The sporting news 01 29 1996

SUPER BOWL PREVIEW Get re a d y w ith eight p a g e s of sp e c ia l coverage JA N U A R Y 2 9 . 1 9 9 6 / S2.50 (S2.95 Can.)

JI

V

IJJ] t I i- f I

force behmd ‘success

.1-

tv? % J* rs?\

©

yjrSA

J* B a il’s INTERLEAGUE ■ interlude WhatjSjthe DEAL? A f f l p v shot on , one^jBAtrc oneJiBA trade season

CSER:

D I6 IT **106 * T S W 0 0 1 3 * 6 2 2 1 * / S ® * 2 OSJANOO P E R O O I C A L S GHECX I N PO BOX 1 3 * 6 , _ ANN ARBOR HI * * 1 0 6 -1 3 * 6

798375

Jai

Bar---*-

lf

Imitft;s. o n *-

rf

WE WO N F O U R E V E N T S . YOU GE T TO P A R K T H E T R O P H Y I N Y O U R D R I V E W A Y

Power. P a y l o a d . T o w i n g . A n d B r a k i n g . * T h e T a c o m a 4 x 2 w e n t up a g a i n s t l e a d i n g c o m p e t i t o r s a n d b r o u g h t «

t

h o m e f i r s t - p l a c e f i n i s h e s by t h e t r u c k l o a d . B u t w h a t e l s e w o u l d y o u e x p e c t f r o m a T o y o t a T r u c k ? T h e T a c o m a

b o a s t s a n a v a i l a b l e 1 9 0 - h o r s e p o w e r V 6 . A n d t h e h i g h e s t s t a n d a r d t o w i n g a n d p a y l o a d i n i t s cl ass. ** You a l s o

get t h e solid p e a c e of mind t h a t c o m e s w i t h o w n in g a T o y o t a . So why j u s t wa sh an o r d i n a r y t r u c k in y o u r

driveway, when you could be o u t t h e r e p o lish in g a t r o p h y ?

® TOYOTA TACOMA I lo v e w h a t y o u do fo r m e

Call 1-800-GO-TOYOTA or visit our Web S ite a t: h ttp ://w w v f.to y o ta.co m for a brochure and location of your nearest dealer.

-"9 9 6 Tovota Motor Sates U S A

inc Boccie Op' D o ti t a those who love you T o yo s reminds you to Tread lig h tly '3 ort puOhc and private lane ’USAC-cem hed braking tests o-‘ *995 Tacoma * i 2 2 H

repute-’ cai; S-speed vs similarly equipped ford Ranger and Chevrolet S-tO with optional V6 ’'Com pact Truck C la ss Payload includes occupants ecLcpmem and cargo

3 January 29,1996

VOICES 6

Dave Kindred: T h e Super Bowl: a truly .American sp ec­ tacle.

7

Maria!) Burton Nelson: Preventing violence against women.

BUI Lyons: M innesota Fats rem em bered Letters

8

FOOTBALL 10 Super Bowl preview: T h e brawn and brains behind the Cow boys' offensive line: zone blitzing with the Steelers; Deion San d ers vs. Kordell S te w a rt the R ed skins' se cret to beating the Cow boys: a su per formula picks the win­ ner, and analysis by Ron Jaw orski on the pivotal m atchup.

17 Bob Glauber Bad tim ing is everything when it com es to Hall of Fam e selections.

18 N a Notes 23 hran Malsel: T h e cordial rivalry of Cal and Stanford.

BASKETBALL 27 Mike DeCourcy: M eet L S I7, a national oddity.

28 College Insider 30 Trading headaches: D errick Colem an and Shawn B rad ley will have tim e to reinvent th em selves with the 76 e rs and N ets. But the honeym oons won't last forever.

32 Shaun Powell: T h e m ost deserving .All-Stars.

33 NBA Insider

HOCKEY 34 The Space Age: Players getting m ore room to show­

FROM THF EDITOR

c a se th eir skills was one of many highlights of the .first half. •

36 Larry Wlgge: A glow ing review of the high-tech puck.

37 WB. Insider

A sign of hope for baseball

BASEBALL 38 The Afnericanatteftal League: T h e ow ners' plan for in­ terleag u e play is two steps in the right direction.

40

Bob Nightengale: Fading tradition and o th er news out of the ow ners’ m eetinf

41

18\

Baseball Notes

DEPARTMENTS 4 Openers 44 The Sports Marketplace 47 The C loser W hy Dan D ierdorf b elon g s in Canton. 0 .

Cover photo o f Kerry Kittles (left) and Felipe Lopez by -Chris Faytok fo r B r u c e . Schw artzm an; inset o f Troy A ikm an (left) by Albert D ickson/TSN ; inset o f Neil O'Donnell by The A ssociated Press.

T K SPORTING NEWS

u

COMPANY 56 Audit

A T im e s M irro r C om pany

B^eau ct O c u ia a o r

FOB SUBSCRIPTION CUSTOMER SERVICE

tsnsub@aol.com •M -f 8

a Pl

It is good for the gam e becau se it puts all its star^ on a b etter stage and Lakes advantage of som e regional rivalries that have lain fallow for decades. With any luck. | it will also b e the first step in I abolishing the designated £ hitter. T h e argum ent these g am es will som ehow sully b aseball's punty is folly.

T h e signal this ch ange sends is even more significant. I am assured com m unications took place betw een ow ners and the players association so this would not dissolve into another spitting m atch. Im agine that: O w ners and the union w orking together B eam me up. Scotty

ST

To su b s c rib e to T H E S P O R T IN G N E W S or melee a c h a n ge of a d d re ss lf yo u are a ? existing su b scrib e r, see P a ge 42.

Published by 1212 N Undt*r?n BMJ. P 0 St Louis. Mo 53166

By the d i n f of coin cid en ce. M ajor League B aseball ow ners and NFL* ow ners held m eetin g s on the sam e days last w eek. In Atlanta, one group of ow ners bickered , convinced them selves a lie was the truth and saw a lawsuit bled against them by the city where one of its m em bers hop es to move. .Ai the sam e time in Los A ngeles, another group of ow ners was form ulating a I fundam ental ch an g e in their gam e, one that dem onstrates a keen understanding j of m arketing and a p reference to being cu sto m er driven.

I F or a few hours, it appeared alien forces had robbed the souls and

p sy ch es of football’s lead er­ ship and transferred them to th eir baseball b reth ren . In a su d d en c h a n g e of p o licy , baseball owners dem onstrated lead ersh ip and vision, while fo o tb a ll o w n e r s w a n d e re d through W onderland.

Senior writer Steve Marantz _____ I covered the baseball m eeting gohrk and w'as encouraged by what » he saw. His report begins on Page 3#.

B aseball tan s should be delighted by the notion they will get to see interieague play beginning in 1997. T h is is not a novel thought: TSN Publisher Taylor Spink editorialized for interieague play in 1962. calling it “a stro n g 'point in both pro football and basketball. It can be just as important to baseball."

C om m issioner Bud Selig even supported m aking the sam e change m ore than 20 years ago. when he used to be m erely the' ow ner of the Brew ers

1-8OT-777-6785 TO midniQm E a ste rn -

•

T H E S P O R T IN G N E W S (IS S N 003S-805X) January ?9 *996 Vol 220 No 5 is published weekly e*ceo? semi-weekfy Cunr-g a ween in January M arcn Aom. A u ­ gust and two weeks rn Septem ber Novem ber and Decem ber tor a total of 62 issues per year by TH E S P O R T IN G N E W S P U B L IS H IN G C O M P A N Y 1 2' 2 Norm U nc I bergh Blvd . St Louis. M O 63132 Second c la ss postage paid at St Louis M O and additional mailing offices For su b se c tio n service write to THE S P O R T IN G J. N E W S . P 0 B o * 10755 D e s M oines IA 50340-0755 Subscription pnce is $60 OO for 60 issu e s Subscribers in C an ad a and other countries add $46 80 per 60 >ssu e s Air Mail rales available on request Allow sex w eeks for change' of address Postm aster Send address ch an ge s to TH E S P O R T IN G N E W S P O Box 10755 D e s M oines. IA 50340-0755 TH E S P O R T IN G N E W S assu m e s no responsibility for the return of unsolicited m anuscripts, color negatives or transparencies C O P Y R IG H T C 1996 T H E S P O R T IN G N E W S P R IN T E D IN U S A C A N A D A G S T R E G IS T R A T IO N N U M B E R P - 12*853730 T H E S P O R T IN G N E W S «s a f e d e r a t e s tstered trademark of TH E S P O R T IN G N E W S P U B L IS H IN G C O M P A N Y ALL R IG H T S R E S E R V E D R E P R O D U C T IO N IN W H O L E O R IN P A R T W IT H O U T P E R M IS S IO N IS P R O H IB IT E D Prmtep rn u S A I

The Sporting News

4 • OPEMBtS •

»

»

I

CUGinONTOEFLY

|

Your TSN 10O membership card guarantee entry So what’s one more M l^ey Moose owner in baseball?

BFrom the Fly Society page; The invite from fellow most-power broker lelflb Steinberg musta gotten lost in the m ail After all he's gotta consider Fly one of his 1.500 closest friends, who’ll gel the run of the Phoenix zoo for a pre*Subpar Bow] bash. The raison de shindig? ABunao and O'DoDBeH're his clients, which translates to more green in Leigh’s bulgin’ wallet?

■ Fly’s guessin' Steinbergll probably be wooin' draft-eligibles al the party, bul his specialty of the house {quarterbacks) won’t be item numero uno on this year’s d ^ - d a y menu.

■Speaking of QBs and the draft, you-n-Fly know that ^3Sb Stewart's success in this here league is the best thing to happen to Tcnnmle PrazlBr since Florida skipped tacklin' ‘I. drills. He's lookin’ more like he could be an eariy-round pick (not to mentio® a Raider insteada Rough Rider or Roughrider).

■ H ere’s how far the Indians have come: They’re good/great enough that fm s're rootin' against ’em. Wlial to hope for then? G.M. Jobs Kart tells the $ ie s he has a coupla D-n-naggin’ fears: *Td hate to lose Kaaiiy Lottos for a long stretch" and “lf something happened to Carlos (Baer^a), we'd feel it" ■Speaking of the Indians, that speck in their rear-view mirror. Pale Hose fans. is yet team. The fiameout-o-'95 was no one^ear fade route. Kal Balsas and Banra Lewis are the bestBon SctoslBr’s inked, and mosu'all the other decent (read; not Vinca Coleman or Tony PhHltps) free agents’ve com e-n^ne. Repeat after Fl>': (jod bless the wild card.

■ Forget about another Subpar Bowl blowout Fly’s money says the interesting matchup’Dbe the D ^ a s maverick vs. NFL Properties. This time it’s.over the brand of we’recelebratin’-in-Aelocker-room-iiHhem-so-unlessyou-go-oul-and-buy-one-yer-a-doric T-shirts and hats that the ’BoysH wear after they win. Starter has the rights lo the winners' T-shirts, and Logo Athletic has the rights to the winners* hats. But because of Jerry Jones' deal with Nike, he doesn’t want any other logo in his locker room.

■ Fly's Top 5 (or "It's a dirty job. bul somebody's gotta fi>* to Hawaii lo recruit standout offensive lineman Faaesea Hallo"); I. John Robinson: 2. LaVell Edwartis: 3. Dick

T om er. 4. Rick ieabelsel; 5. Jim Lambrigbl ■ Fly hears at least one of the ^ e r s ’ reclamation projects is f/risclose to bein' scrapped. Halfway through tins here season Riciard Dimms, ^ o ’s been out with a bum w rist is still not in game shape, but the ^ e s say lake has to put guys al each end of the court to make sure poor Richard dutifully dutifuUy finishes his sorints. p rin ts, Kids: Don’t try this at home: he ts a professional ■ Fly’s fave from the Rumorama CW iere reality has been suspended for life*0: NFL coaches, which at the time didn’t include Tony Etanfff, were whisperin’ in Mobile. A-LrA. last week that Uarti SdmttsabebBer’d take over in Tampa Bay. with B ugs doin’ a deal to move to... □eveland (where if Earnest Byner could hold a football they'd spell Schottenheimer G-O-D).

■ F V s old fiiend Bernie UndcoflK asks: With Riles and J J . both in M iami die real question is, gel or spray?

■H ey, i d n ’t you used to be Ion Simmons?

CST

Anima! boose: Steinberg’s Super b a ^ could turn into a real zoo.

Wheres UCO? They’re not quite ready to put his picture on milk car­ tons. but the folks at the Con­ tinental Basketball Associa­ tion sure would like to know whatever became of their alltime scoring champion.

As part of its 50th anniver­ sary celebration, the CEA honored 20 of its all-time great players at the CEA AIlSiar Game last week in Sioux Falls. S.D. Naturally. Tico Brown — who scored 8,538 CEA points, more than any other player — was among ' the honorees. But Tico was nowhere to be found.

Brown completed his eight-year CEA career with Savannah in 1988. But since then he has kept an awfully >

■ Senior-and-437-Declared-Eariy-Juniors-and-Sophomores Bowl scouts teD Fly that wideout BtdAtf Ei^rsn showed all ^ ^ ® oneon-one drills. Seems the top CBs were on him like. 'veil. lop CBs on a great coDege/really average pro wideout ■ T he owners meetings theme song had a familiar refrain. Sing along with Fly and every G.M. paddin’ late-night hallway: “You got top-line pHchin' to deaF* CThat animal is not out there."

Philberts G.M. Lae ttam as tells Fly.) ■ Fly checked NBA" standings to come dp with this ha&baked. hatfseason trivia question What NBA team is better tiiis season. because of Deofih RodflBBi^ A) the Bulls; B) the Spurs; O A and B. “It h ap p en ^ with us and it has happened with (the Bulls)." Spuro Coach Bob HID td ls “They're going to win with him. They’re going to win without him. \^ o e v e r they play at big forward, it's still M e ta ) and Scotts."

■ Y es.to K a|ip an d Cra^ Hortim are behind a new pro football league, but no.

A n tiar FootbaD rules won’t require wobbly passes and choke jobs in big games.

■ A H ^ s a s has fafieo quicker than Fly can say.

“They’re quicker tiian Fly can say.’ But quickness, shmickness.

Nolan’s stroQin’ a highwire act with no net or expoienced goto ^ guy. That's why the Hawgs’re bobbin' toward .SOO. (But if yet into tradin' pork futures, gettaloada this team this time next year.)

• ■FmaBy. Fly's dream N M promo; Suns S vs. Mavs. First 5,(X)0 fans with AAR? cards get locoach. . *

low profile. ' “Most of these guys (the other honorees) played in the NBA, so it was easy to track them down." says Brett Meister. the CBA’s vice president of public rela­ tions. “We either called the last team he played for or the NBA r e f i l l players as­ sociation. But because (Brown) never played in the NBA, we never had that as an option."

M eister burned up the phone lines trying to find Brown. He called mfonnadon in the cities where Brown was boro, went to h i ^ school and so on — and found nothing. He queried BiS Musselman.

Marty Blake, George Karl.

Mauro Panaggio (tile winaingest coach in C)BA an-

game last season. Brown earned honorable mention AD-America honors from T h e S po r tin c N ew s t h r ^

B nnnoB t A search is on/br the CBA’s missing Tico. nals) and other members of the committee that selected the aHtime CEA team — and zflch. T h e se guys span the CEA from 1978 to cur­ rent. and none of them know where he is," M eister says.

The last known Tice ^ t ing was at a (jeorgia Tech

times as a YeDpw Jacket guard from 1 9 ^ through ■79. but no one in the Cxwrgia Tech sports information or basketball offices knows his current whereabouts.

“I don’t know if we’ve ex­ hausted all our resources," M eister says, “but all the things that I can tiiink of.’

Granted, this isn't a case for “America’s Most Want­ ed." But if you have any leads on Tice Brown, give M eister a call al 314-6217222. T mx would be pleased to know thai there are some people who tiiink he’s pretty ^ledal — and t h ^ d IDce to know he’s OK.

Openers compiled by Tom Dieahart Bob HSle. iesfte Gibson Afc&rtfly. Mdte Nabr^eiSt Mart Newman. Mart SNmabukm. Kyle Vettrop and Urry Wigge.

Ja n u a r y 2 9 ,1 9 9 6 O

Eyes on the prize

Trophy

League

skated with Lard Stanley's trophy.

•

t a n O’BrieflTfepbyr-

a*

- U

—

[ p i .

i

.

- 'W -

■

Ellington Coach ..-Mite J a rg o n his team’s 92-77 toss at Missouri, ' in wirtdcftthe tigers shot . 'S ir e e throws:

-life. It t a w Uiot,

- 1967

1378

Getting hysterical

It you sla p at the ball, you ll get called for a (oui.

You have to squ e e ze the orange.

Oon t turn the basketball over

They are g ra p m g up on o f fe n s e .'

The playe rs are bunching up too m uch

T hey're applying the S a r a n W rap

The team is playing air-tight defense.

Turnovers are like m is s in g breakfast.’

You can get a w a y with it tor a while, but it ll catch up to you.

This team h a s m a s s i v e so u ria m iily

This team can score a lot ol points quickly.

He took it rack-to-rack

The player dribbled from one basket to the other.

f

* #

JI

r' * ■ --*

~

Indiana high school basket­ ball has no class, ana its most famous son. Bobby Plump, wants to keep it that way.

The issue is thepossible change of Indiana's stoned oneclass high school basketball tournament to a proposed threeclass event starting in 1997-98. h will be voted on April 29 by the Indiana High School Athlet­ ic Association's 17-member board of directors.

Indiana is one of only four states (Delaware. Kentucky and Hawaii are the others) that crowns one champion. Plump, the man who made the most fa­ mous shot in Indiana basketball history (the last-second winner that lifted little Milan to the 1954 state championship over mighty Muncie Central), is against tampering with tradition and the tournament he calls “a statewide treasure known na­ tionwide.* He believes the majority of Hoosiers agree.

Therefore. Plump believes the question should be placed before the people in the form of a non-binding statewide referen­ dum in May's primary election.

Plurfcp has formed a group called Friends of Hoosier Hyste­ ria, and its intent is to persuade state legislators to bring the is­ sue Inside the voting booth.

IHSAA Commissioner Robert Gardner disagrees, pointing out that the IHSAA “is

_

_ _

.

.

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

. —- ' / . . . “ I * '* — V ' - t T e J l a

:6-iyrir-a<afci'v ■' •

& >■

•

trophy after last year's Super Bowl.

You can't start swatting {ha chicken w in g a r o u n d . '

•

o.9 IMW (ta BH t* H fUwWdll M null

overcome with emotion in VI.

H is g a m e is soft. but explosive

*

-S T K

Of thee I stag: Young held tight to the

( M i c h i g a n ’s) Albert White is like a b a b y 's bottom.

if

after the Tigers'title in '84.

A grown man cries Jordan was

The player is real g o od but he still le a ve s you craving for more.

• M J

.a• .I

Doing pennants G M Jim Campbell

O tw

• (K e n tu ck y's) W alter M c C a r r is a C ln n e se-food player.

•

Rstoris'Coacii Doug Coffins, on ^leadership of captain Joe Honers, fomieify the

V ita ls: 147? pounds. 2 feet tall ii® Comment Originally called the Wafter A. Brown trophy, it was renamed rn ’84 to honor the longtime commissioner. The basketball is regulation size. The * ' .( .1 NN 2 net? Not hardly.

What it means:

•

-

r n

What Clark says:

S

Established

M n cB lu ito M lk n rt

Special X

R

*

Vitals: 7 pounds. 21 inches tall Comment Ifs hard not to like a trophy named after the greatest coach in the a NFL. The football is regulation size. It has been known to make grown men cry ° — and cuss.

>1 -

E

■

& Malor U npile Baseball Commissioner'sTrophy - 1967 Vitals: 30 pounds. 30 inches tall Comment Its 28 gold pennants flapping around the base are a work of art. making this the only championship trophy truly representative of an entire league. Of course, they'll have to make room for more flags in *98.

*

N

[IS

77 Tile Stanley Cap 1893* I : , : Vitals: 32 pounds. 357? inches tall Comment: Truly one of a kind. Ifs the only championship trophy teams have to give up. but also ifs the only one with the rosters of all the winning teams mscnbed.

Cap runneth over In VO Mark Messier

E

SOHM) BITES

One of sport's most recognizable pieces of hardware will be in the spotlight Sunday, when the Vipce Lombardi Award will be given to the winner of the Super Bowl. Nothing stirs emotion in a team like a championship trophy.

Who can forget, for example. Michael Jordan's reaction as he cradled the, NBA's trophy after the Bulls won their first title in 1991 ?

Here’s a ranking of the four most popular trophies in sports. As scrap iron goes, we like the Stanley Cup. It's the oldest, heaviest and most storied trophy in professional sports — and it has appeared on David Letterman. Maybe that's why it travels with a bodyguard. 4 Rank

P

an educational institution gov­ erned by its members and the by-laws in place.

Plump also says his group plans to hire an auditing firm to study the economic and logisti­ cal impact of the proposed move to what most likely would be a three-class tournament.

"People know what they're voting against* Plump says, re­ ferring to high school principals aud athletic directors who. in straw polls conducted by the IHSAA, have overwhelmingly voted^fcainst the present oneclass tournament.

"But I'm not sure they know what they’re voting for." .Among those who already have joined Friends of Hoosier Hysteria are former Pacers coach Bobby Leonard, former Indi­ anapolis Attucks Mr. Basketball and NBA great Oscar Robertson and Angelo Pizzo. who wrote the screenplay and directed the Os­ car-winning “Hoosiers/ which was based on Rump and the Miracle Men of Milan.

•V -‘

a t f i i i n V iiff■

nV i n a* n fin t

Kg^ortnopeotc specks!

A iSn irflatite i.o n a ^ t t e ^ n o s s p t f should i : : rec^vwjS*Brfipo Sharpe conte bacterid get invoived hi a serious •

—

y

a

“Ju ttte ttN g h ttfftb nary. The goy p t s ta a

N U B m *'iii'B rit sot 1'c^.

P M Iw Bo pnQ ZBtb _

—

ib iio ta g b fe d e a d .”

Thanes.V.MikeMHIer Jr.. president of the Maryland Senate, m the prospect of resident buying'permanent seatBcsnsesinanew

“Yoa’re tatag $500 to $541)0 assai lotpwp*i» aftT m

tm .»

j

.

m t

rn m -

-1

. -

-

taxdoted ban paid for. ' Thatseeds « t f * , to say the least.”

Packers G.M. Ron Wolf, on his team’s six consecutive losses to the Cowboys InTexas Stadium: ll 1 | H | BTH1UWlim Illy T* ‘ “ *■ *“ .

.

_

You can quote me on that One quick Super Bowl mem­ ory of former Steelers coach Chuck N oll who before No. X III, involving Dallas and Pitts­ burgh. picked up the nickname "Chuck Droll."

On a bulletin board outside the media room was a sheet of paper headed: “Quotable Quotes from Chuck Noll’s press conference."

It was blank.

rf* *

trz'.f

.rf

ffldl cap tate,A b 06x1

you tesfpksfl pisc8 of 808806 TO Donora of S e ocean."

5

6 • VOICES

The Sporting News

\

...and there’s also a game *

i

Prettea*4CE& tsStar

Eocsthri Efitar Directer cfi to a s ts ! Itrag tey Etfter to te r Efiten

A ssociate t i t a n

(~ EI I fTO P jnp ar_ u&rr

Dave

KINDRED

P M iU R v to te r Wrtten

I

Ait Director Coctrfbatteg Witte n

3w A sportsw riters boss once said.

“Cast a cold eye on the Super 'm m B ow l/ bv which he meant to cut m r through the hoo-hah and get w k . down to What This Football Game Is All About. So. haring done important field work on Bourbon Street, the sportswriter came into his hotel room at 4 o’clock one morning and noticed the message light blinking.

“Message for 90S?1" he said.

“You have been invited to a volleyball press conference tom orrow.’ the m essage center operator said.

“Volleyball?" # “A new volleyball league has been created and the league -officials will make an announcem ent at 9 a.rn in the Grand Ballroom."

No sale in room 905. where the occupant long ago had made a Feeding the beast lffans aren’t mesmerized by the Vince Lombard: Trophy, they'll surely be in a trance after decision based on something fawning over myriad merchandise and pricey tickets during the much-hyped Super Bowl Week.

Norman Vincent Peale had said. % D ie famous evangelist p laced th e Super Bowl in its cultural context has explained how big it is. “Ah. we get Super Bowl. You get Sophia Loren. Good trade, both teams." by saying, “lf Jesus was alive, he'd be at the Super Bowl."

That, the sportswriter would get up early for.

It is so big that even brilliant sportswriters sometimes lose their way. Tony K om heiser of the Washington Post once moved as in a In fad. Tom Callahan of Time magazine once cast a cold eye on daze before putting a question to a Denver Broncos lineman. the curious fellow who showed up at every Super Bowl wearing a Actually, it was a statem ent Well, really, it was a columnist s plea ... rainbowH'olored wig and earn in g that sign with the Bible reference.

“Joe. tell us everything about your life. Begin at the beginning, John 3:16. “We may think of this curious fellow as the ooze in the don’t leave anything o u t and make it funny." swamp of life." Callahan said, “but wouldn’t it be funny if. when we all The thing is so big that the NFL has confessed to the excess by get to heaven. God s got red. green, gold and yellow hair?" way of bragging about it The Super Bowl is a magnet and e v e n loose screw in .America *The Super Bowl, a few people say, is hype, it’s overdone," the old comes flying its way. astone night on Bourbon S tre e t... commissioner. Pete Rozelle. once said at a press conference. “But I We’re out doing important field work. Don't ask where we're think its trem endous. Ive often said if the American public didn’t going, don't ask why. don't say a word. Tnis is the Big Easy. Just go have an entertaining, emotional o u tlet we’d have trouble. W e’d be a along, just come along in the dark. We’re chatting up Julie, a lady in a sick society. We don’t say the Super Bowl is the end of the world, but teenv-tiny leather skirt, when we learn that Julie's real name is naturally we feel it gives half the country a chance to think of Henry. He plays the sax around the com er when he isn't playing something other than our domestic and international troubles. Its Julie on the com er. We learn this by asking Julie/H enry, who also meant to be fun. and we think it is." explains. “In N'AwTins. you can be you. whomsoever you m a y be."

Lombardi, poor misguided fellow, probably thought the Super .And just whatsoever is th e Super BowP Bow] was about football, not fun. But then he lived in olden days, It s Vince Lombardi and Don Shula. It s Franco Harris. Roger before the Super Bowkization of America. We’ve puffed up everything Staubach and Jerry Rice. Its the Oakland Raiders in evil black and until its dignity is about to explode. We can’t just play football We turn John Riggins in a top h a t The Super Bowl is an office pool and a the stadium into a giant pep rally for America, fighter jets screaming phone call to your bookie. It’s a topless dancer from New Orleans low in display of our militaristic glory. who flounces onto the field and is captured by four policemen who It used to be a football game. escort her to jail.

Now its Disneyland on steroids.

Its football, a little.

Still, th e re s some little football to be played: Dallas 31. Pittsburgh Its corporate .America! a lot.

17. To get in the proper mood, we should listen again to the fo o tb all Private jets will fill the air fields near Phoenix, all those spaceships chalk-talk answ er given in 1986 by New England offensive lineman like so many child’s toys wingtip to wingtip. They!! come to the John Hannah when asked to explain the Chicago Bears’ famous "46" desert laden with CEOs who alight into helicopters rather than d e fe n se ... endure a limousine ride into town. For two weeks before we get to “They have four down linemen. They take their backers antipot the football part, w ell have a glutton's feast of advertising and selling. them in an underlook. They introduce the end over on the strong every second of television time bringing in $30,000. Hotel rooms will guard. Instead of having outside backers on the weak side. they put go for $2,000 a night two backers outside the tight end on the strong a d e and overshift the The top game ticket costs $350. safety — only it’s an outside backs- — and they put the safety on the The cheap ticket $200. weak side. It’s pretty simple, really. ” ♦ Would Jesus have a corporate sponsor?

This thing is big. Rino Tomasi. an Italian television sportscaster, Dave Kindred is a contributing writer for T u t S p o rtin g N ew s

& CW c

B&tortii Coofl&tstfir

5 8 2w >5 v

lib ra te !

Arrkhrtti

VP, I

Ob.. te ta n a l** System Prearm Directer

Dis&tttfol ■yrmag rrwKXjQBiurn tu rtle 11t o r t nm aqm

to Pretoettoo Corftester

N ehoras H NflOS John O R ow ings

Steve Meyorncf?

Free Barnes D o rm D *o r Boc HjOo Ken Amos BJI Marx Car. M o re M ary Newm an Lesi*e G ixson M cCarthy

Man SrvrvaOufcAro Larry VVVgge ACwrt Ocfcson P at* N eefy Pay? A&nor

MCIVX* Kinsley Sieve M arana Ba w ason D ave Pawnor M ichael P Geftrier D ave Kindred

Losiey Him

Sieve Gretsch»or Jam es R M e ** K affry Kjnkoade Gary Bonk** Q v 'arajon . _ doc f*► P atrick <oUKx> Terry Shea M a rtyr. KasaJ S ieve G uthrie M ike B rtjnor M chaei Behrons Doe Doo Douglas

Baafcs/Yortoafcs W * n g te | ESter

Mike Nahretw* Mike H uguenot

to te r Ester A ra tirte EStan

StttotOcMEster A w teto t E S ta n

Art Director

JOOMOCXX*

Tom O«eohart D ave S loan Craig C arter S e a n Stew art Kyle Veftrop A n g * Black woe

Prods X. Farrell ADVBmsMD m a o m c a ■ a tte rn to te s N i h | »

Stop Gi&ert

to v Tart Tom Rude Mart W Westlake Two Part Ave Mew York. NY IO016 ?i:-T79-560C Ta* 212-532-5450

Ctioys Jeffrey A. Baxter Mdwest Manager Suffe 1000 625 N Michigan Av? Cheapo »l 60611 312-337-1&4: Pa* 312-337-1649

(tetras Scoff A M elons Automotor? Category Manage* Suite 1830.1000 Town Center Southfield. MI 48075 810-350-3555 fax 810-350-3557

WasVSoatevcsl Jam es Souderv Western Manager Suite SOSO W est 2425 Olympic BNU Santa Monica. CA 90404 310-315-4396 Fa* 310-315-4377

Saattaxt Scoff Crompton. Southeas! Manager The longshore Group. 603 Martha St Montgomery. AL 36104 334-263-6050 Fax 334-263-5933

H a Sports M a n te c a Richard GoWstem & Judy G too 2 Part Avenue 8th Floor New Tort. NY 10016 1-80Q-U5-2714 ____________ (212) 779-5448 / 5463_____________

tftartsttai aa* Pr— BOM Directer

Ka Gee N e k Scftortan

P i i uaar Ito rtS te j Directer b n f*

Diane Puffer James McGee

tra p r

S te v e G arceno

fBuiltin!

t e t r a s R aaapr

Andy Goldston

Boats C e te ra Sarees 1-800-825-8508 M-f (8-00 AM to l l 00 PM Eastern.) ______ Sat (B 30 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern)_______ TNB KBUCATYa B 1 V U A K I ■ K O 0 R » l.

Unrversfty Microfilms, international 300 North Zed) Rd.. Dept P R.. Ann Arbor. MI 48106 T< S<wrac Nfws s avaUaWe on-bne from the Nexrs' and DaaTimes* servos TH Q I

PrertisM i Ca E lrem Zbnbohst III is n m K n m a c a ru T P re d a te 4 c a

ff.PPftrtar

Efttertiri Praetor

Nichofcts H F ran cis X F a r o e J o h n O Raw lings J o h n K asfljerg Kathy K inkeaoe

TM FBST R S IE E L T ■ O T TS Trade Mart ftoctsterad Founded Mardi 17.1886. by Adrad K Sp** md Charles C Span J G Taylor Sob*. Putfcfwr. 1914-1962 C.C Johnson SpWL PuSftsher. 1962-1981

VOICES • 7

January 29,1996

The boundary of spectator sports Violence-prevention leaders are teaching a super lesson • intervention over cowardice

Moriah BURTON NELSON

!

Here’s one superstar who wasn’t all talk Minnesota Fats clears the table of life, but not before leaving his stamp on today’s pro sports

Bill LYONS

W h e th e r you w atch th e S uper Bowl in a b a r or a living room or Sun Devil Stadium , ch a n c e s are good that d u rin g the g am e y o u will h e a r from your fellow fans at least one dero g ato ry co m m en t about w om en or w om en's bodies. You m ight even see a d ru n k en m an grab or assau lt a wom an.

If so. think about ja c k so n Katz, a form er top high-schooi football player. T h ro u g h a project he co-created called M e n to rs in Vio­ lence P revention (MVP) at N o rth eastern U niversity's C en ter for th e Study of Sport in Society, Katz u rg e s college ath letes not to be passive b y sta n d e rs w hen they' w itness v er­ bal. physical or sexual assau lts against w om en. Katz tries to convince m en th at sex ­ ual assault is not a p ro p e r topic for lockerroom h u m o r and that d om estic violence and date rape are not “private m a tte rs .'

• By putting m en in the role of potential by­ sta n d e rs ra th e r than potential abusers. Katz “red u ces the defensiveness th at is so often m en 's first response to discussions about male violence." h e says. T hough “th e re are varying levels of sophistication and m aturity, m ost of the m en respond positively." Since 1993. the MVT staff has offered w orkshops for 1.400 ath letes at IO universities (including K entucky and N ortheastern), has trained 52 college ath letes to w ork with adolescents, and has lectured to 3,500 high-school students.

W hen h e visits team s — usually football, basketball, baseball, hockey and lacro sse — Katz typically b eg in s th e first of th re e 90m inute se ssio n s by asking. “How m any of you have a sister, girlfriend, m o th er, g ra n d ­ m o th e r o r fem ale friend?" Amid lau g h ter, all h a n d s g o up.

T h en Byron H urt, a fo rm er q u arte rb ack for N o rth e astern and Katz’s p a rtn e r at MVT. a sk s th e m en to visualize an assau lt against the w om an they m ost ch erish . “Now im ag­ ine." H urt continues, “th a t t h e r e s a m an in a position to stop the assault. But h e doesn't.

He ju st ig n o res the situation, o r w atches."

T h e athlete^ ag ree the b y stan d er who d o es not intervene is a cow ard. Katz and H urt then ask. “W hat would you do if you saw a team m ate slap a w om an? lf you heard rape jo k es in th e lo ck er room ? lf you saw team m ates h arassin g gay m en o r lesbians?"

T o g eth er, they brain sto rm options: Talk to a team m ate privately, rep o rt the behavior to a coach, ask a w om an if s h e s OK. T he “do nothing" resp o n se is the only one stronglydiscouraged.

T h e goal of th e project: to e n c o u ra g e ath- i letes to sp eak out _____________________ against sexual h arass­ m e n t date rape, gang rape and b atterin g .

Given th e ir hig h sta­ tus on ca m p u s. Katz re a so n s, a th le te s are perfectly positioned to im p ress and influ­ en ce o th e r m en. .Asking football play­ e rs to be m oral ex em p lars for o th e r m en m ay seem a w ee bit ironic. W ho shall lead the crusade? W arren M oon5 Law rence Phillips? 0 J . himself?

“W e 're not naive." Katz says. "We know that in any group, th e re will be m en who are abusive to w om en. But w e're trying to create a p ee r clim ate within w hich it's dam aging lo a m an ’s reputation to ab u se w om en. He should be an outcast am ong m en."

Last year. MVT added a w om en's division.

Fem ale ath letes are asked to think about th e ir role as b y stan d ers to m ale violence . against w om en. P roject C oordinator M ichelle King, a form er softball player for the U niversity of M aine and a rape survivor, says s h e s “trying to em pow er w om en so th ey ’re not looked upon as victim s, and so they can stand up to and confront sexism and abusive behavior." King h a s trained ath­ letes at four schools — N o rth eastern . Ken­ tucky. N evada and C a s s iu s . Since starting

the w om en's pro g ram , King h as becom e m ore outsp o k en herself, sh e says, “always" intervening w hen sh e se e s physical violence and “m uch m ore likely" to speak out against sexist o r hom ophobic jokes.

Katz also sp eak s out th ese days, but h e's still h au nted by an event that happened Ik years ago. w hen he was 17. S tanding 40 yards away;, Katz w atched as a bully kicked a sm aller, “s p e c ia k ie e d s kid. a kid who was of­ ten the object of ridicule and ostracism ."

H orrified. Katz n ev erth eless “didn't do anything." His pas­ sivity* not oniv• ak lowed the assault to continue b u t also “dim inished m e as a person." he says.

“It w as a failure on my part. that I don't want to repeat."

Katz, who is Jew ­ ish. also becam e in­ terested in bystanders w hen hearing stories about the Holocaust. “O ne thing that always interested m e was. how co u ld G erm an people afterw ards say. *! didn't know what w as going on?"* He reach ed this conclusion: “Silence in the face of injustice is a form of com plicity."

W hen M oon, th e Vikings' q u arterb ack , chok ed his wife. Felicia, it w as th eir 7-yearold son Jeffrey who called 911, No one had told him dom estic violence is a private m at­ ter. He did what ail b y stan d ers should do: intervened.

S om ething To think about d u rin g the S uper Bowl.

W hat will you do? .Anything5 ♦

‘We re trying to create

a peer climate within which it s damaging to a man’s

reputation to abuse women.’

He had touch. O h. how could be beaten in a h e had touch. W ith th o se m atch, but by the time c h u b b y little fin g ers he h e finished talking he'd have you sw earing that could m ake a pool stick he'd won. sing like a Stradivarius.

And h e w as light and T h e difference is,F ats never stiffed an au­ quick on his f e e t too. E spe­ cially for a fat m an. At his tograph see k er, never refused an interview re­ h e a v ie s t, h e w as 300 q u est. was never m ean­ p o u n d s . B ut h e m oved aro u n d th e ta b le th e way spirited. always let the lo ser walk away with All u sed to d an ce around carfare, always left him the ring. with his dignity. M ostly.

Like m ost ath letes of sin­ he w as harm less. gular skiD. he saw the gam e F ats died last T h u rs­ th re e plays ahead of every­ day. o n e day shy of his one else. § 83d birthday. O r was it His full nam e w as Rudolf 0 his 95th? O riginally he W alter W anderone Jr., ak_a. | claim ed to have been Fats, and his sport was pool — straig h t o r 8-baJI. rota­ 1 bo m in 1900. Later, tion or 9-ball, one-pocket or th ough, h e said it was Heart-felt Fats knew how to talk actually 1913. As with billiards, it didn't really m at­ trash — and also talk to the fans. te r all th at m uch — and on m ost th in g s w ith Fats. th e face of it to re fe r to him as an ath lete fact and fiction seem ed to forever intertw ine.

T h e line that separated reality from legend see m s to be g ro ss m islabeling. always w as kept blurred. Purposely, of But his hand-eye coordination w as su p erb course. and h e h ad Jo e M o ntana's touch and he He said th re e ships sank while he was on could m ak e th e ball dance the way M agic them . He said he had been around the world Jo h n so n u ^ d to. and h e could go 48 h o u rs six tim es. He said h e could speak five lan­ straig h t if th a t’s w hat it took to em pty your guages. w allet and h e w ould c h a tte r all the time, He said a lot of things about him self, and m ostly about how good you w ere. too bad ! initially I w as p rep ared to dislike him . But you w eren ’t in his class. Indeed, he w as al­ w hen I first m et him . 30 years ago in Johns­ m ost as good as h e proclaim ed him self to be. ton City. 111., h e reeled m e in. too In m any ways. the m an know n as Min­ "I'm th e w orld's g reatest talker." he said. n esota F ats w as th e p re c u rso r of today's ath ­ I “Even AJi bow s to me." lete. a self-prom oter and a blow hard. He

#

M a Hah Burton Nelson is the author o f ' The Stronger Women Get. The More M en Love Football: Sexism a n d the A m erica n C ulture of Sports ." recently released in paperback by Avon Books.

Highly d o u b tfu l But even if you told him you th o u g h t it was highly doubtful, he w ouldn't’take offense.

T h e 'b e st sh o o ter Lever saw was Willie M osconi. He m ight go all night and not miss.

Willie and Fats played each o th er a Iou and m ost tim es Willie beat Fats like a drum . In lat­ er years, their m atches would be on TV. often on .ABC's ‘'W ide-W orld of Sports," and Fats would yap away nonstop while Willie, the dour precisionist. would silently run the table.

T hat night, people would talk about how they'd seen M innesota Fats on TV. Yeah, you'd say..and M osconi cream ed him.

Really5 N ever noticed. Such w as Fats' persuasive sway.

He cashed in big after th e brilliant movie “T he H ustler" cam e out. He claim ed the movie and book w ere based on his life. The au th o r denied it. No m atter, F ats seized on his borrow ed fame and m ade it work for him He n eith er sm oke nor d ran k His w e a k / n ess w as anvilling sw eet, but especially ice cream . He never w as w ithout a slim silver case. But it didn't hold cig arettes, it held a stam p er with his signature. ' "W hen you get older, so m etim es you get the sh ak es." he explained. ’T h is way. every­ one who g els my au to g rap h won t have to tell people who it is."

A small, forgivable vanity T he best th in g Fats ever passed along was his secret to education: “You d o n ’t Seam from sm art people, you learn from idiots W atch what they do. and then don't do it."

As sim ple as the 8-ball, sid e pocket. ♦ Bill Lyon is a sports colum nist for the Philadelphia Inquirer

8 • VOICES

The Sporting News

VOICE OF THE EAN Super Steelers

‘Come the evening of January 28, a fifth Super Bowl trophy will adorn Three Rivers Stadium.’

Beau Massey Mandan. S.D.

p a w - - ,

-

/ *

t \ ii '

n9 Q n

Vc*/

O r , J*

-

A

- -v-t

T J tfc v -"

A

-

tc

3 7 |

DESERT . * 3 9 - s d s w a r m ? .

• I

E

i

* /

• ^

J w st-

^ K

-1.-3 L - . - r

i I- n ‘ \ ; i » ■ » - « • ■* I

‘ ■*.

' j

3j ^ ’I 55 3L4U LX

I h av e been read in g T h e S p o r t in g N e w s every w eek for th e past two years. It is a credit to ail sp o rts fans. How ever, th is sam e publication once Wrote: “W ith o u t Barry F o ster and Eric G reen. P ittsb u rg h 's offense will be boring. ** How b o rin g can they be w hen the S teelers are playing in late January as F o ster and G reen b eco m e sp ectato rs. In two w ords. h a d p rediction.

Chad Balsamo Gretna. La. J fe b ra sk a s’ m

B A the bad

i^

y ytfil&SMrie rrjjrt feedback dtcpurtU Sta?i

In th e NFC cham pionship gam e. Cow boys linem an Erik W illiam s dived on the back of J o h n Ju rk o v ic's legs and repeatedly used supposedly illegal-use-of-hands-to-th^face tactics on Reggie W hite's face m ask Erik W illiams is th e dirtiest ch eap shot in football.

• •

Stei'en H. Ellis Stoney Creek. Ont.

W as Erik W illiam s Dallas' M \T in the NFC cham pionship gam e?

Bill Ripp Sun Prairie. Wis.

Pell Mel I hope draft a n a ly t Mel to p e r show s he is a m an who can adm it being w rong once in a while. He really gave the Colts' organization — and in particular its director of football operations. Bill Tobin — som e m ajor grief w hen th e Colts decided to draft for defense in 1994 and not take q u arterback T rent Differ.

Tobin had decided to'go with Jim H arbaugh. who he felt would develop just fine.

W ell. th e m a rk e rs are in. and you really blew it on th is one. M el. Y ou're the one who m ade such a big deal out of i t now i t s tim e to pay th e fiddler. . Be a m an. and apologize to Bill Tobin.

Ken Menard Glide. Ore. kenmen@umpqua.com

B o ta

Mo one’s perfect . Paul A tln e r's trib u te to Don S h u la (TSN . Ja n u a ry 15. 1996) w as well d o n e.

T h is m an will sta n d out in th e a n n a ls of pro football.

However, th e re is one com m ent that should not go u n q u estio n ed . A ttner says: “Ask Shula now w hat h e is m ost proud of. and h e will tell you that h e w as h o n est and co n sisten t and that his team s stayed within the rules."

O h, really? I se e m to re m e m b e r a tim e in early 1970 w h en J o e R obbie d ec id e d he w anted S hula as co ach of th e D o lp h in s at any cost. O ld J o e finally d a n g le d e n o u g h salary and in d u c e m e n ts u n d e r S h u la's nose. At th is point. D on’s h o n e sty w as not qui t e ro b u st e n o u g h to h o n o r h is c o n tra c t '• ’N * - . T i

*1 V*■ ii'*

w ith th e C olts, w hich still w as in force.

S h u la ev id en tly h a d h is p rice, and R obbie d isc o v e re d it. D on im m e d ia tely m oved to M iam i. A s u b s e q u e n t law suit ru le d in favor of th e C olts. R obbie an d S h u la h ad to pay re p a ra tio n s.

U nfortunately; this, too, rem ain s part of S hula’s record.

Stuck in day

>.

