Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 18, 1993

The greatest comeback in NFL history two weeks ago convinced the Buffalo Bills that nobody can beat them, and not even the Dallas Cowboys will be able to Jan. 31 in Pasadena. . . .

The Bills could have started Gale Gilbert at quarterback Sunday against the Miami Dolphins and still won. . . .

However, to his credit, Marv Levy didn’t waffle on his decision to go with Jim Kelly and didn’t care what the player and public opinion polls said about Frank Reich. . . .

Another quarterback, Troy Aikman, answered some questions about his poise when he led the Cowboys downfield with a long pass to Alvin Harper and into the end zone with a short pass to Kelvin Martin to put away the San Francisco 49ers late in the fourth quarter. . . .

Mudwrestling fans were terribly disappointed at the condition of the Candlestick Park turf. . . .

If the 49ers hadn’t struck with a rapid touchdown drive to close the gap to 24-20, Coach George Seifert would have been second-guessed for not replacing Steve Young with the former miracle worker, Joe Montana. . . .

The Bills executed screen plays better than any team I’ve seen lately, except Bobby Knight’s Indiana Hoosiers. . . .

My 12th man award Sunday went to Buffalo running back Kenneth Davis. . . .

Bonehead play of the day: Marco Coleman trying to run with the ball instead of pouncing on it after a Buffalo fumble deep in Miami territory early in the third quarter. The Bills retained possession and momentum. . . .

If I were a receiver who just dropped a pass from Dan Marino, I wouldn’t get within earshot of him on the sidelines. . . .

Best camera shot: NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Gene Upshaw, executive director of the players union, sitting next to each other and smiling in the press box at Joe Robbie Stadium. . . .

This will be the fourth consecutive Super Bowl and eighth in the last nine years involving a starting AFC quarterback from the class of ’83. Kelly has lost twice, John Elway of Denver three times and Marino and Tony Eason of New England once each. . . .

Richmond Webb started at tackle for the Dolphins against the Bills. (Mitch) Richmond and (Spud) Webb will start at guard for the Sacramento Kings against the Golden State Warriors today. . . .

Why aren’t the NFC and AFC championship games played on separate days that would give them their proper due? Because more people watch television on Sunday than Saturday. . . .

George Foreman is an early candidate for boxing manager-of-the-year honors after collecting $5 million for stopping made-to-order Pierre Coetzer in the eighth round Saturday night at Reno. . . .

Foreman would have to work harder to beat hard-punching Tommy Morrison in their proposed fight April 16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. However, George’s jab, still the heaviest in the business, and left uppercut might be enough to take care of Morrison, whose chin is not to be confused with granite. . . .

In the ring Saturday, Foreman awarded his winning gloves to his favorite movie actress, Lolita Davidovich. . . .

Oregon State’s fast start in the Pacific 10 Conference is evidence of the benefits of a tough nonconference schedule. . . . Beaver center Scott Haskin--a good, but not great player--has been dominating in a conference that lacks capable big men. . . .

UCLA could have used a three-point shooter down the stretch Saturday at Corvallis. . . .

Scratch College of Charleston from future USC and UCLA schedules. . . .

Sportscasters who labeled Vanderbilt’s victory over then top-ranked Kentucky a “big upset” still don’t understand the importance of the home-court advantage. The Wildcats were slight favorites. . . .

Danny Manning would like to become a Laker, but don’t hold your breath waiting for the Clippers to trade their best player to their cross-town rival. . . .

Latest speculation about Manning has him going to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Christian Laettner. . . .

The loss of Dennis Rodman for an extended period might mean a spot in the NBA lottery for the Detroit Pistons. . . .

Thumbs up to Santa Anita President Cliff Goodrich, who says the plan to reduce time between races today is a “prelude of things to come.” . . .

The Los Angeles-San Francisco air shuttle should be named in honor of Dave Anderson. . . .

Don’t expect the NCAA to adapt Executive Director Dick Schultz’s proposal of a football championship game after the New Year’s bowl games. It makes too much sense. . . .

Super Bowl XXVII prediction: Buffalo 31, Dallas 21.