The sporting news 01 22 1996

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J A N U A R Y 22. 1996

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Hie POWER play: Taking advantage of thejman advantage

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Are these SONICS midseason contenders, postseason pretenders?

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PLUS: Our NFL awards, Steve Maj^ntz and much more

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It s rude. Has a bad attitude. And those are ZR2’s good points. It looks like its gene pool was stocked with.sharks.

The Chevy S c e n e s ZR2 goes wherever it wants and does whatever it wants.

Because ZR2 has the biggest V6 there is. the Vortec4300. It has an on/off-road suspension. Bilsted shocks and fat,

oversized tires to go four-wheeling on any road. Or no road at all. Well, what do you expect from a truck that just wants to have fun? Hey — you got a problem with that?

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January 22,1996

FROM THE EDITOR The minister’s two-fold message Reggie White played his role of inspirational warrior to the utmost Sunday in the Packers’ 38-27 loss to the Cowboys. That is not surprising because White has been the prem ier defensive end in the NFL since shortly after he joined the Eagles in 1985 from M emphis of the CSFL He is the kind of player who elevates his performance as die circumstances dictate, saving his best performances for the moments when they matter m ost Still, it was not enough for the Packers.

After what was a subpar season last year. White led the Packers within a step of th e S u p e r Bowl. and he was selected to The S p o r t in g ' N e w s ’ 1995 AB-Pro team (Page 16) in a vote am ong the most astute talent evaluators in the N FL O ur professional sports awards are ail a result of polls -taken not among writers, broadcasters or tans but am ong experts within each sp o rt That makes TSN’s the most valid awards, as you have come to expect from the voice of authority.

Nothing wiB be able to match the feelings White endured last week. though, when the execrable side of our culture was put on display. While White excels in the violent world o f . professional footbaB. he is also an ordained minister, he embodies lion and lamb. The interracial church W hite helped found in Knoxville. le o n ., was burned and racial epithets were left at the scene, along with material attributed to a skinhead organization.

“AB this hate, racism and ill will. ail it has done is made me more determ ined in my game and in my m essage." White told The New York Times. “God has given me a message ... When is America going to stop tolerating these groups?"

Can you imagine how Reggie White must feel today, and it has nothing to do with Sunday’s outcom e5 1 cannot.

VOICES 7r

Dave Kindred: It will be a Super. Super return — and result — for Jimmy Johnson with the Dolphins.

Richard Lapchlck: A team that can inspire the world.

8 8 9

Book Reviews Letters

FOOTBAU 16 TSI Awards: T he Packers' Brett Favre tops the major NFL awards and AB*Pro team. The Patriots' Curtis Martin and the Eagles’ Ray Rhodes are the other major award winners.

17 Bob Sian b er T he five things Jimmy Johnson has to do to turn the Dolphins around.

18 MFI Notes 23 hran Malsei: Underclassmen are wiser about leaving school early.

BASKETBALL 26 Chronic Sonics: Led by star forward Shawn Kemp.

Seattle could avoid yet another playoff flop.

29 Sham) Powell: Once again, the Cavs are winning and defying all logic

30 NBA Insider 31 Mike DeCoorcy: W hat should be done to prevent plummeting field-goal percentages.

32 College Insider

HOCKEY 34 The Powers That Be: Power plays are up this season — and team s that can score with the man advantage win more often.

37 Larry Wlgge: Wayne Gretzky’s decision to stay in Los Angeles or leave could take him to S t Louis.

38 KH. Insider

BASEBALL 40 Steve Marantz A potential wave of Cuban free agents 41

could shake up baseball’s salary structure even more.

Bob Nightengale: Baseball is going to miss Sparky Anderson.

42 baseball Notes

DEPARTMENTS 5 Openers 44 The Sports Marketplace 47 The d o s e r Some things you probably didn’t know about the famous Ice Bowl

Cover photo o f the Steelers defending the Colts’ Hail Mary pass by Elsa Hasch/TSN.

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GARY PAYTON and Shawn Kemp were labeled as the undisciplined young heart of the Sonics. TheyTe out to change that reputation.

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OPENERS» 5

January 22,1996 I M

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CAI'GUT O N T H E H A '

Making a play for interleague play T h e r e s only one G reat O ne in S t Loo. and that’s Fly. ■ T h e Sp ies say that by the dine you read this, b aseb all’s p e n rik ie c k e d ow ners surely will have w hispered about interleagu e play, m aybe even voted on i t ETA; 1997.

■ Ex-D olphins w ere puh-leadin' for Don Shote to crack down on the cu rren t team , and the Sp ies say it took Jimmy i Johnson n an osecon d s to d o s e the country club. M odel citi­ 3 zen Troy Vincent showed up ffcislate for Jo h n so n ’s first team m eeting, prom pting J J . to say. “If you’re five seco n d s o r five m inutes late, you’re still late. And don't even bother com ing in ." Fly h ears that m om ents later Berate P a m a le e ’s beep er w ent off, g m n ’ the F ish th eir first look a t ... T h e Glare.

■ S p e a k in g of J J . ’s d erisio n . Fly thinks (shaddupf) he m ade it with his pea-sized h e a r t not h is hairspray-encased head. He w*on Subpar Bow ls in B ig D with youth, speed and a big D. lf h e was lookin’ for that situation today, he cou ld a/w ou ld a/sh ou ld a signed on at Tam pa Bay. which is b etter positioned for a quick upswing than age-, cap- and underachiever-heavy M iam i. All the B u cs need is ... a good coach.

■ H ere’s why the K n ick s’re shoppin’ down the Su n s aisle (“J need a price ch e c k on Chuck B a rfc Je f): Cbaz Oakley, who used to w hine that Riles w orked this h ere team too hard. is w hinin' now that Nellie d o esn ’t work this h ere team hard enough.

■ Fly h ears that i f / when S t 0 Jo h n ’s d erid es Brian Mahoney 1 ca n ’t w eath er th is Storm , M ia­ I mi ( 0 .) C oach Hart SratfekTl s b e on the sh ort iist-o-candii d ates to guide life after Felipe. i i ■ B illy Bitfvfll apparently w asn’t thuh-rilled with som e m em b ers of Baddy Ryan’s staff (his word. not F ly ’s). C oach es had to b e outta th eir offices by 5 the day Buddy was fired.

L J. is (BL Johnson 'isn't his old self, bul he's recovered enough U nlike he did for J o e Bogans boys after they w ere canned from back problems to carry the Hornets. two y ears ago, Bid will wouldn’t foot the bill for ex -co a ch es to attend the S en io r BowL m eaningless regular-season finale vs. the Awlers.

■ F l y 's givin’ out Hot Stove grades:JNfalt Jo ck etty and the ■ Y eah, yeah. Fly's noticed the T ig e rs ’ scrubeenies-on-paCardinals? AD A’s. rade approach to *95. but give D ee-troit this: It found a spot in ■ T h e Sp ies say the BiBsU stay in-house to fiD the cap-nits adm inistrative lineup for w alking trivia answ er Doc cfipboard patrol. M a n Levy teDs Fly t h e r e s a “strong likeli­ Rodgers. (W ho was the first m inority hired in the Reds' front hood" that Alex Van Pelt o r Todd CoIlinsTl be No. 2 (“rd use office after M arg e's racial slurs got h e r an all-expenses paid th e 7-iron M r. KeDy") on the depth ch art. B u t Fly h e a rs Van trip to S u s p e n s io n s ^ ? ) D oc. by the way. says he never got a' Pelt rates aheada Collins based on his perform ance in the

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raise from his original $25,000 Cincy salary.

■ T h e Spies say Loo the ’Do s Illi­ nois bask etb all team (Our motto: T h e r e is no I in m in i... urn, ch eck that") still suffers from Tin M an’s dis­ ease. T h e Illini g et off to an 11-1 start then do an oh-rv4 beDyflop to start B ig T en play. Fly’s lined up the usu­ al su sp ects: lack-o-physicai and m ental toughness.

■ T h e H alos' Jim Ahbott-nChnck Finley have shown Fly that som etim es (cue violins) per­ sonal relationships and com fort zones are m ore important than m oolah, moolah. Fly's fearless fore­ cast; T h a ts a lesson kenny fingers'll learn the hard way when [ie com es down with Ed Whitson's d isease id the B i g / Rotten .Apple.

■ Speaking of the B ig /R o tten .Apple.

N ets forward Jayson Williams defines for Fly the b igg est difference betw een playin' in New York and playin’ in J e r s e y - T h e K nicks still get the b est tab les in the restaurants. T h ey get the table by the window, and w e're sitting by the bathroom ."

■ Fly's all for colleg e jo c k s stayin' in school, b ecau se, hey. th ese sch ools need all the sham ateu r donkeys they can get to pull these bajiJlion-doilar carts. But Karim Abdul-Jafc-. bar leavin' UCLA was a slam dunk. He was a colli­ sion. 'tw een4he*tackles tailback who carried the B ru ­ ins offense for rwo season s, and another free season woulda used up valuable m ileage on those w heels when seven figures are waitin'.

■ T h e buzz is LJ.'s back (the reflection off gold tooth during pregam e yuks is a dead giveaway) and looks like 84 miUion bucks. Fly knows h e 's not the Larry Jo h n so n of old: now h e ’s only All-Star m aterial. But even at 90 percent of what he was before back problem s, h e’s this good: together with Glen Rica he can get the H ornets to the playoffs san s lo .

■ Finafly. Fly’s old friend Buddy Baron says Rickey Henderson m ight b e in hot w ater with the IR S over autograph incom e ... he wouldn't even sign the subpoena until they gave him 50 bucks.

Heavy stuff W hen Rick Pitino steps down som eday as basketball coach at K entucky, he m ight have a future as an exercisew eight lo ss guru.

S en io r W alter M cC arty h as been told to g e t his w eight up to 235 pounds, m ore than the 6-foot-9 for­ ward started the season a t M cC arty recen tly w eighed 222 and Pitino, stressin g that th e added w eight wiD help M cC arty 's stam ina down th e stretch of the long seaso n and in h is NBA future, told him h e had lost h is starting position until the w eight was b ack up.

T h e n -th eres freshm an Nazr M oham m ed, who showed up at the school with

do som ething. He financed G ra y s trip to W eight W atch ers and held a s p o f in the traveling party for K en tu cky’s su m m er trip to Europe as a trump card to m ake sure things went a s ' they should.

Scafa m otet McCarty (left) needed to put it on. but Pitino pounds others to take it off.

about 300 pounds on his 6-10 fram e. Pitino took over, and the Chicago native is down to 250 pounds and has dramati­ cally changed his eating habits, som ething that will help the program and Mo-

ham m ed in years to come.

"But the b est story of all isn ’t about a player.

Scan Gray is a m anager for the W ildcats, a position that to K entucky natives is the clo sest thing to wearing the blue and white.

Gray, who is 5-7. weighed weU over 350 pounds, and Pitino derided it was tim e to

Openers compiled by Tom Dienhart Leslie McCarthy, Carl M ontz and Mark Newman.

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Gray, of B rack en County*.

Ky.. lost m ore than IOO pounds and made the trip to Europe, m ost probably' avoiding pasta and rich sau ces. W hen practice started in O ctober, Pitino noticed that Gray had gained som e w eight, and he suspended him from his m anagerial duties until it was lo s t In Pitino’s world. that m eans walking the treadmiD while practice is going on. and it worked as ,Gray is back on the bench.

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6 • OPENERS

The sporting News

Ifs Ryan time again

NEAR MISSES

I; !sn'( ii h r haMi'l hi*rn or. IrirviNion Ix-ltirr I'ifr a

Phil Niekro (321). Tony Perez (309) and Don Sutton (300) still can’t get into the Hall of Fame, bul they're closing in. Niekro was just 32 votes from the required induction to­ tal cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Perez 44 and Sutton 53.

Close calls historically translate into Cooperstown cre­ dentials shortly thereafter. Below are the nearest m isses by would-be inductees. Nellie Fox, Jim Bunning and Orlando Cepeda never were inducted by writers, but the rest on this list made it in the next year.

Ii;n<- i h r r r , N n la n R y a n ''* r v r r > M a n u a ^ b a ^ rb a li hikihii.cht l o d i l r r .-Vid u h r w a M i'i c ’a ia n c J iir l u b r b>

piU'him: liir h o rv h id r. hr vs.r«‘ »>M r v r r v rt>iH‘n v a b l r

rhannri ]>iii hm.u iMin

kiilrr" jsij; iv ih f (lawn »»: a nr\^ vK irur-ra [i»r Ryan H r I"- lh«’ 111 a vM‘rkt> \ '\ injldnor M *n i‘v on }‘r,;nr >iM*r-s iraciinc vlrv^tT'> :n .iiui im: m] VIX hall hiMir (ira h iltr rrn iijlr and hicij- Ii iroin ih«- w ilr anti hai)»r'‘. cuvs. h r v a ilv \ o lir i** Jakm c ti'' inhi, amoryi: othrr ih in c '. "I hildoor I rad<“ and "I'lvh n ic T r\ a '‘“ — ih r knnU OI shnxsv. iroiii our |x-fM>r\ • live. ;hai oiiK a Nindav !:u»min^: l oukl lovr ■\" h r wa^ wjih lii^ la'*; ball. R \a n will h r authonla iiv r in ihi^ rn-vv I*\' n d r Al w a v" an avid im tdoorMnan.

Go fish: R ya n iu/sts a sr n r s Fjcprrasly tor ouiditory faks. hr M>mr OI hi^ {VIM haM’bi'ili a irr iT a'- our «j| nm r poinmi^Mtinrr'* on tlir I r\a ^ !'ark> and W ildlilr Hoani Ifiai. we Mijiposr. (inalifjr'* hun i«> bnnj: [hr Kh an K\prr>'* lo “c ajnn Plnl'^ [ )iildoor'* and I ’l'-hin'." onr OI Pnnir''* nrwr*s( rndiMvor'* r\|HVlr(i lo Iv^jin ainn>: in jiiK

295 119 315 317 335 212 179 191 162 205 263 269 290 ITS

297 121 319 321 342 219 186 196 170 213 272 2S1 303 189

2 2 4 4 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 12 13 14

395 161 425 427 4S 292 247 264 226 283 362

HoytWSnbn JoeDSybggto

403 252

lair last work. I ’iokrrill had Civrn awa) about Sp card>.

N()lil rvrn ly brrvvrrn ih r two playrrs Fivr days afirr ib r loss, a Kitnsas y'iiy counxdinc cm tor aciually htdd a i)rocram lo help fan'i c f i over ibrir drprrssion T h r brat was lu m rd up by ihc word> of C h irl Drrrick Thom as, apprarinc on iram m a ir N ril Sm ith's radio ^how ih r del) afUT thr loss.

H r was hrard lo say thai if Klbon walked Inio ihr downio'^m rrsiauranl from where ihe show was beinc broadcast. Thom as was coinc to “kick his ass “ How' about those 145 yards rushinc ihe defense allowed to a team without M arshall Faulk, d e rric k '

u Tennessee Coach Pat SummitL on a style of defense used in women’s basketball;

“Yes,vestinc^ ft cnaD-bHBan. PersoD-tD[»isaQ defense doeszft so a D d r^ ” Ronda Alhtetic Director Jeremy Foley, on his sleep habits the night before Steve Spurrier made hts decision to stay as coach:

ctosa, b u t Niekro (top)

The Suns’ Charles Baridey. on why he doesn't cane if trade rumors^re true;

"Thelasttknelcbecfced, I had $20 oOnoa— and mal was Derore iB8 new IfcO o is^ deal. I tls n ^ Edxnt castling in ray IS o stock, bn, bot it split, so Pm pb^ to hang onto it."

Sportscaster Robin Roberts. on what it feels lite to become anchor of ABC's •Wide World of Sports': -L ftB tlie tiiffl OiViCtofTd

... and hits: Thomas talked about roughing the kicker, bu! he should've done it to the Colts

In the wake of Jim m y J o h n s o n 's return, the conventional w isd om is that he will — presto! — lift ihe D olph ins lo the Super Bowl within a year or two.

Not so last. Jo h n so n will be fighting history in addition to a rosier full of m al­ contents.

Of the l l Super Bovd coaches who later coached another NFL team. only the man Jim m y has replaced — Don Shula — got back to the Land of Rom an Nu­ merals. In fact. most were flops in their next slops, proving that if s difficult to catch a second lightning bolt;

Shula Coach

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Johnson

Super Bowl team. record

Next learn, record

Comment

1967.’68

Packers. 98-304________

RcdsKgg. 7-5-2

Clw ls. 129 79*10

Samis. 7-21 Bite. 7-20-1

Don Shula Don fvlcCalkat George ASen

1957.70 1968______________ 1969.1972-74. 83. BS 1971______________ 1973

In 69. produced Redskins' fast wmnmg season since 55. *0«cnsc ^ the 70s‘ v.-ent south.

0 J. S Sfst coach coukfril gel Pie running gamejuced __

Tom Flores Forrest Gregg

1981.BJ 1982

Raiders. 91*56 .3427

Rams. {MT ___ _ Sc^^A-ks. 14-34 Packers. 25 37-1

Dan Reeves BflParceHs SamV^yche

1987. B8. BO 1987.91

Bnxxxis. 117-79-1

Gants. 26 24

0 3 m Super Bov'te: 0 2 rn po^-.er stn x ic ^

Giants. 85-52-1 Benoais. 64-68

Patriots. 21 28 Sues. 23-41

Building team around Bledsoe not as From n o -h u t^ lo no team.

Vnce Lombardi HankSbam John Rauch

Bowls

1989

•FfCdoRertwopreseasongames, 1978

Rafters. 35-10-1________ Cote. 73-26-3 Cote. 26-1M __________ Redskins. 69-35-1

Do^jhms. 274-147-2 Lons. 6*7 I_______

be booest wfth fOQ, lest Q l^ I slept lace a baby— I woke ap every five o^Hrtes crytng "

and Perez should be patient

DIMINISHING RETURN

“N d « ii:irv ‘ J {>i]!)|irati«in o;

ill' lo -Murir .i! ;iir rnd <»• the- <or\ Tinu n'e-: did., and \in'M'in ta|n*d tile- ariicir U 1 u i:'" de>or Hum and \\'hst: sud vcs. .md w r r.in itnnk ell on!) teiir prr-*.»n lo prrMde- eivrr the vo\«.v — K rill: Iack"e)n

Votes short

NefieFoz PtoTnynor BayW O am i .On Banning OitandoCepKtB JoBllectvlck Fm kCtnncp BIT«rry PmAWanor RoyCam pneli Robin R o ta ti

A ;.ard >hop rn (irrat Hrnd. Kan,, otlrrrd -HH* Kllion and M r v r Bono iradinc i.ard> F rrr “We did ll mainly a> a ji»kr.' 'Nciy^ (jar>‘ IV k r r ill oi J rffs y ard Shop " \ \ \ - wantrd lo sri- how. many dis.crunllrd C biri> fans thrrr arr M ost kmd of lauch.** A> of

MNMvsjppr'* Uhfibali ti-am tini'*hrd hilii in ih r sl y U rM , but I’ k-d tilt- iraynir in mrdi.i-Min-\ r.mianliC" die y o lirc r FeMiiball .A>vk*i.i:u«r:, rr|virt^ ilia: '*rni.'r drle-iNivr «-:id ir r \ \\’k ki*r .ivki-d ir . u f \ Hun: Ie-m a m 'un: liunnc y h.k h Toium\ i uhrrvijle V W mi,.w Ia»:u: ^n.ipprr l);rv ui \’m— ‘he- '-uhn-ci OI a ira•an't in iiir tan mava.'ine " i1n I he M ivv sp in:" — .{vki'ii -h.e w ntriA o inriude

Votes needed

1985 1947 1966 1968 1994 1967 1945 19S3 1951 1968 1975 1963 1984 1954

in ou r looiball .cann- to Him siniir of A m rrifa '-' bt-si lan" u g h IV o d a y ^ altrr [b f C lllr N loM lo ih r in [hr . W k playoff-', prop lr in [hr KanNa" k'liy irir{)h unr d irrc io n nanird l.jEi Kllioti. o r just I. Pibott. brc«’in .crtlinc nb"rrnt- phono ( a)l>.

Ole Miss Mrs.

Votes received

Player

ISS .MI ll iook wa'* on r lo­

after his

Ballots cast

Year

Heartless in the heartland

M i s s e s F a n s turned or, three n:;5*rrr> aca irS. the t

SOUND BriES

Entrenched rn

unU oettinQ

Knovm lor hg laid-back style: players radtfiamed hm ’Eas^ Rxler.'

Couidnl even make 4 throuoh 78 preseason with Rams.

Greatness cl the Raxlers; betuddiement ol the Seahai’.ks.

One cl many lo v.aBow rn Lombardi's shado.v. as MBC.

San Francisco Chronide coluriK^ Scott Ostler, on the 49ers being eliminated from the NFL ptayofts:

How ift TooCatra Parte.

So qtdet yon cai bear a dyns^ drop.”

The Bulls' Michael Jordan, after Dennis Rodman was ejected from last Wednesday's game agrest the Sonics:

“ttavB yin ever been to a race-car event?

Eveqrone oatts to see the race, tnt tiny wart to see an uddent at soon point Well, everybody wants to see tin Boils, bot ttwy want to see Derails go nary. I tftinfc they got their moneys worth.”

VOICES • 7

January 22,1996 r

It will be a Super, Super return mcbotas

h NjJ©* John 0 Rawlings Slave Mcytjrbcfl

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Prod Barrios Dormy CMCr< Bec HiOe Keo A mea Bdl M an Can M ort?

M art Newman

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l u ctU ti botan Loetto Gibson McCarthy Mars; S rtm alX u ku ro L a rry V fig g o

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AJbort Dickson Plata M iter

Paul Ann**

Dave

KINDRED

PKJ U'OOty

AU! C O M M * WrttMi

Micnaol KrwaJoy Stove M arana B a Wilson

Dow s Fofcnor Michael P Gotfnor

Dove KinOroO

The Dolphins will win next season's Super Bowl.

And the one after th a t Then the/D find a new quar­ terback. skip a year or two. and s ta rt w inning S u p er Bowls again.

Vince Lombardi will be re­ duced to a footnote in NFL his­ tory. Don Shula will become Don Who-la. By the end of the century, we will aD bow to Jim ­ my Johnson, the ultimate foot­ ball coach.

Not kidding here.

T h e re ’s no reason to think Jimmy Johnson will need three Ro growing pails: Because Johnson, with Dolphins Owner Wayne Huizenga, already has proved he can follow a years to win at Miami. He's tak­ legend — and win — he should be able to take this playoff team all die way without too much retooling. ing over a w ell-coached team son at Oklahoma, Darrell Royal at Texas? of veterans that made it to the playoffs this time. Ifs not the whole­ But we know, yes we do, who followed Howard Schnellenberger at sale rebuilding job he faced in Dallas where one cost of getting good the University of Miami. was suffering through a 1-15 season. .And we know who foOowed Tom Landry at Dallas. lf Tom Landry was fired because h e ’d created a team going And now we know about Don Shula. nowhere. Shula was forced out because he'd created a team that This career track tells us exactly what makes Jimmy Johnson ner­ went nowhere near its expected destination. vous: not a thing in this world.

Jimmy Johnson won't let that happen again.

John M adden has suggested that the salary cap, a new thing, may­ H eres why. be a problem for Johnson this time around. T h e only thing," Mad- • Joe Gibbs, who coached the Redskins to three Super Bowl victo­ den said, “and the reason I couldn’t coach again, is that salary cap. ries before retiring after the 1992 season, believes there are three You start thinking, ‘I want to get this guy or that guy.' and someone kinds of coaches: tells you they don’t have any cap money to get him. That's going to ‘One: the rare guy. a Shula, a Landry, who is fazed by nothing. frustrate the heck out of Jimmy." who looks better as the season goes along, who could coach forever.

To which an amused cynic might point out that Johnson did all Two: the guy like me. who puts a lot of pressure on himself, and right under the salary caps at Oklahoma State and Miami, which when he gets o u t discovers there s a whole new world out there. were considerably lower than the current NFL caps. And a realist And. three: th e guy. like Bill Parcefls. who also feels a toD from the would point out that if the 49ers pressure, but gets out and then can squeeze their stars under the says, ‘Hey. Tm bored to tears. Tm T m here because of my passion for the game, salary cap — if the Cowboys can getting b a c k ' ’ find a way to pay one cornerback Gibbs could have added a and my passion to be the very best.' $35 million — then Jimmy John­ fourth category — the guy who’s son will get Dan Marino a run­ hired-killer cool and cocky even —JiTiimv Johnson ning back. before he wins two Super Bowls, .After all Johnson is a manipu­ who dum ps his wife and son to lator. as proved every- time you m ake m ore tim e for lo o k in g at turn on the television and see the man in one of those shirts. They're film, who can't stay away from the gam e any more than Willie Sutton “Miami" shirts, one supposes. .AD pastels and swirling patterns, they're could stay away from a b an k the stuff Don Johnson used to wear while chasing bad guys on “Miami *Thafs where the money is," Willie Sutton said when asked to ex­ Vice;" To see Jimmy Johnson in those shirts, you'd thihk he grew up in plain why he robbed so many banks.

Key West jammin’ with Jimmy Buffett Lord have mercy, the man’s T m here because of my passion for the game." Jimmy Johnson from greasy-denim Texas with a stop for bib overalls in Arkansas. said when asked to explain why he is b a c k “and my passion to be the He took to wearing those fancy-schmancy shirts in earnest once very b est" he left the Cowboys. He left Dallas because he didn't like the owner.

So. in a fourth category of coaches, th e re would be one man and He also left DaDas, it says here, because he knew Don Sbula's age. one only: Jimmy Johnson.

Sooner rather than later. Shula would call it quits. So Jimmy Johnson T h e re s no reason to think otherwise. found it convenient to take Jerry Jones' bonus for leaving. He took it However many NCAA rules he managed to bend a n d /o r break at to Miami where he opened a restaurant and made sure everyone Oklahoma State, he bent an d /o r broke them in a way' that gave Okla­ knew of his continuing interest in the Dolphins. homa State a brie! shining moment of football glory — and then he One way he let everyone know he was doubie-parked outside Shubeat it out of Stillwater for the University of Miami, no stickler for an­ la's office was by his work on television. He kept saying the Dolphins tiquated rules itself. should have reached a Super Bowl. with ail that talent — leaving un­ T here he began the work that distinguishes him from all coaches said but clear the only reason such talent wouldn't make it: coaching ever. He has out-legended the legends.

Now that he has undermined Don Shuia. Jimmy Johnson will Vince Lombardi gave way lo Phil Bengtson. John Wooden gave prove just that. ♦ way to a half-dozen failures. Ray Perkins couldn’t follow Bear Bryant Dave Kindred is a contributing writer for T he S porting N ew s .

Who, pray tell, followed Sparky Anderson at Cincinnati, Bud WiBrin-

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8 • VOICES

A team that can inspire the world As 20 Bosnians proved, sports can change lives — and sometimes save them

Richard LAPCHICK

Bullish on spiritual exercise Phil Jackson is a soul man whose religious principles tout selfless, mindful play

Steve GIETSCHIER

The Sporting News

As the New Year begins, 20,000 American soldiers find themselves in Bosnia. I wish thej^first could have been counseled by 20 Bosnians who are now living in the United States: 19 teenage basketball players and the coach who helped them escape two years ago. when they were the Bosnia National Cadet team. I have little doubt the troops there find the politics of that devastated land and the war that has divided it to be thor­ oughly confusing. There appears to have been so much hate, creating killing fields among what seem to be so many different sides: In some reports the people are r e ferred to as Muslims. Catholics or Orthodox: sometimes they are Bosnians, Croatians or Serbians: at its most confusing, they are called Bosnian Serbs, Bosnian Croats or Bosnians.

I want to share the story of the National Cadet Basketball Team of Bosnia in the hope it will inform Americans about the war we have become involved in but, perhaps, can­ not comprehend; about the coach who had a vision of his people as one united by heritage rather than one divided by religious beliefs; about the 19 young players who escaped to avoid the fate of their fellow Bosnian youth.

More than 15,000 children have been killed and 600,000 people tom from their homes.

When the war started. Bosnia’s population was 4.5 million.

The story also is about how two men. real­ life heroes from vastly different worlds, com­ pletely gave up what they knew as their lives to save those'of 19 boys with little in com­ mon save their basketball, skills. In the best possible outcome. U.S. troops may now help save Ives in a nation of people who appear to have little in common.

Zoran. (Zuba) Zupcevic was appointed as the head coach of the team in June 1992. No Bosnian Cadet team existed when Zupcevic

was appointed. The nation itself was only two months old. No one was playing basketball in this war-torn land. No one could have safely walked down the street to a gym even if there had been a team. Zupcevic took the job to save a group of children. Basketball was merely the vehicle for escape.

He could not save his family or friends, but he knew there was a chance he just might be able to take a bunch of boys to safe ty. He had to use the opportunity of an invita­ tion to the European Cadet Championships as their way out Using ham radios and friends in Zenica and Tuzla, Zupcevic came up with a roster of 19 names by November 1992. No more than six of the boys knew each otheror had seen each other play.

Zupcevic could have picked 19 Muslims.

19 Catholics or 19 Orthodox boys. They all could have been Bosnian. But having learned the lessons of teamwork through sports, Zupcevic believed he could create a model team that would, by example, dispel the growing argument that the different ethnic groups of his native land inherently hated each other.

Zupcevic was determined to capture this dynamic spirit and commitment in his team.

Thus the Bosnian Cadets were Muslim, Catholic and Orthodox, and of Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian descent He made them a team. Their story now shows the world a different possibility for their country than ones offered by some politicians, who represent divisions raffler than potential unity.

The team’s journey to safety, which began in April 1993, brought the group face-to-face with death. The players ran across and around the Sarajevo airport cutting barbedwire fence, crawling in two feet of snow, jumping into ditches filled with five feet of

freezing muddy water, constantly on guard for the snipers who already had taken so many lives. All of the Bosnian Cadets were willing to take the risks on their way to the first stop: the Croatian coast where they would be kept safe by the Croatian Olympic Committee.

It was while they were there that Zupcevic was put in contact with Jim Minnihan. a lawyer in a suburb of Chicago. The fact that the-BuHs’ Toni Kukoc was bom in the former Yugoslavia was as much as Minnihan knew about that war-torn region when he got the call for help in June 1993.

■Minnihan loved children and sports. The possibility of saving some through the other was all he needed to know. He stopped prac­ ticing law and gave his undivided attention to the project Minnihan and other supporters arranged for families to host the boys and for school districts to accept them. They arrived in the fall of 1993 and began to play basketball well enough that by last year, 18 of the 19 players had received college scholarships.

Just as the arrival of Zupcevic and Minni­ han into the lives of the families of the 19 Bosnian Cadets meant safety and security for their children, we can hope the arrival of U.S. soldiers in Bosnia will mean safety and security for all the families still there. Zupcevic’s greatest hope is that the spirit of unity of his team can be recultivated in a peaceful Bosnia where neighbors can remember each other as friends and not enemies. It won’t be easy, but it would be the best New Year’s gift of aff ♦

SacrethHoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hard­ wood Warrior (By Phil Jackson and Hugh

vehicle to implement his philosophy was Tex Winter’s triangle offense, what Jackson calls a “five-man tai chi" In this system, there are no set plays, and the defense can­ not predict what will happen next Players must learn to adjust instinctively, without thinking, and realize that the system empow­ ers everyone on the floor to work for the best shot possible.

To have the Bulls reach the level of play Jackson seeks, he encourages them to medi­ tate. to visualize and to read materials that can help individual players surrender their self-interests. His goal is mindful basketball an utter departure from the celebration of the ego that defines so much of contempo­ rary professional sport

book’s last chapter. All the other interviews are rather episodic They talk about Maz in spurts but also about lots of other baseball things. They are, in a sense, a commentary on Maz and not his biography.

Should Mazeroski be inducted into the Hall of Fame? The Veterans Committee will take up his case for the first time this year.

