Missing the kick was bad enough. Getting cut by the Houston Oilers the next day hurt even more. But now, Ian Howfield is getting the blame for the recent problems of his former team.
The Oilers lost to the Washington Redskins 16-13 on Nov. 3. With the score tied at 13, Howfield missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt on the last play of regulation and Houston was beaten in overtime.
Howfield was out of a job the next day. The Oilers won their next two games, but then finished the season with three losses in their last five games, and some of the fingers are pointing back at the ex-kicker.
”That was a game we probably could have won if it wasn`t for a missed field goal,” quarterback Warren Moon said last week, referring to the Washington loss.
That comment echoed one by wide receiver Haywood Jeffires on ESPN last Sunday. ”If we only had that kick back and could have made it, we could easily be 14-2. I really think so,” Jeffires said. ”I think that field goal took a lot of pizzazz out of this team.”
As it is, the Oilers wound up 11-5, but their poor finish cost them home- field advantage for Saturday`s divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos (12-4).
At his Littleton, Colo., home, Howfield responded to the charges of his former teammates.
”How can they blame me for their second half?” said Howfield.
”Warren`s got to look at his performance also. Look at how many interceptions he has thrown (21).
”And how could Haywood blame me? It`s not my fault. Their season was in their hands, not mine. There`s no way I could dog Haywood`s performance this season, but to lash out at me . . . I hope Haywood has some day when he drops a pass in the end zone just so he knows how this feels.
”Warren and Haywood can say all they want. Trust me, my kick didn`t disappoint anyone as much as it did me.”
Atop Howfield`s stereo are nine videotapes, one of each of his games with the Oilers. He has watched the first three games, when he booted five field goals in five attempts.
But he has not-and will not-watch the Washington game.
Since being cut, he has stayed in Houston. He has answered the bundles of mail that have poured in offering him sympathy. And he has resumed a modeling career that began when he he was photographed for GQ in 1987.
He returned to Denver last week to spend the holidays with his family
(Howfield`s father, Bobby, kicked for the Broncos from 1968-70). And Howfield was in town this weekend.
”It`s going to be tough, really tough, to watch,” said Howfield, who will try out next month for the Frankfort Galaxy of the World League of American Football. ”But if the Oilers go the AFC championship game, I`d be guaranteed $18,000.
”So I`ll be cheering for the Oilers. `C`mon, c`mon, Haywood, you
(bleep). Catch it.”`
