SportsView
Copyright (c) 1994, Thomas Van Hook
All Rights Reserved



As you read this, Major League Baseball will probably be in or near the third 
week of the Players' Strike.  It's really interesting to note that fan apathy 
towards either side is at an all-time high.  My prediction, however, is that 
the fans that are disgusted with the actions of both players and owners will 
come back to the Major League ballparks in droves when the season resumes.  
Like the fans of past strikes, today's fans are angry over escalating 
salaries, and like the fans of yester-year, their memories will be short and 
forgiving when the strike is over.  If the fans of today would make a stand 
over the escalating prices of ballpark seats and escalating player salaries, 
then maybe the owners and players would realize that they have it better 
financially than most of their fans do.

Football is upon us.  Preseason is coming to end as I write this, and the 
season's beginning is right around the corner.  There will be many surprises 
along the way, but I have my own predictions to give to you.  We start with 
the NFC East:

NFC East
1.  Dallas
2.  Washington
3.  New York Giants
4.  Philadelphia
5.  Arizona

Dallas will once again storm to the top of the conference on the arm of Aikman
 and the legs of Smith.  Their defense is somewhat suspect in the linebacking 
corps, which will sink them in the end.  Washington will hold second on the 
strength of their BIG (!) offensive line.  Otherwise their entire team is 
suspect after this.  The New York Giants will rise to third solely on the 
backs of their defense.  The offense is a bit suspect with a starting rookie 
quarterback.  Philadelphia will find it will be very difficult to ask Randall 
Cunningham to win it all for them.  Arizona is on the track with Buddy Ryan, 
but this won't be their year.

NFC Central
1.  Detriot
2.  Chicago
3.  Tampa Bay
4.  Minnesota
5.  Green Bay

Detriot will barely take this conference away from the Monsters of the Midway 
in Chicago.  However, Barry Sanders will show that he is on the last years of 
his career.  Tampa Bay will be somewhat of a surprise, but they still need to 
let their entire offense loose during the game.  Even Warren Moon won't help 
Minnesota, which can thank Green Bay for the cellar cushion.  Green Bay had 
better pack it in, their offense has trouble even remembering where the ball 
is.

NFC West
1.  Atlanta
2.  New Orleans
3.  Los Angeles Rams
4.  San Fransisco

Welcome Atlanta Falcons, you have finally arrived!  The Falcons will be the 
most improved team in the NFL this year.  Get ready folks, because they will 
be going to the Big Dance before this decade is out.  New Orleans made some 
good off-season moves and is stronger than ever.  It's a shame that they have 
to play in the same division as Atlanta.  The Rams look better than they have 
for the past few years.  The 49ers have finally hit rock bottom.  It's hard to
 win games when your team is saturated with egos.

AFC East
1.  Buffalo
2.  Miami
3.  New England
4.  Indianapolis
5.  New York Jets

Buffalo fields a strong team, but they will have trouble taking their division
 over a much-improved Miami Dolphins team.  Look for a full-season battle for 
the top spot here.  New England looks better and better, but they have to play
 both Buffalo and Miami twice this year.  Indianapolis continues to look like 
one of the three blind mice.  The Jets are a plane without an engine.

AFC Central
1.  Houston
2.  Cleveland
3.  Pittsburgh
4.  Cincinnati

Houston finally comes into it's own with Cody Carlson at the helm, but just 
barely.  Cleveland and Pittsburgh will turn this division into the most hotly 
contested division all year.  Cincinnati hasn't got a prayer of making it this
 year.  They are just happy that there is a New York Jets team to look worse 
than they do.

AFC West
1.  Los Angeles Raiders
2.  Denver
3.  Kansas City
4.  Seattle
5.  San Diego

And here is my pick for the Super Bowl Champion:  Los Angeles Raiders.  The 
Raiders look like they have finally put it all together.  Denver finally got 
some recievers for Elway, but their defense looks really thin this year.  
Kansas City is resting it's hopes on has-beens Montana and Allen -- a bad 
move.  Seattle will improve, while San Diego joins their Major League Baseball
 brethren in the basement.

Will Dallas make it to a third straight Super Sunday?  Sure.  And they will 
find that two championships will be all they can have.  The Raiders are my 
pick to take it all this year.

Next month:  A look at what we might have enjoyed during September in the 
world of Baseball, and a quick peek at the world of Basketball.  Ciao!


NFC Champion - Dallas Cowboys
AFC Champion - Oakland Raiders
Super Bowl Winner - Oakland Raiders

