6B
Friday, October 4, 1996
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
'Awards'highlight start of football season
By Dave Goldberg
The Associated Press
Despite Dallas' win Monday night, it still looks like a year for a changing of the guard.
In fact, the only teams that stay the same are the winless ones — the Jets, who spent $72 million to get instant credibility, and Tampa Bay, where the new ownership looks as bumbling as the old.
But for quarter-season awards (give or take a game), there are some new guys around.
Some notables:
MVP: Jim Harbaugh, Indianapolis. He clinched it by diving into the pile, outwrestling Miami's Chris Singleton for a fumble a week ago Monday.
Runners-up: Terrell Davis, Denver; Brett Favre, Green Bay; John Kasay, Carolina.
Coach: Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh. He loses Neil O'Donnell to free agency and Ray Seals and Greg Lloyd to injury and just keeps making do with what he has. He did the same last season after losing Rod Woodson.
Runners-up: Jeff Fisher, Houston; Dom Capers, Carolina; Ray Rhodes, Philadelphia; Dennis Green, Minnesota; Marty Schottenheimer, Kansas City; Lindy Infante, Indianapolis; Jimmy Johnson. Miami.
Offensive player: Terrell Davis, Denver.
Runners-up: Herman Moore,
Detroit; Tony Martin, San Diego; Terry Allen, Washington; Chris Chandler, Houston; Ken Dilger, Indianapolis; LeShon Johnson, Arizona.
Defensive player: Leon Lett, Dallas.
Runners-up: Junior Seau, San Diego; John Randle, Minnesota; Derrick Thomas, Kansas City; Bruce Smith and Henry Jones, Buffalo; Bobby Taylor, Philadelphia; LeRoy Butler, Green Bay; Levon Kirkland and Carnell Lake, Pittsburgh; Sean Gilbert, Washington; Phillippi Sparks, New York Giants; Deion Sanders. Dallas.
Offensive rookie: Eddie George, Houston, one of the rare Heisman winners who produces.
Runners-up: Karim Abdul-Jabbar and Stanley Pritchett, Miami; Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; Keyshawn Johnson, Jets; Tshimanga Biakabuta, Carolina (who won't get a full-season shot because of his knee injury); Charlie Jones, San Diego; Eddie Kennison, St. Louis.
Runners-up: Kevin Hardy, Jacksonville; John Mobley, Denver; Daryl Gardener, Miami; Walt Harris, Chicago; Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia; Simeon Rice, Arizona.
Defensive rookie: Zach Thomas, Miami, although he was a bit exposed against Indianapolis.
RUNNING: Here are some 1996 statistics for running backs taken in the first-round of the 1995 draft:
KI-Jana Carter, Cincinnati, 45
Rashaan Salaam, Chicago, 34 carries, 104 yards, 3.1 average.
carries,103 yards,2.3 average.
- Tyrone Wheatley, Giants, 23 carries, 74 yards, 3.2 average
Napoleon Kaufman, Oakland the exception that proves the rule, with 34 carries, 265 yards, 7.8 average.
But try these:
Curtis Martin, New England, Round 3, 300 yards in 90 carries (3.3).
Terrell Davis, Denver, Round 6,
573 yards in 112 passes (5.1).
Lawrence Phillips, St. Louis, No. 6 overall in 1996 and the first running back taken: 110 yards on 49 carries (2.2).
SADSACK SAINTS? What's the matter with the Saints?
Their 0-5 record isn't all the fault
of Jim Mora, at least not from a coaching standpoint. Mora, who's been coaching since 1986 and is the only Saints coach to have a winning season or make the playoffs, is still respected around the NFL.
The biggest problem is that the best Saints are ex-Saints: Morten Andersen, Brett Perriman, Sam Mills, Pat Swilling, Wesley Walls, Quinn Early and Bobby Hebert, plus a bunch of other serviceable players.
The biggest loss is probably Mills, who was allowed to leave as a free agent for Carolina two years ago. He was 35 at the time and the feeling was that his best years were behind him.
Not only is Mills playing as well as ever, but his leadership is sorely missing on a New Orleans defense that's allowed 432 yards rushing in losses to Arizona and Baltimore.
Moreover, it wasn't Emmitt Smith running — Arizona's LeShon Johnson had 97 yards in his career before getting 214 against the Saints, and 34-year-old Earnest Byner of the Ravens had 149, his best game since 1984.
Mora's probably gone after the season, even if he replicates last year when, after an 0-5 start, New Orleans managed seven wins in 11 games. But he also is likely to find a job somewhere else if he wants it.
TO REPLAY OR
NOT TO
REPLAY: Once
again a single play
has renewed calls
for replay.
But that play the Keyshawn Johnson catch and Tom Carter interception in the end zone in Washing-
night — wouldn't have been changed by instant replay.
Johnson
Here's whv:
1. There was a flag on the play against Johnson for offensive interference. There didn't appear to be interference, but that's not the point — penalties weren't reviewable under the old replay rule and wouldn't be reviewable under any new rule. That means that even if Johnson was ruled to have caught the ball for a touchdown, it would have been wined out by the penalty.
2. Assuming there was no penalty, chances are the play would have been ruled "inconclusive," meaning the call on the field — interception — would have stood. TNT replayed it perhaps a dozen times, and neither Pat Haden nor Verne Lundquist could decide whether Johnson's feet had hit the ground in the end zone before Carter pulled the ball out.
