University Daily Kansan / Thursday, September 4, 1986
13
Fans watch football to vent frustrations
United Press International
Part of getting by today involves subjecting oneself to surveys. Seemingly at every turn, somebody is standing there wanting an opinion on something.
One group wants to know what people watch on television, and the answers go a long way toward determining how much money is spent by which advertisers on which piece of gibberish.
At shopping malls there are those with clipboards in hand wanting to discuss how far you traveled to get there and what you hope to do now
Commentary
that you have arrived. Most people in the mails, if truth be known, simply want to avoid being bothered by somebody carrying a clipboard.
The most recent issue of a respected monthly publication contained a "smell survey," proclaimed to be the most scientific approach to the subject. The object of the survey was to scratch little squares on the survey card, allowing certain smells to emit, and then to answer questions about them. They ranged from a banana-like odor to something that smelled as if it had just taken a romp through an industrial waste dump.
If somebody really wanted to do some good, he would survey people on why they liked football.
This, naturally, is the best time to do it since the flood is about to begin. A number of college-types have already worked up an official sweat, and next Sunday the National Football League resumes its place as one of the nation's leading conversation starters.
Taking surveys was a popular form of recreation for those Americans who accompanied the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys to London last month during their brief exportation.
A microphone would be shoved into the face of a punk rocker, a bobby, a chimneysweep or a fish and chips salesman with the question always being: "What do you think of American football?"
Few knew or cared anything about American football, naturally, but isolated ones who paid attention to the game usually had this reply: "I think it is all right. The problem is with all those delays."
And, of course, they were absolutely correct. That is, unquestionably, the chief problem with football. There are moments of concentrated action followed by a lot of milling around. (4)
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So what is it about the game that attracts? On reflection, surveys may not do us a good. Psychologists are probably the remedies for this one because the hold the game has on people may be a subconscious one. And if people do realize what makes them interested in football, they may not be quick to admit it.
Butch Johnson, that free-thinking pass catcher who was recently excused from further competition by the Denver Broncos, gave a brief insight a few years ago on what drew him to the sport.
"I can sneak up next to a guy." Johnson said in low, conspiratorial tones, "and clobber him. And nobody does anything about it. Isn't that great? If I did that out on the street somewhere they would throw me in jail."
There is all that golf to watch, a sport weighted with gentlemen and pastoral settings. The tennis players at Wimbledon may bark a bit, but all they can do to vent their frustration is slam an innocent racket on the even more innocent grass.
And there, in all likelihood, we have it.
Through the spring and summer the country's sports fan has been overcome with a sense of mellow.
A bit of brawling occasionally breaks out in a baseball park, but for the most part the game of summer drifts along in its time-honored fashion without so much as a glare being offered from one team to the other.
The hot weather has frayed the temper, the kids have been home and underfoot for three months, there are only reruns on the tube, traffic is worse than ever and keeping the grass healthy is a losing proposition.
Just when the citizenry is about to boil over, here comes football to act as a soothing elixir.
And in living rooms around the land, a general easing of nerves begins. The tensions of the long, hot summer melt while two groups of humans thrash away at each other.
Linemen bash each other on every play. Ball carriers collapse under a half ton of elbows and knees. Just as on the battle field, teams fight to gain territory and try to steal what rightfully belongs to the other fellow.
Those who investigate the mind say it all has to do with primordial urges that have lingered-despite the introduction of silk ties and shag carpets. Jim McMahon, among others, can explain it all, and his lectures begin Sunday. No surveys will be taken.
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San Francisco grabs Cousineau off waivers
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REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers claimed linebacker Tom Cousineau of the waivers list yesterday one day after he was waived by the Cleveland Browns.
However, Covert said the coach does not neglect the accomplishments.
Head coach Mike Ditka was also critical. Last weekend he blasted several defensive players for "sitting out the preseason" and "cutting corners."
"You guys are always stressing the negative things," Covert said. "We do a bad thing and you guys write about it."
The 49ers also announced they were close to signing nose tackle Pete Kugler, a United States Football League standout.
"He stresses the positive things." Covert said.
"He will tell us what we're doing wrong. When we do something wrong, we always build on that."
Kugler, who was a starter on San Francisco's 1981 Super Bowl team, has been vocal about his desires to rejoin the 49ers ever since the USFL announced its suspension of its 1968 season.
Cousineau, 29, was a starting inside linebacker for the Browns the last four years. He was acquired by Cleveland in a trade with Buffalo on April 19, 1982, after a three-year stay in the Canadian Football League. Cousineau was the NFL's No. 1 draft pick by Buffalo in 1979, but the Bills were unable to sign him and Cousineau went to Canada.
"We were the only team to claim Tom." San Francisco coach Bill Walsh said. "I think a lot of teams were waiting until he opted for free agency. We talked to his agent before the 1 p.m. deadline and wanted to get an agreement worked out quickly. We didn't wait until he became a free agent because we did not want to get into a bidding war."
The 49ers also will have to pick up Cousineau's contract, which calls for a base salary of $500,000 this year.
Cousineau lost his job with the Browns this year because of strong training camp performances by Anthony Griggs and Mike Johnson.
