Notes on a Scorecard - Oct. 19, 1994

Jim Rome wants another Jim Everett interview, but not a rematch. . . .

Last April on ESPN2, Everett shoved a table into Rome and jumped on him after Rome persisted in calling the former Ram quarterback “Chris.” . . .

“I’ve been trying to get Everett back on my show for a long time,” Rome said. “Unfortunately, the indications are that he doesn’t want to talk to me again.” . . .

Producer Joe Tutino also failed in recent attempts to have Everett, whose Saints lost to San Diego in New Orleans last week and play the Rams on Sunday, do a telephone interview on Rome’s XTRA radio show. . . .

“Everett came on TV because he wanted to say some things about the Rams,” Rome said. “He never got to because the interview was cut short. I’d still like to hear what he has to say about this old team and so would a lot of other people.” . . .

“I’ll always regret the incident,” Rome said. “I’ve gotten into jocular banter with a number of athletes. I didn’t think Everett was becoming angry. He was smiling. It was a bad read on my part. I made a mistake.” . . .

Since then, the ratings for Rome’s TV and radio programs have increased, his contracts have been extended, and he has had a number of job offers. . . .

“Some people think Everett is the best thing that’s happened to my career,” Rome said. “But I like to think I could have achieved the same success without that.” . . .

What would Rome call Everett if he ever got to interview him again? . . .

“Jim.” . . .

*

Few NFL games on Monday--or any other day of the week--have been as entertaining as the one between Joe Montana’s Kansas City Chiefs and John Elway’s Denver Broncos. . . .

Ever think a 3 1/2-hour game with 24 penalties could be so delicious? . . .

I wish Dan Dierdorf would shut up once in a while and let the action speak for itself. . . . Chief Coach Marty Schottenheimer was correct in taking disciplinary action against his star linebacker, Derrick Thomas, after Thomas was an hour late for a team meeting. . . .

But a stiff fine would have been sufficient. . . .

When Schottenheimer benched Thomas for the first quarter and a couple of plays of the second quarter, the coach made his entire team suffer. . . .

I still can’t understand why defenses generally don’t pressure quarterbacks during the so-called two-minute drills. . . .

That’s the time, more than any other, that the passer should be harassed. . . .

Schottenheimer should realize that the tactic of trying to draw defensive linemen offside on short-yardage fourth downs doesn’t work anymore. . . .

*

Overshadowed by the Art Shell-Jeff Hostetler festivities in Miami on Sunday was a terrific performance by Raider defensive lineman Jerry Ball. . . .

Ball, 29, has returned to the form that earned him three Pro Bowl berths as a Detroit Lion. . . .

Joe Theismann says Deion Sanders is the only impact defensive player in the NFL. . . .

The way he was delivering left hooks to Andre Rison on Sunday in Atlanta, the 185-pound Sanders might also be the only NFL player who could be a cruiserweight contender. . . .

A rookie with a three-year, $460,000 contract, Gus Frerotte from Tulsa, will replace a rookie with an eight-year, $19.25-million contract, Heath Shuler from Tennessee, as the Washington Redskins’ starting quarterback Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. . . .

George Foreman, 45, sent Mick Jagger, 51, this telegram before the Rolling Stones’ concerts in Las Vegas last weekend: “Good luck. The MGM Grand is a great place for old-timers to perform.” . . .

Thumbs up to Jerry West for refusing to give in to the unrealistic contract extension demands of Sedale Threatt. . . .

When thoroughbred racing resumes today at Santa Anita, it will end the longest break in the Southern California schedule since July--two days. . . .

News item: Chicago Cubs fire 11th manager in 12 years. Reaction: Who do they think they are, the Angels? . . .

When asked what makes Terry Bowden such a good coach, Wayne Gandy, the Rams’ rookie tackle from Auburn, replied, “He has good players.”