From America’s Team to L.A.’s?

Jerry Jones would never part with the Cowboys--would he?

Shoot-fire, no, but then why does he get so jacked up talking about the Los Angeles football market and the great challenge that is just sitting there to be conquered?

If the new television contract--as yet to be negotiated--does not call for huge financial gains when it kicks in before the 1998 season, Jones’ Cowboys are going to have significant salary-cap concerns. As it is, his stars are beginning to tarnish, and so what if the outrageous one sold his team and stadium and became the point man in Los Angeles’ bid for an NFL franchise?

“Certainly one man can energize and make it happen there,” said Jones, who raised the issue without prompting. “There is a tremendous opportunity there for someone who wants to sink their teeth into it. That’s the attractiveness of the situation and I predict it will attract the kind of individual who will engage people and make things happen.”

There is no need for him to submit his resume. Mention his name to Los Angeles officials and they gasp with delight.

Far-fetched? Probably, but Jones wants to make something happen in Los Angeles, and if he’s not the guy, he’s making noise like a man who at least wants to be influential in whatever does happen.

“The lure is there,” Jones said.

Imagine Jones selling the Cowboys, buying a team like Seattle or New England and then moving it to Los Angeles. His approach to business in Dallas has been aggressive and rewarding, although it has tested the NFL’s traditional mode of operation. But then the NFL of the future will include corporate ownership and the kind of business partnerships Jones has already struck.

How far-fetched is Jerry Jones going Hollywood?

Anyone have a better idea?

“If you have the leadership in Los Angeles, you can get it done very quickly,” said John Moag, chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority and the man who persuaded Art Modell to leave Cleveland for Baltimore.

“I think Los Angeles should be concentrating on another team rather than expansion. I don’t think the votes are there with the owners for expansion.

“Seattle, you wait a year to see how that thing shakes out. New England, Philadelphia, Arizona--he’s gone, and he’s probably the best bet to come.”

If Arizona owner Bill Bidwill tries to come, he’s stopped at the state line. But what if Jones came calling with an idea on how to build a stadium?

Moag, who has been approached by Los Angeles interests asking for his advice and potential involvement here, said, “The [NFL] guys in New York don’t like the Coliseum. They don’t like it because the owners don’t like it and because of the neighborhood, but from what I hear from [the architects] about what they can do, that’s the place to do it. It’s a magnificent structure, it’s got bonding authority and the real financial tools you need. Nothing else has that.

“I just can’t believe [Peter] O’Malley can make that thing work at Dodger Stadium. I don’t see how it works financially. If you’re a guy like Jack Kent Cooke you don’t care, but he’s not.”

HOK, one of the leading stadium architects, has designed a 67,000-seat stadium to be built within the existing walls of the Coliseum. The multilevel structure would include 8,000 club seats and 140 luxury boxes. It would take 18 months to two years to build and cost $173.502 million. Coliseum officials are talking to the NFL about making a formal presentation.

“We’re talking about a new stadium,” said Pat Lynch, Coliseum general manager. “Not a retrofit.”

Moag, who discounted the viability of Hollywood Park as a potential site, said, “Who cares what the NFL people want--as if they know. Put a training facility near the Coliseum and make a team have a positive impact on the neighborhood. Part of a team’s responsibility is to the community.

“Who is the person to step forward in L.A. to make it happen? I don’t know. But that has to happen.”

How about Jerry Jones?

“That’s fascinating,” Moag said. “It would sell. A fascinating idea, and it makes sense in a lot of ways. Fascinating.”

FOCUS ON THE RAMS THIS WEEK

You can tell the Rams are getting better. Their players are becoming arrogant, unapproachable and working hard to end the honeymoon in St. Louis.

They had better start winning, and they probably will. It might be too early for them to strike fear in the 49ers’ hearts Sunday, but the up-and-coming team to beat in the NFC West is going to be the Rams.

They have assembled a potent offense for the future with running back Lawrence Phillips, receivers Isaac Bruce, Eddie Kennison and Troy Drayton, and quarterback Tony Banks. They also have two dynamic safeties and a pair of top-notch defensive ends.

Quarterback Steve Walsh is temporary help, but Steve Ortmayer, the former Raider coach-executive who self-destructed with the San Diego Chargers after assembling quality talent, has once again shown a knack for identifying talent. But can Ortmayer & Co. keep the troops under control and maintain tolerable public relations until the team wins?

The only newspaper in St. Louis is already referring to the Rams’ new practice facility as “Stalag Rams” because of the team’s Raider-like atmosphere.

The 49ers have begun to show signs of vulnerability, losing to NFC West foes Carolina, Atlanta and New Orleans last season. Ram Coach Rich Brooks knows the score.

