European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 07, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Sunday january 7.1990 the stars and stripes Page 25 Chuck Noll whose sleepers slumped to 5-11 in 1988, has Pittsburgh in the Hunt Tor a fifth super Liimol championship. Staid nol on a Roll Nai a Robinson i la i Shi i api i four super howls. Hie last in win consecutive howls the filth winning St coach in not Hislord 1 knows Pittsburgh Steeles coat h Ink Noll the architect i pro football s of the i1 is hut docs any Bod know the Kigali Huik null wins. Surprising sleepers pm i Denver in in of Miu sunday 10 . On Ai n Rai Liriand a his Pia vers say he is an astute knowledgeable Tach it Anil author ill figure who is never alleged by Success who never panics in failure Lutcy also a he s a person Icv barely know off the in id. He ill Shii Pliler the blame fur a loss Only in Heap the Praise on his players when the win coaches Inse games. ers a Iceni. Thai s la was it s always been right 1" null Saul mme ii his fellow coaches say Noll the each gives and insight into Noll the person. You know i Don t like talking a iut said Noll who celebrated ins ssh birthday l nday. His teams Don t win with gimmicks or gadgets Wanh red Cion offences or hear defences or with 400 passers bul will fundamentals and basics a solid running game mistake free bloeknij1 and a pm Seal. Turnover producing defense. He is the same strict fundamentalist off the Field eschewing eau Lars Mcnol deals in pro decl ins anonymity Mike Ditka who has coached one super Cham Pion earns hundreds of thousands of dollars Endi irsm1, soup battens. Underwear anything with a Brand name. Noll has never done a promotion or taken an endorsement Dollar in 21 years he Onee allowed his picture to be displayed on a billboard As a favor to a Friend at a Bank. As soon As he saw the billboard he haled it. Find of advertisement. of endorsement career. Hut ads Aren t what adds up for Noll. He is one of the most successful coaches in history in any sport As his 16-7 Lavoo record and la 3-.vm Overall record will attest. Yet it s hard to imagine a sports figure who has sought so Little personal recognition. After the Steeles lost the 1 first two games of this season by 92-10. The Steeles were a longer shot to win the super howl than the Miracle mels were to win the i m world series. No wonder some Steeles arc Wear ing buttons proclaiming miracles what the Steeles have done is a tribute to Chuck Tampa Bay buccaneers coach Kay Perkins said. Chuck Noll has kept us together All Quarter Back Hubby Krister said. He did t Freak out when it was 12-10. He did t go Cia a. Throw Stull or Start cutting on the players and pointing lingers. He told m what we needed to do was work harder come earlier and slay longer. Thai s Why we re in the Plav Olfs right after what May have been his worst coaching Job. 5-11 in i my Noll has Houn Rej Back Wilb what Inay be his Best. Hut sleepers president Dan Rooney in t surprised. I m glad he did t get coach of the year because he never got coach of Ilie year even Vav Hon he was coach of the Rooney said. That s part of his Broncos Hope to bust Steeles for Good Bojoh Mossman Denver a Little More than an observer the last time Denver and Pitts Burgh met in the playoffs Broncos line Backer Karl Mecklenburg intends to make his presence known sunday. As a second year pro making the transition from defensive end to linebacker. Mecklenburg was a specialist in 1984. His services weren t required in the play off matchup against the Steeles. "1 was a third and Long pass Rushing specialist and it was never third and Long Mecklenburg said. The underdog sleepers 9-7 during the regular season that year compared to Denver s 13-3 beat the Broncos 24-17 at mile High stadium on the strength of a relentless Rushing game. Another 9-7 Steeles team comes into mile High on sunday. Having discovered a crunching ground attack. Pitts Burgh presents the Broncos with a fright ening sense of Dejavu. Although favored Denver does t pos sess the momentum usually required of successful playoff teams. After clinching the acc West title in week 12 of the regu Lar season the Broncos lost three of their last four games and finished at 11 -5. Pittsburgh won five of its last six to reach the playoffs then upset Houston 26 23 in overtime in the acc wild card game. They re playing with a lot of Confidence Denver coach Dan Reeves said. They re running the Ball much better than when we played them during the season a 34-7 Denver Victory. They be got two big backs in Merril Hoge and Tim Warley. If they get their running game going it can be a Long Reeves and Mecklenburg feel the Broncos earlier Victory could work against them. The biggest concern i have is when you beat a team Early in the Vear some times you Don t take a team seriously enough Reeves said. I think it s a disadvantage for us hav ing won earlier Mecklenburg said. I can remember in 84 when we had a much better team than Pittsburgh As far As the record goes and they came in and killed us. They re a Good team. They re Able to run the trapping game and it s going to be on our shoulders defensively to Stop them from running the Ball and get the Ball Back to our the sleepers finished the regular sea son ranked last in the Nufi. In total of sense and passing but the Broncos Aren t taking Pittsburgh quarterback Bushy Brister lightly either. Lie s a Lien Guy Mecklenburg said. He s a Leader. Wih an emotional Quarter Back like that if things Are going Well it s great. If they re not. It s a disadvantage. But i think he s Able to rally his Guys. Mecklenburg an All pro this season after leading the Broncos in tackles and recording 71. Sacks said Denver will be looking to Force turnovers sunday it s filing to come Down to turnovers. Weaven t been coming up with Many lately. Hopefully we can this v3 Karl Mecklenburg. Expects More action