Its members will have to consider his superb credentials: most career double plays by a second baseman, seven All-Star selections. ' eight Gold Gloves, 1960 Major League Player of the Year honors from T h e S p o r t in g N e w s and a consensus that he was one of the great­ est defensive players ever.

But the committee also will have to con­ front the fact that Mazeroski was previously eligible for election by-members of the Base­ ball Writers’ Association of-America and nev­ er came dose to the magic number.

Delehanty. 206 pp. Hyperion. $22.95).

Bulls Coach Phil Jackson is a child of the ’60s. Beneath the weikailored suits and short hair lies a soul "that sees life as a quest for spiritual enlightenment How fortunate he is to have found what he has been look­ ing for in the world of professional basket­ ball.

This short memoir — almost a meditation — carries Jackson from his childhood in Montana through the end of last season when the Bulls were eliminated by Orlando in the second round of the playoffs. His jour­ ney. most fans know, has included All-Amer­ ica honors at the University of North Dako­ ta, two championships with the Knicks, stints as an assistant coach and television commentator and four years as a coach in the CBA. Jackson was promoted from an as­ sistant to head coach of the Bulls after the 1988-89 season when Doug Collins was fired.

Jackson’s parents were Pentecostal minis­ ters. but during his adolescence, he never experienced being filled by the Holy Spirit, the belief in which is a central tenet of the Pentecostal faith tradition. He entered adult­ hood searching for spiritual direction and ob­ sessed. perhaps as compensation, with win­ ning in athletic competition.

Gradually. Jackson found personal enlight­ enment through an amalgam of Eastern and Native American religious principles. And most astoundingly. he-has been able to apply these beliefs to his professional life, coaching his players to stress awareness, compassion and selfless team play.

Practically, what Jackson latched onto as a

Twin Killing: The Bill MazerosW Story (By

John T. Bird. 316 pp. Esmerelda Press. $24.95).

The case to advocate the election of Bill Mazeroski to the Baseball Hall of Fame will never receive more loyal support than the testimony amassed in this book. Conceived as a biography dependent upon the recorded recollections of 22 of Maz’s colleagues, it is really nothing more than the edited tran­ scripts of these interviews followed by one with Mazeroski himself.

Don’t get me wrong. To adjudge this book to be less than it should or could be is not to criticize Mazeroski’s achievements or his candidacy fof Cooperstown. It is an as­ sessment that writing a satisfactory biogra­ phy involves more than turning on a tape recorder.

In fact, those too young to remember Mazeroski win have a tough time getting a handle on his career until they read the

Richard Lapchick is director o f Northeastern University's Centerfor the Study o f Sport in So­ ciety and a regular columnist for T h e SPORTING N ew s . H e is writing a book on the Bosnian team titled, T h e Bosnian' Boys: It Was Never A G am e0

The Baseball and Sports Publications Price Guide (By David T. Alexander and Robert D.

Crestohl. 240 pp. Century of Sports Publish­ ing, P.O. Box 273086. Tampa, Fla., 33618. $ 20).'

Alexander and Crestohl noted dealers in sports publications, have compiled what they call “a detailed and comprehensive price guide and index” to “all significant and col­ lectible sports titles from 1860 to 1995."

Chapters in this easy-to-read guide cover baseball, hockey, football basketball and auto racing and include the foDowing: guides, annual reference publications and statistical reviews, programs, yearbooks and magazines, inducting T h e S p o r t in g N e w s . ♦ Steve Gietschier is archivist o f T h e S p o r tin g N e w s . His e-mail address is tsnspg@aol.com.

VOICES • 0

January 22,1996

VOICK OF TI IK B X A legend moves on

‘Shame on the so-called “ fans5’ who trashed the greatest coach in N FL history with their “ What have you done for me lately?” attitudes.

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Shame od the true Dolphins fans who did not protest the raw deal Coach Shula was getting. Shame on the Dolphins players who failed to take advantage of being in a historic situation. Shame on Owner Wayne Huizenga for squeezing Shula out when he should have been s ta n d in g s to the naysayers. And shame on all of us who seem to have forgot­ ten what sports is supposed to be about Character, honesty, effort and integrity have all been replaced by ego gratification and money.

So now the Dolphins go from Don Shula to Jimmy Johnson. Johnson may be a fairly successful coach, but no one ever accused him of being a class act Dolphins fans may be getting what they deserve. How many of them realize what they have lost?

D ane Gleason San Francisco

Whew!

What a week to be a football fan. North­ western does its fans proud in the Rose Bowl, never giving up in a losing effort N e braska has the greatest team performance ever in a college championship game only to be tainted by seffprodaimed victim Lawrence Phflfips’ participation. Don Shula, a role model for the ages, goes out with class. The 49ers aren’t in a championship game, but the Colts and Packers are. Happy New Year, football fans!

Rick Lynch West Chicago, Iii richartLlynch @sop~ag. de

Yankee clipper I have a hard time seeing how Bob Night­ engale can say. T h e Yankees are finished and the A.L East race is already over' (TSN. January I). Give me a break. In *96, the Yan­ kees wifl have David Cone for a hill season.

Jack McDoweD and the inconsistent Sterling Hitchcock will be replaced by Kenny Rogers and Jimmy Key. I hate to break the news to

get the respect he deserves due to negative media and uninformed fans — especially in Dallas. Here’s one fan who will do more cheering for the Cowboys than criticizing.

B rian M iniettea Dallas

Bob, but Ttno Martinez is better than Don Mattingly and Randy Velarde, and Mike Stanley will be replaced by Joe Girard! or Jim Leyritz, Tim Raines gives them an every-day left fielder.

The Orioles may win the East So might the Red Sox. But only a Yankees hater would say the team is finished before the season even starts.

John Storm Jr. Prague, Neb.

Nebraska fiesta

It should come as no surprise that Dave Kindred loathes the idea of Nebraska as national champion.

Two years ago. when the Huskers Barry vs. Emmitt lost the title game to Florida State I take exception to Bob Glauber’s remarks after missing a last-minute field about Barry Sanders (TSN, January 8). How goad, it was Kindred who before can he say Emmitt Smith is better than Barry the game lamented that there was Sanders when both players do not run be­ supposedly nobody who wanted to hind the same line? If Barry had the opportu­ see Nebraska win the title. Last nity to carry the ball more during games, he year. Kindred spouted off claiming could have added another 200 yards to his that Penn State would have left the season total Huskers gasping. Lo and behold, it Bany p o p la r. Sanders'fans speak out whenever it is Lori Richason was Kindred again who found rea­ suggested Smith is a better running back Rochester. M inn. son to dog the Huskers before the years. He takes Keith’s 13 “prime" seasons Fiesta Bowl victory (TSN December 11).

Bob Glauber says that Emmitt Smith is claiming it was somehow the best thing for and compares them to Brooks Robinson's J8 better than Barry Sanders; hands down. college football if Florida emerged the victor. seasons. Not exactly a fair comparison.

Let's just see what happens if Troy Aikman Hernandez was an excellent fielder, but no The achievements of the Nebraska teams attempts 583 passes as Scott Mitchell did. mention was given to Robinson being ar­ of recent years are truly remarkable, includ­ Smith would have the same amount of car­ guably the greatest-fielding third baseman ing back-to-back national titles, five consecu­ ries as Sanders. Then who would be tive Big Eight titles and three consecutive ever. Many first basemen Hernandez com­ better? undefeated regular seasons. Despite whatev­ peted against for the Gold Glove were the A dam G. Parrish er shortcomings he may have. Coach Tom worst fielders on their teams. His lack of Elkhart, Ind. Osborne is truly a class act. speed also is a detriment Jeff Leever Since only 24 out of 470 ballots cast select­ Did you want disco, too?

Arvada. Colo. ed Hernandez for the Hall of Fame this year. it is obvious not many baseball writers agree Terry Pluto’s story on the ABA brought a Egad, what’s this! Steve Spurrier, the selfwith Noble. « , smile to my face (TSN, January 8). With Larry George appointed coaching genius, reduced to a young stars like Artis Gilmore, Rick Barry.

Dublin. 0. clueless observer. Kudos to Tom Osborne Moses Malone and Julius Erving, the ABA and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Old Steve was entertaining and a joy to watch. The deserved every minute of the Fiesta Bowl The failure of the baseball writers to vote players knew teamwork, and there weren't blowout.

Phil Niekro and Don Sutton into the Hail of many petty jealousies about salaries. The LaM ont Adger Fame is a travesty. I guess the voters do not league made the 1970s fun. If only we could Suffolk. Va. realize 300-game winners are a thing of the let time reverse itself, maybe the NBA could past finally learn something from a bygone era.

Note to Cornhusker fans I remember Joe Orso III M art Rechart when you took great pleasure in the downfall W illiamsport. Pa. H untingdon, Pa. of Barry Switzer at Oklahoma because he lacked control and discipline over his play­ Line up Overlooked ers. You criticized Switzer for ignoring the rd like to make an addition to Larry How a u ld the Rams' Isaac Bruce be left behavior of his athletes as long as they were Wigge's fine piece, “Connections ... From off the Pro Bowl roster? Were the voters winning.

Then to Now." the story on great lines in the watching the same season? Bruce was sec­ Now the same disgraceful “win at all NHL (TSN. January I). What about the ond to Jerry Rice in the NFL in receiving costs" attitude is descending on your own French Connection? The Sabres' line-of yards. In fact, if Rice, who finished with 1,848 house. Forgive me for being cynical, but the yards, hadn’t set the all-time record in receiv­ Gilbert Perreault Rick Martin and Rene issue wasn’t about forgiveness, it was about ing yards this season (surpassing 1,746 by Robert was clearly the league's best line of winning. Wake up. Nebraska, and get your the Oilers’Charley Hennigan in 1961), the 1970s. It is only fitting all three jerseys house in order. Your national championship Bruce, who finished with 1.781 would have. ^ are hanging from the rafters of the Buffalo is tainted.’

D.J. King Memorial Auditorium.

Perry Cain Potosi, Mo. Douglas Ellm an M emphis. Term.

• Port Neches. Tex.

Cooperstown vacancies Marty Noble’s column, “There’s no such thing as a borderline Hall of Fainer'’ (TSN. January 8), is a clear example of a hometown columnist unable to take a national perspec­ tive, Noble does not include Hernandez's bad

Dear Paul:

Got a comment?

T h e S p o r t in g N e w s

In Paul Attneris “letter" to NBC's Dick would love to hear from you.

Ebersol (TSN. January I), he suggested the Write Voice o f the Fan. network “conserve resources" and concen­ 1212 N Lindbergh B lvd . trate on preparing for Super Bowl XXX with S t Louis, Mo. 63132, fax your message to us San Francisco and Pittsburgh. Sorry to throw a f 314-993-7723, or send us electronic mail a wrench in your plans. Paul. The 49ers will . at tsnmailQaolcom. Be sure to include not be there due to the drubbing they took your name and city with your e-mail from the Packers. He may be partially right, T h e S p o r t in g N e w s reserves the right to though. Ifs quite possible he just mentioned edit letters for brevity and content the wrong Bay team.

Bob Spoen Stevens Point, Wis. •

^

Upon further review. . .

TSN is a great magazine, but it’s a good thing NBC doesn’t listen to your writers all the time, So much for the 49ers. It makes my pick easier. The Cowboys will win the Super Bowl again, but Coach Barry Switzer will not

■ Virginia tight end Walt Derey fumbled in the final minutes of the Peach Bowl against Georgia. Patrick Jeffers was incor­ rectly identified in the January 8 issue as the the Cavaliers receiver who fumbled. _________________________________________ J

The Sporting News

IO * NFL

or most of the season, the best team Jerry Jones' mon­ ey could buy tried ‘to toss away a trip to the Super Bowl. But the Cowboys are back in the championship game anyway because, ult}-4 mate!)-, no other franchise has as many playmakers who produce better

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under pressure.

The irony here is that the core of Barry Switzer’s coaching philosophy is to surround himself with playmakers, then sit back and watch them win. With the Cowboys. Switzer might have inherited his big-time performers, but he has continued to provide them with the proper atmosphere to perform. And that also is why Dallas will continue the NFC’s streak in the Super Bowl. The Cowboys sim­ ply have too many elite players playing at the peaks of their careers for the Steelers to neu­ tralize.

That Dallas and Switzer have; marched this far almost seems an upset, considering the number of times the Cowboys have been written off this season. But when it is impor­ tant this dub knows how to win. mostly be­ cause Troy Aikman. Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin overmatch the opposition. Just look at what has happened so far in the play­ offs. Rfllacl&phia tried to beat them without a passing game and got steantfofled by a well­ balanced Dallas offense. Then Green Baytried last Sunday to sneak into the Super Bowl without a running game and was over­ whelmed by an offense that produced 169 yards rushing and 250 yards passing.

And how good are their playmakers?

Against Green Bay. the tireless-Smith pound­ ed out 150 vards in 35 carries — "He could carry it 80 times if we let him." offensive co­ ordinator Ernie Zampese says — and In in caught seven passes for IOO yards and two touchdowns. Aikman was his usual steady, accurate self, completing 21 of 33 passes for 255 yards and those two brin scores. These are experienced, gifted veterans who now have played in four NFC tide games, winning three, along with two Super Bowl triumphs.

Against a Green Bay team making its first ap­ pearance in a tide game of any kind since the 1967 season, this trio overcame everything the Packers tried. * ‘They were guessing, trying to double Michael the Umes they thought'we would pass and bring up an eighth player on the line the times they thought we would run," Aik­ man says. "And they were being very physi­ cal on the outside. It was different than when they had played us before, so we had to ad­ just" k was also significant that these three seemed intent on making sure Switzer, the much-maligned coach, was given credit for the 38-27 victory. Aikman, who has a frosty relationship with his coach oyer what the quarterback perceives as a lack of toughness on Switzer's part gave Barry' a game ball. (‘Thanks. I appreciate it," Switzer told .Aik­ man). During the presentation of the NFC championship trophy. Irvin and Smith told the Texas Stadium crowd to cheer for Switzer — and critics basically' to eat their words and/or stick them up a certain part of their anatomy.

"Coach Switzer has gotten a bad rap," de­ fensive tackle Russell Maryland says. “When they go after your lead man. it is an attack on the whole team. But it made us tougher. We rallied behind him. He gets along well with . us. and we like him. He is a motivator, sure, but his biggest strength, is that he knows each one of us and how to talk to us individ­ ually- We appreciate that"

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Aikman alluded to the internal adversities the Cowboys have overcome, stuff he says they needlessly brought on themselves.

That says a lot for our character," he says.

No question, if there ever was a time in sports that lived up to that cliche, “no-win situation,* it was Switzer’s triumph over the Packers.

His role with the Cowboys has become so

muddled, and the knocks on his performance so derisive that it is difficult to argue with Jones when he says, “Barry has been the most criticized coach in the N F L even more than guys who have been fired.* If the Cowboys had lost to Green Bay, Switzer would have been lambasted, follow­ ing as it would have last year's failure to beat

the 49ers in the NFC title game. But the vic­ tory doesn’t suddenly cast a new light on his efforts. Instead, the prevailing attitude is that Dallas wins despite him , that any of the 500 or so coaches Jones once said could guide his team also would have reached the Super Bow l that Switzer is a figurehead with no real effect on the squad’s performance. (One re-

(IFMI

January 22,19%

Highami flighty: Though the Packers improved their performance against Dallas, they still had ' no answer for Switzer's devastating duo of I m n (88) and Smith. something to do with this finish would be lu­ dicrous, just as it would be ridiculous to say George Seifert is a mediocre coach because he foiled to get the 49ers back to the Super Bowl.

- “W hen I say that Barry should be credited with not screwing things up here, people take that the wrong way." says Larry LaceweiL the Cowboys' director of coflege and pro scout­ ing who worked under Switzer at Oklahoma.

“He has his faults, but you can m ess up talent and he h a s n 'tW ^ had crisis after crisis this year, and things didn’t foil apart. He is in­ volved this year. He has spent a lot of time in defensive m eetings and giving input on per­ sonnel derisions. He is much more familiar with everything, he doesn’t have to learn the nam es of his players and their backgrounds like he did last year.

“His problem is, he is his own worst ene­ my. He needs to be a better actor, you know, Hke the guys on the sidelines who wear head­ sets even though they don't need to or who storm around. His philosophy always has been to get the players and get good assis­ tants and let them do their jobs^ He needs to claim more credit for stuff and not be so un­ selfish. I know I would. I mean, a lot of what is said about him is true, but to say he doesn't know anything about football or doesn't go to •meetings, stuff like that, it is not true." uch of the way Switzer is treated has to do with Jones and the heavy-handed way he runs his team. Jimmy Johnson and his enorm ous ego wouldn’t stay in the ground and let Jones hog the 'sp o tlig h t Switzer doesn’t seem to care if he never is on . stage. “A lot of people could coach the Cow­ boys successfully." Jones reiterates, “but'Barry was th e right man for the times."

Those tim es included being told to take over a highly successful team from Johnson and not do any of the following bring in a new staff or change the offensive or defensive systems. Switzer, because his ego seem s for less prominent than m ost successful coach­ es, didn’t have a difficult time fulfilling either re q u e st Seifert basically did the same when he took over for the Bill Walsh in San Fran­ cisco — he kept the staff intact and main­ tained all the schem es — but the fact Walsh retired and Johnson was fired cast a different light on everything in Dallas. Y et if the Cow­ boys win the Super Bowl, Seifert and Switzer would stand even after two seasons with one title apiece. And isn’t it something that on the day of Switzer’s biggest NFL triumph, a year after losing to San Francisco, johnson was in attendance, doing his last assignm ent as a television analyst before taking over as Dol­ phins coach?

Johnson was a taskm aster who ruled by fear and with psychological ploys. He was careful to build up his image and make sure folks knew he worked hard and was football wise. Switzer is a laid-back jokester who likes to tease his players and slap them on their backs. He never has claimed to be particu­ larly sm a rt Indeed, he goes out of his way to downplay the im portance of coaching. He wants to be his players’ friend, not have them fear him. “I don’t pay any attention to what people outside of this place say about me." he says. “I don't respect them, so why should I worry about they say? I don't think the play­ ers or coaches here think what is said about

M

porter last week even asked Switzer if he felt he was a “hood ornament” with the Cowboys.

Switzer laughed that one off.)

And even this trium ph won’t erase the im­ age of Switzer twice going for a first down on a fourth and I against Philadelphia late in the season. T he Cowboys failed both tim es — though one of the failures didn’t count be—

---------------------------------------------------

f

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cause the officials ruled time had expired be­ fore the two-minute warning — and lost the gam e, a lapse that could have cost them home-field advantage for the playoffs. The feet that it didn’t never will neutralize what re­ mains an unforgivable coaching decision. Al least for a while it rem ains the symbol of his coaching ability on the pro level even if Jones

and the players think otherwise.

Yet it is striking that none of his players, either publicly or off the record, bailed out on Switzer oven that call. Instead, they rallied behind him and openly supported him. And instead of foiling a p a rt the team eventually righted itself and has played strongly its last three gam es. To say Switzer didn't have

The Sporting News

I

...

Sent packing As Favre (above) contemplated next year, Irvin was spreadin' the news that the ’Boys are back. me is true, and that is all that matters. I've coached 35 years; I know what is going on.

But there is no question, this has been a tough ride to this point/ No fooling. How about a season that has in­ cluded the courtship and signing of Deion Sanders; Jones’ off-field controversies involv­ ing corporate sponsorship and suits against the league; the drug suspensions of Leon Lett I and Clayton Holmes; the fourth-and-1 calls; the humiliating loss to the 49ers with Elvis Grbac • at quarterback: the loss to injury of Charles Haley, who earlier had feuded with Switzer, a season-ending injury to center Ray Donaldson that disrupted what had been an overpower­ ing offensive line; and the statement by Jones that anything less than a Super Bowl appear­ ance would be “unacceptable/ particularly af­ ter he had manipulated the salary cap and spent $62 million to put together this team.

“Barry is not Jimmy, thats obvious/ full­ back Daryl Johnston says. “But sometimes a change in philosophy is good for a team. You have lived so long with one way that it is a re­ lief to hear a different voice with a different approach. All I know is that Banry desperate­ ly wants to win a Super Bowl, and we’d like to get one for him / This team. Switzer says, has slowly “evolved into a comfort level with me. and me with them. We all have a feeling now of what to expect from each other. But this is not a popularity contest Its not "whether theY like me or not Everyone said the season had sunk in December, but I told my players to hang in there and see how this season plays ou t I'm glad they listened." f nothing else. Switzer is a canny prog­ nosticator. In the days before the game. he predicted the Cowboys would have to score in the 30s to. win. Most coaches usually shy away from point-total predictions, but Switzer doesn’t always follow the coach­ ing guidebook. He obviously was right in thinking this would be a shootout even though it was a knock on his shaky defense.

But it also was an acknowledgement of Green Bay’s offensive potential. This was an oppo­ nent coming off a.stirring victory over San Francisco and confident of its ability to gain yards against anyone.

The Cowboys even had legitimate con­

I

cents about the Packers1defense, which had shut ddwn Steve Young. In their last five meetings. Green Bay had been outplayed convincingly by the Cowboys, who had every right to feel they should dominate this game.

Yet they hadn't been able to beat San Fran­ cisco and the Packers did; that was enough to catch the attention of Dallas.

But this game finally assumed the same form as the other meetings with Green Bay. Although the Packers were more effective of­ fensively. their defense still wasn't able to hold up physically. Dallas went on scoring drives of 80, 90 and 99 yards, methodically grinding down the Packers until, in the fourth period. Smith was able to score twice stand­ ing up. That's how big the holes wet#that his huge offensive line opened. Smith picked up 50 yards in that quarter alone.

T W v e got to be able torun and pass, that is nothing new / Zampese says. “But we feel it takes awhile to get it going in a game. You have to keep trying and trying and let every­ one get into a rhythm. It is important not to give up on the run if it doesn’t work early.

You have to remember what it can accom­ plish for you late in the gam e/ By playing a turnover-free game — their biggest mistakes came with the kicking game — the Cowboys kept relentless pressure on the Packers. Dallas wore out the clock as well holding the ball for almost 18 more min­ utes. Though the Packers hung in and twice rallied to take leads, the dominance of the Dallas offensive line made it imperative that Green Bay score on every possession to keep up. In the process. Brett Favre made two cru­ cial mistakes, throwing a pair of interceptions that Dallas converted into touchdowns.

T h a t was the difference/ Packers Coach Mike Holmgren says. “In a game W e this, turnovers are going to decide things..We made progress, but I am tired of learning lessons. I want to win it all/ Favre’s first error of the postseason came in the first quarter, with Dallas leading, 7-3.

Favre tried a screen pass to his left but never

saw Left, the defensive tackle. “Leon was sup­ posed to be cut (blocked)/ Favre says. In­ stead, Lea picked off the throw for a first down at the Packers' 13. Irvin then scored his second touchdown, and Dallas was up 14-3.

Still the game was unsealed until early in the fourth, with the Cowboys ahead, 31-27.

Favre, who had been successful all day work­ ing against cornerback larry Brown or hitting tight end Keith Jackson against the coverage of Dallas linebackers, rolled to his right and fired toward Mark Ingram, who had gotten away from Brown. But Brown read the pass beautifully and jumped in front- of Ingram, grabbing it at his 20 and returning it 28 yards.

“With Deion at the other corner, they have been throwing at me all y e a r/ Brown says.

“T h e-Steelers will too, so I guess I better start preparing for it right now. Maybe if I keep making plays like this, they will stop throwing at either of u s / Favre says Brown had his back turned when the ball was re­ leased “but he turned around after I released the baff. I was sure we were going to get points on that possession/ Instead, Afernan quickly found Irvin for 36 yards — he caught the ball after it tipped off the helmet of cornerback Doug Evans — and Smith took the next snap 16 yards for the touchdown that put the game out of reach. It is no coincidence that Afernan, Smith and Irvin were involved in this sequence. Nor it a sur­ prise that hvin, who had been quiet the last two games because of double-teaming, deliv­ ered in the most important game this season.

Bowk but we felt we could take foe next step and go all foe way this year. But I’d like to think that next year will be our Super Bowl y e a r/ If nothing else, foe game proved that the Packers have to develop a better running game. They managed only 48 yards rushing, allowing Dallas to concentrate on Favre, just as the Packers had concentrated on Young foe previous week.

“As a player, you take things for granted/ says Smith, who once again showed what an incredible big-game performer he is, “but foe most satisfying thing is to see those guys who have not gone to foe Super Bowl get a chance to do what I have done in foe past It took us dealing with a lot of b.s. You may be foe most experienced team in the league, but if you don’t play good on a particular day you can get your butts kicked/ This Dallas team is not as good as foe one that won Super Bowl XXVIII, foe second championship under Johnson. Free agency has stripped foe Cowboys of the impressive depth they had then. T hor defense is not near­ ly as dominant, even with Sanders. And with­ out Haley, who practiced last week but was in­ active for the game, their pass rush is average, forcing them to blitz more than foe old Cow­ boys. Haley, though, should be available for foe Super Bowl which wfll give them yet an­ other elite player. And Sanders continues to get more involved on offense — he had a 35yard reception in this game — and that com­ plicates foe game plan for foe Steelers.

This also is not a particularly lovable group.’

Sanders says he has enjoyed playing with these teammates much more than foe ones he left in San Francisco — “They are just eas­ ier to get along with" — but foe combination of the Cowboys’ brashness and Jones’ con­ stant feuding and fussing doesn't always win a lot of friends.

“Who roots for us? I hope everyone does, but I know people always want to see foe best get knocked off,* Sanders says. ‘But truly, shouldn’t we be appreciated for our effort?"

And Switzer? Asked if he was just along for foe ride, he grimaced and said, “If I am, I hope it lasts until we win the Super Bowl’ It wife as long as his playraakers join him in Arizona. + Paul Attner is a senior writer for T h e S p o r t in g N e w s . *__________COWBOYS 38, PACKERS 27__________ O n a Bay CM M

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ikman’s experience was evident when M H M U M a H u a iG —O m b Bt f . B M 049. Ha-d a m 1 2 Iiwan* 1-1. F n n compared with Favre’s performance.

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S .lW a n » 1 2 Favre, foe league’s Flayer of foe Year, PASSW G -O m d B rr, P m 212 M 2 0 7 . M k t A fa ra 21230255. completed only one of his first six RECS*®©—Qtmo WY, R Bra** 6-105. Jtaaon SOB. Barras 32a (Adam passes. But he also threw a 73-yard touchdown 229, L n n 2-11. O r a n 1-18. Frwca n 1-ta t a m VS. CMM. M i MOO. N o n e* 529. IC ¥ * * » M I J A M 3-15, E S c * i 2-17. to Robot Brooks and kept rallying foe Packers.

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M SSH) A B D GOAL A T T & F T S -O rt* . Bor** 34.

Yet he didn't play with foe steadiness of Afe­ K T H C S m O K S -O M M B ra n 128. Lac I). rnan, who had no such roller-coaster ride.

(OQCOFF RETURNS—O w l Bay. F e m * 7-149. Oafeki. K. YW ara 4-80.

“I’m just upset," Favre says. “I know 28 PUNT RETUW S—G ra n Bey. P fM B st 4-64. DM M . Sneers 1-2 SACKS—O n e Biy. A * WhM I. M n . T o ta l 2. LM 1. C m I teams have to go home before the Super

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NFL‘ 13

January 22,1996

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By their coach’s design, the Steelers developed a varied passing attack, which they relied on to defeat the Colts for the AFC championship Bv MICHAEL RUSLEY

*

,

ed O 'D onnell can be forgiven for his less-than-ringing en­ d o rsem en t of the next A m erican Foot­ ball C on feren ce rep­ resentative in the Su­ per Bow l. his own Pittsburgh Steelers. He is the ex citem en t of Sunday’s 20-16 AFC cham p ionship g am e victory over Indi­ anapolis. a last-play thriller that isn’t de­ cided until th e C olts’ Aaron Bailey takes three or four desperate, falling swipes at a Hail M ary pass in the end zone as tim e expires.

O 'D onnell is spent from the ordeal of w atching the ball bou nce off what seem s to b e every single one of B ailey ’s body parts, including a m om eht nearly frozen in tim e as Bailey is on his back with the ball on h is belly, before it lazily rods off to the ground, u n cau g h t So O 'D onnell, asked to provide a rea­ son to believe this Su p er B o w l can be different for the AFC. is a little less than e lo q u e n t a little less than convincing in h is argu m ent that the S te e le rs a re n ’t m erely an o th er lam b being led to the NFC slaughter.

“I think it s the nature of the football team we have h e re ," he says. “W e ’re su ch a close football team . Our defense flies around the fo otb all T h e r e s a lot of speed there. On offense, we put up a lot of points th is year. T h is may not have been ou r best show out here today, but w ell g et back to b asics and w ell look at som e key' things from this gam e. W e ll clean up a few things and w ell give it a run."

T h is AFC cham pionship gam e, at tfte least, had elem en ts ch aracteristic of few Super Bow ls of late. It had high drama.

It had back-and-forth leads. It had net­ work ad v ertisers g ratefu l they had bought air tim e in the fourth quarter. It had h e ro ic lo se rs in the C olts, w hose p ostseaso n p ersisten ce took them as clo se to th e Super Bowl as a team can g et without actually playing in i t But it was n o t as O 'D onnell su ggests. a good show of AFC stren gth. T h e truth is. the Colts, for all their guts and glory this m onth, w ere a wild-card team , the bottom -feed er am ong playoff co n ­ ten d ers. barely over SOO at 9-7 in the Regular seaso n , th eir o ffen se a plucky' but lim ited rattle-trap that sco red only two touchdow ns in their last eight quar­ ters. Had the Colts advanced to the Su­ p er Bowl again st D allas, th e Cow boys m ight have won by playing their c h e e r­ lead ers as the defensive front seven.

And the S teelers barely won. Couldn't really run on the C olts. C ouldn’t really throw deep on them . C ouldn’t contain th eir q u arterb ack , the u nsinkable Jim H arbaugh. C ouldn’t con trol th eir s e c ­ ond-string running b ack . Lam ont W ar­ ren. or th eir Jo h n D oe wide receiv ers, co m m o n ers Sean D aw kins and Floyd Turner.

- My hat is off to them ," says S te ele rs running b ack E rn e P eg ram , w hose 46 rushing yards Sunday w ere th e best the S te e le rs could do. T h e y ' sh ocked the hell out of me. anyway."

O ’D onnell, thou gh , is right. As long as P ittsbu rgh m an ag es to clean a few th in g s up b efo re Su p er Sunday. Big G am e No. XXX actually m ight be som e­ thing m ore than another XXX-rated rout

N

14 • NFL

The Sporting News r A

— especially because the Cowboys may not be quite up to the sky-high standards of past NFC bully-boys.

If nothing else, the Steelers will give Dal­ las some new, fresh looks in the Super Bowl m aelstrom next week. On both sides of the ball. they are a step or two removed from the league's mainstream, which raises the poten­ tial. at le a st of matchup problem s for the Cowboys. (A caveat here. A long time ago. we thought the Bills’ no-huddle offense would create matchup problem s in the Super Bowl too. but neither the Giants, the Redskins nor the Cowboys — twice — appeared to be ter­ ribly bothered by them.)

The Steelers. for instance, will bring one of the gam e's more innovative defenses to Tempe. Most teams have adopted elements of Pittsburgh's zone-blitz defensive package the last couple of years; but no one in either conference employs it to the degree the Steel­ ers do. o r with the effectiveness the Steelers do. The defense is different in that it creates blitzing opportunities without sacrificing the safe coverages in the secondary. Most blitzes force the secondary into maD-tcwnan cover­ age: the zone-blitz doesn’t A ^ear ago. when they pressured the quar­ terback so often they became known as the Blitzburgh Steelers. football tacticians across the country were anticipating a sizzling Super Bowl showdown between their zone-blitzes and one of the traditional NFC powers, San Francisco or Dallas — until the Chargers up­ set the Steelers in the AFC cham pionship game last January and derailed those expec­ tations. Now. the Steelers finally have the chance to throw it at the Cowboys in the biggest game of the season, though they have downsized the frequency of their blitzes a bit this season.