Haden, however, had the best comment on the debate. "There've been 30,000 babies born in China while they're discussing this," he said.
"Replay was irrelevant," says George Young, co-chairman of the NFL's competition committee and a consistent replay opponent. "The flag made it irrelevant, and so did the closeness of the play. I watched all those replays and I couldn't tell what the call should be."
Besides, the Jets wouldn't be the Jets if most of the calls didn't go against them.
But that's another story.
YOUNG II: In his role as general
manager of the Giants, George Young is always willing to share his opinion on everything. But
his team's recent success — two straight wins after three losses — has him a bit frustrated.
Another typical Young line:
"I'm not getting any phone calls," he lamented this week, "and I'm not getting ripped in the papers. When we lose, they attack me every day and I get 140 calls. When we win, I don't get mentioned and I get maybe two calls."
"I see that John Madden criticized us for not replacing Lawrence Taylor. Just how are we supposed to have done that?"
DIRTY DOZEN: The top and bottom six teams in the NFL based on current level of play:
1. Green Bay (4-1)
2. Indianapolis (4-0)
3. San Francisco (3-1)
4. Detroit (3-2)
5. Kansas City (4-1)
6. Pittsburgh (3-1)
25. Seattle (1-4)
26. Oakland (1-4)
27. Atlanta (0-4)
28. New York Jets (0-5)
29. New Orleans (0-5)
30. Tampa Bay (0-5)
Stockton signs Jazz contract for $15 million and 3 years
The Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY — NBA All-Star guard John Stockton has formally signed a new contract with the Utah Jazz.
Last month, The Salt Lake Tribune and the Desertet News reported the contract would extend over three years and be worth $15 million.
Owner Larry Miller, in a statement, acknowledged that Stockton, a freeagent, "would be able to get more money on the open market, and that fact was open between him and me.
Miller also said Stockton's stock had risen considerably after winning a second Olympic gold medal this summer.
"John did make some sacrifices to stay in Utah, and I can't say enough about the way he has conducted himself."
Stockton said there never was a question that he wanted to remain in Utah and realizes, at 34, that his career is entering its twilight.
"I looks like it could be my last contract, and I'm delighted to be able to finish my career here," Stockton said. "That's been my hope all along."
The value of the contract probably is millions below what Stockton could have made on the open market. But Stockton previously said the money was less important to him than other considerations.
He said last season that he intended to re-sign with the Jazz and that he hoped to finish his career with the team that drafted him from Gonzaga in 1984.
Few teams believed Stockton would change his mind, and there wasn't bidding for his services. Only Miami inquired about his availability, the Tribune reported.
Stockton has missed only four games in his 12-year NBA career. He's the league's all-time leader in assists and steals. He is an eight-time All-Star and has won Olympic gold medals in 1992 and 1996.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Today is a 6.
Your boss or teacher has all kinds of new assignments for you. Unfortunately, some of them threaten to take up valuable private time. You may not escape from them entirely, but you can negotiate a better deal. Use the facts to back up your argument.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21) — Today is a 6.
Changes either are being proposed or going into effect. Pay attention so you can adjust without much pain. An old friend may be more critical than you think is necessary. Actually, that's good for both of you. Talk it out.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7. You'd be in a much better mood today if you had all the money in the world. You'd do lots of generous and beneficial things with it, too. Pretend you do, and get started. Some of those projects can begin with spare change.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)—Today is a 5.
Your partner is giving you fits today. Instead of going along with your agenda, he or she keeps offering suggestions. You might as well get used to it and listen. You're in a learning phase; in other words, you don't know it all yet.
HOROSCOPES
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) --- Today is a 4. Your problem today is that you have to work and you want to travel. Push yourself to be efficient with the chores, including getting packed. Even if you had the day off there would be lots to do, so stop fighting and get busy.
PIsces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7.
A conversation with a friend or loved one could go well for you today. You may be able to clear up a misunderstanding that has been in effect for years. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done — then go out and buy something you've wanted for a long time.
Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 5.
Suggest an interesting possibility to the most beautiful person you know, and you could be successful beyond your wildest dreams. Plan an adventure together soon. Meanwhile, scurry around and take care of unfinished business.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8.
Things that seemed impossible yesterday may look ridiculously simple today. Don't expect agreement on everything, though. Don't hold a grudge, either. Forget what's been said before and follow your instincts. A romantic hunch should work out.
Gemini (May 21-June 21) - Today is a 7.
Money still is the focal point of your life. Sort it, file it and figure out how you're going to spend it. The more you think about it ahead of time, the more you'll save. Your roommate or spouse would love to help with this project.
Cancer (June 22- July 22)—Today is a 7. There's a hassle first thing this morning concerning your home or somebody in it. This weekend will be good for moving, if it is that bad. Or you could share your concerns with a friendly neighbor. There may be a simple solution you can learn.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)—Today is a 5.
All the work that has stacked up has to get out now. None of it can be saved for next week. That's what they're all saying, anyway. If you're feeling overburdened, exercise control. Get a Virgo to make you a schedule, and tell others what it is.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8.
Good deeds you've done in the past haven't been forgotten by others, and you shouldn't forget them either. People will be feeling generous today, so ask for a favor. Meanwhile, remember a little detail to keep the zing in your romantic relationship.
Note: Horoscopes are not based on scientific fact and should be read for entertainment only.
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