•

;V -* c . r •

SomerviUc,Md$$.', . s6neil@cs.tun6.edu ;

I am trying to w atch basketball, and my TV looks like a fu lk n o tio n W arhol painting.

Johnny Oxley Tucson, Ariz.

103355.2566@compttserve. com

Sparky

L ong-suffering L ions fans h a d to w ait for R u ss T h o m a s to re tire b e fo re th e y could be rid of a m e d io c re g e n e ra l m a n a g e r. Now it lo o k s as if w e ll h av e to w*ait for W ayne F o n te s to re tire b e fo re we can g et a d e c e n t co ach.

E v e n ' y ea r th e team stin k s in S e p te m b e r an d O c to b e r, th e n h a s to sc ra m b le like m ad to m ak e u p lo st g ro u n d . T h e team n e e d s a co a ch w ho can g e t th e m to play from th e sta rt, but W illiam Clay F o rd lik es to stick w ith p ro v en in a d e q u a c y .T h e te a m ’s u ltim ate p ro b lem ? A m e d io cre ow ner. ;

Ve£T(

Kevin M. PeGan Waikiki, Hawaii

Alan G. Valentine Fort Sm ith, Ark.

4v.:v?" '

term “in th e paint" a p p lies to 90 p e r c e n t of th e playing su rface.

Fred Vance Rushville, Pa.

Disorder on the cart T h e NBA m u st ta k e action an d set g u id e lin e s on c o u rt a p p e a ra n c e b e fo re th e

A tten tio n b ase b all o w n ers: F o rg e t in te rle a g u e play. T h e b e s t way to re -sp ark fan in te re s t is an a g re e m e n t w ith th e p layers.

Patrick Shrader Abingdon, Va. pat@naxs.com

Sot a comment?

T h e S portin g N ew s

would love to hearfrom you. ; Write Voice of the Fan. 1212 N. Lindbergh Blvd..

S i Louis, Mo. 63132. fax your message to us a1314-993-7723, or send us electronic mail at tsnmail@aoi com. Be sure to include your name and city with your e-maiL T h e S p o r t in g N ew ’S reserves the right to edit letters for brevity and content

D o n ' t J u s t Wa t c h T h e T o u r n a m e n t s .

O n TV, B e P a r t O f T h e A c t io n !

$ 10,000 G r a n d P r iz e SCORiMQ

I in IOO will earn at least h

a l l e n

G O L F C n M

e

■' • 'n*. »

• T SN

» /*r A - %!

• Starting team consists ct 12 prayers:

•

9 Regular Players

3 Senior Players

• Starting team 's salary cannot exceed the 57.500.000 salary cap st any Oma. • T ojo squad consists of any 8 players. They ars your backups and m ay be owach od onto your starting team tor any reason: performance, not playing, injury, etc.

• Salary cop and poaSon ctebtiuPon noes do not appfy tor the taxi squad, bul do apply amen w elched onto the sorting team.

LE A G U E FO R M A TIO N

C O S T TO P L A Y $69.00 for on entry $59.00 for each adCBtonai entry.

Save $10-Pl«y both the T SN TO U R I & ll gam es tor $128 $10.00 for reports to be m oied to a second address $10.00 per address per team for reports to be mailed weekly rather than bi week?/.

S t

LH JA E B

5 BUY U T H * «

ja s A w a s u R .

7

STEVE B J Q K T t a

I

D A Y S LOYE B

I

TO H BO U I Y U A TSSSH

II

11 13

T O O T AI8 T B PAYNE STEWART

13 MARX CALCAYECSflA 14 JA Y KAAS

15 SCtm KOCK 16 K B E ! ROBERTS 17 PH. DORSON 11 JffF MAGGOT ii

sa m

a p s e *

29 PE® JACOB® 21 B a a a s u v 22 BOOE ES 23 BAWD FRO ST 24 MARX O’MEARA 25 J U S T I L E B A R D 25 BRAL B R T A IT 27 B B Y P S S T 21 l A R X I C C U K ®

29 BOBSIES

ra ra

(Q Flavor a FRS Ran JI FRED COUPLES s JOH Huston a dofaldo 34 STEVE LLWOT a TOM DTE a ir a tr ip le t 37 BRADFAXD9 a JOI RiRYX S PAU LAS*® 48 BOB TWAT H DAWS) DUVAL C CRAB STALLER C B U GLASSGi 44 FUZZY TO R IS 6 HAL SUTTON 45 LARRY EZE 47 JUKSO YERI 42 JEE SLUKA! 49 DJLWBBRBS a qaydhtw arss 51 BERNIARD L A I® 52 OUFY WALDORF a marx b ro o d 54 JOSE H. OUZABAL

ra ra 5120

s m s s h e® a a ic R S A i

ra ra 5210

57 rex FSS a JO H B R S

m ao

ra ra 779.000 7 S .« 735.000 725.000 711000 7 1 ira B io n 672JO0 672.001 651000 ra ra 641090 (a ra ra ra ra ra

ran

C

l

ran

id

Address___

City:------------

S t.

•Zip,

S t . L o u i e , M O 6 3 1 4 6 -4 1 3 3

D

T h # S p o r tm g N e w s '" F a n t a s y G e n C h a l l e n g e w e l c o m e s o r u n e s k e r n a r o u n d lh ® w o r ld . AH t o e * , h o w e v e r , m u s t b o - p o i d w ith U S C a n a d ia n . M e x ic a n , a n d o v e r s e a s e n tr ie s , p le a s e a d d i t io n a l m e i f i n g c o d s . 11 n e e d e d , o u r to ll r n x n o o r a

■

■

P l a y e r t r a n s a c t i o n s c a n n o t b o m a d e u n t i l .y o u r f o a m , m o to o . c o m p u t e r d a t a b a s e

s io .o o a ss, OOO

$1,000 $500 $300 $200 $100 $50

S2.500

n.000 SSGO $200 $100

• • •

Name

1 ._

8.

2. __

9.

Exp-

$69 ChoBonge Entry Adtfbonoi Erttnea Q uanW y Q u in s y

x

$59 OO •

x $ 1 2 8 -0 0 -

Addfflorai A d d re ss Q uantity____* W eekly Reports <p* aoaw n) ____* TOTJU. PAYMZXT

$ 1 0 .0 0 $ 1 0 .0 0

• ■

H ave y o u ployed a T S N C h aflao ga b e fo re ? .

10.

6 . __

11.

7.

12.

Total Team Salary (cannot exceed S7.500.000)

liv e

c o m m issio n e rs

N o e m p l o y e e * e t C O M . I n c .. T h # S p o r t i n g N o w s P u b f l a h t n g C o m p a n y o r t h e i r f a m i l i e s e r e o o g b f e t o p la y C O M . in c

a a f t c e n s e e o f T h # S p o r tin g N e w s P u b lis h in g C o m p o n y , a n d

d s o le ly r e s p o n s ib l e to r e n a c t in g . s d m m is t o n n g . e n f o r c in g t h e a d e * , a n d

if y o u

th e

in te g rity

of

The

S p o rtin g

N ew s **

F a n ta s y

G o lf

W ill b e

o f all r u l e s

c o n t a i n e d -n y o u r W o ' c o m e

h a v e q u e s tio n s re g a rd in g

th e ru le s

of

Th#

S p o rtin g N o w s '"

F a n ta s y G e n C W k m g e . c a l l I -6 0 0 - 5 6 8 -6 2 8 8 .

o

s listed as semo/fc can be placed in seniors starting line-up,

ID Flavor S a ls a 117 IB E BSXT r a r a 111 PASI GUIDOS r a r a 111 JOH! KUO* 1510 129 JOEACOSTA. JR. r a r a 1470 121 seen KccARRta 12 PATRO BORS 120 12 BOSSYMALKUS r a r a 124 CONSTANTINOROCCA r a r a 125 0OOUGHOTY ra ra ra ra 121 le r h ® 12 (XES DUFT ra ra 12 DOUGMARTI ra ra IS KEHR CLEARWATER 1 3 0 13 HOWARDTWITTY 120 131 STEVE PATE 120 132 PKB.BUCHAR 130 13 JOI CAR® 130 134 RUSS COCKRAM 130 IX DAVEIAH 120 raunwoosxAM 1140 1140 12 BTH F B SS 13 DAI POHL 13 TOOLEYHART 1110 141 JQH* MAHAFFEY 1M 0 141 WATIE LEVI e ra 142 SARY HALLERS e ra 143 DAYEKUMMELS a ra 144 JOKI BB® a ra 2510 Affytit* PLzre

ran

Name

e

n

i o

T

o

u

r

P

i ^

y

ID Playar ‘327 GIBBY GflJOT 329 QALEOOimSS 329 JU POWEL 0 JAaUCXUUS 331 AL SEBERGER 332 DEWITTWEA® 333 TOVTJACXU* 334 GARY P U ® IX SIR Y M O S 0 TOMMYAAR0I 32 JOH! PAUL CAII M U R R Y U0RETT1 339 BOBCnSO* 340 DOI BIES 341 g a s * ® 342 WAL® MORGA* 343 TERRY DILL 344 WAL®ZEXBRJSI 345 HAROLD HHOOXG 348 TOMSHAW 347 U R R T Z K ® 348 JM FERREE 349 HARRYTOSCANO 350 BUTCHBAIRD X I CHARLES C0007 X2 JOKI SUH}

g

H

Salon 4340 43m

3850 3810 3X0 3S20 3410 3220 230 3070 2990 2S80 0 0 2540 0 0

0 0

2410 0 0

0 0

2250 2230

2210 zn do 0 0 ra ra

1X0

S

a

l

a

r

i

u

n

ID Player Salary 0 Cia HEXDRICXSCN 1 X 0 354 RICHARD RHYAN 1 2 0 M B SNEED 1790 0 RIVES MC8S 1780 357 BOB ESM® 177.0 0 M U H BARBER 1770 359 808 BETLEY 164.0 0 BRUCE DEYUN 157.0 X I DAVE HU 1570 362 DONJANUARY 1510 0 CALVI* PEETE 1480 0 GAY BREWER 1420 0 CHOO MOTAL® D 1 2 7 0 0 BOBBY NICHOLS 1240 387 JOEJ O B E 1220 0 BRUCE CRAMPTON 1 1 8 0 369 LEAB SEMAN M 170 37B Off* GOETZ 1150 371 ROMERO BLANCAS 1 1 1 0 372 MARION HEX 1080 373 TOMMYAYCOa 1X0 374 MXE MCCULLOUGH 1 6 0 375 BOBBY KITCHELL 1 2 0 376 ORVILLE KOCOT 1 2 0 377 ROBERT ZIMMERMAN 9 4 0 378 Ola LOTZ 6 0

J o la tt* 1 POV*o fS *ti*B o d Mportlag Mows FsotMsyTsmm Owasn

IS S

Salary

r

ID Playar Salary sn DAVE ST0CXT01 U53J00 302 RAY FLOYD 1.234,000 303 JIM COLBERT 1170,000 34 BOB MURPHY 1J270 305 LE TREVINO IJ im 306 HALE IRW» 10.000 307 a t ALBUS 8390 0 BAO AOD 3190 309 TOMWARGO Bl3 0 STC © JR S ARO® 7 9 6 0 21 SULHAM MARSH 7 5 0 0 22 JX. SCAD 720 313 BOB CHARLES 7280 314 JBI DEST 640 315 KBE KILL 6320 316 R0CXY THOMPSON 6 0 1 0 317 URRY OLBERT SB S0 28 JAY SISE 5840 319 SQIOM H080AY 270 32B BRUCESOMEWAYS 5 5 2 0 321 KOSTZARLEY 5010 E Z J A a t& B 4530 323 T0MWBSXDPF 4430 324 DAVE EKHHJE8&R4420 325 OL CW RODRIGUEZ 4 4 8 0 325 SUO A lia 4390

3 1 4 -9 9 1 ^ 1 5 6 4

S.

w ith

t o g e t h e r a n d d iv v ie d e v e n l y a m o n g t h o l o a m o w n e r s t h a t h o v e B e d

Isi

Name

G E B E G IN S W IT H T O U R N A M E N T S P L A Y E D N O E N D S W I T H T H E U .S. O P E N ( J U N E 13-16).

Salary

S e n io rs

5 . __

m ade

P ack age

ra ra

4 . __

be

N o w s * * F a n ta s y C o ll C h a l l e n g e

1B0 TCI DA TO O0 B 1 1S40 112 DCI POOLEY ra n 1530 m scott gu » rn c o n s Hammond 1590 115 DAYEST0CXTB1J1 1510 116 KELT GSS08 120

Id

can

in t o e e v e n t o f a t i e . t o o c a s h p r i z e s to r t o o p o s i t i o n s B e d w in b o a d d e d

F u rth e r e x p la n a tio n

t i l C H T BYRLS

Salary

tra n s a c tio n s

C O M . in c . r e s e r v e s t o o n g n t to r e v i s e a n y d i e s t o i m p r o v e T h e S p o r tin g

Salary a JOE O Z IE 2170 0 B E STAIDLY 2150 IO BHAI CLAAR 2130 JI JAYDEJBS 2100 fi ROBI FREEMAN ra ra 93 KEAL LUCAS® 2950 94 JEX® PARXEVIX 2540 2940 95 JH I ADAMS 192.0 9IJ0IATKAI KAYE 17 MARCO DAWSOI • 1910 a SHARO PRUITT 1900 IS B U S E D * ® 160 i n ® G R ® ra n 191 ECHAa BRALLEY 1 0 0 160 ie ROCCOiskate lO C K A R L B R T IB ra ra I M B R A I L E CHAMBLEE 1790 T710 IS MARX W I S E IS STEVE J O B 1 7 in ICT I S E S U M A N ra ra IO BR U ! L U U 1740

a n y t im e

h a s b o o n o n to ro d

T o o m s w ill b e o n t o r e d W ith in t o r o o w o r k in g

C nodenge

TO Flavor

e n t r y

$ 1 5 to c o v e r

I-3 1 4 .991-1511

9 A M -9 P M M o n d a y t h r o u g h F r id a y . S a t u r d a y 7 A M - 1 0 A M C o n t r a T e n ®

m a in ta in in g

S

TO TTY T O U B

For

S U Y * o t r e c e ip t.

P la y e r

Is l 2nd 3rd Atli 5tt 6th to IOO) 11th to 25th

A T E B

I S

sod

fo n d s

u p u n til F e b r u a r y 2 0 th .

3 . __

Phone MC/VlSA. T S N T O U W I & ll

1 1 7 5 6 B o r m a n D riv e , S u t t a 2 2 0

U .S . O P E N

• Player transacflone must be mads by Saturday 10AM Central Ttae to ba afloc&ve for that weakancfs Tourneys.

Salary ID A m i Salary ra ra a CURTIS STRUSE 3120 3110 505,900 a TOI WITCH sn job 3220 Bl TH) TRYBA ra n 62 BRETTOGLE J1 9 0 471.001 Q LEOS 0 3 0 7 3 3170 471,000 64 SRUCEUEZXE 3170 475.000 S CRAB PARRY 3160 457,000 8 SUY ABRADE 31 50 451JOO 67 STEVE STRXX® 3150 459.960 a n u i H O B E 3140 3000 (59.000 a O S P B E X 459JOO 71 UDREWIA® 0 0 r a r a 451.000 TI JOKI DALY SS JOB 63.000 72 SC0TTYBBUH 04,000 73 JAY OH BUSE a ra 431.000 74 BOB LOHR r a n 422.000 75 BUBE MCCALLISTER 2 9 0 4 S .U 75 GUYSOROS ra ra 454.000 77 JON COO! 2X7 0 2 9 0 3 9 7 .0 71 KBE HULBERT 2 5 7 0 b ij q o 79 ROBERT6AXEZ 324.000 0 RITO! ALIBI 2 5 4 0 r a r a S2JO0 JI &ESAUB3 in jo b 2 4 6 0 82 MSESPRB® o Q u r w in E 2 4 1 0 0 0 84 CLB DAT ra ra r a r a ra ra C BAI FORSMAN 2 4 in a joe a tm a 2210 341000 17 cou*«araaBOE 2250

N am e.

T O U R

C S C D is t r ib u t io n A M o rtc o ttn g . I n c .

D e a d lin e F e b r u a r y 7 th )

In v ita tio n a l th r u

■

• The transaction tees ore a s follows.

T a x Sq uad Sw itch U o rvW o d .... . $1 each T a d Sq uad Sw itch on T h u rsd a y ............... $2 oach T a x Sq uad Sw itch F rid a y ................... ...S3 sech T a » Sq uad Sw itch Sat. by 10AM C S T ...... $4 each New Player Purchase (H m fl 5 ) ..................................- S 5 each Transactions batara Fee. K h (unfim rted) $1 each F a x Service A vailab le ...........

Call tor detail*

Fa x y o o r

T eam

I (E n try

T o p a y w ith c h e c k o r m o n e y o r d e r , m a ll y o u r e n t r y p a y m e n t to-

U n n o t e d p l a y e r s a r e $ 2 3 0 .0 0 0 a n d c a n n o t b e p l a c e d Li ^ t a r t i n g l i n e ­

To m ake player transactions, a toft-tres 800 ncm bor and an accourt m ender wig be provided.

T o t / fI

4

. C * a i- 8 0 M 6 8 4 2 8 8

J u d a C la s s ic th ru T o u r C h a m p io n s h ip

Unlisted players are S25C.000 and must be on taxi squad until Feb. r n t GBB C R IM 2 COREYWTB 3 n a pbx ?

sfKxii coraimttionen w n r a n g oy lo in if ifv o tfc tit t tkxtt md cctspvocir tu rn .

IM a a i r a M f t r f i e A C M n a i l

TR A N S A C T IO N FEES •

Leagues are formed on a fire-com e. ftr«-*erved basa.

• IOO teem s form a league.

• Aa team * compete tor the overoB y o n d prize.

• T S N

W e c a ta ia n your league and overall position every week.

• Becarve a fcxr-page report w eekly or b i wookty. You autom abcaffy receive a w eakly reports with your entry tee You m ay purchase weekty reports tor $10 • B i weetty reports w a be mofled every other Tuesday b e ga rsn g February 20. 1996 • Recerve updated rosters of the top 25 loam s n your league and m eters of the top 5 teem s overall twice • Becarve your reports by com puter or tax Can tor details.

•

Salary i .gajm I JB J® 1 J5 M B u n ra £39.000 ISUBO

T O W

B u ic k

REPORTS

P la n r

Earn $25 Weekly!

2 E X C IT IN G C H A LLEN G ES

RO STER

ID

m • AU earnings accum ulated from apelican o weekly tournam ents Oy mo pray©cs on mo starting loom contribute to a team 's earning* totals • A frat of OJI aooiica£iio tournam ent* (19 Woguiar & 17 Senior! win do need ed r your welcome pockago.

• Taal squad player*' earnings do nor contribute to your team j o«m ,ngs totals.

• PrervKxa oomwigs by a ptoyor ootore no w as on your rector OO nor Ctoum • A prayer's earnings arc added to your team s o e m n g* totals 0« y Curing ma weeks that ne * on your sorting team.

$1000!

on,, * 6 9

swaa* - m i

• • • « •

g

Eacn team win nuwed within its toaguo and cvera/i by toe fotaJ mcmoy o a n vn gs from IT * goffer? on TXXf starting loam • E a rrin gs am accumulated weekly tor ail t 2 carting oujyors Your carting loam is sot at IO am Contra. Time on Saturday (or mat w eekend 's

•

You have until IO AM on Saturday morning to make changes to your starting Une-upl

Taxi Squad can tie any fla y e r s

E ntries m u st be phoned or faxed by W ednesday , F e b . 7, 9 pm 1-800-568-6288 TKF. S H O R T IN G V F W * bxJ F A S T A S T C H A LLE N G E v t rd T im Sewerrat* V a t K A A ntm nt G o n ^m 7 . *m d Boder b e ro e by G B C XXofnboicxjD A feUrtecjit. Loc V tfTUtjird »H D 2m P C A N o pocttM M n r m y ^ T o rre a v e a cc^y o f Cm afT*cu4 roar* aad a v a r s e k c u x entry fo ra . v o ^ d *3 se n n e ts M ild a ^rOrr xxJa. «(t/>addrroad OO T p rt m e to p e lo C D V J n c ^ G o4T C baJM ofr * O St Lm \ M O b '1 4 6 O u r m ovcsi per huwBMtioid KH recue»a br frc c r^ d by J IW Y on ou*a im l l r o n or oL3t r «o p«rjcrpata v « S **M tt p r y * N ora

i

r

The Sporting News .

IO • NFL * +>

S U P ER

B o|

; ^#'^-v=-• \ *c •*•*; ji& s!® 3' ^ -

•.. ,--•’ •• ii

T S N ’s ■ ■ Ii#??

z > ;-& ;.~ r-:::'Z '■' '

■■: -

'

'

^

-

.

■''v : f ■'': :‘ B n ft^

- ' - •*’ .-' j . . .

niVvSV-v” u 4£&^ . m

/ M

B

i ■«•<— -.*•

-

’•• -..

.^V?it>v-- r ^ \

■»'*■ .

^ b

m

AB

* ,

^

.*

* £ *

Ii

.• ♦ a .

• ■• '

.

.- * - .

*^ j% .

»

-^B

h |

-

Aft

I - - * '

i *»*-

*.•: i

_

>. <■

'-'' 'n ? 4 •■^ S

jS

^ f^ g

/i* '-vw*-: * S

a

jm

.■r*s-V->

3 &I5L

■&aa

? . . i *.«.- ?

A: -L ^w k

^ pvprvmrtxr n

member^ Greene guy, 5 >2*« -Hb line gefslaugh^which

• « U V *4 «

•* !••

^bander* :f<„ I ,\AUUV*,

deeded ^w hatapj k v.»'v'

't ' U K S J O ^ eg U C V K C ?U K 3^ ^ 4 X a U It^ U K 7 A x ^ ^ m ^ U » « X J lU n lU K > O i U K

^Stealers* detoseT What is certain is that this is going to be the -most physical, woofing, tzasb^alld^pfts^^

^ :;v ;;&- ^ ~r»^ ^ n rha «_ •• -

-*- -v t

a

—

» k* . *

* r

J a n u a ry

2 9 , 1 9 9 6 N F L

M

B

E m

m

jg.':

— M

m

m

m

m

M

-■;■-■•■: ,-

^

m

-

, ;-/

,

V ***

:_ ^ _

- - ...

.'

,

*

1

1

; . V . . ^ ---------- ----------

.• » ; < r .

- ■

.-^

•'

* .

•1*411 «;>«;<• r JVA. «

• *rv v

:w

- u

in f i

i -

x x t a i i.ir e g f e

i n p r ^ t i ^ c L l u s H s t a e ^ >';

:;jwcm dage^;33£^ 300 need not 5 tappJy foras^icmfi&^^^weSbecaiise ofall that*itlS easy tb ;: . . . ligoys^ if:thml*the Sumosare. M guys Vfowtpfqfrtn nnrttfflUifaimt?1 rwvx IW lanrij :jardSgei! ♦•iii;# -WV .

i

t

?

- y

~

asg?-

4

'A t

5WiH -ii >r^ 11 l^ p ffp h s re q u ire ^arillated HHH

Kl OL*

^ tio k t' ifthey?

n 111n — f ^ i f 111: 11:u

■**

> V

it.#

j

ir$2& Vwef

> :•

Al

• 'f ‘.

• I . UH r-

• ii t i - r u i n :

. If fee Sumos aoh’ttiunkand react § IHIHI! ~2 HUtUfC* use zone --7

£y~ £.

- « m k t f n . r if tii

/ "

Y*-J

.- «*

CVM*j r u t

r s ^ A * " * * * •* ' i *4

Iff H H T

m o y » ;p u !s^ r ’"“• *#te ’r . . 't

i?sa 'as*d

w - 'j

- *1r "■».

r n -& sA ,•> * ’

*?\ i ; .v .

/J ••

*Tv . .vifX *“ w-.—

I'.

'5?

lf f j f l .

IS w b e f e i i

J•'•V I£f.'V tv.’. *V-/a *.

ta w n e y r • CHIU

w

......................................

/toLje'ren-/;

P ir^ T t: ;

^acateiibleJ!T bat islkraryim g it iii. ~

• * - -

IC O -. ^r*-~ :.*,7f. **r *. >,*;>

v i .V - ..-.-7> , %_ • ,..-^x.

k

v

•*. %

r

BP

VT >r*.

S r , ■-

i r—

<** •***

^ '• . •; *Vv

••j 1 T’T-V • % c "&

/ •a-*:* • v

tr V I*

J A# — l.-TI?-P^-P

-;v^i ?i ^V.

>H

A

• •»■

vi -

-

—

T. "

^

W

:>

, •<

"1

ri

'

‘

’

7*j >- f .

—-V-- .'bi

1

2

*

M

The Sporting News

F I

r S N s

S U P E R

BO

o rd in a to r w h o s e te a m b e a t D a lla s t v r a & is s e a s o n . *Y ou*ve g o t a p a s s iv e d e f e n s iv e s h u a tio D a n d a n b a n i s h i n g r u n n e r .

B u t i f t h e o f fe n s iv e H o e i s l a t e a d ju s t in g t o t h e b fitz , t h e d e ^ f e n s e ; h a s a b i g i i l ^ p o s s n n G ty .”

E v e n -ff^ F itts lm r:^ h a s e a r iy s u c c e s s ig n itin g S

n ^

e x p e c t C k n d x jy s o f f e i ^ v e o o o r d in a to r B e m e o f f f fie r u n . S m iffi g a in e d

l l

d o n t

to .b a ^

s 6

y a rd s in h is f ir s t S x c a m e s

a g a in s t G r e e n B a y in th e N F C titk .g a m e . H e fin is h e d I S O y a r d s , m d o t f i n g 5 0 y a x d s i n f i l e l a k p e rk M i, i n 3 5 a t t e m { ^ Itte d d s e m p h a fic o o m m ih iie n tto tb e T ^ ^ s h o u M c e rn d ie C e d e r s . I t ^

b o th

s a n p ty ; t h e S u m o e f f e c t

*^W hen t h e y s e t d i ^ m in d t o c o m e b f f ^ b a ll E k e ffie y d B ig ttto y o u , a

I #

t h e y a r e s ig n if ic a n d y b ^ t e r f f t a n a n y (iffie r

*9 ie S t e e l e r s b a v e d e f e n ^ e n d s t f a ^ w d g f a 2 9 0 o r 2 ^ , a n d th e y a r e g o in g a g a in s t g u y s u d io w m o re . S o ^

is g c ^

to

d ^

330. F o r 60 p la ^ o r

fie s h e r a t d ie e n d , th e 3 3 0 g i ^ o r

th e g u y w h o b a s h a d to f ig h t b a d e a g a in s t a g u y w h o w

d ^

4 0 p o u n d s m o r e ffia n h im , p la y a f t e r p la y ? ”

ro y A ik m a n h a s s a id it s o m a n y tim e s ffia t it h a s b e -.

T

c o m e h i s o w n ( £ d i e ‘‘E m m x t t a n d I a r e o n l y a s g o o d a s o u r o & n s s v e fin ^ * h e s a y s . O K s ta te m e n t, b u t y d ie n y o u h

^

it is a n o b ^ o u s

ta le n ts a s g ifte d a s

A ik m a n , & n itfa a n d M ic h a e l I r ^

it is e a s y to u n d e re s tim a te

th e c o n trib o tk m s o f th e S u n ^ I b o s e t h r e e c a n m a k e g o o d p la y s in to g r e a t e f f o r ts b e c a n s e o f f f i d r e x t r a o r d i n s y a b ili­ tie s . Y e t t h e b u lk o f ffie C o w J ^ o f f b i s i v e th r u s ts c o h o s ts b f g r i n d 4 t - o u U y o u 4 a K > w 4 t 4 » < x n m n g 4 m t - t x y 4 i> 6 t ^ ^

ru n s an d

p a s s e s . I t is n o t a v e r y c re a tiv e a tta c k ; n o r d o e s i t t ^ n c d t y g a m y a r d s rn la r g e c h u n k s . I t is , m o r e th a n a n y th in g e l ^ , th e o f fe z is e f f i a t b e a t t h e P a c k e r s ,w i& d r i v e s o f 8 0 .9 0 a n d 9 9 y a rd s. N om m O y. d e fe n se s f e d s e c u re w h e n f f i ^ b i ^ u p o p ­ p o n e n t s . T h e s e n s e i ^ T h e o f f e n s e VOD t u r n i t o v e r c r b e u r b a b fe to s u i n g h i g h e r e n o o ^ h f ir s t d o w n s to b e e ffe c tiv e . B u t: n o t w if fiA e C o w b o y s. B e c a r s e o f flie S u m p s .

T h e r e is n o m

y s ^ t o w h a t ffie y a r e O y i i g • P fliS O T

f e n s b e c o o rd in a to r F H tz ^ u n m i r s a y s .

ly .” I h e s u c c e s s o f d ie S u o io s i s t ^ e c t e d t a n u m b m

S m iffi

w o n h i s f o u r t h r u s h i n g t i f f e u d f f i a c a i e o ’r h i s h t o t a l ( 1 ,7 7 3 y a rd s ) a n d b r o k e t h e H F L ie o o id f o r to u c h d o w n s v

^

!

25u

Irv in h a d a r e c m d l l l O O y ^ i e c e i v t a g g a m e S f M m a n w a s

i

I

: r u i

$

th e N F C s N o . 2 r a te d p a ^ e r . D ie C o w b o y le d d ie le a g u e t a .

J

r u s h in g f ir s t d o w n s , a n d D a lla s w a s s e c o n d ta s a d c s a llo w e d

*•

v;

.s Ii

w ith IS , a c lu b re c o rd .

h e r e is a c e rta iiH m d e riy in g n a s tio e s s to ffie S u m o s .

T

T h e ir

v e te ra n

p o s ifio n

coach.

H udson

H ouck,

p a d r e s fin id iin g o ff b lo d c s . D i e S u m o s c a n y d ia l

re*. la n d o f O d h i t a 'H a w ^ ^ f l c n r b f tfa e r a n d a m o d i d ' o i y u t a ^ l &

te ^ d e ^ L ^

d ire c fiv e to a n e x tr e m e . T h e y s p e d a f iz e ta d riv in g fo es aw ay h u m

•• * v - . _

t h e l i n e a n d s u s t a i n i n g c o n t a c t u n t i l d i e hgi us yb r o t h e r ' s t i m e t a l a t a o n a b d I d s o w n

is b u rie d o n h ta b a c k .

b d ia v io n H e w a s t a ^ e d

‘ A i n t g e t d n g p a id f o r b o n g n ic e ,* s a ^ N e w to n , t h e S u m o s ’

o u t

d ru n k e n d o rm b r ^ * ja il f o r a s d s t i n g t a

y o u c a n h a v e i s t o l o c k u p w i t h ’e m , g e t l e v e r a g e a n d d r i v e

HawataAdedd(^^jota'foePQIC,lta)gc^

'e m . I f y o u h a v e a c h a n c e t o r e a l l y g i v e h i m a p o ^ a s l o n g a s

t h e U n h n ^ rd ty o f

y o u a r e d d n g it w ith in t h e r u le s , y o u n e v ta ^ p a s s it u p . G o t to

f in ia l I n s e tig fta H ^ . H e ^ a y i ^

r e m in d th e m w h o is o u t th e r e a n d w h o i s d ie b o s s .”

a g e n ts to

w hose

tid e g a m e , H e w a s lo c k e d

o n -fie ld

m eanness

is

su rp a sse d

up w th o n ly

W illia m s ,

b y T U i n d ’s .

W illia m s i s n o t a b o v e a q u ic k b lo w to t h e h e lin e t o r a n e x tr a s h o v e . A n d h e s o m e tim e s m a n a g e s to g d h is fis ts ta n g le d in h i s o p p o n e n t ’s f e o e m a s k .

^ t a '

r

fa ta l d o w n e n o u a ^ t to n o tfitw e D w ita

a n tid 8 4 o th e r D a lW

b e c o m e a srm e rfo p a s s i ta ^ e d b f ^ a tw b ^ ta te

B ow l p l^ e r

t e a m '^ p m c t i c a l j d c e r

c a l i n ^ i i B a h w h o b a d a i d a t i o n s h i p w t i i h im , c a lle d p o fic e

o i f e ^ to p % g u y s a t e ^ e n c a t ^ t a a t n o o n e

a n d a f t ^ d i s h e v ta s a e x u a fifa s ta o lfe d t^ W S E a ih s a b d o n e o f i_v_ J. ’ a A* ^ *Aa •_ * _I _

ran d

‘Htairamkr

‘

X* V s a j ^ *H e% l ^ h t a K

^ t a g re a t

w e i^ its a h d ta ta iig c a re o f

le v d f a e p e tfim s .'

mtaiitaditay.dmfo^

TtatavasaYsqpposdltDreschetad&

A W 82^ im d .lir a if f ih S r d M ^ tiif c ! B

wh^^

h o o d s c d F fa ita d d ita ia . H e c a i r f e s h i n i s ^ h T c c a m a n w h q h a s b e e ii id a c e s ia n d i r e e d 't a i c ^ f h t a r b ^ 'w c n K 'i ^ i ^

w a s W i l f i ^ * b o ^ d io o d i d o l

W 3 fia iD ^ 2 7 ,

sei^die^GrikWiffiah^.Beim

.folliE^tocnwi News^:

N o n e o f t h e S m o s e a r n e d c a n 't - m i s s p e d i g r e e s o u t o f c o l ­

t r a S ta te ) c a m e b u t o f s m a ll s c h o o ls w ith o u t b ig r e p u ta tio n s .

a s tr q ^ ta ^

ta g a tT O p d c e i ^ h e t a ^

a b o u t d i e p l a y , b u t , h e y , d i a f s f o o fo a O .” A n d j u s t d i m k : W h i t e

l e g e . A l l e n ( N o . 2 , S o n o m a S t a t e ) a n d W iT H a m s ( N o . 3 , C e n ­

ta r e s te d ^ m a I T ^ e a r ^

...

le g a l d i p , e v Q i d io u g h i t to re tfa e m e d ia l c o lla te ra l f ig a m e n tta m ad

i d e ^ e d g u ^ to a im s d m te a n c ff d n m k e b H ^ i n i i g d u u ^

D i i n e i i s a p ^ s a n t , q d e t m m w ix > ls &

u p s e t w h a t W illia m s b l o d ^ n o s e t a d d e J o h n J tir k o v ic f im n

r ^

I m e e i^ s u E t a r ^ d a m a g e to h is h a n d s a n d fe c & H e u k h n a ^

e r, h e v m

c o i ^ c m l 'H e

J u ric o v id s le ft k n e e . W illia m s ’ re p ly : * R £ g g ie w a s p

e s t i m t a d l ^ m p t a ' E a t o r e tq > h t a r @ i l

w h o s t a d d s A ik m a iifio m fa a n n c m d te ta ^ a te ib a c J ^ s b & id

p la in to o m u c h ,” W

b e h in d a lo n g th e ta le o f a a im m a g e . U n d e r th e r u l ^ I t w a s a

it»:u Lta<)doberl99i tass tfam ay ^ after

1983 h a ta ta g

n o w , h e d o e s n ’t d a i m t o b e a m o d d d t z z e a B u t h e h a s

w h e n h is I s

sa y s. T h e P a c k e rs w e re p a rtic u ld ty

m

ito ita g u a rd r d l t a m

d ie fe c e , a n d y o u g o y s a r e j u s t g o in g , to w rite h o w w e c o m ­ ^

h e fo !^ s e %

t h e ie y e o f

c a n e rc rc ta d ilm

T T C g o t a s c ra tc h u n d e r m y e y e h u m g e ttin g im n c h e d ta

d i^ ,b e b tih g :o f a

< in I

th e p r e a c h e r .w a s n o t th in k in g g o d ly t h o u ^ t s a b o u t th e lin e in d i e N F C

•S '

ta -

sp o k e sm a n . T h i s is n o t a n o c o n ta c t s p o r t D ie b e s t f e e ^

N o t e v e r y o n e e m b r a c e s t h e S u m o s ’ s ty le . R e g g ie W h ite ,

ii*'

'

-a -

d i k ^ m s b t u l h e C c p A i^ fi4y

^

^

^"he^ys. ' diinmitaure,ea^IedyQdng8ttfmousm1^^^

—

as.

NFL *13

January 2 9 .199b

WL

XXX

PREVIEW Landry, who signed Newton a** a free agent, (retted about hi< roller-coaMer weight problem — Newton ha* been as high as 4t“ ) pounds and routine!) iov< 3ttor 4<) pounds at training camp — and Jim m y Johnson and Barn. >wiL/rr have in at him. too Bur Big Nate ^ays he can't worry about what <; feet all thi> will have on hrs bodv later in lite “ I ve got to do what I need to do to keep playing." he ^i\> Remarkably, he no longer ha^ the biggest weight problem on the team. That dubious distinction g o e s to Kennard, who ha^ a locker next to Nate s and put> up with a constant How oi abuse from Newton about his own flab problem^ Kennard: At 33. he is a reluctant Cowboy Form« r!\ with the Cardinals and Saints, he signed as a free agent with the Cowboys in '94 and started every game at right guard. But inleft the 1995 training camp the day he arrived, complaining about an aching hip and saying he was retiring H ie Cowboy^ kept him on the active roster and he finally came back in N-p(ember W hen center Ray Donaldson went down with a bric­ ken right fibula and dislocated ankle in. late November. Ken­ nard took over in tin- middle, even if he was way oui <>i con­ dition. “ He could fie in better 'hap*-." Houck says diplomatically With the 3timpound Donaldson, a P>yrar veteran and former Pro Bowl performer in his first season at Dallas, the S u m o s didn't have a weakness. " I n b e lie v a b ly d o m in a n t against anv defense when thev wanted to be." l.vnn <avs. With Kennard. who hadn't played center fuU-ume sine** 19*9. the line isn t as strong, as reflected in the dropoff by the offense near the end of the regular season. He is th*- guy the Needers likely will at­ tack. But Kennard, called “Big Baby" by his teammates, keeps improving and laughing. He's a nice. friendly, outgoing man. a cutup and the most unassuming of th*'starters “Just glad they talked me into coming back." he says “Just because these guys are so big. people think they aren't good athletes." Donaldson says "But these guys are agile, and they all have quick feet. Coming in here. that is what impressed me. And the way they wanted to drive people off the field."

So. considering what they've accomplished, can't the Sumos swagger more than just a bit going into this Super Bow l5 “Swagger5" Newton say's incredulously “ How can we swag­ ger5 Half of us are bowlegged." ♦ #

money to buy a mansion and fancy car He now has grown more sullen and aloof and is not particularly approachable.

Yet he is the Sumos' inspirational guide.

"He gives so much to this team from an emotional stand­ point.’ Houck says. "He helps everyone get ready just by set­ ting an example with his preparation. He is such a positively aggressive player, and he brings everyone with him. lf you want to go to war with someone, he is the guy.* Allen: His development has been shocking. A first-time Pro Bowl player, he took over at tackle as a rookie last season when Williams w;as hurt, survived an embarrassing encounter against White, who threw him on his back with one arm. and wound up starring at the position. He moved to his natural spot at right guard in 1995 and has gotten even better. Much better. Houck is asked which Sumo is his best run blocker. ".Allen." he says. Who is your best pass blocker5 ".Allen" he replies. "He is going to be." concludes Houck, "one of the alltime greats." .Allen, who is 6 feet 3. 325 pounds, grew up in Compton, Calif., amid gangs, gunfire and drug deals. He attended four high schools, was stabbed 12 times during a fight with a play­ mate when he was IO and dropped out of junior college with­ out finishing his degree .After taking a year off. he wound up at non-scholarship Sonoma, where he attracted scouts who liked the attitude of a player who says. "I hit as hard as I can for as long as I can, maybe because I am taking out all my frustrations about my life."

Painfully shy and quiet .Allen, 24. is married and a father with a new lifesty le. He says he no longer goes out and drinks all night or gets into fights. “ He has become very confident of his ability." Houck says. "He is very inquisitive, very thorough and Academic, which might surprise some people. He doe^ not want to make a mistake in a game. .And he ha> exceptional skills."

Newton: He is hardly shy. But he. loo. has changed. Hr readily admits that he was a career bully whose crude way' peaked at Florida A&M , where he delighted in intimidating fellow students with his bulk and biting tongue. At 34. he has mellowed, although he can still humiliate and insult with hi> boisterous comedy routines as easily as he can produce laughter. Still, he no longer is the Kitchen, the jumbo manchild who. early in his Cowboys career, caught the fancy of John Madden. Newton is an .All-Pro. a star with hi* own radio show. endorsements and following.

»

t

P a u l A toner is a se n io r u n i e r fo r Tut-

<

S h u n i v , Nf-ws.

Creativity: The Steelers’ zone blitz will become a trend if it can somehow drop Aikman — and the curtain on NFC supremacy B y M ichael K n isley n the good oi‘ days. Dick l^ B r a u -'* ciei»*n>»- let; en walking wounded on a football field. He threw a ram­ bling. gambling, inventive mix of no-holds-barred blitzes at every team he came up against, and it bat­ tered up and pancaked so many quarterbacks he could have served brrakla>t to a stadium full of famished ironworkers. .

No. not the Steelers' defense. Not (b e e a rn that led the N F L in sack'* with 55 'last season and surely led th*- league in hard knocks this season. Not that team. even if it is known a-

I

V r-

7 *7

V.CMAIl MUMY/ JSICCUUO PM SS

•

L r;

7 7 ™ *T.7 r: In both of the ’Skins’ stunning

victories, they kept Smith under control by limiting his cutback lanes. He didn’t gain IOO yards in either game.

/---------

Pittsburgh’s best chance to pull off an upset in the Super Bowl is to follow as closely as possible the game plan used by the Redskins against the Cowboys this season. After all. the 6-10 Skins beat the Cowboys twice, once with Troy Aikman injured and once with all of the Dallas stars healthy.

The keys to Washington's success: — Running inside the Dallas defensive ends. The Cowboys are quick but lack the huge inside tackles and big linebackers to stop power rushes. Washington gained 136 yards in its first victory and 140 in the second. The Redskins ran it 73 times in the two games and threw 48 passes.

Coach Non/ Turner says the commitment to the run is probably more important than the yards gained on the ground. The goal is to do to the Cowboys what they do to you: Run it. use up the clock and keep the Dallas offense off the field.

— Getting the turnover advantage. Washington gave up the ball just once in two games and collected three Dallas mistakes. "You have to get some turnovers against them." Redskins defensive coordinator Ron Lynn says. “ Then if you get them, you have to score off them. They v/on't give you that many opportunities, so you can't pass up your chances." The Redskins converted two of the turnovers into touchdowns. ~ Getting ahead, lf the Cov/boys get in a comfort • zone offensively and can keep you guessing, they are deadly to defend. But if you can get a lead, they will have to abandon the running game and you can double up on Michael Irvin. The odds start to even out. In the second meeting, the Redskins led. 24-10. in the fourth quarter and Aikman wound up completing 29 of 48 passes, a regular-season high for attempts. The 'Skins won. 24-17. r Limiting Emmitt Smith. Smith didn’t gain IOO yards in either game. Over his career. Dallas wins virtually every time he passes the 100-yard mark.

Lynn’s feeling is that giving up 100 receiving yards to Irvin can be less troublesome (he had 105 in Game 1.

101 in Game 2) than letting Smith get into triple figures.

Because he rarely breaks off long runs. Smith needs lots of carries to accumulate a high total. And if his attempts are significant, that means the Cowboys are controlling the clock. Redskins defenders were instructed to guard against Smith's cutbacks, where he gains much of his yardage. ♦ .

— P a u l Attn er

14 • NFL

The Sporting News

the Mi/rburgh Sleclers. This S id le rs defense is conservative next to some of l r Beau's other teams Blitzburgh. the team playing in Sunday's Super Bern I. the one whose defense is co­ ordinated by l r Beau. is Rush litnbaugh compared to some of the flamers from l r Beau’s pond ol* days Ihe Cincinnati days When I /'Beau started dreaming up his zonc-blitz scheme* in Riverfront stadium back in the mid-19N0s. he knew no lim­ its 'Die Bengals wen* boing run in those* years by the loosest ol head-coaching cannons. Sam Wvche. who never met a zany play hi didn't like I /‘Beau's creativity Cincinnati’s defen­ sive coordinator as often a*' not went unchecked “When you star! doing something that you haven’t v e n oth­ er ;x-t)j)le (In. you re not sure how tar off tile board you want to co." I /-Beau says “And sometimes. I think we went too far.

M o s t t h i s . I'm talking about now. was with Cincinnati But we got through the rough parts cit it and learned through Ina! and error that. hex. it's OK to gel a little frisky as long as you know there are limitations to arn concept “ Plat was Jo w ars ago. when the zone blitz was young and wjld Bv the IM.'SN season, the Bengals. with l/*Beau calling the defensive shots and strong safely David Fulcher applying the knocks, had lamed it enough to u\ke it lo the Super Bowl. and it damn near kept Mr Wonderful. Joe Montana, from outscor­ ing them That Mitier Bowl ended with the 49ers needing a lantastic-fmish touchdown to win. 2d lh. in the last minute.

