The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 48

"E4SportS THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Wednesday, August 31, 1994 i i 1 confidence Blake to mm Blake's NFL Career Year Art Comp Pet. Yds. TD 1992 (Jets) 3 9 4 .444 40 0 1993 (Jets) On inactive list for all 16 games Rat. 18.1 Int. 1 New QB in town knows offense BY TOM GROESCHEN The Cincinnati Enquirer Say this for Jeff Blake, the Bengals' new No.

3 quarterback: Although he's played in only three NFL games in two years, he doesn't lack for confidence. Blake, picked up off waivers Monday from the New York Jets, has a tattoo of a winged football on his right bicep, with "Maestro" scripted beneath. He also took exception Tuesday, his first day at Spinney Field, when a radio reporter asked him to "Describe what your style is what your strong point is." "I'm an NFL quarterback," Blake said. "There's no style. Whatever I need to do, I do.

My job is to move the sticks, no matter how I get it done, OK? So, my style is scoring a touchdown, no matter how you do it and winning ballgames." Blake's attitude is the type coaches like in quarterbacks, but it hasn't been enough to get him a real shot in the pros. He played both dropback and rollout styles at atively short for an NFL quarterback. On the plus side, Blake rejoins former Jets head coach Bruce Cos-let, who's now the Bengals' offensive coordinator. The Jets kept Coslet's offense this year to accommodate Esiason, so Blake is familiar with the schemes. Blake has plenty of athletic blood in his past.

His father, Emory, played in the Canadian Football League for Toronto and later coached Jeff at Seminole High in Sanford, Fla. Also, Jeff is the godson of Chicago White Sox outfielder Tim Raines. Says Coslet: "He's been around football his entire life. He's a Successful player who's won He's a good athlete who throws a nice, accurate pass." Blake could become the first black quarterback-only in the Bengals' 27-year history. Dave Lewis, the team's full-time punter, was a backup QB from 1970-73.

East Carolina, where he became a star in leading the Pirates to an 11-1 mark (No. 9 national ranking) as a senior in '91. He set or tied 32 East Carolina records, throwing for 5,133 career yards and 43 TDs (20 INT) and rushing for eight career TDs. He was ninth in the 1991 Heisman Trophy voting. University of Cincinnati fans may remember that Blake helped beat the Bearcats, 56-32, in 1990, at East Carolina, and 30-19, in 1991, at Nippert Stadium.

He was a combined 32-of-63 passing for 482 yards with two passing TDs, one rushing TD and four interceptions against UC. But Blake comes to Cincinnati without much of an NFL game resume, and there are reasons: He was a low-round (sixth) pick and has sat behind the likes of Browning Nagle in '92 and Boomer Esiason in '93. He is 6-feet, 202 pounds, rel VV The Associated PressAI Behrman Jeff Blake, the Bengals' No. 3 quarterback, throws at Spinney Field for the first time Tuesday. Easy come, easy go: Joyce fourth pickup to fail physical 43-game home sellout streak (since 1988) the developmental squad.

That's why listed starter he said Stephens, McDonald, David Braxton and John Johnson will man the position. "I wish we could have just one guy there, yeah," Shula said. "But it will be a situational position for now." INJURY UPDATE: Defensive end Alfred Williams (strained lower back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Williams did not practice Tuesday, resting as a precaution. Reportedly, he is not seriously injured.

All other Bengals are probable for Sunday. THEY'RE BACK: As expected, Jeff Hill (receiver), Jerry Reynolds (offensive tackle), Kevin Jefferson (lineman) and Ramon-do Stallings (defensive lineman) were resigned to the rookie developmental squad Tuesday. COWBOYS CALL REYNOLDS: Reynolds, from Highlands High School, in Fort Thomas, had been told by the Bengals last week that they planned to put him on to be snapped in 93. CLEVELAND WEEK: The 48th "Battle of Ohio" vs. Cleveland on Sunday has the Bengals entering with a 24-23 series lead.

However, Cleveland swept last season's two games and has won three straight. Shula says he's making sure the Ben- gals know the importance of the rivalry. "When we take the field against the Cleveland Browns, they've got to want it as bad as anything they've ever wanted in their football careers," he said. RUMOR MILLThe Bengals may have to make another move today on their, offensive line. A league source said Tuesday night the club had claimed tackle Ronald Edwards from the Los Angeles Rams.

Edwards, a 6-foot-5, 311-pounder out of North Carolina was taken in the sixth round in this year's draft. BY TOM GROESCHEN The Cincinnati Enquirer Offensive tackle Matt Joyce, acquired off waivers Monday from Dallas, failed his physical examination Tuesday and was 'released. Joyce (sprained foot) became the fourth Bengal pickup to fail his physical since camp opened July 18 the others were OT Alec Millen, CB Steve Lofton and TE Reggie Johnson. Two other newcomers, QB Jeff Blake and CB Roger Jones, passed their physicals and practiced Tuesday. Joyce's release left the Bengals scouring the waiver wires for another OT on Tuesday.

