clarinews@clarinet.com (WILLIAM D. MURRAY, UPI Sports Writer) (01/18/90)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (UPI) -- Steve Young awaits another Super Bowl knowing he probably won't have to take a single snap. ``Sometimes it very difficult, getting yourself ready and then not getting a chance to play,'' said Young, the backup to Joe Montana, a two-time Super Bowl MVP and the best quarterback in the football. ``But right now my job is to get ready and be ready. And that's what I'm going to do.'' Young has stepped in for Montana five times this season and played an integral role in five victories. He came on for an injured Montana against the New England Patriots, completing 11 of 11 passes and tossing three touchdown passes. He also threw touchdown passes in triumphs over Dallas, the New York Jets, Atlanta and Buffalo. On the year, Young hit on 64 of 92 passes for 1,001 yards, eight touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also is the best open-field runner in professional football, but this season Young has shown the maturity to hang tough in the pocket. He has run only 38 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns. This week, Young will huddle with Montana, third-string quarterback Steve Bono and offensive coordinator Mike Holmgren and plot strategy for the Denver Broncos. ``It's going to be one of those times when you get really intense about your game plan,'' Young said. ``I think the kind of preparations we have gone through the last two weeks has really made a difference. We are going into this game very, very prepared.'' Young said Sunday's victory over the Rams was supremely satisfying. ``I remember last year (winning in Chicago),'' he said. ``I've never felt that feeling on the sideline before. To stand next to a guy on the sidelines and say, `We're going to the Super Bowl.' There no better feeling in football.'' Young knows that for the next three years Montana is likely to be the man. He says his time on the bench has given him time to reflect. ``I'm the kind of person who always had another mountain to climb,'' he said. ``And I've been climbing that way my whole career. I've never stopped to look around. Until now.''