THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 3, 1995 TAG: 9509030247
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
As Joe Montana prepares for his first snap as a TV commentator, Mike Ditka offers some advice: ``Be yourself. This is not brain surgery.''
Sometimes, especially when Ditka is moving his lips, it's not even English.
Another NFL season is about to begin, even if Deion Sanders is not.
While waiting for Prime Time, pro football introduces two new teams, a pair of new NFL cities that once were old NFL cities, and yet another player turned talking head (Sterling Sharpe).
As always, it is the job of the columnist to study the tendencies, step up into the pocket and hit his targets deep downfield.
NFC East: Dallas, Arizona, Philadelphia, New York Giants, Washington.
A year of NFL experience under his belt could make Barry Switzer dangerous, especially if he actually tries to coach. If their offensive line holds up, and Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin report to work on a regular basis, the Cowboys will keep winning. Just to be sure, though, the players best keep Switzer's headset tuned to a country music station.
Arizona is expected to walk Buddy Ryan's talk, a major challenge if ever there were one. The Eagles' new coach won't matter if he's stuck with the same old Randall Cunningham. With two concussions in two preseason games, Giants quarterback Dave Brown is the NFL's poster boy for CAT scans. Meanwhile, at today's opener in Washington, the smart money is on the second quarter in the How-Long-Will-It-Take-The-Crowd-To-Chant ``We want Gus,'' pool.
NFC Central: Detroit, Chicago, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Minnesota.
Lions quarterback Scott Mitchell is being encouraged to earn his big money before Barry Sanders' legs are donated to science. The Bears will again play with a pair of No. 2 passers. Green Bay is weakened by the loss of nine free agents who escaped Wisconsin's winters. The Bucs should be the best tanned team in their division. With ancient Warren Moon, the Vikings may have a stranglehold on last place.
NFC West: San Francisco, New Orleans, Atlanta, St. Louis, Carolina.
Complacency could be the 49ers' only problem until the Cowboys appear on the menu Nov. 12. The Saints are relying on quarterback Jim Everett to carry the team, always a risky idea. The Falcons are a lounge act for the Olympics. The Rams changed their address, not their fortunes. On the 49ers' schedule, Panther games are listed as ``bye weeks.''
AFC East: Miami, Buffalo, New England, Indianapolis, New York Jets.
Don Shula is not too old as long as Dan Marino is still throwing strikes. The Bills are just crotchety enough to make some noise. The Patriots cannot sneak up on anybody. Black shoes will fit the Colts' mood. If Rich Kotite is the answer for the Jets, what's the question?
AFC Central: Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Houston, Cincinnati, Jacksonville.
The Steelers could be the pride of the AFC with Neil O'Donnell at quarterback. That says all you need to know about the conference. The Browns are more interesting with Andre Rison, but the Oilers, Bengals, and Jaguars make this the NFL's dullest division.
AFC West: Oakland, Denver, San Diego, Kansas City, Seattle.
Al Davis left L.A. for Oakland, raising the cultural level in both places. John Elway is 35, but nobody has bothered to tell his arm. Expect the Chargers to suffer from post-Super Bowl syndrome. The Chiefs without Montana are borderline footwipes. The Seahawks have a new coach, when what they really need is a good lawyer.
And so, after all the divisional races and the playoffs, the Super Bowl will have the Cowboys beating the Steelers.
Remember, this is not brain surgery. by CNB