Bengals scout Jim Lippincott said the club hoped to have a replacement by today. Recently-cut tackle Scott Brumfield probably will not be re-signed, Lippincott said. SCHROEDER FALLOUT: Coach Dave Shula's first public comments about the Jay Schroeder release came Tuesday, one Reynolds wasn't surprised when he was waived Sunday, then re-signed. Also, Reynolds said Super Bowl champion Dallas had called his agent, to inquire about Reynolds going on their developmental squad. But Reynolds, a sixth-round draftee, knows his chances of cracking the Bengals' lineup are certainly better than he'd face in Dallas.

"Jim McNally's a great coach, and I'll learn a lot from him," he said. "I'm happy here." NO WORD ON TV: The Bengals will learn Thursday whether Sunday's game is a sellout, and subsequently whether the game will be televised locally. Games must be sold out 72 hours in advance to be telecast in home-site areas. Bill Connelly, Bengals business manager, said he is still awaiting word on tickets distributed to Cleveland and also on the distribution of tickets locally. It is expected that the game will be a sellout, although the Bengals' on-field decline caused a BENGALS NOTES day after Schroeder was let go.

"It was a tough decision, but what's past is past," said Shula. "Jay was a good player for us and worked hard but he'll go on and we'll go on." General Manager Mike Brown, speaking to reporters at Spinney Field on Tuesday, continued to defend the decision to release Schroeder. He reiterated that economics (Schroeder's $850,000 contract was terminated) was not the sole reason for the cut. "That was part of it, I don't deny that," Brown said. "But on the other hand, we're convinced that David Klingler can carry this thing." STEPHENS 'STARTING': Santo Stephens, after a solid preseason, has moved up to the No.

1 spot on the depth chart at weak-side linebacker, ahead of rehabbing (knee) Ricardo McDonald. But Shula says that's mainly because the NFL requires a Hollas vs. Schroeder A comparison of the career statistics of Don Hollas, who repjaced Jay Schroeder as the Bengals' No. 2 quarterback when Schroeder was waived Monday: sit VL I 1 QB Int. Rating 4 63.4 101 72.0 TD 3 110 Art Comp 113 67 2570 1293 Yrs.

2 10 Player Hollas Schroeder Pet. Yds. .590 645 .503 18,553 a if Hollas: Bengals say he's ready for role A J-U 14 h'-J VJ i i i pi Saints bid $17 million for Deion Enquirer news services ATLANTA The New Orleans Saints have offered defensive back Deion Sanders a four-year, $17 million deal that would make him one of the highest paid defensive players in the NFL, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday. The deal is contingent on Sanders playing football full-time. The Atlanta Falcons, who released Sanders before the season, reiterated Tuesday that Sanders has promised them a chance to match any offer.

The Journal-Constitution said the Falcons had not made an offer. Miami Dolphins General Manager Eddie Jones has confirmed his team made Sanders an offer, but would not disclose details. Reportedly, the offer was a multi-year contract at about $3 million a year. The Detroit Lions, whom Sanders did not visit, also submitted a proposal. Meanwhile, the phone rings often at the Atlanta home of Sanders and his wife, Carolyn.

Apparently, Miami quarterback Dan Marino is doing much of the dialing. "Deion has gone fishing. You should see the list of messages he has," said Pat Melton, who works for Sanders in Atlanta. "And Dan Marino keeps calling." Sanders' agent said Tuesday night that a choice may not be made soon. "Nothing's up yet," Eugene Parker said from his office in Fort Wayne, Ind.

"Everything's still in the air." The Associated Press Front row, left to right: Jan Stenerud, Ronnie Lott, Ray Nitschke, Otto Graham, Jack Ham; Back row, left to right: Larry Wilson, Lawrence Taylor, Walter Payton, Merlin Olsen, Anthony Munoz, Marion Motley, Willie Lanier, Roosevelt Brown. Munoz among greatest Then, he briefly became No. 1 when The Future, Klingler, got hurt late in '92. Hardcore Bengals fans remember that Hollas wasn't all that bad in '92. He completed 35 of 58 passes for two TDs and no interceptions, and had a strong quarterback rating of 87.9.

Yet, doubts remain. Hollas hasn't played in a real game in 20 months, and that sure is a big 'ol knee brace he's wearing. Trainer Paul Sparling says Hollas is wearing the brace only as a precaution. "His knee is stable," said Sparling. "There's no pain, no swelling, and no reason for medical concern at this time." Said General Manager Mike Brown: "We believe he's ready to be the backup quarterback.

We believe he's fully recovered." Skeptical Bengals fans won't believe it until they see it. And that's fine with Hollas, a thoughtful guy whose favorite pastimes are the simple things reading, fishing, spending time with wife Kimberly. As for the pressure, he does know it's there. "I'm aware," he said, "that I have something to prove." CONTINUED FROM PAGE El 21 passing for 88 yards, no TDs, no interceptions. In the regular season, 18 NFL games, he's 67 for 113, 645 yards, 3 TDs, 4 and a pedestrian QB rating of 69.4.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet: "We like Donny Hollas. He's accurate, his arm is strong and he can run." He also doesn't cost $850,000 as did Schroeder, who was cut in what was widely viewed as an economic move. Hollas ($250,800) is in the right price-range at the right time, but hopes he's more than just lucky. "It's unfortunate what happened to Jay," Hollas said. "It's something that happens.