Only once since then has the NFC scored so few points in the Super Bowl. only once since then has tin* .AFC come so close to winning JI has taken the better pan of a decade, but the zone blitz, Ii* Beau’s wild child, is finally enjoying something of a Stuart Smalley acceptance. Other defensive coordinators have rec­ ognized that it s good enough, it's smart enough and. gosbdamit. people like it when you sack the quarterback. The zone blitz now is a part of nearly every defensive repertoire, some more than others But no one plays it as much as the Stealers, unless its the Panthers under Dom Capers, who helped adapt the plan in Pittsburgh before he became a head coach. Certainly no one plays it more successfully' than the Steelers. The zone blitz is what defines Pittsburgh's new Steel Curtain, the N FL’s thirdbest defense in total yardage and the second-best a year ago. even if it isn’t as “frisky" as it once was.

So now. LeBeau gets another chance at a Super Bowl. and he's taking it with another zone blitz — one that has evolved into the spit-polished, stylized Steelers of '95. Its matchup with the Cowboys* offense’, the fifth best in the league this year. is critical to the outcome of Super Bowl XXX. lf it can slop the most balanced offensive attack in the game, and if it can stop the N FC ’s 11-year Super Bow) winning streak, then the zone blitz figures to be hotter than Tabasco sauce on an August af­ ternoon in Texas T h e y are very disciplined." says Oilers Coach Jeff Fisher in admiration “lf •von look at them on film, ryou’d say.

'What are n rn they doing’ ' They bring this guy and drop that guy. They ll walk people up in gaps. They’ll take advantage of protections.

They’ll step a guy up and then bring a guy outside and drop an inside guy off And then suddenly, theres an offensive line­ man not blin king anybody Those are the kind of tilings dial create problems lur your offense. Sometimes, they may do tilingson jhe edge a little bit with the zone blitzes, but theres always a method u* their madness Everything is m sync They d o r '! do th in g s that aren't sound " ♦

I

Cornerback, wide receiver, punt returner, outfielder

Quarterback, wide receiver, running back, punter

NICKNAME S la sh

^ P r im e T V n e j Ie o n

PLAYOFF PERFORM ANCE R u sh in g. 3 -2 3 .1 TD; Receiving. 2-48; Interceptions. 112; Punt returns. 3-27

I6 t e e n , 185 p o u n d s

R u sh in g. 5-17; Receiving. 4 -3 5 .1 TD

6 feet 1. 2 1 2 p o u n d s

40-YARD T IM E |

4.43

4.2

DRAFTED

I1 9 8 9 First round (Fifth overall)

1 9 95 S e c o n d round (60th overall)

WHAT HE HAS GONE THROUGH TO GET THIS FAR Y a n k e e s-F a lc o n s-Y a n ke e s-F a lc o n s-B ra ve s-F a lc o n sB ra v e s-F a lc o n s-B ra v e s-F a lc o n s-B ra v e s-R e d s-4 9 e rsG ia n ts-C o w b o ys

“I w a s not nervous, but I w a s w ond e rin g what m y quarterback status w a s if I played receiver I'm just goin g along with the role "

HOW HIS COACH S E E S HIS FUTURE B a rry S w it z e r “W e 've increased his load offensively, lf we hadka chance to take him to cam p with (quarterback) Troy (Aikm an). then I think w e'd really see so m e th in g exciting on the football field. Deion has a chance to be one of the great receivers of all time."

Bill Cowher “He has a future H is position for us is quarterback/receiver-punter/runner It s given us a sp ark to have him do all those things and do them so well H e 's a very bubbly, very bright-eyed g u y To do what h e 's done has lifted our team "

NUM BER OF STORIES CONTAINING THE KEYWORDS OF THE P L A Y E R ’S NAME AND “ V E R S A T ILE ’1 SINCE

I 52

THE SEASON STARTED, ACCORDING TO DATA T IM E S :

his par,K ula: /one-bin/ package. though. i> a con­ 66 s e r v a t i v e rendering “ t the Met iers V4 version. That Near. with healthy cornerback* Rod Woodson and DEFINING MOMENT Dr or. Figures in the lineup. I / Beau and then-defen­ Private air shuttle from 1 9 92 N L C S to Fa lco n s-D o lp h in s Hail Mary 6 4 -yard pass to Michael W estbrook to give s i v e coordinator Kaix'tx routinely barked oui S o or so blitz back to N L C S — all in one weekend Colorado a 27-26 victory over Michigan on October 1 1994 calls a game I >owri and distance did ii t matter, disrupting the *iflense did And it turned quarterbacks on their heads literBORN adv Ltsf season s Met iers t,(H nded a startling number of [ A u g u st 9 .1 9 6 7 . in Fort M ye rs, F lT October 1 6 .1 9 7 2 . in New Orleans quarterbacks, with biows that sent Cody Carlson. Jim Kelly, lei* Hostetler and Man Humphries, among others, wouzying to MONEY tin sideline Ten o! tilt' 11 starters on that defense had sacks, S a n d e rs is in’the first year of seven-year. S35-m illion Stewart is in the first year of four-year S i 85-m illion including both cornerback' Tilt- only one who didn t was tree contract. S ig n in g bonus; S I 3 million contract S ig n in g b o n u s S 5 3 0 .0 0 0 saiety I )arren Pern “W e probably set an N FL record last year tor knocking quarterbacks oui ol the game and having second* — Mark Newnan and Carl Montz string guys come in." inside linebacker Chad Brown says

T

i ______________________

NFL* 15

January 29,1996

W L

X X X

P R I-: V I I-; W ........ —

.1

|i i |||a

|||M

^

^

^

I •

sujreptitiouaiy has

; ; dropped-into pass coverage. That’s called a v'firei rine" in Ae prevailing football lingo. *$f ; -.The fire zone is a bigger partof the SteeL vVers'lockage than it wasin *94,largely because Canell Lake and Williams at cornerback ^aren't as adept a1bump-and-nin coverage on the outside as were Woodson and Figures. 'fX For.that.reason, the safeties and outside lineQ o • ■ rn o “•; backers are needed in coverage more than Jif they woe a yearago, which takes them out of 97 95 96 93 ^rsbme ofthe blitzes. In that sense, ifs a pity Bf Pittsburgh didn’t get the opportunity to play 94 99 "- the 4Sers in last year's Super Bowl with a 37 /healthier lineup’and a freer-wheeling attack, 40 39 g The Steelers’ defensive personnel, as well as I the LeBeau/Capers scheme, would have giv| ‘ eh San Francisco a more competitive matchup I than did San Diego.

I* “Without Woodson, they're not as good," I Rlft7hH rnhpj^ I says David Shula, the Bengals’ head coach Tit •*•** * . / z ' - i ' : I No. Player . and another AFC Central foe. They know from the outside icith linebackers Greene and Lloyd: • SI Kevin Greene £ they're a little limited over there. One of their 98 Brentson Buckner | The dine dom faenfa.also rush the passer, usually favorite defenses used to be to bring the three 93 Joel Steed J in a crossing fa r t to confuse the offensive line andfill linemen along with Lloyd and Greene from 97 Ray Seals jj i i the gaps in case the play is a run. Inside the outside, and put the weak safety in the 95 Greg Lloyd I linebackers Brown and Kirkland roll out and back, middle of the field. They could do that be­ \ and cornerback Lake and Williams (or Rod 99 Levon Kirkland cause they were so strong on the outside.

E Woodson, if he ii healthy) roll in to areas covering all 94 Chad Brown 27 Willie Williams f four quarters ofthe width of thefield, protecting the Now, they can’t do it as much.’

37 Camell Lake f •Woodson, who blew out his knee in (he 40 Myron Bell J perimeters vacated by Lloyd and Greene. The safeties season's first game, may be healthy enough H drop into two-deep coveragersplitting the field to 39 Darren Perry to dress for the Super BowL If he can play protect against the big play. with anything resembling his old abandon. will play directly into the Steelers’ hand, as the zone coverage ! then LeBeau’s choices won’t be as limited, will'be rilling to the areaAikmahthinks is open. In other words, hell b i baited by. the blitz. If the blitz comes from ar ometimes, the legacy of last season and of LeBeau’s otfede &ebiiAer, Greg Uoyd‘or K ^ ;Greene, then the past with the Bengals are enough to keep offenses defers will roll an inside linebacker^putdr a cornerback in to wary. Fisher says he prepared the Oilers twice for a coverthe exposure. If Aikman’s sight adjustment is a hitch pat­ great deal ofzone blitzing this season, even though his ^ tern over the middle because one of Pitts^ur^i’s inside line backerSfBrown or Levon Kfrklfed,.is .fiien the zone film sessions told him the Steelers were downsizing it In fee AFC championship game, Colts offensive coordinator Undy will be?covered by a’"S’defend Dhernan,usually Brentson Buckr . * n • ,v%' V' > ?

V- ‘ *,• ' ** • .

©

t

Iobks life an bpenin-

:viiKllilJI f f i^ ^ v die b&tzer^ay^ ed b«£u$£

®

g ^ ^ 'a r e i a ^uar^t^c^ It wHcsfiwithe Steel­ Sitz are string, bright area.. rinstance, sees the blitz coming, his /Michael.

_

K tkti

___

or a

jwF

ieleafe the beforefee blitz creamy h to Every team tries fccxHmtefa blitz that ^ . T ^ diireht foofcallese for it is a A; C?iP-^-LV**-J iff ! Vv. .

‘•'ButittK^defeaose wbxks, fc^ M m a n ’s s i^ t adjustment: •rn , %• rn

•,

*J

.

.

t

«

«

*# I

J

o.* T -*v v. r

i .

'

•

•

-

/ s j ' * ’.-e * + ' m t .'j L

,

•

THE FORMULA

■ • •—

- 0

j & 5 £ S 8 S Z r r m t f W t t W g a r.

— ■ • V

—

■

;• !

— —

■

.

■■

—

’ I

...

— ■■

■

v* ;

^ -

*

7“

*

*.

^ •

'e y

%

• • . '

^

’ Vs-

r-

J*

-/

-’ -ng,thatit's anabopt

Category

Cowboys Steelers Comment

Won Super Bowl in past 3 seasons

15

0

Barry benefits from Jimmy's teams

Better won-lost record

13

0

Boys were 12-4; Steelers 11-5

Played in Super Bowl in past 3 seasons

11

0

Experience pays off again

Defensive rushing average per carry

0

IG

0

8

Steelers ' Hastings returned punt for TD

Rushing attempts

8

0

Cowboys ran 495 times. Steelers 494

Fewest defensive rushes

0

8-

Teams rarely run on Steelers

Points allowed

7

0

Cowboys gave up 36 fewer

Rushing touchdowns allowed

0

i

Steelers surrendered 9: Cowboys 13

Net penalty yards

7

0

Sacks

0

6

Beware the Steelers ’pass rush

Fewest pass attempts

5

0

Steelers have to throw. Cowboys don t

Rushing average per cany

3

0

Emmitt or 3am? No contest

Yards per pass attempt

3

0

Troy or Neil? Get real

Completion percentage

2

0

Aikman'sMr Accurate

74

39

Ret kjck-punt return touchdowns

I t K i f l ’J U

OC

•rdafireJfcmeanfe^ess?: ^

— wehe

i ~

/Uafig the statistics in:thfe mathemafical fashion — fee point totals for each cafegoiy retfe^fo^^gu&atice^eadi has rn projecting winners— the Formula ’ ■v, *</ -s

Bufialo.

‘I O

M

Tbwnt birt lrfs Wnot Cb Tl^4 T fia t^ M tfe !F c ra n ila itsdf. Thus, %•>>x- L-*r T -4%'\C J - W - c r m i v *

Total score

one * .over r H •Aa 15guaranteed winners, anofeff); IS k 16..

-iv , r^son. ifeat bas wonaSup&'Bpwl within the last three years against a team that hasn't the team with the wmriirigSperieace is 7*0. Good luck

'

■

Steelers' 3 6 much better than Cowboys ’4 0

- Flying flags favor Dallas

You can book it Boys win

Dallas also rings up points in some of the expected areas. They gave up fewer points, they run the ball for a better average per carry and Troy Aikman is a more accurate passer than Ne2 ODonneH < The Steelers do have some strengths that traditionally have been important. They are strongeragainst the run, give up fewer touchdowns on the ground and sack the quarterback i more often. Offensively, however, the Steelers don’t score any points over Dallas. rAdd it ail up and the Steelers will run the AFC’s streak of Super Bowl futility to 12years.

The Covdjdys ge||5Fommla points for thatfactor, pfos lSmpre for having fee better won- ! The Formula guarantees it. ♦ lost recoriLTeams wife befterregular-seasonmarks are 196 in Super Bowls, 18-3since 1970. J Tim Cptolishaw is a sportswriterfor The Dallas Morning Sews P. O IIM

• / \ ms z

> •* * >

?•

16 • NFL

The Sporting News

T S N ’s

S U P E R

Infante expected more ofjt than he got • . . .., .fl.. -^Mi*, "Wejust tried to threaten# because we’d done so much of it rn the last 601^ of games,^ ieBean says. "I fltoughtihafj worked pretty w e ll fe&igStfTim) Harbaugh was lookingioft the zone-blitz reads and feenvfadng straight cd?ei^ge.3t' looked to me like the Colts had set a lot of the th in gsth ^ weredoinganmnd.it It's alw ^s thatway " LVjT; At the least LeBeau h ash ed cagey enough to keep Dallas from knowing if it will see the real thing, or just tbelbok of; the real flung, rn the Super Bowl . ^3 ® 3 , Even without Woodson, the Stealers are a nice contorno I ‘ don of quickness:and size, which seems a reasonable matehj for the Cowboys* immense offensive line. Buckner and Steed, ' the linemen, are mobile enough to handle fee cbv^age; Brown and Kirkland, the inside linehackers, ntefastand strong enough to blitz p^tm ost pass protections And the out-

BOWL

XXX

PREVIEW -.T h te y e a h -.th ^ re ^ :h a v e " z f e f a in m z M

know sfeatifheuses .■ • MV is

-Hi. & ?■ -•

r’m *.

\

K ifcg to;haveto:takeT)arren %

.F /S \ B ;

E,

•

:? •© Vi* .TV

tef

S /S M T

* r;rV*<i. < *

•

VV.

•IT * Vt- ,\i"E T

■ '

o

0

I " £:

y w Just

" jecrivere alotofrborn, par-; aregoingto Mnr^-r' [.’V '•V kisses of W ddsw i'and -Figures;, fire

rushing Ale passer from fee outride. Greene led fee Ie sacks last season wife 14 and had nine this season lloy^ is v amply one of fee nmri dominating defensive players; '^ # £ 5?

Those two, rn feet are fee reason the Stedersstffl pujjri3-4 defense, the reason fee Cowboys win see some relative unfamiliar looks trim flirirrSuper Bovid ORxinent "It's bani ; to find those linebackers fee outride guys," Cbadt Bfllj of front ^ your - ^1 1 - seveiL-We^ed ’ ’LY ^■ <fikewe J ft *have Kevin Greene a‘ d ^ fec^guystm feefidd.*. -: .. ..........

For fee zoneblfe to wpri^'df course, it has fejkessure ^kr

h fee GreatWall

« A c t A e w ta ^ ia a b a d ie rp ic h iip E m m itt& ttlk m c d & f y M ift k e b a c k S e ld a s c ( ^ ^ ^

ofMarkThmd(305pouii4s),NateNewton (32®, Derris Ken* nard- (333)^;Lany'Men (326) and Erik Williams (324), At fee sairte' time, fee scheme has to be.inyehtive'dwi|^!t o ^ f l ^ . rogout from under die Cowbc^.sfraight-abead runriiflggame.' la sh a sm o re.^ ger. LeBeriiis going to

____________ _____________ _

245more behind fee GreatWaD maneasy 263 victory.?

- T h e w n e l f f i d id n 't w o & s o ^

"Those big guys w3Twear you ddwn afrer a whjk£Browri:; says "Evenifymfre blitzing, & £/re just fe p l^ .T ^ r e lh ^ J Ifs not fun for a240pound guy to run up into aNateNewton oh': every play.Thafs notrny idea of aa ideal Saturday afreriKwrn*:*; Or Sunday evening.fbr that matter.Butif frwbrks flus Ame,, then LeBeauwillhavedreamed usupagrown-up defense md ■h an ideal Super Bowl scenario for any day of fee weekandany . time of fee day— an AFC victory, and an end to l l years of-, embarrassment +

Try

Butnpwyotfre goihpte leivejay:

i f

qtw rf oo /rruiA q SriK gt5^g||yQt|g j)JJ -

MichaelKnisley is a senior writerfor T h e S p o rtin g N ew s. .

TV, AW.

►ftnt

(fid aierigood job ofw b ik i^ ;................. hip game.Thafs whyltfinkfeafs going to be ared taigh tlKlfI* In the 1994 season opener,w heii fe e Cowb(qrs beat the Steelers;26*9,^^in.Pittsburgh, fee S eetesh ad Rod Woodson

SgMmja w

252-povxd KirMand (99) and Perry kdp give the defense a nice Mendc fsixand quickness.

ing strong safety. Now, because of mjuries tb Woodson and Figures, Lake is at one of fee corners; He couldn’t cover =Novacek last year, D Will run effectively how is he going to . against Pittsburgh’s 3-4 cover Irvin? H e's' front The offensive line is definitely going to superior. have togetbehx : ■ Quarterback Troy ’ W th Woodson Aikman will have no trouble and Figures,, the? reading Pittsburgh's Steelers played a coverages. tight pressing, man-, ■ Cornerback Deion to-man defense.

Sanders can be beat on Thafs when they in-breaking pass routes. used a lot .of-theirs f blitzes and all feose schemes they ase.

gamKe, bitt you have to have someI feii& thafs the Jrinibfaj^nach ybull ^ e theStedeis take; They'D ^double Irvih;‘theyTl double Novabekvrith a safety and’ a line­ backer, and:feey11 take their chances on Wiffimns^:< l athink ■ Quarterback Neii feafa fed r bestperO’Donnell will be able to cehtege'8hot -J . ♦ throw against the Dallas secondary, especially safeties Brock Marion and Darren Woodson.

■ Linebacker Greg Lloyd is the key player on defense.

Dallas must block him.

■ Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown can be beat deep.

Fomer NFL . *, quarterback RonJoworsts fe a profo rt-‘ indian a^ fo r ESPN .;

HeVfeme&Super BotiXXXbn?!**: Edgem.M otckup9 s k o tm k u m b e televised at 7:30 p.m.

ETSatnrdayandv 9:30 o jtl Sunday, ‘

January 29,1996

NFL * 1 7

XPL REPORT

The ultimate trip should get a better send-off com plishments can be better appreciated?

As much as anything, logistics create the biggest problem in term s of the announce­ m ent's timing. Rather than distributing bal­ lots to be mailed back, the panel m eets as a group to whittle down the list of Hail of Fame finalists from 15 to a maximum of six.

Though this is a com mendable way of doing business, considering the subjective nature of the selection process, the timing isn’t Why Bob not arrange the gathering to coincide with GLAUBER the March owners meetings, a far less hectic time that not only would give the inductees a more fitting send-off. but also might allow the voters to think more clearly in a relaxed set­ t is the achievement of a lifetime for any ting instead of at the end of the busiest week NFL player, coach or team executive, of the season? more important perhaps than winning a Yes. it may require som e extra time and Super Bowl ring. To attain gridiron im1 mortality by being voted into the Pro Footballexpense, but considering the importance of the honor, it’s worth the c o st So why not fol­ Hall of Fame is, quite simply, the ultimate. low the lead of major league baseball and do So why is it that the announcem ent of such the voting in the offseason, when the an­ a glorious honor is tantamount to a footnote nouncem ent becom es an ev en t not an after­ at the conclusion of Super Bowl hype week? thought5 T he annual Hall of Fame voting is con­ In the meantime, here are six candidates ducted on the Saturday morning before th e from this year’s list who deserve to get into gam e by a panel of 36 voters. The results are the Hall: announced that day — a day when most fens Joe Gibbs, coach, Redskins, 1381-92.1 call are more concerned about who’s buying the him the greatest living coach. Why? Because chips and salsa for the Super Bowl party than he won three Super Bowls without a Hall of who’s going to Canton.

Fame quarterback, that's why.

Considering the magnitude of this honor, Lynn Swami, wide receiver, Stealers, 1974you’d think there would be a better time to 82. This one’s long overdue. Swann made make the announcem ent and give the win­ some of the most spectacular catches you’ll ners a m ore fitting tribute. After all, their on­ ever see. and he did it with-regularity. The field feats took years to achieve, so why not criticism that he didn’t play long enough is set aside a day in the offseason when their ac­

I

Reg$tfsf$rt W hen the Packers pulled off the free-agent coup of 1993 by signing Reggie White to a four-year. $ 17-mil­ lion contract they did so with the expectation that he would be a cornerstone for an even­ tual championship run.

But even after three con­ secutive playoff losses to the Cowboys, W hite rem ains convinced he will one day win .a Super Bowl with Green Bay. “We will be back, and we will win a cham pionship before I re­ tire,* White says.

White. 34. will enter the fi­ nal year of his contract in 1996 but has been telling friends he would like to con­ tinue playing beyond then.

“As long as I’m having fun." he says, “FU keep playing."

Enough already Before anyone e ls e s ca­ reer might be damaged, the rules m akers would be welladvised to address the chopblock issue that becam e a major story after the Pack; ers^Cowboys game.

of scrimmage, as long as the play­ er being blocked is not engaged with another of­ fensive player.

Jurkovic suf­ fered a knee irv jury on the play and was unable to return, setting off renewed com­ plaints from de­ s fensive players —-i, ■•;> . .* A ^ * £o that the league is cr m ore concerned < ss with the health ?-*<• S3 of quarterbacks and offensive players than it is with defensive Packing a hooch: White says Green Bay will players. win a Super Bowl before he retires. ^V e thought it was a cheap By hurling him self at shot." Packers defensive end P a c k e rs n o se ta ck le John Sean Jones says.

Jurkovic during a second"It really (ticks) me off." quarter play. Cowboys tack­ defensive end Matt LaBounle Erik Williams was entire­ ty says. “If it's an accident. ly within the rules. W hat he then I think its bull, and you did is commonly referred to can write that down. If you as a “cut block" or "chop think you have a chance to block," a tactic that is per­ ruin som eone’s career, you missible between the tackles don't do it." within five yards of the line Considering the high attn-

Curtain calls: Swann (88) * and Stallworth, the Steeled great receiving duo during their dynasty of the •jj 70s, should run a go ; route into die Hall of i Fame this year nonsense. You’re either a Hall of Famer or 1974-90. Perhaps the best center in football you’re n o t and Swann is. history and was the anchor of the Steelers' John Stallworth, wide receiver, S teeled, underrated lines. He was undersized but 1974-87. He was often overlooked on a star­ I peerless in sm arts and savvy. studded offense, but he was highly produc­ Dan Dlerdorf, tackle, Cardinals, 1971-83. tive and highly durable. Though Swann is re­ . You may not like him as a broadcaster, but m em bered for sensational Super Bowl catch­ you can’t help but admire what he did on the es, it was Stallworth's high production in big field. Just ask former Cowboys end Too Tall gam es that helped solidify the dynasty.

Jones, who barely-caught a whiff of Cardinals .

11 n n n i MIKS Kayoes, cornerase*, rain ors, namers, quarterbacks.

Are there other worthy men on the list?

1978-89. One of the greatest cover com erbacks the game has ever known. He was the .Absolutely. But because a maximum of six perfect cornerback for Al Davis' bump-andm odem -era players a n d /o r coaches can be run system because he was physical and a elected in any single year. the aforem en­ one-on-one terror. Haynes was instrumental tioned group is tops. .Among the other final­ in shutting down the Redskins' receivers in ists who deserve induction are Jack Young­ the Raiders’ 33-9 victory in the 1984 Super blood. defensive end. Rams. 1971-84; Dwight Bowl.

Stephenson, center. Dolphins, 1980-87; and Mel Renfro, cornerback. Cowbovs. 1964-77.

Mike Webster, center, Stealers, Chiefs, i b tl

—

— —

— —------ --- -------------- —

^

. —

i ~

bon rate because of injury, its imperative that the chop-biock issue be addressed. limiting the use of the questionable blocking technique would be a start. Eliminating it altogeth­ er would be even better.

Quick hits Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson is about to make a historic com eback from knee surgery. Never before has an NFL player made it back to the field in the same season after undergoing re­ constructive surgery. But at least one man doesn't think Woodson will have much to show for his incredible re­ turn. “Do you think that I’m worried about Rod Woodson com ing up and playing me five m onths after that surgery?" Cow-boys wideout Michael Irvin says. T h a t's pretty wild. M aybe they might put him at safety for a play or som ething like that.

But to play cornerback and put him on tile NFL auto­ bahn alone, that’s pretty' scary."... Over the past three seasons, the Packers have lost the same num ber of

J ,,4 ,1

t i a -* M

i

gam es at Texas Stadium as the Cowboys — six. Green Bay is 0 6 in that span, while the Cowboys are 23-6 When Dave Shula was named the Bengals coach in December 1991. he was 306 victories behind his father.

Don. Today. Dave is 315 tri­ um phs behind. ... Cowboys Coach Barrv Switzer, on what he plans to do if he wins the Super Bowl: “Maybe f can get me a boat and name it 4 rings." Jimmy Johnson has a boat named 3 rings, in honor of his two Su­ per Bowl titles and one col­ lege championship. Switzer has won three college titles. ... Rumors continue to swirl that Switzer will step down after the Super Bowl be­ cause he doesn't want the aggravation of being a head coach. Don’t .believe it.

Switzer insists hell continue to honor the contract he signed in March 1994. “I have a five-vear deal with Jerry' Cones), and I plan on living up to it" he says.

In 21 of 29 previous Super Bowls, the team that scored first went-on to w in.... Part of

the ow ners' decision not to vote on the Browns’ move at last w eek s m eetings in At­ lanta was because of con­ cerns that the relocation is­ sue would take attention from the Super Bowl. The owners will meet again Feb­ ruary' 8. and a vote could be taken then. The path of least resistance for many owners would be to allow the Browns to move to Balti­ more and guarantee Cleve­ land another team as long as the city provides financing for a new stadium. ♦ Bob Glauber covers the SF L for The S n w rist, N ew s.

FOR UPDATES on Bob Glauber's TSN Bro Football Report,call

Scents

per minute. In Canada,

caiit-mm-mi,

$1.4$pef minute.

Callers under 18 must bate permission. The ser­ vice ^accessiblefrom touchtone and rotary phones.

18* AFC

The Sporting News

BUFFALO BILLS Under the knife: Q uarter­ back Jim Kelly under­ went arth ro sco p ic su rg ery on his right (throwing) shoulder last week for the removal of scar tissue and spurs.

He soon will begin reha­ bilitation and should be readv to throw bv the start of training camp. Kelly, who turns 36 on February 14. clearly was bothered by soreness in the shoulder through the last half of the season, and especially in the playoff loss at {Pittsburgh. B esid es developing wear and tear in the shoulder. Kelly also injured it while making a tackle in the N ovem ber 12 victory over A tlan ta.... lin e b a c k e r C ornelius Bennett also underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right shoulder last week. Bennett, who also is expected to begin rehabilitation in a week or so and should be ready for training camp, has been bothered by so ren ess in the shoulder since having it banged up in the playoff gam e against Miami. He is due to b e com e an unrestricted free agent but exp ects to re-sign with the Bills.

Short-range search: T h ere has been speculation the team would try to sign a veteran free-agent quarterback, but Coach Marv Levy says it is a “strong likelihood" the No. 2 spot would be filled by .Alex Van Pelt or Todd Collins. \ an Pelt unseated Collins for th e jo b after outper­ forming him in the m eaningless regular-season finale. In hopes of speeding their develop­ m ent.. Levy says he plans to have the reserve quarterbacks play full gam es in the preseason rather than split action-.

— VC CARUCCI #

•

CINCINNATI BENGALS Stadium stuff: President M ike .Brow n lo a th es ow ners m eetings, esped ally when it ihvolves the Cleveland Brow ns.

T h a t’s when everyone co m es out of the wood­ work and asks him if h e's taking h is family and the B en gals back lo w here it all began. Cleveland, to replace the Brow ns. His answ er is always the sam e.

D on’t ask him about anything but the Hamil­ ton County sales-tax vote set for M arch 19.

V oters will be asked to approve a half«cent hike that would fund new stadium s for the B en g als and Reds. And if the tax is defeated?

"W e will prevail." is all Brow n will say. Brown desperately wants to stay in C indnnati and h as enlisted O hio Gov. G eorge V oinovich's aid for a cam paign that k ick s off at the end of the m onth. But if the tax fails, evety NFL ow ner knowns the m ost logical m ove is send­ ing the B en g als to Cleveland, if the vacancy hasn't been filled by M arch 19. Paul Brow n.

M ike's father, was the co ach who m ade the Cleveland Brow ns one of the N FL's keystone franchises.

Rehab update: lin e b a c k e r ja m e s F ra u d s is responding to treatm ent on the broken leg and torn ankle ligam ents that wiped out the last two m onths of his season. W ith the other outside spot, the weak side, still up in the air (Rico M cD onald and Andre Collins are free ag en ts), the club is counting on F ra n d s to return without m issing a beal. fiH ffF HUBSCH

CLEVELAND BROWNS Showdown: O ne way or an o th er. N F L ow ners will vote a1 a m eeting in fe b ru a ry about w hether to allow th e team to move to Baltim ore for 1996. In the m eantim e.

Cleveland M ayor M ike W hite and staff m em bers of C om m issioner Paul Tagiiabue will m eet to find a “mutually satisfactory resolution’ to keep football in Cleveland and put a team in Baltim ore. Cleves land’s silver bullet is a February 12 trial at which an Ohio judge will rule on the city’s r e quest for a perm anent injunction barring the franchise from leaving before its lease exp ires in 1998. Tagiiabue hopes to solve the riddle before then. “If we can find a global solution which would include a settled negotiation, it would be g reat." Tagiiabue says.

Coaching change? Ow ner Art M Odell was mum when asked if Bill B elich ick 's jo b is safe.

If Modell does m ake a change, it won’t likely happen until the ow ners vote on his relocation re q u est B elichick is 37-45 in five years with only one winning season. His poor record and cold personality are baggage Modell d oesn’t need while trying to m ake a fresh start in Bal­ tim ore. If there is a coaching change. Modell will look for an offensive coach, possibly M ike Ditka or Lindy Infante, after three consecutive — Marty Schottenheim er. Bud Carson and Belichick — defensive coaches. T h e uncer­ tainty in the coaching situation has left players such as Earnest Byner in limbo. He wants to return, but a new coach might want younger players.

— JffF SCHUB.

Cleveland Mayor Mike White (left) joined Houston Mayor Bob Lanier for Senate tes­ timony last week arguing the case against their cities’ MFL teams being allowed to move.

Campaigning:

DENVER BRONCOS A new day: T h e day of

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Tending to Ted: O ne day

after the club lost the th e player personnel di­ recto r may be over in AFC title gam e. th e top­ D enver. In what looks ic turned to renew ing like a new way of han­ Ted M arch ib rod a’s con ­ dling the draft and vet­ tract. M arch ib rod a. in eran player tra n sa c­ the final year of a fourtio n s.

C o ach M ik e y e a r d eal, sa y s G .M .

Shanahan apparently h as decided to take Jim Irsay spoke to him on the return flight those two separate departm ents under his su­ from Pittsburgh and said he would like to pervision. Shanahan is exp ected to outline m eet with M archibrod a “within a w eek." the new stru ctu re this w eek, accord ing to the Som e rep orts have indicated M archibroda word com ing out of M obile. Ala., after B ob would receive a one-year co n tract with an op­ Fergu son was fired last w eek. He is not e x ­ tion. but a m ore likely scen ario is that h e ll pected to be rep laced . T h at could m ean b e given at least a two-year deal. T h e players g re a te r „responsibility for Je rry hav e given M a rch ib ro d a a F re i, th e d ire cto r of co lle g e hearty’ e n d o r s e m e n t. scouting, and Ja c k Ehvay. the di­ KawaJI-boand: O ffensive tackle recto r of pro scouting. But in any W ill W olford got a n ice su rp rise scenario, what it clearly m eans is upon retu rning from Pittsbu rgh that Shanahan will have com plete w hen h e learned he had been control over th e player personnel added to th e Pro Bowl ro ste r re­ departm ent with people he hand placing D en v er's Gary Z im m er­ picks doing the research and de­ m an. It m ark s W olford ’s third v elo p m en t Fergu son was hired P ro Bow l s e le c tio n . W olford

by W ade Phillips and was never jo in s team m ates Jim Harb augh com fortable under Shanahan. and M arshall Faulk in the Pro A happy day: Left tackle Gary Zim­ Bow l. H ow ever. F au lk ’s status Marchibroda m erm an. a Pro Bowl selection, rem ain s unknown-.

He un­ announced he will not retire. He derw ent a rth ro sco p ic surgeryhad surgery to repair a torn b icep s tendon on h is left k n ee Jan u ary 5 and m ust have re­ and a torn rotator cuff, but th e dam age was ceived m edical cle a ra n ce by W ed n esd ay or not as bad as h e had feared, and he told the forfeit h is position. In sid e rs say F a u lk ’s club he plans to continue playing. T h is m eans ch a n c e s are 5 0 -5 0 .... It will be in terestin g to the club can now’ co n cen trate on its continu­ se e w h eth er the C olts go after free agent ing effort to rebuild the d efense. It began last .Alonzo Sp ellm an, given Bill T o b in ’s need for week with the cutting of backup corn erb ack a pass ru sh e r and h is in terest in C hicago E ric T h om as. T h e team n eed s to g et younger players. T o b in also may pursue C h icag o of­ and fester at co rn erb ack , likely a high priori­ fensive linem an Ja y L eeu w enbu rg. w hose ty in the draft.

— JO S S * versatility is valuable.

— T s a r HUTCHES

HOUSTON OILERS Adams scrods off: Owner Bud Adams and Hous­ ton M ayor B o b Lanier are trading sh ots over the proposed m ove to T en n essee. Lanier has a plan to build a 75,000s e a t open-air or retractable-roof stadium next to the Astrodom e to attract another team . He claim s Adams re­ jected the plan, which Adams denies. Adams says he w asn’t offered anything, and besides, he wouldn’t believe the offer if it cam e from Lanier. “I'm not dealing with the m ayor.’

Adams says. “I don’t trust the m ayor." Lanier h as been Adam s’ m ost vocal opponent Say's Lanier in response: “I t s like being called ugly by a bullfrog.’ lf T en n essee sells 44.700 per­ sonal seat Bcenses, Adams is expected to get the ow ners’ approval to move. If the move is approved. Adams will try to buy out the last two years of his lease with the A krodom e.

Big spenders: Strong safety B laine B ishop and co rn erb ack Darryll Lew is, both voted to the Pro Bowl for the first tim e, are taking 29 fam­ ily m em b ers and lin eb ack ers coach G regg W illiam s to Hawaii. “T h e se are the family m em b ers who supported m e throughout my ca re e r," B ish op says. “T h ey cam e to my g am es and en cou raged m e a s I developed as a football player. T h is is a ch a n ce for m e to do som ething nice for th em ." W illiam s used to co ach the second ary and special team s, and both players say h e w as instrum ental in th eir d e v e lo p m e n t T h e y also offered to tak e C oach J e f f F ish e r and secon d ary co ach Rod P erry and th eir wives.

—Jo * IfcCUH

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS Playing It safe: A fter team officals spent th e week at the Senior Bowl. i f s clear the d u b won’t take any ch an ces with the No. 2 pick. lf there are any questions about the player it is consider1 ing. the team probably wiD trade out of that sp o t He has to b e sim ilar to Tony B oselli, who was selected with the second overall pick last year. Boselli was the safe pick last year, and he proved he was worth it with a solid rookie sea­ son. “You shouldn’t have any questions about his ability, about his ch aracter, about the m akeup of the guy." director of college scout­ ing Rick Reiprish says, “T h e re shouldn’t be any guessw ork involved in i t " For that reason, the team will take in-depth looks at players such as Baylor defensive end Daryl G ardener (6 feet 7. 315 pounds). He was dominant last w eek at the Senior Bowl and could be a great pass ru sher as a pro. som ething the team bad­ ly needs. However, he w asn’t dominant all the time at Baylor, which sends up a red flag that the team will investigate.

Safety candidates: A lthough they ca n ’t com ­ m ent on free agents, th e Ja g u a rs are in terest­ ed in B en g a ls free safety D arryl W illiam s. A form er University o f M iam i star, h e also ap­ pears to want to play in Jack so n v ille. He would team with T rav is D avis, who was moved to strong k f e t y from free safety late in the season , to form a solid tw osom e. C hris Hudson, who m issed the season with a groin tear, will b e a factor at safety, along with vet­ eran H arry Colon. “ T O I PISCO

AFC • IS

January 29,1996

Cleveland. Johnson may promote Dolphins line­ backers coach George Hill to defensive coordi­ nator. a position Hill held ' in Indianapolis from 1985 to ’88. John­ son retained Hill; Mike W e sth o ff (sp e c ia l team s), who turned down an offer from the Rams; Mel Phillips (de­ fensive backs); Gary Stevens (offensive coor­ dinator); and Larry Seiple (receiver^). Fired were Joe G reene (de­ fensive line). Tom Olk vadotti (defensive coor­ dinator). Tony Nathan (running backs) and Monte Clark (offensive line). Johnson also hired Pat Jones (tight ends). Cary G odette (defensive line) and BAI Lewis (nickel package)..

Some w ere surprised G reene was let go. But should they have been?

Boos, baby: Why would the Dolphins not necessarily welcome an The club ranked 24th in unretirement announcement^ Clark? It’s a money thing. sacks, m arking the fourth time in G reene's four ryears it was in n the back of the pack in sacks.

R8tnm roan? Gary Clark is having second Back to the fetors Offen­ thoughts about retirem ent and would IAce to return. That may not happen because he is sively. the team is right scheduled to receive a sizable bonus by back where it was after March I. which would count against the the' 1992 season when salary' cap. The team likely would cut Clark Coach Marty Schottenbefore that bonus is due. then try to re-sign heimer scrapped the syshim at a smaller salary. — AMUKX) SAUSER) _ tem and most of the of\ fensive coaching staff. ^Although 1996 changes probably won't be so drastic, the need to score more points is just as urgen t Look for offensive coordinator Paul Trial by separation: It Hackett and his West Coast offense to be re­ turns out there was a tained — with some minor tinkering. Hackett reason Drew Bledsoe is considering allowing quarterback Steve struggled in the final Bono to work more downfidd and throw more two gam es of the year. on early downs. “We didn’t give Steve the op­ And it wasn’t just be­ portunity to be aggressive with his throwing,". cause of the lingering Hackett says. “When you run the ball a lot on effects of the third-de­ the first two downs andthrow it on third down, you take away a guy's ability to be more free­ gree separation he suffered in his left shoul­ der against San Francisco. He also played wheeling." The team will need to be careful in its offensive tinkering. Any change in the pass­ down the stretch with a first-degree separa­ tion of his right — throwing — shoulder. He ing game could come at the expense of a run­ got that against the Steelers in Week 15. ning game that.led the NTL last season.

Try, try again: Lin Elliott says he will try to Bledsoe's father. Mac, says his son’s right resurrect his career. Elliott will be a restrict­ shoulder is fine now and that Drew would not be having surgery to repair his left shoulder ed free agent, and the team probably will not even though it still pops out of the joint four re-sign him after his three-m isses disaster in months after he was injured. “Its not bother­ the second-round playoff loss to the Colts. ing him." Mac Bledsoe says, “but when he But he thinks he will catch on somewhere. "A shrugs his shoulder, the collarbone comes bad gam e or a couple of bad gam es doesn’t loose. He did tear all three ligaments that mean my career is over." Elliott says. ‘I don't hold the joint together as well as the cartilage think that is the case with me at alL I could be wrong, but my goal is to let everything settle that acts as a buffer in there." The injury to down and get back and be the best Iticker I Bledsoe’s right shoulder was relatively minor can be, w herever that is."

—AMM Tb b b and is not a problem now. T here was some consideration to his having surgery to repair the left shoulder, but it was decided to let him buftd up the shoulder through an exercise program.

Staff building: Timmy Decisions: Next up for-Coach Bill ParceOs is the hiring of a defensive backfield coach to Johnson is waiting for a replace Bobby T ro t! Parcells also has to de­ decision on the status of Browns Coach BAI Becide w hether he's going to hire a quarter­ iichick before he hires a back coach to work Bledsoe through his problem s or just shuffle around the current defensive coordinator.

If Belichick is fired. staff. T here was speculation that former Pa­ Johnson wants him lo triots and G iants quarterback M att Ca­ run the defense. If Belichick rem ains in vanaugh might be hired.

— KEY! MABOX

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

.MIAMI DOLPHINS

O odw tse from too tefl'th a T s Jadt Dan*!. Jess UoOc*. ten*- Tcfley.

S c io and Jess Gamble L&rrarry s r iij ie .-rad<Se)

JA CK D A N IEL’S H EA D DISTILLER, Jimmy Bedford, has lots of folks looking over his shoulder.

Since 1866, w e ’ve had only six head distillers.

(Every one a Tennessee boy, starting with.

Mr. Jack Daniel himself.) Like those before him, Jim m y’s mindful of our traditions, such as the oldtime w ay w e smooth our whiskey through IO feet of hard maple charcoal. He know s Jack Daniel’s drinkers will judge him w ith every sip. So he’s not about to change a thing. The five gendemen on his wall surely must be pleased about that.

SMOOTH TENNESSEE I w i s w WVskey • *G-i3% jkrofttf Jacx Dan*! Osttiery. (.en: UotJo*.

S I P P I ISL WHI SK- EY

vzM jnt (80-56 poof? • OsMJed and Betted Routs J ijmcJSurj -Pee 36'.. :rr* v > e e 37352

Placed .t. -j\e Scaonai Rcgiur~ of H u u rv P b c o

jtc I. "juil

t u n e —anent

The Sporting News

2 0 ' AFC/NFC Holliday break: Wide receiver Corey Holliday, who suffered a broken bone in his left hand against the Colts, should play against the Cow­ boys. After suffering the injury. Holliday caught his first NFL pass wearing a protective brace. Holliday is the team s fifth wide receiver and is used a lot on third down when the Steel­ ers go with their five-receiver set —fiBBT DtUC

surgery. The longer a derision is delayed, the more uncertainty exists for his playing status for next season. The club wants Smith and Mack Strong to be the fuHb^fks in *96. The front office probably is going to release veteran Tracy Johnson but wants to leave the door open to bring him back, just in case.

— JOU EUTTW ‘

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

In pursuit The Jets a n considering using the draft's first pick on Southern Cat's Johnson, with whom they met for two hours last week at the East-West Shrine Game

NEW VORK JETS Plckf, picky: The Jets, who own the No. I pick in the draft, had a twohour meeting with Southern Cal wide re ceiver Keyshawn- John­ son at the East-West Shrine Game. Johnson is one of al least five players being considered for the top pick. “Most definitely, they're con­ sidering me. but how strong!)' I don’t know."

Johnson says. “You never'know whats going to happen. They didn't give me any indica­ tions." The front office plans to meet with all the top players before the draft. The club is believed to be considering Ohio State running back Eddie George. Illinois linebacker Kevin Hardy. Johnson. UCLA tackle Jonathan Og­ den and Illinois defensive end Simeon Rice.

OB wanted: lox)king to upgrade the quarter­ back position, the team may sign Pittsburgh's Neil 0 Donnell who will be a free agent. Per­ sonnel director Dick Hale)', who was with the Steelers when they chose ODonnell in the third round of the 1990 draft, savs ODonnell “has improved as much over the years as any­ body I’ve seen.' Sounds like ODonnell has a big fan in the Jets front office.... Don’t be sur­ prised if the club picks Northern Arizona quar­ terback Jeff Lewis in the second or third round.

The learn hasn’t given up on Glenn Foley, but be has to be considered a question mark after having major surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder. Foley is progressing well and should be throwing by March, but there are no sure things with that kind of injury, —t o C m

OAKLAND RAIDERS Staying power It appears assistant head coach Joe Bagel will remain in Oakland despite the best efforts of new Dol­ phins Coach Jimmy Johnson to lure him away. johnson wanted Bugel lo replace Monte Clark as his team's of­ fensive line coach. But-Bugel has told friends he declined the offer because the team gave him a raise and a promotion. It is unclear ex­ actly what that "promotion" might involve, but it could mean more play-calling responsibility. which Bugel shared last season with quarter­ backs coach Jim Fassel. Bugel. who joined die team irfjanuary 1995.- seemed like die logical successor to head coach .Art Shell when Mike White was hired from.the outside.

Weighting game: Quarterback Jeff Hosteder.

who can become an unrestricted free agent next month, has started working with weights in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery.

Hostetler underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair rotator-cuff damage in his left shoulder.

The team insists Hostetler’s health will not af­ fect its decision on his future. “There’s no question in my mind that Hoss can be pro­ ductive." Fassel says. “Everything is going well with hint That (his health) doesn’t seem to be an issue.*... White downplays the need for widespread personnel changes, but sever­ al veterans hope the roster shuffling goes deep. One player expects the dub to be “very active" on the free-agent front, especially in adding defensive depth.

