Columnist Sal DeFilippo: League officials really choked in latest ruling

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Nov. 26, 1999 | 10:34 a.m.

Sal DeFilippo's pro football picks column appears Friday. Reach him at 259-4076 or sal@vegas.com

I'm having a really hard time understanding the latest move by the NFL.

Earlier this week, the league voted to outlaw a recent trend by players to celebrate a big play by moving their hand and arm across their body from shoulder to shoulder, suggesting that they have slashed the proverbial throat of their opponent.

Apparently the league thinks that by making this motion, the player literally is announcing his intent to slay his competitors by cutting off their heads. This must be the case, because the league called the gesture "an unacceptable act of violence" and says it will fine any player making such a pretend throat-cutting move, along with assess his team a 15-yard penalty.

When longtime NFL linebacker Tim Harris sacked a quarterback, he celebrated with his signature move -- pretending to spray gunshots everywhere -- and nobody thought twice. Does the league think that Neil Smith actually wants to follow each sack by hitting someone over the head with a baseball bat?

Technically, it could be interpreted that any player who scores a touchdown, drops to a knee in the end zone and gives the sign of the cross should be flagged, if you consider the last motion in that sequence. That's a bit extreme, but not as extreme as this ruling. Whatever happened to freedom of expression?

What's next? Limiting the players' and television commentators' freedom of speech? Phrases such as "he choked" or "go for the jugular" imply the same thing, don't they?

If you ask me, it's the league officials that need to loosen up a little around the collar.

For the record

An 8-7 week against the spread was topped by best-bet St. Louis coasting past San Francisco. Another strong week on over-under plays (10-5) keeps that record 20 games above the .500 mark.

Top of the line: 4-6-1.

Against the spread: 70-82-5.

Over/unders: 87-67-3.

Straight-up: 89-68.

Top of the line

TENNESSEE -10 1/2 at Cleveland, under 35 1/2 -- Let's see if I have this straight: The new Cleveland team is playing the old Houston team, which next week plays the old Cleveland team now in Baltimore (because their team moved to Indianapolis a long time ago), while we wait for the new Houston team to come along in three years and mess everything up again. At least this game isn't too confusing. Tennessee 24, Cleveland 7.

Other games

BUFFALO -4 vs. New England, over 38 -- The last time these teams met, the Bills were robbed on a terrible fourth-down call that this year, I think even the suspect replay system might have corrected. Buffalo was so upset that after New England scored the game-winning touchdown, the Bills refused to stay on the field for the extra point. Kicker Adam Vinatieri ran in the two-point conversion. The Bills gain some revenge. Buffalo 31, New England 24.

MINNESOTA -13 1/2 vs. San Diego, over 42 1/2 -- Trends tell the story here -- the Vikings have won four straight; the Chargers have lost five in a row. Minnesota also is 8-2 after bye weeks. Junior Seau caught his first career pass last week, which puts him just 897 behind Chris Carter. Minnesota 34, San Diego 14.

NEW YORK GIANTS -4 1/2 vs. Arizona, under 34 1/2 -- The Giants' defense always knew someday there would be a game where they approved of Dave Brown's performance at quarterback. New York Giants 19, Arizona 10.

JACKSONVILLE -7 at Baltimore, over 36 -- Despite Jacksonville allowing 23 points to New Orleans and Baltimore coughing up 31 points to the lowly Bengals, these teams still boast the top two defenses in the NFL, statistically anyway. Jacksonville has won all seven meetings against the Ravens, and after escaping with a 6-3 win against Baltimore two weeks ago, the Jaguars shift it into high gear. Jacksonville 29, Baltimore 10.

CINCINNATI +10 1/2 at Pittsburgh, over 36 -- The Bengals always seem to play the Steelers tough once a year, and since their 17-3 loss to Pittsburgh earlier this year wasn't close, I'm guessing this one will be. Carl Pickens is averaging seven catches and 97 yards per game in his last 10 contests against the Steelers. Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 23.

ST. LOUIS -14 over New Orleans, over 47 -- Fourteen is a lot of points to lay in an NFL game, but the Rams and their top-ranked offense have won six games by more than 20 points this season and are coming off a 16-point win last week. A win here coupled with a Carolina loss would clinch the NFC West title for St. Louis before December. St. Louis 38, New Orleans 17.

PHILADELPHIA +10 1/2 at Washington, over 43 1/2 -- The top two rushers in the NFC -- Washington's Stephen Davis and Philadelphia's Duce Staley -- should have field days against these bad defenses. Points aplenty. Washington 34, Philadelphia 27.

TAMPA BAY +6 at Seattle, under 36 1/2 -- It's scary to think how well the Buccaneers might be doing if not for their NFL-worst turnover ratio of minus-12. Jacquez Green's emergence as a big-play threat has made a big difference in the Tampa Bay offense, but Todd Peterson's late field goal lifts Seattle to its ninth win in its last 10 games. Seattle 16, Tampa Bay 13.

NEW YORK JETS +7 at Indianapolis, over 43 1/2 -- The Colts have the highest-ranked passing attack in the NFL, which isn't much of a surprise. But this could be: The Jets lead the NFL in rushing. New York should have beaten the Colts in their first meeting; this time, they pull off the upset. New York Jets 24, Indianapolis 22.

KANSAS CITY +3 1/2 at Oakland, over 37 -- The Raiders manhandled Denver for much of Monday's game, but still lost in overtime. The Chiefs are a tough sell on the road, but Elvis Grbas is 3-0 in career starts against the Raiders, and Derrick Thomas seems to step up in these affairs, with nine sacks in his last three games against the silver and black. Kansas City 21, Oakland 17.

ATLANTA +4 1/2 at Carolina, under 40 -- The Falcons exhibited their eternal silliness last week on the final play against Tampa Bay, allowing a 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown to complete a 19-point collapse. Tim Dwight continues to be the lone bright spot in a dark season. Atlanta 20, Carolina 13.

SAN FRANCISCO +6 vs. Green Bay, under 40 1/2 -- Here's evidence of how quickly these teams have fallen to mediocrity -- Remember that fabulous catch in traffic by Terrell Owens on the final play of the playoff game the last time these teams met? That game, which seems like eons ago based on this season's play, was played fewer than 11 months ago. Ouch. Green Bay 20, San Francisco 17.