TIMES NFL WRITER T.J. SIMERS POSES--AND ANSWERS--THE BURNING QUESTIONS ON GAME DAY

1.

Question: At some point don’t the Chiefs apologize for winning ugly?

Answer: Said Coach Marty Schottenheimer: “I told a [golfing] friend of mine, ‘You know they don’t care how many revolutions that ball makes around the cup. If it goes in, it’s in.’ And that’s basically the way you look at what we do. If it goes in the hole, you win.�

2.

Q: How do we know that Schottenheimer, who has never made it to a Super Bowl, is getting a little uptight?

A: Last Sunday against the Seahawks, he could be heard on TV screaming obscenities at his players, and at one point, after tackle Jeff Criss drew a personal foul, yelled, “I’ll . . . kill you!�

Schottenheimer also yelled at cornerback Dale Carter, who was lining up to play against Seattle wide receiver Joey Galloway. Carter listened as the play began to unfold, and following Schottenheimer’s advice was burned for a big play.

“If you look at the number of times you’re right and the number of times you’re wrong,� said Schottenheimer, “you might as well keep your mouth shut and let ‘em play.�

3.

Q: How does Kansas City quarterback Elvis Grbac, who has a broken collarbone, feel about sitting out today’s game against the 49ers, his former teammates?

A: “It was one of those things where you look at the schedule and you say, ‘That’s going to be a great game to play in,’ � Grbac said. “I was on the other side when Joe [Montana in ‘94] came running out of the tunnel and the place just erupted. I don’t know if it would have been the same kind of thing because Joe being in San Francisco for so many years. Deep down for myself it would have been great, but I don’t think the fans would have appreciated it that much. It’s two different scenarios.�

4.

Q: Why is everyone in New York so fired up about the Jets and Giants, who aren’t all that good?

A: The Jets and Giants were a combined 15-49 the last two seasons, and fans, who have watched them go 15-8-1 this year, pay no attention to West Coast opinions rendered by people who don’t even have a pro football team in their city.

5.

Q: Why was Mike Ditka providing a public service for the people of New Orleans last week when he made a spectacle of himself and announced he felt like quitting after the game?

A: “I regret what I did say,� Ditka said. “But if I wouldn’t have said it, there would be no news in this town at all last night. Let’s face it. Let’s be honest.