—fb i KbOCHCX

PITTSBURGH STEEPERS Back ta time Rod Wood­ son is expected to dress for the Super Bowl and may get some playing time in the nickel and dime packages. Wood­ son practiced with the team again last week and appeared to be moving better on his surgically repaired knee. Still if he does play, the Steelers are not going to put him in any situation where he has to be in single coverage.... Justin StrzeL czvk probably will split time at left guard with Tom Newberry against Dallas. Strzelczyk has become one of the most valuable members of the line. He lost his right-guard position to rookie Brenden Stai only after he moved to left tackle when John Jackson was injured. When Newberry was injured late in the season.

Strzelczyk was inserted at left guard and played so well that the coaches have been ro­ tating them. The Steelers would like to re-sign right tackle Leon Searcy, who is about to be­ come a free agent, but they might have to drop a high-priced veteran such as Newberry to do so. Strzelczyk gives tham that luxury.

Back: Woodson (right) might play Sunday, which gives BUI Cawker reason to smUe.

ai

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Svper outlook: Coach

lo rssfe:'-Ifs becoming

Bobby Ross scoffs at predictions the Cowboys will run over the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. Ross, who freed both participants during the regular season, says he expects a tight contest “Who knows what’s go­ ing to happen, but I think ifs going to be a pret­ ty good football game," Ross says. “I think the idea that Pittsburgh lost to us last year fin the AFC championship game) has been a real red flag to them. I think they perhaps learned a les­ son from that They are very focused and very intense." The Steelers got 1995 revenge with a 31-16 victory over the Chargers at Pittsburgh.

The Cowboys prevailed. 23-9. at San Diego.

Cr&BChtag nwaters: Defensive tackle Shawn Lee. a potential free agent, is first on General Manager Bobby Beathard’s priority list Beathard is considering making Lee a franchise player, although that could cause cap prob­ lems without a multiyear deal. ... There is a possibility San Diego could lose Super Bowl XXXn unless construction for 10,000 addi­ tional seats at Jack Murphy Stadium starts on time. Funding problems are being derided by th.e courts.... Free-agent defensive end Leslie O'Neal will have to wear his Chargers helmet in next month’s Pro Bowl O'Neal, the d u b ’s all-time sacks leader, has not talked with the club or the local media since Beathard derid­ ed not to bring him back in 1996. NFL rules stipulate players must wear the helmet repre­ senting the team they played with during the season.

— Ja y P i b s

increasingly apparent that Owner BlD Bidwfll won’t hire a general manager or coach until after the Super Bowl He talked recently with Chargers G.M. Bobby Beathard. whose assistant. Billy Devaney, has been rumored to be in line for the job.

But Beathard termed the conversation "generic" and said Bidwfll did not ask for per­ mission to interview Devaney. it’s also appar­ ent that former UCLA Coach Terry Donahue, who resigned in December to pursue a broadcasting career, is interested in the job.

Several NFL sources say Donahue was ask­ ing questions about the Cardinals. Sources close to the Cardinals, however, say they didn’t know if Bidwfll was interested in Don­ ahue. Packers defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur. who held the same job with the Cardinals under Joe Bugel. is interested in the head coaching job. but his age. 63. might be a factor.

Touchy talks: One of the most interesting d e risions the new G.M. will have to make is what to do with offensive tackle Larry Tharpe. who played fairly well in *95. If the club derides to sign him, it will have to deal with his agent. Jim Ryan. Buddy’s oldest son. ... The club is staying in touch with the agents for cornerback Aeneas Williams and defen­ sive tackle Eric Swann, but don’t expect ei­ ther to re-sign before February 15. when free agency begins. Both players are expected to be in high demand.

—UBT SUBS

SEATTLE SEAH AWES

ATLANTA FALCONS

Tricky time: Coaching

Staying ta sync: The club

in the Senior Bowl kept Dennis Erickson’s staff energized, but it has to accomplish two mis­ sions as the February free-agency season opens: Keep the of­ fense together and upgrade the defense.

The offensive derisions are trickiest. In the next few weeks, the club must make tackle Ray Roberts an offer that doesn’t chase him away if his transition tag is lifted. Roberts wants to stay, and the staff wants to return the starting job he lost because of four ankle o p eratio n s and th e solid play of Jam es Atkins. The line has been in constant change through the 1990s. but keeping Roberts would allow constructive reshuf­ fling. Atkins could move to guard. Guard Kevin Mawae could prepare for his eventual switch to center. Next on Erickson’s docket is affixing the franchise tag on halfback Chris Warren, if ownership can’t reach a quick contract settlement. He's a free agent the club won’t let free. Negotiations contin­ ue with strong safety Robert Blackmon, de­ fensive end Michael Sinclair and backup cornerback Selwyn Jones.

Back bices: Fullback Steve Smith continues to visit doctors to find out if he needs back

believes it can keep its offensive line intact if it can re-sign potential free-agent left tackle Bob Whitfield. The unit has no star performer except for Whitfield, but it played well down the stretch — particularly in pass protection. Coach June Jones believes that continuity on the fine is critical to an of­ fense’s rhythm, and the team has had to make several changes after each of the last three seasons because of free agency and the retire­ ment of Mike Kenn. The front office also would Uke to sign Jeff George to a long-term deal before February 15. but completing both deals on time will be difficult If Whitfield signs elsewhere, David Williams, who was waived by the Oilers for salary-cap purposes late last season, may be inked. Center Roman Fortin also can become a free agent but it is believed his value is greatest in .Atlanta because of his familiarity with the run-and-shoot The knee injury suffered by guard Mike Zandofsky in the regular-season finale is not serious. Guard Gene Williams, who took Zandofsk/s place in the playoffs against Green Bay. could chal­ lenge for a starting job in training camp.

Send postcards, please: Cornerback Deion Sanders is joined by kicker Norm Johnson,

NFC *21

January 29,1996

running back Erne Pegram and safety Scott Case as recent ex-Falcons playing in Super Bowl XXX. ... T he club could tiim over five or soc starting positions on defense. I ts a vir­ t u ^ certainty th e re will be th re e new

stirters.

seasons and the fact the owner seem s to think he’s doing a good job.

—Toh Koixui]

GREEN BAY P.ACKERS

—T(*T Fit.*:tM I

CAROLINA PANTHERS IseplD g aa olffK Coach Dom C apers says he and his assistants wiU spend extensive time in the -offseason studying ways to improve theff offensive and defensive schem es. With so many team s employing versions of the zone-blitz defense C a p ^ popularized, h ell be chal­ lenged to m ake new advances. **We*re going to spend a lot p f time evaluating the schem e to see what we can do that fits our personnel, that helps us take the next step," he says.

“You h ^ e to try to always s t ^ one step ahead in schem e and you have to try to up­ grade personnel and tty to improve in every area." One new wrinkle the team apparently won’t add on offense is the shotgun.

To tbs max: T he Panthers gave safety Brett Maxie a raise and a contract extension to re­ ward him for an outstanding season. Maxie and linebacker Sam Mills were the leaders of a d e f u s e that ranked seventh in the league.

Maxie tied for fifth in the league with six in­ terceptions. He was due to make $500,000 in 1996, the final year of his original two-year co n tract Thai deal was v o i d ^ and replaced by a new two-year c o n tra c t which lasts through the *97 season. ... iJsuaDy. it s diffi­ cult for an assistant coach under contract to make a lateral move to another le a n t But Ca­ pers gave permission lo defensive line coach Cary Codette to accept a similar job on Jim­ my Johnson’s staff.

- -C a m B CftUBia

Ride *OB Ctnrtxiy: Pass rusher Haley (left), a master in the art c^quaTierback bashing, is hoping his

Looking W ide re­ ceivers coach Gil Ha&keD suffered a frac­ tured skull and a contu­ sion to the brain as a re­ sult of his. spill on the sideline two weeks ago. bul doctors are confi­ dent he win make a fuU recovery. Trauma sur­ geon Michael Foreman called his recovery nothing short of miraculous, particulariy con­ sidering the shape he was in when he arrived.

Packers Coach Mike Holmgren returned to Green Bay after the game, but Dew back lo Dallas on January 17 lo be with H askell Holmgren says he and HaskeD’s wife. Nancy. have been overwhelm ed by the support HaskeD has received.

Talent tmnt Just days after their loss to Dal­ las. th e Packers signed 11 free agents, rang­ ing from safety Othello Henderson lo run­ ning back Jam es Bostic to linebacker Reggie Freeman. All will be longshots to make the roster, but the club found contributors like tight end Jeff Thom ason and linebacker Bernardo Harris last y e a r.... Quarterback Ty Detmer, an. unrestricted free agent, says he is open to re-signing even though he knows heU be a backup, "fve got a great situation here, and Fm not just going to run and jump into a situation Tm not comfortable with." he says, Detm er is expected to receive a lot of at­ tention from the Eagles, who run the same of­ fense as the Packers. ... Holmgren and his staff will be the coaches for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. Reggie While. Brett Favre and Mark Chmura are ail m em bers of the NFC team.

—T w SUBSTSI

sore b a ^ p m allow him to claim a record fifth Super Bowl ring.

CHICAGO BE.ARS

DALLAS C0WT50YS

DETROIT LION'S

LookJog aroofid; Run­ ning back Lewis Till­ man has been given per­ mission lo look for a new team. TTIlman. who has one year left on his co n tract won’t be back. but don't look for him to leave before the d raft Tillman may look at the Giants, where he began his career, if they d e d d e not lo bring back Rodney Hampton.

Tillman, who was buried on the Bears' depth c h a rt would accept a reserve role as long as he gets some playing time. He considers Gi­ ants backfield coach George Sefcik a friend.

Sefdk spent a week helping Tillman learn Dan Reeves' complex system in 1993.

Sboppisg sao6s: ^ m e team s like to browse, but not the Bears. Look for them to make their major free-agent moves early in the signing period. T heir pattern has b e ^ to identify priority players, get them in fast and make an offer during their visits. Another pattern: The Bears will pay extra for the right guy. They signed A n ^ Heck when he was a Seattle transitioD pltyer and Joe Cain when he was a restricted free agent with the Seahawks. ...

The staff got a close look at coDege prospects during a week of coaching the South at the Senior Bowl. But tile defense needs immedi­ ate help, not a pro^)ecl. The first choice is to upgrade the defensive line with a veteran free a g e n t Cornerback and tight end also are pri­ orities; those holes could be fiDed in the draft or free agency. ^ 0 9 MoUJi

A new vrinkle: How for­ tunate for the team to have been plotting a new defensive wrinWe for what it thought would be an im pending NFC championship matchup against the 49ers. Defen­ sive coordinator Dave Campo, working on a schem e to combat an offense using three to four receivers without a threatening running game, came up with the new “Packer^ de­ fense. utilizing three down linem ea two line­ backers and six defensive backs. Not only was the team able to employ that changeup de­ fense against Green Bay, it likely wiD lean on this scheme against Pittsburgh. The Steelers. a good running team, do move into a one-back set with three or four receh'ers at times. When they do. expect the Cowboys to either counter with their straight nickel, the "45" defense — one extra defensive back and Godfrey Myles replacing Robert Jones al middle lin e b a ^ e r — or the “Packer." Because of these different defensive personnel packages, crisp substitu­ tion will be very imporianL Back lo: T he coaching staff is highly encour­ aged over defensive end C harles Haley’s chances of playing Sunday. Haley has been practicing with the team since having surgery the first week in D ecem ber to repair a protruding disk on the left side of his low­ er back. Haley has the opportunity to be­ come the first player with five Super Bowl! rings.

—M s in S fa o q u

Nffv leader Bud Carson quickly em erged as the top candidate to su c­ ceed Herb Paterra as defensive coordinator.

Carson was out of foolball last year, bul he has everything Coach Wayne Pontes is looking fo r NFL experience and success as well as strong ties to defen­ sive line coach John Teeriinck. Carson- was the man who brought Teeriinck into the NFL when his coaching career appeared lo be over in 1989. In Teerlinck’s first season.at Cleveland, the Browns set a club record for sacks (45) and his reputation began lo blos­ som. Detroit’s 1995 defense was crippled at times because of philosophical differences between Paitenra and Teeriinck. Its difficult to judge the team 's defensive talent because the unit played out of sync much of the sea­ son. Many of those problems will be solved with harmony in the coaching ranks.

Roogh moutte These are dark times for Pontes.

First, he suffered the stunning playoff loss to Philadelphia when his red-hot quarterback and defense inexplicably went ice cold. Then he was forced lo dismiss Paterra. a longtime friend and coaching companion. Pontes also is unhappy because john Pontes (secondary coach) has come under fire only because he's the head coach’s brother. John Pontes, in fact has earned a good reputation in the coaching fraternity. Pontes also has grown weary of apologizing, to Detroit fans for his 10-viaory

MINNESOTA VIKINGS Toiif rewart: If d ^ s i v e coordinator Tony Dungy is named the Bucca­ neers’ new coach, his dt^ parture would hurt the team's bid lo rebuild a slumping defense through free agency. .Alihough Oungy's defense had dropped from a No. I ranking to No. 20 since 1993. he ri^ mained popular with players. .And middle line­ backer Jeff Brady, an unrestricted free agent, is among those who say they would like lo follow Dungy lo Tampa Bay. Linebackers coach Foge Fazio likely would replace Dungy, a move thai would Nvin the endorsement of the pbyers. .. .A Dungy departure would further document the instabilitv of Coach Dennis Green's staff. Onlv one a.ssistani coach. Richard Solomoa (sec­ ondary). would remain from (Green s first sea­ son. and Solomon is Green s closest confidanL Among the assistants who have left are Willie Shaw. John Teeriinck, .Monte Kiffin. Jerry i^ o m e and Tom Batta. doonting ballots: Longtime fans are crossing their fingers and hoping Carl Filer finally gets elected into the Hall of Fame Playing for four Super Bowl losers and having to over­ come cocaine addiction have hurt Eller, bul his play was Hall of Fam e<aliber ,. The learn probably will use its first draft pick on a de­ fensive lineman who can give John Randle more help. The team picked defensive line­ man Derrick .Alexander last season, He bus.tied but generally came up a step short in his rookie season —Cw t BifflWl

22 ' NFC

The Sporting News %

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS Mare af Mare: Less than

I r a t e valse: O w n er Jef­ a w eek afte r O w n er frey* Lurie is willing to let B ob A ckles, th e T om B en so n an ­ nounced that C oach Jim team ’s d irecto r of foot­ M ora would be retained ball adm inistration, out for th e final *vear of his of th e re m a in in g two ^ 7 y ears of his contract so contract, th e re is strong .] sp ecu latio n th a t he h e can b e reu n ited with new D olphins C oach Jim m y Jo h n so n . But would like to coach elsew h ere this season.

M ora m ust have consent from B enson to Lurie w*ants so m eth in g in retu rn . H e has seek an o th er job. and M ora insists that he ask ed Jo h n so n for undisclosed draft co m p en ­ h a sn ’t asked perm ission. League so u rces say sation in ex c h an g e for releasin g A ckles from his contractual obligation. NFL d u b s cannot that M ora would like to r o a c h th e C ardinals and that his in terest h as been conveyed to p revent co a c h e s o r front-office p erso n n e l rn .Arizona O w ner Bill BidwiU. But from leaving to take b e tte r jobs. becau se of strict rules governing But Lurie co n ten d s th is would be tam pering, th e first “official in­ a lateral m ove for A ckles, entitling ta quiry* m ust com e from Bidwill. his team to com pensation, lf A ck­ £ B enson d ism isse s th e sp ecu la­ O les leaves, a rep lacem en t m ight *» rr tion. but also says h e w ouldn’t al­ not b e hired until after th e April low M ora to speak to th e Cardi­ draft. But th re e n am es already nals o r any o th e r clubs.

XU have surfaced: fo rm e r B roncos Staff changes? M ora still h a s not | p lay er p e rso n n e l d ire c to r B ob •* ' resolved w h eth er th e re will be 2 F erg u so n . 49ers sp ed a) assistant * I any ch an g es on his staff, but line­ ° to th e p re sid e n t Jo h n McVay and jig *?

-. b ack ers coach Jim H aslett will re ­ s B ro w is player p erso n n el d irecto r ceive stro n g consideration for the Mora M ike. Lom bardi. d efen siv e c o o rd in a to r posiUon . Memories: Coach Ray R hodes still w ith th e B u c c a n e e rs if V ikings assistant is fum ing over co m m en ts m ade by Cowboy's coach Tony D ungy is nam ed T am pa Bay's C oach Barn* Sw itzer after h is te a m ’s 30-11 head c o a c h .... T h e Saints will pick No. 11 in playoff victory. Sw itzer told re p o rters. “W e th e first round of th e draft. T hey o w t i seven kicked th eir butt." Said R hodes: "H e wifi wish picks, including two in th e fifth round and he never said that — and soon. P aybacks are none in th e seventh. T he ex tra fifth-round a bitch, man. I t s so m eth in g 111 n ev e r forget. pick cam e from th e Brow ns in a 1994 trade T h e r e s a lot of class in that organization, and for co rn erb ack Reginald Jo n es. T he seventhI have a lot of respect for a lot of th eir coach­ round choice was trad ed to th e R aiders b e­ e s and players. But Switzer? Sw itzer’s gonna fore th e start of last season for nose tackle g et his. m an. T hat sc o re ’s g o n n a b e settled by Willie B roughton. .

— M b STROM the E agles."

— PML DOtfOVTTCH

I

NEW YORK GIANTS Jersey Broncos: T h e retu rn of C oach Dan Reeves could affect several of th e team 's 11 un­ restricted free agents, lin e b a c k e r s M ike C roci and M ichael B rooks, receiv er A n h u r M arshall and p u n ter M ike H oran all played for Reeves in D enver and probably would not have been back if Reeves had left. Reeves says an o th er form er B ronco, backup q u a rte r­ back Tom m y M addox, will be allowed to com pete for th e startin g job in cam p. S tarter Dave Brown, a free a g e n t has had his prob­ lem s with Reeves. Brown says h e would like to stay but w on’t rule oui o th e r possibilities, including th e Jets. .Agent le ig h S teinberg will talk to (LM . G eo rg e Young after th e Super Bowl. ... Reeves say^ his staff will retu rn in­ tact Som e players have clashed with assis­ tants. including offensive line coach Pete M angunan and defensive backs coach Zaven Yaralian.

Horse sense: Safety Yencie*G lenn, a co-cap­ tain and influential leader, says Reeves' statu s is not th e m ost im portant issue. "I d o n ’t think i t s th e coach: it's th e personnel w here we need im provem ent." he says " I ts no secret we w ere not able to beat the best team s. W e w ere com petitive, but to get over the hum p. I think you need m o re h o rses." ... T he team 's biggest need is at linebacker, a position that m ust be ad d ressed with th e fifth overall draft pick or in th e free-agent m arket. T h e last two tim es th e team d rafted in th e top five ii took lineb ack ers — Law rence T aylor in 1981. Carl B anks in 1984 — NEL BEST

ST. LOUIS RAMS Quandary: T h e te a m ’s

*

m ost ticklish p ersonnel ch a llen g e is at q u a rte r­ b ack .

C oach Rich B rooks h o p es to know by late F eb ru ary if co n ­ c u ssio n -p la g u e d C h ris M iller plans to re tu rn — and if he w an ts him b ack. If M iller d o esn 't re tu rn , a rep lacem en t will have to be found in tra d e or free agency. And B rooks would like to retain veteran M ark Rypien. w ho sta rte d th e final th re e g a m e s after M iller w ent dow n in a D ec em b er 3 co n test against th e Jets. Rypien is an u n re stric te d free a g e n t but th e team h a s m atch in g rig h ts u n d e r h is co n tract. "O bviously, w hat we do at that position is very d e p e n d e n t on w hat C h ris’ situation is." B rooks says. "I would ra th e r know that on the front en d of free agency' than on the back end." lf M iller d o es not re tu rn , the team would gain $2.2 million in cap m oney.

Shopping: So. w hat are th e options w ithout M iller? T h e team h a s e x p re sse d in terest in free-agent q u a rte rb a c k s Jeff H ostetier and Jim H arbaugh. .And it also could p u rsu e a trade for W ashington's G us F rero tte or the C o te ' Craig E rickson. A nother possibility is to draft a q u arterb ack , but it’s unlikely any­ body could step in and start rig h t away. “lf y o u 're looking at d raftin g a q u a rte rb a c k , w hich Pm su re we will. i t s a guy you can bring along and develop for th e future," B rooks say's. "T here a re very few rookies that com e into th is league, picking w h ere w e’re going to pick (13th), that are going to b e in­ stant starters."

— J a i THOMAS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS Replacements

hired:

T ea m officials m oved quickly to h ire two a s­ sista n t c o a c h e s. B oth w ere m e m b e rs of Sam W y c h e ’s T a m p a Bay staff, w hich w as fired.

G eorge Stew art, w hose coverage team s w ere am ong th e le a g u e ’s b e s t rep laces fired special te a m s coach Alan Lowry. D efensive backfield coach Jo h n n ie Lynn, a form er co rn erb ack , rep laces T om H olm oe. w ho b ec am e defensive co o rd in ato r at Cal. T eam officials like S tew art’s e n th u si­ asm . but n eed to g et him som e fester players.

Lynn’s job will hin g e on talks w ith T im M c­ D onald and Eric Davis, m e m b e rs of a se c ­ ondary th a t includes th re e All-Pro players.

Floyd1S future: lf fullback William Floyd co n ­ tin u es h is pace of rehabilitation on h is injured rig h t k nee, h e will b e ready for th e 1996 sea­ son o p en er, team officials say. Left unsaid w as th e difficulty of continuing th e pace fol­ low ing a second m ajor su rg ery , o r w hat level of play it w ould be reaso n ab le to e x p e c t D oc­ to rs a re trying to k ee p th e up b eat Floyd opti­ m istic and not unduly raise h o p es for his quick re tu rn to top form. ... Officials want D ex te r C arter to rem ain w ith th e team , but they'll likely seek a cut in his scheduled $525,000 salary. C a rte r signed w ith the Je ts as a free-agent re tu rn m an but w as cut at m id­ season after h e fum bled seven tim es. Back with the 4 9ers to finish th e season. C arter fum bled once and re tu rn ed a punt for a touchdow n.

—^ ra M ila

TAMPA RAY BUCCANEERS I f s Dungy ti ebb: T h e team w as ex p ected to n am e V ik in g s d e fe n s­ ive c o o rd in a to r TonyD ungy a s its sixth head coach. D ungy w as of­ fered th e job last Fri­ day. and his re p re se n ta ­ tives and th e B ucs spent th e w eekend h am ­ m erin g out a c o n tra c t D ungy m ight not sell as m any tick ets as Steve S p u rrier o r Jim m y Jo h n so n , who sp u m e d th e team two w eeks ago. but D ungy is re sp e c te d aro u n d the league. ... D ungy w ants to hire S aints line­ b a c k e rs coach Jim H aslett as h is defensive co o rd in ato r. A m ong th o se h e will c o n sid er for offensive co o rd in ato r a re S te a le rs ru n ­

ning b ac k s coach Dick H oak. Lions offensive co o rd in ato r T om M oore and fo rm e r V ikings offensive c o o rd in a to r Jac k B u m s. D ungy also is ex p ected to re h ire defensive line coach T om P r a tt S o p e r to n F o rm er B ucs q u arte rb ack Doug W illiam s gives a glow ing en d o rse m e n t of D ungy and say s h e would be in terested in jo in in g his staff. T h e m ost im portant th in g is not th a t th e B ucs a re hiring a black coach as m uch as th e y ’re h irin g a very capable black coach." says W illiam s, who h as b een a re­ gional sco u t for th e Jag u ars. ... W hile th e h ead-coaching situation, w as b ein g settled , th e fu tu re o f th e fran ch ise in T am pa re­ m ained a co n cern . T h e d u b h a s had talks with a C leveland rep resen tativ e about a pos­ sible m ove to th at d ty . ' — N o ROGUES

WASHINGTON REDSKINS Hot commodity: G u ard Ray Brow n is th e te a m ’s m o st ta le n te d u n re ­ s tric te d free ag e n t.

B row n is 33. b u t he h a s n ’t m issed a g am e since re tu rn in g in 1992 from two y ears on th e injured list and his pulling from th e left side to lead T erry A llen’s off-tackle ru n s played a big part in th e team in c re a sjn g Jts ru sh in g to­ tal 541 y ard s from its 1994 total. A gent Steve B ak er is seek in g a deal in th e $2-miilion-pery ear ran g e for Brow n, w ho m ade $800,000 last seaso n . H ow ever, g u a rd s a re rarely a free-agent priority, so B row n’s likely to wind up back for about $1.5 million p er year.

Llne woes: D espite flashes from y o u n g sters S terling Palm er. W illiam G aines, Rich O w ens and D ex te r N onage, th e defensive line is still a m ess. E xpect th e front office to b e heavilyinvolved in th e bidding for D allas' Russell M aryland. G reen Bay’s Jo h n Ju rk o v ic and D etro it's R obert P o rch er. San D ieg o ’s Leslie O 'N eal played for defensive co o rd in ato r Ron Lynn with th e C h arg e rs, but O 'N eal’s age (31) and selfish attitu d e ap p aren tly have d a m p e n e d h is appeal. ... T h e r e s d e b a te w h e th e r Jo e Patton, who filled in for th e in­ ju red Jim Lachey last seaso n , can be a n effec­ tive left offensive tackle. W ith L achey’s ca­ re e r in jeo p ard y b ecau se o f injuries, th e club plans to m ake p itch es to free a g e n ts like th e N ew York G iants’ Ju m b o Elliott. D etro it’s Lo­ m as Brow n. A tlanta’s Bob W hitfield, Buffalo’s Jo h n Ftna. San D iego’s H arry Sw ayne. Pitts­ b u rg h ’s Leon S earcy and Indianapolis’ WHI W olford.

— Day® E n

itO

Uncertain fu tu re I f MUler is down for the count in S t Louis, the Rams would need to find another

quarterback through a trade, free agency or the draft

COLIBIEFOOTBALL• 23

January 29,1996

COLLE(iE FOOTBALL REPORT

The civil war between Cal and Stanford is just that ly. the news electrified the state. Last week, when new California Coach Steve Mariucci hired former Stanford assister Tom Holmoe as defensive coordinator, few took notice.

Yes. Holmoe didn’t go directly from Stanford to Cal He spent two years in the interim as defensive bi± s coach with the San Francis­ co 49ers. where he added a fourth Super Bow! ring to the three he earned with the team during a seven-year career.

Ivan Nonedieless. the reaction, or lack of it is a MAISa measure of the diSereoce in the rivalries.

Stanford and Cal point toward one another in every sport yet they manage to have a rival­ ry and a life outside the r iv ^ . That s a trick ^he arrivalof one coordinator and the Alabama and Auburn haven’t yet mastered. departure of another last week un­ An untold number of assistant coaches have derscored the difierence in college worked at both Stanford and Cal. Holmoe. football from one end of the coundy who coached the defensive backs during Bill to the other. When Auburn swiped defensive Walsh’s second tenure at the Farm, is only coordinator Bill Oliver from Alabama recent­

T

F a ilis o ii^ To the victor go the spoils, and Northwestern would be hard-pressed not lo turn into a spoiled brat Coach Gary Barnet! is receiving $20,000 per speech. USAToday says.

More important for the fu­ ture of the program, the Wildcats are the leading can­ didate to serve as host of this year’s Pigskin Classic.

The game, which hit the road la^ season after being ignored for five years at Ana­ heim Stadium, may have hit on a concept that will work.

Take a learn that captured its fans and the nation and have it open the following season.

The question, as always with the preseason “bowls.* is what coach will accept an ad­ ditional road game against a nationally raxdced opponent Speculation centers on Texas A&M. which always

L ook

has been willing to play in these games, and Miami The Hurricanes already have road games al Florida State and Syracuse. The Big East which released most of its 1996 schedule last week. placed the Hurricanes-Orangemen game on Thanks­ giving Saturday. -Coramissioner Mike Tranghese says. CBS is impressed enough with the potential of Syracuse quarterback Dono­ van McNabb and the Orangeme I’s rousing 41-0 rout of den] son in the Gator Bowl that the network want­ ed that g ^ e as its seasonending anshor. In addition.

CBS win moV the VfrginiaVirginia Tecfr\ rivalry to Thanksgiving riday. The Hokies and e Cavaliers have becorra^one of the bestplayed riv^ e s of the 1990s.

The national recognition is

sure to follow.

Miami also will play Rut­ gers on Thurs­ day. September 12. on ESPN. Both teams will have a short week to prepare.'' And if. the Hurricanes, in their never-ending-search-for-asixlh-home-gamethat-wilJ-draw-asmdkrowd. wiD HcMib play LAA The Cit^el on September 7.

Matdmaidng Last month, three South­ eastern Conference schools still needed an I kh game to fin out their 1996 schedules.

We decried the inevitable . purchase of a I-AA rout that would foDow. Bul only Flori­ da, which wiB bring in Geor­ gia Southern, went for the

the latest Former Cal head coaches Mike White and Roger Theder had been assistants at Stanford. Walsh himself worked for Marv Levy at Cal in the early 1960s. The current coaches at Stanford and Cal Tyrone Willing­ ham and Mariucd. are second-generation de­ scendants of Walsh. Wniingham worked for Dennis Green at Stanford. Mariucci worked for Mike Holmgren in Green Bay. The common thread that winds through, both programs will continue for many years — Walsh and his legacy have seen lo that That’s one reason the rivkry remains on such civil terms. Meanwhile, al Alabama, where Oliver’s departure met with astonishment foDowed by disdain — die o!* “if he doesn't want to be here, good riddance* attitude — dvility may be returning to the staff. Offen­ sive coordinator Homer Smith, whose pres­ ence polarized his fellow assistants will be re­ placed by Woody McCorvey, the assistant head coach as well as the wide receivers coach. Now, his responsibilities on the field will match his title.

McCorvey. 45. is an Alabama native and the first African American lo reach the level of coordinator in Tuscaloosa. As tempera­ ment goes, McCorvey may be the Alabama assistant best able lo handle being a head coach. This promotion wiD give him the plat­ form lo gel a head<oaching position, maybe even at his current place of employment For­

buy-a-victory solution.

Mississippi State will play Louisiana Tech. and Auburn, in an inspired bit of schedule-mak­ ing. will bring in perennial Western Athletic Conference con­ tender Fresno State. W hat's more, the Tigers attempted to make a match with Big F.ast champion Vir­ ginia Tech. (You can expect a lot’ of Big East-SEC arrangements now that the leagues will share time on C ^ .) Bul the Hokies have to play at Miami, at Syracuse and at Boston College, so Coach Frank Beamer balked. Virginia Tech went and bought a home game with Southwestern I

Tianatot OHver deli) and his instate move

would not have made waves at C ai get Charles Barkley becoming governor of Alabama Only when the University of the Schoolhouse E)oor hires an African American as head football coach will we know times have changed in the Heart of Dixie.

Louisiana.

Other interesting SEC schedule notes for this fall: First, Notre Dame and Van­ derbilt will open their season on ESPN September 5. the Irish's first-ever appearance on Thursday, prime-time V *.

The other interesting sched­ ule news oui of the league is that the rotation of EastWest games turns over this fall. SEC teams play eight conference games — five in their division, two “perma­ nent* opponents from the other division and a homeand-home rotation against the remaining four teams.

Aubum and South Caroli­ na pick up each other in a match of ^bby Bowden dis­ ciples (Terry Bowden and Brad Scon, respectively).

Peyton Manning wiD lake on his daddy’s alma mater when Tennessee and Miss­

11defiCreacli 2 J m m ii UcCoRib S Piazza 4 Jo * Piazza 5 Oaki l zrman 6 Tots CnsM 7 Oanrnr Loos S J awy MoOan 9 DoBald MawryliA 1<mm Bailaatt

E em rrrM M m n AMD T h e B e s l a s h P m zE Sf L o o k T o Tim e G a m e s Y o v * d {E x p e c t F t o M AUTMOttiTY.

G et C onnected.

SC8B3, SenB Umma BoxScsKS

CHALLENGES 1- 800 - 568-6288

P u ts Stais, Teu Stah & Ib b b s O alt Um TBi faunr R a w n Sp b u l Faitast C x n flB n Catch O n Oh-Ue Faetast GamesI

AThttp://www.cdinn8t.cofn/fsl

O th U n e 990

Ivan Matsel covers college football for Sewsday

f Oft URATES o n .A d lS M O ^ e

Fitdih<3lRM id6hg..

H d ild se m i- 9 » m r lS l^ '$ L 0 f^ n sin u ie ,

C aSm 'uniir tBmu^

im k iM & x e sM t film taudstdne land

rotdfyphoH ^

V

T h e S po r t in q N e w s F a n t a st G O U C M A U oiaE A d IN t u b is s u e

FOA time

issippi play on ESPN Thurs­ day. October 3. And in a game guaranteed to pro­ mote fake smiles and gritted teeth. Alabama wiD pl^ Ken­ tucky. Wildcats Coach Bill Curry will face the Crimson Tide for the first time since he managed lo win the SEC title and be hounded out of a job in the same season (1989). ^

•MO Idunanbunk IL

MaslaoucA Hta„ MJ Masbrooct Hts., MJ Pooipane B—ch, FL Oaklyn, n j Caspar. IN 0 (a tiia ,K S

Montclair. N J Waukasha, WI .

Ylnra I ■ngMi KaOy Schroodor Rally Sclwoeder Bryan Moatlaa R.|9cartf-razdi Malcolm Baztar Ran LiaPagota Anthony Dry

Hockey Free Agents ’larsn Kilo can bt ctalmetl after noon oa Fri.. Jan. Z&h. and before 9PM on Tbon.. Feb. 1st aru) be on yoor team for games beginning Frt.. feb. 2nd.

B2 ffi PUYBfgAM

Q 7 C»tbJoaaph,EABaBtan e 114 I M MtssMr, NT Rahggrs « 404 MftaM Rm Mw b , PW .

W SM Bn ttU M k,N T ttM ad »g 0 821 S«9MZiW0T,PttabvM> 0 91> Horrey M o . S t Loob

^ U lm

13,040^00 HA60A00 U390A0Q S820A00 81.210^00 S520A00

Car«4chaaLCA Cobanbum,-KE Cdurabta^ KC UvarpooL KY Laa VapaStKV Bt. Patarsburg, FL Loratand, OM FtadarlcA, MO AHlngton, TR Phoanlz, AZ

1 Jonathan Lofbarg 2 Todd Ratbpabar Ra«lna,aASR 9 M9u Mavadonaky Lyndhnnt. IU 4 Bary VHBamMn Pakn OvMTt, CA K. Vanceowar, BC 5 Tom tOppon e Mstthaw tchMte Rkflay PmKPA 7 BAOAfcaro Cizahath O ty ^ • Alan Rraot Holland, PA 9 Craig Fankhouaar IfidcSaton, OH lORobarl UnwOn HontraaLQUC

Basketball Free Agents: Playen wtio can be claimed after noon on Mon.. Jan. 29tb. j A before 11PM on SundaY. Feb. 4th. and be on yoor team tor games beginning Mon.. Feb. 5th. »

rn OAXEB/TEAM

U lm

0 1 2 9 tteyaSm ffii,A tliBU

S230QJ}00

Q 194 Bo m P W ti, Clmrateid F 302 ScottM Plppaa, OdcaQo

S370JXX) 93,880,000

F 412 JaysooW iBam a, New Jersey C 535 w a Pertkie, ten ABtnnlo

S850J300 S870JXX)

24 • COLLEGE BASKETBALL

The Sporting News v

-

-

-

he letters on Ray Alien’s World University Games jersey might have said “U-S-A" last summer, but the 6-foot-6 guard was re­ ally a double agent No matter how hard Allen tried to win one for the home team, he couldn't help b teammates with a bit of suspicion. .As part of the six-man Big East contingent that domi­ nated the squad, the Connecticut junior was proud to be joined by Viflanova’s Kerry Kit­ tles and Georgetown’s Allen Iver­ son. among others. The three guards became friends and finished 1-2-3 in scoring on the team.

But every time Iverson zipped past a helpless Brazilian defender or Kittles dunked on a British rube, Allen gathered information for fu­ ture use. Hurrah for our side. he thought, while filing away the specifics of his teammates’ games in his basketball hard drive.

“It was a thrill to be a part of a col­ lege dream team, but it was scary."

Allen says. “Every time somebody did something good. I was afraid they’d just take it back to their team and use it in Big East games. In the back of everyone's mind, we were thinking. 'How is be doing that?

When we get back to school, well let so-an'd-so know how he did i t ’ “I was checking out everybody elses game."

Given the current state of Big East backcourt play. Allen’s behav­ ior is entirely excusable. The per­ formances of Allen. Kitties, Iverson and S t John’s Felipe Lopez have been central to the league’s ascen­ sion to the top spot among the na­ tion’s conferences. The Big East boasts three legitimate Final Four contenders — UConn, Georgetown and Villenova — and several other r -f schools with solid NCAA Tourney • credentials. In the January 15 Associated Press poll if placed five teams in the Top 25 for the first time in four years. Al a time when the league is riding higher than at any period since the mid-1980s. Allen. Kittles, Iverson and Lopez are the top jockeys. AD but Lopez rank among the league’s top five scorers, and each can be found near the top of several oth-

JOHN f GA rf SHO? TOA SCHWA.TTZWJW

SPW

IS

T

HKlJfia’ Bois: lf Georgetownfoes aren't careful, Iverson will pull a fast one on them.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL • 25

January 29,1996

er categories. They are classic go-to guys, ca­ pable of creating opportunities for them ­ selves and their teammates.

"In our conference, with as many games as we have televised, there are no secrets any­ more." Boston College Coach Jim O’Brien says. “Everybody has a good book on every­ body else, so when teams start to run their of­ fenses. (opponents) can take them out of it quickly. When the shot clock is winding down. and you need to get something, the better teams win when they have a guard with the ability to get a good sh o t"

Top fo g Connecticut scored big when Allen decided to come back for his junior season.

Kittles, the only senior in the group, is a guaranteed lottery pick in the June NBA draft and Iverson and Allen will be similarlycoveted should they choose to leave early.

And though Lopez has struggled at St. Jo h n ’s, his extraordinary' physical skills should someday land him in the NBA draft's Top IO as well n t’s like the NBA." Providence Coach Pete GiBen moans about the Big E a st “I’ve never seen so much talent concentrated in one league."

And here it is: *

4

The Smooth Operator *

If Kerry Kittles started knocking down old ladies in supermarket checkout lines or pass­ ing people on the shoulder when all highway lanes were choked with traffic, maybe he could shake the criticism that he's afraid to take big shots and dominate crucial moments of important games. When Kittles put up a stone-ugly 2-for-14 shooting line in a- 62*56 loss-to Tem ple in Decem ber, the whispers started again. Why won’t the guy take over?

How can an AU-American seem so polite on the court?

If’ was last year's NCAA Tournament first round aD over again. When Villanova had three chances to beat Old Dominion at the end of regulation and two subsequent over­

times. Kitties disappeared and VU lanova fell. He even passed off with the clock winding down at the end of reg­ ulation. Stars don’t do that?

They' do. however, score 33 points on frigid January Saturday afternoons against league foes. After spotting vis­ iting Boston College an 11-0 lead on January 6. Kittles killed the Eagles and then feasted on their decaying re­ mains, scoring in every way imagin­ able and filling the scorebook with eight rebounds, five steals and four as­ sists in a 94-77 victory.

Kittles is timid, is he? He looked al­ most obnoxious during the first half, when he scored 19 points in £ 14minute stretch. Included were a pair of length-of-the-court sorties with re­ bounds. one of which ended in a daz­ zling righthanded scoop sh o t He pulled up on the break and drilled jumpers. He hit a pair of 3-pointers. He played oppressive defense. He re­ bounded. He dominated.

“It’s funny, because when you hear coaches talk about Kerry, they talk about how they appreciate the fact that he is always under control and takes good shots." says Villanova Coach Steve Lappas, whose temper flashes quickly when someone questions his 6-5 senior's fortitude. T h a t's what makes Kerry Kerry. Kerry is a highpercentage shooter. He’s not the type of player who tries to take 25 shots. He takes as many shots as any great play­ er out there, and the great thing about him is he gets them in the flow * Kittles and Lappas often talk about working within the gam e’s “flow." a nebulous term best defined as what happens when Kitties’ selfless court persona combines with Viflanova’s full silo of offensive weapons in Lappas’ motion attack. There are no clear-outs or two-man games. Wildcat basketball is an egalitarian world. And Kittles is just a mensch.

I t s easy to confuse Kitties’- unwill­ ingness to launch 20 shots a game with timid­ ity. There is no mystery, however, about his wellrounded game. He wasn’t voted the 1994-95 Big East Player of the Year because he outscored everybody, even though he was second in the league in scoring. Kittles won the award because he finished among the top five in six categories last season. Some fret that he lacks the brash scorer’s mentality needed to carry his team to big victories or thrive in the NBA’s egocentric, grab-all-youcan atmosphere. Those people should worry about Bosnia instead. Kittles will be fine.

“I think that in a selfish world, where most of the players in this game are into ‘me. me, me.’ it's nice to see someone who’s un­ selfish." Gillen says. “He’s a throwback to the way the game should be played."

Through the first 15 games of the 1995-96 season. Kittles was leading the Wildcats in scoring, rebounding, steals and minutes. He had a 2-1 assist-turnover ratio and was on the court for 36 minutes a night And he wasn’t doing iron a team that lacks talent Villenova center Jason Lawson is a future lottery pick, and point guard Alvin Williams has enough talent to run an NBA club someday. Nope.

Kittles is the best player on one of the best teams in the best league in the country. And another thing Al a time when college coach­ es are happy if stars stay two years, if they come at all. Kittles will receive a degree in business management this spring. That alone is worth a standing ovation.

eighth-grade basketball coaches.

How are those guys supposed to teach fundamentals to impression­ able youths when the Hoyas guard is thriving with one of the most for­ bidden offensive moves — the crossover dribble5 For years, coach­ es have been warning players that the crossover is the quickest route to a turnover. Switch hands in front of an eager defensive predator and get ready to inbound a few seconds later after an enemy layup.

You can imagine their dismay now that Iverson is embarrassing players across the country with a crossover so blindingly quick, no one can be sure whether the ball even touches the ground. Iverson usually pulls the bail hard left and leans slightly in that direction, causing ri­ val defenders to shift their weight that way in anticipation of an ensuing drive. Once that happens, its over.

Iverson brings it back right at warp speed and blasts past the hapless stooge toward the basket In the Pre­ season NIT final, he did it to .Ari­ zona’s Reggie Geary, one of the na­ tion’s best one-on-one defenders. A few weeks later, he humiliated Seton Hall’^Danny Hurley with a crossover job that resulted in a layup, a foul and two replays on the L’SAir .Arena video board. Check your jocks. Big East guards. You could be next.

“He’s a rab b it’ Kitties says about Iverson. “He’s just real. real quick.

And he can leap. He’s so quick with the ball, and when he gets into the lane, it’s hard for the big guys to block his shot, because he's so high in the air. He's very explosive going to the basket and he just kills you in transition."

Iverson had all of that last season, but it was wrapped in a high-strung package, due in part to his freshman status, bul also because of the con­ troversy surrounding his role in a rap? Some say Kitties isnt a takecharge bowling alley brawl prior to his senior year at guy when the game's on the line.

Bethel High in Hampton. Va., and subsequent four-month incarceration. (Form er Virginia Not that Kittles is looking for one. If he Gov. Douglas Wilder subsequently granted weren’t built like a panther, the New- Orleans Iverson clemency from all charges.) native might never be noticed off the court.

"I think .Allen came into the season last His Barry White-deep southern drawl is bare­ I year without playing his senior year fin high ly audible in postgame news conferences, and school) and under a lot of emotional stress." his unassuming personality is hardly built for Georgetown Coach John Thompson says. trumpeting his substantial accomplishments.

“Regardless of how he seemed to handle it Though gracious with fans and the media. Kit­ well. all of us know that it was realistic that tles is happiest at home on the couch. he had to deal with it."

He is most dangerous, however, when VII. Last year. Iverson was a combustible mix­ lanova’s motion offense gets a game going at ture of.amazing athletic skills and offensive Pentium speed. Because Kittles can rebound hubris, and Georgetown alternately thnyed and handle the bail so well. he doesn’t have to and suffered while Thompson tried to tamewait for a teammate to find him. He can crack his prodigy Iverson could score 30 one night open an opponent by himself, switching and commit IO turnovers the next. But one gears from defense to offense so quickly that thing was certain: He would shoot. Iverson he overwhelms rivals with his elegant openlaunched 520 shots last year, and Hoyas ju­ court game. nior center Othella Harrington put up only “He’s a on^m an fastbreak." O'Brien says.

236. 4* -probably helped Georgetown's re­ “He can rebound and then burst out of the bounding. since the big men went lo the pack dribbling. I don’t think a lot of guys can backboards just so they could touch the ball. do th at because very few people have the This season, the amazing Iverson is oper­ ability to be an active, aggressive rebounder ating with considerably more self-control, as and also have the fine aspects of ballhandling I sophomores are wont to do. He doesn’t try to, dazzle every time he touches the ball and is and quickness."

