The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 48

APRIL 2, 1992 D-7 -THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR- Numbers aside, Colts upgrade with Plan recruits could turn out to be solid start ers." By MIKE CHAPPELL 'STAR STAFF WRITER For the third year In a row, the Indianapolis Colts have been dealt a numerical beating on the -National Football League's Plan According to Irsay, the Colts were able to toughen their talent without throwing their salary structure out of whack. HERRMANN STAYING PUT Mark Herrmann will appar ently return to battle Tupa for that No. 3 quarterback spot. their 1984 first-round draft pick is still a viable commodity. Offensive lineman Trevor Matich, who could replace Bal-dinger as the Colts' handy man.

During his seven-year, 68-game NFL career, Matich has been a starter at center, right guard and left tackle. He's a solid long-snapper, and even played some tight end last year with the New York Jets. Linebacker Carl Zander, who could challenge for a starting spot inside if the Colts remain a 3-4 defense or provide depth behind Jeff Herrod if they switch to a 4-3 alignment. Quarterback Tom Tupa. He won't cause any sleepless nights for starter Jeff George or backup Jack Trudeau.

but Tupa could be a capable third-stringer. And he's better than half the punters in the league, too. battle-ground. a 1 de-actions fol-lowing Wednesday's "midnight signaling deadline, Colts finished a mi- nne.A' Hnrlni? gained In terms of sheer numbers, but it appears a ballclub whose roster screamed for immediate assistance answered the 911 call. "We're very happy," Irsay said.

"We feel this is the best group we've ever come up with." Irsay's optimistic tone could be traced to five acquisitions: Wide receiver Reggie Langhorne, who should fit into whatever offensive approach Coach Ted Marchibroda devises. The 29-year-old Langhorne was Cleveland's second-leading receiver over the last four years with 201 catches for 2,619 yards and 13 touchdowns. Guard Ron Solt. Although East Coast sources insist Solts' surgically-repaired knees can no longer endure the season-long grind, the Colts are confident Those additions more than offset the subtractions. Veteran tight end Pat Beach (signed by the Jets) would have needed strong fingernails to hold on to a roster spot at training camp, management had lost confidence in safety Keith Taylor (New Orleans) and Baldinger was classic overachiever.

Quarterback Rusty Hilger (Seattle), running back Bruce Perkins (Cleveland), offensive lineman Brian Blados (Seattle), defensive back Charles Washington (Green Bay) and linebackers Brian Jones (Miami) and Matt Jaworski (Pittsburgh) weren't exactly cornerstones in Marchibroda's '92 game plans. "There's no question we have upgraded ourselves at several positions," said Irsay. "But more than that, Solt and Langhorne Wednesday. The 33-year-old Bal-dinger, who's entering his 10th year In the league, started 36 games during his four-year stay in Indianapolis, including 30 over the past two seasons. Baldinger's exit leaves Indianapolis' four-year Plan ledger at a minus-16 (14 signed, 30 lost).

And that huge deficit has been accumulated over the last three seasons. After a 7-7 standoff in 1989. the Colts have absorbed 23 losses while acquiring seven new faces. Such lopsided numbers, though, are quickly dismissed by General Manager Jim Irsay. "You can't lump the years together," he said.

"We only signed two players last year, but we had substantial money on the table in several instances." And this year? Indianapolis may have lost more than it Herrmann went to Denver for a workout earlier this week and found himself competing with Steve Pelluer for the Broncos' backup chores. League sources indicate Denver management wanted Herrmann and Pelluer to extend their competition into training camp and offered deals to both. Herrmann, however, declined. It's believed he feels more confident battling for his NFL The fourth J-Irsay year of Plan B's existence five acquisitions, nine losses. 1 1 The latest departure Involved lineman Brian Bal-" dinger, who Joined Buffalo existence In Indianapolis.

Fira AIL IFnTUIHL Owners OK 17-week schedule; NFL-TV dveback plan tabled f. III NAIO JUNIOR WELTER WIIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP tOUT Don MISS ray "doom doom vs. BUY SELL ENJOY THE FOOD THE FIGHT' 52nd StTMt Pub C3EG IIAUCia FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1992, 9 P.M. UVI FROM HNO SPAIKI CONVICTION CWTn be played Jan. 31 In the Rose Bowl at Pasadena.

