
CONTENTS
26
DOUBLE TROUBLE
The slugging, sizzling Braves closed in on the Giants
BY TOM VERDUCCI
30
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
Long Beach won the Little League World Series crown
BY JON SCHER
NFL 93
34
HOW LONG WILL DALLAS REIGN?
Questions about the '93 season go far beyond the field
BY PETER KING
44
SUPER COLLIDERS
Linebackers have never lost the taste for punishing blows
54
THE LAST ANGRY MEN
The best linebackers play with chips on their shoulders
BY RICK TELANDER
64
HARD CHARGER
San Diego star Junior Seau is a new wave linebacker
BY JILL LIEBER
74
CONCRETE CHARLIE
Philly's Chuck Bednarik was the last 60-minute man
BY JOHN SCHULIAN
94
PERILS OF A NEW ERA
What dangers are lurking in the age of the salary cap?
BY PETER KING
104
AFC EAST
Young Bryan Cox is one reason that Dr. Z picks the Dolphins
108
AFC CENTRAL
Eric Turner bolsters the Browns. Still, the Oilers will win
114
AFC WEST
Raider Anthony Smith is on the rise, but the Chiefs are tops
122
NFC EAST
Tackle Erik Williams and the Cowboys should repeat
126
NFC CENTRAL
Herman Moore gives the Lions bite, but the Pack is back
132
NFC WEST
Ram Sean Gilbert is a force, yet the Niners should win
DEPARTMENTS
15
LETTERS
18
FACES IN THE CROWD
21
SCORECARD
140
POINT AFTER
COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY PETER READ MILLER
PHOTO
PETER READ MILLER
Bird-dogged: The 1993 NFL season promises to provide plenty of action like this play from a game last year in which Niners David Whitmore (41) and John Johnson manhandled Cardinal quarterback Chris Chandler. Our special preview begins on page 34.