Just imagine how good he’d be if he would . learning the nuances of running a team, in­ stead of running wild. shoot the bail.

“A sophomore plays more under control than a freshman, a junior plays more under control than a sophomore, and that’s what ex­ It wouldn’t be surprising if Allen Iverson perience is about." Thompson says. “Cer­ soon begins to receive mail from angry tainly this year. Allen's trying to involve more

Mr. Excitement

The Sporting News

2 8 ' COLLEGE BASKETBALL people. As FVe said. Allen is a two-guard play­ ing one. He’s got the scoring mentality."

And the scoring average. Last year, Iver­ son finished fourth in the Big East with a 20.4 average. Through 17 games, he was second in the league with a 23.5 scoring average and has a chance to break Georgetown’s singleseason scoring record of 23.6. set by Reggie Williams rn 1986-87. Among this year’s high­ lights was a 40-point outburst against Seton Hall, which included the previously men­ tioned Hurley' undressing. He hit Arizona for 40 more and Temple’s vaunted zone for 24.

“He’s a bullet" says DePau) Coach Joey Meyer, whose Blue Demons surrendered 31 to Iverson last year and 24 earlier this month.

“I think he’s more under control than last year. Tm really impressed with his quickness under control. Guys that move that fast often don't have control of their bodies."

Ii Iverson asked his reek-hard. 6-foot-1 .165pound frame to split in half at the foul line and then reattach under the'basket, it might just happen. His amazing first step and ability to move at top speed with the basketball make him almost unguardable oneon-one. “He's the quickest guy to come into college basketball since lsiah Thomas." says Gillen, who saw Thomas play while an assistant at Notre Dame.

“He might be even be quicker than Thomas."

Until this season, overmatched opponents backed off Iverson and challenged him to beat them with the jumper. The strategy often worked. Iverson shot just 39 percent from the beld last year and a dreary' 232 percent from beyond the arc. This year. however. Iverson has thrived against that approach. He stung Seton Hall for seven 3-pointers (in 14 at­ tempts) and made 4 of 6 from long range against DePaul. “That kind of shooting makes him virtually unstoppable." Meyer say's.

Iverson is also particularly well-suited for Georgetown’s predatory'defense, although it s difficult to assess his one-on-one defensive skills. T hey have so many good athletes in there that you sometimes have to go to the video to see whose hand got in to strip the ball." Mever savs. Within the Hovas’ mavhem-creating system of traps, double-teams and scramble tactics. Iverson is the ultimate weapon, able to distract, harass and demor­ alize. His 89 steals last year were a school record. This season, he's averaging an aston­ ishing 42 steals through Georgetown’s first IT games and recorded a leagu^record IO vs.

Miami (Fla.) recently. • But Iverson tends to freelance at times on defense and isn’t the most fundamentally sound defender once the ball leaves hi* man.

Those are mere blemishes on Iverson's everimproving game and should disappear as he continues to mature. What won't go away is Iverson's amazing quickness and that crossover, no matter how loudly youth-league coaches protest.

•

0

0

r n

Hie Scorer lf anyone plays a bigger, better and bitore important half of basketball than Ray Allen did January 9 against Vlllanova, pity his poor op­ ponent Despite an 0-for-3 start from Che field that earned the overexcited junior a seat on the UConn bench. .Allen massacred the Wild­ cats for 22 points during the first 20 minutes, effectively clinching victory for the Huskies.

That Ylllanova staged a small comeback to cut the final margin to 81-73 was secondary’ to the night’s big story. Allen proved why he is col­ lege basketball’s most lethal scoring machine and generated considerable salivary' gland ac­ tivity’ among the dozen NBA scouts in atten­ dance al UConn’s Gampel Pavilion.

Before many fans had even found out that

ESPN had shifted the snownielayed game to its little brother. ESPN2. Allen had recovered from his slow start to go on a 5-for-6 shooting binge. Highlights included a trio of 3-pointers and a thunderous baseline dunk that had Dick Vitale in a tizzy. When Allen flew off a Kirk King screen and sank an off-balance 3pointer late in the first half, UConn had a 4023 lead, and the Wildcats were finished.

“Ray Allen is a scorer." Kittles says. “He’s a scorer. There’s no other way you can put it He finds w'ays to put the ball in the basket whether its creating his own shot off the dribble, coming off screens shooting or get­ ting out in transition.

“He’s a scorer."

Thank you. Kerry. We get the idea. Of course. Allen did have ll rebounds, five as­ sists and two steals against the Wildcats and is more than just a gunner. At 6 feet 5. 202 pounds, he is built to do just about anything on the court and has been given a near-per­ petual green light by Huskies Coach Jim Cal­ houn since the beginning of last season.

When Donyell Marshall left a year early for the NBA. UConn needed a first option on of­ fense. Allen was happy to take the jobr "I have always been a confident person," says Allen, who broke Shaquille O’Neal’s Olympic Festival scoring record in the sum­ mer of 1994. “If I had started my freshman season. I would have scored a lot of points.

One thing I thrive On is going to the hole. Trn very creative, and can score in many different ways. If I get stopped one way. I have anoth­ er way to get it done."

Allen averaged 21.1 points last year on 48.9-percent shooting and made an amazing 44.5 percent of his 3-point attempts. His 36 points in a losing cause against UCLA in the West Regional final led some pro scouts to consider him a top-Jve pick, had he come out But Allen stayed, and he has been even more amazing this season. Thanks to offsea­ son prodding from Calhoun to become more

aggressive with the ball. Allen was averaging 23.1 points and shooting a Big East-best 49.4 percent from 3-point range through 15 games.

Allen has topped the 30-point plateau three times and put up 29 against Indiana. What has most impressed Calhoun, however, is Alien's improvement on defense and hisJtretter ballhandling and passing. After scoring 22 in the first haft against Vlllanova, Allen's dishes helped set up King inside for eight of the Huskies’ first IO points of the second half.

“I knew I had to improve on those areas of my game, because the other guys on the team made up for my weaknesses last year."

Allen says.

That doesn’t mean Allen has sacrificed his offense. He assumes a somewhat predatory

Great expectatio n : Lopez probably never uhU fulfill the fantasies o fS t John's faithful

posture when he gets the ball. His long, mus­ cular arms clear space for his tau t pogo-stick frame, allowing him ta blast through people in the fane, around them to the baseline or over them on the perimeter. His offensive game is complete, and woe to the man charged with defending him.

“His ability to turn it up to a different level offensively when we need a basket is phe­ nomenal" Calhoun.says. T h e only guys in the league capable of taking good shots at big times and making almost at times impossible shots and making them into good shots are Ray and probably Kerry Kittles."

The Finisher Maybe if Felipe Lopez's picture hadn’t ap­ peared on the cover of every periodical ex­ cept Mad Magazine before fast season, he might have been able to enjoy a normal fresh­ man year at S t John's and wouldn’t still be struggling to meet the ridiculous standards set by Red Storm fans and alumni, not to mention New York City’s considerable His­ panic community. If Lopez had been able to ease into college basketball, folks might have marveled over his 17.8-point scoring average and 5.7 rebounds per game. Instead, they called him a Dominican Michael Jordan and waited for miracles that never came. St. John’s stumbled to a 14-14 record that in­ cluded a first-round NTT loss to South Flori­ da. And everybody wondered why Lopez hadn’t led the Red Storm to the Final Four.

“It was unfortunate he was on the cover of those magazines," Gillen says. “No matter what he did. he couldn’t have reached the ex­ pectations put on him. He still had a helluva year fast year. He’s a great player."

Part of Lopez’s difficulties can be attributed to the pressure he has endured since arriving on S t John’s nondescript Jamaica, N.Y., cam­ pus. But there is another reason his game is wobbling. While Lopez remains one of col-

COLLEGE HASHEMI! ♦ 27

January 29,1996

lege basketball’s most flamboyant fastbreak practitioners, he bas yet to develop a solid halfcoart game. Like many high school stand­ outs who often thrive in relatively unstruc­ tured settings. Lopez was allowed to do pretty much as he pleased while at Rice High in M anhattan. Since no one could handle him one-on-one. Lopez enjoyed a three-year clearout, a perfect situation for developing opencourt skills but not conducive to learning how to flourish within a team concept -It's real hard to change a kid’s gam e in one short year," O'Brien says. “Kids don’t un­ derstand that they can gel away with things in high school that they clearly can’t get away with at this level."

When the action is fast and loose. Lopez shines. His sinewy 6-foot-6 frame is perfect for slicing past helpless defenders from the wing, and he seem s to cover the distance between halfcourt and the hoop in two or three loping strides. “H e’s probably the most athletic of us a ll’ Allen says admiringly. Lopez dunks with a flourish, passes well in transition and can challenge bigger men close to the b ask et He is also an excellent offensive re bo under, a trait he dem onstrated against Niagara, when dur­ ing a 2:45 first-half stretch he converted three team m ates' m isses into layups.

W hen things slow down. however. Lopez can be flustered. Kittles harassed him into a 6for-17 shooting night in an 83-68 Wildcat romp in Decem ber. Even more distressing was Lopez’s performance in an em barrassing 70-57 Holiday Festival loss to Iona, when he scored just 13 on 5-for-21 shooting. Lopez’s shooting percentage is hovering near 40 per­ c e n t and he is making well less than a third of his 3-pointers.

“This year Im trying to take what they’ give me." Lopez says. “lf I have the open shot. I'm going to take it right away. A lot of times last year I had the open shot and never took it so I ended up taking a worse shot than I was sup­ pose to."

Despite trying to improve his halfcourt gam e. Lopez still has had difficulties. St. Jo h n ’s Coach Brian M ahoney even had to punish Lopez during a late D ecem ber prac­ tice for lack of effort, sitting him down for 20 minutes. In most situations, such a punitive m easure would rem ain a private matter. In New York, it made headlines.

“I think it was all overblown." Mahoney says. “It wasn’t a real problem."

While Lopez grapples with fitting into a team concept, fellow sophom ore Zendon Hamilton has em erged as St. John's best player. The willowy center leads the team in scoring, rebounding and shooting percentage and would be the perfect inside complement to Lopez, if the Dominican prodigy could de­ velop a consistent perim eter game.

W hat Lopez needs is time, and no one can be certain w hether he’s wining to be patient Because he is such a hero in the Latin com­ munity (no Dominican has ever starred on the collegiate level, much less in the NBA).

Lopez may believe he is better than he actu­ ally is. Such overconfidence could have dis­ astrous long-term results. Everybody in the NBA can run and dunk. The big money goes to those who can score in halfcourt sets.

Lopez showed signs of playing with more con­ trol during a recent rout of Louisville.

Before the season, Mahoney joked to a Big East coaching crony that if Lopez had a great year, th e guard would bolt school for the NBA And if Lopez w asn’t successful. Ma­ honey might be fired. It's not far-fetched to imagine S t John’s without both next season.

And that would be big news, + Michael Bradley is a free-lance writer from Philadelphia.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL REPORT

It isn’t strange when odd things happen at LSU going so fast and couldn't get off. That was a difficult gam e for them."

LSU has become one of college basket­ ball’s oddities. T here are too many talented players to dism iss the Tigers, but too many profound disappointments to em brace them.

Their statistics suggest they are capable de­ fensively (.416 defensive field-goai percent­ age). bur a look at LSD’s league num ber — .475 — shows otherwise.

Mike - When they lose, i t s often em barrassing, DeCOURCY such as last season’s 44-point loss to Okla­ homa State. 47-pointer to Kentucky and 24point loss to a middling Vanderbilt club in the SEC Tournam ent. And let's not forget the e starts four McDonald’s AikAmeriloss to Jackson State last month. Brown says cans. Four. T hat’s a loc T hat’s a lot the latest Kentucky debacle, a 129-97 wipe­ even if one of them, Randy Liv­ out, “goes along with a bizarre litany of LSI' ingston. is sorely diminished by in­ games," and he could not be more correct. jury. T hat’s a lot even if another is Deuce The only thing more bizarre has been the Ford, who looks like he may eat at McDon­ roster, which changes as often as CBS’ prime­ ald’s. but not so much like an All-American. time schedule. Three players transferred af­ It’s possible Louisiana State Coach Dale ter last season. Ford and Duane Spencer Brown hasn't collected enough talent to beat transferred in from M emphis and G eorge­ Kentucky or challenge the Wildcats. Should town. respectively. Three freshmen were sus­ the Tigers be this horrid, though, even on an pended a game for missing classes; Ford got off night? How awful do you have to be to the same treatment. Spencer was hurt at the yield 86 points in a half, playing at home, on start of the season. Sw agm an Rogers Wash­ national television, in a gam e that counts in ington had a dispute with the NCAA eligibili­ the Southeastern Conference standings? ty clearinghouse and wound up joining class­ “We had looked pretty good in practice.

Brown says. Probably looked neat in the I es three weeks late. .And then there is Livingston, who looked layup drills, too. but the gam e was a joke. By so much like the next jason Kidd as a senior the time ESPN switched its audience from an at Newman High in New Orleans but hasn't Indiana-Purdue game that ran late, the Tigers been healthy since he injured his knee play­ were trailing Kentucky. 21-7. ing in a sum m er pickup gam e before his “That gam e was over." Dick Vitale says. freshm an season at LSU. The one constant “You can come back from 14 down. but not has been junior guard Ronnie Henderson, the way that was going. They couldn’t even again a 20-point scorer. get the ball across midcourt."

Livingston has had hip and thigh prob­ Kentucky Coach Rick Pitino, asked to ex­ lems that might have been caused by his re­ plain how his Wildcats could dominate a team covery from the knee injury, but he has con­ regarded as so talented, said. “I ts tough to tinued to push to compete and was averaging answ er that question. Looking at the films,; 5.2 assists with a 2-1 assist-tum over ratio they hadn't been seeing the press that much. through 15 games.

After we made the steals, there was a lot of “W henever I feel like Joan of .Arc. I look at­ great interior passing. We struck quickly, and hing" Brown says. “WTat a courageous then it was over, and they were-on a treadmill

H

Patton's place Ricardo Patton was in M emphis trying to romance 6-foot-6 pow­ er forward Will Smith when he got a call that changed his life.

He was told to get back to Boulder, that Joe Harrington was _____ about to resign as Patton C o lo ra d o 's head coach. A Buffaloes assistant. Pat­ ton got the job on an interim basis.

With the Buffs 5-9. Patton has half a season to convince the ad­ ministration he is the best man for the job. not any of the guys whose nam es are being floated: Saint Louis’ Charlie Spoonhour, George W ashington’s Mike Jarvis. UNC Charlotte’s Jeff Mullins, Nevada's

Pat F o ster. Santa C lara's Dick Davey and form er NBA Coach Doug Moe. Patton. 37. at least knows more about w h ats gone wrong ‘with the program.

“We w eren't getting maximum effort out of our guys." he says.

“We have to be good citizens and give max­ imum effort I’m under no pres­ sure to win, and I informed them if they’re not going to play hard, they won’t play."

In his first game. Patton got the Buffs to compete well enough to push Kansas to the buzzer be­ fore losing. 80-78. He contends Colorado isn’t hopeless, although its last NCAA appearance was in 1969. “It’s a great opportunity."

Hard lode It was fitting that Georgetown I transfer Spencer (leftJ began the season hurt. i

; young*man he is.

“It’s been the most difficult job Eve had. i and Ive coached 43 years. Up until a couple i weeks ago. we didn't have every body in prat; lice. didn't have everybody available for a i game. It s been really, really difficult."

It is easy and common to allege Brown has not coached the Tigers well. He built, or at least reinforced, that reputation by failing to reach the NCAA Sweet 16 in any of the three seasons Shaquille O'Neal played. He did make the decision to try to run with Ken. lucky, basing it on the fact the Tigers built a 31-point lead on the Wildcats two seasons ago . but not bothering to consider that Spencer.

Livingston, Ford and center Roman Rubchenko were not contributors on that I team. ; But until they endured losing seasons in 1993-94 and 1994-95. the Tigers had entered IO consecutive NCAA Tournam ents, one of the gam e's longest streaks, and twice reached the Final Four. Not the work of an , incompetent coach.

Brown. 60. is in the second year of a four: year contract but it appears he also is in the third year of a three-year run of missing the NCAAs. f ie admits to not recruiting well in recent seasons. Vitale says he believes Brown built LSD's hopes entirely around Livingston. ! “That’s the danger."

Patton says. “It’s unfortunate the way it came about."

Cautious Canby?

UMass proved to be a good At­ lantic IO team without All-Ameri­ ca center M arcus Cam by. win­ ning the three league gam es he missed after collapsing, but the impact of this affair on player and team still is undetermined.

Because doctors were unable to determine what caused Cambv to collapse and black out for IO minutes before the M inutemen's game January 14 at SE Bonaven-. lure (they only could say it wasn't life-threatening and wasn't heartrelated). its possible there will be a level of discomfort for Cam by. his teammates and coaches for a while.

That uncertainty might explain #

why Camby. upon . hospital, declined to <. short press conference

Parting shots Tom O sborne should take a civics lesson from Indiana Coach Bob .K night* .After Hoosiers guard Sherron Wilkerson was charged with domestic battery by his girlfriend. Knight kicked him , off the team and began the process of revoking his scholar­ ship. It was easily the best coach ing move Knight has made this seaso n .... Before winning gam es against the ACC's bottorrvfeeder^ (N C. State and Florida State).

Duke had won only two of its past 20 conference games. + Mike DeCourcy covers college basketball for The Commercial Appeal in Memphis. Tenn.

28 • COLLEGE BASKETBALL

The Sporting News

Fear of flying The first thing S t Jo se p h s Coach Phil Martelli did January 16 after his Hawks defeated Pennsylvania in Philadelphia’s Spectrum was to thank the Q uakers for "m aking the long trip down the Schuylkill Expressway to play the game."

The statem ent dripped with sarcasm.

Of course Penn would drive the five miles from its campus to the Spectrum to play a Big Five game. The Quakers would have walked if they’d had to. But given the cir­ cum stances surrounding Arizona’s deci­ sion to blow off its January 13 game with St. Joseph's, the Hawks were just happy to have an opponent And after getting stuck with the six-figure bin S t Joseph's plans to present to Arizona for damages, the Wildcats might wish they had made the trip.

Frightened by w eather reports predict­ ing up to six inches of snow might cover Philadelphia the day before the gam e (on top of the 30-plus that fell earlier that week), the Wildcats decided to forgo Left standing on co art S t Joseph's was their visit e a s t despite promises from S t ready togo, but Arizona didn't show.

Joseph’s Athletic Director Don Dijulia that the game could have been played 4 u tes late. G am etim e tem perature in Philadelphia was 45 degrees.

January' 14 or even the 15th. if Arizona’s “I can’t believe that if they were play­ traveling party had trouble getting to ing North Carolina they wouldn’t have town. shown up." Dijulia says. "We’ve been Instead of even attempting the trip, the Wildcats decided to stay home, and Ath­ harmed. We’ve been em barrassed. They did not make an attempt to leave campus letic Director Jim Livengood informed to go to the airport to see if travel was the Tucson media Thursday night the possible. That’s what is so appalling" game was called off by mutual consent Arizona Coach Lute Olson cited “safe­ That wasn't true. Dijulia wanted to inves­ ty concerns" as the reason the Wildcats tigate w hether conditions on the 12th stayed home and asserted that the deci­ would perm it travel before considering sion was made by the athletic directors, canceling the game. As it turns o u t the Wildcats would have had no trouble get­ not him. It s hard to believe, however, ting to Philadelphia. Their American .Air­ that Olson had no say in the matter. Dilines flight arrived in Chicago on time, Julia certainly consulted with Martelli.

W hether Olson played a role isn’t an is­ and their connecting plane made it to Philadelphia — which received only two sue anymore. W hat is of interest is the inches of the white stuff — onlv 22 minbill that DUulia plans to send to Liven•

TSN TOP 25

I

Team Massachusetts Cincinnati Kentucky Kinsss _ Connecticut Wake Forest Georgetown Virginia Tech Villanova Memphis Utah North Carolina Arizona Penn State UCLA Texas Tech Syr»cuse .

Michigan Boston College Purdue Marguette Auburn Iowa Stanford Missouri

Comment WA. I. IS O Marcus Camby's absence is cushioned by a soft schedule.

2.

12-0 ti looks like Conference USA belongs to the Bearcats. _1_ 15-1 There's a tao oap between the 'C ats and rest of the SEC H I A The return trip from Lincoln could be an unhappy one.

S. 15-1 Maybe the bKjqest and baddest of the Bk) East.

5.

12-1 The road to the ACC tide goes through Winston-Salem.

7.

16-2 The Novas are preooroo for some bra eartv February battles.

11-1 8.

Everything's commo up Aces tor the Hokes 9.

14-3 The Wildcats have outed off a rare sweep of North Carolina. ia 12-3 The spindly Tioers are m a 4-3 slumber.

14-3 ii.

The Utes are reaping the benefits of qooq inside.

13-4 12.

The Tar Heets' lack of depth is starting to show.

Itll be difficult to win c&sctentiy without Joseph Blair ii 13-3 14.

13-0 CaMn Booth rejects the idea the bons are paper.

12-4 15.

Jim Kame* is 6nafly upset over the Bruins' hot-doc play 14-1 ia The athletic Red Raiders can score with anybody.

17.

13-3 The Oanoemen wjB be tested bv a touah three-oame stretch.

13-4 Lack of a sofid backcourt eventual wfl cost then.

J IL 19.

12-3 Danya Abrams and Co. are the surprise of the Bio East 2a 14-3 Inconsistent play may sabotage the BoSermakers* season.

21.

12-3 Amal McCaskfl can carry the Golden Haoles.

22.

14-3 The Tioers are in the driver's seat to wm toe SE C W est 14-4 21 Urn* they wm on the road, the Hawkeyes are pretenders.

24.

104 The Cardinal have won 32 of their last 38 at Maples Peyton.

2$.

12-4 Up-and-down Tigers ara looking tor pelted combination.

Through Saturday's games.

Others recurving votes: CaBtorrea. Clemson. Eastern Kfcctugan. M isssap p Stats, Nebraska. New Mexico, The TSN Top 25 c determined by columns* Mike DeCourcy and TSN editors.

good to cover lost ticket, television (the gam e was scheduled to be on ESPN2). radio advertising and concession rev­ enues. The total tab is expected to be about $100,000. and Dijulia expects the Wildcats to pay in fuIL He also plans to approach the NCAA about developing m easures to prevent som ething similar from happening in the future.

Maybe next time Arizona officials will turn on the W eather Channel before d e riding against making a trip. It could save them a lot of money.

— WICHAEL B radley

Awakenings Confidence. Toughness. The will to win.

By whatever description, it was that in­ tangible — or the lack of it — that left som e of us suspicious about Wake Forest as the season began.

College basketball is a mind gam e, as coaches whose living depends on 18-.

19-. 20-year-olds will teD you.

For all their qualities, the D eacons had no one to scream in the faces of team­ mates, thum p his chest a n d ' hoist them over the top. Ran­ dolph Childress was gone.

Today, 14 gam es into the season. Wake Forest is get­ Odoo ting the job done despite a seemingly passive personali­ ty. Coach Dave Odom saw it twice re­ cently when the Deacons squandered a big lead against Richmond and again in a comeback against Georgia Tech.

A ll-A m erica c e n te r T im D uncan doesn’t provide the brashness or oratory so common am ong top-level players. Nei­ ther does guard Tony Rutland, who’s pro­ viding many of the perim eter points that used to come horn Childress.

"We don’t have the fiery’ leader, the guy who says. ‘Get on my back, well win,’ " says Odom, whose team showed its vulnerability in a loss at Clemson last Sunday. ‘I told them the most pleasing

RECRUITING WATCH plasters, a

E J . JACOBS

PolBtgaanfc

Jrgetmi bg fouart,- Jacobs -Is sraria and domtoaleswittilies athfefc •Atom 7nSsp&iaF*

•.off, orlra can

— L eotard L ate

Ready to ponce Many say Kentucky has the most tal­ ent and the best team in the nation. The only thing keeping the Wildcats out of the No. I ranking was their 92-82 loss No­ vem ber 28 to UM ass in the Great Eight — and that UM ass rem ains unbeaten.

Nothing against UMass, but the Min­ utemen caught a break play­ ing Kentucky in the opener, the Wildcats now are a more cohesive u n it Ju st ask Louisiana State and Texas Christian. Kentucky ripped the Tigers, 129-97. and skew­ ered the Horned Frogs, 124E p 80. T he W ildcats have f e S l scored more than IOO points four times this season.

“Right now, if someone plays them within 20 it seem s like a pretty good game." Auburn Coach Cliff Ellis says.

"There’s no reason to say they’re not head and shoulders above everybody."

The Wildcats, I S I entering the week. could be the first team to go unbeaten in the Southeastern Conference since Al­ abama in 195S56.

T h ey ' play on the road like they play at hom e," South Carolina Coach Eddie Fogler said after an 8S60 loss at home.

"They’re that talented, they’re that tough, they’re that experienced, they’re that well coached that all the gam es are the same.

They could run the table." } — Keh Davis

J0ffl«Y.HaiSL£Y shootenMio's

THESn^Fpesfue facWbobs

wtio’s

thing about the fRichmond) gam e other than the win was the fact that we dug our­ selves a hole and then found a way to get out of it T h e y did it with very little help from me or the staff, by design. We told them. ’Hey, you’ve dug a hole, now find a way to get yourselves out of it.'

The>r are a team that has a very’ quiet toughness about them , a quiet confi­ dence. ... I like th a t It’s developing as a strength."

eOLLEGE BASKETBALL • 29

January 29,1996

basketball. The game never wifi pass him by. Its in his blood."

Its in Little Chucky's blood, too. He practiced eight or IO hours a day daring summers between school years at Evans High School As a senior, he earned All-State first-team honors, then was the most valu­ able player for the North squad in the state's 1992 AD-Star Game.

He always felt his destiny involved basketball even if others couldn’t tefl that from looking at him.

South Hnida guani T h e first time I saw him play, he was a sophomore in high school Its hard to get noticed in a league that features big shots Danny at our basketball camp." South Florida C o a ^ Bobby Paschal says.

Fortson of Cincinnati Memphis’ Lorenzen Wright and Louisville’s "He was just a real smaD. little guy. I remember him coming up to me Samaki Walker, but diminutive Chucky Atkins has a growing reputa­ saying. *Fm gonna play at South Florida when I gel out of high school’ tion in Conference USA. I just said. 'Maybe you will’ " Just give him an arena with a basketball court and leave him to his Paschal was being polite. delights. A 5-fooMl senior — at least South ‘But after the first couple or three prac­ Florida lists him at S I I — Atkins is one of the tices into his freshman year with us. we real­ best point guards in the nation. Ifs a calling. ized he was a spedal p l^er." Paschal says.

“Some people like to read." Atkins once j^kins has started 97 of his 98 collegiate said. “I foDow basketbafl.” games. He aspires to playing the point in the Ifs a legacy passed down to Kenneth ^BA. ideally for his beloved Orlando Magic, Lavon Atkins Jr.. immediately nicknamed but “my dream is to play for anybody." he Chucky because everyone a h v ^ called his says. Atkins knows that in the NBA, little dad Chucky as well guys can’t be choosy.

They became Big Chucky and Little He carries quite a resume. Atkins played Chucky, b ^ friends joined at the hoop. Big on the U.S. team that won a gold medal in the Chucky was playing at Cumberland (Ky.) 1995 World University Games in Japan. He College when SyMa Atkins gave birth to their averaged nine points and three assists for SOQ. Dad gave his son a basketball for his first that group. Through last Saturday, he ranked birthday and, according to Big Chucky, the third in Conference USA in scoring (20.0) boy could dribble it with control by the age of and sixth in assists (4.6) for the 7-8 Bulls.

3.

Atkins feeb confident hell find a place in And the legend grows... pro bafl. He believes an NBA role would be The family ended up in Orlando. Fla. Every easier than this senior season at South Flori­ morning before the bus came to tote Little da.

Chucky to first grade, h th e r and son would “Fd rather be in a situation this year where play basketball for 45 minutes on a court y h B & a s ^ B m ttA 0 d n s k a s liv e d a n d I can just ^ out and play, not worrying where across the street frT)m the bus stop. a trap is coming from all the time." Atkins breathed basketball since he was 3. *116 taught me everything I loiow about says. “Everybody knows they’re coming after basketban," Atkins says. “But it was more than th at Basketball was me. I enjoyed it much more last year. Now. I’ve got to carry the load. something we could do together.

Ifs like Fm the savior."

“Most of my memories of my dad from when I was young are either He doesn’t want lo be a savior. Yet he wants to be perfect. He of him on a basketball court or sitting at home watching a game." yearns for a perfect ballgame, one where the satisfaction comes frorh Little Chucky knew he had to play coDege ball close enough for his no mistakes and a victory. dad. a meter reader, to watch. His parents make the three-hour roundT h a fs what we’re ail looking for," Atkins says. “I don’t really know trip drive for each home game. ^ what a perfect game is. I guess. I just know I haven't played it yet" ^ “My dad is ray best friend." Atkins says. ‘I sdD talk to him about ElSBfflATH

THE BOOK ox...

FRO.M THE PLWIJOOK OF.,

CHUCKY ATKINS

Mike Dement Southern Methodist -r-i

I will dribble entry toward his best post-up quard (wing) and away from hts best shooting guard 5 will step out to ball screen for \ to pos­ sibly use to turn the com er or get his shot 2 will walk his man to the baseltne setUrtg htm up for the screen.

9

t

*

■S’

SCOITIXG REPORT NBA scouts a a ft fooled

by Duican% deneanor Despite being outplayed by Massachusetts center Marcus Camby in their encounter ear­ lier this season. W i e Forest center Tim Duncan is likely to be the No. I selection should he decide to apply for the June draft A 6-foot*IO. 246pound junior h im the Vir­ gin Islands. Duncan is destined to play the pivot on the next level At 611 and 220 pounds, Caraby is considered by most pro scouts as a future big forward who should have little trouble playing while facing the basket The teams with the best chances at the top pick in the lottery — PhOadelphia. Minneso­ ta. Dallas and Milwaukee (expansion teams Vancouver and Toronto cannot get a .No. I overall selection until 1999) — afl need a strong force in the middle. Duncan is that; he was averaging 18.9 points. 11.9 rebounds. 3.3 assists and 4 3 blocks after die Demon Dea­ cons’ first 13 games. In addition to shooting 55 percent from the field, he had converted 36 percent (5 of 14) of his 3-point attempts and 71 percent of his frw throws.

Considering Duncan — who won’t turn 20 until April — played organized basketball for the first time in the ninth grade, his best is definitely yet to come. He does not possess the flashiness or explosive leaping ability of some players, but he does have quick feet and a graceful, fundamentally sound post-up

’- -I' * ti-.

- - '- A

•

^

3 clears the wing and posts up hard on a ducktn move. 4 and 5 go to stagger screen 2 I should keep his dribble alive.

■

al times. Duncan is a strong rebounder and shot-blocker who has long arms. a great pair of large hands and long fin­ gernails. Don’t laugh.

The nails, which have slashed many an oppo­ nent. are an important part of Duncan’s game.

He refuses lo cut them because the last time he did so-he went into a fourgame slump.

•Although not extreme­ ly muscular. Duncan pos­ sesses a solid build and runs the floor well for his size. And his exceptional timing enables him lo re­ bound and block shots without getting into foul trouble.

Duncan has been ac­ cused of being passive and soh. but he puts up solid numbers almost ever)' game. His on<ourt Pots positkm: Duncan's louypost skills cauld make him the top pick demeanor is similar to in the "96 NEA draft despite his quiet game and r o u ^ edges. former North Carolina star Brad Daugherty, angame. His footwork and positioning down other big man who was labeled “soft." Before low are exceptional, with little wasted motion. being felled by chronic back problems.

He has a sweet face-up jumper, an impressive Daugherty was a five-time .All-Star with the turnaround shot from the baseline and an im­ Cleveland Cavaliers.

Expect Tim Duncan lo have at least that proving jump hook. And. as the statistics much success when he gels lo the .N'B.A 4 sh<^w. his range extends to 20 feet He passes well but might be too unselfish — Dom L£YBmiAL

' ■•

. r ,Ti-s

■s' ■ * • -.y ”•u

I !

• f Vft'. J.'

1 has 3 options: look for 3 posting. 2 off of A and S i screens for a possible 3 pointer or to drive middle at the elbow to get his jum per or draw a /o u i

GAMES TO W m 'H

|

j :

J

| :

N M C a to M i Sa6iniay; ESFII2: Hem’s a cLtancs to ■iratch iBie premier ACO proflrams; The Tar < ' tiacteourt be (OO tniichfor Wake Forest However, the Deacs earned (heir first victoty In the Deao Dome lad season, and North Caroli­ na’s tack of depths starting to show.

MiehigaB at:to «a ..1 p.tD. | T . SoRday, CBS: ' What a way to Wckoff Super Bowl Sund a y .lfs also Iowa's chance to show ifs a Big Ten contender by beafing die dous Woiverihes, winners of seven of the past nine vs. Iowa.

Ylrgtnfa at Csnasctieat 3 p.m . E T , Siniday.

CBS: An intriguing intersectionat matchup.

Noone doubts fire Cavaliers can play de­ fense. but will t h ^ shoot well? ’niey’d better, because the Huskies, led by star guard Ray Alien, have the look of a Hnal Four team.

30 • NOA

The Sporting News

How two of the league's most maligned franchises traded two of the league's he o th er team 's guy never looked so good.

T

To th e 76ers. D errick C olo m an was a dedicated, hard-w ork­ ing player, w ho arrived m uch too early for practice, who em b raced the idea of w earin g su its on th e road and w ho yelled “'W hoop-dee-dam n do!" w hen he heard about th e trade.

To th e N ets. Shaw n Bradley w as a gym rat who loved to pum p iron. w ho had the heart of a lion, w ho w orked like M oses M alone on . his low-post g am e and w hose true personality was m ore g an g sta than G oober.

T h e lasting im ag es of C olem an and Bradley are quite th e contrary, of co u rse, but not to th e Sixers and N ets. W hen you're h o n ­ ey m o o n in g with y o u r new co m panion, you tend to see beauty in places w here o th ers see ugly.

T he S ix ers w ere so willing to give up B radley and th e N ets w ere so fed up with C olem an that each team eagerly aw aited the exchange. W hat they w ere g ettin g in return seem ed attractive, w hen in tru th , it was one h e a d ach e for a n o th e r, your unw anted for mine.

T he deal w as co n su m m ated N ovem ber 30. > w ith four o th e r play ers to ssed in for salarycap p u rp o ses. C olem an, th e petulant pow er forw ard and p o ster child for the *90s player, h ead ed so u th on th e New- Je rse y T urnpike.

Bradley, an expensive long-range project still i _ u n d er co n stru ctio n , went north.

And both team s m ade it sound like a steal of a deal.

“D errick is a special, special player, beam ed Sheers C oach and G eneral M anager J John lu c a s .

"W e're ready to start th e Shawm Bradley era." g u sh ed N ets G eneral M an ag er Willis Reed.

So what h ap p e n s5 C olem an re p o rts to th e S ixers 30 pounds o v e rw e ig h t an n o u n ces that he would rath er not practice after back-to-back gam es, and af­ te r sprain in g his right ankle for the second tim e in she g am es, h a s his foot placed in a cast. T h en he tak es an ex ten d ed leave to his hom etow n of D etroit, which w asn't the kind of rehabilitation sch e d u le th e S ixers had in m ind. B radley is h a n d e d th e N ets' starting cen ter position and im m ediately becom es the team leader in blocked sh o ts — and fouls per m inute.

T h e se in cid en ts set th e clock ticking on th e tim e C olem an and B radley bought w hen th ey sw itched u n ifo rm s. T h e y will n eed a long g ra ce period to o verhaul th eir re p u ta ­ tio n s and rein v en t th e m se lv e s into p ro d u c­ tive. pro b lem -free players. T h e ir w arts will -b e ig n o red — for now — b e c a u se fresh s ta rts a re alw ays blissful p erio d s. But be ! forew arned: T h e h o n ey m o o n w on't last for­ ever. he deal w as clin ch ed w hen Sixers O w ner H arold K a u traveled to New Jersey for th e Sheers-Nets gam e No­ v em b er 18 and m et M ichael Rowe. th e neo p h y te p resid en t of th e N ets. they waited for C olem an to receive m edical clea ran ce for th e irre g u la r h ea rtb eat d iag­ nosed before training camp.

C olem an is th e m ost c o n d e m n e d s ta r in basketball. At 6 feet IO. h e is saluted for his e n o rm o u s talent, sco rn ed for his attitude. He car. give a coach 25 points. 12 re b o u n d s and *

T

H

U

em KOSIROG/A&xutto w t s s

tw?o aspirin. C olem an claim s h e can dom inate a g am e w h en ev er he w ants, and few doubt him . No one q u e stio n s C olem an w h en h e says, “w h en e v er I w a n t" He blam es h is im age on the New York-area m edia, who usually cam e en m asse to the M eadow lands only w hen a crisis developed. w hich w as often. He says h e w as a victim of his outspokenness, but Ali never created this kind-of ripple. C olem an pushed the envelope once too far for th e N ets' liking. W ithin days after the league-wide lockout w as lifted in Sep­ tem ber. Coleman dem anded to b e traded. T he ow ners w ere livid. .About a y ea r earlier they had handed him a four-year. $37-miQion con­ tract extension and m ade him — at th e tim e — the g am e's highest-paid player.

M oney, it w as th o u g h t would m ake Cole­ m an h ap p ier. In stead , h e g re w g ru m p ier.

Tw ice in a span of a year. C olem an pledged him self publicly to th e N ets. T h e day cam p opened, in fa c t h e said h e w as in "for th e long haul." But that w as rubbish. C olem an and his m anipulative a g e n t H arold M acD onald, w ere bus)' p u sh in g for a trade.

T h e rela tio n sh ip b etw een th e N ets and C olem an w as stra in e d from th e s ta r t W ithin m o n th s afte r m aking th e S y racu se forw ard the No. I choice overall in the 1990 d ra ft they w ere at odds. C olem an held out until shortly before the season began, w hen h e eventually sig n ed a five-year. $15-miIlion c o n tra c t T hen ‘'W hen h e cam e into th e league a s th e first p ick T L u cas says. "D errick w as fortunate and unfortunate at the sam e time. He did not have a veteran as a m en to r, and th erefo re he did som e th in g s h e probably sh o u ld n 't have done."

U ltim ately. C olem an g rew d isen ch a n te d with th e franchise. T h e club nev er could r e

Fatty tower One rap an Bradley is a weak lower body thai enables defenders to push him

around, as

shown by the Raptors' Damon Stoudamire. place D razen Petrovic. th e autom atic outside sh o o te r w ho died in a c a r accid en t in G er­ m any two su m m e rs ago. T h en C h u ck Daly', the only N ets coach C olem an resp ected , quit in d isg u st after th e *93-94 season.

T h e fru stra te d o w n ers in O c to b e r hired Rowe. who previously ran th e M eadow lands sp o rts com plex, to o v erse e th e operation.

Rowe b ro u g h t no basketball ex p erien ce, but w hen h e approached Katz, he w as p rep ared to deal. F o r th e Sheers. C olem an w asn’t m uch of a gam ble. T hey had already signed V ernon M axwell and Richard D um as, a pair of play­

N

0

W

e rs with c h e c k e re d pasts. B esides, w h a ts a losing team have to lose?

“I'm satisfied with C olem an's reputation.’

Katz says. "H e's not a D ennis Rodm an. Iv e seen enough of D errick to know he com es to play. I took Vernon Maxwell w hen people said he was a risk. and h e ’s been like a choirboy."

B esides. Katz d o esn ’t have to coach C o le m an. lf Lucas is know n for anything, it is his abil­ ity to re la te and cope w ith th e m o d e m ath ­ lete. T h at is h is b ig g e st stre n g th . So Lucas m erely sm iled w h en told C olem an w asn't

E

L

L

NBA • 31

January 29,1996 Cm

most controversial players, and what it means for each team's long-suffering fans

AL WST

S o Lucas started hitting the phones, but only the Jazz and M avericks w ere interested. and they offered little in return. O th ers wenscared off by Bradley's m assive salary That's when R a t/ m ade an appointm ent to see the Nets.

W

illis Reed is infatuated with — what e ls e ' — Bradley's size Al-1

though a Hall of Fam e ce n te r him self. Reed s luck with big men h as been abysm al. He traded for Benoit * B en jam in , m atched an offer sh eet for Dwayne Sch in tziu s. and in '94 ignored his coaching staff and drafted Yinka Dare.

“In this b u sin ess." Reed says, “you always try to m ake sure to obtain what you want. and The hardest to obtain are big m en."

U ke the Sheers, the N ets are in the midst of a h op eless season. A playoff appearance a lofty and perhaps unreachable goal. T h ey're rebuilding —- again — and projecting Bradley to be a productive player when the club is ready to win. Bradley has size and age (23) on his side.

“Som ebody told me the night of the trade.

‘You look like the w eight of the world has been lifted off your should ers.' and in a way. it h as." Bradley savs. T h e Nets told me whatever it tak es — the next gam e, next w eek. next m onth, next year, the year after that — just keep working hard and do what you can do " T h e N ets have taken a m ore practical ap­ proach to building Bradley. T h ey 're not fat­ tening him up for Thanksgiving, and they're not preparing him for the Mr. Universe con ­ test. “I'm not going to train him like a body­ build er." says stren g th and conditioning coach Rich >>nedaker. “I'm going to train him like an ath lete. W e’re not trying to get him heavier, just s tr o n g e r " C olem an's body is a problem , loo. Unable i to train b ecau se of the irregu lar heartbeat.

Colem an hadn’t worked out intensely for sev­ en m onths, counting the offseason, when he arrived in Philly. T h e injured ankle further delays his conditioning. Lucas adm its. "F o r us. the benefits of this trade won't show until next y e a r " lik e w ise . Bradley will serve this year as a laboratory rat. T h e difference, he says". the laboratory conditions have improved “Every now and th en ." Bradley savs. “ch a n g e is good, and this h as been a good ch an g e fo rm e , a very good ch an g e."

T h e S ix ers hope the new scen ery triggers the sam e resp onse within Colem an. If he be­ haves and c a m e s him self like a veteran — Colem an turns 29 in Ju n e — the deal will in­ deed be a steal for the S ix e rs A motivated C olem an next to C laren ce W eatherspoon would g iv e the fix e r s a respectable front line C olem an can find accep tan ce in Philly. but only if he accep ts Philly first. W hen he rh­ o d e s to play like a winner, he will then play for a winner iju cas likes his ch an ces.

"You don't grow up until you've been trad­ ed at least on ce." U c a s says.

On Broad Street in Philadelphia and rn the swamps of northern New Je rse y . Bradley and Colem an already are forgotten. For the most part, anyway.

“I do m iss D e m c k in one se n se ." N ets for­ ward Javson W illiam s says. “W ith him gone, w e're practicing wav- too m uch." + 0

• “T**!

% H

r - 4'

I

V7:* ' ...

.

O

2

-

•

.*

■

-

/

•

-

* * --

»__.

-U w

A hefty load: The Sixers got 30 pounds more of Coleman than they anticipated, but despite hts health problems they still believe they got a steal — if he can change his attitude. thrilled with the trade.

T m sure Philly isn ’t his ideal place." Lucas says, "but I told him that no con ten d er want­ ed him b ecau se they w ere scared off. He had to go to an organization and turn it around. I se e it as a new beginning for him . I told him to look at B arkley . He didn’t go to a great team when h e left here. C harles Barkley went and m ade that Su n s team g reat."

I

rad ley was not a player who could m ake a team g rea t. T h a t's th e con ­ clu sion th e Sheers had finally reached after two-plus season s.

T h at w asn’t the ca se when they m ade him the second overall ch o ice in ‘93. T h ey had no idea they had just m ade the biggest person­ nel blunder, in one G .M .'s opinion, sin ce the Cavaliers traded for Danny Ferry.

T h ey took one look at Bradley’ s height. 76, and h is untapped potential and saw long­ term su c c e s s. T h ey realized he had played only one sea so n of b ask etb all at B righam Y oung and then none for two y ea rs while serving a s a M orm on m issionary. So they sold th em selv es on patience and pledged to com m it to at least, three y ears if Bradley did the sam e.

In the e n d ^ i t h e r side kept its end of the

J

deal.

O nce Je rry Stackh ou se cam e on and plans w ere m ade to m ove into a new aren a for '96-97. the Sheers wanted im m ediate results, and B radley cou ld n’t deliver. He also didn’t seem to want to work to improve himself. T h e team hired an arm y of personal trainers, who took tim e off from infom ercials. T h ey jam m ed carb o h y d rates and ca lo rie s into B rad ley's thin, gangly body. A s the m onths cam e and went. it was apparent Bradley was neither gaining weight nor gettin g stronger.

Nor was he getting b etter on the c o u r t T h e g ain s w ere m arginal, and usually each step forward was followed by a backpedal.

“H e’d show you sign s of grow th, then he'd disappoint you." Lucas says. “T h is year we set a q u ick er pace for ou rselv es, and he couldn't keep up."