And if David gets hurt, I'll be ready." Hollas has usually been in the background since arriving at Cincinnati as a No. 4 draftee in 1991. Boomer Esiason was the unquestioned starter when he arrived, and then Hollas saw the Bengals draft Klingler No. 1 in 1992. That pushed him back to the bottom of the heap.

But he moved up late in '92 when the struggling Esiason was benched. And as Esiason increasingly showed he wanted no more part of being a Bengal, Hollas was bumped up to No. 2. from his day off with the Jets, swap stories at lunch was incredible. You really have a hard time believing you made it." Most were properly humble.

"I owe my life to this man," said Otto Graham, the Browns quarterback in the 1940s and '50s, gesturing to Marion Motley, who blocked and ran the ball for him. "Without him I'd probably be dead now." All-time roster, E2. Enquirer news services NEW YORK The NFL introduced its 75th anniversary all-star team Tuesday, and two things were clear: Lawrence Taylor is just as fast as ever, and Ray Nitschke is as good with a quip as he was as a linebacker. Thirteen of the 48 players selected to the team showed up at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate their selection. Ronnie Lott, who drove in was the only active player to show up.

Taylor, recently retired, barely made it. First, he showed up at the last minute. Then, while the others gathered for interviews, Taylor headed for the door. "I admit it, I brought my autograph book and had some of them sign," said Bengals great Anthony Munoz. ''Listening to Willie Lanier and Ray Nitschke Highlands grad Moore gets starting nod with Patriots England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys.

said. I just feel more comfortable Community Hospital in nearby Norfolk for treatment and released. He then briefly The Associated Press FOXBORO, Mass. Tuesday was a good day for the last pick in the '94 NFL draft. Rookie linebacker Marty Moore, the 222nd player chosen in the draft, will start at right inside linebacker for the New England Patriots in Sunday's regular-season opener at Miami.

Moore, who played at Highlands High School in Ft. Thomas, will replace veteran Todd Collins, who injured his right knee in the Patriots' preseason finale at Green Bay. Moore, a 6-foot-l, 242-pounder out of Kentucky, was dubbed the 19th "Mr. Irrelevant" after becoming the last player I selected, and was the guest of honor at a week-long festival in southern California I prior td the opening of training camp. objective ws just to make the GIANTS: Placekicker David Treadwell, waived by New York in April after finishing last season as its leading scorer, was re-signed by the team Tuesday.

DOLPHINS: Miami has talked with the agent for ex-Denver LB Karl Mecklenburg, who turns 34 Thursday. Mecklenburg was released in the off-season because of his $1.4 million salary. OILERS: WR Webster Slaughter is expected to see his first game action Sunday since suffering torn ligaments in his left knee in the 14th game last year. STEELERS: Coach Bill Cowher named rookie WR Charles Johnson and second-year WR Andre Hastings as starters for Sunday's opener against Dallas. Veteran WR Dwight Stone will double as a running back and third-down wide receiver.

PRO FOOTBALL team," Moore said. "I did that, then an unfortunate thing happened, so I'm going to get my chance to start the opener. "I told my mom, she'd better tape the game. She'll probably be too excited to press 'record' or something, so maybe I'd better have my sister do it." Coach Bill Parcells said Moore's draft position had no bearing on his decision to start him. "I told him if I didn't have confidence in him as a player, I wouldn't have him on the team," Parcells said.

Also, Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe was hospitalized Tuesday for what Parcells called a "gastric disorder." Bledsoe, the overall No. 1 pick in the 1993 draft, was brought to Southwood with John in that role, early in the game. Said Shuler: "Starting would have been nice, but I plan to have a long career, so this might work out better for me in the long run. I'm not competing against John, anyway, just myself." PACKERS: Sterling Sharpe's plan to raise his $1.3 million a year salary reportedly includes sitting out games until the matter is resolved. The Milwaukee Sentinel reported Tuesday that Sharpe, who had led the NFL in receptions the past two seasons, has told others he would walk out if a solution can't be worked out.

VIKINGS: They cut punter Bryan Barker, whom they had signed as a free agent in the off-season, and replaced him by signing Mike Saxon, formerly of the New returned to Foxboro Stadium before going to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he was admitted. He remained in the hospital Tuesday night, said hospital spokesman Arch Maclnnes. A team spokesman indicated the problem wasn't considered serious. Around the league REDSKINS: Coach Norv Turner ended weeks of speculation and named John Friesz as the starting quarterback for Sunday's opener against Seattle. The four-year veteran, who signed as a free agent during the off-season, got the nod over No.

3 overall draft pick Heath Shuler. "It's not that I think that Heath can't handle it He'd handle it fine," Turner.