"Everywhere you go, everything you read says how we aren't going to repeat, how we're not going to do this or do that." Covert said "We don't believe it. We are the best and we are going out to prove it."
The 43ers were weakened at outside linebacker by placing Todd Shell on the injured-reserve list yesterday.
The 49ers received a two-week roster exemption for Cousinie.
Chicago Bears
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears have been unfairly criticized for their preseason play, tackle Jimbo Covert says.
The Bears won four of five exhibition games, but at times sluggishly played.
Covert dismissed the notion that the Bears, like many defending champions, have become complacent.
"I don't think that's the case here." Covert said. "Mike hasn't said anything to us. What I'm saying about the media are my own feelings and thoughts about what I think is the situation."
Ditka has not criticized the media's handling of his club during the preseason. However, he previously has accused the media of negativism. Even last year, when the club lost just one game, Ditka installed an "us against the world" philosophy in his players.
Pittsburgh Steelers
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Louis Lippus yesterday returned to practice after missing the last seven quarters of preseason play with a hamstring injury.
The Steelers held their first full workout in Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium in preparation for Super Bowl XLII.
Center Mike Webster and offensive tackle Tunch iklw were both listed as doubtful and did not practice yesterday. Webster likely will be forced to break his record of playing in 177 consecutive games with a hyperextended left elbow. Iklw has a sprained left knee.
Lipps was listed as probable for the Seahawks game but he will not return punts this week.
First-round draft pick John Rienstra was scheduled to start at left guard but was in Divine Providence Hospital with acute gastritis.
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Raiders finally get a chance to put aside last year's playoff loss to the New England Patriots.
playoffs.
"The one thing about losing in the playoffs is that it is the last game you remember," Los Angeles Raiders Coach Tom Flores said yesterday at his weekly news conference. "Of the teams which get into the playoffs, only one ends the season with a win. We had a good year last year, no question."
Los Angeles Raiders
The Raiders, who open the season Sunday against the Denver Broncos, have rid themselves of a half dozen veterans, including linebacker Brad Van Pelt, running back Derrick Jensen and center Dave Dalby.
"If anybody has improved on the Broncos, on recent performances, it's Elway," Flores said. "It looks like he has developed into the quarterback everyone said he would be. He's the most dangerous when he's moving with the ball, whether by design or when he's scrambling."
"We had a productive training camp." Flores said. "The one thing we have to do is mature. Our oldest receiver, Dokie Williams, is 26. But our defensive backs are experienced. The defense should be the best part of our team."
Sunday the defense will be asked to stop Denver quarterback John Elway, who completed 54 percent of his passes last season for a club-record 3.891 vards and 22 touchdowns.
Raider All-Pro running back Marcus Allen said, "Over the last couple of years, the Raider-Bronco games have probably been the most exciting football games. We've won two, so I'm
sure they're looking forward to us coming."
Allen rushed for 100 yards or more in the last nine regular-season games, tying Walter Payton's record for consecutive games over 100 yards.
"I haven't even thought about it," Allen said of the opportunity to break the record at Mile High Stadium. "Records are made to be broken. If I break it, great, but the most important thing is to win. Consistency and luck have a lot to do with having 10 straight games over 100 yards."
Cleveland Browns
BEREA. Ohio — The Cleveland Browns yesterday claimed 14-year linebacker Brad Van Pelt on waivers from the Los Angeles Raiders.
The Brownls had been seeking an experienced linebacker to replace the injured Curtis Weather. To make room for the 35-year-old Van Pelt, they cut linebacker Joe Costello.
Weathers will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee next week and probably will be placed on the disabled list by Saturday, so that jnakebacker Chip Banks can be activated.
Van Pelt, cut Monday by the Raiders, passed his physical. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Michigan State product played in 25 consecutive games for Los Angeles after being acquired from Minnesota in October 1984.
Before his stint with the Vikings, Van Pelt was named to the Pro Bowl five consecutive seasons (1976-80) during his 11 year career with the New York Giants from 1973-83.
The native of Owasso, Mich., was the Giants' second-round draft pick in 1973.
"Considering my situation, I'm happy to be anywhere," he said. "Marty (Brown's Coach Marty Schottheimer) was my first linebacker coach when I was with the Giants. He taught me how to play linebacker, and I owe him a lot. I hope I have some super years here to repay him."
Van Pelt, born five months before quarterback Gary Danielson, is now the oldest player on the Browns.
Ellis, a 6-foot-1, 196-pounder from Ohio State, was the Eagles' second-leading intercepter and fifth-leading tackler last year. But new Coach Buddy Ryan repeatedly criticized his performance in training camp and later demoted him behind two-year veteran Andre Waters.
Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles waived strong safety Ray Ellis yesterday and replaced him with safety Terry Hoage, who was cut last week by the New Orleans Saints, team officials said.
Ellis "didn't learn the coverages." Ryan said, adding that attempts to trade him failed.
"He was the back-up safety. We got this kid from New Orleans who played for this assistant coach) Wade (Phillips)," Ryan said. "He did a hell of a job for him and we think we've improved our ball club."
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