On offense, no team outside the Universi­ ty of Florida utilizes five wide receivers, as the Steelers do. It isn’t a huge part of the their offense, as it is at Florida; but the Cowboys can expect to see five wide receivers, includ­ ing rookie phenomenon Kordell Stewart, on the field for at least a handful of plays.

Against the Colts, the Steelers used their five wideouts with varying levels of thirddown success in the first half, then won the game in the fourth quarter with a come-frombehind. eight-play drive for the go-ahead touchdown with a minute and a half to play that exhausted the roster of their skiU-position players.

"I think its kind of ironic." Coach Biff Cowher says, “that the thing that's gotten us here was our wideouts and the no-hurry, no. huddle offense all year long, and ifs kind of the thing that got us back in the game."

No-hurry, no-huddle? T h a t Cowher says, typifies the Steelers. They don’t Qverreact They simply respond.

It’s almost as if the they would like to keel rn.

Efteactng change O'Donnell (top left) has benefitedfrom Counter's new philosophy, and Pitt hurgh’s

blitzes hove kept QBs such as Harbaugh (4) on the run in the playoffs

he Cowboys wifi see plenty of Stew­ a r t w hether it s in a five-receiver set or n o t Against the Colts, he played a little quarterback, a little running back, a little slotback and a lot of w ideout Pittsburgh converted on she third-down plays; four of them went to Stewart On th e Steelers’ 17-play. 80-vard touchdown drive at the end of the first half. Stewart converted one third down on a quarterback sneak, a second third down on a quarterback keeper, a third third down on a pitchout from O ’Donnell and a fourth third down on the 5-yard 'touchdown catch. He is a weapon no one else has, espe­ cially in formation with four other wide re­ ceivers.

The theory is that few defenses are going to have the wherewithal to find the proper

T

matchups against five burners, especially in the heat of battle. T he Colts controlled them last Sunday, but the Bills, in the conference semifinals a week earlier, were hurt badly by the formation.

“I tell you w h at" Colts linebacker Stephen Grant says. "When you can get m ism atches and maybe get the linebacker on a receiver out there in space, naturally the receiver is going to have an advantage. But in this game, we took away their slants. And watching three or four previous gam es, that has been their big play. We watched them against Buf­ falo: slant, slant, s la n t We took that away.

And we stopped a lot of the third-down plays."

Stewart, drafted as a quarterback, fell into his multifaceted roles m ore or less by acci­ dent, but he has developed them into a hap­ pening that prom ises to bring a panache to the Super Bow l W hen injuries felled a few of the Steelers’ receivers early in the year, Cow her asked Stewart to help out the scout team in practice.

W hen none of the defensive backs or line­ backers could jam him at the line of scrim ­ mage in practice, and when Stewart started catching everything thrown him by backup quarterbacks Mike Tomczak and Tun Miller, Cow her began to phase him into the gam e plans.

"Bill has a lot to do with the innovations here," receivers coach Chan Gailey says.

T h e r e are a lot of ideas floating around out there. But the guys whoVe got g u tsfenough to try them — they're a little m ore rare. Haw

January 22,19%

NFL• 15

then they started going to the Charles Haley. passing game and mixing it Dawson will have to block better than he up a little bit But foF the most did against the Colts’ 4-3 front Pegram will part we shut the running have to run harder than he did against Indi­ game down, and that has anapolis’ defensive line. Thigpen. Ernie Mills, been their strength. Watching Hastings and even Stewart will have to catch Pittsburgh on film. when they the bal} more consistently than they did ing something down on pa­ can run the bad then that sets against the Colts' under-rated secondary. per and actually caning it in a up the great plays for the re­ And O’Donnell will have to stick it into game are two different ceivers.' more small places than he did last Sunday, lf things. You've got to give BOI The Steelers still have one the Steelers can manage all that O'Donnell's credit for having guts enough of the game’s best offensive reasons to believe just might be valid.

I to put it in a game plan and lines, and it’s still built to run But based on their AFC championship then call it in a game." the ball, fy id it's still led by game performance, its a shaky faith.

Cowher planned during Dermontn Dawson, the best ■^TJiis team is going to the Super Bowl and the offseason to spice up the -center in the AFC and ar­ we’re going to represent the AFC, and that’s a offense, despite the fact that guably the best in the game. great honor," O'Donnell says, looking around the Steelers had the league’s Dawson gives Pittsburgh an­ a roomful of skeptical reporters. “We should best rushing attack last year. other look the AFC hasn’t tak-all write about that we’re going to the Super In 1995, they increased their en into the Super Bowl in re­ Bowl. ancLnot how our offense struggled." ♦ * passing yardage by nearly a cent years: a center who pulls.

M ichael Knisley is a senior writer for T h e * third (from 2,964 yards a year He is the key to the Steel­ S po r t in g N e w s . ago to 3,917 this season), and ers’ power sweeps. managed to preserve the run­ STEELERS 20, COLTS 16 • “If the center can cut off W h n ip etti 3 3 3 7 18 ning game’s effectiveness at half of your defense, you only P to tw y fi 3 7 3 7 20 the same time. Their rushing have five other guys to deal ta* Quaffer n j - * G S an cfart 34. 243 yardage was down only 32£ with," says Colts nose tackle IW C . x rtrao n 31. 13.10 yards from the *94 season.

Toqy Siragusa, who fought S ta n d Quarter Somehow, an offense that Dawson to a draw Sunday.

-n j--K L . BtenefanJ 38. t i l R t-S te * a rt 5 cass from (TDonnol LH Johnson to t) 47 was good in *94 with running “Dermontti Dawson can do Tfend Quaffer back Barry Foster and tight n j- -PG S a n fo rd 37 5.03 that He pulls, and he'll cut off P t- P G K Jcfraon 3ft. 14-7 end Erie Green is now better a whole side of the defense t a r o t Quaffer without them. A passing game where the pursuit is coming. n j - Tuner 47 pass to n Hartjaugp © tandfert n a} . 4 U P*—M er* I nm (H J c frto r tic*) '•J2B built last year around Green It makes it easier for a run4 -4 1 .0 6 2 (46 receptions) and the run­ 2 ning back to make his cuts ted p« Opwrn 16 21 ning backs (John L Williams and go backside. When you 2>83 R u tfw -Tarts.

2440 245 R *» n g 205 led the team with 51 catches) don’t cover him. he pulls out R yrtR aw rte 14 >-53 became a wide-open attack on a sweep or a draw. He’s al­ KOSH R fe ura 4-70 496 * ti 7 trtoreapOon t a m s CWI that actually included the wide Opensa ways a threat because then C o n p -ia -n O'Donnell, who has as many as five receivers to choose from at times.

25-41 t 21444 receivers this season. Pitts­ hasbeen one he’s a big man on a not-so-big Sa ck **- T art* Lo b >22 1-0 of the league's hottest passers. t a d 4 4 0 4-39 burgh’s top wideout in ^ was guy outside, like a defensive CW) ta o e a -U te J 1-0 ‘ team now, that it wins with O’Donnell and Charles Johnson with 38 catches; the Steelers’ back or something like that He’s a threat no ta h O e a -Y a rd i 547 4-25 T V * c l P ossasaon jo se 29-24 Thigpen rather than Bam Morris and Pegram top four wide receivers caught at least that matter where he’s a t tadvtdual SW ts& cs — as if to play that style somehow would tar­ many this season, led by Yancey Thigpen’s 85.

“He’s so good, its sort of how you prepare RUSHING— tedanacch. Warren 15-63. rfertoutf: 8-23. Oxxta ' 2.

Hrxftwj H n ru s ii Ragrjrr10-48.lie r* 7-9. Stewart 4 -i£ J nish the Steel City’s hardhat, running-back “But the difference this year is O'Donnell" for a quarterback. Or how an offense would w afer* 1-8. U h 14. ODom nf 1-2. legacy of Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier and says Bengals Coach Dave Shula, who split his prepare for Junior Seau or a big player like PA SSN G — n flfefpCfa. K aftan^ 21-33-0-287. Warren 0- J-04 Cun/L O D o m d 25-41 •t-SOS John Henry Johnson. that That's how I think a defense has to pre­ two AFC Central Division games with the R EC gvw O — tedonapoh . D a*tt« '-98. warren 7-J7. Tumor 3-71 “Over the years, we’ve developed a run­ pare for him."

Steelers this season. ‘He just threw the ball C redo* 2-22. d p ar i-X . 3ofcy 1-9.

TTegpon 8-85. J W hams 4 21 Uqrte 4- 11 . U fa >42.

3-21Stewart? 18 Heyday 1 4 Snorter ning game here, and you kind of associated Stid the Steelers wifi have to throw-more with confidence and accuracy' and guts. You I -8 . taram 1-3 that with the Pittsburgh Steelers," Cowher HISSED R6LD GGAL ATTEMPTS— nhnapafeL Stencfard 47 Pry. than Stragusa’s kind words at Dallas' defense. know, he stuck it in the smafl places. I think txr/v R Jcfraon-40. says. “We won’t ever lose that I think being The Cowboys ranked 16th in the league he’s been the biggest difference. Why he WTHflCEFTXXS—n h r a p d h . Mom* M 7 able to run the football creates a mentality •QCKOE* RETURNS—-tedanaoate. Bafcry4-70 didn't make the Pro Bowl I don’t know. In my against the rush, but they’ll take a finally PUNT RETURNS—♦ tfa napofa. Budtonap '4 Ptsaxxdv Kajitegs >53 and a makeup that has a degree of toughness healthy defensive front into the Super Bowl. opinion, next to Brett Favre, he’s been the SACKS-—n ia n o c x h . McCoy I P C ttxrpv Ucyd t'* . C 8 re w « A Greer* '5 about it I believe we should be able to do including, presumably, defensive end hottest' quarterback in the league." th at That kind of typifies the city. I mean. I O'Donnell stuck it into the smallest of don’t think they’d take to the run-and-shoot spaces against the Colts on perhaps the It's not that type of rity." game’s most critical play, a fourtb-and-3 com­ So Cowher and offensive coordinator Ron pletion to Andre Hastings on the winning Erhardt have tried to preserve the element of drive. O'Donnell expected man-to-man cov­ the offense that brought the team to within erage, but the Colts played zone. He had no three yards of the Super Bowl last season: a choice but to zing it and hope, and Hastings balkrontrol. power running game. When it brought it down. works, it gives the Steelers a unique blend.

T h igpen says G reen’s absence forced With a lead, usually produced by pass, Pitts­ O'Donnell to look for different places to go burgh is brutal by run. In the regular season, with the football this season, which opened the Steelers led the league in time of posses­ up the offense. Gailey says the wide receivers sion, averaging control for more than five simply have learned how to catch the ball minutes longer than their opponents. Against consistently, so the passing game doesn’t the Bills in the conference semifinals, Pitts­ PUBLISHED BY NATIONALLY KNOWN SCOUT FRANK COYLE have to be geared toward one player, as it was burgh had the ball more than 16 minutes with Green.

VISA & MASTER CARD SUBSCRIBERS: CALL 1-8QO-PRQ-1949 longer than the Bills did.

The effect is that the Steelers scored 407 ■They can just grind it out on you," Shula THE MOST ACCURATE AND INDEPTH COVERAGE OF THE NFL j points in the regular season and another 60 says. “They've done it time and time again in in their two playoff games thus far, compared DRAFT & FREE AGENCY- OVER 400 PLAYER PROFILES the fourth quarter when they have a lead You with 316 regular-season points and 42 points never get the ball back. I saw them do it in in their two postseason games in 1994. Now, Cleveland this year, and it was a clinic" the Steelers can play games that reach the 30But when it doesn’t work, they can strug­ point range, and win. gle, as they did against Indianapolis. The FIVE TOP PUBLICATIONS THRU THE YEAR Colts took the run away, and consequently A S75 VALUE FOR ONLY S49.95 controlled the ball longer than the Steelers unny thing about the Steelers, did. It's a game plan the Cowboys surely will though. It's almost as if they're em­ SEND CHECKS TO notice. barrassed by their creativity, as if D R A F T IN SID E R S'D IG EST “Pittsburgh is known as a running team, they would like to keep the success P .0 3 0 X 702 and they tried to establish the running game of their passing attack in the d o se ! No one RED BANK, N J . 07701 today," Grant says. “But we shut it down. So in Pittsburgh wants to-admit this is a passing

feelers are embarrassed by their creativity, as if fie success of their passing attack in the closet.

H

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18 • MFI

The Sporting News

ISNS NFL AW.ARDS

/ r n mta&MartinoveKame an a0try^rujTred ^

senior year to chew up yardsfor the Pats

1^044ie 9^ (A c

CURTIS MARTIN BQI Parcefls was only half4dddmgwhen he called Curtis Mardn a one-game wonder after his rookie back's 102-yard effort in the Patri­ ots' opener. ParceDs saw a crowd of reporters surrounding. Martin in the locker room and was concerned Martin might get carried away with his sudden fame. So he wanted to make sure his weD-placed needle kept Martin under control.

Martin. 22. was hardly a fluke, however.

Surviving some rough moments early in his first season, he wound up as one of Ae pre mier backs in Ae league. He led Ae AFC in rushing wiA 1.4S7 y ^ s . was elected to Ae ^Pro Bow! and was voted TSN’s Rookie of Ae Year by pro personnel directors. He had 9 voles. outAstandng Denver’s Terrell Davis (6) and Seattle’s Joey GaDoway (5).

That kind of production was hardly expect­ ed fiN)m Martin, a Aird-round draft choice whose senior season at Pittsburgh was limit­ ed to two games because of a knee injury.

Martin improved Ae Patriots' woeful run­ ning attack iihmediately. He ended wiA a flourish, finishing wiA nine 100-yard games and 15TDS. a team record. ♦

RAY RHOOEr The Sp o rtin g News* Player of the Year. Rookie of the Year and All-Pro Team were determined in a balloting of 23 NFL pro personnel directors. The Coach of the Year was determined in voting by NFL coaches.

All stories were written by Senior Writer Paul Attner. .-Tr; I

OFFEMSE

TE T G C 6 T WR

de RB RB I • •

* .. *

i

T T E LB LB LB CB S S CB

Erie Surann, Cardinals John Randle. ViMnos Bruce Sm iA, Bills Bryce Faun. Bills Junior Beau. Chamers Grea Lloydt Steelers Aeneas Williams, Cardinals Merton Hanks, 49ers Darren Woodson. Cowboys Deion Sanders, Cowboys

Brian Mttohsll, Redsktns Morten Andersen, Falcons

KR P

Glyn Milburn, Broncos Darren Bennett, Chargers

*

• ♦ • «•

I PR

I

Ben Coates, Patriots William Roat, Saints Nato Newton, Cowboys Dermontti Dawson, Steelers Larry Allen, Cowboys Erik Williams, Cowboys Jerry Rice, 49ers Brett Favra, Packers Emrnltt Smith, Cowboys Barry Sanders, Lions a

%

Ray Rhodes is one of those sten. no-non­ sense guys who commands immediate re­ spect and attention. Smile? Not Rhodes, at least not in public. He is all business, even if his fiiends claim be has a keen sense of hu­ mor. But Rhodes has a goal He wants to buDd Ae Eagles into Super Bow! winners. Maybe Aen he would show some sideline ^ee. , Rhodes, 45, made a big step this season to­ ward that goal He took a team that had lost its last seven games in *94 under Ificb Kotite and molded it into a playofl club. And he Ad it wiA lots of second^er free agents unwant­ ed by other franchises.

He preached togeAemess and feistiness.

He asked his Eagles to be fignters and learners, and to never underestimate their abib* ties. Instead, everyone else underestimated what he could a^eve, particulariy when Philadelphia got off lo a 1-3start But his de­ termination, coupled wiA impressve leader­ ship frt)m some of his veteran players, not only straightened Aings out but eventually vaulted Ae dub into the playoffs and a con­ vincing first-round victory over Detroit Even Aough Ae Eagles lost to ffw Cow­ boys the next week, Ae defeat didnY detract

L~f' ^

Itm ghtM : The aiways'serious Rhodes won't up until he reaches the Super Bowl

from the job Rhodes Ad. His fellow coaches were impressed enough to elect him TEN'S Coach ofAe Year. WiA IO votes, he finished ahead A Marty Schottenheimerv^', Dom Ca­ pers (5). BQI Cowher (2) and Gwrge Seifert (2). TWnty-sbc of Ae 30 coaches participat­ ed in Ae voting.

Tm pleased that we got into Ae playoffs,* Rhodes says, “but I am serious when I say Aat is not going to give us satisfaction. We have hi^a* aims and unA we win a champe onshtp, we really aren*t going to fed we've accompfisbed whk we want here.* ♦

NFL *17

January 22,1996 J

football. Johnson should find a way to keep Cox and help improve his lev­ el of play to the point w here he translates his aggression into big tack­ les, not personal fouls and expectoration epi­ sodes.

NFL REPORT

Don’t expect an instant turnaround in Miami istic fans of south Florida may realize.

But if anyone is capable of leading the Dol­ phins out of their perennially underachieving ways, its Johnson. H eres what he has to do to make it a reality: 1. Keep Dan the Man. One of the most at­ tractive features of the Dolphins job is the presence of future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, who still has a lot left at 34.

T here have been suggestions Johnson Bob should make Marino the Herschel W alker of GLAUBER the D olphins and trade him for a bunch of draft picks. Nonsense. The Dolphins wouldn’t come close to the kind of mega-deal that sent W alker from the Cowboys to the Vikings in wo years removed from his last hair1989. Besides, why trade an elite player who m ussing sideline celebration, jim ­ still has four good years left when the talent my Johnson has taken his mousse around him is better than average? ’n' spray act into Miami for what Johnson says he is a M arino believer, everyone expects will be an instantaneous run w'hich is good news for the Dolphins. They to the Super Bowl 12 months hence. would go now here without Marino.

Hey. while we’re at it, why not another un­ 2* Make the Dolphins a cap-smarter team. defeated season for the Dolphins? Or better For all his genius at acquiring talent, John­ yet, how about the possibility that Johnson will never lose another football game? son never had to work under th e constraints of a salary cap. The good news for Johnson is □ early , the expectation is Johnson simply will come in. crack the whip in training camp, he w orks with one of the m ost aggressive rattle off a few one-liners, issue a victory guar­ owners in professional sports. antee or two. and — poof! — stand on a podi­ Last year. Wayne Huizenga spent $18 mil­ um next year in New O rleans, puffing his lion in signing bonuses to acquire free chest and telling the world: agents such as tight end Eric Green, defen­ “How 'bout them Dolphins?'* sive tackle Steve Emtman and safety Louis Easy does it Oliver, but the Dolphins got minimal contri­ When last we checked, the Dolphins were bution from all of them. being scorched by the Bills in an AFC wild­ But Johnson won’t simply be able to re­ card gam e. If Jimmy Johnson, C huck Noll. lease these and other players he doesn’t care Bill ParceDs and Bill Walsh had been togeth­ for without lasting consequences. Under e r on the Miami sideline that day. Trn not salary-cap rules, team s m ust accelerate the sure things would have gone much different­ signing bonuses of players they release, ly in Orchard Park. meaning there will be less to spend under the To expect an immediate turnaround, there­ cap. Thus, if Johnson wants to release Green, fore, is wishful thinking. After all. the NFL an underachieving player who received a landscape is a far different one for Johnson, $3.5-million signing bonus as part of a sixyear. $ 12-million contract, the Dolphins even if it has been only two years since he last would have to count $2.9 million toward their coached. And because of a variety of factors, 1996 salary cap of about $40 million. its conceivable h ell need more time to fulfill Cap concerns aside. Johnson can’t afford his post-Don Shula mission than the unreal­

4. Overcome a S o p e r jinx. Bill Walsh won

Sooth Florida keys To hasten their revival, the D olphin should keep Marino (above) and let the expensive Fryar walk.

T

Afresh stat

Double time

The Rams have gone into the offseason with no plans to bring back quarterback Chris Miller in 1996. Miller suffered several concussionrelated problems last season and is being advised to retire.

The Ranis will explore the free-agent market as well as a possible trade. Raiders quar­ terback Jeff H ostetler is the most logical choice, because Rams General ; M anager Steve Ortm ayer worked for the Raiders before moving to St. Louis. The Rams also are believed to be interested in Redskins quarterback Gus Frerotte, who may be dealt to settle the controversy be­ tween him and Heath Shuler.

Look for a decision by the Rams no later than draff-day.

Imagine how good Deion Sanders would be if he gave up baseball and concentrat­ ed strictly on football. Evi­ dently. Sanders has imag­ ined the sam e thing.

He has opened the door — albeit slightly — to life without baseball. T v e con­ tem plated the thought," he says.

Sanders, who was re­ leased in D ecem ber by the San Francisco Giants and has not signed with another major league team, indicated^, part of his willingness to think about a footbalLorffy career stem s from his happi­ ness with the Cowboys. He was signed in Septem ber to a seven-year. $35-miIlion contract

“I ts the whole atm os­ phere On Dallas)" he says.

“It's a great atm osphere. I shared some great m em o­ ries in San Francisco last year, but this year is so much sw eeter because of my team m ates and what they’ve brought me."

Cowboys O wner Jerry Jones gets the feeling Sanders is more open to the idea of playing football only, though Jones says he will put no pressure on Sanders to make him quit baseball.

“We would love to have Deion Sanders here in train­ ing camp so he could learn the offense and work with Troy (Aikman)." Jones says.

“I think it would give him a better feel for the offense."

Coach Barry Switzer says; “If he ever quit baseball you

to hold onto such unproductive players as Oliver. Emtman and safety Gene Atkins.

And while he’s at it. wideout Irving Fryar isn’t worth the money he’ll demand to re-sign as a free agent 3. Bring back Bryan. For all the liabilities caused by his hair-trigger temper. Bry^n Cox remains one of the best inside linebackers in really would see how great a football player he is. If we were able to take him to (training) camp, he could be something we've never seen."

Legendary comeback?

The rum or that just won’t q u it lf the Browns wind up playing in Baltimore next season. O wner .Art Modell hires Don Shula to replace Bill Belichick, Neither Mod­ ell nor Shula will address the su b je c t but notice that Shula never m entioned the word “retired" when he stepped down as Dolphins coach. In a related matter, league ow ners are quietly looking into ways to move an existing team to Cleve­ land — perhaps the Bucca­ neers — and allow the Browns to move to Balti­

three Super Bowls in San Francisco, spent some time in the broadcast booth and missed coach­ ing so much he took the Stanford job. Then, he re­ alized he didn't miss it that much and stepped down.

Tom Flores left the Raiders after two Super Bowl cham pionships, then missed the sideline so much he took a. job in*Seattle. where he went 14-34 before be­ ing fired last year.

Bill Parcells walked away from the Giants, plopped into the booth for two years and, came back. too. But Parcells hasn’t been em' joying himself lately either, as his 6-10 season will a tte s t Parcells told friends during the season that perhaps he shouldn’t have come back. though he vows to return next season.

And Bud Grant was begged back by the Vikings after the Les Steckel debacle of 1984. but he lasted only a year before walking again.

You get the idea. History says Johnson is treading in dangerous territory by walking back into the coaching pressure cooker, a place that creates wonderful memories but oft£n leaves in its wake a trail of burnout cases.

But history also says this: Johnson is capa­ ble of starting his own trend.

5. Lose t o geezers. Johnson worked won­ ders with a young Cowboys team in the ear­ ly ’90s but now faces a Dolphins club with nearly two dozen former first-round draft choices, many of whom have outlived their usefulness.

Clearly, some heads will have to roil: Gary Clark’s out; Fryar won’t be back; and Keith Byars will have to give a big effort in the off­ season to show he still belongs.

But if I’m Johnson. I don't go on this mas­ sive overhaul a la Dallas in 1989 and ’90. I simply tweak the roster here and there, and see what happens when Johnson puts his magical coaching touch to work.

more. T he league doesn’t : they were coaching together at the University of Miami. want to have the Browns re­ Defensive coordinator Tom m aining in Cleveland in a i Ofivadotti has no chance of I lame-duck situation. staving.... Look for Steelers 34-vear-oid outside line­ ; Quick hits backer Kevin Greene to exThe Jets already have j asked Key shawn Jo h n so n s : plore the free-agent market ♦ I representatives if he would j in the offseason. be interested in signing a ! * Bob Glauber coven the contract before the draft. ] S F L for Sew sday The je ts own the first overall pick. though getting a sign­ FOR UPDATES ing com m itm ent doesn’t onBob Oauber'sTSN necessarily mean they ll fftjiFootball Report, call choose Johnson. They may 1-98M804W, 95cents want to trade down a few spots and still wind up with coll I-909-451-3234 r’f , * *-rn——■'V Johnson as well as an extra pick or two later in the draft.

Callers underl8m ust Jimm y Johnson may re­ h^fpem is^m ^The ser* tain Dolphins offensive coor­ Yvk$ii a tc^b le0 m T dinator Gary Stevens, touchtone and rotary though the two had a failing out several years ago when -

-

The Sporting News

18 • AFC

on Air Force Academy linebacker Steve Russ in the seventh round of the 1995 d raft Now it appears that move will pay off at the position at which the team needs the most help. Russ failed to qualify for flight training after failing an eye test and instead of being obligated to the Air Force for five years, he now might be allowed to report after two.... Noting the suc­ cess former C hargers Rod Bernstine and An­ thony MIDer enjoyed in Denver, San Diego's Leslie O ’Neal says he might be the pass rush­ er the team will be looking for in free agene)’. ... The club is working on long-term deals for tight end Shannon Sharpe, defensive end Harald Hasselbach and running back Terrell Davis.

—Je ss* S u c r e

BUFFALO BILLS Reed history? After missing IO gam es with an injured ham string and playing poorly after his return. Andre Reed, the te am s all-time lead­ ing receiver with 700 catches, could be gone.

Reed is among seven Bill* due to become an unrestricted free a g e n t Reed had 24 recep­ tions after a career-high 90 in 1994. In two playoff games, he had two catches and was never in sync with Jim Kelly. ... Linebacker Cornelius Bennett wants to avoid becoming an unrestricted free agent by re-signing be­ fore the NFL free-agency period begins Feb­ ruary 16. Last year, after rejecting a five-year.

Si 5-million package. Bennett was designated the team s franchise player and received a one-year salary at the average of the top five linebackers in the league, about S3.1 million.

Bennett says he would like to sign a long­ term deal with the club.

Thurman will bend: Knowing his S4-million salary in 1996 will be a major drain on the team ’s salary cap, Thurm an Thom as says he's willing to take a pay cut or restructure his deal. In all likelihood, he will be ap­ proached to do one or the other. "I’m not thinking about retiring.** says Thomas, who turns 30 in May. “Bul if they don’t re-sign me or restructure my contract this could've been my last year. I know Man- Levy is the only coach I want to play for. He's treated me well as a player and as a person."

—Vc CAROCCI

when he put the biggest restricted tag on Pickens at $953,000 and Arizona offered a four-year. SI I -million deal. So Brown figures the tender doesn’t m atter if a team really wants someone.

Draft talk: The early line has the club taking offensive linemen with its first two picks and reiving on free agene)’ to woo a corner­ back. The Bengals think its too early to tell if the offensive-line prospects are good enough to take with the 10th pick. lf they’re n o t look for a trade dowm. After two years with the overall No. I pick and $12 million in signing bonuses to Dan W ilkinson and Ki-Jana C arter. Brown has no stom ach to move up.

—Cloff Hobson

Jones hasn’t heard anything.

Search to coma The team is in the market for an offensive coordinator who can get more than 47 catches out of Andre Rison.

Steve Crosby resigned last week before Model) could fire him. The te a m s produc­ tion fell from 340 points in ’94 to 289 last sea­ son, but it wasn't as dramatic as it appears.

The Browns scored three touchdowns on re­ turns in '95. two fewer than *94. Also, the de­ fense recorded six fewer takeaways, plus rookie quarterback Erie Zeier produced 17 points in IO quarters. Crosby openly dis­ agreed with benching Vinny Testaverde, telling Coach Bill Belichick the decision “stinks."

—t e f Seam a

CINCINNATI BENGALS

CLEVELAND BROWNS

DENYER BRONCOS

Watchmaker. The club tendered restricted free. agents Tony McGee. Steve T o w and Doug Pelfrev the minimum $328,000 for the *96 sea son. That drew atten bon because the trio fig ures to bt1 key to the club's future, and at 26 Tovar will be the oldest on opening day • McGee, a starter at fight end since his rookie . season, has to be there to take heat off Carl Pickens and Damav Scott. Tovar, the team's leading tackler the past two seasons at mid­ dle linebacker, is needed for his fire. A field goal by Pelfrey has been the last play of half of the club's IO victories the past two seasons.

But G.M. Mike Brown assures hell match any offers. He's reacting to last offseason.

HOUSTON OILERS Buffaloed? After receiving a one-year, fmnchise-player contract last year, Bennett is all pumped up

about the team and wants to sign a new long-term contract with the Bills.

Hold that fan: Art Mod­ el! originally planned to clear out the team ’s of­ fices in Berea, O.. and set up shop in Baltimore as soon as the 1995 sea­ son ended, but plans are on hold until a February 12 trial in Cleveland. ... This is an important offseason for offensive captain Tony Jones.

Last winter he was scheduled to have bone chips removed from his left elbow, but an al­ lergic reaction wdiile on the operating table caused his heart to stop. He's contemplating surgery again because the elbow still bothers him. but he's understandably apprehensive.

Also, he is in the option year of his contract scheduled to make $2 million. The Browns are likely to exercise the option, but so far *

Frustrated: W hen Pat

A

Bowlen signed Mike Shanahan to a seven3 year contract for $8 mil­ lion, he committed to his new coach for the long haul. Bowden suf­ fered through the un­ derachieving 1995 season and did his best to put up a patient front, which was tough con­ sidering most of his team ’s failings were the result of coaching breakdowns. But Bowden seem s to understand the best course of ac­ tion is to give the staff time to stabilize. A big concern w*as the possibility of defensive coor­ dinator Greg Robinson being hired by UCLA W hen that didn't happen, everybody breathed a sigh of relief.

Taktog a flyer The team literally took a Oyer

Decisioo, decisions: Barring trades, G.M. Floyd Reese and Coach Jeff Fisher say they be­ lieve the April draft will be the last time they have a chance to pick as hi^h as eighth or ninth.

The)' will have a coin flip with Carolina to de­ term ine which team picks first The club has specific needs entering the offseason, pri­ marily a right offensive tackle and a pure pass rusher. But Reese and Fisher (lave w atched Dallas and San Francisco stay on top for a long time because they rely heavily on playmakers. Houston hopes to fill its two prim ary needs through free agene)- a n d u s e i t s N o . I pick on a playm aker. preferably a large, fast wide receiv­ er who will play oppo­ site Chris Sanders, the all-rookie selection who caught 35 passes for 823 yards and nine touchdowns. He paced the NFL by averaging 23.5 yards per catch.

Hard a l k The second group of Oilers to barn­ storm across Tennessee to help drum up sup­ port for the sale of personal seat licenses in­ cluded Owner Bud Adams, several players and the team ’s cheerleaders, the Derrick Dolls.... At this time last year. Fisher was try­ ing to hire his first staff. Now. his only coach­ es not under contract are Gregg Williams (linebackers) and Steve W atterson (strength and rehabilitation). The team is trying to sign both to new deals.

—i m McCua

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FTOCMC V T T I H A T D U 4

AFC • 19

January 22,1996

changes in the running gam e We will be m ore of an I-back-oriented team. But in the 'passing gam e and pass protection, it will be very similar to what they have had in the past."

Byo-dyu, Bryan: Bryan Cox may not fit into Johnson's plans. The Pro Bowl middle line­ backer lacks speed, an attribute Johnson loves. Cox’s position is replete with freeagent possibilities. Johnson believes defen­ sive tackles, not middle linebackers, are the heart of the defense. Cox is a free agent who has a reputation for taking the spotlight.

“Anyone who distracts from team goals is out of line. And everyone has to understand th a t" Johnson says.

