Section B · Page 20
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, August 17, 199p
San Diego Chargers turning over new Leaf
The Associated Press
SAN DIEGO — Ryan Leaf was not shaking on opening night.
The rookie quarterback looked poised in leading the San Diego Chargers to a 27-21 exhibition against the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 8. Leaf threw for one touchdown and completed 70 percent of his passes.
"I was anxious to get out there. It's been since Jan. 1," Leaf said, whose previous game was with Washington
State against Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Since then, Leaf was the second pick overall in the draft and has become a millionaire.
"I was tired of all the hoopla and talk," Leaf said. "It's finally time now to get down to business and play football instead of having
people talk about it. And that was the fun part about it."
Leaf said the radio receiver in his helmet, which coaches use to call in plays, did not work the first two series. He managed the problem with help from his teammates and quarterback coach June Jones, who told him to have three or four plays memorized.
"I think he surprised a lot of people with how composed he was," guard Raleigh McKenzie said. "We went three-and-out the first series, then he got real poised. He knew what to do in there."
Even though it was a game that did not count, the fans, who watched an atrocious 4-12 team in 1997, finally saw why
"I wanted an 18-for-20 performance, but I didn't get it," Leaf said. "I'm just happy with the way everybody helped me. They made the 14-for-20 performance. It wasn't too much of what I did. Four or five of those catches were snags
San Diego invested so heavily in Leaf. He threw a three-yard fade pass to Bryan Still to take a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. Leaf finished his two quarters of work completing 14 of his 20 passes for 116 yards. He was not sacked and threw no interceptions.
— I mean, fingertip kind of plays."
or plays.
Thinking a blitz was coming. Leaf called an audible on the touchdown play. There was no blitz, but the play still worked. Leaf lobbed the ball and Still made the catch, getting its feet down before tumbling out of bounds.
bringing books.
"I didn't give him a very good throw," Leaf said. "I left it short. He went up and made a great grab."
The credit goes to Still, but the ball's going into Leaf's trophy room.
"I'm going to cherish it," he said. "I'll never forget it, especially against the San Francisco 49ers."
Because of San Francisco's blitzing, the Chargers stuck mostly with short patterns. Only five of Leaf's completions went for 10 yards or more, the longest being 14 yards.
"He throws so accurately," Gilbride said. "Even though he was late a few times, he put it in position where the only one who could catch it was us. That was the most encouraging thing.
"I don't want to in any way, shape or form make it seem like he's where he needs to be. Still, he's able to make plays and that's what it comes down to. I thought he did that very, very well."
Manning flubs on first game despite $48 million promise
The Associated Press
SEATTLE — Archie Manning's kid has his feet wet now.
Peyton Manning, the first selection in April's NFL draft, made his debut for the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 8, and he showed in one half against the Seattle Seahawks that he has a lot to learn.
"Peyton's going to be a great player in this league," Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson said.
He was not great in his first game for the Colts, leaving at halftime with his team trailing the Seahawks 24-7. Seattle won 24-21.
Watching Mannning and young Seahawks quarterback Jon Kitna, it was hard to tell which player was better. Kitna is a former free agent from Central Washington who had to go to Barcelona for seasoning.
After his first pass, a 48-yard touchdown strike to Marvin Harrison on his first series, Manned looked like an ordinary NFL rookie. There was a fumble that teammate Tony Mandirich recovered and
an interception to end a series. In Manning's other four series, it was three-and-out.
Anyone who did not know about Manning's six-year contract, which could be worth almost $48 million, would have thought Kitna — not Manning — was the quarterback with all the money in his bank account.
Manning: Begins NFL career with loss to Seattle.
"I know from experience that the pace of the game shocks you," Kitna said, who has played in three regular-season games.
Manning said: "I need to play a little better. We didn't move the ball very well."
Manning did have to go against Seattle's No.1 defense. It was off the field in the second half when the Colts rallied for two touchdowns to make the game interesting.
