

America thanks John Carney. You won’t have the Broncos to kick around in this year’s Super Bowl because Carney sends them to slopes with four field goals.

A: COACHING

Just like we all thought: The next time they talk about “The Big One in Los Angeles,” they might be talking about the finale against the Raiders.