Columnist Sal DeFilippo: : Arizona kicks itself over 1-4 start to season

Sal DeFilippo

Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997 | 9:38 a.m.

In the difficult world of NFL crime-fighting, this is an easy case to solve.

It wasn't Mr. Graham in the end zone, with a bomb.

It couldn't have been Mr. Swann in the backfield, using a sack.

Nor was it Mr. Tobin on the sideline, with a clipboard.

So who singlehandedly continues to murder the Arizona Cardinals?

Who else? The Butler, with a series of chokes and shots aimed to the heart of Arizona fans and to the right of goal posts.

"He really has no Clue," according to Dean Killinsworth, quite possibly the only Cardinals fan on record in Las Vegas.

Perhaps, but there's another mystery here -- how does Kevin Butler keep his job?

"He's not performing the job he's paid a lot of money to do," says Killinsworth. "I feel disgust every time he walks onto the field."

Indeed, ol' No. 3 isn't the most popular kicker these days. His uniform numeral matches the number of consecutive games he's blown -- instead of 4-1, the Cards are 1-4.

Last week, with Arizona clinging to a two-point lead, Butler missed a kick that any respectable servant would easily make. Minnesota marched downfield and Arizona fans watched Eddie Murray drill a game-winner. The same Eddie Murray who was doing pregame commentary for the Lions only two weeks ago.

That followed a one-point loss at Tampa Bay where Butler grossly missed another makeable field goal in the final minute. If it were an Arena Football League game, I think he'd have missed the net entirely.

Before that, he missed a fourth-quarter kick that could have beaten the Redskins. Instead, Washington won in overtime.

Even in victory, Butler can't get it right -- his field goal to beat Dallas in Week 2, from about the same distance as an extra point, banked off the left upright before finding its way through.

If Murray was plucked from retirement, shouldn't there be somebody capable out there? Chester Marcol? Efren Herrera? Ali Haji-Shiekh? Uve Von Schamann? Rolf Benirschke? Donald Igwebuike? Anybody?

"Any of the Zendajases would work," adds Killinsworth. "You could bring out a different one for each kick and I wouldn't care."

It could be worse, I suppose. Butler could be an airline pilot, or tattoo artist, or the guy who paints center lines on the roadways. There are certainly other professions where his inability to aim straight ahead would be more harmful.

But for Cardinals fans like Dean, he has already caused enough pain. When and if Arizona finally decides to get rid of Butler, however, there is somewhere for him to go -- I hear there's a job opening doing Lions pregame commentary that would be perfect for him.

FOR THE SEASON

A strong 7-4-2 week against the spread puts me above .500 for the season, and I was 7-5-1 on over/under picks. Seattle failed to cover as best bet, however, evening that mark at 3-3.

Best of the bunch: 3-3 Against the spread: 40-37-2 Over/unders: 39-40-2 Straight up: 54-28

BEST OF THE BUNCH

GREEN BAY -11 at Chicago, over 41 -- Dave Wannstedt to Rick Mirer, last week: "Rick, I need just a little more zip on that sideline pass." Wannstedt to Mirer this week: "Rick, I need just a little more slack on that headphone cord." Isn't it about time the Packers covered a spread? Prediction: Green Bay 34, Chicago 10.

OTHER GAMES

BUFFALO +8 1/2 at New England, over 42 1/2 -- The Patriots fall behind in the first half when the coaching staff spends too much time trying to properly pronounce the name of rookie Antowain Smith. But it's the absence of Bruce Smith that does in the Bills. Prediction: New England 26, Buffalo 20.

PHILADELPHIA +3 1/2 at Jacksonville, under 43 -- This is a reunion of sorts for quarterbacks Ty Detmer of Philadelphia and Mark Brunell of Jacksonville. The two played together as backups for Brett Favre at Green Bay when Detmer was the No. 2 man during Brunell's rookie season. This time around, Brunell comes out on top, giving the Jaguars their 10th consecutive home win. Prediction: Jacksonville 16, Philadelphia 13.

MIAMI +3 1/2 at New York Jets, over 42 1/2 -- The Jets have definitely moved forward this season, but quarterback Neil O'Donnell still knows how to go back -- he provided one of the more entertaining plays last week when he dropped back, turned around and threw the ball through the uprights for a safety at the end of the Jets' 16-12 win over the Colts. Fortunately for the Jets, they have another player who can put the ball through the uprights, rookie John Hall beats Miami at the buzzer. Prediction: New York Jets 24, Miami 22.

TAMPA BAY -6 vs. Detroit, over 42 1/2 -- Barry Sanders finally ran one into end zone last week -- where he was tackled for a safety that may have cost the Lions the game. This week, he is kept from both end zones. Prediction: Tampa Bay 20, Detroit 12.

CINCINNATI +2 at Tennessee, over 42 1/2 -- The Oilers are last in the league in pass defense and Steve McNair is the worst-rated quarterback in the AFC. With those deficiencies, it will be up to the raucous Memphis crowd to inspire their beloved Oilers. Prediction: Cincinnati 31, Tennessee 13.

ATLANTA +2 at New Orleans, under 38 -- Despite the mathematical improbability, I really think both of these teams will somehow lose this game. But until that happens, I'll take the points. Prediction: Atlanta 10, New Orleans 7.

MINNESOTA -3 1/2 vs. Carolina, over 41 -- Hockey in, Dean Smith out. Strange year in Carolina, and the Panthers have added to that insecurity. Last year's 12-4 team has benched its quarterback and can't find unity on defense. Until Steve Beuerlein's hard work returns him to his rightful backup role, bet against the Panthers. Prediction:

ST. LOUIS +14 at San Francisco, under 41 -- The 49ers, with a bye last week and upcoming games against Atlanta and New Orleans, essentially have October off. The Rams should be their toughest foe, and San Francisco has beaten St. Louis 14 times in a row. The 49ers take it easy and coast toward November. Prediction: San Francisco 23, St. Louis 13.

ARIZONA -4 1/2 vs. New York Giants, over 37 -- Danny Kanell, in the red zone, with a big pick. Prediction: Arizona 28, New York Giants 21.

INDIANAPOLIS +11 at Pittsburgh, under 41 -- Jim Harbaugh has been named the starter this week, which just means that Paul Justin is the closer. This won't be a save situation, but the Colts hang around enough to cover. Prediction: Pittsburgh 24, Indianapolis 14.

DALLAS -2 1/2 at Washington, over 39 1/2 -- The league's top two pass defenses, statistically anyway, meet on Monday night. The best ground game will make the difference, and Emmitt Smith, fantasy football's Benedict Arnold, has to score a few touchdowns sooner or later, doesn't he? Prediction: Dallas 26, Washington 17.