All Major Events Murray's Tickets Dependability Since 1937 1-800-542-4466 ext. 121 Modell needed a three-fourths majority (21 votes) for the new contract revision to be put into Catch the Hoosiers NCAA Action On Our Big Screen TV's $1 Cover Chart CALL 259.1990 force. But Dallas, Indianapolis, the Los Angeles Rams, Miami, Phila delphia. San Francisco, Tampa Bay and Seattle were aligned against the proposal. The owners also aproved the formal transfer of the New Eng land Patriots from Victor Kiam ASSOCIATED PRESS Dallas NFL owners opted for a 17-week 1992 schedule Wednesday that would involve a rebate of some $1 million per team to the television networks.

The owners tabled a proposal by Art Modell. chairman of the NFL television committee, that would give the league a two-year network extension In exchange for the return of some $6.8 million per team In 1993. Modell had negotiated a new Tjcohtract with givebacks of some million in TV revenue in exchange for a contract that would go through 1995. Some owners like Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys didn't jvant to give any money back. think there will be an up-tick down the road," Jones said.

"It's way too early to make a decision on the contract." The current contract calls for NFL teams to receive $34.2 mil lion this season and $41 million in 1993. The renegotiated contract which couldn't get to first base would have given each team $34.2 million this year and $34 million each of the next three years. The five television networks have claimed that their NFL revenue is down and asked for a break. The NFL had originally planned for an 18-week schedule in 1992 with two off weeks for each club. The 17-week schedule approved Wednesday will have an off week for each team with two weeks off between the division championship games and the Super Bowl.

The regular season will end on the last week in December and the wild card games will be played Jan. 2-3. The divisional playoffs will be set for Jan. 9-10 with Jan. 17 set for the conference championship games.

The Super Bowl will to the James Orthwein group of St. Louis. WIDE RECEIVER Drew Hill, unsure of his future in Houston despite finishing third in the NFL last season in recep Hons, signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons for $800,000. Hill, the only NFL receiver with four 1 seasons af ter age 30, bolted from the run- and-shoot Oilers to the Red Gun offense of the Falcons. Woman driver to make 4500' try race in the 24 Hours of LeMans for the second time, ran a For mula Atlantic race In Phoenix By MIKE HARRIS ASSOCIATED PRESS New York Lyn St.

James will attempt in May to become "the second woman to race in the Indianapolis 500 and the first to run at Indy In 14 years. and did some test driving in oth er open-wheel cars. She is -scheduled to test Si et's talk about bats. lOu love the game. mon's car this week on the road The crack of the bat, circuit at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix while the IndyCar series prepares to run across town at Phoenix In the feel of the dirt and the roar of the crowd ternational Raceway and will test next week on the fast oval at Texas World Speedway "to get You've got to have a good bat if you really want to pound the ball.

Easton's new BJ 10 Composite Baseball Bat features graphite composite that's compression molded for strength and durability. Available in announcement "tfj made Wednesday during a conference call. -St. James, a seasoned sports car and sedan racer, "has been trying for several I 1. You want the best equipment that you accustomed to the high speeds.

St. James then will take part Africa and married to an Englishman, tried Indianapolis during the early '80s. She stopped one lap short of completing a four-lap qualifying run In 1982, but her final lap of 191.042 mph is the fastest by a woman at Indy. Wilson returned in 1982 but was unable to put together a qualifying effort. The effort by St.

James will be sponsored by J.C. Penney Inc. Her 1991 Cosworth-powered Lola will carry No. 90 for J.C. birthday and will be known as "The Spirit of the American Woman." St.

James, who set the women's closed course speed record of 232 mph In a Ford Thunder-bird in 1990 at Talladega Super-speedway, said, "It's hard for me to believe that it's really happening." St. James, whose last full-time ride was in the SCCA's Trans-Am series in 1990, spent much of last season making appearances as president of the Women's Sports Foundation, although she did join Wilson to can buy. The latest innovations. You need to come to Galyan's. Why? It's simple.

Galyan's has the best selection of sporting goods equipment and apparel in Indiana. assorted lengths. I $159.99 in the three-day Rookie Orientation Program at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this month. THE ENTRY list for the May 24 Indianapolis 500 grew to 62 cars Wednesday with 1990 winner Arte Luyendyk among the latest entries announced by the Speedway. Eddie Cheever, Buddy Lazier.

Scott Pruett, Geoff Brabham, John Paul and Steve Chassey are other drivers added to the entry list Wednesday. Entries for the 76th Indy 500 must be postmarked before midnight, Wednesday. Lere's a good exam -together a St James to race an Indy car and finally got it done with the help of team owner Dick Simon, who also was instrumental in putting Janet Guthrie in the race In 1978 and 1979. Guthrie finished 27th, ninth completing 190 of 200 laps and 34th in her three Indy usiarts. Desire Wilson, born In South Lere's a great bat for your ple of savings.

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