—AMADO SlLQJBO

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Good ct e d stnr. O pera­ tions director BID Tobin say ^ 'm an ag e m en t b e lieves the right nucleus is in place, now it needs to re-sign the majority of its free agents. In the past that would be diffi­ cult as players would be leaving in search of a Super Bowl contender. Bul after coming within an Aaron Bailey grab in the end zone of going to Super Bowl XXX, players may be m ore apt to return. Job one will be signing Jim Harbaugh to a multiyear contract. The fact the organization took a chance on him, along with H arbaugh's loyalty to Bill Tobin, should make his chances of returning very good. O ther key free agents include Will Wolford. Kirk Lowdermilk. Quentin Coryatt, Randy Dixon. Joe Staysniak and Ashley .Am­ brose.

Trading block: Two players who could be shopped are quarterback Craig Erickson and fullback Roosevelt Potts. Erickson became expendable when Harbaugh had the big sea­ son. and Potts was struggling before injuring his knee late in the season. Zack Crockett also m akes it easier to part with- Potts. The Jets have expressed an interest in Erickson, but the Colts may be reluctant to trade with a team within their division.... Offensive c o o p dinator Lindy Infante is rum ored to be a can­ didate in Tampa Bay. lf he goes, he will be very difficult to replace.

—TERRY ItoTCfflB

coming off back-to-back gam es with intercep­ tions, but was dogging it in practice. Cox has great practice habits.

Kelp et tight end: Tight end Derek Brown. who missed the season with a lacerated spleen, is working out again and says he will be IOO percent by the time minicarap rolls around. Brown is also putting on lost pounds.

Still, a tight end will be sought through free agency or the draft. A lack of a big-play tight end hurt the offense last season and was a big reason the running gam e suffered. The tight ends had trouble handling defensive ends and outside linebackers.

— PETT PrbCO

free safety and provided the team with a third coverage player in the regular defense.

Pro Bono: The play of quarterback Steve Bono dipped significantly over the second half -of the season and hit bottom with his dismal performance against the Colts. But Schotten­ heim er is standing by Bono, saying he will not open the position to meaningful competi­ tion. There is reason to doubt that Bono has the right skills for die team 's offense, which puts a premium on passing accuracy. Bono completed 51.5 percent of his throws over the last l l gam es, with IO touchdowns and nine interceptions.

— ADAK Tttxa

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Going after. C o r In des­ perate need of a pass rusher, the Jaguars will take a long look at Dol­ phins linebacker Bryan Cox, with plans to move him to the outside. So is Cox interested? His agent. Cliff Brady, says Cox has no reserva­ tions about playing for an expansion team.

‘Bryan wouldn’t mind at all coming to a young team that is growing." Brady says. And w'hat of Cox’s stormy history? You can bet the team will make an in-depth study of his tirades. But Cox is a tireless worker who is a good guy off the held. Despite all the seem­ ingly trivial rules Coach Tom Coughlin has in place, the one that m eans the most is work ethic. Insiders say that’s why linebacker Jam es Williams was let go. Williams was

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Outside possibility: Bryan Cox could address die Jaguars' need for a passing-rushing linebackerr and his dedication to hard work would make him a hit with Coach Tom Coughlin.

To play or Dot to play:

Changes ahead: Draft

Frustrated by the early playoff exit. M arcus Allen say's he is u n d e about returning f p fa 15th NFL season.

T m going to take some ime. go som eplace warm. play some golf and make a decision." he says. Allen’s three-year contract has ex­ pired. but he says his preference will be Kansas City if he decides to play. The team would like to have him back. No. 2 back Greg Hill didn't even get on the held during the playoff loss to Indianapolis.... Defensive back Mark Collins told reporters he will retire, but Coach Marty Schottenheim er says Collins left the door open during a face-to-face post­ season meeting. Losing Collins would be painful. The former cornerback moved to

picks will build Coach Jimmy Johnson’s team.

Free-agent signings em braced by the Shula regim e will dwindle in im portance. ... Jo h n ­ son’s defense will at­ tack the line of scrim m age with blitzes and defend the pass with zones. While sweeping changes are expected in the running game, subtle changes in the passing attack mean quarterback Dan Marino will not be traded Marino, who could become an unrestricted free agent after next season, expects to sign a two-year extension that will lower his '96 cap num ber of $4,465 million. ‘Offensively w e want to m ake sure, at this stage in Dan ^jfanno’s career, that we don't have radical ch an g es." Johnson says. ‘ We will have

Change of command: Id the aftermath of another season of overpriced, underproducing free agents (David Meggett, Jeff D ellenbach. Tim Roberts). Owner Robert Kraft has quietly hand­ ed the personnel reins over to Bobby finer.

The veteran coach/scout has had the title of director of scouting, but until now Coach Bill P arcels has had the control. Grier now has the power to run the personnel department — both in free agency ______________ and in the draft. Parcells still will have in­ put, and Grier certain­ ly will consult the coach. The difference is Grier now can make decisions on his own.

The theory is sound.

Relieved of the headaches of salary caps, agents and scouting charts. ParGrier cells will be able to de­ vote total attention to developing an offense that can score points and a defense that can make plays.

Playmakers wanted: G rier's top priorities are finding a gam e-breaking wide receiver and a high-impact defensive linem an/linebacker.

The offense had enough short- to mediumrange targets for Drew Bledsoe but is in need of a go-deep receiver who can attract constant double-teaming. One possibility i< Ohio State receiver Terry Glenn. He's got the kind of speed and the big-play ability that would make him a good pick at No. 7 in.the draft.

—Kara M ia n

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P L A T H /TEAM SALARY Hitch Richmond, Sacramento $2X80,000 162 Terrell Brandon, Cleveland$1,580,000 318 AX. Green, Phoenix $2X80,000 349 Bitty Owens, Miami .. $1,820,000 511 Shawn Bradley, New Jersey $2,280,000 116

20 • AFC/NFC

The Sporting News

. . <v'.

I*

N BY YORK JETS

.

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Status quo: The results on the field were disastrous. but there won’t y be any shakeup in the front office. The team will continue to operate without a general man­ ager. Coach Rich Kotite will continue to oversee the football opera­ tions and have final say on all personnel mat­ ters. Personnel director Dick Haley, an as­ tute football man who built a solid reputation during 20 years with the Steeiers, will con­ tinue to coordinate the draft, but Kotite will have veto power. Last year. Haley had to convince Kotite that defensive end Hugh Douglas was the right choice with the 16th overall pick. To Kotite's credit, he listened to Haley. Douglas was the best thing to come along in years for the Jets. Kotite seems un­ comfortable with his role as the No. I football man. “It’s not a one-man show." he likes to say. • The end? Backup middle linebacker Kyle Clifton. 33. has told friends that he is leaning toward retirement Clifton, who has spent his entire career with the Jets. was used exclu­ sively on special teams last season. ... Guard Carlton Haselrig, who was sentenced last week in Pittsburgh to-a jail term pf two to 23 months after pleading guilty to drunk driving and possession of an unregistered firearm, has indicated he would like to play football again. He isn’t eligible to apply for reinstate­ ment until November. There is no wav the Jets would take him back —fora Cann

Stockton and Davis. ... The planned move from El Segundo to Oakland is proceeding slowly. It might not take place until summer, thanks to delays in construction of a practice facility near the Oakland airport Oct pattern: Assistant head coach Joe Bugel could be leaving town, either as a head coach or as a member of Jimmy Johnson's Dolphins staff. “We wouldn’t ever stand in the way of his personal goals," White says. “Obviously, losing someone like Joe would be a tremen­ dous loss."... Defensive end Pat Swilling, the team’s best defensive player last season, signed a two-year c o n tra c t... Talks with run­ ning back Harvey Williams are moving slow­ ly. Williams, who rushed for a career-high 1.114 yards, is seeking a long-term contract and might test the m arket —fo* KENSKI

OAKLAND RAIDERS

PITTSBURGH STEERERS

Winds of change: De­ spite his team's seasonending six-game losing streak. Coach Mike White insists the talent base is fine. And he’s backing away from sug­ gestions that sweeping personnel changes will be made. “I believe you improve a team by addition, not subtrac­ tion.” White says. “A lot of things may have been inferred, because there was so much frustration. I look at my role as trying lo im­ prove the players we have." ... The team is considering six summer training-camp sites, including the* northern California cities of

Woodson's reward: For all his contributions to the franchise, comer£) back Rod Woodson was kept on the active roster all season with the in­ tent of letting him *play in the Super Bowl. He will dress for the game, but don’t expect him to start or even play a considerable amount in the defense's nickel or dime packages. The concern is that Woodson’s right knee, which sustained a tom anterior cruciate ligament in the season opener, could be reinjured. If he went through another long rehab period, the team would have to carry his ^-million salary

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against the cap in *96.

■Hob Irik The team is keeping quiet its plans for soon-to-be free agent Nefl O'Donnell. The quarterback’s stock has climbed tremendously after this season, when he set four team pass­ ing records and finished fifth in the ATC in passer rating. But the organization has not giv­ en any indication if it intends to resign him.

Backup Mike Tomczak whose contract also was to expire this season, signed an extension through *96 during the regular season. If O'Donnell signs, KordeD Stewart will probably be deployed in the same multi-dimensional manner he was used this season. Stewart has said he wants to be an NFL quarterback and is willing to remain in Pittsburgh during the oft season to learn the position.

—SDBT DUC

'

Mims the wont: The Chargers are betting Mims can improve enough to replace O'Neal

Hugh coop: Not much went right for the Jets this season, but the outstanding play of Douglas, selected with the draft’s 16th pick overall, bolstered faith in the organization's front office.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS Swept away. The front office wasted little time J making key personnel M , decisions. Free agents H Leslie O’Neal. Ronnie Harmon. Gale Gilbert and David Brandon are free to leave. G.M. Bob­

by Beathard also won’t retain Stan Brock, DennisGibson and Mark Seay. The moves will save about $7.7 million but have raised concerns at defensive end. Chris Mims, the team’s biggest bust of *95 (two sacks), needs to get his act straight and replace O'Neal — a possible long-shot request That leaves under­ sized Rayiee Johnson as the other end. He’s quick, but many question his ability to be an every-down player. T h e message probably comes across: T)o we know what we’re doing, leaving ourselves so vulnerable at a position?’ " Beathard says. Mims was Beathard’s firstround pick in *92. and Beathard is not ready to give up on him “I have faith Chris will come back from his mistake," Beathard says. With a glaring hole at defensive end. look for the team to make a run at free agents Chris Doleman (Atlanta) and Marco Coleman (Miami).

Looking ahead: The front office may upgrade the linebacking corps via free agency. Gibson is gone, and the team wants to replace Lewis Bush on the strong side. The club likely will pursue Dallas’ Robert Jones and Tam na Bay's Hardy Nickerson.

—J it Pass

SEATTLE SEAH AWLS Moving ahead: Coach Dennis Erickson met with Owner Ken Behring and received a full-speed-ahead en­ dorsement of his sec­ ond-season plans.

Behring agreed that the offseason emphasis should be on re-signing players instead of bringing in a lot of free agents. “W e’re going to sign some free agents but not a lot* Erickson says. “We need to sign the players who have been here." Heading the list of key players who need to be signed are halfback Chris Warren, strong safety Robert Blackmon, wide receiv­ er Brian Blades, left tackle Ray Roberts, de­ fensive end Michael Sinclair and backup cor­ nerback Sehvyn Jones. Erickson is stressing roster stability in his bid to build an annual playoff contender. “We’re average, and we’ve got to continue to get better." he says.

Practice makes perfect The team had to scramble to keep two practice-squad players whose contracts expired at the end of die reg­ ular season. The Chiefs wanted to sign line­

backer John Solomon and use him on their practice squad during the playoffs, but the team quickly signed him to a two-year con­ tract. Erickson say's Solomon has some skills that might help him develop as a pass-rush­ ing defensive end. Keif Bryant, last year’s seventh-round draft choice, also resisted temptation to leave and'agreed to a two-year deal.

—iran C um *

ARIZONA CARDINALS Job openings: Owner Bill BidwiD isn’t talking about his continuing search to replace former general manager/ coach Buddy Ryan, and every­ one is left wondering not only what his plan is but also if he has one at aft All BidwiD wiD say is that he’s looking into the backgrounds of those who have been recommended to him.

But so for. there have been no reports that he has talked to anyone or interviewed any can­ didates. Bidwifts slow pace might be because he wants to see how the playoffs shake out and see if a coordinator from one of the teams emerges as a hot prospect NFL rules prevent him from talking to anyone from a team stiD involved in the playoffs.

Pressing (fifties: BidwiD could wait until after the Super Bowl to hire someone, sources in the organization say. lf that’s the case, the new general manager will have to act quickly.

Tackle Eric Swann (Bv? sacks) and corner­ back Aeneas Williams (six interceptions) are unrestricted free agents. One likely wiD be named the franchise player, and the other wiD be a hot commodity on the open market It would be a huge move to sign one of them before the free-agent singing period begins February 16. ... End Clyde Siinmoifs (teamleading l l sacks) had bone chips removed from his left ankle and wiD be limited for about a month.

—KOT SOURS

ATLANTA FALCONS Zona-dogglng ‘O’: Sad­ dled with one of the NFL’s worst defenses throughout the ’90s, the team wiD change its scheme for a third con­ secutive season. Coach June Jones plans a shift to a style similar to Carolina’s and Pitts­ burgh’s, which emphasizes bDtzes out of zone coverage. Defensive coaches Joe Haering and Rod Rust instaDed some elements of the pack­ age late in the season and called about 40 blitzes in the upset of the 49ers in the regularseason finale. “We did much more (zone-dog­ ging) in the last five or six games, and we seemed to play more aggressively." says Jones, who wiD stay with a 4-3 base alignment.

The team plans to select carefuDy free agents who are suited to play the scheme. Also, look for most of its draft .to be devoted to defense.

Malcontent purge: Strong safety Kevin Ross has been told he won’t be back, although the team has not waived him. Ross has a year re­ maining on his contract and has been a pro­ ductive player, but he staged disruptive walk­ outs in each of the last two seasons and has been critical of coaching decisions.... Nego­ tiations have started.w ith Jeff George’s agent, Leigh Steinberg^ on a new contract George’s status should be resolved before the free-agency signing period begins in Feb­ ruary.

—Tor h . • • • ' I i

NFC *21

January 22,1996

CAROLINA PANTHERS

DALLAS COWBOYS

B&nper crop: Under­ Taking offace: This classmen who have de­ team is living, thriving clared for the draft help proof that defense is not the team’s chances of the only way to win getting an impact player championships. While with its first choice. Us­ winning nine of its last IO ing the eighth or ninth playoff games dating pick — depending on a back to 1992, it has coin toss with the Oilers — team officials are scored 30 or more points eight times. The only' expected to target a running bade The addi­ exceptions were 1993 when the Cowboys de­ tion of juniors Tun Biakabutuka, Leeland feated Green Bay, 27-17, and last season when McElroy and Karim Abdukjabbar almost as­ they lost to the 49ers, 38-28. Such statistics en­ sure a chance to draft a hance the image of Owner top-notch back. Contract Jerry Jones, who has prior­ negotiations with leading itized the signing of his of­ rusher Derrick Moore fensive stars while sacrific­ continue, but the two rides ing defensive players to have yet to agree on a free agency. Jones’ philos­ number. Right now, ifs a ophy paid off again in a 38tough call on Biakabutiika, 27 NFC championshp McElroy, Abdul-Jabbar game victory over Green and senior Eddie George Bay when Emmitt Smith as a preference.... Ifs not a rushed for 150 yards cinch a running back wfl] and three touchdowns, be taken. Receivers Terry Michael Irvin caught sev­ Glenn and Eric Moulds en passes for IOO yards M o rusk Moore and tile Panthers wiB be considered. and two TDs and Troy Aikhave yet to make a deal Extra picks: The Panthers man threw for 255 yards and Jaguars get extra and two touchdowns picks in the draft again this year as part of the Bood shot There's a good chance defensive roster-stocking plan established for the ex­ end Charles Haley will be available for the Su­ pansion teams in 1994. The additional selec­ per Bowl Haley, who was given permission tions don't begin until round three. As was to practice last week, should be available as a the case last year, don’t be surprised if Gen­ situational pass rusher. Haley practiced in eral Manager BHI Polian does lots of shuffling pads last Friday for the first time since a rup­ around and swapping of picks on draft day....' tured disk in his lower back was repaired sur­ A backup for quarterback Kerry Collins gically. “Charles came very dose to suiting needs to be decided Frank Reich, an unre­ up for the (Green Bay) game." defensive co­ stricted free agent, seems willing to re-sign if ordinator Dave Campo says. “He is very close offered Jack Trudeau, this year's No. 3 QB, is to playing." That would be a boost against a under contract for next season but could be Stealers team that utilizes a lot of four- and released.

—CHUBB C&Uttfl five-receiver sets. , —flKHYSM0HU

CHICAGO HEARS Catching ok There’s a a

^ ^

chance the club may go 4 to camp with Curtis Conway, Jeff Graham and Michael Timpson.

Graham, in the eyes of coaches and players, is the No. I guy, the heart of the three wideouts. He has been the best thing to happen to Conway and has support­ ers in the organization who understand his value. Conway, a restricted free agent, has said he wants to stay in Chicago. If a big pack­ age can’t be worked out, the club can tender an offer in the Sl-million range, assuring itself of his services for one more year or first- and third-round draft picks from a team that signs him. Timpson does not want to be No. 3 again and has been assured that at the least heil go to training camp with a shot at starting. The club thinks Jack Jackson could be a No. 3 re­ ceiver if someone leaves.

Tight s q se e a : The club needs a tight endv For now, Keith Jennings is set, and talks have been held with Chris Gedney to keep him following an injury-filled- season. Ryan Wetnigbt has been an adequate backup, but don’t be surprised if the coaches find ways to use fullback Raymont Harris in a modi­ fied underneath role.... There will competi­ tion for the punting and kicking jobs.

Punter Todd Sauerbrun’s stats and attitude make him a possible underdog, and Kevin Butler was a major disappointment after a hot start.

—im H au l

DETROIT LIONS Wayne1* world: .Owner William Clay Ford is re­ taining Wayne Fontes as coach, but theres an­ other ultimatum: In­ stead of just making the playoffs like last season, Fontes will have to pro­ duce at least one postseason victory. The

team has lost three-consecutive first-round playoff games, and Ford says it's time to take the next step. The key could be home-field advantage, which the team has failed to se­ cure in two of the last three seasons. .While Fontes is safe, theres still a question about his defensive staff. Ford was unhappy with the midseason problems of coordinator Herb Paierra and defensive line coach John Teerlinck. The problems spilled onto the field when P a te n ts defensive calls failed to match Teeriinck's aggressive up-front style. Fontes might choose to reshuffle rather than fire anyone.

Amp start: The team eased its 1996 salarycap strain by signing three veterans before the 1995 season ended. Kicker Jason Alanson, backup quarterback Don Majkowski and line­ man Mike Compton signed contracts that used up $780,000 of the $785,000 remaining under the 1995 cap. Hanson and Majkowski could have become unrestricted free agents; Comp­ ton would have been restricted. The Compton signing was especially important He can play left tackle and center— positions dial might be open with the departure of free agents Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover.

—TM A M U S

GREEN HAY RACKERS A tight sp o t The Pack-, ejs' first appearance in the NFC championship game since 1967 didn’t go quite the way they hop^d, but there are signs they are headed in an upward direction. To get to the next level, the team needs a big. run-stuffing middle linebacker for one. Its questionable it can find one in the draft, but it might get one in free agency. A speedy run­ ning back would help create a change of pace from Edgar Bennett And the Packers will need to add some depth on the offensive line, especially in light of guard Aaron Taylor's tora patella tendon in his knee. The No. I pri­ ority. however, will be to solidify their tightend situation. The team would like to re-sign both Mark Chmura and Keith Jackson, who are unrestricted free agents. But that could cost several million dollars. T h is is a great place to play, but salary-cap wise, I don’t think there’s any team that can afford to keep two prime-time tight ends like me and Mark," Jackson says. Chmura. of course, is one of the hardest working players on the team and

also serves as the long snapper.

08 coach gone: Quarterback Brea Favre will miss coach Steve Mariucci, who leaves to take the head coaching job at the University of California. T heres a good chance assistant Marty Momingweg will get the jo b .... Nose tackle John Jurkovic suffered a tora medial collateral ligament in his left knee. but Ju­ rkovic, who will be a free agent, says he should be back to full health in no longer than four to five weeks.

— TOHSU/BBTES

.MINNESOTA VIKINGS oat The team has decided to dump linebacker . Broderick Thomas, who has two ^ years remaining on his three-year, $5.8-million contract The decision was prompted by offfield problems and uninspiring play. Thomas, 28, was arrested in Houston for a second time in she months on weapons charges, and he also was charged with drunken driving. The problems came on the heels of a 1995 season in which he managed only six sacks and often was benched on passing downs. Team officials are tired of their tarnished image, and cutting Thomas helps save face as well as money. He still will cost $600,000 against the 1996 salary cap because of pro-rated bonus money, but that leaves another $1.1 million to spend in the free-agent market ... Defensive coordinatorTony Dungy has in­ terviewed for the Buc­ caneers' head coach­ ing job. ., Bad move: Team offi­ cials apparently are ready to admit that the 1994 trade for tight end Adrian Cooper B. TI was a mistake. Cooper has been a surly underachiever, and the coaching staff appears ready to go with An­ drew Jordan and Greg DeLong.... Safety Orlanda Thomas became the first rookie to lead the league in interceptions since the Bears' Mark Carrier in 1990. Thomas picked off nine passes; Carrier intercepted IO. ... Look for second-year running back James Stewart to receive a clear shot at becoming the team's featured back next season.

—CWT B am

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22 • NFC

The Sporting News

ST. LOLIS RAMS

TAMRA RAY BUCCANEERS

Changs of boart Two Help wanted: Since w eeks after saying he Steve Spurrier and Jim­ didn’t expect any staff my Johnson each has changes. Coach Rich said no to the coaching Brooks was short two as­ vacancy, the front office sistants. The team decid­ is pursuing Colts offen­ ed not to renew the con­ sive coordinator Lindy tract of offensive line Infante and Vikings de­ coach Dan Radakovich, a move that followed fensive coordinator Tony Dungy. The club on the heels of spedakeams coach Wayne Se­ also has asked for permission to speak to vier's surprise retirement Brooks didn’t shed Texas Coach John Mackovic, but had not ap­ much light on Radakovich’s ouster, saying, “I proached him for an interview as of last Fri­ just warned to go in a different direction." But da)'. Another possible candidate is Wiscon­ ifs no secret the offensive line was one of the sin Coach Barry Alvarez. Several top-level of­ big disappointments of a 7-9 season. Several fensive coordinators, including Chicago’s players say Radakovich. 60, had trouble com­ Ron Turner and Kansas City’s Paul Hackett, municating. “Personality-wise, the player of tile have indicated an interest in the job and a *90s is a lithe bit different than the player of the desire to work with third-year quarterback ’60s or 70s," guard Keith Loneker says. Trent Differ. But they still were awaiting "Theres one way to do things and thaffs tile word from the Bucs as the search entered its ‘Bad Rad’ way. If you don’t do them that way', third week. he doesn’t want to hear anything about i t ’ Muring on? There is a growing feeling that A bolidlng block: The Rams can think o f 78 reasons Slater would make a good offensive line coach, What’s m| Hire? The offensive line job appar­ Owner Malcolm Glazer intends to move the but the former tackle may have other career plans. ently will go to Jackie Slater — if he wants it team after he broke off negotiations for a new chance to compete at tailback to replace Rod­ Slater, who is retiring after 20 seasons as a stadium until the city and Hillsborough Coun­ ney Hampton, who is not likely to be re­ player, spent most of his injury-plagued 1995 ty commit the “necessary funds" to build the signed. ... Ohio State’s Terry Glenn might in­ season working with the linemen, and estimated $ 168-million stadium. Tampa Brooks talked to him several times about get­ Sports Authority Chairman Steve Anderson Oro more year As ex­ terest the team as a big-play wide receiver. It appears linebacker Kevin Hardy, receiver ting into coaching. Slater would be a popular said on January' l l that Glazer has to realize pected. Jim Mora will no one is going to give him a blank check for return for his lith sea­ Keyshawn Johnson and tackle Jonathan Og­ choice, but he also is considering a career in the stadium. The Glazers continue to talk to son. With Don Shula re­ den will be gone by the time the Giants pick. - broadcasting. Slater is scheduled to meet Lins of fire: Whether or not free-agent tackle with Brooks and G.M. Steve Ortmayer. who other cities interested in the Buds, including tired. Mora is the say they want a new line coach in plat* no lat­ Los Angeles and Orlando, as many fans grow league's longest- Jumbo Elliott re-signs, the team figures to rely on a bigger contribution next season from er than February.

—JBI THOUS restless.

—fad PUGLIESE tenured head coach with one team. Owner Scott Gragg, a second-round pick in *95 who played little behind veteran Doug Riesenberg Tom Benson ended a three-month silence at right tackle. Riesenberg is a potential salarywith his public commitment to Mora and Bill Kuharich. who was elevated to general man­ cap casualty.... Quarterback Dave Brown had ager. “I'm convinced that under this new set­ a diagnostic arthroscopic procedure on his left Shopping fist Team offi­ Tackling tire cap: Five knee last week and was deemed not to need up we will achieve our goal." Benson says. cials say they will be ac­ weeks before the start of more surgery. He should be at full “That goal is to win a Super Bowi. I won't be tive when the free-agent free agency. Coach Norv satisfied until that day comes." .Although well before camp. market opens in .midTurner had yet to sit Kuharich’s appointment includes a substan­ February. The team down with oft-injured tial pay raise, he and Mora, who were hired does not have a firsttackles Jim Lachey (of­ by the late Jim Finks, remain in the final year round draft choice, and fense) and Bobby Wil­ of their contracts. free agency could be the son (defense) to talk Youth movement By elevating Kuharich. 42.

Fred’s future: It appears quickest way back to the Super Bowl Giants about their futures. Together, the pair will cost the team has the second-youngest general unlikely that wide re­ running back Rodney Hampton and Steelers the Redskins $4.42 million on the 1996 salary’ manager in the league — behind Jimmy lr* ceiver Fred Barnett will pass rusher Kevin Greene are among the po­ cap. Lachey, 32, has said he would retire rather say. 36. of the Colts. Kuharich has directed return to the team in tential free agents the than switch teams. A the Saints’ player personnel department for 1996. Barnett is one of team is likely to pursue, three-time Pro Bowl all 11 of his years with the franchise, includ­ nearly two dozen Eagles although it will be limited choice, Lachey won’t be ing the past two as vice president of football who will become unre­ by salary-cap constraints. back at his called-for operations. Kuharich now has the final say on stricted free agents next ... Look for defensive tack­ salary after missing 32 of all personnel matters, although Mora an­ month. After catching a career-high 78 pass­ le* Oliver Barnett, a 1995 48 games the past three swers to Benson. “I can’t change what we did es in '94. he was expected to flourish in the free-agent signee from seasons. Wilson, who sat in the past but I can learn from that." new West Coast offense. Instead, he caught Buffalo, to be released out 38 games the past four Kuharich says. “I’m not happy with going 7-9 just 48 passes, the second fewest of his ca­ with two years remaining years, doesn’t expect to re­ or 8-8. but I think we’re headed in the right di­ reer. Barnett who made $1.5 million, wants on his contract Barnett turn to Washington. A No. rection." ... Mora says no “major changes" on to test the market He is looking for $2 mil­ played in six games last £ I draft pick in 1991, Wil­ his coaching staff are likely.

—Mio STROH lion-plus. Coach Ray Rhodes and offensive co­ season and couldn’t beat son says he may consider ordinator Jon Gruden think '95 third-round out practice-squad gradu­ retiring if his ailing back pick Chris T. Jones is ready to start Jones ate Junior Bryant when doesn’t aflow him to be in caught just five passes as a rookie. The team tackle Bryant Young was shape by training camp. also thinks it can get a quality receiver in the injured.

Counting Lachey and Wil­ Draft man: Player per­ draft ... The Eagles will be shopping for a Gutting the boot Spedalson, the team’s IO highestSUD deep: Turner’s Washington fob sonnel director Tom pass-catching tight end in free agency'. They tearns coach Alan Lowry. paid players under conis safe and sound.

Boisture. a central fig­ had just 31 receptions horn tight ends in *95. who suggested the team . tract for 1996 count for ure in the controversyAckles io Miami? The team may soon be in choose kicker Doug Brien in the third round $19,884 million against the cap. over Coach Dan Reeves’ the market for a new director of football ad­ in ’94, was fired i t e r four years with the Nonr’s niche: Turner hasn’t coached the team status, says he has “no ministration. Bob Ackles is said to be in line team. Brien was cut after the sixth game in for even two years, but he is already 17th in problem whatsoever" for a front-office job with the Dolphins. Ack­ *95 and was picked up by the Saints, ... De­ seniority among NFL coaches. “It’s hard to working with Reeves. les is a good friend of new Dolphins Coach spite the firing of Lowry, the team was imagine Don Shula not coaching, but seven Boisture says he has had disagreements with Jimmy Johnson. The twc worked together in pleased with its Ipw-budget kicking tandem years ago it was hard to imagine Tom Landry every coach, notably Bill Parcells. but that Dallas where Ackles served as vice president of Jeff Wilkins and punter Tommy Thomp­ not coaching, ‘so Tm not sure it’s changed a has not prevented the team from succeeding for player personnel ... Owner Jeffrey Lurie son. Wilkins, who had never attempted an great deal" Turner says. Turner's two-year in the past. The ability of Reeves and Boisture was asked if he’d be surprised to see quar­ NFL field goal before last season, made 13 of record is 9-23, but he should feel secure. Last to work together will come into focus in this terback Randall Cunningham back with the 14. Thompson, after a wretched start, aver­ month. Owner Jack Kent Cooke said Turner year’s draft because the team owns the No. 5 Eagles. His one-word reply: “Yes." The Ea­ aged 42.1 yards per punt after the midway is going to be the team’s coach for the re­ pick. its highest since 1984. ... Reeves says gles have no interest in re-signing Cunning­ point of the fifth game. Both were paid mini­ mainder of “my fife and I intend to live to be he told Herschel Walker he would get a ham.

—Pita. D o w rra mum salary. ’ —h i Mu b IOO.’ Cooke is 83.

—D u * E n

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

SAN FRANCISCO 49E R S

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

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January 22,1996

COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT

Underclassmen are wiser about leaving early e s t Others, such as juniors Ron Powlus of Notre Dame. Brad Otton of Southern Califomia and Jake Plummer of Arizona State. have more to accomplish at this level They may have learned from Tommy Maddox and Heath Shuler. But ifs interesting to note that this win be the second consecu- ______ tive year in which no undergradu­ ate quarterbacks wifl be taken in the first round.

Ivan So much for a trend — that IHAISEL streak will end a year from now if Manning comes o u t But the process of who leaves for the NFL and ^ ^ t a y s is working more he deadline for undergraduates to sensim f than ever before. The declare for the NFL Draft has NFL’s advisory process is giving passed and coDege football caught players a truer sense of where a break. Oh, the game lost five ABthey might be drafted. The play- te s a Americans and a couple of others who might ars are making tiiore informed de­ have been save for injury or suspension. But cisions. Fewer of them than ever before are a look at an unoffidal list of earfy departees ^ving up th d r scholarships only to discover shows not a sin ^ e quarterbacL h e y aren't good enough.

