Section B · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, October 21, 1999
Pro Football
Chiefs, Ravens prepare for slugfest
The Associated Press
BALTIMORE — The beauty of Gunther Cunningham's approach to football is the sheer simplicity of it.
Cunningham, the workaholic first-year coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, is conservative by nature. So is his game plan.
"Their whole mentality is to play good defense, not turn the ball over, run the ball and when you get tired of that, run the ball some more," said Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick. "It's a sound philosophy."
Billick used plenty of aerial weaponry last year as offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. But in an effort to make things easy for inexperienced quarterback Stoney Case, he has employed a low-risk attack that would make Cunningham proud.
Ravens running back Errict Rhett had three straight 100-yard games before the Tennessee Titans brought eight men up to the line of scrimmage in Baltimore's last game, an ugly 14-11 loss.
"Their defense made it very clear
that they were going to make it difficult for us to run," Billick said.
So when the Ravens (2-3) and Chiefs (3-2) play tonight, the sellout crowd at PSINet Stadium and a national television audience probably will witness a rugged game in which field position and field goals play a key role.
At least that's the way Billick sees it.
"I'm looking for a slugfest. Their games have been like our games, where it pushes to the edge and somebody makes a play to impact a 17-14, 20-17 game," he said.
While Rhett has received the majority of carries for Baltimore, the Chiefs have utilized several backs, including former Raven Bam Morris. Kansas City averages 135 yards rushing using an approach that is effective, yet far from scintillating.
"Somebody said this is a boring team and they run the same plays over and over again," Cunningham said. "The more they say that, the better I like it."
Billick used a wide-open passing
scheme with Vikings, who scored an NFL record 556 points in 1998. But Billick doesn't have Randall Cunningham, Cris Carter or Randy Moss anymore.
Case had one career NFL start before this season, and his inexperience showed against the Titans. With Tennessee daring him to pass, Case completed only 15 of 37 throws and failed to produce a touchdown.
The Chiefs would be silly not to use the same strategy, and Billick knows it.
"They're very aggressive and confident on defense," he said. "I would imagine he will bring his safety up for most of the game.
"The only way to combat an eightman front is hurt them on the outside with it. That puts a premium on the receivers and Stoney being efficient out there."
The Ravens sure could use another wide receiver like Jermaine Lewis, who has a knack for finding a seam
in the defense and is elusive enough to turn a short pass into a touchdown.
Lewis has been limited to 10 catches this season and has yet to score, mainly because he is the team's lone big-play threat and therefore usually must fight double coverage.
"I'd love to have a big game," he said. "I don't think I have to prove anything, but I still see it as an opportunity for them to see what they let get away."
If only Baltimore still had Derrick Alexander, whose name is mentioned prominently under virtually every receiving category in the Ravens' record book. Alexander now plays for the Chiefs and would love to show the Ravens exactly what they're missing.
Alexander might get his chance, but he's hardly the main focus of the Baltimore defense.
"This is the type of game you don't have to even think about what they are going to do," said middle linebacker Ray Lewis. "You know they are going to run the ball. ... That is what they believe in, so it is going to be a very physical game."
Parcells denies that Williams is neglected
The Associated Press
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Bill Parcells insisted yesterday the New York jets have not abandoned Kevin Williams, the defensive back who is on a respirator with a mysterious throat and lung infection.
Parcello took exception to the portrayal of the team's conduct by Jerome Stanley, Williams' agent. Stanley contends the Jets have not
Williams, who is in intensive care at Lenox Hill Hospital.
Stanley said the team put Williams on the reserve, nofootball iniury list so it wouldn't
have to pay his client for the rest of the season.
"We've never had a grievance filed here in three years," Parcells said. "That's because we try to do what we think is in everyone's best interest all the time, and I would charge you to find many other teams that can make that statement.
Kevin had earned about 6/16th of his salary. We elected to pay him half of the remaining amount he
was due. But in doing so I made another move that was, in fact, vastly economically more beneficial to the plaver."
Williams will get approximately $175,000 from his $250,000 base salarv.
"We had the option of not paying anything," Parcels said. "But in electing not to put him on (nonfootball injury list) prior to the sixth game, I assured him a credited.
accrued season toward free agency
I thought that was in the player's best interest. Some people say that wasn't. Ask the people who are talking about these things if they'd prefer it "way."
the other way.
The 24-year-old Williams is in his second season with the Jets. He is a backup safety and kick returner who appeared in four games this season.
Then he contracted the illness that originally was diagnosed as strep throat. He has had three surgical procedures to clear fluid from this throat and around his lungs. Parcells said doctors were cautiously optimistic.
49ers falling from throne; others ready to replace them
Commentary
The Associated Press
A sign the San Francisco dynasty is dying, if not dead:
The 49ers go into Minnesota on Sunday a 7-point underdog, probably the longest odds they've faced since 1981, when they won their first Super Bowl.
No, these are not your normal Niners
They're 3-3 and face Minnesota with Jeff Garcia at quarterback instead of Steve Young. They have just got rid of one of their starting cornerbacks, 5-foot-7 Mark McMillian. They now will try to cover Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Jake Reed with 5-8 Darnell Walker and 5-9 R.W. McQuarters.
Not that the Vikings are in great shape.
week and he's saying all the right things — for now.
