8801050602
DETROIT FREE PRESS
880131
Sunday, January 31, 1988
METRO FINAL
1D
MITCH ALBOM Free Press Sports Writer
SUPER BOWL XXII
Copyright (c) 1988, Detroit Free Press
THE BRONCOS WILL WIN . . .
HISTORY, KICKING AND ELWAY ARE ON THEIR SIDE
SAN DIEGO -- First of all, Curt, you can come down from that tree. I know
some folks might consider you a sad, dim- witted buffoon based on your last
two Super Bowl picks. But I don't. And it's not because I picked the correct
team those two years either. Hey, Curt, come on. I know how easy it is to get
swept up in the hype, and lose your brains, and bet your kid's first year of
college on the wrong team. I've watched you do it two years in a row now.
Let's see. Whom are you picking this time? The Washington Redskins? Well.
Hmm. Curt, I must say this: HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!
I hope your kid can drive a cab.
No. Seriously. I -- HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! -- I can see why you (mmmphmmph) want
to go with (BLAH-HAgrzzlp) the 'Skins. After all, you went with Denver last
year and look where it got you. Remember last year? What was the score? New
York 200, Denver 3? Something like that. So, obviously, you figure, no way I'm
picking those guys again.
Curtis, my man, my friend, my buddy, you can't pick to save your life.
You had the right team last year, just the wrong Super Bowl. This is going
to be Denver's year. This year. 1988. You're one year late. Are you still
wearing Nehru jackets, too?
Denver. I repeat, Denver. With John Elway, a quarterback as elusive as
Jell-O. With the Three Amigos. With an overachieving defense. And a kicking
game. You do remember the kicking game? Field goals? Worth three points? What
do you suppose the Redskins will do on fourth-and-six from anywhere inside
the Denver 30?
I will tell you what they will do: They will pray. Because Ali (Aw-Gee)
Sheikh is their only kicker. How bad is he? You might have a better chance,
Curt. Especially the way you boot the Super Bowl each year.
I could overlook the kicking stuff if the rest of the team were superior,
or even equal, or even serious. But the Redskins? The team that has been
practicing all week in different numbered jerseys so people can't spy on their
practices? Does that sound like a secure team to you? What are they afraid
of? A Denver scout hanging from a blimp? Maybe they saw you in that tree.
Is this the same Washington team that picked its starting quarterback in
December? Now, I like Doug Williams. I really do. But I can't help noticing
every time he comes to the sidelines, the way Jay Schroeder holds that
clipboard up near his head. One of these times -- whack! Down he goes.
We are talking about a team that got here because Minnesota couldn't catch
a pass at the goal line. Because Chicago allowed Jim McMahon to throw all
day. The 'Skins play in a killer division, too. Not another team had a .500
record. That'll make you sweat, huh?
Denver. I repeat, Denver. If I were the Redskins, I would not only change
my numbers, I would change my uniforms. Not merely because they can't stop a
punt return, or kick a field goal, or choose a quarterback who won't take the
receiver's head off with every five-yard toss.
But mostly because, Curtis, my good man -- you picked them.
And we both know what that means.
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