European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 09, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday septembers. 1989 the stars and stripes Page 23 oilers file claim in nil s top division b Javk Goldberg a football writer if you re the Cincinnati bengals you have to wonder if of won the super bowl rather than lost it. Since the Bengal lost to san Francisco 20-16 on Joe Montana s touchdown pass to John Taylor Wanh 34 seconds left what s happened to them is what usually happens to w Inners. In fact the problems started the night before the game when Stanley Wilson was found in ins room in a drug induced stupor and were compounded in the first Quarter when i pro nose tackle Tim Krumno broke his ankle. I think Stanley could have helped us a lot. And if Krumrie had been in. There says coach Sam Wychec. Who can acc Central preview wistfully nil an evening w Ith  the what if for this season go right Hack to Wilson and Krumrie. Wilson suspended for life must be replaced As the third running Back but Krumrie May be Back in time for the opener although David Grant who filled in ably in the super bowl is Capa ble. There s also a question about the left throw ing shoulder of Boomer Esiason the league s map. Esiason tailed off noticeably in the final Quarter of inc season and still ices his shoulder regularly. Hut even with that it s All Gravy to Wyche who was on his Way out the door last year after a 4-11 season but begins this one with a new three year contract and a new standing As one of the nil s most innovative minds. Hell need it this car in a division that s probably the league s strongest. Cleveland and Clouston. At 10-6, were inc two acc wild card teams. Cleveland a playoff team four straight years has a new coach in Bud Carson and an owner in Art Modell whose frustration Over two last minute losses in acc title games has led him to demand immediate results. Houston with tons of High draft choices and explosive depth on offence needs Only to learn to win lesser games to Challenge. 1. Houston oilers Houston should have been belter than 10-6 last year the oilers had a shot at a head to head matchup with the bengals for the division title until they lost at Home to 5-11 Pittsburgh in the 14th week. The offence rivals Cincinnati As Long As quarterback Warren Moon who has a new $2 million contract stays healthy. Running Back is overstocked with Mike Rosier who could be traded Allen Pinkett Alono Highsmith and Lorenzo White and the offensive line led by guard Mike Munchak is one of the game s Best. Wide receiver is also deep with Ernest Givins Drew Hill Curtis Duncan and Haywood Jef fires although tight end is a problem Munchak starter Jamie Wil Liams was lost to san Francisco in plan b free Agency. Warren Moon hoists two of Houston s Host weapons re err Drew Hill 85 and run Lnu Back Mike kill or. Both Are holdouts. In fact. Plan b is a sore spot with coach Jerry Glanville. Who claims that former general manager Ladd her leg left unprotected players he wanted to keep. One is Robert Banks a pass rusher now with Cleveland although the oilers have plenty of defensive ends Ray Childress William Fuller and scan Jones to name three. But nose guard is thin and Doug Smith is injury prone. 2. Cincinnati bengals despite its problems Cincinnati re Mains formidable. Its offence assuming a healthy Esias on May be the Best in football with a line led by Anthony Muno receivers like Tim Mcgee and Eddie Brown and running backs icky Woods and James Brooks backed by Rookie Eric Ball a Sec Ond round draft Choice who seems ready to step into Wilson s Relief role. The defense is steady and deep up front though it could use a dominant pass rusher and will miss Krumrie. Its strength is a secon Dary led by Strong safety David Fulcher who might have been the super bowl map if the bengals had won. Wychec is also trying to instill a sense of purpose after the discs Fulchur Ler in 1987, we had a simple slogan be physical keep your poise and finish everything Wyche says. This year s motto is we be got some unfinished  " 3. Cleveland Browns so does Cleveland where Modell in particular still has nightmares about the finish of the 1986 and 1987 title games both of which the Browns lost to Denver in the final minute. So despite Marty  s achievement in making the playoffs with a team that lost Kovar twice and used journeymen backup quarterbacks like Gary Danielson. Mike Pagel and Don Strock for most of the season. Modell was t unhappy when Schot Genheimer resigned in a dispute Over coaching control. In his place is Bud Carson a Minnifield Rookie head coach at 58 after 20 years As one of the league s top defensive coordinators. Carson s main asset is Kosar and a group of solid but unspectacular wide receivers led by Webster Slaughter Reg Gie Langhorne and Brian Brennan. But the offensive line is extremely thin and the running game is suspect even when Kevin Mack returns from a drug suspension in october. There s Little but Rookie Eric me calf behind Mack and Metcalf like almost All the no. I draft choices was a holdout. The defense has been converted from passive to Active the attack style that Carson favored in Pittsburgh. Kansas City and new York. One of the prime attackers will be Michael Dean Perry the refrigerator s younger smaller and More agile brother who May emerge As a pass Rushing Force in his second season. The line backing is solid and so is a secondary led by cornerback Frank min nil Leld. But c arson knows the Challenge in his first shot As head coach. The Bottom line is that you have to win Here and you have to win real  he says. So it s not the greatest shot in the world but i la take  4. Pittsburgh Steeles things May be looking up in Pitts Burgh but not far enough to Challenge in this division. Bubby Brister showed Promise at quarterback last year and was rewarded with a new con tract. Louis Lipps rebounded at wide receiver from two years of injuries and two first round draft choices run Ning Back Tim Worley and tackle Tom rickets i should provide a Long term boost to the offence. But the search for a pass rusher continues Aaron Jones last year s no. 1, is still a Hope not a reality and Keith Willis missed All of last season with a knee injury. Rod Woodson shows All pro potential at cornerback but the rest of the defense is Ordinary. Tomorrow acc West Brisler