Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 28, 1992

Parity, NFL style: The NFC East could win a third consecutive Super Bowl championship next year with a third different team. . . .

It won’t be easy for the Washington Redskins to defend their division title successfully against the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. . . .

The Cowboys, who upset the Redskins at RFK Stadium this season, will be strengthened by the addition of two draft choices in each of the first three rounds. Or Jimmy Johnson may decide to trade some of those picks for an established defensive back. . . .

The Eagles have the best defensive line in the league and will welcome back Randall Cunningham. . . .

Another NFC team, the fast-closing San Francisco 49ers, also will draw a lot of preseason support. Shucks, it could be another nine years before the AFC wins the championship. . . .

The NFC has outscored the AFC, 297-125, in the last eight Super Bowls. . . .

If the Redskins really wanted to kick off to start the game Sunday, as had been suggested, they could have. It was their choice after winning the coin toss. Either way, Buffalo would have received in the second half. . . .

Better yet, the NFL should adopt the NCAA rule of allowing the team winning the coin toss to defer until the second half. . . .

A winning Super Bowl share is worth $36,000, compared to the $119,579 given Minnesota players in the World Series. That averaged out to $17,082 per game for the Twins, but they would have received the same check if they had won in four games instead of seven. . . .

Producers and directors should have learned something from CBS’ Bob Stenner and Sandy Grossman. They stuck to basic shots during the live action and gave us the best possible view rather than subjecting us to some artsy-craftsy look from the worst seats in the house. . . .

Too bad, though, that CBS couldn’t have sneaked in a plug or two for the Winter Olympics. . . .

Both opening kickoffs went from a former Bruin to a former Trojan. Before the whistle, Buffalo’s Brad Daluiso kicked to Ricky Ervins out of the end zone. After the whistle, Daluiso kicked to Ervins in the end zone. . . .

Washington cheerleader Matt Millen got more air time than he would have if he had played. . . .

The Redskins showed that it is possible to substitute against a no-huddle offense. . . .

Edward Bennett Williams should be remembered as the club president and co-owner who hired Bobby Beathard and Joe Gibbs and built the foundation for Washington’s three Super Bowl championship teams. . . .

Another argument in favor of retention of the instant replay review rule was made when Art Monk’s apparent touchdown catch in the first quarter was reversed. Think Buffalo would have made a fuss if the TV replay had shown the mistake and there was no such rule? . . .

Look-alikes: Deron Cherry and Kal Daniels. . . .

After failing to make the U.S. Olympic bobsled team, Raider wide receiver Willie Gault is returning to track and field. Gault will run competitively for the first time since 1983 when he competes in the 50-meter hurdles at the Sunkist meet Feb. 15 at the Sports Arena. . . .

The NCAA Division I baseball tournament lost $854,047 last year. . . .

Mike Tyson’s legal problems should be an excuse for the World Boxing Council, or any other organization, to withhold recognition of Evander Holyfield’s title fight against Riddick Bowe. . . .

The Lakers ought to create more shooting opportunities for Byron Scott. . . .

Danny Manning, who is shooting 61% this month, is playing the way the Clippers thought he would when they made him the first draft pick overall in 1988. . . .

NBA general managers seeking to make trades are being frustrated by the salary cap. . . .

Expansion teams Orlando, Charlotte and Miami won Saturday. Minnesota was idle. . . .

Larry Bird said in a TV interview that he thinks Shaquille O’Neal of Louisiana State is the second greatest basketball player in the world, behind only Michael Jordan. . . .

New York Knick Coach Pat Riley has adapted to old-fashioned, smash-mouth Eastern Conference basketball. . . .

How little defense was played in Troy State’s 258-141 victory over DeVry Institute? Only one foul was called against Troy State and six against DeVry. . . .

Jim Courier, who may become the first American male tennis player to be ranked first in the world since John McEnroe in 1985, is hardly a household name. It’s probably because he behaves so well on the court. . . .

Tonight’s date: The Kings vs. the St. Louis Blues at the Forum, where those old Wales Conference all-star linemates, Wayne Gretzky and Brett Hull, will renew acquaintances. . . .

Twenty-four days until pitchers and catchers report.