Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Foolish war games erupt in press box

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, March 2, 2001 | 10:38 a.m.

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

Soldier Field in wintertime never has been a desirable place to play.

And last week's dull 13-0 win by visiting New York/New Jersey showed why. The field was a mess. The hometown Enforcers were a mess.

But for me, a guy who would watch pee wee football were it televised, it was tolerable.

Yes, it was low-scoring. Yes, the players had trouble keeping their footing. Yes, it was a largely uneventful game between two uneventful teams. But it was tolerable, except for two things.

I had Chicago minus the points, and minus the league's leading rusher, injured John Avery. But I'm used to losing.

It was the other thing that really ruined it. That "thing" is the alleged feud between gov-caster Jesse Ventura and Hitmen coach Rusty Tillman.

It started when Tillman said, "I don't think Jesse Ventura is much of a football announcer."

You don't say. That's not quite the equivalent of "it gets dark at night," but it's close. I agree. Circle gets the square.

They played a tape of Tillman's statement, which Ventura countered by questioning his coaching skill. After the game, Jesse ran onto the field to speak with Tillman, but the coach wouldn't oblige.

I enjoyed watching Tillman brush off Ventura, but unfortunately, he's not the one with the microphone. And I have no problem with Ventura's rise from wrestler to governor. In fact, I think it's great. But it should have stopped there.

Kudos to Tillman for not playing Ventura's silly war game, which undoubtedly will resurface this week. The NBC announcers are certainly a contributing factor in the easy "under" play on the TV ratings from week to week.

For the record

I was wrong, naturally, on both games played in nasty weather, as John Averyless-Chicago and defense-challenged Los Angeles lost on their home turf. That keyed a 1-3 week against the number; I was correct picking Las Vegas to win at San Francisco. The season mark stands at 9-6-1 against the spread.

Saturday's games

LOS ANGELES -2 at New York/New Jersey -- The Hitmen misfire in their quest to win two straight. Los Angeles 16, New York/New Jersey 12.

BIRMINGHAM +3 at San Francisco -- The Thunderbolts were grounded at Orlando last week, but Casey Weldon should find some success through the air. Birmingham 22, S. Francisco 18.

Sunday's games

CHICAGO +3 1/2 vs. Las Vegas -- The Outlaws finally allowed a touchdown last week, after keeping opponents out of the end zone for more than 10 quarters. The 0-4 Enforcers don't pose much of a threat, especially on the Soldier Field sludge, but Las Vegas won't find it easy going, either. Las Vegas 7, Chicago 6.

ORLANDO -1 at Memphis -- A little road Rage is OK now and then. Orlando 18, Memphis 13.