Notes on a Scorecard - Dec. 3, 1990

Bill Walsh returned to coaching Sunday. . . .

As you might have heard, he spent most of the afternoon in the NBC booth at Denver first- and second-guessing the offensive strategy of the Raiders. . . .

According to Dick Enberg’s partner, the Raiders were running the ball too much on first down. Or not taking advantage of the great pass protection afforded Jay Schroeder. Or throwing a stupid pass on third down. Or it was time for them to start giving the ball to Bo Jackson. . . .

NBC hired Walsh because it wanted the opinions of a man who had coached the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl championships, but this time he was guilty of overkill and focusing on one team. . . .

In the same game, we also got the bad, the good and the ugly of the instant replay rule. A review was called when it wasn’t needed and there was a double reversal, but the game might not have gone down to the wire if the call on a John Elway-to-Vance Johnson pass hadn’t been changed from incomplete to complete. . . .

It turns out that the center snap isn’t such a snap. . . .

The Raiders’ eight victories are as many as they have had in any season since 1985. . . .

After each of Bo Jackson’s touchdowns, Marcus Allen rushed over to congratulate him. . . . This was only the third time all season that both Los Angeles NFL teams won on the same day. . . .

The Rams made a mistake by not coming to terms with Kevin Greene on time. He is only now regaining his form and look how much better the team has performed the past couple of weeks.

Some day, Gaston Green is going to be a successful running back for some team. . . .

One of the best coaching jobs in the NFL this season is being done by Jimmy Johnson, who could have the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs. . . .

A grind ‘em out team that makes as few mistakes as the New York Giants is the kind that can beat the San Francisco 49ers in a big game. . . .

Detroit hasn’t won outdoors this season. . . .

Victor Kiam’s team can’t give anybody a close shave. . . .

Jerry Glanville still hasn’t taught the Atlanta Falcons how to win. . . .

Hardly a Sunday goes by when Norm Johnson doesn’t decide a game for Seattle with a successful or unsuccessful field goal attempt. . . .

I hope Jim Finks gets his way and the NFL dumps the in-the-grasp rule. . . .

Now that the late score from Honolulu is in--Hawaii 59, BYU 28--is it too late for Heisman Trophy voters to recall their votes? . . .

Actually, Ty Detmer deserved the Heisman. He accomplished more in 1990 than Rocket Ismail or any other contender.

Thumbs up to Texas A&M; Coach R.C. Slocum for trying to beat Texas instead of settling for a tie. . . .

Some pro scouts think 6-8 Dan McGwire is too tall for a quarterback, but I’m sure Doug Flutie and those Miami tacklers who bounced off him during a San Diego State touchdown pass and a two-point conversion pass would disagree. . . .

Florida State should savor its victory over Florida. The Seminoles may not have an easier one as long as Steve Spurrier is coaching the Gators. And if you think the USC band plays the same song over and over, give a listen to Florida State’s. . . .

Too bad the SEC has gone the way of the pro leagues and split into divisions. . . .

In what probably was his last fight, Vinny Pazienza didn’t know whether he wanted to be Fred Astaire or Jake LaMotta Saturday against World Boxing Association junior welterweight champion Loreto Garza. Pazienza danced one round, raged the next, and was way behind on points when referee Larry Rozadilla disqualified him for dirty tactics in the 11th round. . . .

How refreshing to watch a fight in a noisy arena, like Arco in Sacramento, instead of a quiet casino. . . .

At the postfight news conference, Pazienza spotted San Francisco Chronicle writer Jack Fiske wearing cotton in his nostrils and asked, “What happened to your nose?” It turned out that Fiske, too, had suffered a bloody nose, but in a non-combat situation. . . .

Lou Duva has a fine junior lightweight prospect in unbeaten Eddie Hopson, who does backflips after getting his hand raised. . . .

Best bet in Las Vegas is that Jerry Tarkanian will coach the Rebels another five years and then retire. . . .

Kirk Gibson spent most of his career with Detroit and apparently will finish it with Kansas City, but he will be remembered longest for a home run he hit in Los Angeles. . . .

Bill Doran would be a nice acquisition for the Dodgers.