The most olmous candidates, junior Dan­ Virginia Tech defensive end ComeD ny Wuerfiel of Florida and sophomore Pey­ Brown decided to stay for his senior year. So. ton Manning of Tennessee, inade it clear at too. in a pleasant surprise, did tailbacks War­ the end of the season that they had no inter* I

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rick Dunn of Florida State and Tiki Barber of Virginia. Their decisions are especially note­ worthy in light of the relatively weak senior class of running backs. Only two of the top IO rushers in Division I-A last season completed their eligibility: Eddie George of Ohio State and D eliid McCullough of Miami (0.). For junior tailbacl« such as Lawrence Phillips of Nebraska and Karim Abduljabbar of UCLA, the decision took little thought Backs such as Tim Biakabutuka of Michigan and Moe Williams of Kentucky left behind unfulfilled possibilities. Their decisions are understandable when viewed through the prism of their competition: Outside of Phillips. Abdul-jabbar. George. Stephen Davis of Auburn find fuDback Mike Alstott of Purdue, few will draw i n l e i ^ At other positions, players such as Washington free s^ety Lawyer Milloy. Texas defensive end Tony Brackens. Ohio State wide receiver Terry Glenn and Auburn offensive tackle Wmie An­ derson made the right calls in leaving. Two other prpminent players could have u s ^ another season in coOege bul left for the money. Wide receivers Eddie Kennison of Louisiana State and Freddie Scott of Penn State could have blossomed next fall Scott's departure leaves Penn State as one of the school's hit hardest Only Micfcgan and California lost more than one player. The Golden Bears lost two defensive linemen. Re­ gan Upshaw and Duane Qemons. who could have used another season. The Wolverines.

in addition lo Biakabutuka. lost offensive tackle Jon Runyan.

GatOHTiacle For the last few years. Steve Spurrier has replaced Lou Holtz as the prominent college head coach whose name is perennially float­ ed for NFL vacancies. The NFL media will have to anoint someone else. Last week.

Spurrier made it clear he is. as he likes lo put it ‘a coDege ballcoach."

Spurrier called a news conference to say “no* to a hicrative offer from the Buccaneers.

Theypursued Spurrier before they attempted to speak to Jimmy Johnson. But Spurrier was. is and always will be a Gator.

His contract which roOs over another year each time Florida wins nine games, just ex­ tended through 2002. Entering the week, he was negotiating with Athletic Director Jere­ my Foley for a raise that would bring him in the neighborhood of what Rorida State Coach ^ b b y Bowden recently agreed to — S975.000 per year. Although Florida couldn’t match what arrNFL team conceivably could pay him. Foley remained serenely confident Spurrier would stay.

"He likes championships," Foley said. "He likes championship ballgames."

There are a lot more of those at Florida.

The Southeastern Conference championship means more in its circle than the National Football Conference or the Central Division ever will. In the NFL, it’s Super Bowl or bust Ask Marv Levy. ^ Ivan M aisel coven college football for Sewsday.

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The Sporting New

Jordan, who. besides"a standard 35 points, had the most rebounds (14) since he put down his baseball mitt. “It was to play a bet­ are is the occasion that a bas­ ter 48 minutes than we did out there." ketball team makes a perma­ As reserve guard Steve K en put it more di­ nent contribution to the Ameri­ rectly. “Revenge was certainly a factor." can lexicon. But the Sonics are The worst beating of the season was al­ a rare team in many ways. They layed somewhat for the Sonics by the fact have indeed enriched the na­ they were missing All-Star forward Detlef tional vocabulary. Whenever a heavily fa­ Schrempf. He is out until February with a vored team is upset for no discernible reason, broken left fibula suffered December 9. The the team is said to have "pulled a Seattle."

Bulls counter that excuse with one of their The Sonics are the psychological ploy used own in the November loss: power hairdo by every coach who fears complacency. and leading rebounder Dennis Rodman was When the phrase “pull a Seattle" is invoked. out with injury. So for the seasonal draw jaws are clenched, resolve is renewed and each team had a rationalization, with the loins are regirded. Failing to respond to such Sonics adding the asterisk of a road trip * a challenge is to risk sharing the thousand from northern hell, to drain some of the tons of stigma borne by the Sonics. meaning from a midwinter joust among the So the team came to Chicago last week conference elites. hoping to lighten the load. As every player Despite its gruesome end. the Sonics fin­ and coach knows — after consecutive hairished file trip 4-2. They had won eight of their puliing flameouts in the first round of the last IO and were still leading the Pacific Divi­ playoffs — nothing substantial can change sion. And as usual, they were collecting some about their national reputation until the admirable statistics. first week in May. But a regular-season The Sonics entered the week second in toe sweep of the almost almighty Bulls would league in scoring differential. They were first put the arch to many an eyebrow. in field-goal percent­ In November, the age defense — an Sonics beat Chicago in Seattle. 97-92. A im pressive achieve­ ment considering similar game, even a narrow defeat would they have no shotmake a statement In­ blocking center. And they appeared to be stead. after a 113-87 on their way to lead­ blowout the only fit­ ting statement had ing the NBA in steals for toe fourth consec­ been made by Yogi utive season.

Bena long ago: It was deja vu all over again.

“I know we’ve had trouble in toe playoffs, .At least the pound­ ing was administered but this team really by a splendid team. It seems to have a work also came at the end ethic," AD-Star for­ of the team's longest ward Shawn Kemp road trip in 12 years. says. “If we keep im­ a 12-day, six-game proving, well be right odyssey that went there when the play­ offs start." from southwestern desert to southeast­ Kemp has person­ ern tropics to north­ ified the work-ethic eastern tundra. The theme. In what might trip was supposed to be a season-long au­ have a seventh game, dition for one of two but a contest against remaining spots on the Knicks was post­ g the U.S. Olympic poned py the East I team, he dropped 30 Coast blizzard, which * pounds and leaped to left the Sonics | the top of toe NEA trapped in New York I rebound charts while for mosf of three a reaching personal1 davs. . ' 5 highs in energy and • Thev tunneled out Sonic boom: Payton needs to carry his regularbasketball smarts. in time to win in Mil­ season talents into the n.

Coach George Karl waukee on January 9. has designated Kemp but that was the night before the game the go-to guy — a feature the offense has nev­ against the Bulls, who were lounging in wait er had under Kart. Kemp has responded with for three days at home — as if they needed career bests in nearly every category while further time to prepare for Seattle, which at reducing foolish fouls and turnovers. the time held the Western Conference's best Although he had weak road games against record.

Chicago and Orlando — the latter a lfS-93 Having lost only two other games, the defeat less contested than the Bulls’ rout — Bulls are elephantine in their recall of af­ All-Star guard Gary Payton is swirling and fronts. Referring to the Seattle defeat in No­ double-pumping in the lane with renewed vig­ vember as an "ugly scrum match" induced by or and is among league leaders in steals and the Sonics' style. Bulls Coach Phil Jackson assists. Off-guard Hersey Hawkins, after a growled ominously* “When the Sonics come slow start, has found the long-distance touch to Chicago in January, well remember this for which he was acquired last summer. one."

Best not to make these guys mad. Recall­ ing their horrific second half in November, ” ith this team and its history, do the Bulls, ahead 5145 at intermission, any of these individual virtues slashed the Sonics for the second half s first . and feats have great meaning?

12 points to all but bury them.

In a word, no. The past two seasons, the Sonics have seen spectacular “We had a purpose tonight," said Michael Rata Ifao striate Kemp, who has taken his game to new heights, is doing his best to make sure that Sea,

By ART TMH.

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NBA • 27

January 22,1996

lack a solid, never mind good, center and con­ sistent outside shooting. In case anybody no­ ticed the Rockets la$t season, th a ts where the champs dominated.

Karl has never shown a fondness for the traditional 7-foot center, preferring smaller guys who can run the floor as well as defend more than one position. He com pensates for the no-post man with a system of traps and double-teams that try to keep the ball from the large fellows. The problem with the sys­ tem is the Sonics last season surrendered gam es, long winning streaks and sparkling d u rin g Karl’s regim e, nearly to r t apart the m ore free-throw attem pts than all but one team and rendered Gill alm ost useless. Part num bers come to naught because they have team. as well as more 3-point attem pts than of the problem was a correctable chem ical failed in the first round of the playoff, in a all but one team. Lf the Sonics aren’t hacking im balance in Gill, discovered late in the fashion virtually unprecedented in NBA his­ inside, their collapsing defenses are vulnera­ season, that caused mood swings. A nother tory. ble bom the outside.

O th er team s have won 50 or m ore part of the problem was Karl’s stubborn re­ For th re e seasons, the organization h a i fusal to talk directly and easily with a key gam es and lost early, but they have been been trying to m ake 6-foot-11 Ervin jo h n ­ player. defeated by good or even cham pionship son a starting cen ter, and he simply does team s. But in 1994 the team squandered its Asked once why he wouldn’t meet with not have the hands or the instincts. In the G ill Kari said. “Why should I lower myself?" league-best 63 victories on a 42-victory offseason they picked up Frank BrickowD enver team in a 3-2 defeat, becom ing the After all, Karl reasons, his college coach. ski, 36. who m issed an entire season with first top seed to lose to a No. 8 seed. In ’95, Dean Smith, never did such a thing. But sh o u ld er surgery. He was scheduled for somehow Karl has never quite grasped the the 57-victory Sonics, seeded fourth, were spot duty, but to his surprise occasionally ousted by the No. 5-seeded Lakers in four player-relationship distinctions between finds him self starting. M ostly the job is North Carolina and the NBA, where in stints gam es. falling back to power forward Perkins, who “I can’t really put my finger on it — it in Cleveland and Golden State and now Seat­ at 34 and 6-9 is neither young enough nor tle he always seem s to find one or two play­ amazes me." says former assistant Bob Klopbig enough to deal well with the NBA m id­ penburg, now with the Nuggets. “It has to be ers a season with whom to cross swords. dle. psychological. To me. Denver has more char­ Karl says he is in the business of coaching, Hawkins, acquired from Charlotte for Gill. is acter. (The Sonics) have got to show they not m anaging egos. Unfortunately, howev­ an offensive im provem ent But the next-best er. that has becom e the largest part of NBA have character to m eet the tough situations, outside shooters are Perkins and Schrempf. coaching, and until he com es to some peace and I don’t know if they’ve gotten i t This year which makes for some weird will tell. Because if they're going to ever do it, this will floor spacing and fewer offen­ be the year. sive rebounds. Hawkins' eve # T h e y ’ve made som e er­ and leadership might be the rors, in my opinion. Of elements that bring the team course, you can always say out of its spring sleeps. When that looking back. But people the game slows to halfcourt in give up on these older guys. the playoffs, someone has to Dale Ellis is a good example. take the big outside sh o t But Sedale T h re a tt Ricky Pierce. the Bulls showed last week T hey say' they’re too old. how that playoff scene might their legs are going. But look. they’re so s m a rt you can’t Chicago sw'armed Kemp give up on those people." inside, forcing him to kick Of course, Ellis, Threatt |f n e ball out. where an un­ and Pierce are all former Son­ characteristically high 26 3ics. And it is basketball I.Q. point shots were hoisted — a w here the Sonics often are night after putting up 25 vs.

DOA In each of the last two Milwaukee. Against the playoff flops, the N uggets Bulls, Seattle hit seven. l a f S marie The Sonics1coach has a .7 1 0 winning percentage over the last threeand Lakers seem ed to get Hawkins missed six of seven sm arter as the Sonics grew plus seasons, but his te a m somehow selfdestruct in the playoffs trevs. befuddled. Payton followed s m idseason approaches, up superlative regular seasons with something isn't quite right in quirkily deficient postseasons.

Seattle. Maybe it is the abSchrem pf and veteran center Sam ,sence of ih r e m p f . Then Perkins failed to deliver the clutch again, he has been around for both plays expected of veterans. And Pay­ playoff collapses. W hatever it is. the ton and Kemp were labeled as the team has about three months to flgure undisciplined young heart of a club it out once and for-all. Even Karl rec-’ that had little cohesion and chemistry' ognizes the precipice.

— the anti-Rockets.

In January 1992. when Kari was FUH-fonnd loss T hen th ere is Karl, onetim e w un8e«m hired, he hailed the ream s potential 57-25 NoirYork 40 196849 eBJets dercoach who hung on to his job last I**!,*' .

NewYork 4-3 5082 and spoke boldly 1969-70 • sum m er m ostly because he had a PtiTn_n_nnHi i i “We've opened up a two- to threeL M * * « c a c a g o B * ..

51-31 :197tV71: guaranteed season left that O wner year window to contend for the ch am L A taters, 4-0 1971-72 57-25 Barry Ackerley didn’t want to throw pionship," he said, " lf we don't win a 51-31 lA L t e M - 3 away. And it would have looked a lit­ /• N1QOOQQ Gotten State. 34 cham pionship in two to three years.

UtafcJszZu 7 51-31 tle funny to be throw ing away a w e should be scrutinized very closely." * Vw~. " •; ’ ~• 5527 ^ T90M O coach who, over the last three-plus R a n te d Without a championship, the Sonics 63-19 • Denver, 5 2 * Sodfe 8c r ie r -: seasons, has the NBA’s best regular- -/ M M I .* ' and Kari are indeed under an electron 57*25 season record an d a .710 winning L A taters, 3-1 •»; • • f * j. ;t • ’ . microscope. Right now, however, m ere percentage. T hen again, in previous ,. s • .a » • — Abt Tu b . ly reaching the second round in May will coaching stints in E urope and the r -'.V * * • .•• *. I be cause for champagne and confetti OBA, Karl won 70 percent of bis regT he Sonics are no longer so concerned with that fact, Karl will always grow uncom ­ uiar-seasoh gam es, too. and cam e away with the cham pionship history' book. They fortable as expectations rise annually with title-free. just want out of the dictionary. ♦ the flowers.

I A bundle of paradoxes and inconsisten­ Apart from Karl’s insecurities, the Sonics, cies, Karl is always on the edge of self-de­ A rt Thiel is a colum nist fo r the Seattle in the face of the postseason debacles, have struction. Last season a feud with starting Post-Intelligencer. yet to correct fundamental flaws. They still off-guard K endall Gill, a player acquired

Led by star forward Shawn Kemp, ••v

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NBA • 29

January 22,1996

NBA REPORT

Cavs: Let someone else have the ping-pong balls accident and went on the injured list after two games. The Cavaliers started 0-7? the season ' seem ed a wash in November. But since that miserable s ta rt the Cavaliers have been the I biggest surprise west of Sacramento. “lf you take away the first seven games, it’s | a whole new season." Cavs swingman Bobby Philis says.

Once again, the Cavs are winning and de­ fying all logic. Ravaged by injuries and key departures, they have nonetheless taken a POWELL step toward another productive season under Coach Mike Frateilo.

This was supposed to be a rebuilding sea­ son. but Frateilo and his overachieving play­ ith the Cavaliers, a te n d e n c y ers didn’t receive the memo. After going 0-7. exists to assess the dam age b£they won 18 of their next 25 and have put fore the season starts. The them selves back into playoff contention.

1995-96 season started out no Talent-wise, the Cavs are at a disadvan­ differently. tage. They lack size, a true center and have ■ Hot Rod Williams and M ark Price, a pair little depth. With the possible exception of of important starters, were sent packing.

Terrell Brandon, who replaced the departed ■ Gerald Wilkins, once a 15-point scorer Price at starting point gu^rd, there isn’t an and active defender, was lost to expansion.

AD-Star on the roster. Frateilo has even found ■ Brad Daugherty never suited up and last a way to get some use out of Danny Ferry. week was officially ruled out for the second The Cavs com pensate for their deficiencies consecutive season because of a lingering by simply showing up and com peting every back problem. night Once the season began, things got worse.

T h e r e s a real inner strength and tough­ Forward Tyrone Hill was involved in a car i

Shaun

W

Silty aeries Has Charles Barkley worn out his welcome with the Suns, and m ore specifically, with President Jerry Co tan­ gelo5 Disappointed and frustrat­ ed by the team ’s tailspin.

Barkley realizes his chance at a ring is m ore remote with each loss to team s like the Clippers. He openly ques­ tioned the Suns’ role as con­ tenders this season, saying, T v e got news for you. This is as good as it gets.”

T he C huckster also knocked the trades Co tange­ lo made, particularly die Cedric CebaDos, Dan Majerle and Mark W est deals, But what really made the hair stand on Colangelo’s neck was when Barkley discussed possible places he would like to play, New York am ong them.

W hen Colangelo traded for Barkley four years ago. he was warned that the AllStar forward cam e with an expiration date. Executives around the league told Colangelo that sooner or lat­ er — sooner, if the Suns ever experienced bad tim es — Barkley would be a pain. It looks like that time has ar­ rived. W hen Barkley threat­ ened to retire last sum m er.

Colangelo curiously did not

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ness with this group." Frateilo says. T h e y have a*great resiliency to bounce back and make tffings happen."

Last season the Cavs lost Larry Nance to retirem ent, Wilkins missed the entire season with a torn Achilles’ tendon. Daugherty had his back problems and Price played only 48 gam es. Still, they won 43 gam es and made the playoffs.

They have survived partly because of hard work. but also because of their conservative

Payton* place?

Gary Payton m ade him­ self visible when the Sonics ■V visited Miami on January 4.

V " i'. . y - S T ' i kl He signed autographs during pregam e warmups (a rare act for him) and ac­ knowledged fans during the t - r - _-fc gam e. After the gam e, Pay­ OI ton autographed his shoes I for a ballboy, who happened to be the son of Heat Owner Micky Arison.

Payton will be a free agent % this sum m er and is receptive Goodwin toon Payton's to playing for the Heat, where m aking friends — ju st in case, the feeling is mutual. Birt it is also likely Payton wiB re-sign try to talk him out of it with the Sonics or join the When Barkley slacked on Kings. “Everybody who his sum m er workout sched­ wants me," Payton says, “will ule, Colangelo steamed. have a shot at me.”

Last month, after the Suns began drifting toward the bi retrospect bottom of the division.

•r M ichael Jordan says he Colangelo issued an order. wouldn’t have returned to T hose who do not practice, the Bulls had they made the will not play. Barkley was Scottie Pippen-for-Shawn one of those targeted. When Kemp trade two years ago.

Barkley spent the night be­ “I’m pretty sur^* Seattle fore a gam e in Las Vegas. would be a better team," Jor­ Colangelo cringed. dan says. “Chicago would T he Suns insist they still be rebuilding." haven’t placed Barkley on No knock against Kemp, the block. But if they feel the Jordan added; he’s just more season is a waste and a familiar with Pippen. Says house-cleaning is necessary, Sonics Coach George Karl, don’t be surprised if Barkley who at the time pushed for is on the move again before the deal: T rn happy Shawn’s the February 22 trading in Seattle. Shawn has develdeadline. '.

What tottery? Dan Majerie and the Cavs have fought their way back to respectability.

system. Once again, the Cavs are working the shot dock: no non-expansion team is av­ eraging fewer points. But while they are hard­ ly a sexy team, they play within their strengths and make few m istakes — 13 turnovers a game is the lowest average in the league. There probably isn't a team that plays more intelligently.

January will test the team's resolve. They are currently finishing up a seven-game West­ ern road trip, and this nwnth will have played 11 of 16 away from Gund Arena. But the East­ ern Conference is relatively weak and the Cavs should survive any semi-lengthy losing streak.

While Frateilo has once again put himself in the running for coach of the year — he somehow finished a distant second to the Lakers' Del Harris last season — General M anager Wayne Embry' has made some of the best moves of any executive this season.

H f dumped the aging Williams and Price at precisely the right time. Had he waited any longer, he probably wouldn’t have received the pair of first-round picks in exchange.

Embry now has the Cavs in' position to re­ load in e a rn e st during the upcoming years, esperially this offseason. The payroll is light enough (although Ferry's salary remains an albatross) to sign k decent free agen tm ext summer, and with the Suns and Bullets hay­ ing m ediocre seasons, those first-rounders are looking pretty good.

The Cavs* own first-round pick was sup­ posed to land in this sum m er’s draft lottery'.

Instead, the Cavs intend to leave the ping­ pong balls to someone else.

T heirseason certainly doesn’t equate into a high draft selection. By the looks of things, their “frustrating rebuilding process" lasted only the first seven games.

BY TUE NUMBERS i

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oped into a player that'll nev­ er be traded and should nev­ er be traded."

Another transaction the Bulls didn't m ake seem s to be working out fine — so far.

Last fall the team decided to trade for Dennis Rodman ra th e r than fork over the ex­ tra dough for Jayson Williams, who re-signed with the Nets. Williams is av­ eraging more rebounds per

minute than Rodman.

Aramd the league

per season. ... W hen t h e Raptors set a perm anent NBA record by not making .a single free throw in their gam e with the H ornets, they took only three at­ tem pts. which proves an ex-, pansion team needs to gain the respect of the referees as well as the opposition. ♦

Portland guard Rod Strickland is having an All-Star season, but twice in a recent five-game span he was punished for un­ specified team violations. ... R o c k e t s C o a c h Rudy Tom janovich’s contract up­ I - Shaun Powell covers the grade now puts him firmly SB A for Sewsday. in the Si million-plus range

the hard-working hosts, that would have been ‘tolerable. But after a victory over the stunned Cavaliers two days earlier, the hard-working hosts couldn’t be found.

“W e've been singing the same song all season." Barres says.

One reason for the erratic behavior is youth. Only one Celtic, Alton Lister, is over 30. Barres, Rick Fox and Eric The Celtics this week are on the road — thankfully — be­ Montross have been starters three years or less. Eric cause it seems the wrath of the basketball gods have come Williams, Junior Burrough and Greg Minor are in their first or second seasons. down on the hapless franchise for vacating Boston Garden.

“When you don’t get off to a The shiny new FleetCenter quick start and get yourself has become increasingly hos­ loosey-goosey, you can find pitable to visitors. W ith a yourself in a pressure cooker record of 9-12 through Sunday, at home." Casey says. That borne isn't so friendly for the happens at times with young Celtics anymore. The worst deteams that are struggling." feat came January 7. when the Another theory is that of the Mavericks recorded their first Spoiled Boston Fans. Dee victory in Boston after 15 lossBrown says he prepares for es. Why the sudden chill on home games as if they were the'home front? road ones.

“You re asking." assistant "You know how the fans are coach Don Casey says, “what here," Brown says. T h ey’ve is becoming in the NBA a very been spoiled by Larry. Kevin difficult, philosophical ques­ and C hiel" tion.”

Fans are also quiet The bad “I wish I knew what it was." basketball could have some­ guard Dana Barres says. "I thing to do with that The could make up something, but shock of paying 850 for a tick­ I really don’t know. Its not like e t $15 for parking and $8.50 it’s the new building or’ any­ for a soda and hot dog also thing. That’s just more excus­ can lead to speechlessness. es."

T h ey are quiet" Casey The 16 banners hovering says. “But they wanted to get above the court tell you that loud On the Dallas game). there was once fairly good pro You could hear them chant­ basketball played in town. As­ ing. ‘Defense! Defense!’ But sistant coach Dennis Johnson we didn’t help them." was part of a team that won 40 After Jason Kidd faked left of 41 af home one season. and went right on the baseline Watching this team play so Settling to: B arm andJhe Celtics ore having a hard time to make the score 106-89, close to those banners can be adjusting to their new home. most of the 13,000-plus aban­ jarring.

But it is not as if this team is being held to the standards of doned their seats. There were still three minutes remaining. that one. As Barres says, this team absolutely must play its “What it comes down to is that we’re not a good finishing hardest every night just to have a chance of winning. There is team," Fox says. T h at’s not a good sign."

Not for the team in green and white. But if you’re a visitor no team, not the Clippers, not the Wolves, not the Grizzlies, and someone flashes a “Welcome to Boston" placard in your that allows the Celtics to relax.

That’s why Coach M .L Carr was so upset after the Maver­ face, how could you not be a little giddy? ' — M ic h a r Holley icks game, lf Dallas had come into the house and beat up on

For Celtics, fame is Fleeting

THE BOOK OX...

SP

*

0

TSN POWER POLL Twm 1. B uds 2. Mag* 3.

Spurs

A, Sonics 5, Rockets 6. Jazz 7: Knacks a. Kings 9. Pacers 10. Cavaliers ii. Lakers 12. Kwonj 13. Bullets 14. Hawks IL . Heal 16.

17. Hornets ta. Nuggets 19. Warriors

POWELL’S PLAY

W-L

Comment

30-3 27-a 24-9 24-10 25-11 22 12 22-12 20-12 21-13 18-15 19-17 18-15 18-17 17-17

M J. lo Stackhouse: I’m sffl the best Tar Heel out there.

3-0 steps ut) hts came to another level.

Spend unbeaten week with rare win rn Salt Lake City They're not Super on the road, just pretty good.

Rudy T. is the Rocket man into the next century Malone is the Madman into the next century.

Oakley whines Nettie's too soft; also said Riley too hard.

B»q breakthrough at Madison Square GanJen. What's rn transition? Not Larry's defense.

Go ahead. Give the Czar Coach of the Yea' Magic considered returning — untfl he saw this team play.

KID records his fourth tnple-double of the season.

Price is back. but for how many minutes?

Lenny likes chemistry? Two words: Ken Norman Riley fondly recaBs substitute refs.

P .J making life rough tor R.S. Career sub Curry gets consecutive starts.

Captain Sbth finishes what he starts.

9-6 with Hardaway. Muffin commo of! the bench.

WestDhafs pa) Rush couldn't help this team.

Banos’ 3-pornt streak comes to an end.

Elgin actually got better of trade with Denver Nothing about this team is Childs' play Bkj 0 wants to be a leader. Huh? Played Magic tough, but that's as good as it gets Maybe it wasn't afl Qumn Buckner's fault McHale would give Rider for Celtics' Brown.

Crushed the Nets, bul is that rea&y a highborn Rat-top mania hits Vancouver

a

I

i

16-18 17-18 17-18 16-20 .

16-19 2a Suns 14-18 14-21 21.' Celtics 22. CUgpers 15-21 23. Nets 13-21 24. Raptors 10-25 26. Bucks 12-22 Mavericks 10-24 26.

27. Ttmberwolvej 6-26 28. 76ers 7-26 21 Grtzzfle* 7-29 Through Saturday's games T h e S porting N ew s NBA Power Poll is determined by Shaun Powell and TSN editors

• • • • • • •

Price is right— for now Now that Mark Price is back after a twomonth recovery from foot surgery, it will be interesting to see how the point-guard situa­ tion develops in Washington.

Robert Pack played solidly shortly after he arrived from the Nuggets, but soon his bad habits (mistakes, shot selection) began to surface. Price’s arrival was trumpeted as a coup, but the Bullets failed to diagnose his ailing foot Some in the organization believe Pack feels threatened by Price. When Coach Jim Lynam benched Pack on January 6 against the Pistons, Pack complained: Tm the start­ ing point guard. I felt I should get that op­ portunity (to play through bad stretches)."

Pack is sidelined with a nerve problem, but is already thinking about whether he will keep his starting job.

“Jimmy has to find a way for us both to play." Pack says.

Both players are free agents next sum­ mer. and the Bullets will have a better chance to retain Pack than Price, who is said to be leaning toward playing for a more veteran team.

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL • 31

January 22,1996

COLLEGE BASKETBALL REPORT

The shot clock is broken, and it’s time to fix it h as created extra p ressu re to m ake sh o ts as the clock g o e s down. I think NBA g u y s han­ dle that very well. I think college gu ys han­ dle it very badly.’ .Anyone w atching a handful o f g a m e s on television is bound to conclude college play­ e rs just can ’t shoot anym ore. When E SPN featured the once-pristine Atlantic C oast Con­ ference on a- W ednesday doubleh eader.

Duke. Wake F o re st G eorgia Tech and North Mike Carolina com bined to m iss 139 sh o ts and DeCOURCY shoot .425 from the floor. Field-goal accura­ cy in m ajor-coliege basketball dropped in each of the previous seven years, m ost pre­ cipitously since the start of the 1993-94 se a ­ hen the NCAA rules com m ittee son. announced in 1993 it w as trim­ ming the coDege-basketbaD shot Since the NCAA began keepin g track in 1978, all but four of the 25 best perform ances clock from 45 s e c o n d s 'to 35. in away field-goal d efen se were recorded in the Kevin O'Neill reacted as if it had taken past two seaso n s. No. 14 on that list w as the his precious cell phone. He w as furious and .385 percentage recorded by UAB opponents said so loudly. T h is turned out to be the first in 1994. T h is season , there were 21 team s in of many m isfires resulting from that change.

Then coach at M arquette. O'Neill had built Division I holding opponents to shooting per­ cen tages of .385 or lower. him self a thundering team he figured to be With all that can happen in a college gam e. ideally suited for the gam e at a 45-rpm pace, there is nothing so dull a s a m issed shot, but but not athletic or prolific enough to survive that's mostly what we’re seeing. D efenses are the run-and-gun atm osphere that seem ed cer­ able to play ag g ressiv e ly out to the 3-point tain to result from the quicker shot clock.

That problem never developed — M arquette line without overexten din g th em selves; of­ fensive players are reluctant to penetrate be­ set a record holding opponents to a .358 fieldgoal percen tage in 1994 — and still hasn't-.* cau se officials penalize them with charging calls. now that he h a s transplanted h is halfcourt style to T e n n e sse e a s coach of the Volun­ “What I think is happening is this: Defen­ teers. T h e 35-second clock h as becom e se s have gotten so m uch m ore ag g re ssiv e O'Neill’s m ost potent weapon. that the perim eter sh ooters are having a dif­ ficult time gettin g real good lo o k s." Notre I t took me about IO gam e s to figure that o u t" O'Neill says. “lf you play man-to-man de­ Dame Coach John M acLeod says. “D efen ses fen se the way we do. it b eco m es an advan­ have becom e m ore specific about who they tage. b ecau se people have to shoot early in­ are goin g to guard." stead of keep holding the b a ll T here are other reason s shooters are m iss­ I think the sh ortening of the shot clock ing m ore. and they don't have m uch to do

W

*

that setup, but fewer current players are con­ tent to accept non-shootmg roles.

3) C oach es aren't stupid. Of last se aso n 's * ■top IO team s in field-goal defense, eight made the NCAA T ournam ent Only five of the. top.

IO in field-goal shooting m ade it. “C oach es will follow a winning form ula." Connecticut •J0 * Coach Jiip Calhoun says. .V • 4) Body blows. The lane h as becom e to college basketball what the slot is to hockey; a player can score more easily from there, bul only if he survives the beating. The num ber of personal fouls during each of the previous four se aso n s dropped, and the trend seem s likely to continue. When affinal Dick P a ja ro worked Duke-Wake Forest and Memphis-DePaul on su ccessive nights, his crew averaged 26.5 foul calls; that's nearly 13 below last sea- ‘ son 's average.

In the D uke gam e. Blue D evils forward Carmen W allace delivered a Junior Seau-style hit on the D eacons' driving .Antonio Jack son .

Plenty of harm. No fouL T h e y seem to be go­ ing away from the ad van tage/d isad v an tage idea," Dement says.

None of this is good for college basketball.

T h ere already are problem s enough with players leaving early for the NBA and the ar­ rival of other talented players delayed by en­ 3? trance requirem ents that are unnecessarily 3 . stringent. It can't help to have scoring so se ­ verely d ep resse d and d efen ses controlling Formula won: Connecticut's Calhoun says a gam es. lot more coaches are wising up and getting To reverse the trend, the rules com m ittee defensive. should consider returning the shot clock to 45 secon d s and moving back the 3-point line. with the theory players spend too much time D efen ses would be forced to sp read out to working on dunks: guard the line, and the num ber of h opeless 1) An extra poin t The num ber of 3-point . long-range attem pts may decline somewhat. attem pts h as in creased every seaso n since Officials should be com pelled to call obvious the shot w as introduced in 1987. .Accuracy fouls. has either declined or stayed even. never in­ Ai the start of this decade, the Big East creased. “I don’t see team s overall shooting C onference w as ridiculed for perm itting ball well."’ Southern M ethodist Coach physical defense to becom e dominant, but it M ike Dement says. “A lot of that is that thefe turns out that was just another exam ple of the are so many m ore 3 s." : .. league being ahead of its time. Everybody 2) Everyone shoots. When Austin Carr was plays that way today.

All-American at Notre D am e in the early"It’s probably not as entertaining with peo­ 1970s. the offense was designed for him to at­ ple not shooting well." Dement says. T h e r e 's tempt a shot nearly every p ossession . He av­ a lot of changing of shots, a lot of off-balance eraged more than 38 points his final season shots, and I can’t say that would be good for but shot better than 50 percent for his career.