"I didn't know how he would respond." Colts coach Jim Mora said of Manning.
"But I know Peyton is a special guy who will be a special player in this league."
Against Seattle, Manning was 8-for-15 for 113 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He looked confused at times. The NFL is not the Southeastern Conference. His father, Archie, a former NFL quarterback, told him that, and now he is finding that out for himself.
Kitaa is earning the league minimum of $216,000. He was 9-for-13 for 92 yards with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Mike Pritchard and an interception. More importantly, Kitaa moved the Seahawks. Even though teamed with Marshall Faulk, Manning could not do that.
"He just needs to play and play," Mora said of Manning, who was given an $11.6 million signing bonus by the Colts.
Manning's touchdown pass was a thing of beauty. On his fifth play — after four handoffs to Faulk — Manning hit Harrison at the Seahawks 38, and Harrison zipped past the secondary into the end zone.
Chiefs to keep training in Wisconsin
I looked so easy. Of course, Harrison's speed can make a quarterback look good.
The Associated Press
save about River Falls," said Carl Peterson, Chiefs president and general manager.
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The northern air apparently agrees with the Kansas City Chiefs — so does the grass, the food and the lodging.
The chancellor of the River Falls campus, Gary Tibodeau, was delighted.
In their eighth summer at University of Wisconsin's River Falls campus, the Chiefs announced Wednesday that they would train at the school for two more summers with an option for a third.
"For the past eight years, we've had the opportunity to interact with certainly one of the premiere NFL franchises," Thibodeau said. "We are really pleased with the partnership and relationship."
"I can sincerely say you people really work hard to make this a sensational experience for us. We know that because of the players we bring in that have been on other teams at other training camps, and they
For River Falls and the rest of western Wisconsin, the Chiefs' presence generates an average of $2 million a year, said Mark Kinder, the school's public affairs director.
Four teams now train in Wisconsin: the Chiefs, the Chicago Bears, the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers.
"It's wonderful to have four teams here in Wisconsin," Gov. Tommy Thompson said. "We're hoping we'll be able to pick up more teams. We were close this year, and we're expecting one or two more to expand the Cheese League."
In the eight years the Chiefs have been in the city, western Wisconsin has gained about 150,000 new visitors, he said.
Could that include the St. Louis Rams?
The Rams' contract at Macomb, III., expires this year, and Peterson said he had suggested to his friend Dick Vermell, the Rams' coach, that he should look into entering the Cheese League next season.
"It's a strong possibility," Peterson said.
It's an ATM card that works like a check. It's not a credit card. It is much more.The Mercantile VISA Check Card - use it anywhereVISA is accepted.Don't be a student without one Ask a Mercantile banker about it today. (785) 865-0300
MERCANTILE BANK The power of partnership
Member FDIC $ \textcircled{1} $Mercantile Bancorporation Inc.
$19.99 a Month Unlimited Tanning No Membership Required!
The Lawrence Athletic Club has just purchased 6 "BRAND NEW" Super Series Suntan Beds with new "Very Hot" bulbs and is offering a Suntanning Special. Unlimited Tanning package for $19.99 A Month. No Membership Required
( restriction apply )
Single Tan 10 Tans
$4.00
$30.00
Unlimited Tanning $19.99 a Month
Lawrence Athletic Club 3201 Mesa Way Lawrence, Kansas 66049 785-842-4966
MR. GOODCENTS SUBS & PASTAS
Good Food That Makes Good Sense! $ ^{\circ} $
15th & Kasold 841-8444
32nd & Iowa
843-8400
LUNCH SPECIALS 11a.m.-2 p.m. DAILY!
LUNCH SPECIAL
Buy any 1/2 Sub and Drink
and Dhh and get a 2nd
1/2 Sub
for only 99¢
*Coupons good for walk-in's only. Excludes Delivery. Expires 12/31/98