Notes on a Scorecard - Sept. 28, 1992

It is too bad the Rams will have to venture outside the AFC East for the first time this week. . . .

Feed them Indianapolis, instead of San Francisco, and they probably would have a winning record after five games. . . .

The Rams have outscored their opponents, 37-9, during the second half of their last three games, indicating that the coaching staff is making proper adjustments at halftime and the players are in good physical condition. . . .

There are times, such as the second half against the New York Jets Sunday, when Cleveland Gary looks as though he is a quality NFL runner. . . .

In putting up their first 12 points, the Rams scored every way possible--safety, field goal, touchdown, and extra point. . . .

The NFL schedule suffers when the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins are given the day off. . . .

Dave Shula’s honeymoon at Cincinnati might be over. . . .

At least, he had one, which is more than can be said about Bobby Ross at San Diego. . . .

Raider quarterback Todd Marinovich may be inexperienced, but he sure does play a lot against the Kansas City Chiefs. . . .

Except for Royals Stadium, what better place than Anaheim Stadium for George Brett, a graduate of El Segundo High, to get his 3,000th hit this week? . . .

On Fan Appreciation Day at Dodger Stadium, the fans who paid major league prices to see a minor league product this season deserved even more appreciation than usual. . . .

Dodger first baseman Eric Karros figures to become the third consecutive National League rookie of the year to have played with a last-place team. Jeff Bagwell of the Houston Astros won last year and David Justice of the Atlanta Braves in 1990. . . .

Nolan Ryan merits that rich contract from the Texas Rangers because he is one of the few ballplayers who is a genuine gate attraction. . . .

Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Pernell Whitaker is a more logical fight than Chavez vs. Terry Norris, who would have a considerable advantage in size. . . .

Norris, who lost a $1-million payday when Simon Brown was forced to pull out of their World Boxing Council junior-middleweight title fight Saturday because of chest pains and dizziness, ought to try to reverse his knockout defeat to Julian Jackson. . . .

Promoter Dan Duva had insurance that covered 60% of his losses that were estimated to be $200,000. . . .

This was the second time that a title fight scheduled for the pavilion at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas was canceled at a late hour. In 1979, the World Boxing Assn. light-heavyweight rematch between champion Mike Rossman and Victor Galindez was called off because of a disagreement over the assignment of officials. . . .

The United States playing Switzerland in the finals of the Davis Cup is the tennis equivalent of the Dream Team playing in the Olympic Games. . . .

I keep hearing good things about Mark Jackson’s play with the New York Knicks last season, but the Clippers lost a lot of points in Charles Smith and leadership in Doc Rivers and added a lot of excess poundage in Stanley Roberts. . . .

The Houston Rockets reportedly are serious about trading Hakeem Olajuwon and the Miami Heat, with a package that could include Rony Seikaly and Harold Miner, appears to have the most to offer. . . .

Stat of the week: UCLA held Marshall Faulk to 141 yards below his seasonal average Saturday at the Rose Bowl. . . .

The fact that the San Diego State tailback broke loose only once for a 46-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter is testimony to the speed of the Bruins. . . .

Perhaps the best thing about redshirt freshman quarterback Rob Walker is that he has thrown only one interception in 70 passes. . . .

Arizona’s performance at Miami should lessen the possibility that UCLA will be overconfident Saturday night at Tucson. . . .

On his show on SportsChannel last week, Coach Dick Tomey said Arizona could beat Miami at the Orange Bowl. I laughed. The Hurricanes must have, too. . . .

Chances of a shutout would be good if Boston College played Arkansas State. . . .

Kansas State’s five-game winning streak is as surprising as USC’s seven-game winless streak was. . . .

The new Tailback U. is Indiana, whose sophomore Brett Law resembled Anthony Thompson and Vaughn Dunbar when he carried 42 times for 240 yards against Missouri. . . .

The Runnin’ Rebels of Nevada Las Vegas rushed for nine yards against Oregon. . . .

As is customary, the pour-it-on Houston Cougars scored the last touchdown of the game against Michigan.