Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 5, 1993

One would think that Al Davis, whose team is badly in need of fresh talent, would be among those campaigning for liberalization of the NFL free-agency rules. . . .

Instead, as was reported in The Times last week, the Raider owner is fighting it. . . .

Tonight, during a Channel 9 special after the Laker-Chicago Bull telecast, Davis says to host Tom Murray about free agency: “I will not let it get to where baseball is. There’s no way. (Baseball players) move from team to team. We’re not going to have that in pro football. At least, I’m not going to let it happen if I possibly can.” . . .

But what if a new collective bargaining agreement, establishing free agency for most veterans, is signed, despite Davis’ protests? Would he put up the big money necessary to improve his product or risk dipping even lower than 7-9? . . .

Among the potential free agents, Philadelphia Eagle defensive end Reggie White’s asking price must have grown even more enormous after his performance against the New Orleans Saints during the second half Sunday. . . .

It does not break my heart that no more indoor football will be played this season in the NFL. . . .

So much for the importance of scoring first. Three of the four teams that scored first in the wild-card games lost. The other loser, Kansas City, never did score. . . .

One of the mistakes the Houston Oilers made Sunday was playing for a tie and overtime rather than trying to put away the Buffalo Bills during the closing moments of regulation. . . .

I don’t want Jim Mora or Tom Osborne coaching my team in any postseason games. . . .

Mora, who usually is too conservative, proved Sunday in New Orleans against Philadelphia that he is also capable of losing in the playoffs with an imaginative game plan. . . .

The weekend before Dan Reeves was fired, 77% of the 47 Bronco players and 73% of the 1,495 readers polled by by the Rocky Mountain News in Denver said they wanted Reeves to remain as coach. . . .

Among the stars of the bowl games were Tennessee sophomore quarterback Heath Schuler, who was rated as one of the top high school quarterbacks in the nation two years ago; and Syracuse wide receiver Shelby Hill, the son of former NFL star J.D. Hill. . . .

Did you notice all those empty seats at most of the college bowl games? An NCAA tournament would solve that problem. . . .

Those wide receivers who are concerned that their number won’t be called upon enough by John Robinson next season might not be aware that in 1982, Robinson’s last season at USC, the Trojans passed for 2,145 yards and rushed for 1,824. . . .

The loquacious pair of Robinson and basketball Coach George Raveling should be a dream for Tim Tessalone, USC sports information director. . . .

Tyrone Wheatley, the Rose Bowl’s most valuable player who was a high school sprint champion in Michigan, has been invited to the college football dash in the Sunkist meet Feb. 20 at the Sports Arena. . . .

Bo Jackson’s future with the Chicago White Sox might be determined in a couple of weeks when his artificial hip is tested. . . .

Baseball America ranks Peter O’Malley fifth among the most powerful people in baseball. Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is first. The only player in the top 25 is No. 13, Chicago Cub second baseman Ryne Sandberg. . . .

The Milwaukee Brewers might have the first all-Australian battery next year, pitcher Graeme Lloyd and catcher Dave Nilsson. . . . Defense-minded Roger Neilson, who got fired Monday, was the wrong guy to coach the offense-minded personnel of the New York Rangers. . . .

The hot jockey at Santa Anita is Gary Stevens, who is winning at a two-a-day rate and threatening to run away with the riding title while Kent Desormeaux is sidelined. . . .

The Forum will co-promote the long-awaited Michael Carbajal-Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzalez light-flyweight title fight with Bob Arum on March 13, but the bout will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton. . . .

On the same pay-per-view card, Oscar De La Hoya will box Jeff Mayweather, who has main-event experience. It was supposed to be De La Hoya’s first 10-rounder, but Arum said it will be scheduled for eight. . . .

Paris Alexander, who brought decent credentials into Sunday night’s fight at the Palladium, was the latest opponent to freeze up in front of De La Hoya. Maybe it is the mere sight of a lightweight with the height, shoulders and back muscles of a middleweight that petrifies these guys. . . .

Wednesday’s date: the Kings vs. Tampa Bay at the Forum. I can’t wait to see the highly touted center prospect make his seasonal debut for the Kings.