Rain, Shine Or Balky Knee, Dent Says He’ll Be Ready

Defensive end Richard Dent, whose injured knee kept him from playing in San Francisco’s 38-28 victory in the NFC title game, says he should be ready for the San Diego Chargers in the Super Bowl.

Dent, the NFL’s second-leading active sacker, missed 14 regularseason games after surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right knee. He returned to play his former teammates in the 49ers’ 44-15 playoff win over Chicago but only played three plays before leaving after “tweaking” his knee in soggy turf.

Dent said he could have played against Dallas but the 49ers decided to hold him out because of the risk of re-injury and the availability of other, healthier players.

“It was a tough call,” said Dent at training camp in Santa Clara, Calif. “I could have been selfish, but I’m not that type of person. I allowed them to make a decision, not putting a lot of pressure on them.”

Dent, the 1986 Super Bowl MVP in the Bears’ victory over New England, said nothing would keep him from playing against the Chargers at Miami on Jan. 29.

“It really doesn’t matter if it’s rain, sleet or snow in Miami. I’m planning to play,” Dent said.

League scrutinizes Switzer

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue is considering whether to fine Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer for making contact with an official in the NFC Championship Game.

“The incident is under review,” said league spokesman Greg Aiello. “He could be fined for making contact with an official.”

The league apparently considers the incident a serious matter and could impose a fine of $5,000 or more.

Switzer drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when he came in contact with back judge Ken Baker. The coach was complaining the crew missed what could have been a pass-interference penalty against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deion Sanders on a deep pass to Michael Irvin in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys’ 38-28 defeat.

Life and death situation

This must be Gary Plummer’s year to hit the lottery.

The San Francisco 49ers linebacker left San Diego after eight seasons with the Chargers to get to the Super Bowl, and he has gotten his wish. But had he stayed, you know something? He’d still be going.

“I can’t imagine being any more excited for the Super Bowl,” said Plummer, “and yet I do have that extra added incentive to go out there and prove I made the right decision.”

Plummer, who turns 35 next week, signed a two-year, $1.8 million deal with the 49ers after the Chargers offered what he said was $300,000-per-season less. But it wasn’t the money that drove him out of San Diego; it was the lure of a Super Bowl.

“How many guys would you have killed if San Diego made the Super Bowl and the 49ers did not?,” Plummer was asked Monday.

“None,” he said. “I couldn’t have killed anyone, because I would have been dead. I would have killed myself first.”

Can’t bear to watch

They’ll be back, he promised, his jaw clenching with resolve. They’ll be back, and they’ll go further.

Coach Bill Cowher, so disappointed with the AFC championship game loss to San Diego that he still hasn’t watched the film, reemphasized that the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t satisfied with second place.

“If you accept losing, you’re a loser,” Cowher said. “When you’re 3 yards from playing in the Super Bowl, that hurts. … We’ll do what we have to do to get to the next level. We’re not satisfied. We’re going to be back.”

The name game

Dennis Erickson, the new Seattle Seahawks coach, and Cortez Kennedy, the team’s star defensive tackle, are on a first-name basis now. They met last at the University of Miami, where Erickson coached and Kennedy played.

“He used to call me ‘Coach’ in college. He calls me Dennis now,” Erickson said. “It’s, ‘Hey, Dennis, how’s it going?’ ‘Pretty good, Cortez.’ “

But it’s OK.

“I have no problem with that,” Erickson said. “As long as he plays, he can call me anything he wants.”

Weekly honors

Quarterback Stan Humphries, cornerback Eric Davis and kicker Doug Brien captured the NFL Players of the Week awards for leading their teams into the Super Bowl.In San Francisco’s 38-28 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC championship game, Davis had seven tackles, two defensed passes, two interceptions and one forced fumble for the 49ers.Brien, a rookie who kicked a 34-yard field goal and five extra points for San Francisco.