The realignment that makes the most sense in terms of geography and tradition is simple: 20 teams stay right where they are in five divisions and the remaining 12 teams move to create three new divisions.
A new NFC West would keep the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams and add the Arizona Cardinals, plus the Seattle Seahawks from the AFC.
Three other NFC West teams that never were from the west–the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints–would be joined by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a new NFC South.
The new AFC South would consist of the new Houston franchise plus the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The other divisions would remain virtually intact:
NFC Central: Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings–minus Tampa Bay.
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and New York Giants–minus Arizona.
AFC East: New York Jets, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills–minus Indianapolis.
AFC Central: Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals–minus Tennessee and Jacksonville.
AFC West: Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers–minus Seattle.
Of the 12 teams that would be asked to move, only the Falcons have been established for more than 25 years. The others are either expansion teams starting with Tampa and Seattle (1976) or teams that have recently moved to different cities: St. Louis, Arizona, Tennessee and Indianapolis.
Although owners voted for the concept of realigning into eight divisions of four when they voted to make Houston the 32nd franchise last week, there was no vote on details that are sure to cause argument no matter how logical they appear.
For example, breaking up the NFC Central’s ancient rivalries would seem sacrilegious to fans. But owners tend to look at things differently. The Bears-Lions-Vikings-Packers foursome, while steeped in tradition, also would combine the smallest and oldest stadiums in the league. Since owners split gates 60-40, visiting teams and their accountants are never as excited about playing in Green Bay, Chicago or Minnesota as the fans are.
More players: Tom Donahoe, the Steelers’ director of football operations, said he’s happy to have Houston back in the fold, but adds a thought shared by many personnel men struggling to field 53-man rosters: “I’m not sure where we’re going to get the players, but that’s another issue. No one seems to worry about that.”
Bears can’t wait: Eagles coach Andy Reid is sticking with quarterback Doug Pederson on Sunday against the Cowboys. Rookie Donovan McNabb isn’t ready. Either way, the Bears will be favored next week, for a change.
Pederson sounded ready to be benched after the loss to the Giants last week, saying: “There’s a lot of pride at stake, but sometimes you have to swallow your pride and do what’s best for the team. If the decision is made, I’m going to support Donovan 100 percent, help him as best I can and get myself ready to go again.”
Said Reid: “I feel Doug is better prepared right now to go against the Cowboys, who are a fairly good football team with a fairly sophisticated defense.”
The Eagles’ offense hasn’t scored a touchdown in 15 quarters and has scored just nine points all year after the first quarter. What’s the silver lining?
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“I’m seeing a few glimpses of positive things,” Reid said. “I’m seeing a longer drive than I have in the past. I’m seeing some of the younger guys make a little bit of improvement. Am I reaching here? Yeah, I am.”
From the top: Green Bay’s Brett Favre: “Quarterbacking is like playing golf, except in golf, guys don’t get hit. Imagine the gallery counting to `three-Mississippi’ and then chasing you, and then you’re having to hit a 120-yard wedge shot within two feet of the hole. That’s what quarterbacking is like. It’s not easy.”
Big Pay Ray: Atlanta cornerback “Big Play Ray” Buchanan spiked Baltimore receiver Patrick Johnson following Johnson’s taunting end zone dance. Buchanan was ejected and fined $7,500 and apologized to teammates.
Said Buchanan, a former Proviso East athlete: “If I can ever get back to (Johnson), I’ll apologize. I think we both would probably think twice about what we did. That’s not what the NFL is about.”
Buchanan’s teammate, ex-Bear Marty Carter: “He didn’t have to apologize to me. It was wrong for both guys. We’ve been going through a lot of things . . . and I can see where it would build up.”
Johnson was fined $2,500. Said Ravens coach Brian Billick: “That was totally uncalled for on Patrick’s part. Besides, it was an ugly dance. My gosh, to give up $2,500 for that.”
Boss Ross lovefest: If you believe Mike Ditka felt no emotion when he faced his old team in Soldier Field last week, consider Lions coach Bobby Ross, who will face the San Diego Chargers on Sunday for the first time since he left.
Said defensive end Robert Porcher: “Monday, when we came in, his voice kind of cracked a little. I really understand.”
Chargers linebacker Junior Seau was not among the players glad to see Ross leave three years ago. Said Seau: “Everyone has their own feelings toward any person they come across. That’s human nature, what other players feel about Bobby Ross. All I know is that it’s been always a positive, what Bobby Ross has been able to do in the National Football League. That’s how you judge a man.”
Reggie is back: The Packers will retire Reggie White’s No. 92 on Sunday night and White doesn’t figure he’ll need it again. “I think there’s always a window open there,” he said. “But I think it’s time to move on. I know it’s time to move on. My wife wouldn’t let me come back. She’ll line up out there before I line up.”
Confidence game: Pittsburgh quarterback Kordell Stewart has the worst passer rating among AFC starters at 57.6 and the home fans have been letting him have it.
“It goes along with the territory,” Stewart said. “You win a couple of games and you get this team to the playoffs and they won’t boo anymore. They’ll be saying `Stewwwww.’ They won’t be saying `Booooo.’ “
Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer has the worst passer rating among NFC starters at 31.8 and has thrown 12 interceptions.
“My confidence isn’t shaken,” Plummer said. “It would take 40 picks.”
Plummer is on pace to finish with a record 48, which would surpass the 42 thrown by Houston’s George Blanda in 1962.