Notes on a Scorecard - Dec. 6, 1993

Jeff Hostetler has given the quarterback position a good name again in the Southland. . . .

How refreshing it was for local NFL fans to see his determination, bravery and skills Sunday on the tube. . . .

While leading the Raiders to a 25-24 victory at Buffalo, Hostetler climbed off the canvas more often than Floyd Patterson on a tough night. . . .

Despite a ferocious pass rush, he seldom lost his poise, left the pocket only when it meant running for his life or a touchdown and was able to connect with the magnificent Tim Brown 10 times for 183 yards and the game-winning touchdown. . . .

No L.A. quarterback since Jim Plunkett has displayed such grit. . . .

This was a game that both the Raiders and the NFL needed badly. . . .

The Raiders are 7-5 and, if they don’t revert to their self-destructive ways, should be able to take advantage of a favorable schedule the last four games and reach the playoffs. . . .

NBC’s early national game had nearly everything--great plays, vicious hits, lead changes and mistakes--and helped to make us forget about a season full of clinkers. . . .

The Ram-Phoenix Cardinal game lived down to expectations. . . .

I knew the Rams never should have given up on Mike Pagel. . . .

Oh well, at least they’re nailing down a good spot in the draft. . . .

Three of the Indianapolis Colts’ four victories have been by scores of 9-6. . . .

The Denver Broncos tried one too few fake field goals against the San Diego Chargers. . . .

Think the Detroit Lions miss Barry Sanders? . . .

*

“On Wisconsin!” . . .

The Badgers’ surprise appearance is the best thing in years to happen to the Rose Bowl, which had grown stale. . . .

Wisconsin has the higher national ranking and better won-loss record, but, in its first Pasadena assignment since the 1962 season, will be an underdog to UCLA. . . .

Notre Dame and West Virginia should have been matched in the Fiesta Bowl. . . .

Florida Coach Steve Spurrier would be a good hire by the Jacksonville Jaguars--or the Carolina Panthers if they can’t work out a deal with Joe Gibbs. . . .

Would you rather be good or lucky? The Clippers have been neither during their 10 seasons in Los Angeles, the latest setback being the ruptured Achilles’ tendon suffered by center Stanley Roberts on Saturday against the Lakers. . . .

With Roberts sidelined for the season and his future so uncertain--the 295-pounder will have to show new dedication during rehabilitation--and Elmore Spencer and Bob Martin comprising the center corps, the Clippers should explore making a trade for a center. . . .

This might be the time to use Danny Manning as bait, but the trouble is that there is a huge drop-off in talent at the position after the superstars. . . .

Laker fans are staying away from the Forum in droves, but those among the capacity crowd of 16,005 at the Sports Arena made more noise than Clipper fans. . . .

Charles Barkley says Dennis Rodman is the best blond in the NBA since Jack Sikma. . . .

A fighter to watch at the Forum tonight is Shane Mosley, an unbeaten Pomona lightweight prospect who has scored half of his six knockouts with left jabs. . . .

*

Charles O’Bannon, who scored 23 points in UCLA’s 108-83 victory over Nevada Las Vegas, shows uncommon maturity for a freshman. . . .

Damon Bailey’s terrific performance against Kentucky came as no surprise to those familiar with the rigorous off-season conditioning program the Indiana guard underwent. . . .

Arkansas, quick and big, looks like the nation’s best team.

Look-alikes: Bryant (Big Country) Reeves and Clyde Lovellette. . . .

The best thing about golf galleries is that they never do the wave. . . .

Getting out of depressing Municipal Stadium and into a new stadium will help make the Cleveland Indians a contender for the first American League Central title, as will the additions of Dennis Martinez and Eddie Murray. . . .

The market for free agent Rickey Henderson is slow. . . .

The cancellation of the winter meetings will cost baseball hundreds of column inches in every major newspaper this week. . . .

It isn’t difficult to figure out the Kings’ problem--they’re giving up too many goals. . . .

They miss Marty McSorley more than they are willing to admit and ought to trade a goal scorer for a defenseman or a checking forward.