Notes on a Scorecard - Dec. 9, 1991

This must have been tougher than losing 51-3. . . .

When you are leading by 13 points in the fourth quarter, 85,081 fans are yelling their support and Scott Norwood is rounding into Super Bowl form, you should be able to beat even the most explosive of football teams. . . .

But the Raiders blew it Sunday at the Coliseum, and it was strictly a team defeat. . . . The offense went into a shell--pun intended--and couldn’t give up the ball fast enough to the Buffalo Bills. . . .

The defense couldn’t stop Jim Kelly. . . .

And let’s not forget the special teams, who had given up a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Al Edwards in the first quarter and a 59-yard punt return by Clifford Hicks that set up a touchdown in the second quarter. . . .

In the second half and overtime, Kelly threw 39 passes. Jay Schroeder threw four. . . .

Buffalo fans who still haven’t forgiven owner Ralph Wilson for trading Daryle Lamonica to the Raiders are appreciative that Wilson didn’t deal the rights to Kelly when he was talking tough at the bargaining table after starring for the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League. . . .

Things could have been even worse for Norwood, who missed a conversion attempt and his first three field goal attempts. His first PAT attempt hit an upright before bouncing over the post. . . .

Before Norwood tried his 36-yard gimme late in the final moments of regulation time, thousands of fans streamed into the tunnels. After he missed, they streamed back into their seats. . . .

Little did the Raiders suspect what was ahead after picking this day to introduce the special team players, instead of the starting offense or defense, prior to the kickoff. . . .

There were as many scuffles on the field as there used to be in the stands. . . .

The Philadelphia Eagles have become the sleeper Super Bowl candidate. . . .

Bud Carson was a flop as a head coach with the Cleveland Browns, but the Eagle assistant, who also tutored the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Steel Curtain, may be the best defensive coordinator ever. . . .

The New England Patriots’ overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts was the only outcome Sunday that didn’t affect the playoff picture, but it did influence the race for the No. 1 draft pick. . . .

Leave it to the San Diego Chargers to find a way to lose. . . .

Can’t wait to see those surging Cincinnati Bengals, winners of one in a row, against the Miami Dolphins on ABC tonight. . . .

The George Foreman-Jimmy Ellis commercial was better than the fight. . . .

Foreman nailed down manager-of-the-year honors by getting himself $5 million for what was little more than a sparring session. . . .

Paul Banke will try to give his new manager, Los Angeles attorney Norman Kaplan, his third world champion tonight when Banke challenges World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Daniel Zaragoza at the Forum. Kaplan handled former World Boxing Assn. lightweight champion Arturo Frias and former WBA mini-flyweight champion Joey Olivo. . . .

The biggest difference between this UCLA basketball team and the one that was beaten by Penn State last March is defense. . . .

Thumbs up to Bruin Athletic Director Peter Dalis for affording four L.A.-area teams the opportunity to appear at Pauley Pavilion in non-conference games this season rather than scouring the country for stiffs. . . .

Larry Brown didn’t interview for a single job when he was in town last week. . . .

Shaquille O’Neal should have turned pro. . . .

Critics should consider this about Bobby Bonilla’s deal worth $29 million: The New York Mets can afford it. . . .

Barry Bonds would sell a lot of season tickets in Anaheim. . . .

Now that Bill Russell is not with the Dodgers, Darryl Strawberry should wear his old No. 18 instead of 44 and Eric Davis should wear his old No. 44 instead of 33.