He say s his team m ates weren't bothered by the gam e."

#3

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FallDot Comby seemed out o fdanger after extensive testing, but he gave his UMass teammates and others around him a scary moment before Sunday's game.

No easy answer With the instant su c c e ss o f T ubby Smith at G eorgia, Je rry T arkanian at Fresn o State and BID M usselm an at South A labam a, ch an gin g co ach es m ay seem ju st the answ er for team s that are struggling.

IPs not that easy . Rookie

More than a game

co ach es aren ’t a universal sm ash this se aso n . .At the start of last week. 20 had los­ ing record s and 13 had win­ ning records. T h e com posite winning percen tage for ail first-year c o ach e s w as .488. not the so rt of record that would p ersu ad e an athletic director or school president to sharpen his blade.

f o r g e t the S t Jo se p h 's gam e. U M ass had a real-life scare last Sunday when M ar­ cu s Cam by. its junior center and prim e N BA p ro sp e c t collapsed outside the locker room ju st before a gam e against S t Bonaventure. He w as hospitalized and under­ went a CA T scan , and the reason for the collap se w as unclear entering the week.

Coach Joh n Caiipari said about IOO possible problem s were ruled out and m ore tests were planned.

Cam by w'as alert enough at the hospital that day to ask for an update on his team m ates’ 6 5 5 2 victory over St. Bonaventure with­ out him. “ He had a pulse."

S t Bonaventure team doctor Ed Griffin said. “ He didn't appear to have any life threatening problem at that m om ent, but he w as u n re spon sive to verbal com ­ m ands for approxim ately IO m inutes."

Caiipari spent the entire gam e at the hospital with Cam by. who w as taking over-the-counter medication for a mild ch est cough. “An incident like this puts things into the perspective they should be in." Caiipari says.

“B ask etb all is not life or d e a t h .... With M arcus right now. I think our team knows their well-being is m ore im­ portant than any basketball gam e. Before I left, we said a

prayer and I looked at all of them and said. ’Look guys, if this was any m em ber of our team. I’d be going to the hos­ pital with youi’ "

Parting shots The difference between the international gam e and U.S. style is evident in statis­ tics com piled by W ake For­ est forward Ricky Peral. who stan d s 510-but went to the line just six tim es in the first 11 gam es. ... M ississippi S ta te C oach R ic h a r d Misses, Jones: Dontae has W illiams is having a tough kept hts coach guessing. time controlling gifted junior-college transfer Dontae — w as inevitable given the Jo n e s. He took som e poor . mini's reliance on perim eter shotspn a home loss to Ken­ play. Opponents are forcing tucky, then hardly shot them into more 3-point at­ (I of 2) when the B ulldogs tempts. less penetration. ♦ followed that up by losing at Mike DeCourcy covers colhom e to .Alabama. ... The Lege basketball for The Com­ slum p by Illinois — an 0-1 mercial Appeal in Memphis.

B ig Ten start after an 11-1 Term n on -con feren ce b egin n in g

AV. AU ll AS I H ASTR MHO Psf SS

T h ere are only’ eight new co ach es in the nine highestprofile le ag u e s (Atlantic IO. Atlantic Coast, Big E a s t Big T en . B ig E ig h t Conference U S A Pacific-IO. Sou th east­ ern and W estern .Athletic).

T h ey w ere faring co n sid er­ ably better, with a .626 per­ centage.

02 • COLLEGE BASKETBALL ITI

The Sporting News

Even with Coach K , Duke may strike out Pete Gaudet is off the hook. Given the Blue Devils’ struggles this season, it’s ev­ ident Duke's collapse in 1994-95 wasn’t completely the fault of the substitute teacher.

Duke’s excuse last season — Coach K wasn't on the bench, so the club lacked leadership, stability and coaching exper­ tise — doesn’t hold water. Yes. the Dookies are better served to have Mike Krzyzewski calling the shots instead of an assistant but let’s come clean and state what it seems everyone is afraid to say: Duke lacks the dogs.

There, the secret is out.

There’s no Grant H ill no Bobby Hur­ ley. no Christian Laettner. No. No. No. Aside from a talent deficiency. Duke lacks the confidence, strength, stamina, depth and quickness to compete at the highest level every1night But Krzyzewski. who was forced to step aside January 6. 1995. and miss the final 19 games due to back problems, isn't working with castoffs who chose be­ tween Duke and Wofford coming out of high school. Freshman center Taymon Domzalski was a McDonald's All-Ameri­ can; sophomore guard Steve Wojciechowski was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Maryland; sophomore for­ ward Ricky Price was one of the nation's Top 25 recruits; junior guard Jeff Capel was the North Carolina Player of the Year. We could go on. but you get the idea Theres talent but not the amount of quality that Duke fans are accustomed to seeing. The problem is compounded when players fail to fulfill expeOations (see: Greg Newton and Tony Moore) or transfer (Joey Beard).

W hats it all mean? Well. Duke fans should brace for another postseason-less season. Last year's free fall broke a streak of l l consecutive seasons in the NCAA Tournament and set a record for season losses and equaled the smallest total of ACC victories in a season.

•

cold spell, and the Cavaliers seized control, holding the Blue D evils to two field goals and outscoring them 204.

Duke was ahead at. half­ time and fed bydouble digits in previous ACC games against Clemson, Geor­ gia Tech and W ake Forest, but lost all three after second-half breakdowns.

The B lu e Devils’ 40-34 half­ time lead over V irg in ia was their biggest margin in that game, and it dis­ Bine HOO Devils: Collins and his Duke teammates, 0-4 in the ACC, sipated with 28 may be staring at a second consecutive losing season percent shooting Think about last season. Duke was 9-2 (9 of 32) in the second half.

"In most games, we’ve played hard in entering the ACC schedule and promptly collapsed, losing its first nine conference one half or the other," Capel says. “In or­ games. der for us to be successful, we have to This season the Blue Devils again play well both halves, we have to play smart we have to get good shots and we opened 9-2. They won the Great Alaska Shootout, upsetting highly ranked Iowa have to rebound the basketball."

Deja vu? Is Duke headed for another 0in the final. Now ACC play is heating up.

9 ACC implosion? and Duke’s funk has returned.

Probably not But the Blue Devils’ The game at Virginia last Saturday epitomized the Blue Devils’ plight this long-term prospects are no better than snow on a sunny day. season: strong start, weak finish.

Think about it Duke lost Cherokee After caving in to the Cavaliers. 77-66.

Duke (9-6) remains winless after four Parks and Erik Meek, two NBA draft conference games and has lost 18 of its choices, from last season’s team, which finished 13-18 overall and in last place in past 20 regular-season ACC contests.

The Blue Devils’ demise against Vir­ the ACC at 2-14. The Blue Devils added ginia snowballed in the game’s last seven only Domzalski and then lost Trajan minutes. Duke led. 62-57, before hitting a Langdon to a leg injury and Moore to aca­

TSN TOP 25

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3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8, 9.

10 .

11.

12 .

13 .

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15 .

IO 17.

18 .

Team Massachusetts Cincinnati Kentucky Kansas Connecticut W ake Forest ViH anovi V b g tn li Tech Georgetow n Syracuse Clem son M em phis U C LA North Carolina Purdue Perm State Utah Iowa

W -L 13-0 11-0 13-1 12-1 14-1

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20 2 1.

22 .

21 24.

25.

Stanford Texas Tech M ississippi State Georgia M ichigan Auburn

8-3 12-1 10-3 10-3 13-4

TTM 13-2 9-1 14-2 12-2 11-0 10-2 11-3 11-3 13-2 13-0 11-3 13-3

14-3

Com m ent Did someone say perfect season? It may happen.

The Bearcats are ptaymo defense Bee their '91-92 edition.

Who’s dong to beal the Wildcats7 It looks like nobody.

WiE any Big Eight foes test the deep. talented Jayhawks?

King has been a perfect weapon for the Huskies.

The perimeter play of Rutland. Braswel and LaRue is prvotaL Kittles had better be healthy when North Carofena visits. in be difficult to beat the weS-roundod team.

A loss and a dose cafl may motivate the Novas.

The Orangemen need to improve their defense and rebounding.

The loss of Med Code to a knee injury wiS hurt.

Finch got his team back after a dose win vs. UNC Charlotte.

After a bumpy start, the Bruins may be the Pac-10‘s best The Tar Heels may be Wake Forest’s only ACC competition.

Keacfy overcame hardships to keep the Botas oumoma The Nittany Lions enter Ann Arbor undefeated and untested.

The Lites are the best free-throw shooting team in the nation.

Erratic bend) day has plagued the Haw kies. i ne w noons can max© a sajsment DY Deanrxj lk a A Kmaht and Cross are bearing too much burden minus Yourn The Red Raiders are off to their best start since 1938-39.

Campier needs to step up and prove he’s an eBte player.

II may be time to panic rn Athens. ff Bullock, kfitdie*. Fife and eonian shoot we!, look out Whats the T iers' secret? Play defense and shoot 3s.

Through Saturday's games.

Others receiving votes: Eastern Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma. Pittsburgh. Tulsa The TSN Top 25 6 determined by columns! Mike DeCourcy and TSN editors.

RECRUITING WATCH

MOOSEBAILEYSS

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demic suspension.

Call it subtraction by subtraction.

Duke has less talent than a year ago.

That doesn’t mean the Blue Devils can't win a few games. But itll be diffi­ cult The ACC isn’t as bad as many had forecasted, but hey. Krzyzewski is back.

That has to help, right? WeD. it hasn’t made a big difference.

The Blue Devils don’t know how to win. Just as winning was habitual at Duke from 1986 through *94, when the Blue Devils went to seven Final Fours and won two national tides, losing has become the rule the past two seasons.

The difference is obvious. With the game on the line, the Blue Devils are ten­ tative and nervous, not confident and re­ laxed. They wonder whats going to go wrong next A silly turnover? An unlucky bounce? Another injury?

All of those maladies, and more, have bedeviled Duke.

“When you are denied the gratification of victory, it’s difficult for the players, as weB as the coaches," Krzyzewski says. Tm more concerned about the youngsters."

Duke has plenty of those, but none of the ballyhooed youngsters is a dominant presence capable of lifting the Blue Dev­ ils back into the Top IO — or maybe even the Top 25. Chris Collins and Capel, both backcourt starters in the 1994 national championship game, are the only sea­ soned vets, and they’re trying too hard to carry the team.

Indeed,, the most imposing presence on this Duke team is Krzyzewski, and hell recruit enough talent to guide the program back to the national elite. In his seardi for talent, he’s even accepted a transfer for the first time — former St John’s forward Roshown McLeod, who will be eligible next season. Until then, Krzyzewsld feces the daunting challenge of most coaches; negotiating the narrow brink between vict ry and defeat with a fragile team.

fanuary 22,1996

TIII-: HOOK

COLLEGE BASKETBAU • 33 ox...

fllBM M PaKOUL GBorge Washington G8ntET A simple window dressing was aD Mike Jarvis was expecting when his George Washington team played a 1993 exhibition against the Be­ larus oadonal team. Instead, he came away widi much more: A 7-toot' :1.296ixm nd center in Alexander KouL •Before I came over here. I drought maybe I could come to the iStates and study and play coDege basketball* Koul says. "I thought tabout it more seriously v^en I saw that people were interested.* Jarvis was smitten, in p art because Koul (pronounced "C oon remhided him of another pretty fair player Patrick Ewing, whom Jarvis c o ^ e d at C am t^dge (Mass.) f^ d g e & Latin High ^ o o L “At first, they were both always picking th e m s ^ e s up off the ground." Jarvis says.

Former C o lo n i^ center Yinka Dare (now with the New jersey Nets) was responsible for d ^» sitin g Koul on the hardwood more than once that night, but Jarvis saw e n o u ^ of Ewing's other charac­ teristics in Koul to begin recruiting him •Re was determined, and he ^ e d witih a real spirit," Jarvis says.

Koul rapidly acclimated h i m ^ and was die A lip tic IO Rookie of the Year last season after averaging 12.8 points and 6.6 rebounds.

He is slowly evolviDg into one of the t ^ centers ta die nation this season as be has raised his scoring and rebounding averages to 14.5 and 8.0, respectively, through l l games. Koul’s .690 field-goal per­ centage ran is among tile nation’s b est *Thafs because ^ his shots are dunks,” Jarvis says, laughing.

■That’s not completely true, but most of his b a ^ t s do come from the closerange variety."

During a December stretch against Maryland. James Madison and South Florida. Koul converted 17 of 21 shots (81 percent) and earned conference player of tile week honors.

Active on offense and wiOmg to bang with his massive fiame un­ derneath the h c ^ , the man cafied " S a ^ " by his teflmmafce<; also oliers a nice nm ning hook shot to complement his power game.

On a team that features the long-range shooting of Kwame Evans and the electric skills of 5-3 point guard Shawnta Rogers, who blends Muggsy Bogues' size and baJIhandlmg skiQs with a jump shot. it is un­ derstood w h k Koul's role is.

•Alexander wiB always be a center, and he wants to be a center,"

Jarvis says. “He sim­ ply commands re­ spect when people see him.

T h is year. h ell probably average nine. IO rebounds a game. Next year I exp ^ that to go up sig­ nificantly."

T m getting more physical* says Koul who is joined by three other players from Belarus on the (George W ashington roster. “My strragth and endurance have gone up."

T he production also win continue to rise once Koul com­ plements his low-post game with a highpost one. Without Hot buUBudltf: l f Kau! devdops a pm m eier that diversity. Koul gam e.hefigim tobU Tm. could struggle fre­ quently in games when he is not the biggest man on the court In a loss at Missouri last Saturday, Koul scored only nine points on 3-okG shooting. The Tigers fed him a large dose of 6-11. 300-pound Monte Hardge, and mixed in a smattering of 7-foot twins Simeon and Sammie Haley. Koul fouled out, playing only a little more than 20 min­ utes. l l was exdting and interesting to play against guys the same size as I a n t’ Koul says. "Ifs a good experience for me. and I enjoyed play­ ing against them.”

Koul displays a great deal of talent — even on an off day.

•Most definitely, he’s a pro prospect" Jarvis says. “He hasn't real­ ized that until recently."

That's understand^le, considering the route he’s taken: From Be­ larus. To an unknown land. To the seat of his pants in a meaningless exhibition g ^ e .

•I don't think we'll be seeing that too much more." Jarvis says. “Not too many people can knock down anymore."

4 — KYU VELTROP

SCOI TIXC; KKPORT FUtonm ddbeafaig catch for any NBA tsam Don’t teB Todd Fuller hard work doesn’t payoff.

The senior center at North Carolina State has worked extremely hard to compensate for his physical shortcom ings and maxiraize his talen t The payoff? Fuller, who av­ eraged 22.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.0 b l o ^ through the W olfpack’s first 14 games, may a lottery pick in the June draff Fuller, wbo was coached by former NEA and ABA star Bobby Jones at Chariotte (N.C.) Christian H i ^ bas made tremendous strides since his freshman year, when he av­ eraged just 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds for tile He has tm{Boved in almost every statistical c a t e r y e ^ season rn cok and really came on at the end of his jur year. Dvct the last seven games of the ^ 9 9 4 ^ regular season. Fuller averaged 22.1 pom ts and 9.4 rebounds. FuEer, 6 feet 11 and 280 pounds, scored 30 points in the *94-95 reguiar-seasoD finale against Wake Forest and its star center Tim Duncan, connecting OD 9 of 17 field-goal attempts and 12 of 12 free throws.

Whfle Fuller has worked hard on his hoops skQbs.he also has spent many hours H fti^ w ts. He possesses a w eQ -^sd ed frame (buat Uke Detroit Pistons reserve center Eric Ledgier) vdth just 7 percent body fat

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Brains and b ra n : l f Tidier doesn't outsmart his foes, he can muscle up on them Although he is not much of a leaper. Fuller uses his big, powerful body to get position under the b o id s and has developed into a great rebounder. While he's under the hoop.

Fuller is espedaDy efective at scoring on pulbacks following offensive rebounds. But his offensive arsenal includes more weapons.

Fuller has a great shooting touch for a big man and loves the lefthanded hook sh o t He

also can aaO the 12-foot turnaround jumper from the baseline, and his shooting range ex­ tends weD beyond 15 feet Want proof? FuDer has connected on 36.4 p ax en l of the 22 3-poinlers he has attempted this season and percent of his field-goal attem pts for 104 N.C. State.

Unlike most big men. Fuller is a good freetfarow shooter (80 percent over the last three seasons). He is taking great advantage of that strength this season by getting to the charity stripe at a rate of seven times per game.

Fuller, who has a great pair of hands and rarely commits turnovers (just two per game), lacks quickness, but [tis hustle helps compensate.

Defensively. FuDer has improved tremens dously a? a shot-blocker (just under two per game over the last two seasons) and almost never* gets into foul trouble. He's simply a sm art guy who rarely commits stupid er­ rors. W hk else would you expect from a 1994-95 first-leam Academic All-America who has a 3.96 grade-point average in math­ ematics? , Although Fuller is a decent passer (just over one assist per game this season), he has room to improve. But no one has any com­ plaints about his stamina. He has never missed a game during his coQege career and has started every contest since the beginning of his sophomore year.

Among the many things that NBA teams wiD love about FuDer is the feet he fwssesses outstanding character and self-disdpline.

Those are traits missing from many of today's professional athletes.

4

--Ooi UvBmuu.

Kevin Eastman Washington State

4 walks dawn eariy ta reverse pivot post 3 'Strong side wing- cuts back hard. 5 looks to hit 3 on back cut 2 -weak wing- fa re screens

for point

1 looks to post feed 4 or look fo r his shot. 5 and 2 set staggered screens for 3.

I hits 4 on post-up or I hits 3 coming off stag’

Balanced into S’Player set

CAMES TO \V.\TCI1

34* NHI

The Sporting News

With the new rules in the NHL, power plays are up â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and teams that can succeed with the man advantage usually win

T he HHT BE

PITTSBURGH Francis

I

up ami down the let! / I boards, has an uncanny t le m ie u x i^ knack of being able to shoot effectively from the wino or the side of the net. He also can thread a pass across to Sandstrom or Jagr.

San dstrom

IQ S ANGELES M c S o rle y The Kings use a more traditional setop and play for opportunities going to the net â&#x20AC;&#x201D; on p asse s

by Grettkv from in deep or crashing the net tor rebounds from O ) the pointmen { Q

The ttetb paaafty: Give Lometa an opportunity tofind the open man on the powerplay andyou're dead

The Penguins?efficiency is 32.8

NHL • 35

January 22,1996" *

their power-play chances. The NHL record for power-play efficiency for a season is 31.9 p ercen t set by the 1977-78 Canadiens. Only' ulling over the scary prospect three other team s have managed a proficien­ of dealing with two late-Nocy better than 30 percent vem ber gam es against the T h e y remind me of the old Edmonton Oil­ Penguins, Rangers Coach Col­ ers hockey team," Campbell says. “You stop in Campbell is rem inded that and another guy scores. You stopanfacing Mario Lemieux, Jarom ir Jagone r andguy Ron other guy and another guy scores.

Francis on the power play is not unlike facing “I rem em ber in the playoffs when I was Michael Jordan, ShaquiLe O'Neal and David with D etroit we shut down Wayne Gretzky Robinson all at once — and doing it one play­ pretty good, and we didn’t do a bad job with er sh o rt M ark M essier. But all of a sudden. Reijo W hen the Penguins go on the power play, ifs not so much a m atter of will they score, Ruotsalainen and Kent Nilsson started scor­ but who will score. Tom as Sandstrom and ing goals."

Sergei Zubov com plete Pittsburgh’s man-adTeams, of course, have always viewed the vantage unit — and all are power play with urgency. It is a staple of the aging signs to opposing coaches. gam e, as much associated with winning as Even though they’ve had a slump of late, power hitting is in baseball. But what made the Penguins have scored on 31.1 percent of this m ore than late-faB talk was a curious, un­

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ B l DAVID FJUJOBi_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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folding, league-wide developm ent Campbell to play on the same team. Really, they are LA and the Rangers were not so far off in stress­ and IB. T h afs two scoring champions on one ing the critical importance of the power play power-play unit. We never had th a t even this season. Though the season is now just - when I was with the Edmonton Oilers." half over, penalty minutes — and hence pow­ er-play opportunities — are way up.

From British Columbia to Boston, over the ut just what does a power player con­ first 537 NHL gam es this season, there were sist of and why is it so critical to a 5,695 penalty advantages, as oppbs^& o 4.705 team ’s success? The power play, on opportunities registered in a corresponding the surface, is as obvious as a home num ber of gam es a year ago. League-wide. run. as cut and dried as running a half-court 987 power-play goals had been scored as op­ offense in basketball. However, in reality, the posed to 829 last season. T he reasons the play is filled with variations, subtleties, speed num bers are escalating so dramatically are and the sort of intangibles that are beyond not hard to figure. Trapping at center ice is statistics but that make or break things. no longer being tolerated, and referees in­ -There are only about four or five basic align­ creasingly are whistling players to the box for m ents in a power play. The play can be dia­ interference when they try i t the referees gram m ed. but what happens between the * also have been on the prowl to stop hitting chalkboard and the puck hitting the net is the from behind. Add to that a general trend in difference between a neat war on a map and the sport to clean up things, and it is no won­ m essy com bat on the ground. Playing the der coaches and players alike wind up with power play is a dance on the edge of chaos. faster pulses and tightened stomachs when it Anyone who can draw X’s and O’s will rec­ com es to the power play. ognize that the purpose of the power play is T o u r special teams win gam es for you, ifs to take advantage of having an extra man on as simple as th a t" Campbell says, with a thin, the ice. to utilize that advantage so that goals tight smile. ’‘W e should be in the top eight, can be scored. When a team has a five-to-four not 12th in the league. You won’t be in con­ advantage, it will try to set up in a perim eter tention for long in this game if you don’t pro-around the opposing team, whose four de­ duce on the powder play." fenders will nearly always drop back into a M ark M essier, the Rangers’ captain, puts box — two men down low, two higher up it another way. “I would say that SO percent One or two of the attackers will move down of all gam es turn on a power-play goal." low. two or three will remain up high looking to thread a pass in or to find an opening for a s h o t The arrangem ent of the attackers — great power play, like Pittsburgh’s, three and twg or two. two and one, three, one depends on a num ber of compo­ and one. etc. — m akes up the diagrams for nents. Campbell, in preparing to the set plays. The defense may or may not face the difficult task of trying to stay- in its box. It may choose to contest the stop the Penguins, stands in front of a chalk­ puck and the puckhand]$r from one end of board and draws a line forming two columns the rink to the other, th a w in g formation to to show-why Pittsburgh is so scary.

K the wind. disrupting any possibility for the at­ U nder the column he heads “N.Y." he tacking team to set up any kind of play. writes: Things happen slowly on a blackboard but ■ Possession. like lightning on ice.

■ Control.

But the choice of aggressive or passive d e ■ Execution. fense is a real one. carrying risks and oppor- * There is an arrow after the last word point­ tunities either way for the power play. lf the ing to another, “Finish." W hatever a team defense remains in its box, collapsing into the does, he says, finishing the play is every­ middle, it allows attackers an extra half-sec­ thing. ond or so. but any shots or damaging passes On th e Pittsbugh side he writes: down low wifi m ore likely have to come ■ Work-talenL through a tangle of arms, legs and bodies.

■ W ork-talent ?

Playing aggressive defense can create ■ Familiarity. turnovers, even shorthand-goal opportunities And again ffiere is an arrbw pointing to the (165 shorthanded goals have already been key word “finish." • scored this season, compared with 133 at the The Penguins have set plays, like everyone same point a year ago). else, but when a player such as Lemieux is in Over-committing — particularly against charge, nothing is standard. Take those ' “skill" players, like Lemieux or Wayne Gretwords “talent" and “familiarity.“The Pens are zky — can backfire in the same way the blitz not only familiar with each other but they are can blow up in football. The skill player can all players with explosive talent, too. The take advantage of a defender's rush by pass­ ing around him to a player left open for a three top scorers fifth e league (Lemieux. clean shot. On ice, everything changes every Jagr and Francis) are Penguins. They skate, second. stickhandle and shoot better than most play­ Depending on the skill level of the players. * ers. Therefore, they are able to execute plays the strategy of the power play varies. The and moves that other team s cannot Stanley Cup-champion Devils did not last T h e y have speed, they have reach, they can throw passes rink-wide and collect them. year and do not this year have the kind of fi­ The key to their power play." Campbell says, nesse players that permit such power. “is that they don’t beat you one on one. they “We have different setups," Coach Jacques move the puck around so quickly."

Lemaire says, “we want to get one-timers if Campbell says he had watched a game film ' possible, but if you have a hard time, as we from a few nights before and. in one se­ sometimes do. you want to get a shot on the quence, he notes, the Penguins made 32 net then get guys going at the net maybe a lit­ passes before they shot the puck. “Boom. ■ tle more, not the finesse goal but the goal that boom, boom, boom, it w ent You see with that you’re going to work hard to g e t" kind of ^>eed and passing ability you're even­ “Basic" is the term winger Bill Guerin uses tually going to lose a guy — the whole object — as in crashing bodies in close, grinding. of the play — and th a fs what they did." working until an opportunity presents itself. A Says Sabres General M anager John Muck­ year ago. New Jersey had an ineffective pow­ ie r “They are awesome. With Lemieux and er play during the regular season (21st over­ Jagr. they may have the best two players ever all with 13.4 percent). But during the playoffs.

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in the lineup and just 10.3 in the six games he's missed this season.

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38 * NHI

The Sporting News

to go back 20 to 25 years. He compares the Penguins' power play to the Bruins’ power play of the late 1960s and early 70s.

"The Bruins had Phil Esposito in the middle. The Pen­ guins have Mario as our big guy." John­ ston says. “They had Bobby Orr at the he Penguins have different looks, point and we have Zuboy quarterback­ different threats, line after line of ef­ ing our unit This fective players. Their set plays are team reminds me a keyed by Mario Leraieux and his lot ^ of. the Boston line. Lemieux positions himself at mid-board team, especially the on the left side. Ron Francis, big and rangy, a way we can domi­ great passer with powerful long-range shoot­ ing ability, positions himself above Lemieux nate." and to his right, just inside the blue line.

Sergei Zubov is often the high man on the other side, and then- down low Jaromir Jagr nyone who usually will work the slot and Tomas Sandhas spent strom is most often positioned toward the time watch­ right comer. ing a hock­ Lemieux's size, skating ability, determina­ ey game knows why tion. soft hands, shooting ability, ability to charts and diagrams view the rink from sideboard to sideboard, all are almost meaning­ go toward making him an incomparable less — or at least im­ threat on the play. possible to follow.

“When Lemieux walks the watt.* Campbell The action is too says (meaning when he moves with the puck fast too improvised, from midboard down toward the goal line and too scrambled. When then across), “you have Jagr in the middle Messier is asked looking for that sweet what the key to a little pass through the good power play is. box. Sandstrom down he shrugs. *To tell low bothering people, you the truth. I don’t IU * forcing them to stay know. Actually. I J* back. Lemieux has think that's the key: the ability very few not knowing, being players have, which is ready for anything to | to get a pass right happen anytime.”

I through the defensive He thinks about it § box you set up; he can for a'm om ent and Is. do that. You don’t do a dds . "Well, you Campbell it very often, but when probably have to you do. it's a final play, a one-timer, and so have two good point Point DBO, points m ac Second in the league in assists to Lemieux, Francis what you’re getting is competence, talent, fa­ men to make it (IO) gives the Penguins a second quarterback on the power play. miliarity and finish.’ work."

But Lemieux has many other options than Over the years, the power play has But the key. he says, was something over­ “walking the wall." He is deft enough to go changed, even though the diagrammatics of looked by most fans: imagination — what around anyone who crowds him. Because his it have no t Years ago. the power play lacked players did away from the puck. hands are so sure, his size allows him to hold the firepower from outside — the points if The player, today, who most exemplifies the puck away from his body, to carry it in you will — that it has today. imagination for McNab is Gretzky. On the ways other players would find impossible. So "You didn’t have the slap shot or the onepower play. he. like Lemieux is a mid-board he has the ability at any time to explode timers. or guys who really had the kind of man. At 35, Gretzky is among league leaders around a player or to lure a defender into an in power-play scoring. His passing makes strength they do today." says Devils Vice over-commitment that will allow him to make him a constant threat But whatiGretzky does President Max McNab, who played with the a seemingly blind- pass to an open man. He away from the puck is almost unbelievable.

Stanley Cup-champion Red Wings in 1950. also is an instant threat to score wherever he Says McNab. “He can get down ldjy in ways “In today’s game, the scoring threat from way is on the ice because his shot is so hard and that other players can’t because he just outside has changed everything. In our day. accurate. seems to see what’s going to happen before it though we had great goal scorers, too. we Lemieux scrambles defences — and his takes place. Gretzky gets 50 points a year tried much more to set up and use a lot of own offense. As he moves up the waff, other from behind the net — and a let of them on passing." players move with him, umbrella fashion. power plays. Very few players work well be­ McNab’s team had a great power play The point man immediately above him will hind the net. but he does — brilliantly, be­ keyed by Gordie Howe, who playa! alongside move to the right side of the rink. Jagr. in the cause he has this incredible instinct that lets Hockey Hall of Famers Ted Lindsay. Sid slot will move across, behind and back him move without the puck."

Abel. Red Kelly and BID Quackenbush. around, fishhooking the net so that he will be Given the sheer speed of the game, the “We didn’t use a mid-board man. we didn’t split-second timing required to make a play in position for a rebound, lf Lemieux passes set it up that way. Howe played low with Ted work, imagination is not just a word — it is to the right side, to Francis or Zubov, the Lindsay, we used the pointmen up top to han­ power for the power play. players will then be in a position to execute dle the puck," McNab says. different picks, where, for just a fraction of a A power play, he says. began with the men second, a defender will be screened off for a who brought the puck up. *That was eveTy­ shot to be taken. It is bewildering but almost thing. the ability to carry tile puck, under con­ ’hat any coach, player or knowl­ exKilarating to listen to. the pell mell of words trol. from one zone to another. The whole edgeable observer will empha­ kicking up like a shower of ice chips from a idea on the power play," he says, “is getting size is that imagination or in­ skater pulling up before the n et possession of that puck, getting it into the stinct cannot be taught on the Penguins Coach Eddie Johnston has wit­ other team’s zone — with possession. That's power play any more than in other areas of nessed similar domination, although he has the main idea." the game, but it is what separates great play­ when grinding and working got raised to Stanley Cup level, the Devils made their name. They had the second-best postseason power play, going 18 for 72 for 25 percent While the Penguins’ early numbers of 50 percent have slowly parachuted back to earth. Pittsburgh’s play remains by far the most effective in the league (Tampa Bay and Colorado are in the low*20s, the league aver­ age is 17.3 percent). The Pens, more than anyone, exemplify what kinds of possibilities are opened up by skill players.

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ers from ordinary ones, players whose phys­ ical skills may be on a par but whose on-ice ability will exist on entirely different levels.

And yet for any player who takes a shift with his team having a penalty advantage, this edge between success and failure is skateblade thin.

At the conclusion of a recent Avalanche practice, Michel Goulet, the team’s director of player development, remained on the ice with rookie Stephane Yelle. Goulet through 15 NHL seasons with the Nordiques and Blackhawks was one of the game’s great scorers —■and great power-play scorers. This day. Goulet skates down to one end of the rink with Yelle and throws a hockey stick on the ice midway between the comer and the net on the right side. He takes up a position in the slot just to the left of the net and instructs Yelle to flip passes to him over the stick.

Again and again, the young player flips the puck to Goulet, clearing the stick between them. Again and again, .Goulet one-times YeDe’s passes into the net Afterward, Goulet says he is not practicing shooting; he is having Yelle practice passing.

“I was out there on some pretty good pow­ er plays; I had the Stastnys with me, players who knew what to do," he says, “guys who can do the little things for you, take a man o u t put a pass the right way on a fctick."

