With Eagles’ Cunningham, the Bucks May Start Here

How good is Philadelphia Eagle quarterback Randall Cunningham?

Forget the 4,432 yards in total offense and the team records for passes attempted, passes completed and yardage gained in 1988.

Writes Anthony Cotton of the Washington Post: “All you need to know is that the Eagles, long considered one of the most erratic and penurious teams in the (National Football League), not only approached the 26-year-old recently with talk of a contract extension and raise to $1 million a year, but didn’t even balk too noticeably when his agent, Jim Steiner, suggested a five-year, $15-million pact.�

If he gets it, Cunningham will become the highest-paid player in the league.

Brothers at odds: Len Fontes, the brother of Coach Wayne Fontes of the Detroit Lions, used to coach the New York Giants’ secondary. He says he won’t offer Wayne any help in preparing for Sunday’s game against the Giants.

What he did offer, according to Bob Glauber of Newsday, was advice that maybe the Lions should skip the game. “I’m not really looking forward to seeing this game because it’s against my brother,� he said. “I really think the Giants are too good. They looked awesome (against Washington Monday night). The (Lions) are going to get to the stadium and not want to get off the bus. And Wayne will probably be last one off the bus.�

Trivia time: Two teams are tied for the most National Football League playoff appearances. Which are they?

Historic return: The Calgary Flames recently visited one of the world’s leading museums while in Leningrad to play the Soviet team Khimik Voskresensk. But Calgary’s Sergei Makarov apparently stole the limelight from Rembrandt and Picasso during the visit to the Hermitage.

Soviet citizens gawked at Makarov, a star on the Soviet team for the last decade who is now in his first season with Calgary.

A museum guide, discussing the significance of a Rembrandt painting entitled, “The Return of the Prodigal Son,� said to the Flames and their wives: “That is like when Makarov returns here.�

On this day: On Sept. 15, 1969, Steve Carlton, pitching for the Cardinals, struck out 19 Mets for a nine-inning-game record. But New York beat St. Louis on two home runs by Ron Swoboda, 4-3.

On the same date in 1963, all three Alou brothers--Felipe, Matty and Jesus--played in the outfield at the same time for the San Francisco Giants in a 13-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

No clean swipe: A suburban Baltimore man was caught in a rundown while trying to steal a base at Memorial Stadium, but police tagged him out before he reached home.

Baltimore police said Alan Zlotorzynski of Catonsville, Md., left the stands and walked onto the field shortly after a game between the Orioles’ and Chicago White Sox.

After being spotted, the man cradled the base in his arms and ran through a passageway that led out of the stadium.

Before he could make it to his car, though, Zlotorzynski was caught by Sgt. John Corning and charged with larceny of a $35 base.

Trivia answer: The Rams and Cleveland Browns, at 21 apiece.

Quotebook: Coach Buddy Ryan of the Philadelphia Eagles on why his team will win the Super Bowl this season: “I really think that, you know, the plan was that I was sent here for a reason. The reason was to go to the Super Bowl. I could be humiliated. I don’t know. But I was sent here.