First Half of NFL Season Is Overall Disappointment

The best and worst of the first half of the NFL season, according to Bob Glauber of Newsday:

Biggest surprises: 1. Bernie Kosar’s release. The folks in Cleveland are comparing it to Art Modell’s firing of Paul Brown in 1963 and the retirement of Jim Brown in 1966.

2. The Redskins’ fall from grace. Richie Petitbon has found out in a hurry what it’s like to replace a legend.

3. The year of the kicker. Last season, 11 kickers scored 100 or more points. But this season, 18 are on pace to score that many, a 64% increase over 1992.

4. The Lions’ performance. Five weeks ago, Coach Wayne Fontes couldn’t decide on a quarterback. Now he has the hottest team in the NFC Central, with Rodney Peete at the controls.

5. Phil Simms’ durability. The Giants’ 38-year-old quarterback has outlasted not only Joe Montana and Jim McMahon, but Dan Marino and Troy Aikman.

Biggest disappointments: 1. Montana’s injury problems. So far this season, Montana is 14 of 32--in quarters played, that is.

2. The lack of exciting games. Even the best matchups--such as 49ers-Cowboys and Packers-Chiefs--have been poorly played.

3. Brett Favre’s inconsistency. Greatness was expected of him this year, but the Packer is throwing lots of interceptions.

4. Buddy Ryan’s impact. The Oilers hired Ryan to improve their defense. Well, they went from third last year to 13th this year.

5. Jeff George’s holdout. The Colts got him an offensive line through free agency and a running game through the draft. The Colts once thought about an AFC East title; now, they think about what might have been.

Most valuable player/offense: Emmitt Smith, running back, Cowboys. Before Smith signed a four-year, $13.6-million contract, the Cowboys were 0-2 and without hope. With him, they’re cruising toward the Super Bowl.

Most valuable player/defense: Rod Woodson, cornerback, Steelers. He leads the NFL in interceptions and the Pittsburgh defense is playing like the old Steel Curtain.

Best coaching job: Marv Levy, Bills.

Worst coaching job: Jerry Glanville, Falcons. Hey, Jerry, Elvis has left the building. Keep it up, and you will be next.

Luckiest team: Raiders. The Raiders scored the winning touchdown against the Jets with four seconds to play after a clock screw-up in the final minute. And they beat the Bears because Chicago kicker Kevin Butler missed field goal attempts of 21 and 30 yards in the fourth quarter.

Trivia time: What three states don’t have a Division I men’s basketball team?

Window of opportunity: Florida State’s football team didn’t fare so well Saturday, but Seminole fans who could bet the card at Aqueduct that day did great. Seminole Spirit paid $16.80 in winning the $60,000 Damon Runyon Stakes.

Trivia answer: Alaska and the Dakotas.

Quotebook: CBS’ John Madden, on becoming spokesperson for an athlete’s foot powder: “I’ve seen a lot of athlete’s foot. So I understand what it’s like to suffer from the itching, cracking and burning.”