Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!floyd!harpo!ulysses!gamma!exodus!mhtsa!mh3bs!eagle!mhuxl!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!uiuccsb!kaufman
From: kaufman@uiuccsb.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.sport.football
Subject: Some Thoughts on Super Bowl XVIII - (nf)
Message-ID: <5087@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 23-Jan-84 22:29:34 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.5087
Posted: Mon Jan 23 22:29:34 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 27-Jan-84 09:42:01 EST
Lines: 35

#N:uiuccsb:18400006:000:2239
uiuccsb!kaufman    Jan 23 21:11:00 1984


     Super Bowl XVIII had to be the most exciting 38-9 game I've ever seen.
Never mind the score; for the most part, the game was fairly evenly played, and
on the high level of play you'd expect from the Skins and the Raiders.  The
big difference, accounting for the lopsided score, was the fact that on a small
number of plays the Raiders made the big play while the Redskins made the big
mistake.  Each team's defense was usually in command as both teams could manage
but one sustained touchdown drive.  The difference was:
   [1]  L.A. blocks Wash. punt into end zone                      7 pts.
   [2]  After fumbled punt, Moseley misses field goal             3 pts.
   [3]  Theismann inexplicably tries screen right before half     7 pts.
   [4]  Pass interference on bomb to Branch                       7 pts.
   [5]  Allen's broken play run                                   7 pts.
   [6]  Allen's second big gainer                                 3 pts.
That's 6 plays which accounted for a swing of 34 points, more than the Raiders'
margin of victory (and I'm not even bothering to count the missed extra point).
I couldn't believe it when certain sportscasters claimed the Raiders completely
dominated; aside from those 6 plays, it was fairly even.  Granted, the L.A.
defense was king, but again, Washington didn't give the Raider offense that
much either.  Which brings me to Point Number Two:
     Marcus Allen for MVP????  Yeah, I know it was a forgone conclusion, but
I say his statistics are misleading and that a better choice would be to
divide the award among several defensive players (a la Super Bowl XII), say
Jenkins, Squirek and the two cornerbacks, Hayes and Haynes, who took Monk and
Brown out of the game.  Allen's two long runs (accounting for about 120 of
his 191 yards) both came when the game was well out of reach.  In my opinion,
the true Raider heroes were on the defensive unit and special teams.
     By the way, in case anyone thinks my loyalties are influencing these
comments, let me say that I like both of these teams a lot (tops in their
respective divisions) but was rooting yesterday for the Boys in Black and
Silver.
                                 Ken (...!uiucdcs!uiuccsb!kaufman) Kaufman