Putting a pass on the stick the right way is what Goulet was helping YeBe with.

"Any time you’re in a game, you always get someone or something in the way, you have to be able to make a pass over somebody or a stick and make sure that it lands OK." he says. T h a fs the hard part, make sure it lands flat on the ice. It comes from a million passes made in practice. That’s why guys like Gret­ zky, Lemieux Ron Francis, Peter Forsberg, great playmakers can make plays like that in­ stinctively, it’s all about the difference be­ tween scoring a goal or not scoring one."

No matter how much practice time is put in. no matter how much work and imagina­ tion and even talent are available, success or failure on the power play is as much a matter of mystery as mastery.

Lemaire says the reason he almost never pressures the Devils about the man advan­ tage is because the power play itself creates its own pressure. The fact a team has an ad­ vantage can also be a disadvantage because players feel an undue urgency to m ate the most of an obvious opportunity. Success is a big lift failure just as big a letdown. “IVe been on the power play myself, you know," he says, "and if a coach talks too much about it, you just can’t stand it You don’t want to hear it It becomes a task. Everybody gets tight and crazy."

On the other hand, when the play works, everything changes, the player, the team, even the season. “Last year in the playoffs, we had a real power play going for us, we got goals from it at key times," Devils right wing John MacLean says. “We started peppering the puck at the net and then going after th£ rebounds and then when the goals came*.becau se they were in .the playoffs when every­ one was so stingy, they were huge and they gave us a tremendous lift" Just the kind of Eft Colin Campbell was look­ ing for in those iate-November games against Pittsburgh. Oh yes, the Rangers won both, blitzing the Penguins, 94 and 4-3. In both games, the Rangers’ power play came alive, and since then tile team has looked and played more like the Stanley Cup champions of two years ago than the mudders of ’94-95. ♦ *

David Falkner is a contributing writer for T h e S p o r t in g N e w s .

January 22,19%

NHL REPORT

The Blues sound good to title-hungry Gretzky could be gone — and they would get noth­ ing."

Gretzky will be a free agent without com­ pensation after this season. He stayed in Los Angeles last sum m er when the team gave him a commitment to winning. However, the only acquisitions it has made are journeyman defenseraen Steven Fmn and John Slaney.

Despite denials from Kings General Man­ ager Sam M cM aster that he has entertained trade offers for Gretzky, the decision is d e a r­ ly up to Gretzky, the league’s alkim e points producer. And. horn the enthusiasm Gretzky showed when he talked about a p o te n t^ trade to S t Louis, it appears the Great One has made up his mind that the Kings have not delivered on their com m itm ent to winning, and he will tefl the team he would like to fin­ ish his career playing on a line with Brett HuIL “Brett and I are like b ro th ers,’ Gretzky says. T hen he begins laughing, “lf he gets IOO goals that m eans rd get IOO assists.

"In my career I’ve been lucky enough to play with some great players, and Ive done some fun things over the years. For me, the only thing I really have left is to win another cham pionship. T hat's really all I want 16 do — and if that m eans leaving Los Angeles, them that's what I'd w ant" • Says H u h “I phoned him the other day when the rum ors started that he m ight be coming to the Blues. W hen he answered the

Larry WISGE is voice started slow and picked up speed, with the kind of excitem ent he would enjoy if he had just scored the winning goal in the seventh gume of the Stanley Cup finals.

W ayne Gretzky was speaking about the possibility that a meeting with the Kings this w eek would not evoke a com m itm ent that they can produce a w inner in th e final two years or so that Gretzky has left in his bril­ liant career.

“M y priority is .to see if this new ownership group would be wining to go out and add a couple of guys to make the Kings a contender for die Stanley Cup,’ he says. “B ut that would cost a lot of money — and Tm not sure they're in that position at this point in time.

“T he Kings know they have an important business decision to make by May. because I

H

Mr. Roberts A fter m issing 99 gam es — covering m ost of last sea­ son and the first half of this season — with neck and sh o u ld er surgery. Flam es left wing Gary Roberts says you'll know he is back' if he starts m ixing it up again.

W ell he scored one goal in his first gam e back and then had all three in CaL g a r / s 3-1 victory over the S S a b re s last Friday. So. it’s

Back oo track: The

early returns are in, and Roberts appears plenty healthy after missing 99 games.

Dreaming: Gretzky is contemplating a future on the same line as Brett Hull phone, he said. ‘W hat's going on. linemate?’

There are 26 teams in this league that would like to have Wayne Gretzky — and we’re no exception. Ive definitely got a spot for him to my left if he wants to come to S t Louis."

The Kings still have not acquired a defensem an capable of replacing Rob Blake,' who was lost for the season with a knee in­ jury in November. They did not make a strong bid for Flam es holdout jo e Nieuwendyk or Islanders AWOL center Kirk Muller. Thus, no com mitment to winning.

The business decision for the Kings is this: Are they willing to give Gretzky S9 million a year for the next two years? Are they willing to spend another $2 million or so on player acquisitions before the March 20 trade dead­ safe to say —- he’s back.

“I don’t know if I’m ever going to be the physical play­ er I once was," Roberts says of his 50-goal seasons and his blood-and-guts effort “But IU keep on trying more each game to see how much I can come back.’

One thing is certain: With the leadership Roberts pro­ vides. the Flames are a team to watch in the second half of the season.

line? That does not appear to be the case.

“If Gretzky walks into that m eeting with the Kings and says. ‘I want to stay,' then that's the end of the story." Blues President Jack Quinn says.

But if he doesn't? “lf we had Gretzky and Hull." Quinn says. “it would be like having Mantle and Maris in the same lineup."

Rumors say the Blues would trade five young players — defenseman Chris Pronger and forwards Patrice Tardif. Craig Johnson.

Denis Chasse and Roman Vopat, and draft choices — for Gretzky and defenseman Mar­ ty McSorley.

The Blues did not deny a report that a po- * tential minority ow nership would be in the package they could offer Gretzky, who will be 35 on January- 26.

“I love Jimmy Johnson's quote when he was asked for a timeline on the building process for a cham pionship for the Dol­ phins. and he said. Tm not sure — but what­ ever it is iCs too long. W e’re building for yes­ terday.’ “ Blues G eneral M anager-Coach Mike Keenan says. “W hen you look at our team and see that Brett Hull is 31 and Al M aclnnis and Grant Fuhr are 32 — the big pieces b f the puzzle for us — it's no secret that the future is now.

"And even if the Gretzky situation does not work out for us. there will be other players ’ that we should be interested in before the trade deadline."

T hat's the kind of com mitment Wayne Gretzky is looking for.

Icy bits Left wing Owen Nolan is still crying about being scratched from the lineup by Sharks rookie Coach Jim Wylie at New Jersey last week. Ray Sheppard took the benching like a man af­ ter the star players missed a team b u s and later in the day went through a lackluster practice. T h e ir attitude and dem eanor wereA not cond u c i v e to o u r w i n n i n g . "

Wylie says. Result: Sharks 2.

Devils I. Actually, that move „ might have established Wylie with the team, which pulled together for an unex­ pected victory and then went on to an impressive 10-£ vic­ tory at Pittsburgh last Satur­ day. Sheppard scored three goals. And, oh yes. Nolan, despite the whining, m ust have gotten the m essage, b e c a u s e he s c o r e d twice Continued on page 38

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Watth the MHI All-Star Game on FOX Jan. 20 8pm FST. •

38 • NHL

The Sporting News

Continued from page 37

against the Penguins.

Jets center Alexei Zhamnov is making noises that he will spurn training camp next spring as teammate Keith Titachuk did this season.

Zhamnov is in the final year of a contract that pays him $125 million, and he' thinks he should get a $3-million deal like teammate Teemu Selanne got in training camp. ... The Maple Leafs ‘‘have jumped to the lead in the bidding for AWOL Is­ landers center Kirk Muller.

Toronto is offering defenseman Dimitri Yushkevich and a prospect The Islanders want junior star left wing Sean Haggerty; the Maple Leafs want to give them Dar­

by Hendrickson or Zdenek Nedved.

Remember when we said to look for the Flames to trade defenseman Phil Housley to Winnipeg after the Joe Nieuwendyk situation was ’ settled? Although Housley will be a free agent without compensation after the sea­ son. the Flames have changed their minds because he's playing so well (J4 goals). Look for the Jets to go after Senators defenseman Sean Hill or Panthers de­ fenseman Geoff Smith in­ stead. ... Blackhawk G.M. Bob Pulford’s wish list in­ cludes a quality defenseman 'and a big winger. Insiders say• the defenseman is Montreal’s Lyle Odelein and the winger is Buffalos Brad May. lr likely would cost Chicago left wing Patrick Poulin to get Odelein and left wing Joe Murphy for May. ... If you're looking for a dynamite prospect and aren't worried about size, the Canadiens have right wing Oleg Petrov on the market. Mighty Ducks G.M. Jack Ferreira raved about Petrov when he ‘worked as a scout for the Canadiens, and he would be ►a good match for Anaheim's talent-poor franchise.

Finally, the last of the ru­ mors going into All-Star week in Boston, where plen­ ty of deals will be discussed.

New Senators General Man­ ager Pierre Gauthier should be a busy man. He has let it be known that former No. I picks Alexandre Daigle and Radek Bonk, along with vet­ erans Tom Chorske, Kerry Huffman and Rob Gaudreau. are available. “I want to build my team through size and strength — no finesse goals.

That way. well be competi­ tive with the rest of the top teams in the league.' ♦ Larry Wigge has covered hockey fo r T h e S porting

Hews since 190.

Tending to business The Oilers traded Curtis Joseph to the Bruins at least a dozen times in can’t-miss ru­ mors over the last three months. Last Thurs­ day, the Bruins finally acquired a goaltender from the Oilers, but it was Bill Ranford, not Joseph.

Surprise? Well. not really. . Oilers General Manager Glen Sadler re­ s id e d Ranford last summer after obtaining Joseph from the Blues, figuring Ranford would make a commitment to the team he had. led to a Stanley Cup in 1990. Instead, Sather had words with Ranford about his play several times, and teammates openly said Ranford had quit on them when he left a re­ cent game against Tampa Bay trailing 2-0.

The Oilers went on to lose. 50.

That’s when Sadler switched gears and be­ gan talking to Joseph with the idea of trading Ranford.

I n the end. I dunk we traded one superstar for another.” Sadler says. “Billy for Cur­ ds Joseph."

Ranford was traded to the Bruins for un­ derachieving left wing Mariusz Czerkawski, defenseman Sean Brown (Boston’s second first-round pick last June) and a first-round draft choice. That means left wing Kelly Buchberger is the last remaining member of the Oilers’ 1990 championship team.

Sadler signed Joseph to a three-year con­ tract for $2 million this season, $22 million next season and $2.5 million in 1997-98.

Joseph had a 12-2-1 record and 1.97 goalsagainst average for Las Vegas of the Interna­ tional Hockey League. He was used to facing a lot of shots in St. Louis — and won’t find things any different in Edmonton. But Joseph will give the Oilers better goal ten ding than they have gotten so far because he has some­ thing to prove — to the Oilers and the rest of the league.

“It was a long, long ordeal" Joseph says.

T h e re must have been 12 times where I started autographing sticks for Las Vegas players thinking I was going somewhere, and I had to keep getting the sticks back and re-

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Savtags a m a n t The struggling Bruins struck Oder when they acquired Edmonton's Ranford to steady their shaky goaitending corps taping them There were an awful lot of false alarms.”

Ranford still is a better goalie than Joseph.

He has won a Stanley Cup and was MVP of the World Championships another year, but he was stuck in a situation he no longer could tolerate. Playing for a contender will revital­ ize his career and a Bruins team that was be­ ing victimized by bad goaltending — Blaine Lacher, Craig Billington and Scott Bailey — that made a so-so defense look even worse.

With Ranford. there are no more excuses for the underachieving Bruins.

Ironically, Ranford returns to the team that first signed him in 1985 (he was traded to Ed­ monton for Andy Moog in 1988).

“We just sent him to Edmonton for season­ ing," Bruins G.M. Harry Sinden says with a laugh.

TSN POWER POLL Comment Revtefeed Yzsrman one 6txxt of SOOooai mflestone.

Messier has 12 goals. 12 assists In tost 11 games.

Lack of second-fine scoring becomes paramour*.

Shaky defense doped for 16 goals In losses to Montreal, San Jose.

Ricci (three goals) needs jumpstart after Al-Star break.

Exhausting Western trio showed chink In Florida's depth.

New captain Chefios has beady been leagued top defenseman.

Wrist Injury continues to plaque Andreychuk and Toronto's offense.

Konowafchuk*s 16 goats signify development of second-Sne depth.

Tough Eastern trip awoke some of the fel-ca* veterans.

Rookie Korvu might be Montreafs biggest offensive threaL No more excuses now with Ranford in goal aor* posts is wiry on pace w novsconnQ I nomas.

Refreshed TBdcanen Bifaces w4h six goats In five games.

Next bkHrame goafie on trade market could be Pupoa.

Everyone has to root for seft-on Burridge.

Zhamnov making waves over new contract and potential holdout Is I time to leave the Gretzky era and rebuff?

CredfoSty Is bad wfth Roberts’return.

Joseph gets chance to prove himself to everyone.

This team Is not a threat on the road.

Kariya breaks CorkunTs ckjb record of 23 ooab in a season. a s mured detensemen return, prospects get bngnter.

TbeyVe been hefcf to one or fewer goals a woeful 15 times.

Coach Wyie is byre to instil some dccipina.

Anemic? Only AHredsson has scored IO or more goals.

Through Satunteys games.

T h e S po r tin g N ew s NHI Power Pol is determined by TSN Hockey BSta Larry Wigge.

To which Ranford replies, “I remember Harry telling people I was the Bruins’ goalie of the future, but I never thought it would take IO years.”

— Larry Wkxe a

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A lot of publicity was generated about the long and venerable reign of Dolphins Coach Don Shula when he resigned after 33 years as an NFL coach and 26 seasons in Miami What a contrast Shula’s record offers to life in the NKL, where coaches rarely last with one team more than two years.

Entering this season, there were eight new coaches, and five-year Stars GJd.-Coach Bob Gainey was the only coach who had been with his team more than three consec­ utive seasons.

When Gainey announced last week he was stepping down as coach, he passed the baton to Lightning Coach Terry Crisp and Maple Leafs-Coach Pat Burns, who had completed three full seasons with their teams when the season began.

After losing 5-2 at Chicago on January 7, the Stars fell to 11-19-8 — last in the Central Division and seven points away from a West­ ern Conference playoff berth. The Stars were one of four teams that had scored IOO or few­ er goals, and they had scored two or fewer 21 times in the team’s first 38 games under the defensive-minded Gainey. That was a prob­ lem Gainey didn't think he could solve with­ out bringing in a coach.

Gainey chose longtime junior coach Ken Hitchcock to replace him. Hitchcock had been the team’s minor league coach at Kala­ mazoo the last three seasons.

Gainey became the NHL’s fifth coaching change this season, following the firings of Montreal’s Jacques Demers, Hartford’s Paul Holmgren, Ottawa’s Rick Bown ess and San Jose’s Kevin Constantine.

Hitchcock, a former assistant coach with the Flyers, is getting his first opportunity to coach in the NHL Does he know what he’s getting himself into?

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40 • BASEBALL

The Sporting News

Dealing with defects Now that Cubans have found their way back to the majors, the majors must find a better way to place them

Steve

MARANTZ

One solution is a universal draft, inclu­ sive of the C arribean, C entral and South America, Europe and Australia.

(Japan would be excluded by an existing agreement) A universal draft is gaining momentum, but still is “premature,* says Bud Selig, acting commissioner. Con­ ventional wisdom suggests that such a is likely to encounter resistance from the players union, which opposes restrictions on movement of playas. But ifs doubtful the union would go to the mat on a reform limiting signing costs, given that it frees up money for major league salaries.Clubs might cut back to four minor league affiliates (from as many as seven) and reduce the amateur draft to IO rounds. This wouldn’t happen until after 1997 because of an agreement with the National Association.

Another idea — the most appealing from a fan’s standpoint — is equalization of scouting and player-development bud­ gets. Some clubs double or triple the spending of other clubs, lf Omar Linares comes out of Cuba, which team is more likely to sign him, die Orioles or Pirates?

Obviously the former, because it has more money than the latter. Equalization of development budgets puts each dub at the same starting line. “It’s an intrigu­ ing idea, but a lot of chibs who are very proud of their farm systems would be re­ luctant to change,’ Selig says.

Yet another thoughtful idea, floated

by Brewers M anager Phil Garner, fo­ cuses reform on $ I-million-plus bonus­ es paid high-round draftees in recent years. Garner suggests eliminating bonuses, conceding that some athletes will choose other sports. Savings — roughly $53 million in signing bonuses in 1995 — woulcFbe partially used to in­ crease salaries of minor league players.

Some would be returned to dubs.

Some would be invested into annuities payable players upon reaching the ma­ jor leagues.

“The problem now is that these young kids already have their money in the bank,’ Garner says. “A coach tells him to work on his glove and he says, Tiss on it, Pm gonna make it on my b i ’ This just creates an incentive to do things the right way.* Signing bonuses and bidding wars over non-draftable talent hurt the game by creating needless inflationary pressure. Play­ er development — scouts, minor league teams ana instructors — helps baseball. Gar­ ner has the right idea. There ought to be a way to divert resources from unproven talent toward deserving scouts, coaches and play­ ers. Foreign talent should earn money before receiving it.

Cuban talent requires a more sensitive so­ lution. Cubans have been held back through no fault of their own. Players with at least six years experience — Linares, for one — are running out of time; perhaps they could be granted immediate or accelerated free can wait

he Cold War’s last hostages are Cuba’s beisbol players. Fi­ del fiddles while his island yearns, and athletes grow old.

Omar Linares is the Josh Gibson of our time, an invisible talent of mythic pro­ portion. A dozen others of major league caliber may toil behind the Bamboo Cur­ Plane tnrtte Hernandez (top left) and Fernandez (center) wereflying high cetera tour with A l Amla, the Martins'director ofLatin scouting. Hernandez, who hopes to go evenfurther thanformer countrymen Prieto tain. (lower left) and Arocha, liked Florida’s view but ultimately was sold on the Martins' big-bonus offer.

Castro’s embargo of his best players is as morally offensive as segregation of America’s black stars before 1947. But Fidel’s sin is ideology', not racism. Hay­ ers such as Linares — lifetime .371 av­ erage and 313 home runs — are sacri­ ficed to an archaic geopolitical tiff. *v% u ; • “Players in Negro leagues had some level of freedom," say's Joe Cubas, a Mi­ / -ty"' ami-based agent of Cuban descent “In ■ * ^ Cuba. there is no level of freedom."

Some Cubans defect Cardinals pitch­ er Rene Arocha was the first of IS Cubans — among them A’s pitcher Ariel Prieto and Mets shortstop Rey Ordonez — to defect since 1991. But defections wrench players from homes, break up families and damage morale of remain­ ing players. Emotional cost of defecting is high.

Saturday with the Marlins, jvho offered a lion out of die A’s, far less, according to Joe That's why it’s hard to begrudge Cubans four-year major league contract and a report­ Cubas, than he would have received as a free lucrative signing bonuses. On the island, ed $3-miIlion bonus. a g e n t But Fernandez and Hernandez beat salaries are small and possessions meager.

Cuban players are as materially deprived as The Marlins, needing to energize a the system by defecting to die Dominican Re­ Cuban-American fan base, flew them in Own­ public The major league draft encompasses young American prospects from impover­ ished backgrounds. er Wayne Huizenga's private jet and threw a only the US., Canada and Puerto Rico.

Nonetheless, baseball needs to avert a lavish party at Gloria Estefan’s restaurant Mi­ Marlins General Manager Dave Domcostly bidding war over defecting Cubans. ami’s Latino culture gave the Marlins a re­ browski gladly would forgo a perceived “cul­ Because if one breaks o u t it will add another cruiting edge (big-market Atlanta bid more), tural* advantage for a system in which all inequity to a player-development system lack­ but ultimately, dub executives say. money players enter through a common draft ing fairness. As always, wealthy dubs will talks. That’s too bad. If so, these and subse­ “W hats good for baseball is if they come into win; fans will lose. quent defectors will sign with the wealthiest the whole system^and are not free to sign It is predicted that many top Cubans will teams. Environment and opportunity are less­ with everybody," he says. “Otherwise, largeer factors; history shows money is decisive. defect after the Atlanta Olympics this sum­ market clubs have an advantage." mer. This winter, baseball has witnessed the Fans can thank a lodphole for further tilt­ A potential wave of Cuban free agents spectade of two Cubans being recruited as ing the game's competitive balance. In the comes as baseball struggles to reduce its free agents. Osvaldo Fernandez, 29. and Lipast defectors came to the U S and went into costs for player development scouting and a common pool or the June draft. They had van Hernandez, 20. two promising pitchers, signmg bonuses, about $268 million in 1995. were courted by no fewer than eight dubs. no leverage, unless they got an offer, as Pri­ Owners meet in Los Angeles this week seek­ Steve Marantz is a senior writer for THE eto did, from Japan. Prieto leveraged $1.2 milHernandez, the better prospect signed last ing to cut costs by at least 15 percent • S po rtin g N ew s.

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eASEBAU • 41

January 22,1996

BASEBALL REPORT

Phenoms will miss Sparky, and they won’t be alone I

Bob

NIGKTENGALE

T

[iis was the time of year George An­ derson used to dread. He’d put on his pajamas at 5 o’clock each evening, realizing that in just a few precious weeks he’d be packing his bags and preparing for another long season.

He hated when nightM came. knowing another day had passed, and that soon the transformation of going ^ m George Ander­ son to Sparky Anderson would commence.

I never looked forward to spring traming."

Anderson says. “It was all right once I got there, bul it took me three to five days to get myself ready. I love my winters.

“I guess I don’t have to worry about that no more."

Its going to feel awfully lonely this spring 'knowing baseball has begun and G ^ rg e (Sparky) Anderson is not around. Who’s go­ ing to make us laugh? Who's going to m ^ e those wild forecasts of breeding another HaB of Famer? Who’s going to be so insightfuL so candid, so brutally honest^ Spring training just won’t feel the same.

Why. unless Anderson signs up with ESPN or Fox. don’t expect to see him either. An­ derson vows not to attend a single game the entire season unless he’s broadcasting. It's not that he’s bitter, it’s just that he doesn’t want lo make a ^ n e .

“It isn’t fair to those guys working for me to be around." Anderson says. "If I show up to see some of my dear friends, then iheyH have to take the time away from their jobs to come over and be courteous. I don't want that If they want FII go see them for lunch or some­ thing. bul not al the ballpark."

You get the feeling baseball is going to miss or Sparky much more than Sparicy is gomg to miss baseball Right now. he doesn’t niiss it a b it He's golfing every day. He speaks at a few banquets. Hell be honored this month at the New York writers’ dinner in New York. T h ey’re going to make me put on a tuxedo," he says. “J don’t know about that" Who knows, maybe in time Sparky will be back. Maybe there wiD be an attractive open­ ing. Maybe, basebafl isn’t ready to let him go without ever having the chance to say good­ bye.

“Hey. Babe Ruth is buried in Baltimore." he says, “and if you don’t believe me, go look.

There’s never been a better player in the his­ tory of thegamp than Babe Rudt ‘ Baseball survived quite nicely without Babe.

"And it will survive nicely without me. too.

“Bul rn be honest, I know there will be a fime when FU miss the game. You can’t man­ age 26 years and not miss everybody. FD miss the writers, evoi the ones I used to g&.mad at.

“I never befieved that the writers were sup­ Tou've got to run deficits.*...

I think Drayton McLane has lost a lot of money over the past several years here and dearly private entrepre­ neurs are not in the business oflodng naoney."

not out yet First baseman Don Mat­ tingly is telling friends that he will return to baseball as SOOD as some personal probiems are resolved back home in Evansville. Ind. The trouble, of course, is dial just about everyone in the game already has a first b assan . ' No problem, Mattingly says — he already has a team in mind who can use his services: the Cardinals.

Makes sense.

Stay tuned.

Going, going, gone?

Astros Owner Drayton McLaoe bas threatened to move his team to noithem Virginia after this season if attendance does not dramat­ ically improve Guess whai?

Pack up those moving vans.

The Astros, whose goal was to sen 20.000 season tickets and draw 2.5 mOlion fons. had sold only 3,500 as of last week.

Little wonder McLane re­

Birtl n t i t e : M attings out ( f sight, but not out ^ mind. ceived an endorsement from National League President Len Coleman to move if at­ tendance doesn’t pick up.

“Basebafl has not m o\^ a team since 1972, so really for us that would be a major step," Coleman says. “But by the same token, we can’t look at a private entrepre­ neur and say year after year.

J u s t 3 IB IH ld G r While Don Sutton some­ how coDtmues to be kept out of the Hall of Fame for the grave sin of failing to have a monster season, it should be remembered this is the same pitcher who won at least IS games in eight con­ secutive seasons en route to 321 victories.

How difficult is that? Con­ sider There are only seven pitchers this decade who have won at least IO games each year since 1990. and Greg Maddux is the only one of them who has won a minimum of 15 in each sea$on- The other six are Tom Glavine, Dennis Martinez.

David (3one. Jack McDow­ ell, Randy Johnson and Kevin Tapani.

and buy all the players? You call that winning? Take Mil­ waukee. How are those peo­ ple supposed lo compete against Cleveland. You've got one guy starting on a moun­ tain. the other guy in a val iey."

On the Tigers’ chances; ‘ Buddy (Bell his successor) is an outstanding person.

They're very fortunate to have him. He’s just like his daddy. But they ain’t got a chance in Detroit, not with Baltimore and New York do­ ing what they’re doing. No. one else has a chance. No­ body in the world could them. How's anybody going to beat them?"

On no inductions into the Hall of Fame: “I’m not one of those thai believe you have ^ ,B B d ^ T k k w iU be Andemn'sfirst real spring without to have someone inducted jUsince 1979. He might not miss tke-game. but itll miss him. each year. If you look at bas­ ketball and football, they posed to be in your pocket The writer is sup­ have eight or IO people a year get in. My Ciod. posed to write what he believes. Some man­ what kind of fame do we have here? Are we agers stiB have trouble understanding that" just going out and rounding people up?

It reminds Sparky of this past spring, when T h is year shows how tough it is and how he refused to show up and manage replacelough it should be to get into that place. menl players. He was ridiculed by baseball You’re walking among immortals there. You management Even his buddy. Dodgers Man^ have the premier of the premier. ager Tom Lasorda, criticized him. Y et Sparky ‘ But on the other hand, there should be understood, and never condemned a soul some kind of guidelines. To me. if you win Now. while basebafl is set to start the 1996 300 games, you’re in. A guy hits 500 spring training without him — for the first homers, he’s in. There should be an auto­ time since 1979 — it seems only proper matic thing. My God. (Phil) Niekro and that we squeeze a few opinions fi^m the man (Don) Sutton are 30Ogame winners, and who will be rem em ber^ as one of the finest you’ve got guys in there who don’t have managers: 200 wins.

On the state of baseball: "Our game today "I really love this game, bul sometimes. I is not right Who can beat the Dodgers in that don’t quite understand i t ’ division? Who can beat Atlanta? Who carf For the rest of us who watched him man­ beat Cleveland? Who can beat Baltimore or age World Series winners in both leagues, New York? You go to spring training know­ this game is going lo be a whole lot more dif­ ing you can’t beat those people. ficult to love without Sparky around.

“What kind of game is it when you go out Sparky, we miss you already.

And what do the lucky seven have in common?

They all pitched during the 1995 postseason.

Around tile bases Baseball owners secretly already have given approve to Disney to buy 25 percent of the Angels, hut D i^ey will have a SOnJay window to back out of the deal if the city of Anaheim does not approve funding for a new stadium or remodeling project. It will be offidafly announced Thurs­ day. ... (jet your sympatliy caids ready for the Royals pitching s t ^ I m a ^ e pitch­ ing behind an infield of Keith Lockhart at third base.

Jose Offerman at shortstop, Sip Roberts at second and Bob Hamelin al first It will be the worst infield in the majors. Their only saving grace is groundskeeper (jeorge Toma, who may keep that infield grass so thick it win make the grazing pastures at (^ d le stid c Park and Tiger Stadium look like artifid^ t u r l... The Rockies

are making a mistake by moving Lairy Walker lo cen­ ter field to accommodate Dante Bichette and Ellis Buries. Just ask the Dodgers.

They tried moving Raul Mondesi from right field to center and after several weeks abandoned the exper­ iment why move perhaps the finest right field s in the game to another position and weaken two portions?... The Giants are trying to sign fre^ agent pitcher Steve Ontiveg>s. who could prove to be ^ excellent acquisition.... .Now that pitcher Todd Stottlemyre h i joined the CardinaJs. he’s going to have to learn to run the bases. His last appearance as a hitler came in the fourth game of the 1993 World Series, when he walked and made an epic nosedive landing imp third base. hitting*his head on the bag and knocking himself out... Starter Joe Magrane is looking the best he has in years, according to his for­ mer Cardinals teammates working out with him this

winter.... \Mial will the Yan­ kees do when phenom Ruben Rivera is ready to be promoted late this season?

Ruben Sierra and Tim Raines are signed through 1997.

Paul O'Neill is signed through 1998 and Bernie Williams is in center.... The Expos are ecstatic that the Red Sox included first base­ man Ryan McGuire in the WH Cordero trade, believing he could become the next Jeff Bagwell

Bob Sightengaie covers the Dodgers for the Los Ange­ ls Times.

IK » U n M IE S

..C alkn u n ^ hem iouditoni phones.

The Sporting News

42 • N I

--

FLORIDA .MARLINS

ATLANTA BRAVES Big swtog — and miss:

Catan signing: The dub

Disappointed with his lack of development and his strikeout totals, the team traded outfielder Mike Kelly to the Reds for minor-league righthander Chad Fox. 25. and a player to be named. After making Kelly their first pick. the second player taken overall in the 1991 draft, the Braves figured he would become their regular center fielder within four years. Instead, he was a major dis­ appointment. His big swing produced 66 strikeouts in 214 at-bats and only five home runs in 1994 and It was his failure to cut down his swing that finally frustrated the Braves. He played in 97 games last season, but struck out 49 times while hitting .190 and showed no promise that he'd ever develop into a regular major league outfielder.

In tt» pinch: General Manager John Schuerholz applied the finishing touches to the bench .by resigning outfielder Dwight Smith, the team's top pinchhitter last season, to a onevear contract Smith and Jerome Walton will provide outfield depth and give the club a po­ tent lefty-right)* pinch-hitting combination. ...

The Braves made an ofter last week to Cuban pitchers Livan Hernandez and Osvaldo Fer­ nandez. Hernandez signed with the Marlins and Fernandez with the Giants.

—B u Z ia

signed Cuban pitcher Livan Hernandez to a major-league contract that features a record signing bonus. Hernan­ dez, 20. agreed to terms last Saturday on a fouryear deal worth about $4.5 million, induding a $2.5-million signing bonus. Hernandez is the younger and more promising of the two righthanders — the other, Osvaldo Fernan­ dez, 29, signed with the Giants — who de­ fected from Cuba late last summer and were declared free agents by Major League Base­ ball South Florida’s Cuban community was a key in the Marlins’ beating out finalists that included the Blue Jays, Yankees and Braves.

“W e had a higher offer out there, but playing in Miami was important," says Joe Cubas.

Hernandez’s Miami-based agent The Mar­ lins wanted to sign Hernandez to a minorleague contract but with other major-league deals on the table, the Marlins agreed to put Hernandez on the 40-man roster.

Spring flings: The team released its non-ros­ ter invitations to spring training — an 18name list that includes Andre Dawson, Mark Davis and Alejandro Pena. Another invitee is third baseman Josh Booty, who has struggled to meet expectations that followed his 1994 first-round selection.

