The Michigan Daily - Monday, November 28, 1988 -Page 11 Jf~ml -22a( 19 /W.0 accweht t 1ee,.Pr cy-eff0 0-C//OO/Y/ at wltooL 0 .izcL ii J Associated Press Green Bay Packers quarterback Don Majkowski tries to fight off the Chicago Bears' Dave Duerson during third-quarter action yesterday. The Bears won, 16-0, to clinch at least a wild- card playoff spot. THE SPORTING VIEWS BY STEVEN GINNS ' Dear Pete Rozelle, What's happened to the National Football League? In the 1970s and early '80s, the league that you are commissioner of was exciting and fun to watch. But in recent seasons the NFL has become dull. In fact, the NFL should change its name to the BFL - B as in boring. During the '70s and early '80s, the NFL was at its peak in popularity. Billy "White Shoes" Johnson was allowed to dance in the end zone after scoring a touchdown. The Washington Redskins' wide receivers celebrated every score with the "fun bunch" dance. Dan Fouts and the San Diego Chargers put new meaning in the term explosive offense. TEAMS had their own separate identities. The Dallas Cowboys were known for their Doomsday Defense. The Minnesota Vikings were nicknamed the Purple People Eaters. Pittsburgh was synonymous with the Steel Curtain. As a result, a simple game between Denver and Oakland became a battle between the Orange Crush and the black and silver intimidation of the Raiders. Now all there is is the Washington Redskins' offensive line - known as the Hogs. Hardly comparable. The current crop of teams consist mostly of no- name players. As this season drags on, the Buffalo Bills (11-2) are tied for the best record in the NFL. But can anyone name five players on the Bills? The Detroit Lions exemplify what is wrong with the NFL. Earlier in this decade, when Billy Sims led the offense, the Lions did not win very often, but were The NFL: It's not fantastic anymore fun to watch. At least once a game, the double reverse was run. THIS YEAR, the Lions have continued their losing ways, but, are boring to watch. The Lions' most exciting play was a failed fake punt from the goal line, which eventually contributed to defeat. Here are some suggestions to solve this problem. -Bring back Howard Cosell. Monday Night Football, especially during halftime, has not been the same ever since Howard left. Although many people did not enjoy his broadcasts, he had the ability to make the most boring game worth watching. Today's announcers lack the ability Cosell possessed. Even once-innovative John Madden's sound effects on instant replays have become routine. -Expand the playoffs. The Super Bowl has not been so Super in recent years. This Sunday Spectacular has become an annual blowout, and including more teams in the playoffs increases the chances for a better finale. -Increase public relations to create some superstars. Hockey has Wayne Gretzky. Basketball has Michael Jordan. Football has nobody. Players like William Refrigerator Perry and Jim McMahon have the potential to be superstars. However, it has been awhile since these players have been heard from. McMahon has toned down his act, while Perry has been reduced to a shell of his former self. -Implement some rule changes. Making spontaneous celebrations a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct was a mistake. Banning Mark Gastineau's sack dance (maybe that is why he retired) contributes to the dullness of the NFL. Give these suggestions a try before the NFL is discovered as a cure for insomnia. i ; ,; ,,, 1 ,, ,i \ . , ,, / r e L //r1 . r "r'l r l , if I ' -'~ I Zenith's battery powered SuperSport. The portable that takes you where you're going. REGONLSTAT STICS- [.~ r, ./1lf! data P' I r mrpo .TM 8088 Portable PC -7 . ' t . t 5 , t i , 1 1 , . ' 1i1. ,,,, 0 8088 processor * 814.77 MHz dual speed * 640K memory expandable to 1.64Mb with EMS t , ,, ,"'.1 ,,, '\rel A III 11(111!1 Harbaugh helps Bears win ' - . , _/. l,, I,. r5-. SDual 3.5" 720K floppy or 20Mb hard drive 0 1 serial, parallel, RGB & numeric keypad port 0 5.25" floppy interface " 10.5" diagonal backlit LCD Supertwist screen " Expansion chassis connector 9 Rechargeable-detachable battery " MS-DOS® included Dual floppy 20 Mb hard drive Prices start at Prices start at $1528.00 $2242.00 I,\ BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Former Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh played the entire second half Sunday in the Chicago Bears' 16-0 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Harbaugh entered the game with the Bears leading 7-0 and completed 10 of 19 passes for 98 yards. He also led the Bears out from behind their own 10-yard line on four separate FREE TUTORING in all 100-200 level Math & Science courses UGLi rm 307 Mon-Thur 7-11 pm Bursley rm 2333 (by main office) Mon & Thur 8-10 pm Markley's Library Mon & Wed 7-9 pm S. Quad Dining Hall Mon & Thur 8-10 pm Sponsored by LSA St. Gov't, UMEC, and MSA occasions. Harbaugh entered when Bears' starter Mike Tomczak was injured with just over a minute left in the first half. Tomczak suffered a separation of his left, non-throwing shoulder. Tomczak was starting in place of oft-injured first-stringer Jim McMahon. The Bears are planning to have McMahon ready for next Monday's game against the Rams, but plan to use him only if Harbaugh is injured. Chicago's victory was led by running back Neal Anderson, who scored his second touchdown of the game on a 80-yard run in the third quarter. 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