Nothing Trivial in Pursuit of Avoiding Gilbert’s Lot

He has played for some of the best teams of his era, been to several Super Bowls. Yet he’s never won one. Football fans throughout the country sympathize with him, especially those who followed him as a college player on the West Coast.

Even one of the Packers says losing the Super Bowl on Sunday would hurt less because it would result in a ring for him in what could be his last game.

I am talking, of course, about Mike Lodish.

Who did you think, John Elway? Why does he need a ring? He’s going to the Hall of Fame.

For Lodish, a win would really mean something. His claim to fame if he doesn’t get one is that he will go down in history with former Buffalo and San Diego backup quarterback Gale Gilbert as the only players who have lost five Super Bowls.

I guess Lodish could be one of those guys who sees the Lombardi Trophy as half full. In his eighth NFL season, it’s definitely an achievement that this former 10th-round draft pick from UCLA is in his fifth Super Bowl, four with Buffalo and this one with Denver.

Odds against his being here were particularly high when the season began. Cut in a cost-cutting move after Neil Smith was signed as a free agent, the backup defensive lineman was recalled only after Jumpy Geathers was lost for the season because of an injury.

Lodish, however, won’t feel particularly blessed unless the Broncos win.

“When I look back at Buffalo, it was special to play for the only team that has gone to four straight Super Bowls,” he said. “But losing made it a bad experience. I want to know what it feels like in the winning locker room.”

If the Broncos lose, he’ll have to settle for asking Green Bay wide receiver Don Beebe.

He’s the Packer who would feel some consolation if the Broncos win because of his association with Lodish. They were teammates during the Bills’ four Super Bowl losses.

After joining the Packers as a free agent, Beebe finally won one last season, avoiding joining Gilbert as the answer to a trivia question.

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Green Bay General Manager Ron Wolf wouldn’t deny Thursday that Mike Holmgren might be coaching the Seattle Seahawks next season. . . .

But then, Wolf didn’t know anything about the rumor that Holmgren will be offered the job as the Seahawk coach and general manager. . . .

But that’s what passes for news during a Super Bowl week. . . .

Asked if Holmgren, who has two years remaining on his Packer contract, would be allowed to interview for another job, Wolf said, “I’ve always said we shouldn’t stand in his way if he has an opportunity to do something he would really like to do, but I’m not saying we would do that in this instance.” . . .

What does that mean, he was asked. . . .

“Double talk,” Wolf said, laughing. . . .

He was more forthcoming when asked about instant replay. . . .

“Most people who are against instant replay aren’t ready for the 21st century,” he said. . . .

Packer tight end Mark Chmura said he and his teammates have been too insulated from the real world this week to pay attention to the latest Bill Clinton scandal, the pope’s visit to Cuba and the cattlemen’s beef with Oprah Winfrey. . . .

“The only thing we’ve had time to read in the papers is the stock market report,” he said. . . .

During his first tour with USC, as an assistant coach, Paul Hackett was responsible for recruiting a Granada Hills quarterback named Elway. . . .

Stanford got there first. . . .

“There was some concern he would disrupt our power, tailback-dominated offense,” Hackett said. “It’s a risk we were willing to take.” . . .

Hackett believes Green Bay will win but said the game will be close if the Broncos stop the Packers’ running game. . . .

Key statistic: In the last 13 Super Bowls, all NFC victories, the AFC has lost the turnover battle, 44-10. . . .

I’d be surprised if Dennis Green returns in Minnesota. . . .

Jon Gruden should rent. . . .

Dennis Gilbert, who gave sports agents a good name, is getting out of the business after 17 years. . . .

He has represented such stars as Mike Piazza, Barry Bonds, Brady Anderson, Curt Schilling, Bobby Bonilla and Bret Saberhagen. . . .

He says his colleagues will continue to operate the business out of his Beverly Hills office.

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While wondering, “What if Nate Holden is right?” I was thinking: He fortunately has the same record lately as Al Davis, put a lock on Irwindale’s checkbook, the movie has already been made, it’s called “Scream 2.”