They're 2-4 after losses to Chicago and Detroit, quadrupling the defeats they had in the 15-1998 season. Randy Moss is squabbling with his teammates, Robert Smith is hurt again and Jeff George, who's never had a reputation as a team player, has taken over at quarterback for Randall Cunningham. The offense a lift
PATRIOTS, 24-23
PATRIOTS, 24-23 Kansas City (minus 1) at Baltimore (tonight)
Still, George gave the offense a lift when he relieved Cunningham last
RAVENS. 12-11
This game is tonight so the World Series can have Sunday to itself. For whatever it's worth, the Chiefs are unbeaten at home, winless on the road.
Green Bay (minus 3) at San Diego
Strange spread, considering the state of Brett Favre's thumb.
CHARGERS, 16-13
Atlanta (plus 51/2) at Pittsburg (Monday night)
Men in black, the sequel. Another dull prime-time game.
Washington (plus 21/2) at Dallas
This won't be 41-35 again.
STEELERS,16-6
Buffalo (plus 21/2) at Seattle
Why does this game look like it will be a tiebreaker for a playoff spot?
SEAHAWKS, 17-14
Cleveland (plus 19) at St. Louis
Cleveland (plus 19) at St. Louis Tim Couch is going to throw shorter in an attempt to generate offense for the Browns.
Rams kick returner receives suspension
ST. LOUISE — Earlier this week, St. Louis Rams coach Dick Vermeil said Tony Horne's two scoring kickoff returns were due mostly to blocking.
The Associated Press
"The returns he's made are based on overall execution, which is not a negative in regard to him," Vermeil said Monday. "Most NFL returners could have returned them."
Vermail might have been dropping a broad hint that the team was about to lose the NFL's leading return man to a four-game substance abuse suspension. Horne decided not to appeal the suspension on Tuesday, the Rams received official notification in a two-sentence letter, and Horne and his 36-yard average were shut down until the San Francisco
game Nov. 21.
Horne can't participate in any team activities until Nov. 15. Another offense would mean a one-year suspension.
"It's a disappoint-
It's a disappointment because he let himself down and he let his teammates down and he let his coaching staff and his city down." Vermilel said yesterday. "There's a price to pay for the mistakes you make and he's paying the price."
Teammates didn't seem particularly shocked by the news.
"He made a mistake, and we're just going to move on from it," linebacker Mike Jones said. "It's a long season so you're going to have some adversity."
The replacement for Horne, 23, is Ron Carpenter, a defensive back who led the NFL with a 27.2-yard kickoff return average in 1995. He had a best of 58 yards that year and also returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in the Arena League last season.
"I don't know if he's a Tony Horne; there aren't many of them around," Vermeil said. "But I expect him to do a real good job."
If Carpenter doesn't work out, Vermeil also could use Az-Zahir Hakim, who had an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown against Cincinnati on Oct. 3., or Torry Holt.
cuts before the season opens,
despite a strong training camp
at defensive back. He was
resigned the following week,
although he's been inactive all
four games he's been on the roster,
so he's happy to be playing
— period.
Carpenter was among the final
"I'm just itching to get out there." Carpenter said. "I'm looking forward to running down on kickoff coverage and hitting somebody. I haven't hit anybody in five weeks."
At 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, Carpenter is four inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than Horne. He's also a step slower.
"I'll hit the hole right away instead of trying to use my speed to outflank some guys," he said. "And hopefully I'll break open, I can get down the field."
NFL players are required to wear window duty test
undergo random drug testing and Horne's customer
ing and Horne's suspension means he has failed at least two drug tests. Under most circumstances, a four game suspension means a player has failed three drug tests.
The first offense results in an evaluation; a second offense results in a fine; and a third offense brings a four-game suspension. Vermeil wouldn't divulge any details of the suspension, citing confidentiality.
Occasionally, a four-game suspension comes after a second failure of a drug test, particularly if he had substance abuse problems in college. Horne was arrested on a driving under the influence of alcohol charge at Clemson.
Horne was signed by the Rams in 1998 as an undrafted rookie and was the special teams player of the year after setting a team record with 1,306 yards on 56 returns. He returned a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown that season against Atlanta.
Horne returned a kick 97 yards for a touchdown Oct. 10 against San Francisco and followed up with a 101 yard return at Atlanta on Sunday.
"What he gave us was the blind confidence in his ability to attack coverage," Vermell said. "He didn't care who was coming, he takes them on. It'll be tough to duplicate that."
LAWRENCE AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS
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DAILY DRINK SPECIALS
4pm - 2am Mon. - Sat.
12pm - 12am Sunday
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Kansas Jayhawker YEARBOOK during enrollment
Anyone who does not get their picture taken will be replaced with this guy!
Photographers will be at Strong Hall during enrollment to take portraits for the year 2000 Jayhawker yearbook. Stop by for a couple minutes
during enrollment.
Oct.22 - Nov.19 9:00-5:00
Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association Breast Cancer Action, Health South And Holiday Inn Present the 7th Annual Event For
Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer A benefit dance to increase awareness
Featuring: "The Benders"
Tickets Available at
BorderLine 820 Massachusetts
Health Care Access 1920 Moodie Road
LMH Gift Shop 325 Maine St.
HYVEE Kasold & Clinton Parkway
Dance the night away in support of Breast Cancer awareness. This year, more than 182,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 46,000 women will die. Ninety percent of these premature deaths could have been prevented through early detection. Yearly mammograms save lives, not just once, but for a lifetime.
Dance Contest
Saturday, October 23 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. Holiday Inn 200 McDonald Drive Lawrence, Ks $15 per person
Saturday, October 23
Costume Contest
Proceeds from this event will go to providing mammograms for those women unable to afford medical insurance, and to education and support. For tickets or more information please call 840-3131.
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