—SCOTT TOUEY

CHICAGO CUBS Market matters: The team didn't get into the free-agent market for two reasons: President Andv MacPhail is a champion of fiscal re­ sponsibility for his team and for baseball, and the team didn't want to give up a top amateur draft choice for a Type A free agent Instead,' the Cubs reinvested in Mark Grace and Jaime Navarro, signed Doug Jones. 38. to do Myers' job. and Dave Magadan. 33. to play third base. “You don't want to buy in a high market unless von haye to." MacPhail savs.

There are ways to improve your team that are not as expensive. What fans really want is to win in June and July."

Loop and short of It Jones links his 5.01 ERA with the Orioles last season to four bad early outings at Camden Yards after the short spring training. "I spent all season trying to get it down." he says. His ERA with the Phillies in *94 was 2.17. ... Magadan was last in major-league fielding for regular third basemen (.922) for the Astros but would have finished seventh in league batting (.313) with 15 more plate appearances.... Lefthanded re­ liever Bill Krueger. 37. waslsigned to a minorleague contract and invited to spring training.

He was 2-1 with a 6.18 ERA for Seattle and San Diego in ‘95.

—JOE GOODARD *

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CINCINNATI REDS Rescue 911: Outfielder Mike: Kelly, obtained from the Braves for minor-league pitcher Chad Fox and a player to be named, was THE S p o r t ­ in g N e w s ' 1990 college player of the year at Ari­ zona Stale and then the No.-2 overall pick in the

Seeing Reds: Kelly never got into the swing

with Atlanta and was traded to Cincinnati 1991 draft. He moved his way through the Braves organization behind great power and good speed, but wasn't able to prove himself in the majors* hitting .190 with three home runs and 17 RBIs in 97 games in '95. That left him ex­ pendable. especially after he bolted a Venezue­ lan Winter League team without informing the Braves when he got sick. The Reds have be­ come famous for rescuing M en stars and prospects (see: Pete Sfhourek, Jerome Walton. etc,). but Kelly’s got to learn to make better con­ tact He struck out 49 times in 137 at-bats in ’95.

Hunting for a Job: Though the team got rid of a number of pricey part-time players, it re­ tained outfielder-first baseman Brian Hunter at $700,000 (a $40,000 cut) plus $100,000 in incentives. Hunter hit .215 with one homer and nine RBIs in an injury-plagued *95. He is a candidate for the left-field job — vacated when Ron Gant signed with the Cardinals — along with Kelly. Eric Anthony. Eric Davis.

Nigel Wilson. Andre King and perhaps even center fielder Thomas Howard. — MEE BASS

COLORADO ROCKIES Wort ahead: Bret Saberhagen has opted for a two-month, seven-day-aweek rehabilitation pro­ gram in hopes he will ■£ be able to resume pitch­ ing without major surgery on his right shoulder. "I have a gut feeling what we are going to do is going to work." trainer Dave Ciliadi says. Cilladi says his initial goal will be to reduce inflammation, and then he will work on building strength. Saberhagen un­ derwent arthroscopic surgery in October fo repair a tom ligament in his right shoulder.

Dr. David Altchek. who performed the surgery, recommended reconstructive surgery' in late December. Two other doctors recommended trying the rehabilitation pro­ gram before resorting to surgery.

Willing to try: Manager Don Baylor wants to juggle his outfield in 1996. but the decision is up to Larry* Walker. Baylor wants to move Walker, a two-time Gold Clove winner in right field, to center, return reluctant ieft fielder Dante Bichette to right and move Ellis Burks from center to left. "I told Don ffl give it my best shot, and if I have trouble adjusting to it and I feel like Tm not helping the team and I'm just a liability out there, IU tell him and w ell make the switch (back)," Walker says.

—Tract Rjeo ss t

HOUSTON ASTROS y t

Rev platers: General Manager Gerry Hunsicker acquired two pitchers — Houston native Antho­ ny Young and John John­ stone — righthanders he knew from their Mets days. Both were highly touted prospects who haven’t lived up to expec­ tations, but Hunsicker says both have a chance to become quality big4eague pitchers. “Obvi­ ously, Im trying to catch lightning in a bottle," Hunsicker says. ... A pitcher to watch this spring is former first-round draft choice Billy Wagner, a lefthander who struck out 80 batters rn 76 innings last season a1Triple-A Tucson (Pa­ cific Coast). But the club isn’t sure whether he's ready to handle major-league hitters.

Spiers signed: Realizing the lineup is heavy with righthanded bats, the club signed lefthanded-hitting infielder B ill Spiers as a prospective pinch-hitter. ... Darryl Kile was 4-12 last season before being sent to the mi­ nors, and Greg Swindell was taken out of the rotation in September. But Hunsicker says the team isn’t going to spring training to have a tryout for starting pitchers. “As far as Tm concerned, Darryl Kile is one of our starting pitchers." Hunsicker says. “Its his job to lose.

The same is true for Greg. But that doesn’t mean we won’t get into spring training and have things change."

—Tb b t

LOS .ANGELES DODGERS Elbow room: R ig h t­ hander Darren Dreifort is throwing off a mound again, working out this week at Dodger Stadi­ um. his next-to-last step back to the big leagues after a year off because of reconstructive elbow surgery. The last

step, of course, will be spring training, by which time Dreifort figures hell be throwing full speed. “So far, so good," says Dreifortv23, the club’s No. I draft pick in 1993. T ve had no problems throwing off the mound. But Trn throwing very lightly,right now." Dreifort’s last appearance was in August 1994 for Triple-A Albuquerque (Pacific Coast). “It was brutal" Dreifort says of his absence. “It was tough sitting there and watching games on television, or visiting the dub someplace to get a checkup and sitting on the bench know­ ing there was no way I was going to play."

SOQ spot lf his progress continues, Dreifort likely will contend for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, along with Pedro Astado. who started last season as the No. 5 starter but finished in the bullpen. “W e ll see how Darren is when we begin spring training." says Fred Claire, the dub's executive vice president “W e’re not going to make any de­ risions on whether hell be a starter or a re­ liever until we get to camp." —SOBDOi Vagal

MONTREAL EXPOS Ob C rate In acquiring lefthander Rhea! Cormi­ er from the Red Sox along with minor lea­ guers Ryan McGuire, a first baseman, and Shayne Bennett a pitch­ er, for shortstop WU Cordero, the team landed perhaps the only ma­ jor leaguer who would choose Montreal over an>* other city. Cormier, 28, is a native of New Brunswick and is French-Canadian. “I thought this day would never come," says Cormier, who was 7-5 (4.07) in 48 games with Boston, in­ cluding 12 starts. ‘He could be a third or fourth guy for us," says pitching coach Joe Kerrigan.

“He has quick arm action, a good swift deliv­ ery. He looks like he’s developed his changeup a bit too. and what I really Eke is the way he improved his groundbaD to flybaH ratio when he moved into Fenway Park."

Leap of faith: The Expos were surprised when lefthander Dave Leiper turned down their offer of a-spot on the 40man roster and a $200,000 contract to accept the PhOBes’ offer of a minorleague contract But Leiper says that deal has “major-league guarantees" and could be worth $315,000 for him based on an undisdosed number of appearances. His base salary will be $250,000. Leiper made $195,000 lak year. when he was arguably the Expos’ most consis­ tent second-half reliever.

—JST BUB

NEW YORK METS Ro big taal; Although General Manager Joe McDvaine did not ex­ pect any major deals at the owners’ meetings in Los Angeles, he still hopes to obtain a leftbanded-hitting outfield­ er to replace departed free agent Joe Orsulak and another lefthanded relief pitcher. The ac­ quisition of Brent Mayne as backup for catch­ er Todd Hundley makes Kelly Stinnett avail­ able as trade b ait... The team selected short­ stop Rey Ordonez and pitchers Robert Per­ son and Eric Ludwick to attend the Rookie Career Development seminars co-sponsored

by Major League Baseball and the players’ as­ sociation.

Coming attractions: Preston Wilson, the orga­ nization’s primary power prospect behind Butch Huskey, and Dwight Maness, who was

NI / Si. • 43

January 22,1996

obtained in last seaso n s Brett Butler trade, were named to the Hawaiian winter league’s all-star team. Wilson played 52 gam es and batted 278 with 29 runs, 30 RBIs and five home runs in 198 at-bats. Man ess batted 292, scored 44 runs, drove in 21 runs and hit six hom ers in 144 at-bats.... T he team signed for­ m er catcher Bruce Benedict to serve as thirdbase coach for its Triple-A Norfolk affiliate and former outfielder Mickey Brantley to serve as a Class-A coach.

—HARTT SflHi

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES Ro big deal: News that Dave Leiper. 33, was signed didn’t strike fear into the hearts of foes or ad d ress the team 's biggest pitching need — a starter who is bet­ ter than Sid Fernandez and healthier than Curt Schilling or David W e st Y et the addition of Leiper gives the d u b a veteran lefthander in the bullpen.

Trade talk: With the E xpo# unlikely to as­ sum e w hatever salary reliever H eathen# Slocumb either signs for h r gets in arbitra­ tion. a third team may have to surface in or­ der for the Phillies to pry Jeff Fassero from the Expos. That team could be Boston, which needs a closer after Rick Aguilera signed with Minnesota. The cash-poor Expos could unload Fassero for Slocumb and then trade Slocumb to Boston for prospects. Slocumb. who made $200,000 last year when he tallied 32 saves, is looking for a huge raise. ... Joe RigolL a scout the last seven years for S t Louis, bas been named the bullpen coach.

Rigoli replaces M ike Ryan, who retired.

Rigoli was a national scouting supervisor last year for the Cardinals. ... While the Domini­ can Republic certainly has sent plenty of play­ ers to the major leagues, scouting director Mike Arbuckle believes Venezuela mav offer m ore opportunities.

—feORg A. MB III

PITTSBLRGH PIRATES C o lo r in g

Infielders:

M anager Jim Leyland thinks his new-look in­ field stacks up against '• any other. From third to f irs t the Pirates will start Charlie Hayes, Jay B ell Carlos Garcia and Jeff King. T h a t s one of the best infields in baseball not just the National League." Ley­ land says. T h e y 're all exceDent defensive players, and they're all capable of getting a big h it" ... First basem an Mark Johnson con­ tracted pneumonia and had to leave Domini­ can w inter ball early. He is expected to be ready to compete for a backup spot now that King has taken over at first ... The Pirates w eren’t interested in re-signing catcher Don Slaught under any circum stances. They be­ lieve Slaughfs legs won't let him catch backto-back gam es very often. That's why they signed Lance Parrish.

Pitching defined: Look for less experim enta­ tion with the pitching staff in *96. Leyland says he and the coaches will-pick a staff and then do everything possible to keep the pitchers in specific roles. “W ell make deci­ sions and stick with them ," L e la n d s a y s ....

T h ere’s one interesting nam e am ong the team ’s non-roster invitees. V eteran Greg Cadaret will be given a chance to win one of the th re e sp o ts for lefth an d ers in the bullpen.

—JOU M n )

Otter fronts: The Orioles still may be in the

ST. LOLLS CARDINALS More A’s: T h e team , linked up again with its' Oakland connection when it acquired righthander Todd Stottlemyre from the A’s for outfielder Allen Battle and three promising minor-league pitchers — Bret W agner. Jay Witasick and Carl Dale. Stottlemyre probably will be plugged into the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Andy Benes. With four other starting candidates — Danny Jackson, Donovan Osborne, Alan Benes and Mike Morgan — and swingmen Mark Petkovsek, Tom Urban) and Brian Barber, the rotation is crowded. "But Jackson, M organ and Os­ borne ... have had problem s being healthy,* La Russa says. The $3 million or more that Stottlemyre might earn puts the team in dan­ ger of not being able to keep all its outfield­ ers. notably Bernard G ilkey.... The team also signed infielder Mike Gallego to a majorleague contract and catcher Pat Borders to a minor-league co n tract Borders figures to back up Tom Pagnozzi. lis t Booth: Because closer Tom H enke was offered salary arbitration and declined i t if he re-signs he will not be back with the team un-' ti] at least May I. He stiD is eligible to sign with another club, though he says that’s un­ likely.

—R n R o w e

SAX DIECK) PADRES Thinking n a i l : A City Council decision to ex­ pand San Diego Jack M urphy Stadium to nearly 71,000 seats will further encourage the club to seek a baseballonly park. New owner­ ship first wants to establish credibility in a community still smarting from the 1993 fire sale, but the Padres believe they eventually m ust get their own ballpark if they are to com­ pete with division rivals Los Angeles and Col­ orado, which have basebaftonly parks. Jack Murphy is being expanded to accommodate the Chargers. Padres CEO la rry Lucchino is considered a wizard at ballpark acquisition, having helped as an Orioles executive to spearhead the campaign for Camden Yards.

Based on attendance the last three years, about 56,000 seats would be empty at an aver­ age home game following stadium expansion.

A llotter Gwynn: Tony Gwynn will be reunited this spring with his younger brother. Chris. a lefthanded pinch-hitter who is to be invited to the spring camp. C hris is a career .269 batter who hit 214 in 84 at-bats with the.

D odgers last season. T m sure it would m ake Tony happy," G eneral M anager Kevin T ow ers says. “But th a t’s not it. C hris Gwynn’s a name we’ve talked about here for som e time."

— TOW KRASOVIC

SAX FRANCISCO GIANTS Surprise signing: Cuban defector O s v id o Fer­ nandez, a 6-foot-2. 190pound righthander, shocked the baseball world by signing a three-year deal with the Giants and will go right into a starting rotation that includes Mark

market for a reserve catcher, but G.M. Pat Gillick says he is not actively, pursuing anyone/ The team figures to open spring training with Greg Zaun as the backup to Chris Hoiies. ...

Gillick says a published report that he offered $2.7 million to Livan Hernandez, 20. from the Cuban national team was false. He did not deny that the Orioles were involved in the bid­ ding for Hernandez, who signed with the Marlins^and Osvaldo Fernandez, who signed with the Giants.

—PETO SCWCX

BOSTON RED SOX

Rhea! te ak Cormier returns to his native Canada after being traded for WU Cordero.

Leiter, Allen Watson, William VanLandingham and Jamie Brewington. Fernandez’s de­ cision came down to the Blue Jays and the Gi­ ants, whom he hadn’t even visited during his tour.

Busy w inter Many people around baseball expetted the club to dismantle the roster in the wake of a $20-mikion loss in 1995. Instead, it has re-signed virtually every key free agent and arbitration-eligible player (Rod Beck.

Mark Carreon, Leiter and GlenaHen Hill) as well as adding free agents Stan Javier and Shawon Dunston. The d u b insists its upcom­ ing stadium initiative in March is not the dri­ ving motivation, but it's clearly in the back of m anagem ent’s minds during this offseason.

“I think we would have done all these things anyway." Owner Peter Magowan says. ^We would have tried to do what we always try to do, which is try to field a good, competitive team.’ I think that's always important in a twoteam market. ... We’ve always tried, but we want to be able for (fans) to see th a t It may help us, but these moves w eren’t done with that in mind."

—LARRY STIKE

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Spending spree ends: T he team ended its free. agent spending spree with the signing of out­ fielder Mike Devereaux. who agreed to a oneyear contract worth about $700,000 little more than a year after leaving for tree agency.

Devereaux signed on to be the No. 4 outfield­ er and part-time designated hitter, but he holds out hope of re-establishing himself as a daily player. “I know the makeup of the baiL club," he says. “I know they’ve got Jeffrey (Hammonds) in left Brady (Anderson) in cen­ ter and Bobby (Bonilla) in rig h t I also know there is a D.H. I can still see some opportunity th ere."... Devereaux likely will share the D.H. role with newly acquired BJ. Surhoft who will split time between D.H. and third base.

Problems, problems: in an attempt to solve one problem, the team may have created another. It dealt away lefthander Rheal Cormier, a main­ stay of the bullpen dur­ ing last year's East Divi­ sion cham pionship season, to the Expos along with first base prospect Ryan McGwire and righthanded reliever Shayne B ennett for sore-shouldered shortstop WH Cordero. The Red Sox have incumbent John Valentin at the position and their first round pick in 1994.

1s:omar Garriaparra. w ifin g in the wings. Ini­ tial plans call for Cordero. 24. to play second base, a position he’s never played, and force Luis Aiicea to the bench or make him a can­ didate to be traded.

G araged goods? G.M. Dan Duquette made the trade knowing Cordero has a slight tear in his right shoulder and faces surgery. Howev­ er. Cordero says he will play through the in­ jury and have surgery after the season. Since ! the season ended. Duquette has praised -Al­ i icea and was particularly supportive about him in defending the team not getting into the Roberto .Alomar sweepstakes. The team gave up Cormfer. 7-5. 4.07 ERA while starting and relieving, and got lefthander Brian Eversgerd (2-3, 4.6/ ERA in 65 appearances the last two seasons).

—JOE SUUTTI

CALIFORNIA ANGELS Hunter and bunted: Lee Smith might have a tough time reclaiming his job this season. He ruptured a tendon in his right knee by stepping ^ into a hole while hunt­ ing. and the team isn’t sure w hether he will be ready to pitch by the sta n of the season. If Smith. 38. isn t. righthander Troy Percivai will be the closer.

With a IOOmph fastball. Percivai. 26. might not give the job back. He had a 1.95 ERA in 62 appearances last season, mainly as a setup man to Smith. Opponents hit only .147 off Percivai. and he struck oui 94 in 74 innings.

PercivaJ’s role as setup man would fall to Bryan Harvey, who is coming off reconstruc­ tive elbow surgery Loyalty wlfls: Like team m ate and fellow starter Chuck Finley, lefthander Jim .Abbott chose to remain with the team rather than take a better outside offer. He accepted $7.8 million over three years, rejecting a nearly $9-miDion offer from the Blue Jays. “I wanted to be here first and foremost." .Abbott says. “(Manager) Marcel Lachemann is a big key for me; H e’s someone I feel very loyal to. The Angels and the fans and how' Tve been treat­ ed here for a long time, and having family here — all those things weighed in very heav­ ily."

— Dave Coboehau

The Sporting News

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January 22,1996

Heath manager of Double-A Birmingham (Southern). Francona left to join Buddy Bell in D etroit —t o IM D m

CHICAGO WI HTH SOX Ptaytsi t o M t To fill its two outfield spots, the dub has contacted almost every free agent and almost every team with a tradable player.

The list includes such outfielders as free agents Tony Phillips, Vince Coleman and Pe­ dro Munoz, along with Bernard Gflkey of the Cardinals and even Darryl Strawberry, who made a short-lived comeback with the Yan­ kees last season- The possibility of Strawber­ ry joining the team is a long shot Salary t t o dof t The dub has three major po­ tential arbitration cases in No. I and 2 start­ ing pitchers Alex Fernandez and Wilson Al­ varez and d o ser Roberto Hernandez. Al­ though there were talks started to sign all three before arbitration, it appeared at least Fernandez might have to have his case heard. He was paid $3.25 million last season and did not lose in his last l l starts.... Once thought of as an up-and-coming star. pitcher Rodney Bolton was sold to Japans Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. Bolton was 0-2 with an 8.18 ERA in two short stints with die Sox last sea­ son but was 14-3 with an American Associa­ tion-best 2.81 ERA. - To replace Terry Francona in the system, the Sox named Mike ■j

C U A KLAM) INDIANS Ik G.M. John Hart continues his sign­ ing binge. Last week, re­ liever Julian Tavarez agreed to term s on a three-year, guaranteed contract worth at least $2 million, with another two option seasons. T m excited to get a Gong-term) contract this fast," Tavarez says. *1 want to play my whole career in Geveiand." Tavarez gave up a year or more of ar­ bitration rights and maybe free agency, de­ pending on the eventual outcome of talks be­ tween die owners and the players’ union. 'If he pitches like we and the Indians think he’s going to pitch, he’s going to be passing up some money.' says Mike Powers, T a v a re s agent “But that wasn’t an issue with Julian.'

Tavarez is expected to move into the starting rotation in 1997, and there is a possibility, though slight he could end up as a doser.

The contract is filled with incentives to ac­ commodate whatever role he fills.

Foot sots: Despite haying nursed a hairline fracture in his foot during the playoffs, Carlos

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Randy Smith hopes his latest waiver pickups, righthanders Brian Williams an$i Omar Oli­ vares, are at least ade­ quate stopgaps on a weak pitching staff: “We’re trying to bridge the difference until people like Justin Thompson and Mike Drumright are ready,' Smith says.... Though Williams (3-10, 6.00 ERA) struggled last sea­ son with the Padres, Smith says he’d be sur­ prised if he doesn’t make the team. He throws in the low to mid-90s, a plus on a staff short on arm speed. Smith says Williams (75 strikeouts in 72 innings) is a better fit as a starter. ... Olivares, 28. a longtime Cardinal has big league experience as a starter and re­ liever.

Get a scorecard Add the following non-roster invitees as part of a huge Tigers camp next month: Pitchers Drumright, Scott Aldred.

UMPIRE SCHOOL Jan. 2,1996 —Feb.7,1996

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Baerga went to Puerto Rico to play winter baff He was to return this week for a physical examination, but Hart says there is nothing to worry about “Before Christmas, our doc­ tor said the fracture already had healed" he says.

—S u m USB

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The Sporting News

league camp. Miladri. 31, was a combined 147 at Triple-A Omaha and Tacoma last season.

Smoother sa flty : A division championship and approval to build a $320-miHk)n stadium appar­ ently have taken the team off its Dfo-support system. “Ever since IVe been involved in this thing," CEO John EEs’says, “this has been a survival issue from day to day, month to month and year to year. We still have a long way to go, but after what has happened the past year _ Tm confident we have the ability to make base­ ball work here, long-term. * —Jm S iK T

KA NS: VS c m ROYALS (fealty Wit* Appier The dub didn’t hesitate to trade David Cone and Wally Joyner to unload their $5 million salaries.

It's possible pitcher Kevin Appier could meet the same fate if he cannot reach an agreement on a multiyear contract lf Appier goes to arbitration and wins, its likely hell be earning about $5 mfllion this year. With free agency coming up, the'd u b might opt to deal him whDe it still can g H sctae return. G.M. Herk Robinson is offering X three-year deal at about $12 mil­ lion: AppieN^ants something in the fouryear, $20 milljcm-plus area. ... The team pay­ roll is about $17.5 million, down from more than $30 million in ^S. That indudes estimat­ ed salaries for .-Appier and three other salaryarbitration eligible players.

Another Blp trip? Infielder/outfielder Bip Roberts, acquired from the Padres for Joyner, wasn't exactly thrilled about leaving southern California to play in Kansas City. T heres a chance he won't have to: if the right deal comes along, the club might deal him. Robin­ son says Roberts is not being shopped, but* “I don't think he's untouchable. There are a lot of clubs interested in him." The Royals are seeking a starting pitcher and a righthandedhitting outfielder.

—UK* KABE

M11.WAI' KKR BREWERS Urft Is right

After strug­ gling with a .133 average against lefthanders last season, shortstop Jose Valentin has decided — with the dub’s blessing — to abandon switch hit­ ting and bat only left­ handed. Tve been doing it for IO years and I haven’t really improved." he says. "As it is now. they take me out for a pinch-hitter sometimes late in the game - I may as well hit lefthanded all the time. AD of my power is on the left side."

Valentin has a 251 career average and 23 homers and 95 RBls as a lefthanded hitter.

From the right side, he's hit .149 with no homers and 8 RBIs. The experiment from the left side got off to a sluggish start during Valentin's first 40 games in the Puerto Rican league He hit .165 with one homer and IO RBIs. Star scott: After being virtually shut out for months in the free-agent derby, the dub made what could be it’s most impressive acquisition of the offseason by signing noted Latin Ameri­ can scout Epy Guerrero to a three-year deal.

After spending 16 years with the Blue Jays, Guerrero. 53. resigned in September. During his tenure on Pat GiBick's staff, Guerrero vvas instrumental in signing Junior Felix and Tony Fernandez. He also recommended the Rule 5 acquisition of George BeD and the trade for Juan Guzman.

—t e l (k m

MINNESOTA TWINS Rue te n ty :

The organi­ zational roster is at 39, allowing one open spot in case General Manag­ er Terry Ryan finds a long-shot free agent he thinks is worth a gam­ ble. That player likely would be a pitcher, preferably lefthanded.

TEXAS RANGERS Setip plan: The team’s

The money game: I f Appier can't reajh a long-term agreement with tile cost-conscious Royals, they may trade him before he-can leave as a free agent But by signing Rick Aguilera and planning to convert him to a starter, the dub doesn’t feel it must sign another pitcher. Regarding the open roster spot Ryan says: “It doesn’t nec­ essarily mean it will be a pitcher. It could be anything that might help improve us. If I don’t see anything we like or can afford, well stay at 39."

Yoo’ro invited: The club has handed out spring-training invitations to 12 non-roster players: pitchers Mark Redman. Erik Ben­ n ett Travis Miller and Mike Trombley: catch­ ers Rene Lopez, Damian Miller and Jose Valentin: infielders Chip Hale. Tom Quinlan and Todd Walker, and outfielders Ray Giannelli and Dan Masteller. Gianelli, formerly of the Cardinals organization, was signed as a six-year free agent Quinlan, dropped from the 40-man roster last month, agreed to a Triple-A c o n tra c t... The dub also agreed to terms with six-year free-agent outfielder An­ thony Lewis, also formerly of the Cardinals system.

— SCOTT M liB

NEW YORK YANKEES Defending Girard!:

The derision to trade for Joe Girardi and let good-hit­ ting Mike Stanley leave town has drawn a lot of criticism from fans.

Manager Joe Torre de­ fends the move, saying, “Defensively. Girard and (Kilt) Man waring, and you don’t want to rule out (Tom) Pagnozzi, who won the Gold Glove, I don’t be­ lieve there are any better than these three* Everyone is geared to offense. When som e body is an offensive catcher, that takes over the opinion. For me to evaluate Mike Stanley isn’t fair because I didn’t see him. (But) when people talk about Stanley, they talk about the home runs he h it the offensive player." ...

With Derek Jeter virtually set at shortstop, management would like to trade Tony Fer­ nandez. ... The dub is entertaining die notion of a long-term deal for doser John Wetteland, who was offered arbitration.

Martinez te e te r Ken Griffey Jr. says he is concerned about how Yankees fans will treat Tino Martinez should Don Mattingly’s suc­ cessor get off to a characteristically slow start. Martinez is a 239 career hitter in April even after batting .727 last ApriL “I just hope the fens don’t get down on him," Griffey Jr. says. T m o ’s not a quick starter. But h ell pull through."

—JOI fe rm i

OAKLAND A’S FOW for our The team . may have pulled off one of the best trades in its history when it sent Todd Stottlemyre to the Cardinals for three minor league pitchers and outfielder Allen Battle. Although Stottlemyre estab­ lished himself as a solid starter, the team needed more in the coming years than he could provide. Getting lefthander Bret Wagner was the key. Several baseball execu­ tives say Wagner has the ability to become a star. The Cardinals’ top pick in the 1994 draft he throws as hard as 93 mph and has an im­ pressive slider. The other pitchers, righthanders Jay Witasick and Carl Dale, aren’t rated as high, though they were sec­ ond-round picks in *93 and ’94, respectively.

Witasick and Battle, who will compete for the vacant center-field opening, were placed on the 40-man roster.

Phillips return? The A’s still haven’t signed a free agent b u t they are interested in superutility player Tony Phillips, who played eight seasons in Oakland from 1982 through ’89.

The team also has shown mild interest in pitcher Brian Williams, who went 3-10 with the Padres last season. Williams pitched for Man­ ager Art Howe and pitching coach Bob Chick in Houston several years ago. —-PEBO GOMEZ

SEATTLE MARINERS Bullpen sleep * ?

High on the list of spring o b je c tiv e s is fillin g bullpen holes created by the departure of trad ed rig h th a n d e rs Jeff Nelson and Bill Risley. Sideanner Tony Phillips, 26, might be ready to fiD one of those spots. He tied a 12-year-old Venezuelan League record this winter by saving 20 of Pastoral 30 victories. Phillips was 3-2 with a 4.12 ERA and one save in 47 late-refief out­ ings last season for Triple-A Tacoma (Pacific Coast). The Mariners still hoped to bolster die bullpen by signing a free-agent reliever, preferably Jeff Russell ~ Righthander Bob Miladri, acquired from the Royals last season for lefthander Dave Fleming, signed a minor league contract and was invited to the major

pitching staff is starting to take shape after it signed righthander GO Heredia, who was S-6 with a 431 ERA for the Expos last season. The Rangers are counting on Heredia to pick up the innings lost when Roger McDowell signed with the Orioles.

Heredia and Matt Whiteside will work as the righthanded setup men for Mike Henneman.

Lefthanded setup men figure to be Dennis Cook and Ed Vosberg. That leaves righthanders Mark Brandenburg and Jose AF beno as the candidates for the sixth spot in the bullpen. With a rotation of Ken HHL Roger Pavlik, Kevin Gross and Bobby Witt the biggest hole on the staff is the fifth starter spot There are still big names available through free agency, but G.M. Doug Melvin would like to see somebody from the organi­ zation take the job.

Utility room: The dub signed third basemen Mike Pagharulo and Rene Gonzales to minor league contracts but lost out on utility infielder Mike GaBego, who signed with the Cardinals.

Gonzalez and Kurt StiBwefl, who is also com­ ing to camp on a minor league contract, are the leading candidates right now, but Melvin also has talked with bree agent Spike Owen, a native of nearby Cleburne, Tex. — T.R. SOUVA!

TORONTO HU K JAYS d o s s Entering this week. Ed Sprague had not agreed to a new contract but was closeThe third baseman had ^ career highs in home T * runs fig) and RBIs (74) and will receive a solid increase over the $760,000 he made last year.

He will get a two-year deal with an option. His tenure was solidified when prospect Howard Battle was traded. ... Sprague is one of three Blue Jays eligible for arbitration, a process the dub h i studiously avoided. Only seven play­ ers have reached arbitration in dub history.

The latest was Roberto Alomar after the 1990 season, before he had played a game for Toronto. Mike Timlin and newcomer Paul QuantriD expect to sign before their hearings. _ Timlin figures he is ready to step into the full­ time doser role. “I had my lowest ERA ever (2.14) and I think I have more experience than toe Otho- candidates,* he says. Toronto will au­ dition Timlin, former Mariner BE Risley and sophomore Tim Crabtree for the vacancy.

Bail ten: There are whispers toe dub has shown some interest in former Orioles pitch­ er Ben McDonald, who was not tendered a contract but no offer has been made to him.

Unless he took a mammoth pay cut from last year’s $4 million, he would not fit the profile of toe desired extra starter.

—STR! I t e m

47

TIIKCLOSKR

January 22,1996 T

S

M E M O R I E S

De-icing a iegend

Frazsa lo tfane:

Until last Sunday, the Ice Bowl, whtdi featured the heroics of Starr (below), was the last title game between the Packers and Cowboys.

A few cold, hard facts you may not know about the 1967 NFL championship ike an old acquain­ tance, we embrace the ice Bowl every year and think we know it But like many old acquaintances, we don’t Not really. Hefe are a few facts about the 1967 NFL championship game, won by the Packers, 21-17, over the Cowtwys, you may not know: ■ The q u a rt^ a c k sneak by Bart Starr that resulted in the winning touchdown wasn’t sup­ posed to be a quarterback sneak The play called for Starr to hand the ball to running back Chuck Mercein. Some Packers still don’t know why Starr decided to keep it

L

■ The cold (the game was played in temperatures of 13 to 19 below zero) prevented the officials from using their whistles. They stopped play by shouting, T ie’s down," or “Hold up.”

■ The Cowboys were so spooked by the frozen field, some of them removed the hard-rubber tips from their cleats and played with the sharp m e ti exposed, hoping it would cut through the ice.

■ Before the game-win­ ning drive, the Packers had been unable to move the ball more than 14 yards on their previous IO possessions. But in the next five min­ utes, advanced it five times that far. “Bart said, 'OK guys, let's go to work Let's get it done.’ " run­ ning b a ^ Donny Anderson said. “Then for the rest of the drive, nobody said another word. Just Bart calling the plays, “Nobody had to say anything because aine years of Vince Lombardi was in that huddle with us." ♦

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