University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, October 1, 1986
11
Mackovic pleased with Chiefs' play
Home games during this month will be crucial for team
United Press International
KANSAS CITY, Mo — A month ago, Kansas City Chiefs Coach John Mackovic was being very careful about his expectations for his team
Mackovic, at that time, said he liked the chances of this year's team better than the chances of any past team. But then he added that the month of September would tell a lot.
The team did play well for him.
The offense was shaky at times,
but the defense covered nicely.
The result was a 3-1 record.
"I really thought the month of September was a month where we needed to time to work through things," Mackovic said yesterday. "We had a new quarterback. We had several new players offensively. We had a new crew of linebackers. We had a new right end defensively. We had a new special teams approach."
"We finished the month with a 3-1 record and we played pretty good football.
"I don't think we've accomplished everything we'd like, but under the circumstances perhaps we've
'I don't think we've accomplished everything we'd like, but under the circumstances perhaps we've done enough to show us what we can do. . . . I don't think four weeks' time is enough for you to judge for the next season.'
— John Mackovic Chiefs head coach
done enough to show us what we can do and continue to do for what I would consider the next month. I don't think four weeks' time is enough for you to judge for the next season."
But for the first quarter of the season, the Chiefs have to be happy. After seasons of rushing only as an afterthought, Kansas City finds itself third in the conference in running the ball.
The defense is fifth in the AFC, despite playing two of the top five offenses (Cincinnati and Seattle) in the conference.
And special teams has been a plus. The Chiefs blocked the first punt against them this season and recovered it for a touchdown. Kicker Nick Lowery is as consistent as ever and rookie punter Lewis Colbert is fifth in the AFC in netting.
Most importantly, the team may also have learned to win and showed that facet Sunday when it beat Buffalo 20-17.
"It's not only a matter of when you win a game like Sunday or
whether you can or can't do it," Mackovic said. "But once you do you really gain an appreciation that you can do it.
"It's a matter of reaching down for something extra when you need to do it."
"It doesn't mean that everyone can do it every time, but at least it's a good feeling to know that we can do that," Mackovic said.
He said he thought the game was satisfying for the team, because they found that they could reach for that something extra.
Now comes October, which is probably a more important month on the schedule since Kansas City plays at home three times, including a pair of games against AFC West rivals.
"I think you can earmark (the team's progress) it for the following month," Mackovic said. The biggest reason is personnel — injuries.
"I think we've made strides." Mackovic said. "I've been pleased with some of the strides. There are things I wish we did a little better."
Driesell defends academic record
LIEGE PARK Md
United Press International
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Maryland head basketball coach Charles "Lefty" Driesel, said yesterday that he ran a program of integrity and had not compromised his players' education. However, Driesel faces mounting pressure for his removal.
Driesel spoke with reporters for the first time since testifying before a grand jury investigating the June 19 cocaine-induced death of basketball player Len Bias.
During the interview, he suggested decreasing the basketball season to 25 games, eliminating freshmen eligibility and playing games only on Fridays and Saturdays.
Driesell's figure did not include last season's senior class, none of whom graduated; 13 transfer students; three players who entered
In an elaborate 90-minute defense of his 17-year academic record, Driesel said 81 percent (39 of 48) of the players who stayed in his basketball program until their senior years had graduated.
the NBA as early eligibility cases; and one player who died in the mid-1970s.
"I know what education is all about," Driesell said. "A lot of people don't know that. They think Lefty is some sort of animal out of the sky because that's my nickname. My name is Charles Driesell, and I have an educational background."
"I probably have more advanced degrees than most coaches in the country and all of my degrees are in education, so I feel I know a little something about education.
"I don't think I compromised my players' education. They aren't bums running around the streets without jobs."
Driesell, a fiery and frequently controversial figure, has compiled a 524-224 record during 17 seasons at Maryland and nine at Davidson.
"I have always stressed the importance of earning a degree." Driesell said. "The mistaken suggestions to the contrary that have been repeated so often since Leonard Bias's death unfairly malign both me and my players."
He refused to discuss the investigation of Bias' death or drug use among his players.
Driesell has been the target of criticism after revelations that none of the three seniors last year earned degrees and that Bias flunked or dropped all of his classes during the spring semester.
Maryland Chancellor John Shaughter is conducting his own investigation to determine whether Driesell should remain as coach.
"I like to be put in a corner." Driesell said. "Put me in a corner, and I'll get out of it. I always have. I think our program has integrity and when you have integrity, you don't worry."
Driesell said he planned to stay at Maryland, despite published reports to the contrary.
"I have a contract and expect to coach," he said. "When the university awarded me a 10-year contract on Dec. 23, 1985, it recognized what I had accomplished and put its trust in me. I fully intend to keep that trust and make the next nine years the finest in the history of the Maryland basketball program."
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"But I don't think they're going to allow us to come down there this week, considering how well they are playing these days." Ditka said.
The basement of Halas Hall, where the locker rooms and training facilities are, was deluged with rain during the weekend. Bears spokesman Bryan Harlan said. He said the weight rooms were not affected.
Chicago has practiced indoors at Morton East High School. However, the facility is limited and is more than 40 minutes by bus from Lake Forest.
The Bears play on an artificial surface at Soldier Field in downtown Chicago but practice on grass. Some areas of the practice fields were partially flooded following two downpours that occurred last Monday.
"We've had some damage inside," he said. "We've had blowers going full time trying to dry out the place. But with the continued rains, it's been a hit and miss proposition."
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"We'll stay with the South Park facility," said Coach Mike Ditka, whose team plays at home Sunday against Minnesota "Minnnesota's got an indoor facility, don't they?"
The players have complained about their training facility, particularly during the December cold. Quarterback Jim McMahon, writing in his book "McMahon," criticized the team's failure to improve the drainage system at the training camp field.
The Bears have gone to Atlanta the past two seasons to practice for the playoffs.
Lake Forest, where the Bears train outdoors, is in Lake County. On Sunday, Gov. James Thompson declared the county a state disaster area. Management has promised an indoor facility but has failed to deliver.
United Press International
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The heavy rains swamp Illinois have touched a sore spot with the Chicago Bears — the lack of an indoor trainer facility.
Lack of indoor field bothersome to Bears
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