Manley vs. Pankey --a Duel to Savor

This Sunday, live in your living room, the NFL brings you the long-awaited death match between Dexter (The Mouth) Manley and Irv (Mumbles) Pankey.

Manley, 6 foot 3 and 250 pounds, is as mean as they come, a Washington Redskin defensive end so despicable that he once threatened to “ring” a quarterback’s clock only weeks after the quarterback had returned from delicate back surgery.

On the Rams’ side is mild-mannered, soft-spoken offensive tackle Irv Pankey, who represents all things nice.

Pankey checks in at 6-5 and 267 pounds. He whispers a lot.

It would be a great match of contrast for the World Wrestling Federation, but Manley and Pankey will instead face off at RFK Stadium Sunday in an NFC wild-card game.

Their struggle against each other may decide victory or defeat.

Sure, Manley has a big mouth, but it’s certainly no larger than his reputation.

“He’s definitely one of the best defensive ends in the league,” Pankey said. “I’ve never played against him. It will be a serious battle.”

Manley finished the season with 18 1/2 sacks, second in the NFL behind Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants, who had 20 1/2

In fact, since the NFL began keeping sack stats in 1983, no NFL player has had more than Manley (70 1/2). Not Taylor, not Mark Gastineau of the New York Jets.

You don’t have to remind Manley, who threatened to storm Commissioner Pete Rozelle’s office and “demand a recount” if he didn’t make the Pro Bowl team this season. Manley did, thank goodness.

Manley felt he was snubbed by his peers from the last three Pro Bowls because he happens to rub some people the wrong way.

Could it be true? Naah.

It is true, though, that during his contract holdout in training camp, Manley called Redskin owner Jack Kent Cooke a “miser.” That is the same Cooke you’ll find of the Forbes 400’s list of richest Americans.

Manley is fun and fury. He chides himself as well as others.

His most celebrated incident this season involved his “clock-ringing” comments before a game against San Francisco and quarterback Joe Montana on Nov. 17.

It was only Montana’s second start since returning from September back surgery, but Manley promised he would treat Montana no differently than any other quarterback.

Washington Coach Joe Gibbs later asked Manley to cool his comments, so the next week, Manley conducted a television interview in sign language.

Facing Manley will be one of the greater challenges of Pankey’s career.

He said he won’t be intimidated by Manley’s mouth or his antics.

“He’s going to do what he does,” Pankey said. “After what I hear about me in the locker room here, not much will bother me.”

Pankey has long been the unheralded member of the famous Ram line. He was the only Ram lineman not named to the Pro Bowl last season. He didn’t make it this season, either.

But a big game against Manley can do wonders for your image. Just ask tackle Brad Benson of the New York Giants.

In the Giants’ 24-14 win over the Redskins on Dec. 7, Benson did such a job on Manley that he become the first lineman ever to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

“He’s a well-rounded defensive end,” Pankey said of Manley. “He’s strong, fast and a good pass rusher. I’ve got to dig deep and play my best game.”

They’re already coming up with corny campaign slogans for Mike McDonald, the Rams’ center for punts and field goals, who’s running for city council in Burbank.

It doesn’t get any worse than “McDonald Tackles the Issues” or “City Government is a Snap For McDonald.”

McDonald was coaching football at Burroughs High School in Burbank when the Rams re-signed him on Sept. 25. He played for Coach John Robinson at USC and spent the entire 1984 season with the Rams before being released.

McDonald has never held political office.

McDonald officially announced his candidacy for the Feb. 24 primary last week, when he handed the city clerk the mandatory $25 along with 50 signatures from registered voters.

McDonald says this is no joke, and explained he could easily serve on the council during football season.

Meetings are on Tuesdays. The Rams have Tuesdays off.

“I’m not a politician,” McDonald said. “I just live in the city and want to represent the city.”

Ram Notes The wild-card money payoff this week for the Redskins and Rams is $6,000 a player. . . . Henry Ellard led the Rams in receiving for the third straight season, despite not catching a pass until the 10th game of the season. He sat out the first seven games because of a contract dispute. . . . The Redskins were 7-1 at RFK Stadium this season and have won 34 of their last 41 home games. . . . John Robinson’s Rams have not lost three straight games since he became the head coach in 1983. . . . Running back Kelvin Bryant and wide receiver Gary Clark practiced Wednesday with the Redskins and are listed as probable for Sunday’s game. . . . Bryant spent two nights in the hospital this week undergoing treatment for a bruised kidney. . . . Clark injured an ankle against Denver on Dec. 13 and sat out the final game of the season. . . . Ram nose tackle Shawn Miller (shoulder) is questionable. Miller may be fitted with a special harness to protect the shoulder.