T h e biggest m isconception about Bradley is his supposed ath leticism . F or som eone without an ounce of body fat. Bradley seldom b eats his man down the floor. He trails the break, he d oes not lead it. His foot-speed is appallingly slow; that’s why he is awkward in the low post.

B e ca u se of his weak lower body. Bradley rarely e s ta b lis h e s ideal position in the blocks. T h e lack of bulk m akes it difficult tor him to lev erag e h im self against o th e r c e n ­ ters. who easily nudge him from the basket.

T oo often, he tends to shy away from physi­ cal con tact and b egins his move 15 feet from the hoop. T h e w orst sigh t in b ask etb all is Bradley taking Callaway ju m pers, and it was a recu rrin g sc e n e th rou gh ou t his tim e in Philadelphia.

B efo re this seaso n , the S ix e rs lowered th eir exp ectation s. W ith enough sc o re rs on the roster. Lucas pushed Bradley only for re^ bounds and blocked sh ots. B radley re­ g ressed on all counts.

0

«

0

rn

•

0

Shaun Powell covers the SBA for Sewsday and is T hy . S p o r t i n g N e w s ’ SBA colum­ nist.

The Sporting News

NBA REPORT

Thumb or no thumb, Shaq is a true All-Star er is worthy, especially when he is a true, au­ tomatic All-Star talenL It was include Shaq in the game or put him in the 3-point con­ test.

With all due respect to fans and coaches, the folks who determine the All-Stars every' season, here is our ballot; Eastern Conference starters: Michael Jordan, Bulls: This wasn't a tough call.

Shaun Penny Hardaway, Magic: He may run unop­ POWELL posed as a starter for some time.

Scottie Pippen, Bells Says Blazers General Manager Bob Whitsitt, comparing the talents of Jordan and Pip: “Its I and 1-A. It used to n an otherwise easy season lo project be I and 2.’ who should be an All-Star and who Grant Hill, ^Pistons He was the runaway shouldn’t, the most questionable nomi­ winner in fan voting but is worried this may nee is Shaquille O'Neal. How do you handle a player who hasn’t worn out threecome back to haunt him at a later date. *TeIl Mike I voted for him," Hill says. pairs of sneakers all year’ Shaqeille O’Neal, Magic: If Pat Riley Because of injuries. Shaq has played in coached the East this season. Shaq probably only a handful of games. Therefore, it might would’ve taken a pass. be unfair to send him to San Antonio next Reserves: . month. So maybe we should give this some Glen Rice, Hornets He’s one of those bor­ thought first derline cases who gets the benefit-of-theOK. Done thinking. He’s in.

Shaq is in because even with a broken doubt nudge.

Terrell Brandon, CavaliersA well-deserving thumb, he is better than thre^fourths of the league's centers. Injuries shouldn't be a ma­ first-timer wiio is making a case for being the jor factor when determining whether a play­ best pure point guard in the East.

I

Changingcollie Paul Westpha! was fired because the Suns needed to shake things up. That sim­ ple.

The Suns’ slide was hard­ ly Westphal’s fault. Sure.

Westpha] didn’t dazzle many with his strategy. But he was judged on his ability' to coach the second-string, which was what the injurysaddled Suns played on many nights this season. * Westphal should have been evaluated after the Suns re­ gained full strength and on how they performed in the playoffs.

Cotton Fitzsimmons was itching lo get back into coaching. He was happy to be considered for the Knicks’ job that eventually went to Don Nelson. There was no sign of a behind:thedoor power play by Cotton, but he didn’t hesitate when team President Jerry Colangelo asked him to take the reigns again.

Westphal supporters say ,he was a victim of the frontoffice moves (the Cedric Ca­ ballos and Dan Majerle trades may have backfired). but Fitzsimmons savs: # “Everybody on the roster.- he wanted on the roster. Everv-

&

,

playoffs and become the team “no one wants to play."

But they would have had that label with or without Westphal.

Shaq badcen O’N eal has seen limited playing

time, but he’s still an All-Star.

Reggie Miller, Pacers An automatic, just like his 3-point shots.

Vin Baiter, Bucks He gets the slight edge over his Big Dog teammate.

JtraraB Howard, Bullets He gets the slight edge over his Bad Shouldered teammate.

Patrick Ewing, talcks Remember when

Jackson is eyeballing Pat Ri­ ley’s contract, rilinus the ownership shares.

Bulls eyes

BV THE XFMBERS

Ammithe league

Reggie M iller has the Pac­ ers worried now that he has turned down the team's of­ Knicks Coach Don Nel­ a son has been under fire of fer. $32 million over five g years. General Manager o cr late.

5 Donnie Walsh worries his He may have taken his small-market team may not new offensive philosophy a be able to compete with the little too far against the big-bucks teams over Miller.

Bucks on january IS. when a free agent next summer.... he sat Hubert Davis with 20 It’s optimistic, but Saturday seconds remaining and drew' The ’Ptal guy: Once again, could be the day Sonics for­ up a play for Patrick Ewing the coach gets all the blame. ward Detlef Schrempf. out to attempt the game-tying 3since breaking his leg De­ point shot. The Knicks lost. body thats gone. he wanted cember 9. returns.... By the 98-92. gone. We never stood in the time you read this. LaPhonA week earlier. Nelson way of what he wanted to so Ellis* will be back in the was targeted by Celtics do " starting lineup for the Coach M .L Carr when Nel­ Charles Barkier was sadNuggets. In his return from lie ordered his players to dened by Westphal’s firing, his latest knee injury. Ellis triple-team Dana Barres. mostly because Westphal al­ scored 22 points with eight who saw his consecutive^ lowed Charles to be Charles. rebounds against the Blaz­ game 3-point streak end. Af­ But Suns watchers say the ers recently and 20 points ter the buzzer. Carr heaved same cannot be said com­ ' with six rebounds against the ball in Nelson's direction pletely for Kevin Johnson, an as thfKnicks left the court . , the Rockets. ... Alonzo unabashed Fitzsimmons fan.

Mourning, on the possibility No matter how much of playing in the Olympics: pent-up enthusiasm Fitzsim­ “It would be an honor, but I mons brings to the job. the Michael Jordan is cam­ will have an enjoyable sum­ Suns cannot turn around paigning for a new contract mer if I don't (get chosen). I their miserable season until for .Coach Phil Jackson. Ne­ think its a bunch of politics they are completely healthy. gotiations between the Bulls anyway." + When Danny Manning and and Jackson, who becomes a Hot Rod Williams finally free agent this summer, Shaun Powell covers the 0 heal. the Suns may reach the have hit a snag. Word is NBA for Newsday.

Whoa, Nellie

Ewing was an automatic starter? That w*as B.S. — Before Shaq.

AlonzoMetalling, Heat Mourning may be a backup, but when he becomes a free agent this summer, he won’t be paid likeone.

Western Conference starters: Rod Strickland, Blazers With a good sec­ ond-half push, he may end John Stockton’s tight grip on the assists title.

Mltcb Richmond, Kings Last year’s AlkStar M VP is having a typically solid, unnoticed season.

Shawn Kemp, Sonics We look forward to watching Kemp on All-Star Sunday, but when is he ever going to win on All-Star Saturday?

Kart Malone, Jazz: He will be relieved to know A.C. Green trails by a wide margin in fan voting.

David Robinson, Spurs He is playing better than Hakeem Olajuwon. but this is the regu­ lar season, you know.

Reserves: Hakeem Olajuwon, Rockets See David Robinson.

Clifford Robinson, Blazers Maybe the Bla­ zers can tell us how they can easily place two in the All-Star Game and one in the rookie game (A rridas Sabenis), yet find it difficult to play above .500.

John Stockton, Jazz: He is still among the elite point guards, but his assists are ai a nineyear low.

Gary Payton, Sonics Few point guards can match him in scoring, assists and defense.

Clyde Brazier, Rockets His first All-Star ap­ pearance without a Blazers uniform.

Seas Elliott, Spurs One reason the Spurs have been able to overcome their rebounding problem is Elliott, whose improved shooting doesn’t leave many rebounds.

Charles Barkley, Suns Finally. Sir Charles gets to play for a good team.

R rat,

been'autrteoSil^ft 13'^Vs v e r s s K ^ i^ - f ^

deficient perils per garnerJ03.8 to 96.5i2tfK) eJfllrt- :; tirrasagatastOrta^:Ttrattagte'<lroppeJsevsnof.^;o iT W rfctn ju i^

Oll^teappaar^'tocmJy'fivg roaigames.OrfandQis^ -2-3 iii thosatofltests, los}ngtffTorontt, OaSasihd

Utah.-aMdefeaifDO ' The horas anaToadpefc^ff avwag^ of OilarKlo’s

January 29,1996

NBA • 33

The yearning of Atlanta

H IE BOOK ON...

Excluding a certain team in Chicago that has won 11 con* The Hawks’ winning streak is especially surprising in light secutive games through last Sunday, the Hawks are the of a 5-12 slide that preceded ic Lang says the slump was de­ hottest team going. Last Saturday, the team extended its win­ ceiving. however, b^use eight of the losses came by an av­ ning streak to seven with a 98-78 rout of Miami. erage of less than six points.

The Hawks have no obvious reason for success. Oh. the “We were due to come around." Lang says. “We were los­ reasons are there, of course. You just have to look deeper. ing games by close margins."

Many nights, its defense. Other times, the bench gives a The turning point came when the Hawks were snowed in at boost On occasion, the winningest coach in MBA history Charlotte after a 96*90 loss January 6 and a game the foDbwing might come up with a wrinkle to help against more-talented night in New Jersey was postponed. They returned to Atlanta teams. and beat Sacr^ento a couple of days later to begin the streak.

“It’s called chemistry." guard Spud Webb says.

Some teams seem to find it hard lo believe that Atlanta is DodTdismiss Webb’s comment asju^ another cliche, Ever playing so weU. Miami, with high-profile players Alonzo since Danny Man­ Mourning and Billy ning left for Phoenix \ Owens, is struggfing I after the 199S-94 sea­ at 17-21. son. the Hawks have “I don’t know what been a team without happened." Coach s f T .’Cl a star other than their Pal Riley said after coach. Lenny Wilhis team scored 32 kens, who is 13victo­ second-half points ries shy of 1,000 for against the Hawks. “I i his career. don’t mean to take “Ifs not much of a anything away from secret* center An­ Atlanta. They played drew Lang says. hard, got a good ef* “We're moving the fort from everybody." ball around and play­ 2 He didn’t sound ing defense."

I sincere in his praise That's not all of Atlanta, though ■ Point guards others do.

Mookie B la y l^ and “Atlanta’s one of Webb are relentless­ the most improved ly pushing die baft up teams in the league," ^e court resulting Evbtiov Mtf SM n K Without a star to call Us own, AUanta must continue to 7-fool4 center Rik in either easy bas­ ggf contributionsfrom players such as Blayiock G ^) and Long.

Smits said after his kets or trips to the Pacers were beaten foul line. Once there, Atlanta can hardly miss, making 20 by the Hawks to extend the streak. of 21 free throws against die Heat Of course, this is largelytile same team that went 42-40last ■ In order to an rffecdve transition game, a team season and was swept by the Pacers in the first round of the must control the boards. Led by Lang's season-high ll re­ playoffs. A big test comes this week with two-time defending bounds, Atlanta held a 4S36 relxiunding edge over MiamL NBA chanipion Houston and Eastern Conference champ Or­ lando arrivmg al the Omni.

■ Without a star, everyone and then some must con­ tribute. Last Saturday, all five starters scored in double fig­ “With basketball, you're not going to win every game un­ less your team is stirked." Long says. “Even with Chicago; ures. paced by an unspectacular 20 points from Grant Lo^. they're stacked and they aren't winning all of their games."

The bench al^ continued to produce quality minutes, with Craig Ehk) scoring 12 points.

— fAOlMEVBBmY

"V.. »

•V'

/

/

tv.

-ff I

n-

TSN POWKR POLL T im I. Bals 2. Hwle

I

.

IM .

CommsHt After 700<Ajs NBA oames. Btondls finalv oats hts trioi&^oubie.

Tfvim to stiafce maoe of road woa-rnors.

Wat Ti Sd n risf conies bad 0-2 wt«n Hafcsem scores SO or more oorine.

SoreN rrissinQ 6toO and Reid.

At least Skian*s Que afwavs hustle.

SoaKtsno Dtavoff ich ffth loch.

Hey Reooe. Dale. Antono: BTs now or never TheGrtzzies?

Wirvvta on the road We befievef YO Vtade. mavte you show wear a mask Bee Ed ^.

Lenn/s bors are hot hot hot AlStar M obvinQ I lo rd.

Brenfs finWo his mart behind the arc Sabons is better shooter iTTxn 201han.team s from IS Thevl ofay uD^emoo wth Anderson A the ooint Fast Stan miaht have been a rriraoe: They're ouQino the Scfcsr n Bidcerstsft.

Na 1 Smith starlino to ive tfi lo his bdne.

Kendal GS? What Rex Wafters wssrrt avafaftte?

Showino siorB of Be in frozen lidwesL Is CoQon lust toeoina the sdat warm lor Dannv A m ?

Just two wins shy of last year's total W I the real CefScs Diease stand UC? Never nvid. ' BeOar D has led to mom Ws. Corsstarft Rtoer leadra rninKevTvaL Ifiohty Mouse Stoudarnire has his own rrual.

Start screadin' the news The bald tmh: Tbs team is awfu.

334 28*10 I 28*11 I Rocfcsts 27-12 5. Sours 25-11 A Jszz 24-13 7. Ktoos 22-13 23*14 I Pscws 24-14 ft. Knkks 21-16 lo­ C s f* rs ll. L tte s 21-18 12. H ilts 21*17 18*17 l l n so si 14. Bolus 19-19 IS. TTsfBtazsrt 19-19 11-^ aA* l l nOnW9 1840 17. Hot 17-21 l l Howfts 16-23 l l w vnon 17-22 21 Nits 1842 21. Bocks 1542 22. Sons 14-18 1S-24 21 C to srs 24. CSBC* 15-23 1244 21 ■XVWKO 11-27 28. TlotefvotvM 27. HtOtOtw - 10-28 21 Gftzzlts 8^ 21 TBsrs 749 Through Salifilays games.

TUE New s NBA Power Pol s determined by Shaw) Powel and TSN ed&ics.

■

■

'

r n

l>()WELL’S PLAY Magic act Last season’s Magic Johnson rumors had him returning to the Lakers. This sea­ son’s Magic Johnson rumors have him re­ turning to the Lakers after the All-Star break. Next season's .Magic Johnson ru­ mors have him playing for Pat Riley in .Mi­ ami.

WTio’s spreading these rumor?? Magic Johnson himself? Johnson took in a few prac­ tices with the Lakers r^enlly but said it was all innocent stay-in-sbape fun. Truthfully, he would love to come back if assured there wouldn’t be any fallout, bol that wouldn't be the case?

Even Riley, who maintains a close rela­ tionship with Johnson and whose team will be looking for a starting point guard this summer, calls a Johnson Fetum *vishful thinking."

Does Magic get the message? Sort of.

Interviewed by a TV' reporter, johnson said: “Pm not coming back."

TV reporter: “You're never coming back?" .Magic “I wouldn't say never."

Stay tuned. More rumors to come.

—Shaw Powai

^lindeir

airf it his

’ Salinddrssonserite^

•tohave rru}rerj)laj«'c^ '

Thfrmov8'r^ltMln'Rider:m^ hls;l3 ri€id^i:attBm ^ en p ^ iit ■ moves iii a victoryovet^Gdiden'State. '

V fiider:tSs haddiffererrt reacttonsto^ ;ctittclsrhaM(ltecipBn9 during his first ■(VTO-seasons witotoeWohTK.

Sornetiftres his radbdybehaviortook over arid led to concernsabout'his ■cbmrhifrriehtto the team. . . r -^"Isaiah isrihderstan^alM^ ■ about matufftyand wfiafS'«(pe<:M of Irimln a isadst^p foie,” M cflliis^ . :.Rider sa^ tie is WliRs^tt^dime a -fieampla^r;' w:; -Tve neverasiffldfdfiayifffli^ much^^as ■ PRKmmdnd); tAirtfBrjfBefiacdawaM)#Wl^ -

•.pwmritigkBider Srtough (p fe rb n thlsMin fdr' rybboy.:Lfflst wsmtlielcJiancelo get terthis ^ar.":. '

>;-4

34 • NHL

The Sporting News

‘Hockey as we know it has ceased to exist. I t’s not tiddlywinks out there. ’ — Islanders Coach Mike Milbury

as players take clean runs at one another in­ ike Mnbury was not the only tra­ ditionalist who expressed con­ stead of latching on.

“Theres no room in this game for anyone cern before the season at the who cannot skate." Stars General Manager NHL's enforcement of hooking, Bob Gainey says. “Its a lot like the rules they holding, interference and the have in football, where a cornerback can general obstruction of players skating without chuck a receiver in the first 5 yards but then the puck. particularly in the neutral zone. he must cover on speed and quickness alone But those alarmists were wrong. after that. You can no longer grab ? hold on a Mario Lemieux scored IOO points before player and ride. him down the ice. the All-Star break. His return after a year of And the excitement of odd-man breaks — recovering from the fatigue and anemia that two-on-ones. and three«)n-twos — have re­ stemmed from treatments for Hodgkin's dis­ turned to the game. case has been one of sports’ great comeMany complained about the backs. He and veterans such as use of the neutral-zone trap and Wavne Gretzkv would have had a how that defense stifled teams at­ to u g h er tim e putting up scintillat­ tempting to work their way ing n u m b e rs if not for th e extra room created by th e new Tules en­ through mid-ice. The Devils, forcem ent. some say. won the Stanley Cup “Sometimes it had gotten to the only because of those tactics. point where it wasn't hockey being The fact that the Devils and played — it was more like foot­ Sharks, two of the league’s major ball." Lemieux says. proponents of the trap, were “The changes have made for a struggling at midseason is proof better, faster game." Gretzky says. the new system works.

“It is great for the fans We re in the “Teams like ours that have a lot entertainment business, and this certainly lets of speed have become better because of the the skilled players show what they can do." new rules." Red Wings Coach Scotty Bowman There were concerns that without the says. “We can now pick up speed in the neutral ability to run picks on hard-charging zone and can't be easily picked off when we en­ forecheckers, defensemen would be an ex­ ter the opposition zone." tinct species by midseason. “Look at the Coffey says: “If Michael Jordan was ob­ protection Troy Aikman gets when he's in structed at the head of the key. you'd never the pocket passing — where do you think seelhose breathtaking moves he puts on be­ he'd be if he had no blocking?" Flames fore he gets to the basket. The same was true Coach Pierre Page warned in training camp. in our game for the skilled players we have.

“The injury list will be filled with defense They would have to stop and start and stop less defensemen." and start and..."

Instead. Brian l^eetch. Paul Coffey. .A) Last season, teams combined for 5.97 goals Maclnnis and other defensemen have ex­ per game. That total was up nearly a goal at celled. haring more room to create plays in 6.75 per game just before the .All-Star break. the transition game. .And despite the worries, the game defi­ The accent is definitely on skating and a nitely hasn't degenerated into tiddlywinks. quick transition from defense to offense. The Here are some other highlights of the first open-ice bodycheck has also made a revival half, and a few lowlights:

M 9

"J

%

%

With more room to maneuver, the NHL’s stars have taken off in the faster style of play that marked the season’s first half

9

#

By

LARRY

WI GGS

Midseason report card Team

Grade A*

Panthers

Penguins

.

Youthful injection to disciplined defensive system.

A 7£ WSO.Muaiittfifs.

Rangers

A

Red Wings T

Ai V

Avalanche

A

ti6Ms8.w6fikfHORIlip?.?

Theres a grit on this team that makes it a winner.

All the right moves to be a contender.

F l y e r s . - •.’ TA--"' They’ve done it with a subpar Belfour.

Blackhawks

B*

Maple Leafs

-B-

Tried to df^':up|offev»i\^«.burthe^re;ba&k~A'1d^riMV^7^

Lightning

B

Terry Crisp's system keeps them competitive.

Capitals :

• B-.

Too inconsistent tQQrade h ro h e rr^ ^ T v"

C+

c . c c

Canadiens Devils

Jets \

They have no nght to be this high — but they are.

T* • lr. *

No defense, biit sffli In tfteirfaybff R u ttie r- * W ill be better when Brodeur finds his game.

♦«

cc* c-

Too much finger-pointing at goalies and coach.

-D

Fat-cat free agents still not producing up to snuff

Flames

D ; Good recovery after some awful management decisions.

Mighty Ducks

D

Injuries have stifled this young team.

Bruins

. Canucks ■ • Kings

m:

Islanders Blues

Oilers ■ Whalers

-

%

4 V

-4

Sitting on their hands in the tradedepartment.

Milbury is stiiLpicldng up the pieces Maloney left

0 ,. Young; inconsistent anti starless.^ but promising. -.c-Lv^ They appear to be looking for an excuse to move

D*

Sharks

F

Stars

F

Senators

F

.

Th^r.iiairOT'C6nstanSnie.^iM:tti0i^iEiirtttin0'<>n.VWt«)r:<'-i'TnDefense-first. but really there is no defense for this team.

TheyVe fired the coach and G:M. and are still the vraisfe^ j's — L mwt W k se

_

¥ n J' y

rn pwoun

Sabres

^ J ; t .-t .

NHL • 35

January 29,1996

Bench press

cf S j P S

«'N* ' -rn> * • 4 k

■'

' ‘■JKS' SG'VV-

pp

SSI iv*?.

t

,v<T «• /

^

Many of today’s players are top-heavy in the wallet but lacking in discipline. That’s partly why a record four general managers — the Canadiens’ Serge Savard. the Flames' Doug Risebrough. the Islanders' Don Mal­ oney and the Senators’ Randy Sexton — were fired in the first half and five coaches are no longer behind the bench — Montreal’s Jacques Demers. Hartford’s Paul Holmgren.

P w CD) San Jose’s Kevin Constantine, Ottawa's Rick a Bowness and Dallas’ Bob Gainey.

It has become a young man's game behind the bench.

“I've never seen so many good young coaches come into the league at one time."

Blues Vice President Ron Caron says. “With the salaries of today’s players, the players are often unbridled. So it takes a good jockey to whip them into shape.

“Doug MacLean has injected youngsters and a new life into the Panthers, and Ted Nolan in Buffalo has taken a team most gave up for dead (after it traded star winger Alexander Mogilny and decided not to re­ sign Dale Hawerchuk and Wayne Presley).

He came right in and showed the players who was boss and has the Sabres playing better than anyone would have expected."

Our Coach of the Year candidates: MacLean. Nolan and the Kings’ Larry Robin­ son.

1 andia 'S j -

//X^

^ - ff & <B

iv *

-

lnl.il

Sabres General Manager John Muckier just shakes his head in wonder when he sees the Penguins’ Mario Lemieux and Jarom ir J agr on the ice at the same time. “If you’re looking for an MVP, you’d have to rate them I and la," he says.

Lemieux’s amazing comeback is clearly the story of the year. He’s playing every game when most didn’t expect him to play more than 60 — and he’s the leagues’best player, head and shoulders above the rest J agr may be a dynamite talent but theres no comparison when it comes to the Penguins with and without Lemieux (their record with­ out Super Mario in the first half was 14-1).

As you watch the remainder of the season, it will become clear the top contenders for M VP are Lemieux, the Rangers’ Mark Messier and the Flyers' Eric Un dirts.

Oh captain, my captain

Breaking oat Lemieux (clockwise, from upper left) has proved that nothing, on the ice or off. can hold him back' MacLean, one ofseveral new, young coaches, has invigorated the Panthers; the Rangers are a Stanley Cup favorite because ofan MVP-type season from Messier; and new captain Chelios, the leading candidatefor die Norris Trophy, has the Blackhawks pointed in the right direction.

Defense! Defense! Defense!

The best defensemen are team captains — the Rangers’ Brian Leetch. the Bruins’ Ray Bourque, the Devils’ Scott Stevens and the Blackhawks' Chris Chelios.

Chris Chelios? That’s right — he became captain this season because of the retirement of Dirk Graham. And Chelios has taken the Hawks on his shoulders and given them some kind of ride.

“He was always a determined athlete, but he seems to have taken it up another notch."

Blues G.M./Coach Mike Keenan says. “He seems to be right in the middle of every meaningful play, offensively and defensively."

Single out Chelios the next time you see the Blackhawks play, and you TI see why he should win the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman. followed by Leetch and Stevens.

Best and worst There can be plenty of arguments about the finest and poorest performances so far this season. Get your cards and letters ready.

Best odds in the playoffs ■ Rangers. They made the best trades in the offseason, have gotten an MVT season from Messier and haven’t stopped winning — even without No. I goaltender Mike Richter, z ■ Flyers. Lindros can taste a title after car 'rying this team on his back last season, only to lose to the Devils in the conference finals.

G.M. Bobby Clarke added size with Joel Otto and Kjell Samuelsson and second-line help with Pat Falloon.

■ Red Wings. After trading Ray Sheppard, their leading goalscorer last season, the Red Wings have begun to develop a real team at­ titude. They have the best team defense and explosive scoring. The me-first attitude thatpermeated the team against the Devils in the Stanley Cup final is slowly being eliminated.

■ Devils. Coach Jacques Lemaire s system works, especially in the postseason.

■ Avalanche. Goalie Patrick Roy and winger Claude Lemieux are proven playoff winners.

50-to-l shots — Mario Lemieux and the Penguins. Mike Keenan and the Blues. Che Bos and the Blackhawks. Doug Gilmour and the Maple Leafs.

Most significant developments: The return of Lemieux. The return to form of Gretzky.

And the crackdown on obstruction.

Least significant developments: Nashville trying to acquire the Devils and then the Pan-, thers. Bob Probeifs move to Chicago. Oilers Owner Peter Pocklington making another threat to move the team.

Smartest moves: Avalanche G.M. Pierre Lacroix filling his most pressing needs — a goalie (Roy), a power-play quarterback (Sau­ dis Ozolinsh) and a proven winner (Claude Lemieux) in trades since training camp.

Dumbest moves: Canadiens Rookie G.M. Rejean Houle and new Coach Mario Trem­ blay showing inexperience in dealing with the Roy tantrum, then trading him away.

Cheers: To Blues goaltender Grant Fuhr. for proving to everyone his career wasn’t over.

Jeers: To Panthers Owner Wayne Huizeoga. Thar's right the guy taking all the bows at Don Shula’s and Jimmy Johnson’s news con­ ferences. It*s no secret the league office has nothing kind to say about him for quashing at­ tempts by local groups to buy this successful (record-wise) team. Huizenga would rather seD the franchise to Barbara Mandrel! and her husband so no one else can make a go of it in south Florida and make him look bad.

Claude reigns Gretzky was the last playoff MVT to be traded in the offseason. He went on to help the Kings eliminate the Oilers in the first round of the playoffs.

Claude Lemieux. the playoff MVT last year, was traded by the Devils to the Avalanche after a training-camp contract dis­ pute.

Because the two teams are not in the same conference, a Devils-Avalanche meeting in this year's playoff would have to come in the Stanley Cup final. Despite the Devils’ record at midseason, this could be a story w ell be talking a lot more about in June. + Larry Wigge has covered hockey fo r T S p o r t i n g N e w s since 1969.

hy.

new

I

.AV-**

(twasamazing whentheSabre? tradedscoring starAfexanderMogllny to the Canucksfor journeyman forward Mite Peoa, Junior defenseman Mil® Wilson arid a first-round draft choice. It" was.shockirig when the Slubs dealt franchise player Brendan Shanahan to . the Whalers foryoimg defenseman' ‘

. -initfe: F?roho«C1t

tm

vwfien

shocked

r

n

V

«

••

iv.-r ‘'/ ’I

*

mmmveteran

/I.

- ^ M ia a ta fi^ S ta n f^ A ri £•/.

underachiever who needs a change o f $C8fWiy«°H

.

. 2. Dawn Poppa, Lightning..His contract is somethingmanagement cries over. J-" XT* " 3. PatLaFontaffle, Sabres. At $3 million-plus, this team can’t afford him.

4. Phil Beasley, Hamea. He’ll be tree withoutcompensation this summer.

5. Owen Nolan, Sharks. Twice he has ' been singled out byCoach Jim Wiley.

8. Jon Juneau, Capitals. He is just .not JlmSchoerifeftfs kind of player.

7, WendelClark, Islanders. A rebuildingteam can’t turn down big offers;: ' ;'> X ■ O.BominikHasek, Sabre*. if LaForrtainaisn'1 gone; Hasek will be.

9.PetrKllma, Lightning. A sniper with a lot of baggage.

10; Ray Sheppard, Sharks.

TheansWer if you desperately need goals. ♦ —b r a y We e

The Sporting News

36 • NHI NHI REPORT

Pierre Puck says: May the ratings be with you then glued it back together. Sensors atop the plexiglass track the puck, receiving signals 30 times a second from the infrared emitters in the puck.

Each puck costs about $100.

“I saw a video of the display on TV," Blues right wing Brett Hull says. “I think its awe­ some. We’ve always got to be thinking about the future — and trying to do things that will catch the interest of the casual fan.

T h e biggest complaint I hear from those fans is they can't follow the puck."

It was clearly a su ccess in the All-Star

Larry WIGGE sst! Over here."

I look around but set* no one at B ostons FleetCenter. •

P

“Larry, over here." the voice says.

“Remember me? Its Pierre. Pierre Puck. I’m Peter P ucks grandson. We met a long time ago* Of course, the similarities are unm istak­ able — down to the squeaky voice.

Peter Puck was television’s talking puck of the 1970s who was used lo explain the game.

The new-generation puck — actually called Bettman’s Comet Using an idea stolen from Fox Trax — was such a ‘success at the NHL Star Wars.' the N H I and Fax gave viewers of .MI-Star Game last Saturday0 that Pierre s last Saturday’s All-Star Game a visual sense of grandfather would be proud. the gam es speed Hockey is not an easy sell. It is played on / skates, and most fans have never skated. The Game! Usually it takes a slow-motion replay puck moves too fast for the average fan to fol­ to show w here the puck is. but this innova­ low — until Fox TV. inventor of the score in­ tion em phasizes deflections, glove saves set and battling robots, came up with a futur­ and anything else that was previously too istic approach to highlight the puck and to fast to see with the naked eye. It isolated emphasize the speed of the puck with a red the speed of Eric Lindros’ wrist shot on the comet-like laser trail when it travels TS mph first goal and em phasized the velocity of or more.

Ray B ourque’s backhanded shot for the Fox Sports chief David Hill says he got the winner. idea from “Star Wars."

Nothing can normally slow down this fast“I saw Luke Skvwalker duel Darth Vader rn paced game, but Fox Trax underscored the and thought if we could use this technology ■ for hockey it would be cool." Hill says.

I speed and talent we som etim es take for granted.

Fox cut the puck in half, inserted 12 dots around the perim eter and four on each side.

The best player?

W e’ve talked a lot about w hether the gam e’s premier player is Mario Lemieux.

Mark M eshier or Eric Lindros. But Ke$ Wings Coach Scorn• Bowman has another thought.

T h e late (Blues G.M.) Lynn Patrick once said the schedule can b e'y o u r best player — and every team in the VVest has found that out with the travel we face." he says T h e fact that we no longer have as much -tQ say about the schedule makes it really difficult to com pete some nights.

“What we really* need is lo have a few m ore team s in the Midwest. Bul I don’t know where you’re going to find them."

All 13 teams in the Eastern

Conference are in the Eastern time zone. The Red Wings and Maple Leafs are the only teams in the Western Confer­ ence on Eastern time. There are four teams on Central time, three on Mountain time and four on Pacific time.

Maybe a1) that travel is one reason the last W estern Conference team to win the Stanley Cup was the Oilers in 1990.

A Hulluva though

I

Do you want more offense in the game? Blues right wing Brett Hull can give you one goal.

T h e stupidest thing I’ve ever heard is that this league still has a rule against the size of curve a player can have on his stick." he says.

“With the size of goal­

te n d e rs pads, you don’t 9 have any net to shoot a l You need the advantage of a big curve som etim es to get the puck over the goalie. Its just plain dum b to have that kind of rule."

I’m sure Mam* McSoriey agrees.

icy bits W halers left winger Bren­ dan Shanahan laughs at the fact Coach Paul M aurice is young enough that Shana­ han played against him in-ju­ nior hockey. “He once beat up a 17-year-old player, and my coach at London said. ‘If he wants to fight 17-yearolds. I’ve got a guy named Shanahan,’" Shanahan says.

“We never fought — but we still joke about i t ’ ... T here are hot rum ors that the Red

D ionne, b u t-Eric Lindros ■ and all of the young Euro­ pean talent like Teem u SeFOLLOWING ianne and Jaro m ir Jag r THE ACTION are b e tte r than what A look at technology that Fox u n ­ E nhancem ent Dionne and players of the veiled to help view ers follow the action a p p ea rs a s a blue late 1970s were. And G ret­ during last w eek 's NHL Alt-Star Game ■ g lo w 'a ro u n d puck zky* and M essier are still Red "com et tail' THE ELECTRONIC PUCK stars." ap p ears w hen puck 50 w ere m ade for the All-S tar Game The NHL’s attem pt to The lifespan of an average puck in play ex ceed s 75 m ph is 10 m inutes. em phasize the skills of those players by reducing A aom tl KW. pock Is Waisters obstruction is the best slic e d in half. hollowed lift ai sd flirts thing it has done in a long o u t an d installed with a time. But if Bettman listens silv er-d o llar-sced circuit board connected to to Sather and Red Wings em itters and a battery.

Coach Scotty Bowman. m ore can be done to en­ After shearing hance the gam e on the ice. me electronics, Here are a couple of sug­ the halves are gestions from these two ex­ reattached perts; with su p e r­ ■ T h e obstruction rules stren g th have definitely opened up epoxy putty. the game, but they don’t go far enough," Sather says.

“We can enforce those rules more by reducing the num ber of dump-ins we have.

“I was at the Boston Uni­ versity gam e Friday n ig h t and it was just Uke our gam e — dum p it in and dump it o u t You don't see sa Oimcttsiois * the defensemen in the kids’ cr of the new gam es on up carrying the < electronic puck puck like they should be — remain unchanged and that needs to be fixed.

Hockey has entered a new technology age “We need to slow down the forecheckers under Commissioner Gary Bettman. Purists to enable the defensemen to be more a part of can complain about som e of the gimmicks, the transition game. T hat’s what really trig­ but they are a part of the grand plan to get gers the speed in the offensive game." more people interested in the gam e — and ■ “The officiating has gotten better and ifs working. better since I started coaching in S t Louis in “You’ve got to try new things," Bettman 1967-68," Bowman says. “But the players are says. “We have a fast-paced, hard-hitting, ex­ bigger and stronger and faster (so) that the citing game. I f people give us a chance, then game is too fast for one set of eyes to see chances are good we can turn them into fans everything. Tm not advocating two referees, — and that’s the way we will grow." but I've seen too many players hacked across . O ilers G eneral M anager Glen S ather the wrists or injured behind the play that per­ says the players have im proved, and the haps it’s time for the league to let the senior gam e is headed in the sam e direction. “I linesman call some penalties." rem em ber when W ayne G retzky and Mark With the futuristic look provided at the AllM essier cam e into th e league. M arcel Star Game, the laser trail shows how far D ionne was one of the existing stars," hockey has come and how much better it can S ath er says. “N othing against M arcel become.

Tracking the All-Star puck

Wings might consider trad­ ing center Greg Johnson to the Islanders for AWOL cen­ ter Kirk Muller. At least that’s what Islanders supporters want to believe. The Red Wings are happy with John­ son’s performance as a thirdline player, penalty killer and second-line power-play man.

Besides, they are not about to take on MuDer’s $138-miHion contract. Actually, the Bruins reportedly have replaced the Maple Leafs as the leading contenders for Mu Der. Mean­ while, Maple Leafs G.M. Cliff Fletcher has switched his at­ tention from MuDer to Stars center Dave Gagner. Fletch­ e r recently offered defenseman Todd GUI to the Stars for Gagner. who got tired of be­ ing used out of position and asked to be traded. *

T he Canadiens are open­ ly shopping defensem an Yves Racine and right wing Oleg Petrov. The Canadiens have told Petrov they have too many small forwards and they have no room for him. M ighty D ucks G.M. J ack'Ferreira was a scout for the Canadiens when the team brought Petrov from Europe. He raved about*5 Petrov at the time. So. don’t be surprised to see the M ighty Ducks add this ..speedy offensive threat. ...

Star center Jerem y Ro€nick still is taking the tack that he wants to spend his entire career with the Blackhawk^ Recently, he said if he doesn’t get the kind of con­ tract he thinks he deserves when he becom es a free agent this sum m er, then he would sit out as long as nec­

essary to get his way. The Canucks say if they can’t get Pat LaFontaine from die Sabres, they m ight m ake a pitch for Roenick. But don’t count on Blackhawks G.M. Bob Pulford letting J.R. get out of Chicago. + Larry. Wigge has covered hockeyfo r T h e S p o r t i n g N e w s since 1969.

JH I

jp s g

W M

NHL*37

January 29,1996

1 Cup to St. Louis and >till not win over all of the fans."'

The Great debate

Stevie Wonder

Wayne Gretzky says he's amazed at the publicity his potential free agency and trade rum ors have gen­ erated.

He shouldn't be.

■There are stars in our game, but Wayne is the star of stars." Rangers center Mark M essier says. “If he does become available, every' team would have to check it o u t" With G retzky centering Blues right winger Brett Hull in the AllStar Game, rum ors of a trade to S t Wayne’s wblrt Gretzky’s still a King, Louis continued to run ram pant And but that could change soon. talk of The Great One leaving Los Angeles continued, even after Gret­ zky's agent met with the Kings last week in an attempt to keep his client in LA But Gretzky wants assurances the Kings are willing to spend the money it will take to become a contender. And part of the problem is that Edward P. Roski Jr. and Philip F. Anschutz, the team 's new owners, have not even tak­ en the time to introduce them selves to their biggest hockey asset. Strange, don’t you think?

“I wouldn’t know them if they walked up to me right now." Gretzky says.

“How can I know what they are thinking about this team and its future?"

Gretzky’s Kings contract lasts another three months, but the new owners' hands-off approach raises legitimate questions about the team 's commitment to winning.

“If it was Mark M essier or Mario Lemieux. they probably would have stepped forward a long time ago and made their point clear." Gretzky says.

“I didn’t want my plea to sound self-centered or anything of the s o rt I just wanted to com e forward and tell the owners that I need to see action now.

I didn’t want to m ake waves or cause a controversy. I just wanted to let the Kings know that I think it’s time. We need to make som e moves if we want to win — and I don’t back down from what I said."

So. can the Kings’ owners make a commitment and get Gretzky to sign a two-year extension? Gretzky says it’s 50-50.

T he Blues still are the only team to publicly state an interest in Gretzky.

The Flyers. Devils and Blackhawks have been mentioned as suitors, but their interest is questionable. The Rangers and Red Wings would provide the clos­ est thing to the Stanley Cup guarantee that Gretzky wants before he retires.

‘AD I know is I see the Red Wings and Avalanche in the W estern Confer­ ence, and it’s a weD-known feet that the unexpected happens in the playoffs in this conference," Gretzky says. T h a t’s why Tm urging the Kings to make a couple of moves."

Look for the Kings’ next move to be the trade of Gretzky. ♦ — LABRY W ISSE

I. 2.

A 4.

5. ATtttnCnV 6. Ptotfctn 7. Blackhawk* U s tl 8. ft. Bruins Cantata

JA ii.

12. Ltattninq DtvQs 14. B o m

11

JA 4ft*_

I

16. anticks 17. nogs l l Ran** W hites

11 20. OUSTS 2A 22. H and** 21 BjQTOY PUCO a

>

r s ______ I —

Comment Microscooc 1.90 goals-aoainst in 17-2-2 home record 1104 streak is four short of team home ^beaten record Hextafl is scarting 15-13 with 2-24 goais-agamst average.

Jarir's seven oame-wmna ooais lead league.

A 2.4 ooate-aoajpet average since Roy pained team.

Journeyman Corner has revived: a ofos-20 (a im CheSos-Sutar combo ranks 34 among league's'detensemen.

15-13 when scoring,four or more goats.

Ranfortfs first start a rousing success — 4-2 victory over Toronto.

OnoHxoud power alay is woeful 33 for 228 (14.5 Dement).

Kovalenko has sn ooais in 16 (james since am m i from Colorado.

Winning midseason record for first time in team fcstory.

Defensamen have combined for oniy 11 goats.

With Zezel ^defined, this team rarefy wins a faceoff.

Goafies were 7*12*1 in Khabibute’s (12-11) absence.

Bure mfoht not be out for season after a1 kQten-fteurv-Roberts fine is constant threat 6-2 in new year sines veterans Brown, Dineen c^pe on boart.

Newcomer Joseoh is IO wfth 2^9 ooals-acjainst average.

2.94 ooab-against wflh Hasek in ineuo: 3.81 without Nm. Bertuzzfs 10 ooais make him late Rookie of the Year cantidate.

Sony, but waiver Dicta© Oteusson wont heto NHL s worst Dower ofay.

CNI

I 5

I I

24. Start 25. S h u ts Senator*

W-L-T 32-9-3 28-11-3 24-12-9 28-14-3 24-14-8 28-124 23-15-9 22-17-7 19-17-6 21-18-5 21-1&-6 19-18-7 19-224 18-19-8 20-224 16-17-11 16-19-11 16-22-9 17-215 17-216 11213 12-218 1128-5 11-2110 11324 134-1

I

Tw in Red Winn Ranger* B rtrt Penguins rn-- i ---- u -

TSN POW ER POLL

1

-

0

•

Twee-benched Nolan stS botong for first oame-wBinina ooaJ. Debut loss at The Palatfum extends woeful home record to 2-111.

Through Wednesday's games.

THE Spo r in g N ews NHL Power Pofl is determined by TSN Hockey Eritor Larry Wigge.

::

Nik at nite Second-year Jets goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin would be verv well known if he were playing for a more high-profile team.

Check this facts: Khabibulin returned to the lineup after missing nearly six weeks with a leg injury and beat the Maple I,eafs, 4-2. to run his record to 12-5-1 with a 2.83 goals-against av­ erage. The other Jets goalies are 8-17-3 with a 4.15 goaJs-againsL That’s what I call a dramatic difference.

What were the odds of Red Wings center I Steve Yzerman becoming only the seventh ; player to score 500 goals with the same team?

Not good, based on all the trade rumors over the past four years.

Earlier this season, the Red Wings report­ edly had all but traded Yzerman to the Sena­ tors for center Martin Straka and a firstround switch of draft choices for the next two years. Yzerman never deserved all the abuse.

He may not be the 50-plus A l L . _ / goal scorer and 100-plus Granterqt point man he once was. commerce but he has been a danger­ R an g ers g o a lte n d e r ous offensive threat this season.

Mike Richter, who is us­ Yzerman scored his ing the hyperbaric cham­ ber the team shares with 500th career goal last week — and he did it in the New York Knicks. re­ style, beating future Hall portedly is ahead of of Fam er Patrick Roy of schedule on his recovery¥ the Avalanche. Yzerman from a groin injury that joined Mario Lemieux and w*as expected to sideline Mark M essier as players him three to six weeks. who have attained that If you consider that im­ lofty plateau this season. pressive. how about Three 500-goai milestones these amazing recover­ ies: Can-ucks right wing in the same season is a record — and Blues cen­ Pavel Bure. Bruins de fenseman .Al lafrate and ter Dale Hawerchuk Stars center Dave Gagnneeds four more goals to He scores: Yzerman is the NHLs er. previously expected to make it four. newest Fortune SOO member Six of the 22 players on miss the rest of the sea­ that milestone list played their entire careers I son. are on schedule to return by .April. with one team, lf the trade rum ors cease. Yz­ erman could join the Islanders' Mike Bossy, A to n a l sell the Canadiens’ Rocket Richard and Jean Be­ Commissioner Gary Beltman says the long llveau, the Blackhawks' Stan Mikita. the holdouts by Joe Nieuwendyk and Curtis Sabres’ Gilbert Perreault and the Penguins' Joseph and the tough time the Islanders are Lemieux. having trading Kirk Muller are sure signs the Those who scored their first 500 goals for league is undergoing a market correction in one team before going to another include player salaries.

Gordie Howe (Red Wings}. Wayne Gretzky “Not that I’m happy with people holding (Oilers), Bobby Hull (Blackhawks). Bryan out," Bettman says. “But. more and more, Trottier (Islanders) and Guy Lafieur (Canadi­ salaries will be in sync with revenues. The ens). ; rollective^argaining agreem ent is working Yzerman continues to put himself on a — and it’s providing us with the necessary pedestal with some of the gam e's great play­ stability to go forward and grow." ers. T h e re s only one thing missing — a Stan­ ley Cup. Trading times And that could come this spring.

Of the 48 players in uniform at the .All-Star Game, all but 18 had been traded at least once.

Brett Hull says he doesn't think Blues That show's that where th e re s smoke, G.M ./Coach Mike Keenan can trade him if there usually is fire in the NHL ♦ Keenan wants ta stay in S t Louis.

