Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Eagles’ office fumbling around for answers

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Sept. 19, 1997 | 6:04 a.m.

After a long series of busy signals, I finally was able to break through.

"Good afternoon, thank you for calling the office of the Philadelphia Eagles. May I help you?" beamed the cheerful voice on the other end.

But the tone turned suddenly sour when I asked to speak with Tommy Hutton, the punter who also holds the ball for place kicks.

"Sir, Mr. Hutton is not available to take calls. May I take a message?"

OK, so maybe I wasn't the first one to try this. But when you're a member of the media, you can pull certain strings that result in privileges not extended to the masses. I took advantage of this status.

"Oh, certainly, Mr. Tagliabue. I'll see if I can arrange to have Mr. Hutton speak with you."

After a slight pause, another voice interjects, and it was instantly clear this was not Hutton, either.

"May I ask what this is about, sir?" says the next operator.

By now you likely have figured out I wanted some reaction to the final play of Monday night's unthinkable finish at Dallas. For those who spent the past week on Mir, here's what happened: Dallas led 21-20 when Philadelphia's Ty Detmer and Freddie Solomon teamed on a long pass-and-run. A time out with four seconds left set the Eagles up for a simple, nearly unmissable, game-winning field goal.

Hutton took the snap, bobbled it, tried to place it for a kick, bobbled it again, then picked it up and ran for the sidelines. I'm not sure if he thought he could outrun the Dallas linebackers or was trying to escape before every fan in the stadium began chasing him, but either way, he was tackled and Dallas prevailed in one of the most amazing finishes in recent memory.

I want the inside scoop. Were his palms sweaty? Was the ball basted with WD-40? Is kicker Chris Boniol, formerly of the Cowboys, really a double agent who distracted him? When Tommy Hutton talks, people listen.

So, in the long-standing tradition of journalistic integrity, I answered the question.

"I'd like to talk with Tommy about his punting."

"His punting?" the operator echoed. "I had stumped the panel. They didn't know what to think.

"Yes, his punting," I reiterate. "I think when he's back to punt that maybe he's dropping the ball too soon ... no, wait, I mean maybe he's not holding onto it long enough before ... "

It was too late. I had blown my cover.

"Sorry, sir, but Mr. Hutton is meeting with coach Rhodes right now."

"Oh, he must have his hands full. I'll bet that's a first," I reply, pun brigade at the ready. "It's no problem. Tell him to drop me a line sometime. Maybe when his career hasn't been put on hold."

I'm not sure if they appreciated the humor, but regardless, I soon grew impatient and let them know about it. They responded sternly.

"Just hold on for one more second. Is that too much to ask?"

Now that's the question someone needs to direct at Tommy Hutton.

FOR THE SEASON

A 9-4 week against the spread brings the season ledger above the .500 mark, but I fell to 1-2 in favorite plays when the Rams were outclassed in Denver. A 7-5-1 mark on totals wasn't bad, and I was 12-1 straight up, losing only the Giants game by one point.

Best of the bunch: 1-2 Against the spread: 21-20-2 Over/unders: 20-22-1 Straight up: 30-13

BEST OF THE BUNCH

INDIANAPOLIS +7 at Buffalo, under 37 -- Buffalo is 19-7-1 in its last 27 home games against the spread when playing teams who play in domes. But the Colts haven't been doing much playing in their dome, where they have been outscored 62-9 in two games. They find a breath of fresh air in Buffalo. Prediction: Indianapolis 13, Buffalo 10.

OTHER GAMES

MINNESOTA +12 1/2 at Green Bay, over 43 1/2 -- Sports books are just sitting back every week and soaking up profits as the Packers continue to fall short of the inflated number. The Vikings beat Green Bay in Week 4 last season, 30-21, but that was in Minnesota. The Packers turn it around. Prediction: Green Bay 30, Minnesota 21.

KANSAS CITY +5 1/2 at Carolina, under 37 -- The Chiefs have had a strange couple of weeks, winning by scoring an improbable touchdown in the waning seconds in Oakland and preventing Buffalo from doing the same in a similar setting last week. They hang tough again, but the Panthers have had success in interconference play -- Carolina is 8-2 against AFC opponents. Prediction: Carolina 17, Kansas City 13.

CHICAGO +13 at New England, over 45 -- New England drafted Drew Bledsoe with the top pick in the 1993 NFL draft, hoping to someday revive the franchise. He has. Seattle drafted Rick Mirer with the second pick, hoping someday to revive that franchise. He has, too. The Seahawks are better off this season now that he's gone. The Bears are no match here, but they score late to cover. Prediction: New England 31, Chicago 19.

DETROIT -6 at New Orleans, over 39 -- Heath Shuler could get intercepted passing Go. He'll take another Chance this week, but there's no Get Out of Jail Free card here. Detroit 31, New Orleans 10

BALTIMORE +3 1/2 at Tennessee, over 43 1/2 -- Two unbeaten teams -- against the spread -- battle in what should be a close game. The Oilers have won a game by a field goal in overtime and lost a game by a field goal in overtime. The Ravens have a one-point loss and a one-point win this season. Tennessee pulls out a high-scoring affair. Prediction: Tennessee 26, Baltimore 24.

NEW YORK JETS -1 1/2 vs. Oakland, over 45 -- It took a fumble return for a touchdown that really wasn't, and the only amazing catch James Jett will make in his career just to propel Oakland past the silly Falcons last week. The Raiders' defensive troubles trigger another loss. Prediction: New York Jets 27, Oakland 19.

ATLANTA +14 1/2 at San Francisco, over 39 -- After watching Chris Chandler get knocked out of a game for the third straight week, Billy Joe Tolliver had to be fearing for his safety in the fourth quarter against the Raiders. So much, in fact, that he took a safety late in the game that made him the best friend of everyone who bet on Oakland last week. This week, ahead by a comfortable margin, Steve Young takes a safety on the final play. Prediction: San Francisco 33, Atlanta 20.

CINCINNATI +11 1/2 at Denver, under 45 -- Denver has looked flawless for three weeks -- almost too good. The Bengals have had an extra week to prepare. Upset of the week. Prediction: Cincinnati 24, Denver 17.

SEATTLE -5 1/2 vs. San Diego, under 41 -- Seattle nurses a three-point lead late in the game, but a three-run homer by Griffey covers the number. Prediction: Seattle 20, San Diego 14.

NEW YORK GIANTS +3 at St. Louis, under 42 -- A few quick career stats on Giants quarterback Dave Brown. Career starts: 50. Career games with three or more TDs: 0. Career games with 300 or more passing yards: 0. Am I missing something? Brown keeps the Giants close with another career day of two TD passes, but it isn't enough. Prediction:St. Louis 21, New York Giants 19.

TAMPA BAY -3 1/2 vs. Miami, under 36 -- Not only has Tampa Bay's defense been stellar, there's even a little life in their new west coast offense -- west coast of Florida, that is. Enough to win this intrastate battle, anyway. Prediction:Tampa Bay 17, Miami 9.

PITTSBURGH +3 1/2 at Jacksonville, under 40 1/2 -- The Jaguars just became the first NFL team to win consecutive games in which the team's quarterback was making his first career start, and now they're considering bringing Mark Brunell back. Regardless of who takes the snaps, the Steelers will be ready to greet him. Prediction: Pittsburgh 20, Jacksonville 17.