PRO FOOTBALL : NFL PLAYOFF NOTES : AFC : Seeing Kubiak Is No Treat for Kelly

The sight of Gary Kubiak taking the place of John Elway at quarterback for the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s AFC championship game might not have filled other Buffalo Bills with dread, but it did worry the home team’s quarterback.

“As soon as I saw him walk on the field, I thought, ‘Oh, no!’ because I’ve seen Kubiak come in before where he’s turned things around and moved the ballclub down the field,� Jim Kelly said. “He’s a heck of a competitor.�

Kubiak completed 11 of 12 passes for 121 yards, nearly pulling out a victory.

The play that saved the game was cornerback Kirby Jackson’s stripping and recovery of a pass caught by Denver’s Steve Sewell. Jackson also said the idea of life becoming easier with Kubiak in for Elway never crossed his mind.

“You can’t afford to let up when anybody comes in,� Jackson said. “In the Super Bowl last year, (the New York Giants) didn’t have their starting quarterback. And we lost the game. So, you don’t let up.

“If you do, you’re pretty stupid.�

Don’t think Buffalo Coach Marv Levy has forgotten what his kicker, Scott Norwood, had to endure after missing the field goal that would have won Super Bowl XXV. Norwood’s only attempt Sunday gave the Bills their three-point victory.

“Any Norwood questions, guys?� Levy asked reporters.

Dan Reeves mentioned Norwood’s game-winning field goal, too.

“I thought we blocked it,� the Bronco coach said. “Dennis Smith could have sworn he had it blocked. I could have sworn he had it blocked. Dennis must have missed it by an inch.

“Big inch.�

David Treadwell’s three missed field goals--two of which struck an upright--kept Denver from going to the Super Bowl.

“This is a pretty tough place to kick,� Treadway said, citing a strong wind. “My hat’s off to Scott Norwood for being able to kick here 10 games a year.�

Regarding the Super Bowl performance of Norwood, Treadwell said: “My heart went out to him. I think a lot of kickers throughout the country--not just professional, but college and high school, too--felt for Scott last year.