T h e St. Louis fens take to their players like family." he says. “One of the reasons at­ tendance is down from 19,000 to 16.000 is that Mike has gotten rid of some of their fam­ ily. and they’re not happy. He's burned bridges with the fans.

“I ts no secret Brendan Shanahan (traded to Hartford) vras the most popular player in S t Louis, and Curtis Joseph (traded to Ed­ monton) was right there, too."

Hull says the Blues probably could aver­ age 20.000 per game if they acquire Wayne Gretzky from the Kings, b u t... “as far as win­ ning over the fens," he says. “I find it difficult to believe (Keenan) can do it. I think it’s un­ attainable."

Asked if Keenan is aware of this situation.

Hull says, ‘I don’t think Mike cares about the fans. All he cares about is winning. I really think it’s possible he could bring a Stanley

Blue on Hue

Sngfn’ the Blocs: S t Louis fans would rather keep H ull and trade Keenan (back).

38 •8ASBAU

Baseball might not have its act together yet, but the owners’ plan for interleague play is two steps in the right direction BrSTwmmfn

tate year by year, so that once every three years» for instance, the Rockies would play the Mariners. s a child foliowin^^ the Rrates.

Interieague play is an idea \hdiose time has I often heard alwul a great come. It fii^ surfaced in the 1920s at the sug­ .A en ean League right field­ gestion of Cubs President Bill Veeck Sr. It er. Detroit's Al Kaline. Rrates was revived in the late 1950s, spearheaded by fans believed baseball’s best Indians General Manager Hank Greenberg right fielder rn those days was and White Sox Owner BIE Veeck Jr., and of­ Roberto Clemente, but we alwaysten were curi­ in this publication. “Eventually." pushed ous; How good wa$ Kaline? Did his arm Greenberg said in 1956. "there wiD be major match up with Clemente's? Was he as daiv league expansion, and because of the geo­ gerous with the bat’ Spring exhibitions and graphic spread, there will be a need for an InAll-Star Games offered no true comparison. terleague schedule." A 1964 survey in THE so barring a World Series meeting we had no S p o r t in g N e w s found eight of IO A.L clubs way of knowing. Out of such a childish con­ in support but six of IO N.L d u b s in opposi­ templation comes a natural desire for intertion (two in favor, two undedded). league play.

In the early 1970s a committee headed by We never saw Clemente and Kaline play Brewers Owner Bud Selig explored the idea against one another, but fortunateh the fans once again, but ii lay fallow untD re-emerging of tomorrow will have a little something lo go with surprising force al last week's meetings by. Owners finaHv' acted on an idea that has in Los Angeles. The vote was unanimous, op­ been around for decades, voting unanimousposition minimal, leaving only the players' K' to schedule 15 or 16 interleague games for union as the last obstacle to changing a tra­ each team starting in 1997. The plan initiaily dition unique in aD of pro sport Tt’s so logi­ calls for a Nation^ League club to play three cal.' says ^ lig . who two decades later is also 4 or four games against each American League baseball's acting commissioner. "The onl>' club in its corresponding division, bunching fair question pw ple could adc is, ‘How come them around the'Memorial Dav and Labor they didn’t do it years ago?*" Day holidays. Division matchups would ro­ Bu;Jogic often is a matter of interpretation

A

The Sporting News

U n i o n chief Don Fehr is on record cautiously encouraging the idea; he see s it as a growth v e h ic le . But F e h r is kee p ing his eye on the prize an a g r e e m e n t favorable to p la ye rs . in the overheated wind tunnel of baseball eco­ nomics. Logic could not prevent the indus­ try’s losing SI billion in the strike of 1994-95, and it may not join owners and players in common pursuit of interieague play.

The stiddng point I n t e r k ^ e p l^ is a mat­ ter for coBective bargaining. There stiD is no Basic Agreement and if one is not reached be­ fore owners submit the 1997 sdieduleonjuly I. then the union can abort interieague play.

Union diief Don Fehr is on record cautiously encouraging die idea: he sees it as a growth vehide. But Fehr is keeling his eye on the prize — an agreement favorable to p ^ e r s .

Interieague play potentiaDy is a bargaining lever for both sides, so it may become a ca­ sualty of war. At issue is the designated hit­ ter used only by the A J- Ideally, the two leagues would be consistent both using or not using the D.H. “Unanimity of rules is more important than good or bad of the D J L ’ Seiig says.

They haw been splitting the difference in Worid Series play — home-team rules prevaifing— and a “split" system probably Would be for the f i ^ year of interieague play.

But such a sohitioD is seen as impractic&] in the long run. By 1998 there may be as niany as 30 inteieague games: it would be difficult to tailor personnel to fit both systems. A.L clubs would be at a d is a d v a n t^ because their pitchers lack hitting and baserunning experience.

WTiat common interest clubs and players share on interieague play dissolves over the D.H. — a high-paying job for veterans. Aver­ age salary last season for IO regulardesignated hitters — among them E d ^ Martinez, Jose Canseco, Eddie Murray, Paul Molitor.

Chih Davis and Juan (jonzalez — was S3.45 million, second only to average pay of 83.57 millkm for first basemen. Not surprisingiy. the union's interest lies in preserving and ex­ panding — to the N.L — use of the D.H. Clubs, particularly those in the N J-, prefer to s c ^ it Savings would be healthy— an ex­ pensive veteran can be replaced by a k)w<ost backup. A labor proposal given November 15 to the union by dubs — currently under re­ view — eliminates the D.H. The proposal seeking to restrict salaries to SO percent of in-

During regularsazsons past, C2meftle and ha S .L flock had to look ai ssidi A L stars as Kaline ( r i ^ fromafixr. ! f ^ union ndi^er^tampsmtesieagiu play, diadtose dream matchtpswSl be a reaBfy

January 29,1996

B A S E B A L L

urists raise a thin voice against the tide of change. The main argument against interieague play is more sub­ tle than the one for it; Integrity and mystique of the World Series will suffer. Tra­ ditionally. World Series contestants meet hav­ ing had no prior meeting. Relative strengths

P

3 9

a lot of changes too fast" she says. “We should give some more thought to whats good for fans and everything. I think people were very confused in the playoffs. Who's playing who and what's what? I was confused by thaL I guess tradition is what I think base­ hi pwrsonorBalfinrore.see To^GwynfcTha would tetPittsbUfjjfiS ball is all about I think you have to be very aflur&of marquee play forbidden markets wtfi spur stngte-garoesales careful on this type of thing." Schott’s inter­ a n iW In te re st^ i; nal influence is virtually nil; the pace of r i b 80-02tivfsfoa VI change is unlikely to slow. figuretojotri baseball u ___ . ,_____________ . _______________ Owners in L A also ratified a SI 7-billion 1S^lia^l5teaniS;!rfet)»ou{d m m a& lin g ^ to eacfcWestdivistoi^whichwould national TV* contract and approved the pur­ chase of 25 percent of the Angels by Walt Dis­ ney' Co., with full purchase to occur upon the death of longtime owner. Gene Autry. 88.

IS & .W o r ia S e ^ (Disney can back out if Anaheim Stadium is not renovated before the season.) The Lords Indude Mels^Yanks, are positively giddy in welcoming this enter­ tainment mega-corporation into the fold.

When Disney CEO Michael Eisner walked into the Biltmore Hotel it was as if an 800a hidewitwhen tfielin st; pound gorilla had stepped into the batter's box. Eisner said. “Wlien everyone is talking bad about something that is basically good. kl Series forever## its'sancfi^n 1994: ^.that is the time to get inT £ He comes in as a new and potentially deci­ tor0"118 ’ t a S l f i S 38 sive revenut^sharing plan gains momentum.

The new plan would hit the top six revenueproducing teams, politically allowing for a 21vote majority. Past plans moved revenues from a minimum of IO teams. Questions re­ main: Can a plan be effective independent of a Basic Agreement putting a drag on salaries5 Or would wealthy clubs continue to outspend poor clubs by two-to-one?

Thafs when managers should be.

Soon, the Lords must decide on divisional placement of the two newest expansion vau^tfohs on Labor Day and watch Jerry teams, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who start play in 1998. Plac­ ing one team in each league would create two leach Bagne opponents wou ____________ J I :means I >team leagues, paving the way for an inter­ ieague game each day. Scheduling would lend the Royals woohlytsit the Cardinals only every six years. Maybe Don Oenkin'ger will itself to 30 interieague games per team. aralrHwtM^daydftheseseries?

Both leagues want the .Arizona entry — a :? Q # d r& W ren o t tatting alwttSlpihg a big free agentto spur season-ticket safes. potential Rockies clone — for their four-team W ats talking aboufwhafQark: “ asudden burst# .SU-, • , West divisions; Diamondbacks Owner Jerry .......... m ^ ,7 -\*r. ^ ta*. T'.

Colangelo strongly favors the N L A likely scenario places Arizona in the N .L West and Tampa Bay in the A L Central. But that could sysfft doesn't see a problem. But as happen only if an .A L Central team moves to ________ ..ta t a t a t a ta ,.. w ' the A L West. Kansas City is being men­ :ifie ie c o ^ tw jK f l^ fo ^ b b o te .;# the.mojhte s i# the tioned. but the Royals are not enthusiastic.

One thing was certain in Los Angeles; Un­ rlrancefortb'&ufdrft der Selig. the Lords are moving more quick­ ly and cohesively than ever. It may be argued B dle World: that, lacking a labor agreement, they are spin­ __________ K l'r ■-SOX] m m m m ning wheels, but if so. their sparks are im­ .still bel pressive. Though his title is acting commis­ sioner. Selig now has held the job 39 months, longer than three former commissioners — William Eckert. Bart Giamatti and Fay Vin­ cent. Selig's stature continues to grow inter­ and weaknesses are unknown; matchups are nally despite a nebbish and evasive public fresh. Says Indians G.M. John Hart; Tm a Under Selig. \ persona. “I address him as Mr. Commission­ supporter, but I have concerns about the in­ er." Giants G.M. Bob Quinn says. tegrity of the World Series."

Most curious is Selig's teflon quality: own­ the Lords of j ~ Another purist argument is equally subtle: ers seem not to blame him for pursuing a erosion of familiarity with opposing players. flawed legal strategy that let an impasse — the R e alm are j ’ Clubs will play more teams fewer times, rather and implementation of a reformed economic than fewer teams more times. Fans will need a system — slip from their hands. Rather, they moving more ' laptop computer instead of a scorecard. respect him for standing up to the union and As the Dodgers' longtime owner. Walter building consensus.

O’Malley cited “familiarity" in his opposition quickly and I O’Malley. Selig's strongest opponent, is to interieague play in the early 1970s. “It was calling for a permanent commissioner, ating great when we had eight teams and our fans cohesively than ever. It may lack of labor progress and weak marketing. were familiar with seven opponents." he said But few. if any. owners are joining him pub­ They have more trouble keeping track of 1 1 be argued that, lacking licly. Selig professes an intention of giving up visiting teams now. lf there were 23 visiting the job after a labor agreement is reached. He teams nobody could keep track."

That same a labor agreement, they are might see his own Phil Gamer manage Walter O’Malley had told TSN in 1954 that in­ against Jim Ley land before that happens. terieague play “definitely is worth a try." spinning w heels, but if so. which wouldn’t be Clemente vs. Kaline — but O’Malley's son and Dodgers owner. Peter. ♦ is said to be cool toward interieague play. but • still something fun lo watch. their sparks are im pressive.

Steve M arantz is a senior writer for Tntit was left to Reds Owner Marge Schott to S p o K T i.V / N k w s . voice a public concern. “I think we're making.

_

dustry revenue through a complex tax for­ mula is unlikely to meet union approval. “I don't expect an agreement this season." one N .L owner says.

Fortunately for fans, clubs and players have no will for a work stoppage; the labor battle will be waged, if at all in a courtroom.

Player agents say the interieague proposal, complicated by the D.H.. could become a wedge for clubs to seek an impasse in nego­ tiations. Eventually the whole mess could be dumped back into the courtroom of U.S. Dis­ trict Judge Sonia Sotomayor. who ruled in the players' favor last March.

But before Sotomayor gets another at-bat, both sides will have time to reconsider. Clubs forget that A L ferns tend to favor the D.H. be­ cause it juices up offense, and offense is ex­ citing. particularly to targeted younger fans.

Eliminating the D.H. could be counterpro­ ductive to what interieague play is supposed to accomplish. It also would put pitchers — a scarce commodity — at greater risk of injury.

On the other hand. eliminating the D.H. would be a small appeasement of tradition at a sensitive moment For a game whose ap­ peal is partially rooted in a connection with its rich past that is important Players should understand that For decades the Lords embraced a con­ servative philosophy that the game was not broken and did not need fixing. Change came slowly: a livelier ball in the 1920s. night games in the 1930s; relocation in the 1950s; expansion, plastic turf. realignment and divi­ sional playoffs in the 1960s; the D.H. in 1973.

But in the past three years a new philoso­ phy has taken root, driven by a notion that baseball does, indeed, need fixing to retain a young audience. Since 1993 the Lords have taken three dramatic steps. Fust was re­ alignment into three divisions per league and creation of a wild-card playoff system. Second was an attempt to reduce payroll disparities — resulting in a strike. Third is approval of interieague play.

In promoting the latest idea, clubs claim fans are overwhelmingly in support; Phillies Owner Bill Giles cites a 63-percent survey rat­ ing. The appeal is obvious. Metropolitan ri­ valries are only slightly more natural than re­ gional ones. The Braves, for example, will re­ turn to Milwaukee and Boston, both former homes for their franchise. "It’s an outstand­ ing concept for Kansas City because we don’t have any natural rivalries in our league." Roy­ als G.M. Herk Robinson says. “Our biggest draws would be the Cardinals and Rockies."

Braves G.M. John Schuerholz, noting the lost World Series of 1994. sums up many sen­ timents when he says, "Change is exciting for fans, especially younger fans. I used to con­ sider myself a traditionalist on this, but my position has changed."

•

40 • BASEBALL

The Sporting News

BASEBALL REPORT

The Big One finally hit in Southern California Yet, while the winter meetings produced nothing more constructive for individual teams than accruing frequent-flier miles, the interleague announcement truly made the meetings historic Its a concept that has been around for the past 75 years, was seriously broached in 1973. and it will become part of baseball in 1997. Will it ruin the game? No. Will the game be flawed with the designated hitter be­ Bob ing used in American League ballparks and NIGHTENGALE not the National League? Yes. ^ We will survive, though.Tradition is taking an uppercut to the chin, but if we ching to tra­ dition in everyday life, then minorities would ord knows we've survived plenty of not have today’s increased rights and privi­ work stoppages. We grew to accept leges. Women would be prohibited from the the advent of night games — even at Wrigley Field. We approved the low­ workplace. * Its time to move on. ering of the mound. We welcomed the D.H. We tolerated artificial turf. We lived with free Although it was the only big news out of agency. We embraced expansion. We even the meetings, interleague play wasn't the learned that the wild-card concept wasn’t so only behind-the-scenes action. H eres a re­ bad. after all. cap: Now. we've been told there will be interHottest conversation topic: The Giants' sign­ league play in 1997. ing of Cuban pitcher Osvaldo Fernandez to a Sure. we agree along with the players that three-year. $3.6-million contract The mood it's kind of silly for baseball owners to work ranged from laughter to disbelief, and the themselves into such a frenzy for interim?ague common belief w*as that the Giants are out of play given that there still is no Basic their minds. m ent Considering there'have been po^talks “You've got to be kidding me,” one gener­ and rumors of an impasse next winter are be­ al manager says. “What are they doing? We ginning to surface, couldn't all that tinje spent scouted the guy. and we don't know if hell be on interleague play have been be tierased to any better than a middle Teliever: I’m seri­ come up with a settlement? ous."

L

million: the N .L’s was $2.9 million.

Hob!

Hut-comer market: Palmer has a new contract, but whether hell remain with the Rangers depends on others ' interest in him.

The bare lumbers So you're wondering why baseball really wants to elimmate the D.H.? Take a look a the mean salary last season o f|h e IO D.H.s who played in ?2 or more games: $3,458,573.

That 's nearly a $ I-million jump in pay since 1993.

The average mean salaries by position: First base: $3-6 million.

Second base: $1.5 million.

•

Third base: $1.6 million.

Shortstop: $1.8 million.

Catcher. $1.3 million.

Outfielder. $2.0 million.

Starting pitcher $1.9 mil­ lion.

Relief pitcher $590,000 Perhaps the most surpris­ ing aspect of the salary sur­ vey. is the discrepancy in av­ erage pay between Ameri­ can League and National League first basemen. A.L first basemen last season had a mean salary of $4.1

The Padres, infuriated that their stadium soon will expand by 10.000 seats to ac­ commodate the Chargers. will announce this summer that they want a baseballonly stadium or will threaten to move after their lease ex­ pires after the 1999 season.

Where will they go?

Would you believe Mon­ terey. Mexico?

One National League owner insists Padres Owner John Moores is intrigued by the possibility.

Around the bases The latest high-priced player to leave the A's will be right fielder Danny Tartabull. The White Sox Sox want Tartabull if the A’s are willing to eat most of Tartabull's $5-million salary.... The Red Sox were on the verge of acquiring closer Heathcliff Slocumb from the Phillies for outfielders Lee Tinsley

Braves G.M. John Schuerholz offered $5.5 million to Livan Hernandez, the other court­ ed Cuba defector who went to the Marlins, but had no interest in Fernandez. “The young pitcher (Hernandez) was highly regarded," Schuerholz says. “lf all the reports are right its a good signing. The other, well let’s just say we thought he made a good deal for him­ self."

Best trade proposal: Joe Garagiola Jr.. Ari­ zona Diamondbacks. “TVe’ve been talking to everyone," he says. “I offered to trade players to be named later since that’s all I have, but I haven’t made any deals yet" Hottest Joke am ong G .M .s : “Hey, how come (Reds G.M.) Tim Bowden isn’t here?

“He had to stay home to tune up his car."

Poor Bowden. He was the only G.M. miss­ ing from the meetings. Reds Owner Marge Schott prohibited him from coming to save expenses.

Bowden has been told he must drive to spring training.

Best Question: Pat Gillick. who came out of semi-retirement to become G.M. of the Ori­ o le ^ was asked if he would have done the same if Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner had called.

“W ell... urn ... I... don’t really think so," Gillick says. “I think that George has been in hibernation long enough, and he was ready to come out. I think he’s going to be a lot more involved than in recent years. In some ways thai can be good, because George is a colorful guy. In other ways that’s not so good. That can play havoc with some of his employees."

W orst-kept s e c re t The Diamondbacks will be in the National League West and the Tam­ pa Bay Devilrays will be in the American League.

W orst tim e w atching T V : Diamondbacks Owner Jerry Colangelo, who had fired Suns Coach Paul Westphal the previous day. watched in the sports bar as his NBA team was getting blasted by the Magic. Colangelo disgustedly walked out with two minutes re-

and Glenn Murray and reliever Ken Ryan. ... The Rockies, who say they don’t have the money to pick up another high-priced starter now that Bret Saberhagen is shelved, secretly are work­ ing out Frank Viola in Tuc­ son. Ariz., and plan to invite him to spring training.... In­ dians outfielder Albert Befle. suddenly baseball’s chatter­ box. predicts the American League record of 111 victo­ ries in a season will be eclipsed by his team this year. “With our pitching staff and the team we’ve got com­ ing back, it shouldn’t be any problem." Belle says.... The Rangers just signed third baseman Dean Palmer to a one-year. $1.925-miIlion con­ tract and privately have told teams he now is available for trade.... The Giants contin­ ue to talk to free-agent starter Steve Ontiveros, who pitched across the Bay the last two seasons in Oakland.

The commissioner’s of­ fice warned teams to keep their hands off Japanese pitcher Hideki Irabu, saying he is contractually bound to the Chiba Lotte Marines and 9

Hohr a m t a ! Fernandez was a hot topic at the meetings, for reasons the Giants wouldn'tJibe. mauling.

Expos G M .

Jim Beattie, announcing lefthanded starter Jeff Fassero will open the season with the Ex­ pos.

M ost poignant scene: Managers Marcel and Rene Lachemann, getting a behind-thescenes tour of the old kitchen and bakery at the Biltmore Hotel, where their father once was a master chef.

W ildest id e a : Disney President Michael Eisner, talking about having Gene Autry, 88, get up on a horse and ride out to the mound Opening Day. “We’re very' theatrical" he says.

Best q u o te : "“The honeymoon is over."

That’s from Marlins G.M. Dave Dombrowski. talking about his fourth-year team and not his actual honeymoon, which ended when he arrived at the winter meetings.

W orst news to end all rum ors:

won’t be eligible for free agency in a couple of years. ... Astros Owner Drayton McLane says he still might be willing to switch leagues in 1998. perhaps changing places with the Royals.

Rangers President Tom Schieffer says it makes sense for the Astros and Royals to switch leagues. and who knows, perhaps even get Cleveland or Cincinnati to join the same league. “I think it makes more sense for us to play Houston aft the time and set up a real in-state rivalry in the same league. I think it would make sense to have Geveland and Cincinnati in the same league, maybe S t Louis and Kansas City. We might have some limited switches that would work out for everybody’s benefit" ... Cardinals third baseman Scott Cooper, who likely will be traded to the Brewers or Cubs now that the Cardinals have signed Gary Gaetti, on his sudden change of fate: “Baseball is a crazy game. I watched Gaetti have (three) horrible years with Califor­ nia while I was at Boston.

Now I have one bad vear and he has a great year and he's in and Tm o u t’ ... Yes, that was Scott Erickson sign­ ing a two-year. $6-million Orioles contract with a $3.6mfllion option. This is the same guy who hasn’t won more than 13 games since 1991. ... Kudos to Tigers General Manager Randy Smith, who hired his prede­ cessor. Joe Klein, as a speriakassignment scout in the organization. Few G.M.s ever would have the guts to hire the same guy he just re­ placed.

9 •

Bob Nightengale covers the Dodgers for the Los Ange­ les Times.

N I • 41

January 29,1996

ATLANTA BRAVES

FLORIDA MARLINS

Batty1* world: With the exception of one or two openings in the bullpen, the team will head into spring training looking much Eke the one that won the World Series.

Each position player re­ turns, as well as the top four starting pitchers and four relievers. That means Manager Bob­

by Cox can focus primarily on the bullpen, where the competition is wide open for two spots. Unless the team makes a trade for an experienced reliever, the competition will cen­ ter on youngsters Brad Woodall Terrell Wade and Tom Thobe.... Pitcher Steve Avery, who filed for salary arbitration, was incensed by the club’s $3.faniflion offer, a IO percent cut from his $4-miIlion 1995 salary. He was 7-13 last year with a 4.67 ERA. “I kind of realize I had an off year, but to me the previous five years added up to get me (to $4 million)." Avery says. “How much was I underpaid On 1991) when I won 18games for $110,000?"

Costly loss: Chib President Stan Hasten trav­ eled to the Dominican Republic in a final at­ tempt to sign a pitcher who defected from the Cuban national team, but returned empty-hand­ ed. Despite an offer that topped $4.5 million, the Braves failed to sign Livan Hernandez, whom they had scouted since last August. “We spent a lot of time and a lot of money, and it wasn’t an easy thing to have happea" Director of Scout­ ing Paul Snyder says Hernandez, 20, signed with Florida. ... The Braves irrated pitchers Chris Brock, Rachaad Stewart and Rod Nichols, catchers Darron Cox and Aldo Pecoriffi. and first baseman Ron Wright to training as non-roster players — B tl

CHICAGO CT BS

topstone Colorado: Though the Rockies’ Young caught a bad break in offseason workouts. he isn't worried about losing his second-base job while he misses the first month of the season.

CINCINNATI REDS

Seems like old times:

Looking for Ro. 5: With

Ryne Sandberg wiD pick up where he left off 18 months ago when he re­ tired: playing second and batting second.

“Second base is what he does," says Manager Jim Riggleman. eliminating any possibility of third base. “As far as the lineup, we were set last year at leadoff (Brian McRae) and in the third (Mark Grace), fourth (Sammy Sosa) and fifth (Luis Gonzalez) spots, but we didn’t get much from second (Rey Sanchez). Ryne did his best hitting in the two-spol" How much Sandberg has left at 36 and after the long layoff is questionable. He hit only 14 home runs in his last 679 at-bats before leav­ ing in June 1994. The team is counting on Sandberg’s diligence in solo workouts in Ari­ zona and enthusiasm in last seasons team that just missed postseason play. “W e won’t be evaluating Ryne; w ell be putting him out there to play," Riggleman says. “He’s going to be surrounded by young, hungry guys and veterans who are ready and anxious to win."

Stocking ap: Bob Patterson. 36. was signed to bring to five the number of lefthanded reliev­ ers. He joins Larry Casian and Roberto Rivera from the regular roster, and minor-league contract holders Bill Krueger and Brian Barnes. “He brings veteran leadership and a qualifty lefthanded arm," General Manager Ed Lynch says. Patterson had a career-high 62 gables with California last summer, a 5-2 record and 3.04 ERA. ‘ rd like to get that many games again." Patterson says. ‘ If not. I feel left out."

— JOE GOODARD

David Wells traded to the Orioles for mone­ tary reasons, the front office was left with a hole in the rotation. The club isn’t going to find someone of the stature (or salary') of Wells, so G.M. Jim Bowden continued his never-ending search for recla­ mation projects by picking up lefthander Trevor Wilson. The former Giant has been plagued with arm and shoulder problems since 1992. keeping him from approaching the success he enjoyed in 1991, when he was 15-11 with a 3.56 ERA. Wilson missed the 1994 season while recovering from rotatorcuff surgery, went 54 with a 3.92 ERA in 17 starts in 1995 then underwent arthroscopic surgery after the season. Wilson will battle Kevin Jarvis. Tim Pugh and Gabe White for the final spot in the rotation behind Pete Schourek, John Smiley. Mark Portugal and Dave Burba.

Ballpen bines: The team’s need to strength­ en a struggling bullpen has been overshad­ owed. especially with the loss of primary set­ up man Mike Jackson to free agency. The front office has taken a low-risk gamble on righthander Gene Harris, who has been bat­ tling elbow problems in recent years. Harris was able to pitch in just three games for the Orioles in 1995. The club also has shown in­ terest in Gregg Olson, who was 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA and three saves for the Indians and Royals in ’95. But with Jeff Brantley en­ trenched as the closer. Olson mav go else­ where.

— Mike Bass

U tan large: Newly signed righthander Li­ van Hernandez made his Joe Robbie Stadium de­ but last Thursday, kick­ ing off the team’s fourday minicamp with a 10minute session that be­ came a magnet for TV’ cameras. “Just because (Hernandez) is from Cuba doesn't mean he's going to win the Cy Young." Manager Rene Lachemann says. With shorts revealing a pow­ erful foundation to his slightly overweight 6foot-2. 220-pound body. Hernandez already is drawing comparisons to a young Dwight Good­ en. Hernandez will get a chance to win a roster spot but after an offseason spending spree the rotation is comfortably set with Kevin Brown, john Burkett Chris Hammond. A] Leiter and Pat Rapp.... Rapp had a pain-free session off the mound last Friday, the first time he's thrown since undergoing back surgery' November 11 to repair a herniated disk.

Mlnl-matters: The minicamp was designed as a get-acquainted session for a staff of 31 roster and non-roster pitchers, and to give the club a head start on key personnel decisions. Be­ sides Hernandez, an interesting decision will be what to do with Ryan Bowen and Dave Weathers — two of IO who made starts for Florida last season. Bowen, whose promise al­ ways has been greater than his performance, missed almost all of 1995 after knee surgery but then shined in Puerto Rico (4-3 with league’s fourth-best ERA at 2.44). “You don’t want to give up on an arm like that," says Frank Wren, the assistant general manager.

“W e’ll see how he adapts to a role as setup, middle guy' or spot starter." — SCOTT TOUEY

COLORADO ROCKIES Yooog bort:

Erie Young’s claim on the second-base job has been put on hold. He suffered a broken bone in his right hand while working out in .Atlanta and underwent surgery' in which a metal plate and screws were in­ serted in his hand. G.M. Bob Gebhard says Young’s hand will be in a cast for six to eight weeks, and he probably will miss the first month of the season. That opens the way for Jason Bates to regain the second-base job and gives rookie Craig Counsell, a lefthanded" hitter who was converted from shortstop to second during the Arizona Fall league, more of an opportunity to make an impression in the spring for a utility role. Young finally es­ tablished himself at the position in the sec­ ond half of last season. He says he isn't con­ cerned about losing his job. Tm just worried about getting my hand ready." he says. “Ill be rooting as hard for jason Bates as I did in the first half last year."

Overworked: Bret Saberhagens lingering right shoulder problems may stem from'his rehabilitating too hard. He underwent arthro­ scopic surgery last October. Now. in the hopes that he will be able to avoid major re­ constructive surgery, he will be working out three times a day. seven day's a week under the direct supervision of Rockies trainer Dave Cilladi. Within two months the Rockies and Saberhagen will know if the regimen is work­ ing. If it isn’t Saberhagen then might have the surgery, which would knock him out the en­ tire 19% season.

— TRACY RntGOLSBY

HOLSTON ASTROS Money matters:

Right fielder Derek BeD. third baseman Sean Berry, catcher Rick Wilkins and left fielder Derrick May all filed for arbitration, but the club reached one-year contract agree­ ments with Bed ($2.6 million base) and May ($750,000). May. acquired in a trade with Mil­ waukee on June 20. hit .301 with eight homers and 41 RBls in 78 games. G.M. Geny Hunsicker says he hopes to sign the other three players before going to an arbitration hearing. Bed like­ ly would have been the most difficult one to sign before a hearing after he hit .334 and drove in 86 runs last season before missing the final month with a tom thigh muscle.

Blasts from tt» past Former .Astros catcher .Alan .Ashby has been hired as the manager of the teams Class-A Kissimmee (Florida State) club. .Ashby played for Houston from 1979 I through ’89 ... The club also has hired former pitcher Vem Ruhle. a 14-year big-league veter­ an, as the coordinator of minor league pitching instruction. Ruhle. the pitching coach at Okla­ homa State the last six seasons, pitched for Houston from 1978 through ’84. ... A little more than 6.000 season tickets have been sold for the 19% season, but the team has a long way to go to reach its goal of 18.000 to 20.000 season tickets. B u s in e leaders from the Greater Houston Partnership have said they can double last year's season-ticket base of 8.500. Owner Drayton Mebane has said the team needs to average at least 25.(XX) fans in 19% to ensure that the franchise will stay rn Houston.

— TfflRY BlQURT #

4Z •ILL.

The Sporting News

NEW YORK METS

LOS ANGELES DODGERS Left leaning; When the team, which has been searching for a dependable lefthanded short re­ liever. goes - to camp next month, it will have 13 lefthanders working out. eight of them reliev­ ers. The latest to sign is former White Sox pitcher Scott Radinsky, who missed the 1994 season because of treatment for Hodgkin's disease. Radinsky. 27. who signed a minor1cague contract last week. returned last sea­ son to pilch in 46 games for the White Sox. all in relief. He went 2-1 with a 5.45 eamed-run average and a Save. In five years with the White Sox. Radinsky was 24-16. with a 3.62 ERA and 32 saves. Radinsky. who resides in the Los .Angeles suburb of Simi Valley, will find plenty of competition for a bullpen spot when he show’s up in Vero Beach. Fla. The other lefthanded relievers are john Cum­ mings. Joey Eischen and Mark Guthrie, rooky ies Roberto Duran and Brandon Watts and* winter acquisitions Billy Brewer and Narciso Elvina.... The other lefthanders w’ho will be in camp are Jesus Martinez. Ramon's younger brother. John O’Donoghue. who was obtained Easy: A fight for a Dodgers bullpen job is noth­ over the winter, and farmhands Gary Rath. ing next to another fight Radinsky has waged David Yocum and David Pvc. Hot b a t Roger Cedeno. a strong contender solid defensive performer. But he know’s for the left-fieid job this season, won the when comparisons to Cordero are made, its Venezuelan winter league batting title with a his offense that's going lo come under the .340 average. ... Right fielder Raul Mondesi. greatest scrutiny. “I think.! can be a 300 hit­ who injured his right knee in September, is ter at some point, although maybe not this playing again after surgery-. Mondesi has year." says Grudzielanek, who hit .245 with joined Escogido for the Dominican Republic i one home run and 20 RBIs in 78 gam es in winter league playoffs. — GORiKJN VERRELL 1995. “I have some offensive goals in mind, ones that 111 keep to myself, and if I reach them I think I can keep people in the organi­ zation and the cit)' happy."

Tony's tale: Two-thirds of the outfield is set A new era; Shortstop with Rondell White and Moises Alou. So what M^rk G rudzielanek about Tony Tarasco? T h e way I see it, right wants one thing made field is my spot to lose." says Tarasco. who clear He is so ITV to see started 102 gam es in right in ’95 and finished • WI) Cordero go. “But ^t with a .249 average. “Not much was made of the same time, it was the year I had. But I gave myself a pat on the kind of a relief when I back for it. I thought that all things consid­ heard that thev’d traded ered. it wasn’t a bad first full y e a r ." Tarasco him." says Grudzielanek, who takes over the frustrated coaches with his inability* to make starter's role. “I know Wil would have been adjustments at the plate, and that has led to uncomfortable coming back here. I wouldn't speculation his competition will come from have been happy with the situation, either."

Cliff Floyd. Henry Rodriguez or even Yamil Grudzielanek made his mark last season as a Benitez.

— JEFF-BLAIR •

MONTREAL EXPOS

•

Still going: Joe Mcllvaine’s w ork rem ains unfinished.

A nother trade is com ing; that much seem s obvious af­ ter the com pletion of two minor trades and one that got away. Its not. yet known w hether McDvaine will make one of his signature spring-training deals (See: David Cone. Rico Brogna, Jose Viz­ caino. Ron Darling, Walt Terrell) or pull off a big one before the team heads south. The team has too many outfielders, a slight over­ abundance of pitching and a lingering need for run production. A deal for Bernard Gflkey fell through when the Cardinals didn’t bite.

Gilkey would have played left field and hit in the No. 3 sp o t Another trade, probably ex­ porting a young outfielder, would have fol­ lowed. But even without Gilkey. the M ets are apt to do something. Two spare parts were dealt away in catcher Kelly Stinnett and r e serve infielder Aaron Ledesma. Stinnett was moved to the Brewers for minor-league pitch­ er Cory Lidle. Ledesma was dealt to the An­ gels for Kevin Flora.

Pete’s sake: Pete Hamisch, five months r e moved from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, believes he will be able to participate in full drills when spring training begins February 15. He’s thrown about 90 feet, and the plans are for him to throw off a mound three times in the week preceding the opening of camp. ... Bill Pulsipher also is throwing regularly with no residual problem from the elbow lig­ ament sprain that ended his rookie season prematurely.

— MARTY NOBLE

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES Creaky Ralls: D oubts about w hether Lenny Dykstra can withstand the rigors of playing center field have crept into the club's plans when it com es to deal­ ing All-Star closer Heathcliff Slocumb. Should Slocumb be d e a lt the front office will turn to Ricky Bottali co to close games. As1a rookie. Bottafico was 5-3 with a 2.46 ERA and one save in a set­ up role. I ts believed that if Slocumb is traded.

r

r i • i i

a i I i i

i

Change of A d d re ss Form

[Slews

•

YES!

Fill out this form completely and attach your old mailing table as indicated below.

- ORDER FORM

Sign me up far 42 issues of T H E S P O R T IN G i "NEW S at the low rate of $57.96 (save 3 6 % off the i newsstand price).

• i i •

i i i i i i i i

Bill me later.

•

i

□ Payment enclosed.

Note P lease allow 6-8 w eeks for tf>e change to be processed.

For Faster Subscriber Service

2. Print new address here:

ErMail: tsnsub@aol.com

i

L I •

N a m e ________________________________________________ A ddress ______________________________________________ City/State/Zip *_______________________________ C arid ean subscriptions add $-*6 80 to* postage Other foreign rates on request

R etu rn to:

a

I

1. IM P O R T A N T — Attach old mailing label here. (lf label is not available, print your name and address in the box.)

N am e _____________________ A ddress Apt City/State,''Zip

3. Mail this form to: P.O. Box 10755, Des Moines, LA 50340-0755

* P.O. Box 10755 Des Moines, LA 50340-0755

For Faster Subscriber S e rrk r W2MISC2

E-Mail: tsnsub@aol.com

a starting pitcher would be the return item since the rotation is anchored by Sid Fernan­ dez and loaded with medical questions and inexperience. However. G.M. Lee Thom as admits he's talked about trading Slocumb to Boston without getting a starter back. Lee Tinsley is the key to any deal with Boston since he would take over in center field and allpw Dykstra to move to left field, where his below-average throwing arm wouldn’t be ex­ posed. In addition to his fielding, Tinsley also would add speed to a lineup that stole just 72 bases in 1995, which ranked 13th in the N.L Reids of ebaogc Lf Tinsley arrives, then the outfield picture would undergo serious change. With Dykstra in center, lefthandedhitting Tony Longmire would play left field.

Righthanded-hitting Pete Incaviglia was ex­ pected to provide Longmire with a break against lefties. Y et should Dykstra move to le ft Longmire would return to a bench role and there would be no need for Incaviglia be­ cause Dykstra long ago shed the label of a platoon player and is being paid $5 million this year.

— GORSE A . KOG III

PITTSBLRGH PIRATES C u o alag s and goings: The team is making out­ fielder M idre Cum ­ m ings available, but most of the interest is coming front teams that don’t want to give up anything of value. Cum­ mings. who was projected in 1990 as a rising star, has shown only brief flashes. “He’s a mystery to me." M anager Jim Ley land says.

“I’m kind of disappointed. The offensive skills are there. Its just a m atter of when he ma­ tures enough." ... Leyland is hoping left­ hander Jon lie b e r can rebound from a disas­ trous second season and solidify a shaky ro­ tation. T m still a big fan of his," Leyland says.

“He needs to get his confidence back. His control wasn't as good last year and neither was his sinker." lf Lieber is not the answer, a veteran starter becom es a priority. But the budget-minded team might be reduced to taking a chance on a com eback pitcher.

Rising costs: The Pirates lost num erous play­ ers from its 1990, *91 and *92 division cham ­ pionship teams because of rising salaries.

Now prices are rising on a new wave of play­ ers. Thanks to the first-time leverage of arbi­ tration. Carlos Garcia's salary has jum ped to $1.35 million.

Leyland says he likes the team 's offseason moves, which have been re­ stricted by the b u d g e t “Before we even un­ pack the bats. we’re a better club." he says. ... T hree Rivers Stadium could have a new name by Opening Day. Part of a lease-concession package approved by the city calls for revenue to be raised by selling naming rights.

— JOW! M ehmO

ST. LOLIS CARDINALS Ro deals tote wrote Gen­ eral M anager Walt Jocketty left the ow ners m eetings with left field­ er Bernard Gilkey still on his roster, although he did plenty of listen­ ing. The M ets made a strong push, as did the White Sox and Brew­ ers. But after its recent spending spree, the team is at its lim it especially if it wants to ac­ quire Dennis Eckersley and his $2.3-million salary. Gflkey. who is arbitration eligible.

January 29,1996

could m ake $3 million or m ore, and he ap­ pears to be the fourth outfielder, although M anager Tony La Russa would like to look at him at first base. Jo ck e tty says the team is not “shopping" Gilkey. T h e r e really wasn't a deal accep table to u s." he says.

Fiduciary m atters: T h e team still w ants Eekersley . but Jo ck e tty says he first h a s to get the payroll down. “B e fo re we would add any­ thing to our d u b substantial in salary, we'd have to look at what (m oney) we have." Jo c k ­ etty says. “W e've got to g et the payroll down to a w orkable num ber. W e ll have a b etter idea w here to b e when we know about the ar­ bitration gu ys." She players are eligib le for arbitration, including outfielder Ray Lank­ ford and pitcher Todd Stottiem yre. both of whom could be looking for clo se to $4 mil­ lion. ... La R ussa says nothing h as been de­ rided about O zzie^Sm ith ’s statu s with the club. “If he can play, h e plays. If he can't, h e ll get a different ro le." La Russa says. T m anxious to sit down with Ozzie. T h e r e 's a lot of the Ozzie Sm ith situation I don’t u nd er­ stand ."

— R ic k H u m u s .

SAN DIEGO PADRES Border patrol: Having arranged for 28 pitchers to attend its upcom ­ ing spring m ajor-ieague cam p, the team is hop­ ing to profit from som e reclam atio n p ro jects.

F o rm er m ajor-leaguers Rob M urphy. Pete Sm ith and Paul A bbott will b e part of the m assive group. “W e want to get a real good read on som e borderline players." says M an ag er B ru ce B o ch y . w ho. to no av ail lobbied last season for the club to sign knu ck­ l e b a l l Tim W akefield. “It seem s like clu bs are doing this m ore. Y ou ’re gettin g m ore p itch ers on a tryout b asis b ecau se so many players are looking for jo b s ." B o ch y and pitching coach Dan W arthen will scrutinize several lefthanded relievers, including M ur­ phy and rookie Jo e y Long. A nother lefty', for­ m er Cardinal J o e M agrane, could b e invited as well. T h is will b e a crucial cam p for righthanded p itch er Scott San d ers. T h e team had figured San d ers would be unavailable this season b ecau se of an elbow problem , but San d ers’ velocity improved in D ecem b er, and the club is cautiously optim istic. “Playing in a g am e will be critical — it's a fine line th ere."

B o ch y says.

Strong offseason: After a torrid Septem ber, switch-hitting outfielder Melvin Nieves had a strong winter season in his native Puerto Rico.

“He h as been very im pressive at the plate and is showing better discipline." Bochy says. But Nieves did not play first base, as the team had hoped in an attem pt to g e t him m ore playing tim e this season. Nieves, for now, is projetted as a backup outfielder.

— Tom KRASOVIC

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS Jumping for joy: T h e clu b is not hiding its g le e over the signing of Cuban righthan d er Osvaldo Fernandez, 29. to a th ree -y e a r, $3.2-m iIlion co n tra ct, with an option for a fourth year.

‘H e's th e b est am ateu r p itch er I've ever se en ," V ice P resid ent B rian Sabean says.

“W ith th e exception o f th e b r a v e s , he could pitch in any m ajor-league rotation, and h e fits nicely into the fourth o r fifth spot in ou r rota-

CALIFORNIA ANGELS In the red: T h e front of­ fice already has budget­ ed a $4-million lo ss for the 1996 season . ... Al­ though the Walt D isney Co. has been approved m as a m inority ow ner with con trollin g in ter­ est. sw eeping ch an g es in m arketing and pub­ lic relations that w ere expected probably will wait until a new stadium deal is worked out with .Anaheim. D isney m ade its takeover ■contingent on a new stadium lease, and if that isn ’t finalized within GO days. Disney could pull out. ... Instead of building a new baseball-only stadium , as .Anaheim on ce pro­ posed. the plan now is for a renovation of the existin g facility.

He’S OK: Bryan Harvey doesn't seem worried about his post-operative right elbow or his new role as a setup man. T h i s was a m ajor surgery' h e re." Harvey adm its, ‘ but the arm fee ls g reat. I'm alread y throw ing off a mound. I set* me having a normal spring Bernard a id Bladed: OK ifs really Disney’s Michael Eisner and Jackie Autry who were happy as training and throw ing wide op en." ... If I>e<* mice after owners approved the 2 5 -percent sale of the latter’s Angels franchise to the former.

Sm ith, who had offseason knee su rgery, isn't don. And I think h e 's goin g to work his waybility of a late-inning role last season, and the ready by the start of the season. Troy Perci* h igher than th a t" T h e G iants w eren't am ong team risked dam aging his fragile psyche i val will assum e the role of clo se r while Har the early bidders, and Sabean says their abil­ when things went badly. “I t s not necessarily vey fills PercivaJ’s setup role. ... B efore trad­ ity to jum p in and sign him was “th e closest bad to go through som e tough tim es, but ing Jim Abbott to the Y an k ees atter the ’92 thing in real life to an Indiana Jo n e s type of hopefully, h e ll be in a role that we think he seaso n , the front office offered him $16 mil­ adventure." Fernandez says he was attracted can handle." Gillick s a y * H a i i t r / g o t s n frus­ lion ov er four years. Refusing probably cost to the organization b ecau se of the opportuni­ trated at one point lust season he packed his him about $7 m illion. By the end of the co m ­ ty to pitch right away, the large Latin com ­ b ag s and tried lo go b ack to the Dom inican ing season , he will have been paid about $9 munity in the Bay Area and the team 's Latin Republic. Fortunately, form er m anager Phil million by the Y an k ees. W hite Sox and .An­ tradition dating b ack to Ju an M arichal. Tito Regan was able to persuade him to return to g e ls du ring th o se sam e four se a so n s in F u en tes and the Alou b r o th e r s .... Fernandez the m inor leagu es to continue his develop­ which he could have m ade $16 million with will have a feflow Cuban •’traveling with the m ent — P n r a S chm uck the .Angels.

