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.