“We laid two huge eggs against the 49ers a year ago and have lost 11 straight to them, which is embarrassing,” he said. “If we’re going to be a factor in this race, the only way to find out is if you can compete with the 49ers.”

Probably next year.

IN QUOTATIONS

Clip and save for Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997: “The Bills will be a Super Bowl team unless Jim Kelly gets hurt.”

Pat Haden, TV commentator.

Jacksonville defensive tackle John Jurkovic on going up against Pittsburgh offensive tackle Bernard Dafney: “Guys were lining up and begging the coaches to get the chance to go against him.”

Dafney has been benched for this week’s game.

Understatement of the week: “When I came here I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”

Neil O’Donnell, Jet quarterback.

Overstatement of the week: “This is probably as good a team as we’ve had.”

Dom Capers, Carolina coach, who begins his second year on the job.

Dallas receiver Deion Sanders, after the “Monday Night Football” TV crew criticized the Bears for giving him too much of a cushion: “What would you do? Let me run by you and dance? Or let me catch it in front of you and come up and bruise my shoulders?”

San Francisco offensive line coach Bob McKittrick’s uplifting assessment after bringing back tackle Steve Wallace: “He’s older. He’s slowed down. He’s not as good as he was when he was 27.”

EXTRA POINTS

--When Al Davis, Raider owner, walked onto the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens, the PA system began playing the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.”

--New York Post headline after the Jets were clobbered in Denver: “$80 Million Busts: Rocky Horror Show for Jets.”

The Post story suggested that the Jets’ best-executed offensive play was the kneel-down on the final play of the first half.

--Jet wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson is unhappy that Wayne Chrebet is starting ahead of him, so unhappy he couldn’t remember the guy’s name, calling him “Trebeck.”

--Arizona Coach Vince Tobin begged fans to show up for Sunday night’s televised game with Miami.

“I can guarantee them our players will play hard,” he said.

Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins’ coach, has been known to guarantee wins, but not Tobin, which explains why more than 27,000 tickets are still available.

HONOR ROLL

--Tight end Keith Jackson, Green Bay: Busy, busy guy. Three touchdown catches and broadcasting ABC’s college game of the week. He gets $475,000 extra if he catches 46 passes. He can start spending.

--Wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis: Six catches, including the game-clinching touchdown pass against Pro Bowl Arizona defensive back Aeneas Williams.

“That joker is a playmaker,” said Colt quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

--Cornerback Walt Harris, Chicago: The rookie didn’t let Sanders catch a pass longer than 14 yards, recorded 10 solo tackles, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble. Now he wants to take on Michael Jordan, one on one.

--Hero for a day: Chicago deep snapper Rob Davis became the first player from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania to play in the NFL.

DETENTION

--Linebacker Pepper Johnson, Detroit: He replaced Chris Spielman, who led the Lions in tackles for eight consecutive years, and had one tackle. He is no longer starting for Detroit. Spielman, meanwhile, had 17 tackles for Buffalo.

--Wide receiver Shawn Jefferson, New England: He touched the ball six times, fumbled three times and was knocked unconscious. Otherwise, it was a strong performance.

--Tight end Rickey Dudley, Oakland: Looks like Kellen Winslow, catches like a man wearing mittens.

--Bonehead play of week: First and goal at the Minnesota two-yard line, and Detroit Coach Wayne Fontes yanks Barry Sanders in favor of Eric Lynch. Lynch then fumbles. Lynch had one carry in his two previous years with the team.

TIME TO PUNT

--Viking linebacker Darryl Talley’s streak of playing in 221 consecutive games ended because of a sore knee.

“They took it out of my hands,” said an angry Talley, who wanted to play.

--When Barry Sanders rushed for 163 yards Sunday, it marked the sixth consecutive season a former Oklahoma State player has gained at least 100 yards on an NFL opening day. Sanders also did it in 1995, ’94 and ‘92, and Thurman Thomas did it in 1993, ’92 and ’91.

--Running back Garrison Hearst earns $121,176 a week from the Bengals. Last week he stepped on the field three times in the second half, gaining six yards. That’s $40,392 a play and $20,196 a yard.

--Pittsburgh quarterback-wide receiver Kordell Stewart says that in his next contract, he will insist on playing only quarterback.

“It’s going to be me playing quarterback, and that’s it, because that’s what I want to do and that’s what I will do.”

--Terry Glenn, referred to as “she” by New England Coach Bill Parcells earlier this season, practiced for the first time since injuring a hamstring July 31. How did he do? Nobody knows. Parcells has closed practices to reporters and, again this year, is not allowing his assistant coaches to talk to the press.