— DAVE CUNNINGHAM team this season. C arlos Alfonso, the pitching co ach in 1992 and currently d irector of Latin .American operations, will assu m e the role of bullpen ca tch er. Bullpen coach B o b Brenly retu rns to the first-base co ach in g box, allow­ Stirring In te rest G .M Search Is ow n Filling ing Bobby B ond s to con cen trate on hitting in­ Dan D uquette and M an­ two im m ediate needs, struction. a g e r Kevin K ennedy the team sig n ed free Reassignments: T o m ake room for its two most d iscu sse d acq u irin g agent T on y Phillips as a recent acquisitions, Shawon Dunston and F er­ Darryl Straw berry dun I left fielder and leadoff nandez, the team dumped two pitchers who h itter. Although he will ing the ow ners m eet­ played fairly prom inent roles last season. D es­ be 37 in April. Phillips ings. “W e need to evalu­ ignated for assignm ent w ere reliever Chris ate it m ore closely b e­ is co m in g off c a r e e r Hook and starter Jo e Rosselli. — LARRY STO E highs in hom e runs (27) and runs (119) with fore we decide if we are going to m ake an of­ *

BOSTON RED SOX

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Tire mighty ’p e a Depth w on't be a problem with the bullpen this season.

New clo se r Randy My­ e r s . new m iddlem an R o g er M cD ow ell and veteran lefthander Je s s e O rosco should provide sufficient protection in the late innings, and the situation could get ro sier if righthander Alan M ills, who re-signed last w eek. fully re­ cov ers from shou ld er su rg ery . M ills will com ­ pete for one of the rem aining bullpen roles along with lefth an d ers M ark Lee. A rthur R hodes and Rick Krivda and hard-throw ing righthan d er Arm ando Benitez. G eneral M an­ a g er Pat G illick appears confident som ething good will co m e out of that m ix. “W e feel b et­ ter about the m iddle and back end of our bullpen today than we did at the end of the seaso n ." G illick says.

Wort-to-progress: B en itez still is projected to b e a possible c lo se r down the line, but this season M an ag er Davey Jo h n so n will u se him in le ss stressfu l situations until h e m atures.

B en itez was not ready to accep t the responsi­

fer," D uquette says. .About Straw berry’s offfield problem s. D uquette adds: “h e 's had a couple of ch a n ce s and h e 's doing well in his recovery program ." If he signs, itll be to a b arg ain -b asem en t co n tra ct, and he'll be asked to platoon with Jo s e C an seco as both a right fielder and designated h it t e r .... In need of a clo ser, the club reportedly is eyeing a trade for P h illies rig h th a n d er H eathcliff Slocum b. In return, the Phillies supposedly w ere asking for outfielders Lee Tinsley and Glenn M urray and righthanded reliever Ken Ryan.

Sere Issue: Team physician .Arthur Pappas had to postpone an exam ination of shortstop ’WTI C ordero’s ailing right shoulder because the in­ fielder was participating in the winter league playoffs in Puerto R ic o .... T h e front office co n ­ tinued stockpiling questionable players with the signing of lefthander Randy Tom lin, who joins the likes of pitchers Chuck Ricci. Rich G arces, Jo s e M artinez. Ken Grundt and Tim Vanegm ond, who all signed m inor-league con­ tracts and were extended spring-training invi­ tations. ... Five players filed for arbitration, in­ cluding first basem an M o Vaughn, the Ameri­ can League M VP. O th ers w ere shortstop jo h n V alentin, second basem an Luis Alicea.

Cordero, righthander Stan Belinda and -left­ hander M ike Stanton.

— JOE GnjUUTTI

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

the .Angels. He had b etter n u m bers than h itter Lance Jo h n so n , w h a left via I leadoff free agen cy, and No. 2 h itter Tim Raines. who was traded, in four offensive cate g o ries.

T o n y 's the leadoff h itter we've been looking for to com p lete our lineup." G eneral M anag­ er Ron S ch u e le r says. “W e think his mix of extra-b ase power and ability lo get on base as a sw itch-hitter will m ake him a potent threat in our lineup ahead of Frank T h om as.

H arold B a rn es and Robin V en tu ra."

B ain es may d ecid e to u nretire No. 3 ‘ I started thinking about it." he s a y s . “It wa* goin g to be strange playing with my num ber up on the wall."

One more? Sch u eler has been prom ising two m ore outfielders, but the everyday right-field spot may go to second-year man Lyle M ou­ ton. T h e o th er new player would be a latem ning defensive replacem ent. Sch u eler e x ­ p ects a trade soon after talking with eight team s at last w eekjsV neetings. S ch u e le r also would like another W e b e r . ... By signing starting pitchers Alex r^m an d ez and W ilson Alvaiez and reliever Roberto Hernandez, the team avoided arbitration. Staff ace Fernandez sign ed -for $4.5 million; he made $3.25 million last season. Alvarez got a raise to $2.7 million, and Hernandez nearly doubled his salary to $1.9 million.

— DAVE VAN DYCK

44 • THE SPORTS MARKETPLACE

The Sporting News

Call (800) 445-2714 or (212) 779-5448//5463 Fax (212) 779-5568

R e i c h o v e r 3 .4 m i l l i o n s p o r t s e n t h u s i a s t s e a c h w e e k w it h a n a d In T H E S P O R T S M A R K E T P L A C E . A d d e a d lin e s are T u e s d a y s 5:00 P M E S T . eight (8) d a y s p rio r to on s a le date. fra il J u d y C lo c k or R ic h a rd G o ld s te in today for a d v e rtis in g in fo rm a tio n or to p la c e y o u r ad:_______

HOBBY CORNER

CABLE

AUTOGRAPHED MEMORABILIA TEK ELECTRONICS rl offers all major brands o f cable TV equipment.

STARGATESST Features include:

CATALOG

• • • • *

U p grad eab le card s lo t V o lu m e c o n tr o l P a re n ta l c o n tr o l A u d io /V id e o p o r ts S le e p tim e r

1 800 228 7404 -

-

-

“

E -3

Stow A » * y-----------S R S

K K S n lO r t i* *

fefcfcOwr_____ 21®

Cwt* SM P V5 Watt

Ryan D ic e ______ JI®

JaaD*to®c_____ TRR.® K®GAy.Ji______A ® Ten; G vjra---------- 31.® Rdta; K ro n en _ JI®

to to ; t o r *

VB®

B a rto n

it* ®

to te d Retort____ R I ®

FartTtee_ _ _ _ _ 40®

G asp to t_______ UDO

T clM faea-------- 119D0

HOW ARD S SPORTS CO LLECTIB LES H o . S t . a c p t . S N .T i6

C A B LE

TV

« C O N V E R T E R S & A C C E S SO R IES * JO DAY MONEY B A C K G U ARAN TEE * LOW EST PRICES * FR E E CATALOG ♦ IMMEDIATE SHIPPING P E R F O R M A N C E E LE C T R O N IC S 233 N 4S«h. S te, MOE. Lincoln. NE 68504

1 -8 0 0 -8 1 5 -1 5 1 2 Sale** Inc.

1-800* A-W IRE-4-U 293-73*8

ALL BRAND NAMES • Special D efier Price*! • C om pare o ur Low Retail P ricesl ■G uaranteed Price* ♦ Warrant!**!

*Order* shipped Immediately! COLD. * W E ’ L L B E A T A N Y PR ICE *

-

•• :

Jlv

* *•I a

FIRST C A U THEM. THEN C A U . CS ALL MAJOR BRANDS AVAILABLE 3 0

O ily O u ttr n n to ^ • I

Y f W iirriin ry

GLAMORE ELEC TR O N IC S -* - O O O - O O V O I D W H R W I: r-ewOMii»iT|:oj»y L A W _

F=i

C A BLE TV DESCRA M BLER

JI

S A L E m e ; 30-d a y m u !

1-800-884-3473 : YR VVARR A tli Y - I S .W [ D I A 7 ( S h i r r r i p

CABlf DEPOT. IWC

REAL ESTATE G O V T FO RECLO SED homes for pennies on $1.

Delinquent Tax. Repo‘s.

REO's. Your Area. Toll Free (1) 800-898-9778 Ext. H-4225 for current listings.

1995 SETS ft BOXES TeoxSatfaa S * ------57RS Ocm as B a e r t S* _ S7R5 S a n B a e e S W ____ 57R5 f t o r B a ® d S « -------- SIRS Teec* lo d e S d ____ S R S Tea* Toto) B o x____ 36R5 Ft* K O * S d -------- C R S W K A C g y T W U . t o i* i* lA iT C x . O W w w r * C C O o it o * t o C M L hare fee C S ® CCO Wa *H S & m F lH p *M t.to C ta i fa d ,* M C U X > p * b M ® B flr n i* i MMP 10*11 W H CMO

■ tM id n S d iT R

Perm m «£j*3 to ctw ox Mn*

fetto«»* J *yOMWi^o«cm*t*rJ»^l»cMrp*3 to f» Ai mxut Wanytu csp*■*■»o*xwdfenv

Autographed Baseballs $185 Nolan Ryan ---SSO Joe DiMaggw M ickey Mantle 175 Stan MusiaJ . . 45 . 125 Bob Feller ........

25 Ted W illiam s 299 Reggie Jackson M anfla/DiM aggio Com bo .50 Q reg Maddux SS Yagi Bena . . .. 40 Don Matting fy . . .40 40 Phil R izzuto 44 Sandy Koufax . . .50 Ken Griffey. Jr .

44 Dave W infield . . . . 45 Frank Thom as M ike Schm idt .............. . 50 Kirby Puckett . . . . . 45 50 500 H R Club . . . . .750 G eorge Bren . . .

----W E ARE AN UPPER DECK AUTHENTICATED D EA LER C A LL

Everquest • Panasonic ♦ Jerrold Zenith • Pioneer • Scientific Atlanta Oak • Eagle Hamlin • Tocom

Call For Your FREE Catalog Today!

I 800 6 2 4 -1 1 5 0

?7)r*A ty 'y e e r* Th * S p o rito £ N iw r* lf* M ,l m M ii-in y .tim p lrm i& o c i£ 3 t ik u rn e d s t

BS D

MTS S. 7 2 n d

L

S VB WARRANT^

Vi.-TpN-* iii

w /p u rc h u e

BaTtary or »WA« Kketfe

r n

Fi, Lajorcak. FL 33309

B atting T utor The Backyard Pitching Machine • Pita** p fy t a r t a n • bi u p n p M

1 800 448-8867

b a\ct> * ll S.'®

-

-

tor F R E E brochure

VI0E0

-X rrsiM PITCH, the news magazine for Orioles fans, gives you indepth coverage of the Baltimore Orioles. Each issue features player profiles, minor league coverage, objective analysis & more: One year S26.9S/2 Yean S46.95 mc

BASEBALL. A R im by K e n Burns Over two centuries of bcsebol in this 9 Vol sal. The glory, the heroes, and the sandals. It's afl here.

Nonnafiy SI 79.98, now only SI 29.98 pius S5.9S shipping. Idaho residents please add 5% sales ta.

Send check ar money order to:

I - 8 0 0 - 3 4 -B IR D S to ewBmHW

TV* Rner’j Vide* RO. Bm UJ, Sl Mines. ID 83861

O R IO LES FA N S

For

FREE

/ B e s t S e r v ic e In fo rm a tio n :

S P O R T S F A N -T A S T IC

P.O. Box 1012. D a n on . CT 0 6 82 0 1 -8 0 0 -6 8 2 -8 7 1 0 ______ f f b b l @ a o l . c o m ______

SSS $70 $75 $99

bros® Edson Bz SISO AuS«n&c Cap $99 AaDeiit Batting Meted $150 8 x IO Ptoto $45

STATS SPORTS MEMORABILIA. IMC. 14 WASHBURN PLACE CALDWELL. NJ 07006 PHONE 201-220-6257 FAX 201-223-1871 K t P c e o c id L s r r c u e 35 TOPPS NR. S r i aa® BB BO MUM SET i i * 95 95 upecx sp s n aw * BMBUOHBASET c s* BM * i e * (CO PS V K E B ) I SCT BOX I 0 SETS CABS* -SS* TOPPS IM W S E T O * *

9 5 BA SEBA LL • ipppsiSET aas to O O R B S iS T ca* ■ seen 'S r i sx a ■ CXOOCESET CZA

TOPPSRHR scan. c o c u s A U * SETS

HMA

TOPPS ( W T T S T

C IA

IW R CECHs r

Afl^5

QUALITY C A R D S 1 - 8 0 0 - 6 8 9 - 4 SBB 7297 Bennington Pa*. Rivanna. OK *42G6 into (216) 297-0004 ’ Jm. • fob Od E.QTM

GUIDE FOR SHOPPERS T h is Y ear Be R a n k e d 9 \ Sapd That Special Someone A M E S S A G E IN A B O T T L E lev pnaotad Besoot ad ooy^n b gnadwd to orch* a tfjk Grad far d oozaoa.

800-585-0822 24hr info line or 806-33-BOTTLE order*

S I P E R ROM L X X X C C L ’M r M O r A i l Y : M lfJl-FCO lSA LL

-7Hx4" (approx, size) -FULL COLOR LOGO -Real Laces & Stitching -NTL Logo • Includes Kicking Tee

“ “’ S I O ®

HELP WANTED S 4 0 .0 0 0 / Y R IN C O M E

potential...

Home typists/PC users.

Toll Free (1) 800-898-9778 Ext. T-4225 for listings.

$35,000/yr. INCOME

potential. Reading books.

Toll Free (1) 800-898-9778 Ext. R-4225 for details.

tor

f

Pha $3.50 ahlpptog A handing Please m ake checks p a y a b le to: DAM G O L D E N 'S S690 A e r o Dr.. S u ite 102 S a n D iego. C A 32123 (6191 587-1930

it

Custom Handcrafted BASEBALL. GLOVES

•Drtiga you owa • Beflie u from i i owentgt cost.............$390 R eiio ritio et J

Repair*

«rj

Re a c i a j A R c c o o d m o o i o ;

• FtStMt, COTTO ft tttm

RJL Srtlrms. 106 New Harrs Ate. ; Milford. CT 06460 - PH 203 * 878 - 0376

O tfca'Basial AJ-Sbr Bal Wart! Seres Bal 16x20 P d a

N o w F o rm in g

*■Fantasy leagues are now (am ang for th© 1996 eeaaon ★ G et in on a ll (ho action ★ 6th B ig Season ■ ie O ne tim© leo. no ad d itio n al fee* ★W eekly la se r-p rim e d report* ★ Private league* availab le ★ CASH PRIZES availab le

! The software too! to manage team awt’cu league I baseball of withal! stats The choice of high schools, colleges, amateur-pro teamleagucs and • came plovers IBM PC I o: cooipatihk MC.VtsaAfnes Price $6g Alvo <aathook lo: I football STV. o d d b a ll J<h. hockeyvocccj S*g.

Stan's Sports Memorab&a Inc. presents a private autograph sigrang session with the Best Pitcher in Baseball. Mr Greg Maddux.

The lour-time Cy Ybung winner w il meet with Donna and Stan on or about February 18 rn Honda tor the season This is your chance to purchase your own authentic autograph of the future HaD of Famer al an affordable pnce? Reserve yows new betorn they sefi ouL Our items only

e a g u e s

FANATIC FANTASY BASEBALL

THE B A S E B A LL STATBOOK

MAGAZINES

L

(3 0 5)776-5739

T S N A d v E R r is in q ; R a t e s •

M eager v e b rd tin 15?.

a n t a s y

OUTDOORS >ouD -FTTEE PTiOCHURE e r t n .

V«eminr* Vabir A,k**fe-uL*w

PC SOFTWARE

x

a s e b a l l

INDOORS

• O m a h a . H K W I 14

i. - --•• •*.

F

m u j i k

PRIN A I i: S IM N IN G S E S S IO N

POR INFO. f ^ j

B O N D S O R G R IF F E Y B

: <;

/ G R E L A T P R IZ E S / L O W P R IC E S

F re e r a r rwt

SI

ir *

to ss up

C o rf*

TOD MW . STift - l a c e

M

so n

G d li4 q R

And say N O to un-earthfy equipment rental fees.

SS

S75 50 . 45 40 40 45 45 45 . 40 so

C o n Bo Y o u rs U

QUIC HANDS* AnSU

r i

FANTASY GAMES

EQUIPMENT $189

M ichael Jordan .

Eddie Murray W illie M ays Duke Snider M o Vaughn Johnny Bench Hank Aaron . . .

Ernie Banks .

W hitey Ford Htoeo Nome .

(;

F R E E SH IPPIN G

14 W ASH B U R N P L A C E . C A L D W E L L N J 07006 201-228-5257 F A X 201-228-1871 C a ll to r tm * C atalo g A ll A u to g rap h s com a w ith C e rtifica te o f A u th en ticity. O th er S po rt* A vailab le.

Vert w S J salr* iVsW * Mtoim

CABLE I V. DESCRAUSLERS WHO HLS THE....

BEST PRICES A FRIENDLIEST SERVICE?

SU _ SRRS

S T A N ’S S P O R T S M E M O R A B IL IA , IN C .

We specialize in ‘QUANTITY PRICING"

.

1995fOQIBALL

TCO*K X J T B A il

Rc**i on CeenasooOw ta® IRSal

1 8 0 0 457-9974

Jerrold, Scientific, Atlanta, Zenith, Pioneer and Tocom systems

No Michigan sales

U p * CW* CC I B * J1R5 Scan I B a _________38RS

C d f% to n .Jt._____ 7RR5

O tp r J a w _____ 38R5

BRS S9RS

F t o r U f c l I t a ---------- SR RS

Dorm to m e ------ 3BR5

A®

cal ^

Dorn* 18a Tea*' Bn

tog to fts -------- 66®

t o p s . c . OH 4SS36

B & S Sales (810) 5 6 6 -7 2 4 8 fax (810) 5 6 6 -7 2 5 8

We h*w C Tw ^taf k A to o p ^ rd

1*3*1 FVrtd G a . 32DC Kamylnton______33RS

A t * M i _______ B R S J a to C c rY n --------- K l®

• ■ •*•

Eadi t o kxtodo a Qrt&de rf AMbolidty.

OcnUnan_____ 21®

S*n»________ USS En* B o ta______ 39®

I J S I . M a im S t . I* 0

CABLE CONVERTERS

x x SINCE 1971!

I ? “ To i n im

37DO

Q etsB aw p_____ 39R5

-

Yoo art scare wha baying antognpbed maaarihffii from Howard**-.

1 -6 0 0 -0 2 4 -9 2 0 3

c o st t x t w

;

en*

1*0 A 1*0 JU

FR EI BROCHURE

- TH S tP O R T t DOCTOR IO* Knoll Way. Rocky Kin. HJ 08SS3 MC. VISA & AMEX A ccept*! ACO 8% tax lo/ NJ . A L L W O R K 1QO% S A T IS F A C T IO N G U A R A N T E E

P a ym e n t Payment with order or charge your MasterCard or Visa ac­ count. Checks and Money orders should be made out to THE SPORTING NEW S. THE SPORTING N EW S re­ serves the right to refuse any advertis­ ing order. Only publication of an ad­ vertisement shall constiture fktaJ ac­ ceptance of an order. Publication does not constitute an agreement for con­ tinued publication. A ll orders are sub­ ject to the applicable rate card, copies of which are available upon written request sent to address provided.

ILL / THE SPOUTS MARKETPLACE»45

January 29, 19%

'N

ankle, sustained just before the end of the regular season. Despite the fragile condition of his ankle, Baerga played winter ball in Puerto Rico until being summoned to Cleve­ land for his recent medical exam.

Waiting gane: Julian Tavarez will have to w*ait before cracking the rotation. He was so suc­ cessful (10-2. 2.44 ERA) as a setup man last year, the club doesn’t want to tamper with success just yet “In 1996, Julian wiD be in the bullpen again.” G.M. John Hart says. "But be­ yond 1996. he probably will get a chance as a starter. That’s not set in stone, but at some point he is going to be a starter. I think." ...

Tavarez no longer looks like a poster boy for Weight Watchers. Last year, he was listed at 6 feet 2. 165 pounds. After the World Series, he says he weighed 175. Last week. he was up to 1%. T h a ts from eating rice, beans and chicken." Tavarez says. “No Taco Bell for me."

— SHBJWi OCKER

CLEVELAND INDIANS t o w e r y n a e : Right­ hander Daron Kirkreit, the team’s No. I pick in the 1993 draft is recov­ ering from rotater-oiff surgery that ruined his 1995 season. T m throwing every other day and doing my rehab program,’ he says.

“When spring training starts, IU probably be finishing long toss and slowly work myself up to pitching off the mound." Kirkreit can’t even guess when he will be permitted to pitch In a game, but it probably won’t happen until at least early June. ... Carlos Baerga was given a clean biff of health by team doctors after recovering from a hairline fracture of his

A r n (fiaessfoc If Gen­ eral M anager Randy Smith can find a d e i that won’t strain the payroll, offseason ac­ quisitions won’t be lim­ ited to bargain pickups and retreads. Smith, who made himself accessible at last weeks owners meetings, wants all-around athletes — not the preponderance of offense-only, one-dimensional players the team has had re­ cently. Phil Nevin. acquired by then-G.M. Joe Klein in July, fits the new mold with his athleticism. Nevin. a third baseman since college, played left field after being acquired by the Tigers and will try catching in spring training. Nevin caught in high school ... Al­ though the team will enter the season with­ out an experienced pitcher in the rotation.

Smith says he Won’t add a veteran unless the price is right WbIcqbs bade Klein, fired as G.M. in favor of Smith in October, rejoins the team as a spe­

SPORTS BOOKS & PERIODICALS I M U U n I W H I M . I O O I U M I 1.1 MU

LATEST SPORTS SCORES NOWI

Help Your Yourn; Ball Plaint Pix, Belter Boll

Up dated every 15 m inutes

Cad 1/800/714-5768 i\< >. r.«>\: i:. viii.uni. <Mn** 44x05

"1 -9 0 0 - 2 3 4 - 0 9 8 8

TnaJ subscription: 2 issucs/$12: O r 1 Year. 6/S29.9S: 2 Years: 12/554.90; MC/V

ir it

(rf Or lr * Fe Ow F IB 32-fay* (rfor Citrfog IAI, Mbor Ljcqoe. Cooperstown O L HH. BHL EHL BS, (o lm bean Boday

* By. New En. Praline and The Gam* m •r •

*. •- « r** PHONE: SOO 9 0 8 *2637

V r i T j 1 r\

PAU— Cow boy

Internet online store at www^poftesteraxom/sportssters (214) 386-S C O R (E )

Q ty of Industry. CA 91715-3216 Th* Cfrfr S ore* tor Scorn JnfcrraPcn • News • Ir^ury Updates • Stassao

• Recapes •

C A L L N O W I -900-234-0267

0 Cr i l l

SI 09‘ min. Must br IH+ yran Tcuebiont phone: rrtjutrcd

WENDELSTEDT U M PIRE S C H O O L Jan. 2,1997 — F e b .7 ,1997 9 M A JO R LEAGUE U M P IR E S ON STA PF F U tX TIME 104 FO R M E R S T U D E N T S A S S VG N E 0 T O 1 9 6 0 -9 3 W O R LD S E R IE S . PUA ' O F F S A N O AEL - S T A R G A M E S C A LL 9 0 4 - 6 7 2 - 4 * 7 9 o r W R ITE

M in o r L e a g u e s. M ajor D ream s Minor League Baseball Jerseys Over 400 Bams from MLB AfTfialed Minor Leagues. HI. AZ. T X A A CSA. ML. AHL Fitted/Adj Caps & Outerwear Wrtta tor FREE B rochure to: P O. Ben 6096 Anaheim. CA 82816. n to m o c W p a W w w jw in o rta a g u t s x o o W n r o r lBag u M

O dor C al: 800-348-2421 Fax 714-838-0655

N a tio n a l L g . U m p ire H a rry W e n d e ll te d !

88 S o . S t An d re w D riv e O rm ond B e ach , F L 32174 r

|

mmm m b A J . C * * -m KICK ING C A M PS 1 PAA TX • June. J«j#y * Boy* 10-19 I A PUNTERS I -

SCOREBOARD

No Fee* • No Hivsic Get the S c o re r News jr»d more 2-1 hr*. dav Yoe ire ihoci to change your weekend* FOREVER'*

P O Box 93216

• SchedUes

I '* p c r t

r« » i

puorrtwa

l# n d 13 a! rh* lCCv* i p t o f y l e o n iM tisfc c iic o

C A M P S & SCH OOLS

Worn by N R pbytrc & coaches • Mock turtleneck «100% cotton • Uacfltne wasftaWa • , Made tn USA • For athlete & tans s i year round • AA K R tsars avatars, most in hora or ( m y verson • Official tern cotan • EmOrotaemi tsara nam* on neck * AUTHENTIC PRQ I U N ETCA99 AJO PW PW ORDE* U. L XL. ZX 3X Canada add S3 US. Send I crack. HO. to: ANITA'S TREASURES. 1150 E Conn*gtora. Oetf SK329. PSaone. H 60067 I YtSA/tAxsiBTCxrd/AA&cras. O rder CAU. TOU. FR S 1-800-535-5667 IL re. add ja to J jzx jia fcxs a g w ig s t ORD© MOW!

* it ♦

Moving and shaking: Righthander Ben Mc­ Donald agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth almost S6 million.

T h is is a big one for us."

G.M. Sal Bando says.

“ICs not very often you go out and get a No. I starter like this." The deal in­ cludes several incentive bonuses, a combina­ tion of which would guarantee a third year for McDonald. Although the team has been burned by long-term, big-dollar deals. Bando | says the opportunity to sign McDonald is worth the risk. “I see us moving into a new stadium fin 1999). and Ben can be a part of that He can fit into our future."... McDonald. 28, bothered by shoulder tendinitis last year, was given a dean bill of health by Angels team doctor I>ewis -Yocum. ... Bando claimed lefthander Mike Potts off waivers from the Braves and picked up catcher Kelly Stinnett from the Mets. Potts should shore up the bullpen; Stinnett will share time with Mike Matheny.

Jato returns: Another move that eased the minds of fans was the signing of first base­ man/designated hitter John Jaha to a oneyear. Si.05-million contract Jaha, who was coming off the best season of his career in a year in which he was arbitration-eligible, drew interest from several Japanese teams willing to buy his contract Bando refused.

Though he says he didn’t sign Jaha to trade him, Bando says he will listen to all offers....

First baseman Dave Nilsson was expected to avoid an arbitration hearing by accepting an offer of about Si million. Signing pitcher Cai Eldred, the final arbitration case, could be tougher.

— DREW OLSON

West Coast Players Club

C u s t S e rv ice 916-484-5620

L O W E S T P R I C E ON Y O U R AUTHENTIC PROLINE TU R F SHIRT!

CAPS

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

THE ULTIMATE SPORTS HOT­ LINE

Call 24 h rs/d ay ‘1&+

LICENSED APPAREL

S ta r Struck

Hammer bits I t Bob Hamelin is shedding weight and adding mus­ cle as he tries to bounce back from a horrible sea­ son. The Hammer, the rf!

A.L’s 1994 Rookie of the Year, struggled through a difficult season that included two unsched­ uled trips to Omaha of the American Associa­ tion. Hamelin. who hit just seven homers and batted .168 in 72 games for the Royals, has been on a training and weightlifting program that has dropped him from 259 to 245 pounds while making him stronger. T m solid. I feel good about it" says Hamelin. who is expected to give up his D.H. role and replace Wally Joyner at first base. Catcher Mike Macfariane. who works out with Hamelin. is impressed.

“Hammer's looking good Hammer has lost half a person out of him already." Macfariane says. Joe Vitiello. another.first baseman, is the leading D.R candidate.

Goteg, going •••? Although the D.H. issue was softpedaled amid the excitement of interleague play. General Manager Herk Robinson believes the end might be near. “You won’t have a D.H. if you have interieague play." he says. "I think the National League would never go for it and there are probably enough owners in the American League who would fa­ t i f f

vor doing away with i t ’... Two former Twins, outfielder Pedro Munoz and pitcher Kevin Tapani, are drawing interest as free agents.

Munoz batted 301 with 18 homers last season and Tapani was a combined 10-13 for the Twins and Dodgers.

— OtOC KjLEGB.

S P O R T S IN F O R M A T IO N

Baseball Parent O h . i i t i l i'.ii k ''ji ikt-

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

R

DETROIT TIGERS R n tiBK Hamlin hopes his offseason workout program will give his statistics a lift

cial assignment scout It is a significant move in that last year. Klein began the organize, tion’s long-overdue, total commitment to youth; he is thoroughly familiar with the tal­ ent in the organization, especially the pitch­ ers. ... Outfielder Bobby Higginson (224. 14 home runs, 43 RBIs, league-leading 13 as­ sists) easily won club Rookie of the Year hon­ ors. ... Alan Trammell remains unsigned, but his return for a 20th Tigers season appears all but certain.... President John McHaie Jr., on the approval of interieague play: “We think it would be very exciting. It’s archaic for us not to consider this."

— REID Cfl£A63)

J a g u s r * .

S t * v * _

D on SA-1 B em ol ■

I

I

I I I

■> _ U .C . — M O FOOTBALL TRYOUT C A M P

_

I

i I |

O p e n to a n F r e e A g e n ts. Ail P o s itio n s B e S e e n b y P ro C o a c h e s & S c o u ts a

MFI. CUTS DRAFT!

H e lp FHI E m p ty R o ste r S p o ts S c o u ts R e a d y T o S ig n Y o u A t C am p I S h ip p e n sb u rg U ., P A • 13th Y r.

4 F u ll D a ys • Ju n e 1S-18 I -U V E " C O N T A C T & S C R IM M A G E S ’

•<£

ct**

,1%0er0*t

I U U TOU w a I j j ^ g j j l T l

I

Separate Yourn "Conacf Camps w/NR Pita Separate Yot£i K rtang' Camp w/NR K d c a r s J

FO O TBALL CAM PS A gos 8 • 18 • J u n e & July. 1996 Loam Footman From Tho Boat P lay ers rn Tho NFL • F oatunng B E A R S. C O W B O Y S. EA G L E S. G IA N TS JA G U A R S . PA T R IO T S . PA N T H E R S. S T E E L E R S . & R E D S K IN S OB C am ps! Kicking C am po! Wo n ave it aff! Ovom*ght c a m p s in or n o o r AA CT. OE R . GA IL W. LA UC UA UL WH. NC. NU. Hi. KW. NY. CH OK PA RI. SC TX VA VT. TW WI For FR EE b ro ch u re caff (24 hrs) FR EE

1-800-555-0801

For l a m I n f o r m a t io n pit U-V- J

. v*

C a II R ick A n d o d Ju d y ; ^ 1 -8 0 0 ^ 4 4 ^ 2 7 1 4

46 • Ai.

The Sporting News

T ix x s

MINNESOTA IM INS Ira digs?

T h e team is ste w in g up its campaaifn for a new retraclabie-roof park.

G o b officials presented work done by a re­ search firm to key state lejrislators. who then drafted a referendum with Gov. Ame Carlson and the Minnesota Professional Sports Task Force. The bill will be heard by House and Senate committees and then have to survive committee and floor votes. It could be on the state ballot as early as Noviember. Althoujfh the team didn’t release exan poll fijrures. the club says the research shows a majoritywould approve of building 9 new stadium if money com es from the team, private sources and a tax on those who use the stadium rather than a straight tax increase.

Pact Standoff; Second baseman Chuck Knoblauch, as expected, filed for arbitration.

Team officials and Knoblauch are trying to work out a multiyear contract but have been unable to come lo lerm> The annual winter carav-an has been rolling through the upper Midwest and G.M. Terry Ryan has been get­ ting feedback from the public regarding the club's recent moves. "Some of the (fans) are wondering whether (Rick) .A ^ilera can make the switch (lo starting pitcher), and why I made all of those tradt*s last year." Ryan says, “but most of it has b trn positive.".. Former Twin B en Blyieven has joined the club’s tele­ vision broadcasting cre w .'..T h e Twins will open the. season at home against the Tigers at p.m. C l .April I It s an afternoon game because the NC.AA basketball championship is later that night.

— SCOTT M b i ER

NEW YORK Y.ANKEES

P tta r An arbitra­ tion hearing with third baseman Dean Palmer was avoided when he agreed to a salary of $1.925,0(X). the same as in 1995. Palmer missed four months of last sea­ son with a tom biceps muscle in tus left arm.

Clubs have called to inquire about Palmer, bul General M anager Doug Melvin says nothing is in the works. Those talks might gel revived in spring training when teams see lf Palmer has recovered from his injury. '“From our standpoint, we’re not shopping him." Melvin says. "Fve said there’s not any­ one untouchable, but for me he looks like h e ll be a big part of our bdlclub. We need his offensive production." Palmer has not spent the winter goofing off at his home in Talla­ hassee. Fla. “Fve been swinging for a while and everything’s been great,*' P ^ e r says. ‘ I haven’t had any problems or pain. T h ere’s no doubt in my mind Tm as good as I’ve ever been and stronger than Eve ever been be­ fore."

Fining kolas: Manager Johnny Oates men­ tions a fifth starter as one (rf the last remain­ ing spots that needs lo be addressed. Oates says he wants the job to go lo lefthanded pitcher Darren Oliver, who is coming off arm surgery. “But we’re not going to push him."

Oates says. Team o ffic e s also have told Oates that righthander Gil Heredia, acquired from the E x ^ , will be a strong candidate....

Camp will open with a stockpile of reserve in­ fielders. T h e latest is former M ets shortstop Kevin Bister, who is coming to camp on a miDor league con tract ? — T .R . SULUVAX

By making a pitch for toork at a saiary the^A's can Vswallow. Eckersley may wifui up being traded. The Red Sox and Cardinals arc considered possible suitors

Seektufl relteh

O.AKLAND.YS

OteannlnB: G.M. Bob Any takers? Dennis Eck\^‘atson left the owners ersley. a veteran of 21 meetings without acquir­ seasons, wants lo pilch ing lefthanded relief in 1996. bul his $2.3-milhelp. The club made a lion contract is not appe­ non-guaranleed $500.(XX) tizing lo the club, which offer to Steve Howe. "He would like to trade him didn’t have a gcxxl year somewhere. Anywhere. last year, but I like the young man and his fam­ Two interested teams are St. Louis and ily." Ovmer Crewge Sieinbrenner says, lf Howe Boston. Neither h ^ an established closer, al­ does not re-sign, the team will look at Derek though the Cardinals look like_ they will re­ UIliquisL ... Meiido Perez injured his right el­ sigh'Tom Henke after May I .'l f ^ e r s l e y bow pitching in the Dominican Republic. Perez ends up with the Red Sox. it will be his sec­ is trying to return from shoulder trouble that ond stint in Boston, where be was a 20-game limited him lo 13 games last season. lf Perez’s winner in 1978. He has since become one of injury' is serious, the team could recover all or the greatest closers of all-time, last season be­ part of his S4.4-million salary through an insur­ coming the sixth reliever to have at least 300 ance policy.... Kenny Rogers, signed lo a foursaves. Another positive sign for the Red Sox year. $20-million deal. is 2-3 with a 6.47 ERA at — Eckersley and his family reside in nearby Vankee Stadium and he is 0-3 with a 13.94 ERA Sudbury. M a ss .... Count Owner Steve Schott in his last three slarts in the Bronx. "Maybe it’s as a strong proponent of interleague play: “I just good that I won’t have lo b ee the Yankees think it’s important lo satisfy fans No. I .... lf anymore." Rogers sa>s you can't satish* them. you’ve missed the Pact honse; jim Leyrilz avoided arbitration boat." Schott, who with partner Ken Hoftnann by signing a two-year contract. Among assuqied control of the team November I. the players who still could go lo arbitration dislikes the designated hitter and would like are Bernie VMIliams. John Weiteland and lo see it abolished. "I'm from the old school B ob W ickm an W illiam s, who made where pitchers h it" he says. >400.000 last season, could jump into the Tbnabs ap; Interest is being shown in payroll stratosphere ... C atcher jo e Girard!

Vladimir Nunez and Larry Rodrigijez. two has an answer for fans critical of the I more Cuban pitchers who recenth* defected decision lo let good-hitting M ike Stanley to Venezuela. Nunez and Rodriguez, howev­ leave town “I understand the situation. The er. were part of Cuba’s national junior team, a (ans like Mike Stanley vert' much. (But) son of second-string unit. Nonetheless, major I’m not going lo replace M ike Stanley ... leegue scouts have given the thumbs up on The fans aren t necessarily mad at me. the two prospects, and the team has enlisted Thev ju st enjoyed M ike Stanley as a the recruiting help of its own Cuban pitcher. p la y rr" — JON He YIUN .Ariel Pnelo GOMEZ

TORONTO B U E JAYS

SE.ATTLE MARINERS doss scretlny: G.M. Woody Woodward is accustomed to working in obscurity, especially during the offseason.

T h b one has been d ifferen t "Everything we’ve done has b ^ un­ der more of a microscope than in the p ast" he says. Fans have been critical of the Irades that sent Mike Blowers to the Dodgers. BHI Risley to the Blue ja y s and Tmo Martinez and Jeff Nelson to the Yankees. But Woodward says this year’s team will be better. "We have reshaped the team. not dismantled it " he says. "W ell have to wait and see what hap­ pens. but we still have a strong nucleus and some talented young players. How the young players respond is the question. We haven’t fidded with the middle of our lineup and the starting pitching should be better." ... Ken Griffey Jr. says his left wrist is feeling fine, and he expects to be ready to go on February 22 when the position players begin spring training. Griffey had the metal plate and sev­ en screws removed from the wrist in early December.

SlifftbiB pears: \Voodward says the team has given up trying to sign free-agent setup man Jeff Russell. Woodward says he might wait until the middle of spring training to add an­ other p itch er.... Club officials say they don’t expect Greg Hibbard to be sufficiently healed from rotator-cuff surgery to pitch again for the organization.... At least 26 pitchers will be invited lo training camp. That is more than Manager Lou Rniella p rders, bul there are several openings.

— J w STREET

r .a x ( ; e r s

Juan Samuel signed a minor league contract and was invited to the major league camp. He hit .263 with 12 homers and 39 R B is for the Tigers and Royals last season and is expected to be the veteran in an other­ wise green middle infield. If Sam u el 35. makes the team as a backup, then it could mean last year's utility player. Domingo Cedeno. will be the starting second baseman.

Cedeno has received batting help in the off­ season from former Blue Jays star (George Bell. ... Also signed was former Jay s M hander Vince Horsman. a native of eastern Canada, who wiB* battle for a spot in the crowded bullpen derby. ... The team signed third baseman Ed Sprague to a ihree-year deal worth S5.96 million.

Still ffsMDp: (General Manager Gord Ash talked to a number of d u bs at the Los Ange­ les meetings about pitching and backup-outfield help. 'T h e re ’s nothing im m inent* he says. * ^ V r e just alerting d u b s to what we’re looking for and what our scouts will be watch­ ing com e spring training." ... Third-base coach Nick Leyva is managing the Lara Car­ dinals in Venezuela and reports that young relievers Tun Crabtree and Paul Spoljaric have been overpowering.... The club expects a significant drop in season-ticket sales, which the front office always has limited to 26,0(X). It’s possible only 20.(XX) will be sold this year. b r a u s e the poorer seats are hard­ er to sell and fans know there will be few se ll outs anyway.

— STEVE M u m SaiBPfll

i

OK

January 29,1996

THE CLOSER F I R S T - P E R S O N

‘A player’s player’ All great players are multi-dimensional. It is m ore than th eir obvious athletic ability that puts them above the rest. They also excel because of th eir mind-set, personality and the expectations they have of them selves.

I rem em ber D an’s rookie year (1971) at train­ ing cam p in Bloom ington. 111. All of us were amazed as we watched him go through the agility

By JA M E S W H " drills and the 40-yard dash. We could not believe a man that big could move his body that fast. Sud­ he Dallas Cowboys and S t Louis Cardinals hooked up in som e pret­ denly the term “im pact player" had a definition. ty’ fierce battles in the 1970s, with Dan D ierdorf and Ed (Too Tall) T his guy was special. T he prom ise and hope of Jones sm ack in the middle of them . One gam e stands out because of our initial observations w ere never disappointed. the way it started. Jim H art called-a pass play and Dan said to me, Rare Wnfc Smiih (above) saw It^oon became obvious Dan had more to offer ‘'W atch w hat I do to him this time." Jones cam e in with his classic sweeping Dierdorf use a unique combi­ than, great talent. His personality and quick wit outside rush, which Dan had anticipated, and Dan leveled him. “I had to g et nation ofsize and agility to punish defenders. k e p fu s entertained. His serious and professional his attention." was the simple explanation. approach to the gam e made us take Dan had th e attention of defen­ a closer look at our own attitudes. sive ends th ro u g h o u t pro football T h roughout his career, we all during his 13-year career, and I was sensed a brand of comm itment that fortunate enough to play alongside w ent beyond getting ready for a him for m ost of those years. Al­ football game. He appeared to be on though ray background was dodg­ a personal quest to satisfy' a self:iming players, not writing about them , posed level of excellence. I believe I want to tell you why I believe Dan his attitude cam e from his sincere should be voted into the Pro Foot­ reverence for the gam e. He seem ed ball Hall of Fam e w hen selections to consider playing one of life’s are announced Saturday. ' blessings. Dan was a “player’s play­ Som eone once said, “Love is er." the highest com plim ent a guy blind, and friendship closes its can receive. Dan had the absolute eyes," and so you m ight think Tm respect of those who knew him b e st honoring our friendship instead of . O ne last th o u g h t Many athletes looking at the facts. Ifs not just me, have moved from the field to the though. Many know ledgeable foot­ broadcast booth, but very few nave ball people w onder why D an’s bust with the ability that is Dan’s. It may has not already assum ed its place be hard for som e people to believe betw een Len D aw son’s and M ike that one guy. especially a football D itka’s. Could be they realize that player, could be so talented in two noggin of his is going to require an such different professions. It obvi­ extra 50 pounds of bronze! ously would not be fair to use per­ Let’s look at his career. Dan form ance in one to come to conclu­ played in six Pro Bowls, w as an Allsions about the other. Selectors are Pro five tim es and w as voted NFC primarily print media observers of Lineman of the Year th ree consecu­ the gam e. Some of their observa­ tive years (1976 through 7 8 ). He tions come via television. I was told was th e league’s first 300-plus pound lineman with speed and agility, the forerunner of offensive tackles such that a couple of the voters may be resentful because of D an’s success or do as Erik W illiams and Willie Roaf of today. He was a player with g reat pride, not like his style of com m entary on the M onday Night gam es and are voting their displeasure. It’s hard for me to believe that is the case. M aybe its be­ courage and leadership.

T he voters — a group of 36 sportsw riters and broadcasters from across the cause as a proud m em ber of this unique fraternity. I don’t want to believe it.

With their votes, these men helped create this unique institution and assum e country — are also m ore familiar with him and his personality m ore than with any o th er candidate in recent history' because of M onday Night Football. It the responsibility' to maintain the integrity' of the Hall of Fame honor and the could be they need a little m ore insight into offensive tackle play to m ake a unkm e fraternity it represents. M e r all. they will forever share in its heritage sound ju d g m e n t After all, they look at the gam e in overview: W ho won o r lost anam tegrity. I have to assum e by w hatever method and in whatever time the and why. I was kidding one of my sportsw riter friends recently when I said, selectors m ake their decisions that they would not jeopardize their personal “Sportsw riters are like observers of a battle. They watch the battle from the legacies or that of the Football Hall of Fame.

W ords simply can’t describe the feelings that overwhelm ed me the day I was high ground a safe distance away, and when it’s over, they com e down and shoot the wounded." T heir job is to com m ent on how the gam e was played, inducted. T he city of Canton mobilizes for the H allpf Fame, and th e re s noth­ ing like i t You ride in a parade th at’s four or five miles long and th e re s noth­ not critique the footwork of interior linemen.

Given that, we cannot expect them to appreciate the skills and perform ance ing but people as far as you can see. Then you walk out on that podium and de­ levels of individual players, especially w hen it com es to a “non-statistical” po­ liver your speech. Everyone there m akes you feel-as though you’re the most sition like offensive tackle. You can’t look at gahie statistics and check out per­ im portant person on earth.

Dan is the best offensive tackle of his era, maybe of any era. He d eserv es to form ance num bers for the right tackle. You could assum e linemen played well ♦ if th ere were.no sacks and over 300 yards in ru sh in g for a gam e, but there are know that feeling.

Jackie S m ith was a five-tim e Pro Bowl tight end fo r the St. I J) ins Cardinals. He no stats on how each lineman perform ed. Conversely, w hat do we all know was inducted into the Pro Football H all o f Fam e in 1994. about Je rry Rice or Brett Favre?

A member of the Hall of Fame says Dan Dierdorf deserves a place among pro football’s legends

T

47

VI r\ C xr

b-o| U -i

la y s •P IM »Jk.r3 <■

ff«

Satisfying taste and lower tar.

You make the call.

VJ l

ii- - ' -I

Y ^ fT '

±i -J33 l vv > b ; ‘ . '•

. t *- *c' •

.•‘ , i ; -• V

. *»*

.

•V

./ r

>

r>V»’

‘ ’• 0

• .J

. **■"* 5-:^ *" • •• *■

v - ij ........

KW T

%r >’

&5

VU* t^Sc:

•< 5*£4S ,"■ -■ -*■ --

pi'AsiCsJiS?**

■y?

SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health.