Lewis Is Left Standing in Game of Musical Chairs

Each time there was a lull during an interview session with Denver Coach Mike Shanahan on Tuesday, it seemed as if someone stuck a microphone or a tape recorder in his face and asked about Gary Kubiak.

Kubiak is the Broncos’ young offensive coordinator, rumored to be among candidates to become the next Dallas Cowboy coach. An NFL source says that’s all it is, a rumor, but, to hear Shanahan, Kubiak deserves to be high on Jerry Jones’ list.

“He’s the best assistant coach I’ve been around,” Shanahan said.

Later, the Green Bay Packers arrived at Qualcomm Stadium for their turn on media day with an offensive coordinator who also deserves to be high on the list of head-coaching candidates.

But if Sherman Lewis’ name has been mentioned for any of the four openings so far this season, I missed it. Neither was he seriously considered for any of the 11 openings last season.

Kubiak is 36, the Bronco offensive coordinator for three years, and he’s hot. Lewis is 55, the Packer offensive coordinator for six years, and he’s not.

The knock on Lewis is that he doesn’t call Packer plays. Mike Holmgren does.

Guess what. Kubiak doesn’t call Bronco plays. Shanahan does.

Has Lewis been overlooked because he’s African American?

He didn’t want to respond Tuesday, not because he doesn’t believe it should be an issue but because he doesn’t believe it should be an issue this week. He wants no distractions while preparing for the game.

The New York Times, however, guaranteed it would be discussed by reporting Tuesday that a small group of African American assistant coaches is contemplating a class-action discrimination lawsuit against the NFL.

They had every reason to believe that the stigma attached to African American head coaches no longer would exist after Tony Dungy’s success this season in Tampa Bay.

Then they watched as veteran white coaches, Jim Mora and Wade Phillips, were hired in Indianapolis and Buffalo, respectively, and young white offensive coordinators, Jon Gruden of the Eagles and Kubiak, were mentioned in connection with jobs elsewhere.

I’m not questioning the capabilities of any of those four. But wouldn’t you think at least one team would want to wait until after the Super Bowl so that it could interview Lewis?

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a real shot,” said Lewis, adding that he’s been interviewed only twice for a head position in his coaching career.

Asked if he feels the clock ticking because of his age, he said, “I’m aware of that. I’ve served a hell of an apprenticeship. I’m ready. But nobody owes me anything. I can’t make anybody give me a job. I can get frustrated. But I can’t get mad.

“There’s nobody to get mad at. I’ve talked to Commissioner [Paul] Tagliabue. He would like to see African Americans get some opportunities. But what can he do?”

Probably nothing. There’s nothing anyone can do except continue to examine the issue until we’re sure it no longer is one.

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When ESPN’s Sterling Sharpe checked in for his media credential, he was asked who he’s pulling for--his former team, the Packers, or his brother Shannon’s team, the Broncos. . . .

“That’s a dumb question,” he said. . . .

Is it ever. . . .

“There’s more talk about my retirement than any player in America,” said Reggie White, who isn’t answering questions about the speculation. . . .

Sorry, Reggie. There’s more talk about John Elway’s retirement. . . .

An interview in which Bronco owner Pat Bowlen said Elway will return next season was the lead story on the front page of Tuesday’s Denver Post. . . .

“I couldn’t care less about John,” Packer receiver Don Beebe said in a recent interview. . . .

On Tuesday, he took it back. . . .

“No, I do care,” Beebe said. “I want to win. But if we’re going to lose, I’m glad it’s to John Elway. He deserves a championship.” . . .

With $4,900 in fines collected from members who spoke to reporters during the season, Denver’s offensive linemen went to dinner Monday night at the E Street Alley. . . .

They were shocked when the bill came to $4,653. . . .

It was a relief when the restaurant told them their check had been switched with Gilbert Brown’s. . . .

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While wondering which team Sterling Sharpe is pulling for, I was thinking: The Packers won media day even without Jim McMahon, the Broncos should relax and enjoy the experience, imagine how much their offensive linemen’s check would have been if they were big.